This will probably be the only lengthy project on this account, and will most likely stay that way. Originally written as a short story, I decided to expand it. Inspired by the manga series 'Amagami-san Chi no Enmusubi'; detailed author notes will be at the end.

With that said, enjoy.

"Onii-chan, wake up already! We're burning daylight!"

A ray of sunlight slithered into my still slumbering eyes as I was able to barely open them after that cacophony of noises that my lovable little sister just made.

My eyelids felt heavy. Extremely heavy. As if each of them weighed a ton each, threatening to fall down on me and spirit me away to dream land once more.

"I said it's morning already! Wake up!"

Komachi shouted again, much to my dismay as I, still with my impossibly dead eyes half closed, somehow managed to toss away the undeniably comfy blankets of my futon and sat up.

"There ya go," I could hear her huff in annoyance and somehow just knew that she was putting her hands on her hips, "It's the last day of our trip after all so we better get started early."

Our trip.

Our trip.

Right.

I sighed before waving her away in annoyance as I massaged my temple.

Our trip.

Those words repeated in my head as I remembered why I was being so rudely woken up by Komachi, even though I didn't have high school classes to attend anymore. Nor did we have the national center tests to worry about, seeing as I and the myriad of other third year Sobu high students had already finished ours. Well, technically, I suppose some students still had to find accommodations and prepare some documents for their university admissions and matriculation but other than that, we were basically free.

And because me and my girlfriend (Gods, it is still strange to say that with a straight face) Yukinoshita were free, we decided that before we were both eventually swarmed with academic work at Toudai, we might as well take our sweet time and enjoy it together on a trip to Kyoto.

Y'know, a normal couple's trip.

We did have to ask permission from her mom but still, that was par for the course. In fact, I thought that would be the biggest obstacle thus far.

Until Komachi heard about it and proclaimed, and I quote, 'Onii-chan, how dare you try to sneak off on a trip by yourself?!'

I was pretty sure that I grimaced hard when she uttered those words.

Yukinoshita, being far more patient than I was, tried to pacify Komachi but eventually, she too caved to my little sister's demands, reasoning that we would have all the time in the world to ourselves once we got to Tokyo-U's campus as we would be cohabitating after all.

I merely shrugged and went along with it. Besides, it's just Komachi tagging along with us. It's not like Yukinoshita and I would do something that needs hiding from her, as annoying as her presence would be.

Clearly, I was far too presumptuous with thinking that Komachi would be the only source of annoyance on the trip.

She wasn't.

Far from it.

Because as soon as Komachi got confirmation that we were okay with having company on the trip, that little bugger immediately blabbered all about it to our friends and acquaintances, which caused a whole new web of trouble and pain to be strung up. And unfortunately, Yukinoshita and I would be caught smack-dab in the middle of it.

First off, she told Isshiki. Who immediately then confronted me and basically shouted the same thing as Komachi.

'Senpai, how could you go on a trip to the wonderful city of Kyoto without your adorable kouhai accompanying you?!'

I was going with my girlfriend (and sister), you goddamn bug.

Again, Yukinoshita was too patient. And I, again, just shrugged and went along with it. After all, Isshiki can be useful since she can distract Komachi and allow me to spend some alone time with Yukinoshita.

But then, Isshiki, being the ever-annoying kouhai that she is, proceeded to tell and invited her totally-not-crush (Her words, not mine) Hayato, who then invited Miura who then invited Tobe who then-

At this point, I wasn't sure who was in the trip anymore. It somehow morphed from a normal couple's trip to that of a farewell one for the third years, or at least, that was how Isshiki sold it to those guys. Yukinoshita also gave up trying to go against the flow as well, because as patient as she was, even I could tell how much she wanted to tell those guys off and just kick them off the trip.

But we didn't.

We were cool, calm, and collected young adults after all.

We merely gritted our teeth and went along with it.

Oh, and we decided to invite Yuigahama to tag along as well because at this point, we needed someone to remind us to calm down. Besides, after everything is all sorted, Yuigahama would be leaving Japan to pursue her undergraduate studies in the United States – an extremely weird and sudden choice, but both Yukinoshita and I simply congratulated her when she told us the news that she'd gotten accepted.

