CH 56

Chapter – 56 Hatsumode (Part 1)

09 MAR 2022NOOBCHAN TRANSLATION MY GIRLFRIEND CHEATED ON ME, SO I CHEATED ON HER

December 31, New Year’s Eve.

In the end, I ended up going to Hatsumode (New Year’s Eve) with Ishida, the same as last year.

Last year, we went to Meiji Jingu Shrine to pray for success in school, but it was too crowded.

Ishida suggested that we go to Narita-san this year.

I had a feeling that Meiji Shrine and Narita-san would be equally crowded, but I was more upset by the number of couples at Meiji Shrine, so I decided to do as Ishida proposed.

At 10pm, we waited in front of Keisei Makuhari Station in the cold weather.

I decided to wait in front of Keisei Makuhari station at 10pm in the cold, because it would be faster to take the Keisei to Tsudanuma and then to Narita-san.

…… Touko-senpai, you must be in Hawaii by now. ……

I’m going out with Touko-senpai, but I haven’t seen her once since the night of December 24th.

I wonder how she would look in a swimsuit. I bet it’s amazing.

I was imagining her in a bikini when a blonde-haired gaijin man appeared and approached Touko-senpai.

The blonde gaijin was familiar with her and put his hand around Touko-senpai’s shoulder and ……

…… No, no, no! I can’t believe I took the gaijin charlatan’s offer! ……

“Yu, Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Ishida’s voice brought me back.

“Not really. ……”

My words stopped there as I replied.

Because there was a girl behind him.

Noticing my gaze, Ishida turned around and explained.

“My parents are going to Sengen Shrine for Hatsumode with the locals today. I felt sorry to leave my sister alone at home, so I asked her if she wanted to go with me. She said she would come.”

Ishida’s younger sister, Meika, bowed her head slightly.

Meika-chan. It’s been about a year since I’ve seen her up close like this.

Right after high school, Ishida had brought her along when he said, “Let’s have lunch,” after all.

Since then, she has become much prettier in the past year.

She had always had a pretty face, unlike Ishida, who was burly, but now she had a feminine charm to her face.

“Sorry, I didn’t tell Yuu beforehand.”

Ishida saw the look on my face, and for some reason, he looked disappointed.

“No, I don’t mind. It’s been a long time, Meika-chan.”

Did I look that bad?

I don’t intend to do that myself.

At any rate, to make up for it, I smiled and talked to Meika-chan.

“It’s been a while. Yu-san.”

Meika-chan said in a low voice as she hid behind Ishida.

Ishida was concerned about such Meika-chan.

“Well then, let’s go to Naritasan for Hatsumode!”

He cheerfully called out.

The Keisei train to Narita was so crowded that it took a lot of time to get there.

I had not seen such a crowded train in a long time.

“Maybe we should have taken the car.”

Ishida suggested this, but he had heard that all the parking lots were full and there was no place to park a car at Narita-san during the New Year’s holiday.

So we decided to go by train. ……

“Meika-chan, are you okay? Are you in pain?”

I asked.

I was worried that Meika, who is not very tall, might be crushed by the crowded train and have trouble breathing.

“I’m fine …..”

Meika answered in a small voice.

She is between me and Ishida, so we are both propping up her arms so that she doesn’t suffer as much as possible.

Also, Meika-chan seems to be somewhat listless today.

I remember she was a much more energetic girl when she was in junior high school.

…… Well, Meika is a high school girl now.

We arrived at Keisei Narita Station.

Finally, free from this crowd. ……

But that thought was short-lived, as we found that the road leading to Narita-san was also crowded with people.

And in front of the gate, a line of people had already formed.

“Wow, so many people lined up!”

I laughed at Ishida, who said so.

This is still better than last year’s Meiji Shrine. People can still pass through the entrance way.

“Yes, but. But I don’t like the idea of sitting around waiting in this cold weather.”

I looked at Meika.

“How about you, Meika-chan? Aren’t you cold?”

And she did it again.

“I’m fine.”

I answered in a small voice.

At midnight, the gate opened.

The line of people in line swirled like a giant snake as it passed through the gate.

The area immediately after passing through the gate is lined on both sides with souvenir shops.

Passing through the gate, we crossed an arched bridge spanning a pond, and then went up a steep stone staircase.

“Ah!”

On the stone steps, Meika-chan raised a small voice.

I quickly reached out my hand.

She reflexively grabbed my arm.

She must have been pushed by someone around her or stepped on the hem of her coat.

“Oh, thank you.”

Meika-chan said shyly with her eyes downcast.

“The stairs are steep and full of people.

“It can’t be helped.”

Then she looks up at the stone steps.

Ishida, he was climbing up as fast as he could himself

He left his sister alone and went to ……

I was a little miffed.

Meika-chan is still holding on to my arm with both hands, as if to cling to me.

“Hold on to my arms for now.”

I said so and went up the stone steps with Meika-chan holding my arm.

We reach the top where the main hall is located.

Cobbled gravel covers the entire area, and a three-story pagoda is on the right.

In front is the main hall.

Here, too, is a sea of people.

I looked around.

I couldn’t see Ishida.

I stood up taller and looked around more.

Still no sign of Ishida.

“Stop standing around here and get moving.”

The first man behind me grumbled and poked me in the back.

I had no choice.

“Meika-chan, let’s just pay our respects for now, avoid the crowds, and then look for Ishida. Try to stay close to me.”

As I said this, Meika-chan clung to my arm tighter than ever.

We followed the flow of people to the front of the main hall.

But I can’t get to the money box.

I had no choice but to throw the money offering over the people in front of me.

Then I put my hands together in prayer.

…… I hope that I can continue to be in a relationship with Touko-senpai in the future.. ……

Suddenly I notice that Meika has her own arm entwined with mine, and we are praying together.

From the outside, I’m sure we look like a couple of lovers.

…… On top of praying in the presence of such many people, with Meika and her like this, there would be no blessings……

I thought subtly, but there was no way I was going to shake Meika’s arm off in this crowd.

Meika-chan remained in the same position for quite a long time, wondering what she was praying for.