Omikuji

Omikuji is a tradition of drawing fortune slips at Shinto and Buddhist temples in Japan. These slips contain predictions that can range from great luck to misfortune. Temple visitors draw omikuji to find out what may happen in their future, whether regarding health, romance, career, or other aspects of life.

If the fortune drawn is good, the slip is usually taken home as a talisman. However, if misfortune is drawn, the slip is tied to a tree or a designated spot at the temple to ward off bad luck.

"How about we try drawing omikuji? I'm curious about my New Year's fortune." Ichika suggested with a smile.

"Sure, let's try it." Nino glanced at Eiji secretly and nodded. She wanted to know her romantic fortune this year.

Miku and the others agreed. They all lined up in front of the omikuji box, waiting for their turn to draw their fortunes.

After a while, only Eiji hadn't taken his fortune slip.

"Your turn, Eiji."

"No need, I don't believe in fortune-telling. Omikuji is created by the temple for financial profit. In other words, it's a scam."

"..."

After Eiji said that, the shrine maiden in front of him felt offended but tried to maintain a polite smile.

"Turns out Kamiki-kun is quite the realist." Ichika chuckled softly.

"That's the mindset of atheists." Fuutarou muttered under his breath. However, he forgot that he himself did not adhere to any religion.

"I think Kamiki-kun makes sense." Although Itsuki said that, her feelings were conflicted.

"Sorry, he didn't mean it. He's just too honest." Miku apologized on Eiji's behalf to the shrine maiden.

"Just do it. Don't take the results too seriously."

"Okay."

Urged by Nino, Eiji reluctantly took a fortune slip under the shrine maiden's sulking gaze.

"Let's open them at the same time. One, two, three, open!"

At Ichika's cue, they opened their fortune slips.

"I'll go first. Ta-da~, I got great luck in the career category! What about you, Nino? Show us."

With a sweet smile on her face, Ichika showed her fortune slip labeled "Daikichi" to everyone.

"Ugh... Great misfortune in the health category... What a bad start to the new year."

Nino's expression darkened, her fortune slip labeled "Daikyo."

"Nino, tie your slip to the tree quickly to ward off the bad luck." Yotsuba said with concern.

"No need to rush, there's still time after seeing your fortune slips." Nino acted indifferent, not too concerned with her result.

"I got small luck in the financial category. It's better than Nino's." Miku smiled faintly and showed her slip labeled "Shokichi", making Nino annoyed at being compared.

"My turn! Yay, I got great luck like Ichika, but in the love category! Wow, this omikuji is too accurate, right? Nino, you might really be in trouble."

Yotsuba, already planning her wedding with Fuutarou this year, found the omikuji incredibly accurate. Thinking about Nino's result, she became even more worried.

"After this, Nino should get a health check at the hospital. There might be a hidden illness in your body." Ichika teased playfully.

Of course, she didn't want Nino diagnosed with a serious illness. She considered omikuji merely entertainment and didn't take it seriously.

"No one knows my body better than I do. I'm perfectly healthy, okay? Thanks for your concern." Nino glared at Ichika in annoyance, then looked at Itsuki, who was eating takoyaki, and said, "Itsuki, what did you get on your slip?"

"Nom... Nom... Same as Miku, but in the career category."

"Am I the only one who got bad luck? Uesugi, Eiji, show yours." Nino could only place her hope on the two men.

It would be embarrassing if she was the only one with misfortune among the seven of them.

"I got great luck in the love category, just like Yotsuba." Fuutarou tried to keep a neutral expression.

To be honest, he still wasn't used to Nino changing nickname for him. She used to call him "Fuu-kun" in a flirtatious and playful manner, but now it was as if she reverted to their first meeting's formal setting.

"Hisss... These two are really a destined pair."

"Here's mine."

With Nino and the others watching, Eiji showed his slip, his expression unchanged despite getting great luck in the love category.

"..."

The atmosphere instantly fell into a tense silence.

"Pffft... Ha Ha Ha..."

The next moment, Ichika couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Among the seven of us, four got great luck, two got small luck, and only Nino got misfortune."

"Ichika, you're laughing too much."

Although Miku said that, her body was shaking as she held back laughter.

"Tsk, laugh as much as you want. Let's go, Eiji."

Not wanting to see them mocking her, Nino grabbed Eiji's hand and the two headed toward the tree where many slips were tied.

'Nino has always been straightforward; she doesn't hide her feelings for that guy. She doesn't even call me Fuu-kun anymore so that guy doesn't misunderstand.'

Fuutarou felt conflicted seeing Nino's boldness toward Eiji. Looking at Yotsuba beside him, who was happily chatting, he shook his head to dispel the stray thoughts in his mind.

'I'm marrying Yotsuba in two months. I can't think about anyone else. So what if Kamiki Eiji is dating Nino? In the end, Nino was once mine, she even gave me her first kiss.'

'Too bad, I was too much of a coward back then. If I had been a bit braver, maybe I would have had Nino, Miku, and Ichika's virginities.'

The idea of Eiji being with someone he once had made Fuutarou feel better.

❀❀❀

After enjoying various food stands and games around the shrine, the group decided to go home. They parted ways in front of the shrine, saying their goodbyes.

Eiji, Nino, and Miku walked toward their apartment, while Ichika, Itsuki, Yotsuba, and Fuutarou went in the opposite direction.

Snow continued to fall, covering their footsteps on the road. The street that had been filled with laughter now grew quiet, interrupted only by the sound of snow crunching underfoot.

When they reached the front of the apartment, Nino turned and looked at Eiji.

"Thank you for accompanying us, Eiji. Today was really fun."

"I enjoyed today too. See you, Nino-san, Miku-san."

Miku, who had been silent, nodded with a warm smile.

"Take care on your way home, Kamiki-kun."

After making sure both girls had entered the apartment, Eiji turned and began walking back to the restaurant.