Standard disclaimers apply
The night sky over Hojo Academy seemed to hover over the campus like an ominous premonition as everyone slept; everyone except one woman.
The mysterious woman was in her faculty office, the curtains drawn to avoid . . . unwanted attention. At long last . . . after all these years, pretending we actually cared about divine beings. We've found her; we've found the source of my ancestress' suffering. We will finally be avenged. In front of the woman was an ancient ink painting of a young shrine maiden that bore a remarkable resemblance to Izumiko, barely visible in the weak light of the candle's flame. At last, our insult shall be punished.
The weeks passed until December finally came upon the students at Hojo Academy. Miyuki had been escorting Izumiko to the girl's dormitories when they were caught in the first snow shower of the season. Miyuki, who'd never seen how Izumiko acted in a snow shower, was captivated by the look of sheer joy on her face as she spread her arms out and spun around, as if to capture all the snowflakes falling around her. She's so beautiful . . . wait; what?! Miyuki's face burned as he realized what direction his mind had gone toward concerning the girl spinning in front of him.
Izumiko stopped her spinning when she spotted Miyuki staring at her. Embarrassment caused her cheeks to flush; I've never shown anyone how I act during a snow shower before . . . I hope he doesn't tease me!
"Sorry Miyuki. I just got really excited about the snow shower." Miyuki shook his head to clear his thoughts before saying to the flustered girl what he thought of her apology.
"Why should you be sorry? If it makes you happy, you shouldn't apologize for expressing it." A grateful smile graced her face as Miyuki was unknowingly caught up in her beauty once again; "You know Izumiko, you should smile more often."
"You think?" Izumiko's smile widened at Miyuki's praise.
"Yeah;" Miyuki's face flushed while he continued to explain himself; "It really brightens your face and makes your eyes sparkle." What the hell is wrong with me?! A pleasant blush graced Izumiko's face as they finished walking the rest of the way to the dormitories.
The next day, being Saturday, meant that classes weren't in session. Mayura, having complained to Miyuki recently how she missed having girl time with Izumiko, was spending the day with said girl and Honoka. While Manatsu was helping out with the horses at the Hojo Rider's Club, Miyuki was sprinting through the cold to Yukimasa's office in the infirmary, desperate for answers.
"Dad!" Yukimasa smirked; he'd figured this was going to happen soon; "I've got a problem." After schooling his features, Yukimasa turned to face his flustered son.
"What is it?" Miyuki started to pace as he began to explain his problem.
"I was walking Izumiko to her dorm room last night when we were caught in a snow shower." Yukimasa nodded as his son continued to pace the floor of the infirmary; "She started spinning around, her arms spread out as if to catch the snowflakes falling around us." Miyuki flushed, much to Yukimasa's amusement, "She looked so . . . happy. Without realizing it, I thought that she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen." The flustered monk turned to face his father, obviously seeking answers.
"Tell me something son; do you remember that talk we had over the summer? The one about the truth you needed to figure out for yourself?" Miyuki nodded; how could he have forgotten? He'd been racking his brain, trying to figure out what elusive truth his father was talking about. Suddenly, Miyuki gasped loudly, paling as the truth finally hit him. Miyuki whispered so softly that his father almost didn't hear his shocked revelation.
"I'm in love with her."
"Bingo kid; and judging by your willingness to risk your life to rescue her during the school festival, you have been for a while." Miyuki sat on a bed in the infirmary as the reality of the situation finally sunk in; I'm in love with her . . . I'm in love with Izumiko!
"Am I even allowed to be in love with her? I mean, she may have accepted my help with the Hime-gami and made me her arbiter, but that doesn't mean she feels the same way. Does it?" Yukimasa smirked before saying in his usual, smug voice.
"Don't you think you're asking the wrong person?"