My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

"By the way, Qianlian, is there anywhere you'd like to go next?"

"I feel very content when I'm with Izumi."

"That's a really cunning way to put it, and it's also quite perplexing..."

Because they were at the very back of the line, the two of them were only now entering through the entrance.

The iconic building at the entrance is a huge vermilion torii gate, which is several times larger than the continuous torii gates behind it!

On the side are two stone sculptures, the images of which are naturally Inari.

The image of Inari is based on the fox, representing harvest and food, and is the most widely worshipped agricultural deity in the country.

Looking at these Inari stone sculptures, Izumi Kurose suddenly remembered something and said, "Speaking of which... Inari Taisha seems to have something to do with Inari snow."

He had heard Inari Yuki mention before that the Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto seemed to belong to her family.

Shiraishi Chiren glanced at Kurose Izumi and scoffed, "You care about her a lot?"

"Jealous? How cute."

"Izumi, if you make me jealous, the consequences will be very serious, you know?"

"You mentioned consequences... Can I ask what those consequences are?" Kurose Izumi asked cautiously.

"Hmph, it's a secret." Shiraishi Chiren chuckled softly, pressing her index finger against her soft, cherry-like lips.

As they talked, the two climbed upwards in unison.

The torii gates they passed were all different colors, but they had something in common: each one was engraved with the manufacturing date and manufacturer!

Many of these torii gates were built by merchants who came here to make wishes and then fulfill their vows.

The dappled sunlight streamed down from the torii gate, casting long shadows.

Beside the torii gate beside the two people, there were layers upon layers of maple leaves and green forests.

They covered the mountains, blotting out the sky and turning everything red.

The leaves, piled up in red, yellow and green, create a striking contrast.

As I walked through the torii gate with a tranquil mind, it felt like a cleansing of the soul, a serene and secluded valley.

He and Shiraishi Chiren walked slowly, enjoying the journey, which caused the people ahead of them to unknowingly walk far ahead.

But that's fine too.

Kurose Izumi moved a little closer to Shiraishi Chire, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, and took her small hand in his palm.

"Qianlian, your hands are always a little cold."

"So you have to hold the spring tightly to keep it warm."

"Holding on like this forever is too much of a strain. There will always be a time when we have to part."

And so, the two chatted as they slowly climbed to the top, stopping frequently along the way to take photos and create lasting memories.

There are landscape photos, solo photos, and group photos, and there are many different poses.

For example, they might lean on each other, appearing intimate, or there might be full-body photos of the two of them with their heads touching.

Upon arriving at the mountaintop shrine, before entering, one should wash their hands to the side, symbolizing the cleansing of worldly dust before worship.

Within the shrine grounds, fox statues with ears of rice or grains in their mouths can be seen everywhere.

They are located in different places, but their faces and eyes are all looking at the same place—the main hall!

The main hall houses a huge statue of Inari, whose appearance is sculpted so vividly that it is placed above the altar.

Because it is a formal shrine, the main hall is not open to the public for worship.

If you wish to make a pilgrimage, go to the Omotesando (appearance path) on the left side of the main hall and proceed to the worship hall to offer your prayers.

The buildings within the territory are all vermilion, and the size and construction methods of each hall vary.

Kurose Izumi looked around at the buildings within the area, then came to the edge of the mountaintop, overlooking the endless torii gates below.

They stretch along the entire mountain ridge like a red dragon.

At a cursory glance, one can see that the red maples have dyed the mountains red, with withered yellow and fresh green mixed in, creating a breathtaking scene.

Raise your gaze and look into the distance. In the hazy white mist, the ancient temples of Kyoto, steeped in history, come into view.

This evokes a sense of grandeur and boundless ambition.

click-

Just as Izumi Kurose was getting into the story, I heard the sound of a camera clicking.

Looking to the side, I saw Shiraishi Chiren holding a camera, taking a series of photos of me.

He couldn't help but find it amusing: "Qianlian, you've taken so many pictures, is there any difference?"

