Long green hair, a blue and white thickened miko skirt—although the miko uniform didn't expose the armpits, the frog hair accessory and snake-shaped hair tie on her head gave Yǔ a strong sense of déjà vu.
It couldn't really be the person he was thinking of, could it?
"Speaking of which, this Moriya Shrine actually has quite a connection with you, husband~"
At this moment, Kaguya, who was beside him, seemed to have thought of something and suddenly smiled as she took her husband's hand.
"Oh? Tell me more."
Bronya and Seele were also intrigued by her words, and they stepped closer.
"Moriya Shrine enshrines Suwako Moriya and Yasaka Kanako, and due to some connections that no one remembers anymore, another name for this shrine is Nangong, as in your Nangong, husband."
Without keeping them in suspense, she spoke directly, meeting their three curious gazes.
"Eh?"
"It's the same as Brother's surname."
Seele exclaimed in surprise, and her interest in the shrine grew even more; she loved the house because she loved the person.
"That's quite a coincidence. I've lived in this vicinity for two years, and this is the first I've heard of it."
Marveling at this strange connection, they soon arrived at the entrance of the shrine.
Even though they had gotten up early enough, a long queue had already formed in front of the offering box at the shrine. Reimu would probably be incredibly envious if she saw this scene.
Of course, that's assuming Reimu actually exists in this world.
"Eh? Dongfenggu-san?"
Just as Yǔ approached to observe the miko, who gave him a sense of déjà vu, Seele suddenly covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise.
Dongfenggu?
That's right, but do Seele and the others know her?
Dongfenggu Sanae, who was meticulously cleaning at the shrine entrance, also looked up at the sound.
She had actually already felt Yǔ's gaze, but as a shrine miko, Sanae was quite used to being curiously observed, which was why she hadn't paid attention to the group. Now, as she looked up and saw Seele and Bronya, a look of pleasant surprise immediately appeared on her face.
"Seele, Bronya, are you here to pay respects?!"
Leaning the broom against the wall, Sanae happily came over.
"You know each other?"
Yǔ turned his gaze, looking at Seele and Bronya as he spoke.
"Yes, we're classmates."
Nodding, Seele and Bronya went to meet her.
Yǔ didn't go forward; he and Kaguya just stood there waiting. However, at this moment, Kaguya squeezed his hand, raised her head, and called out.
"Husband."
"Hmm?"
"Is husband interested in that little miko?"
Kaguya's voice made Yǔ a little stunned. He turned his head to look at Kaguya beside him, and asked in confusion, "No, why would you think that?"
Kaguya still smiled: "It's nothing, Concubine just saw husband staring at that little miko.Concubine thought husband was interested in that little miko. Do you need help?Concubine can help~"
"No, no, no, I'm just a little curious about miko."
Waving his hands repeatedly, Yǔ dared not answer such a life-threatening question.
Such a declaration made Kaguya's smile deepen a little. Then, blushing slightly, she leaned in, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered, "Then, Concubine will wear a miko outfit for husband to see later, okay? At that time, you don't have to take it off."
!!!!!!!
"Good!"
Yǔ nodded solemnly. Hesitating for even a second on such a matter would be disrespectful to his second brother!
At this moment, Seele and Bronya, who had briefly greeted Sanae, also walked back, and the group once again headed into the shrine.
"I didn't expect Dongfenggu-san's shrine to be here."
Bronya exclaimed.
"Why, is there anything special?"
Hearing Yǔ's curious voice, Seele smiled and explained, "Because Dongfenggu-san is always promoting her family's shrine in class, everyone is very curious."
"Isn't it more like wondering where there's no time for a miko to rest?"
Bronya retorted, recalling Sanae's situation at school.
Although the girl's personality was very cheerful and gentle, the busy miko work every day made it difficult for Sanae to make friends. Thanks to her good relationships with a few 'top' cliques in the class, she was spared from being bullied by some people.
Forming cliques, small groups, bullying… these things were commonplace in girls' schools. Therefore, Sanae was actually very grateful to Seele and the others who often helped her. If the ground hadn't been cleaned just now, she would have proactively taken them to pay their respects.
