Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a landmark landscape of Kyoto and even the whole of Japan. It is also the oldest temple in Kyoto. Suitable for viewing cherry blossoms in spring and maple leaves in autumn, it is one of the must-visit attractions in Kyoto.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood on the Kiyomizu Stage, the most popular spot in Kiyomizu-dera, leaning on the railing and looking into the distance. She could see the maple leaves dyeing the mountains red, the street view of Kyoto district, and... students taking photos for commemoration.
Although separated by some distance, Yukino felt as if the sound of 'cheese~' often made during group photos appeared in her ears. A trace of indescribable emotion flashed in her light blue eyes.
That's... Shinra, right?
Understandable that Yui and Kawasaki Saki are with him, but why is Miura Yumiko there too?
Oh right, that crybaby seems to be in the same group as Yui and the others.
If taking a photo, isn't the distance a bit too close?
Yukino's position happened to allow her to see the small movements of Miura Yumiko and Shinra taking photos under the stage clearly. Although not hanging on Shinra directly, it wasn't far off. At least from Yukino's perspective, the distance between the two had completely exceeded the distance of normal male-female relationships.
"Tsk..."
The good mood generated by visiting the beautiful scenery of Kiyomizu-dera was instantly destroyed by this scene. A few traces of irritability inevitably arose in the girl's heart, targeting both Miura Yumiko and Shinra.
"Yukinoshita-san, let's take a group photo!"
"Look at the camera~"
Members of Yukino's group ran to her excitedly with cameras. Before Yukino could react, a photo was frozen.
After taking the photo and looking back, Shinra and his group under the Kiyomizu Stage had merged into the crowd again, nowhere to be seen.
Yukino pursed her lips, slightly shaken about the original itinerary for tomorrow.
Should I ask later if they are willing to act with people from other classes?
If not willing... I'll think of other ways.
Thinking carefully, it's just one day; nothing should change. Moreover, it's a group action. Even if Miura Yumiko wants to do something, she has to consider whether the surrounding environment is appropriate.
What's more, Yukino knows very well that Shinra isn't that easy to conquer. At least so far, Yukino hasn't seen him show favor to any girl except herself. The reason is most likely because she makes snacks for him?
Mm, if really speaking of any girl Shinra treats specially, my sister seems to count as half?
Thinking of this, Yukino's eyes flashed, and a bad thought suddenly appeared in her heart. Do you think Shinra treats Nee-san specially because of me, or because she is Yukinoshita Haruno herself?
Yukino didn't know. She forcibly pulled her attention back to the trip itself, no longer thinking about those irrelevant things.
Following the guide sister to visit the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera, Yukino and her three companions came to Jishu Shrine. Although its fame is not as loud as the Kiyomizu Stage, it is also a popular attraction, especially among young people. Its internal god of marriage (en-musubi) is famous, and many people run here every year to pray for love to blossom and bear fruit.
Yukino politely declined this because, in her opinion, love is won by oneself; how can one rely on gods?
Besides, can love granted by gods really be called love?
In the final analysis, rather than pinning hope on ethereal gods, it's better to improve oneself down-to-earth. Even if failing to harvest love, at least one can become more outstanding.
No loss either way.
Although Yukino wasn't interested in the god of marriage, the other three members of her group didn't think so.
"Yukinoshita-san, want to try? Heard from others that the god of marriage here is very efficacious!"
"I'll pass..."
"Come on, come on~"
Hard to refuse such kindness. Helplessly, Yukino had to take out a 100-yen coin from her wallet and throw it into the money box, then take the lot box handed by the staff, drawing one casually...
[Great Misfortune (Daikyo)]
Yukino: ...
"Hiss..."
The three girls gathering around also gasped in unison seeing this scene. Honestly, it was the first time they saw someone actually draw a Great Misfortune from the lots.
