Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Hoshino Rin stretched out her slender, white fingers, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and then brushed the strands of hair that were stuck to her skin to the sides.

Her smooth forehead was thus exposed, but it did not detract from her beauty; on the contrary, it gave her a unique charm.

After all, a young girl sweating can easily lead to all sorts of thoughts and connections with other scenes.

"Thank you."

Haruhiko bowed slightly and said with a light smile, "This student greets you."

"Good attitude, please continue next time."

Hoshino Rin smiled and blinked as she spoke.

"As payment for today, I'll take you home."

Haruhiko extended his arm and said, "Miss Rin, please go first."

Hoshino Rin paused for a moment, then, as if possessed, placed her hand on his arm, before withdrawing it a few seconds later.

She picked up her schoolbag and walked outside.

Because she was sweating, she didn't change her clothes, planning to go home, take a shower, and then change.

Anyway, it's close by.

Haruhiko had the same idea, so the two of them left the school wearing archery uniforms.

Walking along the road, the autumn wind blew, and soon it became cool.

Haruhiko took a deep breath, and much of his previous fatigue disappeared.

For him, the biggest benefit of learning archery was that it improved his physical fitness.

Although it's not as effective as the Snow Woman's Breathing Technique, it still has some effect.

Besides, it's quite nice to occasionally exercise with Hoshino Rin.

Consider it a way to strengthen your bond.

Not long after, an exquisite little villa came into view.

To their surprise, when the door opened, a familiar figure was standing in the doorway.

Hotaru Hoshino.

She stood there quietly, dressed in a shrine maiden's outfit, like a painting.

Haruhiko suddenly remembered an anime he had watched in his previous life.

One of them was a shrine maiden named Kikyo.

"firefly?"

Hoshino Rin looked at her with a surprised expression.

Over the years, the number of times she has taken the initiative to pick me up from school can be counted on one hand.

After the initial surprise came joy.

She jogged forward, reached out, and intended to ruffle Hoshino Hotaru's long, black hair.

Unlike Hoshino Rin's single ponytail, she has long, straight black hair.

Hotaru Hoshino instinctively wanted to dodge, but suddenly stopped and let her touch her.

A smile immediately appeared on Hoshino Rin's face.

I didn't expect to achieve my goal so easily.

"You were very good today."

Hoshino Rin said with a relieved tone.

Hotaru Hoshino lowered her head slightly, but her eyes were constantly on Haruhiko out of the corner of her eye.

A moment later, Hoshino Rin, having had her fill of being the older sister, finally removed her hand.

Remembering what happened that afternoon, she asked, "Did you buy a cell phone?"

Hotaru Hoshino glanced at Haruhiko and nodded.

"I asked you to buy it before, but you always said it was useless. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Hoshino Rin took out her phone and said, "Save this number and add it as a friend."

Hotaru Hoshino did not answer her question, but simply did as she was told.

"Okay!"

After confirming that everything was alright, Hoshino Rin put away her phone and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, let's go home now."

Hotaru Hoshino moved her lips silently.

"You mean you want Haruhiko-kun to have a cup of black tea before he leaves, otherwise it would be impolite?"

Hoshino Rin translated her lips with considerable surprise.

Given Hotaru Hoshino's personality, it's impossible for her to keep someone to drink tea or anything like that.

She looked at her expressionless sister, then glanced at Haruhiko, and suddenly realized a possibility.

Hoshino Hotaru doesn't seem to consider Haruhiko family anymore, does she?

Brother-in-law?

The word seemed to explode in her mind like a bomb.

Hoshino Rin's pupils contracted sharply, her face turned visibly red, and her hands instinctively gripped the hem of her archery uniform tightly.

At the same time, I was glad that she was facing away from Haruhiko.

Otherwise, she felt she might experience social death.

Hotaru Hoshino was puzzled.

Why this reaction?

But her expression remained rather indifferent.

"you are right."

Hoshino Rin took a few steps into the courtyard, her voice trembling slightly, and said, "Haruhiko-kun, come in and have a cup of tea."

Before Haruhiko could answer, she quickened her pace and fled into the living room.

Seeing her leave, Hotaru Hoshino immediately went forward, stood on tiptoe, and hugged Haruhiko.

"...?"

Haruhiko really didn't react.

The speed at which Hoshino Hotaru had just unleashed her power was simply astounding to him.

Her petite and soft body, accompanied by a delicate fragrance, nestled into his arms.

Hotaru Hoshino is of normal height for a college student.

But he's shorter than Haruhiko.

When I stood on tiptoe, I reached just to his chin.

Haruhiko lowered his head and could see her black hair, as well as her delicate ears that were faintly visible among the strands.

Hotaru Hoshino let go of her hand, and her tiptoeing feet landed on the ground.

She showed him her phone screen.

There are only three words on it.

I miss you.

Haruhiko fell silent.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and patted her head.

Hotaru Hoshino smiled and pressed her face against his chest, enjoying the quiet atmosphere.

"It's time to go in, your sister will get suspicious later."

Haruhiko felt that several minutes had passed, so he quickly said.

Hotaru Hoshino straightened up, stood on tiptoe, poked him on the face, and then turned and went into the living room.

Hoshino Rin had just served the black tea and, upon seeing the two of them, didn't think much of it.

"Haruhiko-kun, you just came back from the archery club. Have some tea and then go home to rest."

She had considered letting him shower and change clothes here.

But in the end, restraint prevailed over impulse.

"Thank you."

Haruhiko finished his black tea and left without lingering.

Standing on the street, he let out a long sigh of relief.

He felt a sense of dread.