Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818622176546892247
On the first weekend of the new year, Hina, Sakine, and I went to a shrine for the first visit of the year. I had made this appointment with Hina on New Year’s Eve, and I couldn’t wait for the day to come. Since talking to Mukai at the end of the year, my feelings for Hina had become even stronger.
The meeting place was a large shrine in the neighborhood.
Usually a quiet place, today it was crowded with many visitors.
As we passed through the torii gate, we were immediately swallowed up by the crowd. The sweet aroma wafted from the street stalls, and the voices of the people mixed with the sounds of drums and bells, creating a lively atmosphere typical of the New Year.
“Wow! There are so many people, Hikaru-nii-chan!”
Sakine grabbed the hem of my hoodie with sparkling eyes.
Although she was overwhelmed by the crowd, her expression was full of curiosity.
“That’s right. Sakine, hold my hand and Hina’s hand tightly so you don’t get lost.”
When I said that, Sakine nodded energetically.
“Okay!”
Hina stood beside me, wearing a cute winter coat. She too looked a little surprised by the crowd.
“There are so many people here. But it feels very New Year’s-like and fun.”
Hina smiled at me. Her smile was like a flower blooming in the shrine grounds, lighting up my heart with a warm glow.
With Sakine in the middle, we held hands and slowly began to walk down the approach to the shrine. Every time a cold wind blew, Hina’s hair swayed gently. The warmth transmitted through our joined hands was so comfortable that it made me forget the cold of winter.
It took a long time to reach the place of worship. There was already a long line in front of the offering box. We lined up at the end of the line and waited for our turn.
“It’s like the mystery-solving game we played at the cultural festival!”
Sakine pointed to the food stalls around us and talked to Hina, enjoying herself without getting bored.
“Sister, it smells delicious over there!”
“That’s takoyaki, Sakine. Let’s go eat some later.”
Hina replied gently to Sakine. Her voice sounded somewhat cheerful.
We finally reached the offering box and put our hands together alongside Hina. Sakine imitated the two of us, putting her small hands together and closing her eyes. I prayed in my heart for the health and happiness of Hina and Sakine, and that my relationship with Hina would continue forever. Hina also closed her eyes and seemed to be praying for something with a serious expression on her face.
After finishing our prayers, the three of us drew omikuji fortune slips.
Sakine peered into the omikuji box with great interest next to Hina.
“Which one should I choose?”
Sakine shook the box and took out a small wooden stick.
Hina followed suit and drew one as well. I also quietly drew one.
We each took the paper with the number written on it.
The one Hina drew was “Daikichi” (great luck).
“Wow! Daikichi!”
Hina jumped up and down happily.
Seeing her innocent expression, I couldn’t help but smile.
“That’s amazing. Maybe something good will happen.”
“Yeah! How about you, Hikaru?”
Hina peered at my fortune slip.
I drew a “suekichi” fortune.
“Suekichi… Well, it’s not bad.”
When I said that, Hina chuckled.
“Hehe, that’s typical of you, Hikaru. But I’m sure it’ll be okay. You have me with you.”
Hina said that and gently wrapped her arm around mine. The warmth of her touch slowly spread through my heart.
“That’s right. With Hina by my side, I’m sure it will be a good year.”
When I said that, Hina smiled happily. Sakine was showing Hina the fortune she had drawn and explaining it to her.
“Sakine got Chukichi! It said that my whole family will be healthy!”
“That’s great, Sakine.”
Hina gently stroked Sakine’s head. Watching the two of them, my heart was filled with warmth.
After tying up the fortune slips, we headed for the street lined with food stalls. The delicious smells of takoyaki, yakisoba, and apple candy wafted through the air.
“Nee chan, what’s this?”
Sakine pointed to a food stall with steam rising from it.
A white liquid was being simmered there. It was an amazake stall.
“This is called amazake. It’s made from rice, and it’s sweet and warm.”
Hina explained carefully to Sakine. Sakine tilted her head with interest.
“Hmm… What does it taste like?”
“Would you like to try it?”
Sakine nodded energetically in response to Hina’s question.
“Okay, let’s try it. It’ll warm us up.”
When I said that, Hina nodded too.
“Yeah, it’s getting a little cold, so it might be just right.”
The three of us lined up at the amazake stall. We received the piping hot amazake and took a sip. The gentle sweetness and warmth spread through my body. Sakine asked Hina to hold her cup and took a cautious sip.
“It’s sweet! It’s delicious!”
Sakine said with sparkling eyes. Her face seemed to show surprise and joy at the new taste.
After warming ourselves up with amazake, we looked around at the other stalls. When I saw Sakine looking longingly at the prizes at the shooting gallery, I couldn’t help but give it a try. Unfortunately, I didn’t win any prizes, but Sakine applauded me, saying, “Hikaru-nii, you were so cool!” I was happy to hear that.
When we passed by the takoyaki stall, Sakine exclaimed, “I want to eat takoyaki too!”
“But you said you were full earlier,”
Hina said with a wry smile.
“But it smells so good!”
Sakine’s plea made me loosen my purse strings.
“Okay, let’s all share it.”
When I said that, Sakine jumped up and shouted, “Yay!” Sakine and Hina looked very cute as they blew on the piping hot takoyaki and ate it.
“It’s delicious!”
Hina smiled contentedly.
“Yes. Eating takoyaki in a place like this is also special.”
We enjoyed the bustle of the food stalls and took a leisurely stroll around the grounds. The shrine, which is usually quiet, was filled with the smiles and lively voices of families on this day. Spending time with Hina and Sakine in such an atmosphere made me happier than anything else.
On the way back, Hina suddenly stopped.
“Hey, Hikaru! Look!”
Hina pointed to a small ema rack. Many ema were hanging there, with people’s wishes written on them.
“Hey, Hikaru. Shall we write something too?”
Hina suggested to me.
“Sure. What should we write?”
We bought two ema and began writing our wishes side by side. Hina moved her brush with a serious expression on her face. I wondered for a moment what kind of wish I should write.
A happy future with Hina. Then, Sakine’s healthy growth. And above all, that Hina would always be smiling.
I wrote my wish on the ema and hung it next to Hina’s. Hina also gently hung up the ema she had finished writing.
“What did you write?”
Hina peered at my ema. I felt a little embarrassed and looked away.
“It’s a secret. What about you, Hina?”
“Mine’s a secret too!”
Hina smiled mischievously. Her smile was so cute that I couldn’t help but pat her on the head.
“Hey, if you make such a cute face, everyone will see you.”
When I said that, Hina’s cheeks quickly turned red.
“What are you talking about, Hikaru!”
Hina hurriedly hit my arm. Even that gesture was somehow cute.
We left the shrine and walked to the station. The sun was beginning to set, and the sky was turning orange. The city was still bustling with New Year’s festivities.
On the way to Hina’s house, she suddenly stopped.
“Hey, Hikaru.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you so much for today. I was really happy to come to the New Year’s shrine visit with you.”
Hina said, looking me straight in the eyes. Her eyes were clear and very warm.
“Me too, Hina. It was the best New Year’s Day ever.”
When I said that, Hina smiled happily. Then she gently placed her hand over mine. The warmth from our joined hands filled my heart.
“See you again. We have school tomorrow, but I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Yes. Be careful on your way home.”
Hina opened the front door.
“Bye, Hikaru.”
Hina gently touched my hand. I felt a sense of regret at her warm touch.
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