Aspiring to be a girl in a band

Arakawa Kirika covered her mouth to suppress a laugh while winking at Mutsu.

"It's hopeless..."

Seeing the interaction between the two people in front of him, Xiangzi could only shake his head helplessly and then urge them on.

"Since you're all ready, hurry up and leave, otherwise it'll be packed with people again soon."

"What are you afraid of? Just come with me and we'll use the express lane."

"Don't leave! You have to line up with us today."

Xiangzi glared at Arakawa Kirika.

"why?"

"Of course we need to thoroughly deflate the arrogance of you, you evil privileged person."

Xiangzi put his hands on his hips and said with a serious expression.

Arakawa Kirika simply shrugged in response.

"Whatever you want. By the way, do you guys need to cover your faces?"

"Huh? Covering your face during New Year's worship makes you look more suspicious, right? Don't worry, no one will recognize us. Everyone has their own life. Who would be bored enough to stare at a stranger?"

In short, Shoko rejected Arakawa Kirika's proposal.

Seeing this, Arakawa Kirika didn't say anything more, and went out with the two girls.

……

The destination was within reach, and as initially anticipated, the New Year was the peak season for prayers, with long queues forming in front of any shrine of even moderate renown.

Although Arakawa Kirika really hated the crowded atmosphere, she couldn't find a reason to go back on her word since she had already promised Shoko.

Silently standing at the back of the line, Arakawa Kirika soon couldn't take it anymore.

"It's so cold..."

Arakawa Kirika wore a sour face, her expression full of displeasure.

"Where are your gloves? Didn't I remind you to bring them?"

Xiangzi replied immediately.

"forget."

Arakawa Kirika's answer left Shoko speechless.

Sometimes, taking care of Arakawa Kirika does give her the illusion of taking care of a child.

Why are you so troublesome?

Xiangzi sighed.

"My... hand is still quite warm... do you want to hold it?"

Without needing a reply, Arakawa Kirika directly grabbed Shoko's hand and went even further, interlocking their fingers.

"Huh? Really? Why are your hands so warm?"

"It's because your hands are too cold...you cold-blooded creature."

Xiangzi said irritably.

"Mist Flower...me too..."

Seeing that Shoko and Arakawa Kirika had started holding hands, Mutsuya immediately became interested.

Arakawa Kirika, of course, wouldn't show favoritism. Since both of her hands were equally cold, she immediately intertwined her fingers with Murasaki's.

Sigh... this is what it means to be a winner in life.

Arakawa Kirika wore a smug smile, and Shoko, noticing this, quickly expressed her dissatisfaction.

"Your...smile is disgusting."

"Huh? Mu, tell me, did I laugh disgustingly just now?"

Arakawa Kirika said with dissatisfaction.

"It's not disgusting... but Wuhua's expression just now... made her look like a bad guy."

"That bastard was a bad guy to begin with."

Xiangzi also delivered the finishing blow at the opportune moment.

Volume 1: Chapter 261 Making Dumplings! (The Finale)

Having finally entered the shrine, Arakawa Kirika stared at the unknown deity before her for a long while before speaking.

"do not know."

"Well... there are indeed a lot of gods in Japan."

Even Xiangzi scratched her face awkwardly, apparently unaware of who was being worshipped here.

As for Mutsumi... Arakawa Kirika glanced at Mutsumi and then decisively chose not to ask.

"By the way, we haven't seen any shrine maidens along the way. Is it because this shrine doesn't have any?"

Arakawa Kirika asked.

"I think you've been indulging in lust again."

Xiangzi retorted without holding back.

"Hmm...you could say that."

Arakawa Kirika nodded frankly and then continued.

"After all, we don't usually see people like this. I was thinking of taking advantage of the New Year to visit the shrine... How about I buy some shrine maiden costumes when we get back, and you can wear them for me?"

Arakawa Kirika looked at Shoko with a half-smile.

Xiangzi quickly returned Arakawa Kirika's disdainful look.

But... Arakawa Kirika's proposal did indeed reach Xiangzi's mind.

I'll wear it for you... well, that depends on how you behave.

Xiangzi thought to himself.

Mutsu's reaction was much more direct than Shoko's. Mutsu lowered his head and looked down at Arakawa Kirika.

"If Wuhua wants to see it... I'll place an order now. It should be easy to buy the shrine maiden cosplay outfit."

"Hmm, Mu is still the best to me, so it's settled then?"

"Um……"

Oh, my dear Mu...

Looking at this scene, Xiangzi could only feel frustrated and disappointed.

It's because you've always given in to this bastard that she's become more and more unrestrained and depraved.

If... I had been the one dating Arakawa Kirika in the first place... I could have corrected her terrible personality much sooner.

Alas... what's done is done, the die is cast.

What can I say now?

Xiangzi shook his head.

……

Arakawa Kirika walked towards the shrine, where a small wooden box for stuffing money was placed in front of it.

It seems that no matter where you are, praying to the gods requires certain "human intervention."

Arakawa Kirika thought to herself, then asked Shoko for some change.

After taking the change from Xiangzi, Arakawa Kirika cleared her throat slightly and then stood directly in front of the donation box.

This activity of praying to the gods was still a novel experience for Arakawa Kirika.

After all... she never had any wishes that needed to be fulfilled by gods. She was her own god, and there was hardly anything in this world that she couldn't do.

But now...

Arakawa Kirika stole a glance at the two girls beside her.

Now, it's true... there are wishes that I can't fulfill on my own.

"Alright... Although I don't know who you are, according to tradition, I'm going to offer you some incense money now."

Arakawa Kirika looked up at the statue of the god, then expressionlessly tossed a few coins into the coin box.

Although she had considered giving him more, she was afraid that Xiangzi would scold her for "wasting money again," so she ultimately did not do so.

"Then... I demand... no, I command you to grant my wish."

After Arakawa Kirika finished speaking, she returned to the two girls' side with a satisfied expression.

"Could your attitude be any worse? If I were a god, I would curse you on the spot, let alone grant your wish."

Xiangzi said to Arakawa Kirika in an annoyed tone, it seemed that Arakawa Kirika's words had indeed had an impact on Xiangzi.

But Mu smiled faintly.

"It has a very... Wuhua style."

Mu said this.

Arakawa Kirika didn't say anything about the two girls' completely opposite evaluations, but instead said directly.

"It's your turn."

"Ah."

After Xiangzi responded, he stepped forward and made a wish.

But Mu remained standing in the same spot.

"Why don't you go and make a wish?"

Arakawa Kirika asked.