Listening to Seele and Bronya chat about Sanae's situation, Yǔ just smiled and remained silent. This scene also made Kaguya's gaze slightly deepen.
New Year's visits to shrines are called Hatsumōde, and the custom, which has become more youthful, also makes the process relaxed and casual.
Following the flow of people, the few of them quickly arrived at a small, constantly flowing water basin.
Even though it was enough to just follow the people in front, Kaguya earnestly taught Yǔ hand-in-hand how to use a wooden ladle to scoop water to purify his hands and rinse his mouth. This scene filled the entire queue with envy.
There was no helping it; Kaguya's appearance was truly too outstanding.
Afterward, they rejoined the crowd, walking step by step toward the offering box at the center of the shrine.
The four of them stood in a row. Yǔ gave each person a coin. Everyone simultaneously threw their coins into the offering box. After hearing a "ding," the four people's hands together placed on the thick rope hanging from the bell.
Feeling the wonderful sensation of being surrounded by three small hands, Yǔ smiled at them. Then, everyone together shook the thick rope, rang the bell, and then closed their eyes.
"I hope my family is healthy and happy every day. I hope the game gets better and better. I hope players have smooth lives."
Opening their eyes, four pairs of eyes met, and soon, each carrying their own secrets, they retreated from the right side.
There were still many people queuing behind them, so they naturally wouldn't stand there for too long.
"What wish did you make just now?"
Yǔ leaned into the middle of the three, asking curiously.
"Seele wished for Bro—ugh…"
The obedient Seele unhesitatingly intended to speak, but Bronya, quick-witted, reached out, covered Seele's mouth, and then glared at Yǔ reproachfully: "Don't listen to him, a wish won't come true if you say it out loud!"
Seele's eyes widened immediately, and then she nodded like a pecking chick.
After Bronya let go, Seele even deliberately stood at the farthest position from her brother, looking at him with full vigilance.
"Is it that serious?"
Yǔ was quite speechless, but Seele seriously replied, "Yes, Seele wants her wish to come true, so Brother, don't ask Seele anymore. Seele won't say anything!"
"Alright, alright."
Following the flow of people, the group arrived at the fortune-telling area. Yǔ stood at the back of the four. When it was his turn to draw a fortune, Kaguya, who was in front, suddenly called out to Seele and Bronya. The three put their heads together and started whispering.
"..."
"Eh? Really?"
"I think it makes sense."
"But…"
"Seele, do you still want to…"
"Hmm, alright."
Amidst the tiny murmurs, the three reached a consensus.
Opening the paper fortune in his hand and seeing "Great Luck" printed on it, Yǔ nodded with satisfaction. Starting with Kaguya, the four of them had two "Middle Luck" and two "Great Luck." Everyone was delighted. For the New Year, the shrine naturally wouldn't put out many bad fortunes to upset people.
However, he noticed that while he was drawing his fortune, Kaguya and the other two had been muttering something, such that after he finished drawing his fortune, he noticed that Seele and Bronya's gazes towards him were a bit off.
However, when he walked over, the three of them returned to their previous demeanor, as if nothing had happened, leaving Yǔ quite puzzled.
Afterward, the few of them arrived at the liveliest place in the entire shrine.
The classic Ema Links , where everyone draws their hopes for the New Year on a small Ema and then hangs it on a rack, offered before the gods.
After buying the Ema, just as Yǔ was pondering what to draw, a beautiful, slightly breathless voice approached from a distance. Soon, Seele and Bronya's responses also rang out.
Yǔ had just looked up when he saw Seele smiling and waving at him. Standing beside her and Bronya was Sanae, who had just been cleaning. At this moment, the miko-san was casting a curious gaze at him.
He pointed to himself, and after seeing Seele nod, he walked over, somewhat confused.
Why call him? He didn't even know Sanae.
Just as he was about to get close, Seele, as if she couldn't wait, took a step forward and directly hugged Yǔ's arm, her cheeks flushed as she looked at Sanae: "This is Seele's brother, his name is Yǔ. Brother, this is Seele's classmate, Dongfenggu Sanae."
