“Hahaha!”
“Pffft. So that’s how you chose to do it.”
After breakfast, with nothing in particular to do, they moved on to watching anime. Rachel and Marie were sitting in a kotatsu, occasionally laughing as they watched the screen. It was already past noon, after lunch. Several finished video discs were stacked beside the player.
“I’ll make some tea.”
“Thank you, Older Brother.”
“Thank you, Kent-san.”
Rachel’s and Marie’s teacups were empty, so Kent poured them some tea from the teapot.
“That was fun.”
“It was. That scene where the cat chasing the mouse crashed into a wall and made a hole… Pffft. I can’t help but laugh just thinking about it.”
The anime they had been watching ended, and as Rachel took the disc out of the player, she said, taking a breath. Rachel had a satisfied expression, as if she had accomplished something, while Marie, recalling the content they had just watched, was desperately trying to hold back her laughter.
“Well, let’s take a break from watching anime and go for our first shrine visit of the year.”
“First shrine visit…?”
Rachel suddenly suggested going for the first shrine visit. Marie seemed to have heard the term for the first time and, not understanding its meaning, asked for clarification.
“Marie-san, the first shrine visit means visiting a shrine or temple for the first time after the New Year to give thanks for a safe past year and pray for another safe year ahead.”
“I see.”
Kent explained, but since such a custom didn’t exist in this country, Marie didn’t seem entirely convinced, as the explanation included unfamiliar terms.
“Rachel, it’s fine to go for the first shrine visit, but Marie-san looks like this country doesn’t have such customs. Besides, do we even have shrines or temples?”
“What are you talking about, Older Brother? There’s something incredibly large right over there.”
“Next door, you mean… that!”
In this country, where religion had never existed, shrines and temples naturally did not. However, a sanctuary for worshipping gods existed across the road from Kent’s house, facing his home.
“Marie-san, that’s why, let’s go and pray to the gods for a safe year from now on!”
“That’s a good idea. It’s good to go and pray for our business to run smoothly. However, even though my daughter is in charge, can we just enter that easily?”
“I wonder. If we go and they say no, we can just come back. It’s right in front of us, so it won’t be much effort.”
Rachel said this to encourage Marie, who was hesitant.
“Shall we at least go and see? Kent-san, what about you?”
“I’ll go too.”
Kent, who was free, decided to accompany Marie, who had become enthusiastic, thinking it would be a nice stroll.
“Well then, strike while the iron is hot! Wait for me for a bit, I’ll go get my luggage.”
Rachel said that and dashed out of the house.
“I wonder what she plans to prepare for just going out nearby.”
“I don’t know either.”
Kent and Marie were surprised by Rachel’s swift actions.
“I’m back.”
“Hey, are you really going to go out with that much luggage just to go nearby?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Marie-san, can I have a moment?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I have something to do in this room. Older Brother, you absolutely must not come in.”
Rachel took Marie into a Japanese-style room and closed the door. At that moment, she sternly warned Kent not to enter.
“Hmm, I wonder what they’re doing.”
From inside the room, they could hear the voices of the two and the rustling of cloth. However, they were intentionally speaking in low voices, and despite being separated by only a single door, Kent couldn’t make out any of their conversation.
“I’m back!”
“Wait, since when did you prepare formal wear?”
After a while, Rachel came out of the room. She was wearing a vibrant formal dress with pink as its base color. Her hair was styled, and she had all the accessories. Kent’s heart fluttered at her unusual attire.
“Hee hee hee. Isn’t it amazing? I made it just in case something like this happened. Don’t I look good, Older Brother?”
Rachel spun around and showed herself to Kent.
“You look very good.”
“See, see? You can praise me more. Ho ho ho ho!”
Kent, being careful not to let Rachel realize his true feelings, gave his impression in a calm tone. Rachel, who had been praised with words, looked satisfied, covered her mouth with her hand, and let out a joyous laugh.
“Alright, next is Marie-san’s turn!”
