“Wait, what?! You stayed over at Ichika’s?!” Charl, who had been waiting at Shinonono Shrine in a kimono with her hair done up, sounded shocked.
“Yes. It was truly an evening to remember.”
“No fair, Laura! I don’t think you should try to get out ahead of us like that.”
Charlotte puffed her cheeks out in frustration, then began to plan how she’d stun Ichika when he arrived as she waited. I need to be a little more proactive myself. Yeah, that’s it. And spending a Japanese holiday with Ichika, just her and Laura, was a good chance to be last but not least. Especially with all the other competition out of the way. No one could deny that she looked absolutely adorable. Cecilia had stayed behind in England to take care of some business, Ling had gone home to China. And Tatenashi and Kanzashi were celebrating at their own place.
“Oh, there you are.” As she clenched her hands in tension, Ichika arrived. Unlike her and Laura, he was in his usual non-school-day clothes. Charl was more than a little relieved, though, to see he was wearing the scarf she’d given him.
“Wow, you look great in a kimono! Did Houki help you put it on?”
“Yeah. She’s amazing, it took no time at all.”
“And what about me? It looks perfect on me, doesn’t it?” Laura was as bold in showing off her kimono as Charlotte was shy. Both of them, though, were absolutely gorgeous, enough to catch second and third glances from passersby.
“Wow, is that Charlotte from IS Academy?”
“That must be Laura with her, then. Man, they look even better than the photos.”
Ichika, meanwhile, ignored the crowds as he lined them up in his camera’s viewfinder. “Guess I should get our first pictures of the year.”
“I hope they come out good.”
“It’s nice to be in the habit of having something to remember days like this by.”
The first shot was the girls together, then each of them alone. Next, they passed around the camera so each could get a shot with Ichika.
I’m so glad I bothered to come to this. I guess the early bird really does get the worm. Charlotte was already satisfied with how the day had gone, but Laura wanted more.
“We should probably go make our wishes now. Klarissa said I should wish for safe childbirth.”
“Why does she always say that kind of thing...” Ichika was nonplussed, and Charlotte was blushing.
“...Safe childbirth?”
“Yes. Good health is important.”
“Well, yeah, but... Seriously, c’mon, Laura.” Charlotte, red-faced, punched Laura in the back, much to her confusion.
✦ ✦ ✦
Shinonono Shrine’s clergy and lay ministers milled around the grounds, exchanging their holiday greetings. As they did, Ichika spotted Houki in the crowd and waved to her, trying to get her attention.
“Ah...” She shyly waved back, trying not to make eye contact. Just seeing his face made her feel embarrassed. He’ll probably be watching when I perform the kagura dance ritual...
The kagura, or the offering dance, was thought to bring luck in the coming year. Normally, Ichika watching as she performed such an important ritual would make her happy, Calm down, Houki... You’ll be fine, you can do this. He’d said she was beautiful after last summer’s performance. And she had even more practice under her belt now. She was sure to impress him even more.
With her heart rising, she stepped forward and began to dance. Her steps were precise, graceful, yet packed with passion. It was perfect.
As she finished, Ichika rushed over to her. “You were great, Houki! Wasn’t she, Charl?”
“Yeah! That was beautiful!”
“T-Thanks.”
Praise or no, her heart ached even more. Ichika and Charlotte had been holding hands. It was probably just to make sure they didn’t get split up in the crowd, but still. It’s nice that he liked it... But... Emptiness welling up in her chest, she retreated to the vestry, her eyes gleaming red.