Chapter 15 : Miyamizu Shrine ⛩

The two walked forward along the stone-paved path.

Miyamizu Rin led the way, Arisugawa Yuu followed behind.

Incidentally, perhaps because this place existed outside the normal world, it wasn’t raining inside the shrine grounds.

Up ahead, Miyamizu Rin’s long legs were slender and flawless, her skin snow-white, her curves perfectly shaped.

Arisugawa Yuu walked behind, finding the view extremely pleasing to the eye.

Though it felt a bit like taking advantage, even if he didn’t want to look, at this distance, not looking was impossible.

Unless he walked with his eyes closed.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t mastered that skill yet.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Miyamizu Rin—only now realizing it—came to a sudden stop and asked: “Arisugawa-kun, is it nice to look at?”

Arisugawa Yuu glanced at her snow-white legs, then into her clear eyes, and answered honestly: “As for whether it’s nice or not—yes, it’s very nice. If possible, I’d like to see this every day.”

Seeming somewhat exasperated by his honesty, Miyamizu Rin said dryly: “Should I feel happy being praised like this?”

“Senpai, if it makes you happy, then that’s even better.”

“Thank you.” Miyamizu Rin politely thanked him, then added, “Arisugawa-kun, walk beside me.”

“……”

And so, they walked side by side—though the path was narrower than expected.

Maybe I should’ve let him walk in front, Miyamizu Rin thought, regretting her decision.

But beyond regret, a complex, indescribable emotion stirred within her.

She bit her lower lip with delicate teeth, struggling to understand her own feelings.

When they passed the torii gate, Arisugawa Yuu found that there was a stone monument next to it, with the four big characters “Miyamizu Shrine” written on it in Chinese lexicon.

“Miyamizu Shrine ⛩… Miyamizu Rin?”

Arisugawa Yuu couldn’t help but marvel at the coincidence.

Miyamizu Rin shot him a sharp look with her clear eyes: “Any problem?”

He waved his hand. “No problem at all.”

They continued walking.

Out of curiosity, Arisugawa Yuu glanced a few times at the chōzuya—the purification pavilion—they passed.

Located outside the main hall, The wooden roof was supported by four solid wooden pillars, without walls. In the center was a water basin, and the walls of the water basin were engraved with the words “Purify the Heart.”

Miyamizu Rin stopped and looked at him, a faint, teasing smile on her lips: “Need to purify your heart, Arisugawa-kun?”

He waved her off. “No thanks. I feel exceptionally pure already.”

Her voice was cool and melodious, yet firm: “I don’t care what you feel. I care what I feel.”

Well, what could Arisugawa Yuu say to that?

They stepped up to the basin.

Miyamizu Rin explained the steps for using the purification trough:

One: Use the right hand to hold the ladle, take water, and pour it over the left hand.

Two: Switch to the left hand to hold the ladle, take water, and pour it over the right hand.

Three: Switch back to your right hand, scoop water, then use your left hand to catch it and rinse your mouth.

Four: Bow your head, cover your mouth with your left hand, spit the water into the drain. Then use your right hand to scoop water and rinse your left hand once more.

Five: Return the ladle to its place.

Six: Dry your hands with a handkerchief.

After explaining, Miyamizu Rin demonstrated the process herself.

Needless to say—beautiful girls are just beautiful.

The sight of clear water trickling from her delicate, pale hands was mesmerizing.

Especially when she used her left hand to catch water and bring it to her lips—it was so stunning, he almost wanted to take a photo.

Thanks to his beautiful senpai’s patient instruction and live demonstration, Arisugawa Yuu performed the ritual flawlessly.

Incidentally, he didn’t carry a handkerchief, so he used Miyamizu Rin’s.

Her handkerchief carried a soft, pleasant fragrance that lingered on his fingers—delightfully fragrant.

The ritual was complete, but one thing puzzled him.

“Senpai, why use the left hand to catch water before rinsing your mouth? Why not just drink it directly?”

Miyamizu Rin chuckled, her gaze lingering on his face with amusement: “Didn’t expect you to be so curious, Arisugawa-kun.”

Arisugawa Yuu replied without a hint of shame: “As a beginner, curiosity is only natural.”

Hearing that, Miyamizu Rin’s delicate face flushed slightly. She huffed: “Never mind whether you can drink it directly—even if you could, I wouldn’t do something that amounts to an indirect kiss with you.”

“Alright, I get it.”

Arisugawa Yuu sighed.

Miyamizu Rin tilted her head, curious: “What do you get?”

“That senpai finds me disgusting.”

Miyamizu Rin nodded, her voice cool but barely concealing a hint of laughter: “Good. You understand.”

“What? Senpai doesn’t even deny it? That’s too cruel.”

Arisugawa Yuu dramatically clutched his chest, feigning deep heartbreak.

Miyamizu Rin gave him a cold glare and said nothing.

Yep, I’m definitely being rejected, Arisugawa Yuu thought with perfect self-awareness.

Leaving the purification trough, they circled around the main hall and arrived at an old, traditional residence.

Notably, the yard contained many wooden guest rooms—more than enough space. Not just for one Arisugawa Yuu, but even ten more would fit comfortably.

This completely dashed Arisugawa Yuu’s fantasy—of course there wouldn’t be some convenient excuse like “no extra rooms,” forcing the beautiful senpai and handsome junior to share a room, leading to certain events beyond friendship.

Fact proved it: novels and anime lied. How often do such convenient coincidences really happen?

Well, logically speaking, such things could happen—but Arisugawa Yuu would never admit it until he experienced it himself.

Noticing his expression, Miyamizu Rin chuckled: “Oh? Arisugawa-kun looks… disappointed?”

Arisugawa Yuu blinked. “Was I that obvious?”

Miyamizu Rin covered her cherry lips with a slender finger, her smile growing brighter: “Not before. But now, yes.”

“???”

He stared, wide-eyed.

Are all miko this mischievous?

Or is it just Miyamizu Rin?

Or is being playful and clever simply a standard trait of beautiful girls?

Ignoring Arisugawa Yuu’s sea of questions, Miyamizu Rin put on a thoughtful expression and continued: “Let me think… what could Arisugawa-kun possibly be disappointed about?”

Arisugawa Yuu, channeling the spirit of France, immediately raised both hands: “I surrender. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have had lewd thoughts about senpai. I shouldn’t have fantasized about you.”

Miyamizu Rin actually looked surprised: “I hadn’t even said anything, and you’re already confessing?”

Arisugawa Yuu smiled faintly: “No one can conquer Paris before France surrenders. Senpai, don’t you get it?”

Miyamizu Rin pressed her fingers to her temple, looking pained: “For a second, I thought you were saying something cool.”

Arisugawa Yuu grinned brightly: “Isn’t it cool?”

Miyamizu Rin shot him an annoyed look: “I meant the content of your words.”

“I get it, I get it.” Arisugawa Yuu winked playfully. “Senpai’s saying I’m kind of handsome, right?”

This time, she didn’t deny it. Instead, she gave a slight, approving nod: “Arisugawa-kun, you are undeniably good-looking—if only you didn’t talk.”

“I’m sorry for having a mouth, then.”

Arisugawa Yuu pouted dramatically.

Seeing his expression, Miyamizu Rin let out a soft laugh—her smile more enchanting than the stars scattered across the clear night sky.

This was what happened one evening in early April, beneath the gentle breath of spring.