Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Haruhiko sat opposite her, casually picked up the teapot on the table, and poured two glasses of water.

He took a sip; the taste was so-so, but it was enough to quench his thirst.

Hoshino Rin, on the other hand, didn't seem to care and maintained a faint smile, clearly in a good mood.

"Haruhiko-kun, what are your plans for the future?"

Before the food was served, she tried to start a conversation by asking a question.

"Yes, we'll explore the ruins in a few days."

Haruhiko didn't hide anything from him.

"How can there be so many ruins?"

Hoshino Rin asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Are you aware of the attack on the Serpent Spirit headquarters?"

Haruhiko asked rhetorically.

"know."

Hoshino Rin realized, "The ruins were obtained from the Serpent Spirit headquarters?"

She knew about Haruhiko's relationship with the Tsuchimikado clan, so she wasn't surprised.

"Ah."

Haruhiko paused slightly, then asked, "Your Izumo Shrine should have also been allocated some ruins, right?"

"My mother didn't tell me."

Hoshino Rin frowned, looking completely bewildered.

"Perhaps it was because the ruins were too dangerous that they didn't call you."

Haruhiko naturally smoothed things over.

Although it was unintentional, he always felt that he had ruined his future mother-in-law's plans.

Fortunately, Hoshino Rin didn't investigate further.

Because her phone vibrated.

"It's a firefly."

Hoshino Rin glanced at it and said, "Wait for me a moment."

Haruhiko's heart skipped a beat.

If Hotaru Hoshino didn't know about this, he would think it was an accident.

But now it's clearly intentional.

Sister-in-law, don't do anything reckless.

As Haruhiko silently prayed, Hoshino Rin answered Hoshino Hotaru's video call.

Because she is unable to speak, she cannot make phone calls or use voice calls; she can only use video calls.

"Sister, aren't you coming home for lunch?"

Hotaru Hoshino's expression remained as calm as ever.

But only Haruhiko knew she was pretending.

"not coming back."

Hoshino Rin glanced at Haruhiko and said, "I'm eating out, you don't need to wait for me."

Are you eating with friends?

Hotaru Hoshino asked again.

She could only see Hoshino Rin, not Haruhiko.

"It's Kazuharuhiko-kun."

Hoshino Rin didn't hide anything and said.

Hotaru Hoshino knew about her relationship with Haruhiko, so telling the truth wouldn't be a big problem.

Moreover, she felt that given her sister's personality, she wouldn't be interested; it was just casual conversation.

"Let me say hello to my brother-in-law."

Hotaru Hoshino's lips moved silently.

Hoshino Rin was slightly taken aback, then blushed a little.

Fortunately, Haruhiko doesn't understand lip reading.

Only someone with Hoshino Hotaru's personality could call him "brother-in-law" so directly.

"Haruhiko-kun."

Hoshino Rin turned her phone upside down, facing him, and said, "Hotaru wants to say hello to you."

Haruhiko subconsciously looked up and met Hoshino Hotaru's gaze in the video.

She reached out and waved to him.

Haruhiko thought she would say something strange again, but she didn't; it was as if she was just saying hello.

"Hotaru, let's talk next time."

When Hoshino Rin saw the waiter bring out the eel rice, she smiled and hung up the video call.

Haruhiko picked up the chopsticks and handed them to her.

"Thank you."

Hoshino Rin put down her phone, took the chopsticks, and said.

Eel rice is a traditional Japanese dish, which is essentially a rice bowl with toppings.

Rice, along with eel slices and sauce, is quite simple.

Haruhiko picked up a piece of eel and put it in his mouth.

It has both sweet and salty flavors.

To be honest, Haruhiko wasn't used to it.

He prefers salty food.

Overall, though, it tasted good.

Are you going back to Izumo Shrine later?

Haruhiko asked casually.

"I...I'm not in a hurry."

Hoshino Rin glanced at him cautiously and asked, "Haruhiko-kun, is there anything planned?"

Haruhiko paused slightly in his movements.

His original purpose for coming today was to visit Hoshino Rin and have a meal together.

But leaving now seems inappropriate.

"I don't have any plans. I've been too busy before, so I just want to wander around today."

Haruhiko thought for a moment and asked, "Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

Hoshino Rin was slightly taken aback.

Where are we going?

She couldn't think of an answer right away.

She has always been groomed to be the successor of the Izumo Shrine.

It's impossible for him to travel around like other children his age.

She rarely leaves Tokyo.

It's all about going between the University of Tokyo and Izumo Shrine.

Hoshino Rin felt a little embarrassed under Haruhiko's gaze.

"How about... we go to Izumo Shrine?"

"..."

Haruhiko truly hadn't expected this answer.

His gaze swept over the eel rice on the table, and suddenly an idea came to him.

"Let's go to the supermarket, and then have dinner at your place tonight."

Haruhiko paused, then emphasized, "It's not Izumo Shrine, it's the place you rent."

Hoshino Rin's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

This is the kind of thing boyfriends and girlfriends should do.