New Year

Right now, we've just arrived here in the shrine. I am with my parents.

We're here to do the traditional "hatsumode", meaning visiting a shrine to show the gods our gratefulness from the past year. I mean, today is January 1, that's why.

Ah~ A change of year feels rejuvenating. I feel the unluckiness of last year left my body.

Though....

I AM ALONE WANDERING!!

Tsk, Mom and Dad are talking with their friends right now. I guess I have to do the prayers up there.

Man, I must walk through the stairs for 200 steps in order to reach the main shrine. This is a bit exhausting....

It's going to be crowded soon. I better hurry.

.....

*clap* *clap*

"Please halt Suzuki from always teasing me." I prayed.

I hope the gods will hear me.

D...Don't misunderstand, I am just seeking for a little divine support because Suzuki is a powerful brat.

I...I can't let this year be a losing year! I will make a come back run!

"Oh, Kusakabe?" asked Okamoto.

That voice.....

Okamoto?! Plus, he's with Saionji-san.

"It really is Kusakabe. Nice seeing you here." greeted Okamoto.

"W...What's up? Oh, did you two go together?"

Hoho, you are finally making some progress, my friend.

"N....Not really..... We just bumped to each other.... Hehehe.... Hehehe...." blurted out by both of them.

It seems they really planned this. Hehe.

"Since we're just done praying, why don't we draw our blessing together?" suggested Okamoto.

"Sure, it will be nice."

"Then, Saionji can go first." insisted Okamoto.

"O...Okay." answered Riko.

I....I still feel weird when I am facing Saionji-san since the school festival. Jeez....

"What did you get?" asked Okamoto.

"GREAT BLESSING, YAY~" celebrated Riko.

I hope I am going to draw the same thing. I must repel any negative energy!

"H...Huh? G....GREAT CURSE?! I am seeing this year as a great curse? No...." disappointed Okamoto.

Fufu, finally it's my turn. It will be.....

Hmmmm...

There.

"W...What is written on it, Kusakabe?" questioned Okamoto.

"G....GREAT BLESSING?"

Yahoo!!! This means this year will be a great year! Lucky!

"Man, good for you...." said Okamoto.

Fufufu, don't be so down Okamoto. Y...You already have your girlfriend.

Suddenly, I feel so hungry.

"Want to find some stall to eat for a while?" asked Okamoto.

H...His timing is ridiculous!

But...! I must reject since I don't wanna intrude.

"Your offer is nice, but I have to leav-"

"Okay! Kusakabe is going with us!" shouted Okamoto.

E...Eh?

....

And yeah, I ended up going with them. We are staying in a dango stall. Good thing they have their own seats.

More importantly, a...am I not ruining their date?!

"I'll order. What are you gonna get, Kusakabe?" asked Okamoto.

Guess I'll tag along for a bit. Wasting Okamoto's hospitality might offend him in the end.

"The plain one, then."

"What about you, Saionji?" asked Okamoto.

"T....The cherry blossom one." answered Riko.

Wait, she sure is quiet today, huh?

"Okay, see you in a bit." said Okamoto.

"W...Wait....!" responded Riko.

"It's okay, you can do it. Wait for me, this is going to be quick." answered Okamoto.

What the hell are they talking about?

Now, Saionji-san and I are left alone.

T....This is awkward! I remember I need to apologize to her!

C...Crap, how am I gonna start?!

"U...Uhmm, Kusakabe-kun?" asked Riko.

"Y....Yes, it's me Kusakabe!"

"Y...You know, I want to apologize for that school festival mess. Because of my negligence and poor leadership, you and Suzuki suffered a lot." apologized Riko.

She must be meaning to say this even before today. Was she mustering up the courage to apologize?!

"I...It's okay, already. Don't mind it. I am sorry too, since I raised my voice against you. I was just filled with disappointment that moment." I repented.

"Does this mean, we're okay? I mean, back to being normal classmates with no hard feelings?" asked Riko as she is making it certain.

"Yeah, back to normal."

Both of us laugh a bit after the apologetic exchange. It seems we are okay. Ah, finally~

"Oh, what's funny? C'mon, share it!" asked cheerfully Okamoto.

"It's nothing~." answered Riko.

"I believe you've done it. Great job." praised Okamoto as she taps Riko's head.

Did he set this up?

"Here's your dango, Kusakabe." handed Okamoto.

"Thank you."

"So, how are things going with Suzuki-san? Hmm?" asked Riko.

W...What the hell?

"W...What are you talking about, Prez? B...Both of us are fine...."

I am startled by her inquiry!

"Hmm? I thought you two are going out already since you're always together." answered Riko.

"I.....Isn't it normal?!"

"Hmm, stirring an issue about them would be...." whispered Riko.

"Yeah, it might create a...." whispered Okamoto to Riko.

You guys....!

"A....Ah, I suppose it is normal. How careless of me to say that. I apologize." said Riko.

"T....True, it is within the norms."

Good thing she realized it immediately.

