Christmas ’23 Omake – Last Christmas Part 3

Hisashi's mom woke him up early. He was still groggy from staying up late.

It was the new year and today was time for Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. 

His mom wrapped a thick scarf around Reina's neck before putting a thick winter coat over it that covered most of her body, some warm gloves and to top it off a warm woolly hat to keep her head warm.

"Can't we play instead?" Reina asked innocently.

Yuzuki patted her on the head with a gentle smile. "No, we have to go offer our prayers," she said.

"Okay," Reina mumbled.

Hisashi smiled. "Come on. It'll be fun," he said trying to cheer her up.

Since it was New Years their father was off of work for once too so they could all go together.

They were going to the Meji shrine to celebrate Hatsumode.

Hisashi watched Reina cling on to their mother on their train ride to the shrine, doing her best not to fall as the train swayed.

"Harajuku station," the train speakers announced.

Finally after over an hour of traveling they were there.

They all shuffled out of the train and station. It was already crowded in the station and didn't get any better once they got out.

The large torii greeted them at the entrance to the shrine grounds. Usually this place would be rather calming, but due to Hatsumode there was a large crowd slowing them down as they 

They shuffled their way through the nature trail leading to the shrine. Despite nervously holding on to his and their mom's hand tightly Reina was excited by all the birds she could hear coming from the trees surrounding them.

Since it took almost an hour to shuffle their way all the way to the shrine Reina eventually got tired hitching a ride sitting on Hisashi's shoulders instead as she gazed around while he struggled.

They passed a wall of colourful barrels. Reina pointed at them excitedly. "What are those?" she asked out of curiosity.

Atsuhiro smiled. "Those are drinks for the gods," he said.

"Oooh... can I try it?" she asked.

The three of them chuckled.

"No, those aren't meant for you. Even if they weren't for the gods though you're much too young," Yuzuki said.

Reina crossed her arms pouting, but sitting on Hisashi's shoulders meant this almost caused her to lose balance. She quickly wrapped her arms around his head to prevent herself from falling.

Their father was enjoying a nice warm tea their mother had prepared for them in a thermos. 

Eventually they made it to the shrine entrance which was decorated with paper lanterns. Hisashi let Reina down from his shoulders.

Before they could go in they went to water fountain to purify themselves. Hisashi lifted Reina in one arm and grabbed the wooden ladle in the other.

"Ok, hold out your hands," he told her.

Reina nodded obediently. "Yes, Hisashi-niisan," she said.

She stretched her little arms over the water fountain. Using the ladle he scooped the water over her hands so she could wash them.

"Don't forget your mouth," Hisashi warned.

She hurriedly washed her mouth too.

He smiled then let her down so he could do his own hands

They went over to the stalls for the Omikuji to read their fortune for the year.

After a small offering Hisashi helped Reina hold the wooden shaker box so she could shake it. Eventually they tilted it to let one of the sticks escape and he read the number for her.

Once he had gotten his own number in the same way they went to collect the associated fortune slips.

Unfortunately for Hisashi the fortune he drew contained a somewhat ominous poem. He just shrugged it off though. It was all just a matter of hard work after all. Superstition wasn't going to help him along the way.

Reina pulled on his sleeve. "What did you get Hisashi-niisan?" she asked.

He smiled back at her. "Oh it said I was going to be in big trouble," he said.

Reina looked worried.

He rubbed her head. "Don't worry, has your big brother ever been in big trouble?" he asked.

She shook her head, her smile returning. She quickly ran off to check what their parents had received. Leaving him to chase after her.

Since the fortune was bad he tied his fortune slip to one of the strings hung around the trees nearby and headed over to the entrance.

Before entering their parents and Hisashi bowed towards the gate offering their respect. After noticing them bowing Reina quickly imitated them and bowed too.

Hisashi chuckled at her awkwardness causing her to pout a little which just made it worse due to how cute it was.

When they made it to the front of the line at the main shrine their father handed them each a 5 yen coin.

Reina followed after Hisashi imitating him as he tossed the 5 yen into the offering box, bowed twice, clapped twice, offered their prayer, and finally bowed one last time.

While they were offering their prayer Reina kept opening her eyes to peek around, still too young to quite understand the meaning behind what they were doing.

Having completed their first prayer of the year they dropped off last year's amulets before getting new ones for the upcoming year.

His parents got him a pretty blue amulet meant to help with in his studies since he still had two years of college to go. Although his mom seemed to be staring at the ones meant to help with someone's love life a bit too much for his liking.

Meanwhile Reina received a yellow one meant for general good fortune.

Yuzuki clapped her hands together in excitement. "Ok let's go to Omotesando street. We can grab some lunch there," she said.

Reina who had been quite subdued until now grew much more excited knowing that Omotesando street was filled with stalls selling tasty snacks, drinks, and candy. Some even sold little toys. This was much more exciting than the boring old shrine had been for her. She immediately started pulling on her families sleeves trying to get them to hurry.

"Yay," she cheered loudly throwing her hands up in the air. She gave Yuzuki a big hug.

When they left the main shrine they turned to the gate for one last bow and headed back towards the entrance. At least getting out of the shrine was a lot easier than getting in.

-X-X-X-

Merry Christmas to everyone that's been following along with the story!

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Writing Soundtrack: Linkin Park - Various Tracks