"Quan, you don't understand..."

Shiraishi Chiren straightened up from her bent-over posture while searching for the best angle for the photo, shook her head, and said mysteriously, "There are still many differences. I can pick out the best-looking ones from them."

Actually, she just wanted to take more photos of Izumi Kurose to record their little moments together.

"Alright, Qianlian, let's go pay our respects together..."

After speaking softly, Kurose Izumi took Shiraishi Chiren's hand and walked towards the worship hall.

After washing up at the tesuji (purification station) along the Omotesando (Omotesando), the two arrived at the donation box.

A five-yen coin is dropped in, a very thick hemp rope is pulled, the wind chimes are rang, and then two bows, two claps, and one more bow are performed.

After that, you should express your wish from the bottom of your heart.

'May my love for Qianlian last forever.'

May he be free from worry and happy.

The two bowed to the Inari deity enshrined in the hall and expressed their wishes in their hearts.

After the shrine visit, I went to draw lots to get an ema (votive plaque).

Kurose Izumi had bad luck; she drew an unlucky number.

Following the instructions, he tied the ominous sign to the bamboo forest, symbolizing that he would seek divine protection.

He himself is quite a believer in God.

After all, he had been reborn and, as if by fate, encountered Shiraishi Chiren, formed a bond with her, and became her lover.

"Great fortune." Shiraishi Chiren smiled as she looked at the fortune slip in her hand.

Then, she handed the fortune slip to Izumi Kurose and whispered, "Izumi, take this. I hope it will bless you."

"Haha, forget it, this is your signature."

Naturally, Kurose Izumi smiled and refused, not wanting the lucky fortune slip.

For him, Shiraishi Chiren's happiness was more important than anything else.

He loved Shiraishi Chirei's heart more than he loved himself.

Of course, this applies to both sides.

After briefly touring the shrine grounds, it was time to gather and descend the mountain.

On their way down the mountain, the two of them stopped frequently, eating snacks from roadside stalls.

Along the way, we passed couples and other students traveling from other schools.

Many of them were wearing brightly colored kimonos—rented from the foot of the mountain.

Upon arriving at the foot of the mountain, everyone boarded the bus in an orderly fashion and headed to Arashiyama, Kyoto.

They will be staying at the Yamazaki Japanese-style garden inn nearby for the next three days.

This hotel boasts beautiful scenery and convenient transportation, connecting various parts of Arashiyama.

The average price for a room is around 1,000 yen per night, which is quite affordable.

On the bus, Kurose Izumi and Shiraishi Chiren chatted and laughed about what would happen next.

On the other hand, poor souls like Komi Megumi and Hirasawa Mabu, who are in different classes from the people they want to be with, can only chat on their phones.

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The following word count is free of charge.

The completion date for this book has been set. It will probably be after finishing the school trip story, then Christmas and the birthday story, and then it will be finished, with some extra chapters added later.

It was probably in early April, around those few days.

Regarding the new book, it should be about urban fantasy romance. I've already written the first two chapters as a draft.

177. Shiraishi Chirei's anger

The bus traveled along the mountain road, where maple leaves blazed like fire, turning the road red and enveloping the surrounding area.

Upon arriving at the "Yamazaki" Ryokan, everyone carried their suitcases and lined up at the front desk to book rooms.

Most people share rooms – after all, that's part of the fun of traveling.

But even though they're competing, men still have to stick with men, and women with women.

Kurose Izumi booked a Japanese-style room, located on the side of the hotel's courtyard.

Inwards are the man-made landscapes within the courtyard, while outwards lies the magnificent scenery of Lanshan.

Naturally, such a nice place comes with a hefty price tag, at 3,780 yen per night.

The room that Shiraishi Chiren booked was next to his; the two were sitting side by side.

Hirasawa Shinbu and Tsuda Yoshi are no exception.

Inari Yuki was much luckier.

She ended up sharing a room with Fumi Megumi!