Saying that, Marie came out of the room, having changed into her outfit.
“How, how do I look?”
“Marie-san, you look amazing.”
“Thank you.”
Marie also spun around like Rachel and showed her formal wear to Kent. Marie’s formal wear was a calming shade of light blue. Like Rachel, her hair was styled, and an adult charm emanated from her.
“Even though it’s the same words, Marie-san’s felt more emotional. Well, I don’t mind though.”
Rachel said, looking slightly dissatisfied with Kent’s words.
“Well, we’re both changed now, so let’s go.”
“Rachel-chan, are you going out in these clothes?”
“Of course! I changed into them for this very reason.”
“R-right. They’re a bit difficult to walk in, but I’ll try my best.”
With their preparations finished, the three moved to the entrance.
“Those are unusual shoes.”
“They’re called zori. You wear them like this, by pinching them between your big toe and index toe.”
Two pairs of zori were prepared at the entrance. Rachel picked up one pair and demonstrated to Marie.
“Like this? They feel completely different from the shoes I usually wear.”
“See, see? Until you get used to them, it’s easy to lose your balance when you walk, so be careful.”
“I understand.”
Marie also changed into the prepared zori, tested their feel, and took a few careful steps. Although she seemed to have trouble walking at first, she quickly grasped the knack and was able to walk.
“Older Brother, hurry up or we’ll leave you behind.”
“Coming.”
Rachel and Marie were already outside the house when Kent emerged from it a little later.
“We’ve arrived!”
“You say that as if we’ve walked a long distance, but we’ve only moved diagonally across the road.”
“Older Brother, you shouldn’t say things like that. It’s a matter of mood.”
The gate to the sanctuary was next to Marie’s Bakery, so the distance from Kent’s house was only about tens of meters.
“Huh? The main gate is open.”
“You’re right. It’s usually closed.”
After walking a short distance, the three arrived at the main gate of the sanctuary. Marie and Rachel were surprised by the unusual sight. Normally, the gate would be closed, and Holy Knights or guards would be stationed in front of the entrance for security. After the guards confirmed identities, only small groups of people were allowed to enter through a side gate. If entering with a carriage or a large group, the main gate, where Kent and his companions were, would be opened.
“Hello. Why is the main gate open today?”
Today, instead of Holy Knights, two guards were stationed at the main gate. Kent, finding it peculiar, approached one of the guards.
“Today is designated as an open day for the sanctuary, and anyone can enter up to the main hall. Did you come for that?”
The guard he spoke to replied with a puzzled expression. The sanctuary was located far from the city center. The only people who would visit this area were local residents, those who had business with them, or those coming to Marie’s Bakery next door. However, since Marie’s Bakery was closed today, the guard deduced that their purpose was related to the sanctuary. When Holy Knights were on duty, they would recognize Kent immediately, but the two guards present had no prior acquaintance with Kent and his companions.
“No, we came because we had business at the sanctuary.”
“Well, it’s likely. By the way, your companions are dressed rather strangely.”
Kent replied that their business was indeed at the sanctuary, confirming the guard’s assumption. While the guard didn’t suspect them, he seemed to find the attire of Marie and Rachel unusual and inquired about it.
“Guard-san. These are called formal wear, the proper attire for visiting a sanctuary, you know? Do you stand here without even knowing that?”
“Huh? R-really? Hey, do you know anything about this?”
*Shake shake*
Rachel spoke rapidly. These guards seemed to be temporarily assigned to this post and were unable to determine if Rachel’s words were true or false. The other guard shook his head, indicating he didn’t know either. Incidentally, if a Holy Knight were standing there, they would likely have dismissed it with, “Such customs do not exist.” Rachel seemed to have gambled on this point.
“Since it’s a day when entry is allowed freely, we don’t need to investigate further unless someone seems suspicious. Please proceed.”
“Thank you for your service. Well then, Older Brother, Marie-san, let’s go!”
Rachel passed through the main gate, followed by Kent and Marie.
