CH 44

After drawing our fortunes, Me and Kaede stood in a long, long line to visit the shrine together.

However, both of us noticed that there were a lot of stares from the people around us.

One was for the beautiful blond-haired girl standing in the line. It was not surprising that they were staring at her, even me who was used to seeing her, could not help but stare at her. 

The other reason was the guy standing beside her ,i.e , me. I knew I was attracting stares filled with jealousy and other malicious thoughts.

It was mainly from guys.

Even a man who had a girlfriend was fascinated by Kaede, and I saw him scolded for that a few times today alone.

“Kaede? What are you going to wish for?”

“Hmmm, I haven’t decided yet… I can’t narrow it down to just one. ….”

“It seems like it would be better to narrow it down to just one.”

“In that way, does Ren-kun make many wishes?”

I was of the opinion that if you are going to make a wish, you should ask for a lot and hope that even one of them comes true. I thought that even though it was a god, it was not possible to have only one wish granted.

“Well, two or three.”

“Then God will be in trouble.”

Fufu, she was laughing, but her expression was a little flabbergasted.

In the meantime, our turn arrived.

“I thought it would be a long line, but it just flew by.”

“Hmmm, it didn’t take long once we started chatting.”

“When I talk to you, Kaede, time seems to fly by.”

“T-That’s true for me, too….”

Kaede looked down to hide her face. Perhaps it was because of the cold, but even her ears were red.

Kaede and I followed the procedure of praying firmly, closing our eyes and putting our hands together to make a wish.

(I hope that my family can live happily in peace and harmony…and that I can make the person I love happy.)

I turned to God and made a request. When I slowly opened my eyelids, I saw a beautiful blonde-haired girl in a kimono next to me, still holding her hands together and making a wish.

As I was gawking at her, she opened her eyelids and turned to face me, and our eyes met perfectly.

Kaede looked embarrassed.

“I-I’m sorry, it took so long…”

“Not at all, I just finished mine.”

It felt a little bit quieter all around us. It felt like we were the only two people in the place.

“I asked for several, but what about Kaede?”

“I also asked a few this time.”

“I see…What did you wish for?”

I wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to ask, but I couldn’t resist and asked.

I thought she would not tell me, but Kaede looked a little troubled.

“If only one”

“Really?”

“What are you going to do if it’s a lie?

“that’s right, but······”

“I asked to be with the person I love forever and ever.”

After saying that, her face turned bright red, but this time she stared at me.

“Next, it’s your turn, Ren-kun!”

“Huh?”

“Don’t “huh” me! I did tell you mine”

“…Only one?”

“Yes!”

She had a big smile on her face, but I was lost.

As I hesitated, I was overcome by the pressure of Kaede, who gradually moved her face closer and closer to me.

“I hope I can make the person I love happy. …”

“Eh! Hehe, I hope it comes true.”

Kaede, her face even redder, was playing with her own cheeks.

“What are you doing?”

“Uh, maybe I’m too happy, because my face is loosening up …..”

I wanted Kaede to know that hearing such a thing would make me happy, too.

As we were walking back the way we came, Dad, Mom, and Hina were right there.

They didn’t look like they were standing in line, so they were probably waiting for us.

“I hope your wish will come true”

Dad said so, which made me worry that they actually heard our conversation in some way.

For some reason, Hina looked at me and had a frustrated expression on her face.

“What?”

“To be able to walk with such a beautiful person… it’s unfair.”

Normally, I would brag to Hina, but today, I feel like I’m going to get heartburn, so I just let it slide.

Dad led the way to the car, and after confirming that everyone had gotten in, he stepped on the gas pedal.