Generally speaking, lots in such scenic spots are often filled with good lots like Great Blessing, Blessing, Middle Blessing, and Small Blessing. After all, everyone comes out to play; few scenic spots would really add bad luck lots inside to spoil the mood. Even if added, most are 'Small Misfortune'; how can there be 'Great Misfortune' directly...
Originally, they wanted to use the marriage lot to boost morale on Yukino's side, telling her not to lose to that Miura Yumiko, but now it seems... completely counterproductive?
Seeing this situation, Girl A, who just said the lots here were very efficacious, changed her tune directly: "Feudal superstition is undesirable. I personally feel love depends more on human effort conquering nature; it depends on human effort."
Girl B, who forced Yukino to come here to draw lots, also nodded hurriedly in agreement: "Right, think from another angle. Drawing Great Misfortune means the luck afterwards will only get better, right?"
Girl C even provided professional references for this, saying: "When at the bottom of the valley, any way goes up."
"Shut up!" Girl A and Girl B shouted in unison.
If you can't speak, don't speak. What is 'at the bottom of the valley'! Is that appropriate?!
Girl C felt wronged. Didn't you say after drawing Great Misfortune, luck will only get better?
I just extended your words slightly; why should I shut up?
Yukino watched the three comedians in the team start pinching each other, knowing they were worried she would be unhappy because of drawing Great Misfortune. In fact, she was indeed a bit depressed, but not enough to vent anger on others.
She folded the Great Misfortune lot, shook her head and said: "It's okay. I didn't believe in these things anyway."
"By the way, I heard from others that if you draw a bad lot, tie it as high as possible so that the gods can see it easier." Girl A suggested.
"You just said this is feudal superstition..." Girl C muttered in a low voice.
Girl A glared at Girl C fiercely. Mentioning the pot that doesn't boil (bringing up unwanted topics), aren't you?
Hearing this, Yukino looked up thoughtfully at the bamboo strip for tying lots. The top... if tiptoeing, should be able to reach.
"Need my help?"
Just as Yukino prepared to put it into action, a familiar voice sounded beside her.
Yukino turned around and found it was Shinra.
When did this guy come over?
With this thought popping up, Yukino saw Girl B making a 'fighting' gesture towards her not far away, while Girl A and Girl C were still pinching each other beside her.
"Trouble you." Yukino withdrew her gaze and handed her 'Great Misfortune' to Shinra.
"Easy task."
For the place Yukino could barely reach by tiptoeing, Shinra only needed to raise his hand to touch. After all, this rack was only less than two meters high at most.
"Why are you here?" Yukino watched Shinra tie the lot to the bamboo pole on the side and asked seemingly casually.
When she looked from above the Kiyomizu Stage, Shinra just arrived downstairs at the Kiyomizu Stage. So according to normal progress, Shinra should have just come down from the Kiyomizu Stage at this moment; how could he appear at Jishu Shrine?
"Oh, I didn't follow the guide." Shinra said casually.
"What about Miura-san and the others? Feel assured letting you go alone?" When Yukino said this, she felt the smell of vinegar (jealousy) was strong enough to choke her nose.
Shinra didn't answer directly but showed a puzzled expression and asked back: "How do you know Miura and the others are acting with us?"
"..." Yukino opened her mouth, then reacted quickly to justify herself: "You are in the same class; acting together is normal, right? Yui is also there..."
After speaking, Yukino regretted a bit. Why explain this? Just say she happened to see them taking photos together, right?
Looking at Shinra's smiling face, Yukino really wanted to punch this guy.
Fortunately, Shinra quit while he was ahead. However, he didn't answer Yukino's first question directly but took out a lot from his wallet and handed it to the girl.
"What is this?" Yukino looked down and took the lot, finding the words 'Great Blessing' written on it.
"Lot drawn just now. Seeing you so unlucky, giving it to you to change luck." Shinra shrugged.