"I wonder though, who might be Suzuki-san's crush?" asked Okamoto.

W...What?!

Suzuki has someone she likes?!

"Oh, now that you've asked!" responded Riko.

"S...She has someone whom she admires?!"

"Curious?" teased Riko.

E....Even Saionji mocks me!

"N...Not really... Forget I asked!"

"I am certain he is in our class...." said Riko.

"W...What?!"

"So you are curious about it." simultaneously answered Riko and Okamoto.

This two...!!

"Then, I guess I'll tell you. It's....." said abruptly Riko.

Hmm??!!

"Tatsumi-kun...." finished Riko.

Huh?

"T...Tatsumi? H...How?"

I...I never noticed it! S...She rarely even talked with him!

T...This is.....

No way.....

H...Huh? W...Why do I feel disappointed? More like sad or whatever.

W...Why....

I mean they are both my friends yet Tatsumi and Amatsuka must be dating..... but.....

"Kusakabe, don't be such in a foul mood." said Okamoto.

"I'm not!"

"No, I mean, she did say Tatsumi...." replied Okamoto.

"A...And what about it?"

"....because Tatsumi is approaching. Look." added Okamoto.

Huh?

"Oh, Saionji, Okamoto, Kusakabe, went to the shrine already?" asked Tatsumi.

S...So the Tatsumi is here.... That's why....

Hahaha... Hahaha.... What the hell....

"Yeah, we're just finishing our dango. How about you?" questioned Okamoto.

"Uh, I'm about to go to the main shrine now. See ya later!" greeted Tatsumi as he moves along.

"Going back to the topic...." said Riko.

"So who is it?!"

"So you are truly curious, aren't you? Want a clue? Hahaha..." mocked Riko.

J...Jeez!!!

"I'm not! Nevermind, I'm just asking because she never told me anything about it even though we are f...friends!"

"Oh..." said Okamoto.

"That's the BIGGEST CLUE that you have, I believe. Hahaha..." revealed Riko.

"B...Biggest clue.... What do you mean?"

"You're so slow, Kusakabe. Hmm, I think that is not bad at all. In fact, this might get bit interesting." said Riko.

W...What is she...

"C'mon, we need to leave now. The crowd starts to pile up." recommended Okamoto.

"Y...Yeah."

.......

After eating, the three of us now walk downstairs towards the direction of the exit.

My hatsumode is done but Mom haven't called me yet to come back. I still have much time!

I wonder what I'm going to do to kill time....

"Okamoto, Saionji-san, thanks for having me. I'm sorry I was distraction...." I apologized.

"N...No, you were not! Besides, I am glad that you and Saionji have made up. We had fun. " said Okamoto.

"Y...Yeah..."

"We should bid farewell for now, Kusakabe. Saionji wants to stop by at a cake shop so we should go." requested Okamoto.

"Yup, good luck with your date!"

Hoho, what a man you are, Okamoto.

"Bye, Kusakabe-kun." waved Riko as they are going downstairs carefully.

Meanwhile, I am here strolling alone again...

"Your annual fortune said that you'll have a great blessing, right?" asked Riko as she turns around facing me once more.

"Y....Yeah, what about it?"

"It seems that your blessing is already coming for you as soon as today. Hihi." giggled Riko as she said this while looking upstairs.

H...Huh?

I couldn't help but turn around due to curiosity.

"Tanaka, nice seeing you here." greeted Suzuki as she goes downstairs towards my position.

"S....Suzuki...?!"

"Farewell and good luck~." said Riko as they go downstairs quickly.

T...Those two....

"Was that Riko?" asked Suzuki.

"Y....Yeah. W..Were you from the main shrine?"

"Yup, I was just done with the hatsumode. Were you with them?" questioned Suzuki.

"Y...Yeah, though I bumped into them earlier."

"Say Tanaka, are you busy right now?" asked Suzuki.

"Not really, why do you ask?"

"Since you're here, we can explore the stalls together. Is it alright?" persuaded Suzuki.

T...Together.... with Suzuki.... Is this a.... DATE?!

"You're blushing. Hmm~" teased Suzuki.

I guess the gods aren't going to help me with her teasing hobby.

"I'm not! I...It's just warm...."

"Even though it's freezing cold?" added Suzuki as she grins.

S....She knows that I am flustered!

"L...Let's go, then!"

"So you do want to go with me, after all." teased Suzuki.

"I...It's not like that! I just have so much time to consume, that's why...."

Good grief, Suzuki.....!

"Seems that my prayer has already been answered." assumed Suzuki.

"What did you pray for?"

" "I hope that I get to see Tanaka today.", I prayed. " said Suzuki.

I....Is that for real?!

"M...Must be coincidence....."

"Hahaha.... you are turning so red!" laughed Suzuki.

"I'm not! Let's just go to the stalls...!"

"Okay, commander~." answered Suzuki.

For God's sake, Suzuki you are....!!!

-----------------------END OF CHAPTER 15----------------

Note: The next chapter (16th) will be the last for this volume.