The sudden action made Yǔ freeze. He looked at his arm, which was tightly hugged by Seele, somewhat puzzled as to what Seele was trying to do. A simple introduction? When did Seele become so bold?
He noticed Sanae's mouth wide open, and the smile on her lips became mischievous.
Brother, huh~
Sanae's gossipy heart pounded quickly. What kind of siblings could hug so intimately? This was clearly a lover, she thought. She hadn't expected that Seele, who was so popular at school, already had a boyfriend. If those gossipy people found out, it would probably cause an uproar~
Seele, Bronya, Kiana, Mei, Sirin—this small group of five was the pinnacle of the entire school, constantly rated as the five most popular people on the school forum.
There was no other choice. Yǔ could only smile and greet her, "Hello."
"Hello, Nangong… you have quite a connection with Moriya Shrine. Its other name is Nangong."
Sanae responded with a smile, her attitude quite gentle. To the shrine visitors, she would give her utmost kindness, especially since this was Seele's lover!
Just as Sanae was about to gossip a bit, Bronya's action the next second caused her mouth to freeze directly.
Bronya also stepped forward, hugging Yǔ's arm from the other side, her posture as intimate as a lover. She looked at the stunned Sanae and boldly said, "Yu is actually my lover too."
"...Huh?"
After a long silence, Sanae looked at the blushing Seele, then at the somewhat unnatural-looking Bronya, and finally at the slightly awkward Yǔ.
This…
Two-timing, philandering, cheating…
A series of terms flashed through her mind, ultimately all converging on Yǔ.
She naturally wouldn't comment on other people's family matters, but it didn't stop her image of a certain someone from instantly plummeting to rock bottom in her heart.
"You guys…"
"There's nothing we can do. Both Seele and I have become inseparable from this man, sigh…"
With Sister Bronya's soft sigh, Sanae's mind immediately conjured up a novel of nearly a million words detailing the love-hate relationship between the three of them. She wanted to see Seele's expression, but found that she had already buried her face in Yǔ's shoulder.
Was this an admission?!
Just as Sanae had calmed down a bit and was about to say something more, a gentle and pleasant voice once again reached her ears.
Kaguya, holding a finished ema, slowly approached with graceful steps, looking at them and smiling, "Husband, have you finished your ema?"
Hu, hu, hu, husband?!!!
There are more experts?!
Sanae's eyes widened instantly as she watched the most beautiful girl she had ever seen gracefully walk towards them. She paid no attention to Seele and Sister Bronya on either side, took a step forward in front of Yǔ, leaned against him, her eyes flowing with deep affection.
As if afraid Sanae would misunderstand their relationship, Kaguya even took the initiative to stand on tiptoe and lightly kiss Yǔ on the corner of his mouth.
"…"
Sanae finally couldn't hold back. She quickly made an excuse to leave, departing in a hurry.
Seeing this, Seele raised her head, Kaguya took a step back, and Sister Bronya released Yǔ's arm. The three of them exchanged glances and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Yay~"
Then, they happily high-fived in the air.
By this time, Yǔ could no longer fail to understand what these three were thinking.
He just looked at Sanae a few more times; was it really necessary for them to do that? Besides, he was genuinely curious.
He felt a little helpless, a little amused, and also a sadness for his own reputation—no, it seemed his reputation in this regard had long been gone.
After a moment of hesitation, all these emotions finally transformed into a soft sigh and a shake of his head. He chuckled and tapped Seele's head, letting it go, which made Seele, feeling unbalanced, jump onto his back, asking her brother to carry her down the stairs.
After hanging up the finished ema, the shrine visit concluded. Following this, the girls began their long-awaited shopping time.
It wasn't until nearly nine in the morning that Yǔ found a staff member.
He handed over all the bags he was carrying, asking them to help mail them home. Then, he quickly excused himself from Seele and the others for a moment and found an empty area to sit down.
Just then, a phone call from halfway across the planet rang on time.
"Hi, did you miss me?~"