We didn't even know that she applied to study abroad in the first place, but I digress.

This would be the last trip for our little Service Club trio so might as well enjoy it, despite the annoyance surrounding us.

Our itinerary was rather simple and non-strict. After all, this wasn't a school trip so there was no need to plan out each and every detail of where we needed to go. Through a miracle, we were somehow able to get everyone to agree to a 3-day trip in Kyoto, even though Isshiki was pining for five days.

Seriously, where would you even get the money for that long of a trip?

The first day would start when we arrive at the inn that we booked, followed by the ten of us separating off into different groups and sightseeing the many tourist attractions of Kyoto by ourselves.

The second day would be spent on, in Komachi's words, 'a culinary and cultural exploration of Kyoto itself'. In other words, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, and I would be dragged along by Komachi to participate in absurd tea ceremonies, flower arrangement practices, and matcha making.

Komachi really insisted on that last one.

Isshiki, Hayama, and his group would be off doing who-knows-what, but that didn't really matter to me. After all, I only went on this trip to spend some alone time with Yukinoshita. Something that seemed like it wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

The final day would start off with us going to this famous shrine, which is said to have a 100% success rate in granting the wishes of whoever paid its deity respect and reverence.

Isshiki really insisted on this part of the trip.

Would she use it in order to wish herself success in her upcoming exams and a long, prosperous, and sustainable life? Unlikely. That sloth of a student council president would most definitely be futilely wishing for her totally-not-crush to reciprocate her love and affection.

…well, if I had a wish, I'd totally spend it on just having some alone time with Yukinoshita.

But alas, just like Isshiki's, my wish seemed futile.

After the shrine visit, we would spend the remaining time hiking and having a picnic before ending the day off by going to a nearby local festival, organized by the aforementioned wishing shrine.

All of that brought me to my current conundrum. In which I was rudely woken up by my sister at around…6:45 am.

Jesus Christ, Komachi, I bet even Yukinoshita doesn't wake up this early.

Even after Komachi made sure that I heard her and escaped the lands of dreams, my body was still as groggy as ever and I had to take five minutes just to sit down and collect myself before going to the showers. I could hear the groans from the other guys nearby as they too were woken up by Komachi.

Oh well, no point in wasting time like this. I might as well get a cold shower to shock the sleep out of my system and rush to get some coffee from the vending machine next to the entrance. Maybe I'll get to be alone with Yukinoshita in the calm of the early morning.

With that in mind, and while Tobe and those buffoons were still gathering their wits, I grabbed my stuff, had a quick cold shower, and immediately rushed out the door in order to breathe the cold morning air of Kyoto.

As I exited the inn that we were staying at, I noticed a presence near the door. And at first, I thought it was Yukinoshita, since she seemed like someone who would wake up before me then stand waiting in ambush before smugly proclaiming how late it was.

But rather than seeing my girlfriend's snarky smile, I simply saw…

Yuigahama Yui

"Oh, Hikki?"

"Sup," I greeted her, giving a curt nod, "You're up early."

Immediately, she pouted with her eyebrows furrowed, "What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just saying you're up early, that's all…" I grimaced before standing beside her in silence with my hands crossed.

Well, I suppose I was implying that she wasn't the kind of person to be disciplined enough to wake up early, huh? Even though that was far from the truth. Besides, Yukinoshita did say that I should work on my tact more if I were to have a sustainable social life in university, so maybe I should just start by being nicer to Yuigahama.

But before I could apologize to her, a can of MAX Coffee was shoved in my face. A can which I graciously accepted before noticing that Yuigahama had one in her hands too.

"I didn't know you drink coffee," I offhandedly remarked, glancing at Yuigahama casually downing her can of MAX Coffee with gusto.

"Well, kinda have to, y'know? With all the cram school lessons that I had to take," said Yuigahama as she stared at the can with her face scrunched up, "Also, why is this so sweet anyways? You like it this way?"

"I like sweet stuff."

"That's surprising."

