'Luck of the Draw'
Disclaimer: Ken Akamatsu wrote 'Love Hina' and he owns the rights. This tale written for fun, and I seek no re-dress from it.
Writer's Note: This is another in the series of stories which feature my favorite couple.
All over Japan, it seemed that New Year's Day was a special day.
Throughout the countryside, Shinto shrines turned festive as worshippers ascended the many steps before midnight, lined up so they could ring the sacred bronze bell, drank sweet Sake and then drew their luck for the upcoming year. That was the premise on where we set this tale.
In the chilly night air, Keitaro and Kitsune descended the stone staircase of their home on Hinata Hill. Bundled against the cold in warm jackets and mittens, they crossed the rails of the local station. Their destination was not too far down the road as it sat just on the edge of town.
Both stopped and bowed as they passed under the sacred Torii.
The line was short enough so that Keitaro and Kitsune did not have to wait very long. The top of the hour for the new year was only a few minutes away.
"Kit-chan, shall we ring bell together?" asked Keitaro as he looked at his girlfriend. It was their first holiday together as a couple.
Realizing that she already had a wonderful boyfriend, Kitsune smiled and answered, "I would like that, Kei-kun." With this, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Touching his face, he smiled and looked into her eyes.
Both sensed the warmth as any residual chill dissipated into the night.
"Go…, shi…, san…, ni…, ichi. Gashō!" said all the worshippers at the shrine in unison.
Having done thus, a single rocket soared into the air over Tokyo and then burst loudly to scare away any bad spirits. Next, a massive firework display erupted from all around the bay.
As the others moved forward to ring the bell, our couple was in the midst of a very public display of affection. Kitsune could not believe that Keitaro, without any prompting kissed her quite passionately as others looked on. Maybe she should show him a few things when they got home. Enough of that for now…
With a hold on the large swinging striker, they pulled at it and the sacred bell tolled for our loving couple.
Over at a both that had warm sweet Sake, a maiden handed them each a small cup of the fiery liquid and after they drank the fiery brew, it added to their warmth inside.
Before our couple headed home, Keitaro and Kitsune walked over to the booth where they sold pouches with one's luck for the upcoming year inside.
Kitsune looked over at Keitaro and asks, "Do we really need to?"
Without another spoken word, our couple held hands, descended the steps and knew that they had already drawn the best luck.
-The end-