Chapter 19 – Kamimai
On New Year’s Eve, I have hardly any pleasant memories.
In my previous life, it was commonplace to eat instant noodles (paired with a nutritional drink) while working at my company desk.
I couldn’t even watch my favorite VTuber’s live stream on New Year’s Eve, and I ended up sobbing while working.
But now, how different things are.
Here I am, alongside four elegantly dressed young ladies, participating in the New Year’s Eve hatsumode(first shrine visit).
Despite the considerable crowd, we stand out as a group.
There’s the blonde-haired, big boobed childhood friend, a dependable loli(adopted sister), an introverted and sullen girl, and a silver-haired oneesan.
It’s quite impossible not to attract attention.
「It feels like a festival!」
Yui’s eyes sparkle as she gazes at the row of food stalls lining the path leading to the shrine.
「I’ve never been to such a big shrine for hatsumode before. It’s pretty amazing.」
Even though it’s late at night, it’s astonishing how many people have gathered.
Well, temporary trains must be running, of course.
「Hey, Kazu! What’s that? What’s that?」
Yui points excitedly at a Nagano specialty called ‘oyaki’.
It’s a baked treat made from wheat flour dough filled with ingredients like wild vegetables.
I recall how my Hokkaido-born boss once mistook ‘oyaki’ for ‘obanyaki’ (a different type of snack) and caused trouble during a client meeting.
I was the one who had to smooth things over.
「Let’s save the food stalls for later.」
Futaba says firmly.
She’s my dependable adopted sister.
「But cotton candy in a bag wouldn’t be a bother, right?」
Yui says, already heading toward the cotton candy stand.
Perhaps her excitement is getting the best of her.
「Japan is such a mysterious country. Just last week, we had Christmas and today, Shinto.」
Sistina observes, scanning her surroundings with curiosity.
I understand her feelings.
Growing up in Japan, I took these customs for granted, but in this otherworldly place, it’s all quite bewildering.
「Oh! Aniki!」
「Isn’t that Sanada?」
The voice belongs to the boy I befriended during a past leadership camp.
He was in Futaba’s class, if I recall correctly.
Next to him, there’s a couple who appear to be parents.
「Happy New Year.」
「Y-Yes.」
The younger pair’s greeting is rather curt.
Futaba seems dutiful, while Sanada is blushing furiously.
Meeting classmates in front of your parents can be embarrassing, after all.
「Oh, isn’t that Futaba-chan? You topped the recent test again, didn’t you? Would you mind tutoring my child?」
「M-Mom, don’t say embarrassing things!」
Sanada-kun’s face is beet red.
Are all mothers like this?
Futaba quietly observes her classmate, her expression tinged with envy.
「Happy New Year. I’m Futaba’s older brother. Futaba is always grateful for Sanada-kun’s help.」
I play the role of a guardian.
「The feeling is mutual. You’re quite a responsible older brother.」
Responds Sanada’s father, a kind-looking man.
「I’m Futaba’s sister-in-law. Our Futaba has been indebted to you.」
Yui chimes in.
「「Eh?」」
See? The other parents look puzzled.
「Yui-san, please refrain from saying strange things. I don’t recall becoming your sister-in-law.」
「It’s fine. It’s an established fact.」
「Are you sure about your choice of words?」
「Enough! Enough! This conversation is getting complicated. I apologize; our family situation is a bit intricate.」
Sanada’s parents can only smile wryly at my awkward explanation.
「By the way, I ran into Yamada earlier. Despite his usual demeanor, he was crying after losing sight of his parents.」
「Did you help him?」
「N-no…」
Sanada tried to steer the conversation, but he swung and missed.
It seems winning Futaba’s attention will be a distant goal.
「Well then, excuse us. Let’s go.」
As Sanada is led away by his parents, he wears a subtly conflicted expression—a mix of relief and reluctance.
It appears he still harbors feelings for Futaba.
Ah, youth.
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