"Totally not," I took a gulp of that deliciously sweet syrup that Yuigahama apparently hated, "Why did you get this if you don't even like it?"

"Just wanted to see why you like this thing so much," Yuigahama replied before continuing with a scrunched-up face, "Apparently, lots of sugar, huh?"

I rolled my eyes and continued to enjoy my wonderful can of MAX Coffee.

But still, a little thought crept up in the corner of my mind.

I actually thought she would be the kind of person to like sweet things. She certainly seemed like the kind of person to easily order a sundae and down it without any apprehension whatsoever. Though I suppose that just meant I didn't know about Yuigahama as much as I thought – a fact that has been made more apparent in the last few months of our third year of high school.

For instance, during the aforementioned last few months before the national center test, club activities would be suspended. Yukinoshita and I took this opportunity to tutor each other on areas that we were weak in (Though it was mostly her teaching me) in the Service Club's room. Surprisingly, Yuigahama barely joined our study sessions, preferring to leave the two of us alone while she attended cram school by herself while giving us an excuse of:

'I don't wanna, like, interrupt you two lovebirds spending time together! Stop making me the third wheel, okay?!'

Or some other variations of that.

Furthermore, her grades have been steadily climbing up during the third year. She wasn't as academically inclined as Yukinoshita was, but compared to her previous two years at Sobu, it seemed like Yuigahama has finally begun to take her studies seriously for once.

Not to mention, there was also the time when Yuigahama dropped the bombshell of her studying abroad for her Bachelor's degree – not her telling us her intention to, but her telling us that she had already been accepted into her major of choice. An even bigger shock would follow when she revealed to us that she was going to be doing so on a scholarship.

Honestly, Yuigahama during these past few months seemed like an entirely different person.

Gone was the seemingly naïve and ditzy 'nice' girl that didn't seem like she would be disciplined enough to hunker down and study her days away, and in its place was an incredibly headstrong, determined woman that seemed to have matured far more in three months than she had in three years.

Or perhaps, that is Yuigahama's true personality and I was just too preoccupied with how she was trying to present herself to notice what was really underneath.

Ugh, or am I just a bad friend?

I decided to shelve that thought elsewhere for now and just enjoy my mindless consumption of coffee, since it seemed like Yuigahama was trying to do so as well. Usually, she would strike up a conversation about some inane topics about how the weather is nice or how Kyoto seems so amazing despite us having been here during our second year already.

But this time around, she was quiet. As if she was more than comfortable with letting the silence hang between us. And you know what? I was too. I suppose she finally understood that at this point, our friendship evolved far past the need for pointless small talks.

Then again…during the first two days, Yuigahama was a lot more talkative…

"Ah, Hikigaya-kun, you're up early."

My apprehension was immediately washed away by a silkily smooth voice that called out to me as I quickly turned to the source. Almost on instincts, the corner of my mouth couldn't help but curved into a small smile.

"W-What do you even mean by that?" I retorted as Yukinoshita approached us, a small smile plastered on her lovely face as she crossed her arms rather haughtily.

"Exactly what I said. Just that you're up early."

"I feel like I'm being insulted."

"Are you really?"

"Yes."

"Why exactly is that, Hikigaya-kun?"

I grumbled, "Because you're implying that I'm lazy."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Ehem."

A cough rang out and immediately disrupted the flow of me and Yukinoshita's…conversation.

"You two seemed to be doing well, huh?" Yuigahama spoke up, her eyes narrowing as she pouted at us, "Flirting in the morning as usual."

"We weren't-"

"Shush," Yuigahama interrupted with a glare, "Like if you two are gonna flirt, at least wait for me to get outta the way first, yeah? Jeez, I thought we talked about this back in the clubroom already."

"Our apologies, Yuigahama-san."

"Yeah…my bad," I echoed Yukinoshita's sentiment before realizing that I should switch the topic to something else, "Where are all the others by the way?"

"Oh, Komachi-san is gathering them all up. When I'd finished my preparations, Hayama-kun and Tobe-kun was already up and about," answered Yukinoshita, "So I don't think we'll have to wait much longer."

