Take the angel's hand

　When we arrived at a famous shrine located about an hour away by car from the area where Zhou and the others lived, we found that the number of people there was much smaller than when we saw it on TV, but it didn't seem like there would be any shortage of people. .

"Though the number of people has decreased, there are still quite a few people."

"I agree"

"Mahuru-chan, please make sure you don't get separated. We'll be careful and I think it's easy to get together because we have smartphones, but we still want to worship together."

"yes"

　Mahiru, who is dressed in a kimono, has the most difficulty moving and is slow. Although she wears boots, her kimono restricts her stride length, so her steps are probably slower than other people's.

　Although it's not as easy as pushing through the crowd, there are still people who are easily bumped into shoulders, so I have to be careful as well.

"Then let's go."

　With Shihoko leading the way, we headed to the chozuya in the crowd to cleanse our hands and mouth, but as expected, there were a lot of people's eyes on us in the middle of the day.

　There were quite a few people wearing kimonos, and Mahiru, who came wearing a kimono, didn't really stand out.

　In the first place, even a uniform without any decorations is eye-catching. There is no way that a neat and clean orthodox beautiful girl is dressed in kimono and doesn't stand out.

　Even the way she cleans her mouth is beautiful and attracts attention.

"...What's happen?"

"anything"

　Although she thought something was not interesting, she didn't say anything about it, and just like her parents, Zhou washed her hands and mouth and followed her parents as they walked in front of her.

　Although they were keeping pace with midday, it was difficult to hem the kimono unless they were wearing casual clothes, and due to the crowd, progress was slower than usual.

"Mairu, are you okay?"

"Yes, that's about it...hyah."

　When his shoulder collided with another worshiper, he lost his balance and was about to fall, so Shu held him down with his arm.

"I don't think you're okay."

"...sorry"

"Here, give me your hand."

　I can't help but be concerned because I'm making her walk around in an outfit that I'm not used to.

　When I reach out to touch the small palm peeking out from my sleeve, Mahiru looks up at me.

　When I tried to withdraw my hand, wondering if he didn't like it, he hurriedly put his palms on top of each other and stared up at Zhou.

　As I was looking at him, Mahiru looked away first and grabbed Shu's palm tightly.

　Without even having to turn his head to wonder what was going on, Shuu seemed to be riding the current and arriving in front of the offering box, so while he could definitely feel the touch of the hands that connected with him, he kept a small question in his heart.

"I've been wishing for quite a long time, but what did I wish for?"

　After I finished my visit to the shrine and moved a little away from the line, I asked Mahiru, who was praying quietly.

　Mahiru, who visited the shrine with a beautiful gesture that was a perfect example, closed her eyes twice as much as Amane and clasped her hands together. She was about to be distracted by the gracefulness of her courtesy afterwards, but she remembered and heard that she was doing something of her own accord.

"Are you in good health?"

"A very safe guy."

　When I say it looks like midday, it seems like midday.

　I was wondering what he would wish for since he didn't really have a desire for material things, money, honor, etc., so I guess I could say it was a surprise as it was within my expectations.

"And"

"And?"

"...I hope you can continue to spend your days in peace."

　This was also a wish typical of Mahiru.

　This is something that Mahiru, who doesn't like much stimulation or change, would wish for, and it would be a wish unique to Mahiru, who likes peace and quiet.

"If my mother was around, it wouldn't be calm."

"It's something you can have fun with."

　I wondered if it was something like that... but since he seemed to be having fun, I didn't say anything and took Mahiru's hand, who had a soft expression on his face.

　I hadn't completely escaped from the crowd yet, and I wouldn't be in trouble if I fell by the time I got to my parents, who had finished praying first and were waiting a little further away.

　It was in that sense that they held hands, but Mahiru blinked slightly and lowered her eyes in a slightly embarrassed manner before taking Shu's hand in hers again.

"Both of you, come here."

　Shihoko's voice is bright and clear and easy to understand.

　When the two of us head towards our parents as prompted, Shihoko rolls her eyes, then puts her hand to her mouth and looks at us with a smile on her face.

"Oh dear"

"What"

"You're holding hands in a natural way, aren't you?"

　After being told this, I now realize that holding hands in front of Shihoko was a mistake.

　Isn't this like saying that Mahiru is special to Zhou? It's no joke that Shihoko doubts him and keeps grinning at him.

"...It's to keep you from getting separated. Besides, it's easy to fall when you're wearing a kimono."

"That's right. It's hard to walk in a kimono, so I think you should escort me. I'll escort Shihoko too."

　Shooto is understanding, so he doesn't seem to find it strange that he's holding Mahiru's hand. He was holding Shihoko's hand in the same way.

　It wouldn't be a problem if he could just reach out and connect with her as smartly as his father, but I thought it would be impossible due to his personality, so I was grateful that Mahiru obediently held my hand.

　I was relieved that Shihoko's consciousness had shifted to Shooto, but when I tried to gently let go of her hand, Mahiru's grip wouldn't let go.

　I can tell that he has no intention of letting go of me, even though he makes a quiet sound, so I whisper to him what's wrong, but he doesn't reply. It's just that his thin fingers are grasping her circumference.

"Mahiro-chan, Mahiru-chan, I'm thinking of buying a hot drink, but would you prefer oshiru or amazake?"

"Then, please give me a drink."

　Shihoko interrupted me, and I lost the timing to ask a question or let go, so I just kept holding her delicate hand.

"what do you do?"

"…Then I'm Amazake."

"Yes yes"

　However, as long as Mahiru doesn't dislike it, I guess that's fine, I suppressed the slight rumbling that was rising in my chest, swallowed it, conveyed my hope to Shihoko, and resumed holding Mahiru's hand.

　Shortly after, Shihoko returned from opening the store and handed over the items we each ordered, so I decided to let go and take a breather since there was nothing I could do about it unless I let go.

　The parents are both drinking amazake and laughing peacefully together.

　Although it wasn't really the two of them, they were flirting, so Shu didn't even bother to talk to her and took a sip of the amazake that was handed to her.

　It's so nutritious that it's called an intravenous drip, but the sweetness and richness of the rice is so relaxing that you can't help but breathe a mixture of admiration and relief.

　I also had a hard time giving up Oshiruko, but since it was a new year, I chose this one based on my mood, and personally, it was the right choice.

　When I took a quick look at Mahiru, I saw that she was drinking pee from a paper cup little by little with a calm expression on her face.

"Is oshiruko good?"

"It is delicious"

"Give me a bite"

"Please. Can I have it too?"

"yeah"

　Since it was a good deal, I decided to taste it first, so I swapped glasses and took a sip of the thick one, which had the color of red bean.

　When you put it in your mouth while smelling the unique aroma of azuki beans, the sweet and rich taste spreads. It seems that the sweetness is a little strong because Zhou doesn't have a very sweet tooth.

　Mahiru seems to like sweet things, so maybe it's just right for her.

"delicious"

　Mahiru seemed to like the amazake as well, and the corners of his eyes slightly lowered into a smile.

"...It's natural, really."

　Shihoko, who was watching the two of them, let out a small noise.

"What is it?"

"You don't have to worry about it.... I'm glad it's cold today."

"It's better to be warm."

"Maybe the two of you are like that, but we… right?"

　When Shihoko asked Shooto, who was also watching, to agree, Shooto gave him a gentle smile...a slightly bitter smile, but a soft smile and replied, "That's right."

　At midday, I was looking at Amane, who was strangely lukewarm and shook his shoulders uncomfortably.