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https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6016io/77/
We were sightseeing while holding hands, when we came to Bamboo Grove Lane, one of the most popular spots in the Arashiyama area. As the name suggests, Bamboo Grove Lane is famous for its beautiful scenery of bamboo groves.
The atmosphere here is completely different from that of the main street, which is crowded with shopping stores, and the scene is more tranquil, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
“Since we’ve come all the way to Arashiyama, we must definitely stop by here.”
“I know, it’s a classic, so you can’t miss the path through the bamboo grove.”
The bamboo leaves swayed in the refreshing breeze, and the beautiful sound and gentle sunlight filtering through the trees created a very comfortable atmosphere. It is said that in the Heian period (794-1185), this area was a vacation home for aristocrats, which is convincing considering this environment.
The only regret I have is that the area is quite crowded due to its popularity as a tourist spot, but that can’t be helped. If you really want to avoid the crowds, you have to go early in the morning when there are not many people around.
“By the way, Kano san, do you know what lies ahead?”
“I believe there is a Nonomiya Shrine ahead, and further ahead is the Japanese garden, Okochi Sanso.”
“Wow, you know it well.”
Many people know the name because of the famous path through the bamboo grove, but few know the details of what is there. Kano san, however, seems to know exactly what it is.
“Nonomiya Shrine is a power spot that is believed to be the god of marriage, happiness, children, treasure, safety, and childbirth, so there is no way I don’t know about it.”
“……I see.”
She’s still intrested in marriage and safe delivery of children. Kano san told me that she wanted to make a strong bond at the Kutouryuu Shrine in Hakone that would never be broken no matter what.
But now I know that the person Kano san likes is me. I feel like we’re already tied together to the point where we’ll never be able to leave each other again, but since it’s Kano san anyway, I’m sure she’ll think it’s not enough.
As we proceeded along the path through the bamboo grove, still holding hands, we came to a black torii gate.
“Speaking of which, do you remember the correct way to perform the ritual of hand-watering?”
“First, you take the ladle with your right hand, draw water from it, and purify your left hand, right?”
“Yes, yes.”
We came to the hand-watering basin, and while talking to each other, we purified our hands and went around the main shrine and other shrines on the temple grounds.
“Okay, then let’s finally go to the god of marriage”
“Oh, the place we visited so far wasn’t the god of marriage, was it?”
“No, actually it was not.”
I was quite surprised because I had assumed that the first main shrine or the shrine I visited earlier was the god of marriage. As I was walking along, Kao san stopped in front of a sign that read [Turtle Stone].
“This is where the god of marriage, Nonomiya Daikokuten, is enshrined.”
“Eh, a stone?”
Kano san pointed to a large stone shaped like a turtle. It seems that it is enshrined not in a shrine but in a stone.
“If you touch this turtle stone, your wish will come true within a year.”
“I see, so that’s the way.”
I start rubbing the turtle stone with my free hand while holding hands with Kano san. I wished that I could be married to someone I like. I dared not think of Kano san’s or Suzuno’s name.
“…Is it just my imagination that Kano san’s hand looks a little naughty?”
“Eh, I’m just moving moving my hand as hard as I could while thinking about Yuito.”
I can’t put it into words, but Kano san looks strangely sexy right now. I mean, Kano san clearly looks like she’s covered in evil thoughts right now, but is she really okay?
I wonder if she will be punished. After waiting until Kano san is satisfied, we departed from Nonomiya Shrine and started walking through the bamboo grove again.
“The scenery is so beautiful, it’s a lot of fun just to walk around.”
“Yes, it’s better in person than in pictures or videos, so I’m glad I came.”
It is no exaggeration to say that we are already satisfied today just by seeing this scenery. The two of us continued walking until we reached Okochi Sanso, the end of the path through the bamboo grove.
After a quick look around the garden, we sat down to enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets at a tea house with red carpets and outdoor umbrellas.
“I knew it was the home of powdered green tea, and it tastes so good.”
“That is what Kyoto is all about.”
Both the matcha and the wagashi were so delicious that we finished eating them in no time at all. I was thinking about buying matcha as a souvenir when Kano san came up to me and said.
“Oh, Yuito. Just stay still for a minute.”
To my surprise, Kano san kissed me on the cheek. I was so startled by the suddenness that I froze completely, but I quickly restarted.
“What are you doing all of a sudden?”
“Oh, I found matcha on Yuito’s cheek”
“No, no, you didn’t have to do that. I would have wiped it off myself if you had told me.”
“It’s just a little service from your kind sister.”
Kano san looked like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank when she uttered those words.
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