"I see, that's good then. Last day of the trip and all."

"Yeah…it's really the last day, huh?" Yuigahama repeated with a longing voice. I suppose that was fair. After this, she would be off to the United States and it'd be a while before we can see her again.

While I was off trying to digest that info, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama launched into a conversation of their own, discussing about the shrine that we were about to visit and what kind of wishes they were going to make. I was sure that I was about to be asked that same question if not for the gaggle of misfits that finally emerged from their den, with Komachi and Isshiki leading them gleefully.

With cheerful synchronous shouts of 'Good Morning!' from both my little sister and my ever-annoying kouhai, the last day of this last-minute Kyoto trip had finally begun. As expected, just like Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, everyone was gung-ho about the wishing shrine that Isshiki gushed about.

Tobe apparently will be wishing to get together with Ebina, who was too busy to be on this trip...despite the fact that their relationship was already bordering on the line of dating a few months ago.

Godspeed, Tobe.

I didn't really listen to the others all that much since I was still drowsy as hell despite downing a can of coffee. Besides, it was a cool morning yet was warm enough that I didn't have to wear a jacket. And I get to spend it with my girlfriend…and others too, but that was besides the point. However, by the time we climbed up the stairs to the shrine, I realized why we had to wake up so early.

Despite this particular shrine being quite a distance away from the usual bustling tourist center, other visitors were already here, packing the shrine and causing it to bustle with activities. It had been a while since I've been to a shrine but the amount of people here already seemed staggering.

"Wah, good thing we woke up early," Isshiki repeated my sentiments, hands on her hips as she surveyed the area before turning to all of us with a cheerful smile, "Well then guys, let's get started already. We don't have all day!"

I swear to god, she was going to get us reported for public disturbance.

Fortunately, our group was somehow able to move past Isshiki's erratically loud behavior. We did the usual rinsing of our hands and mouths and paying respect to the local shrine deity before finally, we were only left with the main event – as Isshiki would put it – of making our 100% guaranteed success rate wishes.

What the hell is this; hitting the pity rolls in a gacha game?

Lucky for me, I had Yukinoshita there to calm me down from this absurd display of immaturity. And all she did was hold my hand tightly as we walked towards the booth selling the wooden ema plates, which we were supposed to write our wishes in. A quick look to the board on which said ema plates were supposed to be hung on already told me everything I needed to know about how popular this wishing thing really was.

"What are you gonna wish for?"

I innocently asked my girlfriend as we waited behind Tobe and his two friends, who were whispering in hushed tones about their guaranteed wishes. Since we took a bit of time, the others went ahead in the line and we were basically the last two of our little group.

Though from my position at the back of the line, I couldn't quite see a familiar tuft of pink hair anywhere. Yuigahama was probably the first in line then.

"If I tell you, it won't come true."

I scoffed, "I didn't know the local deity works on birthday wish rules."

Yukinoshita quickly retorted, "Who said this deity doesn't? We don't exactly have the rulebook, Hikigaya-kun."

A step forward.

"Maybe, but I would assume an all-powerful deity would be more generous," I replied before continuing so as to not let Yukinoshita get a word in, "So? What's it gonna be? Academic success?"

"That is rather cliched, no?"

Another step forward.

"You and I are both smart enough to succeed even without the assistance from the gods," Yukinoshita reasoned, "Perhaps love success?"

She gave me a side-eyed smirk as I rolled my eyes, "Are you implying that we have problems in our relationship?"

"Nothing is perfect, Hikigaya-kun. Maybe we should put the wish down as insurance."

"I didn't realize this shrine's deity runs a love insurance company."

Another step.

"Maybe, maybe not. If you are not wishing for a successful romance, then what would you wish for, Hikigaya-kun?"

I turned my head upwards in an attempt to think of anything that I wanna get. Money? Fame? A big house with reasonable down payment and mortgage? All of them seemed fine yet boring. Besides, you wouldn't need a god's help to get all that.