Yukino's heart seemed to skip a beat. Obviously just a piece of paper thin to the extreme, obviously she didn't believe in this, but when Shinra handed it to her, the corners of her mouth couldn't control curling up. The mood, which became somewhat bad because of drawing 'Great Misfortune', disappeared instantly, replaced by indescribable sweetness.
And the scene seen on the Kiyomizu Stage before was thrown to the clouds by her long ago.
The girl smiled, unable to maintain the appearance of a cold girl anymore, and said to the boy in front of her with an imperceptible voice.
"Thank you."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Sure enough, the flowering period of the flower on a high peak is always short. After Yukino treasured this good lot in the innermost interlayer of her wallet, she asked: "Give me this lot; what about you?"
"Next time ask this question before accepting it." Shinra teased.
Yukino pretended not to hear. She was in a good mood now, not arguing with this guy.
And to Yukino's question, the answer given by Shinra was...
"It doesn't matter. I didn't believe in these things anyway."
After all, if he really believed, he wouldn't have so many lots on him.
Besides this 'Great Blessing' given to Yukino, Shinra's coat pocket, trouser pocket, inside of phone case, and lining pocket contained varying amounts of 'Great Blessing', 'Blessing', and 'Middle Blessing' lots respectively. Even Misfortune had one.
However, only that one. And 'Great Misfortune', he hadn't even seen a shadow of it once.
Had to say Yukino was really something. He drew so many times, only drawing one 'Misfortune', while Yukino drew 'Great Misfortune' in a single draw. In a sense, this could be considered a kind of 'luck'?
As for the one-person-one-lot rule stipulated by Kiyomizu-dera... can only say the rule is cold, but Fukuzawa Yukichi is warm.
Can't go against money, right?
And Shinra didn't make things difficult for the staff. He was drawing for others. As for whom he drew for, don't worry about it.
Although indeed harvested like leeks by Kiyomizu-dera this time, unlocking Yukino's brand new favorability illustration... this wave is not a loss.
Mm, can repeat it for Yumiko and Saki later. The remaining 'Great Blessing' lots in hand can't be wasted; these were drawn with real money.
"Eh, isn't that Hiratsuka-sensei? What is she doing there?" Shinra was attracted by the woman in a white suit not far away.
Yukino followed his gaze, then said with a strange expression: "That should be the Love Fortune Stone."
"Love Fortune Stone?"
"Just two stones ten meters apart. Legend has it that if you can walk from one side to the other with your eyes closed, your love will blossom and bear fruit." Yukino explained.
Shinra looked up again and found Hiratsuka-sensei's progress was already halfway, and she was still moving unswervingly towards the other stone, without any deviation in direction.
What a firm heart for love.
Shinra looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka's skillful steps and knew she must have participated in similar superstitious activities a lot, but still single until now. This is enough to show that feudal superstition is undesirable.
Withdrawing his gaze, Yukino pointed to the three queues lined up not far away and asked: "Let's go check there."
Shinra had no objection. At this moment, the large group should have just come down from the Kiyomizu Stage. He had ample time for management.
Perhaps considering Shinra had no research on Kiyomizu-dera, Yukino explained proactively: "This is Otowa Waterfall. Three streams bless studies, love, and longevity respectively."
Shinra looked at the trickling streams, thinking can this little thing be considered a waterfall?
Probably just for good luck; no need to be so particular.
"Which one do you want to bless?" Shinra asked.
"Longevity." Yukino answered without thinking.
Studies didn't need blessing. Love... the girl pinched her wallet, feeling it was already enough. The rest naturally hoped for longevity.
Although the three tributaries blessed different things, it was clearly written on the sign board that [All three streams come from the same water source], so essentially there was no difference, just a psychological effect.
There were special long-handled wooden ladles by the flowing water for visitors to drink. Every time a guest finished drinking, it would be put into a sterilization device for disinfection, so no need to worry about hygiene issues.
However, even so, Shinra and Yukino still chose to spend some money, bought disposable plastic cups from the staff on the side, and drank a little spring water.
Considered a worthwhile trip.