"I don't know," I simply answered, shrugging at Yukinoshita's disappointed look. Or maybe, I really will wish that I'd had spent more time with her alone on this trip. Then again, you wouldn't need assistance from a divine entity to accomplish that, especially when we would live together in university in the near future.

"How boring," Yukinoshita pouted before walking ahead of me, "Well, seems like it's our turn."

We were now at the front of the line to buy the ema plates. I allowed Yukinoshita to go first and as she finished her purchase, my oh-so lovely girlfriend made sure to let me know that she had a suitable wish in mind for the both of us as she rushed past me to the wishing board.

I scoffed at her tease before moving forward to the booth.

"Good morning, dear patron!"

"Morning," I quickly greeted back to the energetic attendant before fishing out my wallet, "I would like to buy…"

I gulped involuntarily.

The attendant in front of me was like any other that I've seen before.

Not that she was ghostly pale or an impeccable beauty or anything, but it was simply the fact that the attendant was, for some strange reason, wearing a red and white fox mask that only covered the upper half of her face, while still leaving her enigmatic smile exposed.

"Yes, dear patron?" asked the attendant as I realized why I was here in the first place.

Maybe it was just a fashion trend here for shrine maidens to wear such a mask or perhaps, some publicity stunt to promote the festival that was being held later that day.

Yeah…yeah, that was probably it.

"Uh, right, right," I pulled out about 1,000 yen before asking again, "I want to get one ema plate please."

The plate should cost just about 500 yen but y'know, just in case inflation also affected the shrin-

"Our apologies, dear patron. But you can only purchase one wishing plate."

…

…

…what.

"…yes, I would like to purchase one."

"Our apologies, dear patron," the shrine attendant repeated herself, "But as I have mentioned, our ema wishing plate is only limited to one per customer."

"That's…why I'm here. To buy a single plate," I raised my eyebrow, trying to rack my brain as to why she would say such a thing before realizing a possible reason, "Did you mistake me for someone else from earlier?"

"No, I did not, dear patron."

She replied in such a cheery tone that I was put off by it but again, I pressed on, "Then why can't I buy the ema plate?"

"It is limited to one per customer."

"But I have not…bought any."

"You certainly have, dear patron," replied the shrine maiden in a jolly voice, "We would never forget our dear patrons after all."

"…I'm pretty sure I didn't. It's literally my first time at this shrine after all."

"You are mistaken, dear patron."

What the hell is wrong with this shrine?

I was slightly taken aback by her blunt response but pressed on regardless.

"Can't you just make an exception? I'll pay extra or something."

"That won't be possible, dear patron. Our local deity is quite strict pertaining to matters such as these."

For real?

Did these shrine maidens actually wholeheartedly believe in the powers of their gods? I mean, I know they were just doing their jobs but still, I was having a hard time believing that they were believing in divine intervention this much.

Then there was the matter of this shrine maiden confusing me for someone else too.

"There's no way that I can buy it?" I asked again, confusion etched on my face.

"Unfortunately, none, dear patron."

"None at all? Not even if I pay extra?"

"None at all, dear patron."

"O-kay then…thanks, I guess."

"No problem. Please come again, dear patron."

That was…weird…

I decided that this just wasn't worth causing a scene over and just bade the shrine maiden farewell as I awkwardly lumbered over to where Yukinoshita was, who had already finished writing and hanging up her wish.

Yukinoshita saw me walking over and waved her hand at me and I awkwardly waved it in return, showing the obvious lack of wooden ema plate in my possession.

"You didn't buy any?" asked Yukinoshita.

"Not that I didn't buy any, more like I couldn't buy any."

That certainly piqued her interest as she raised an eyebrow, "Did you not…have enough money? You know that you could have asked some from me, Hikigaya-kun."

"First off, no. I did have enough money, but the shrine maiden just didn't want to sell it. Secondly, I'm almost insulted that you think I wouldn't be prepared enough."

"You have tendencies to be forgetful at times, Hikigaya-kun."

"I do not."

"Yes, you do," Yukinoshita smugly retorted before switching the subject – like the trickster she was, "Ah, Yuigahama-san is over there. Should we go over?"

My eye twitched as I half-glared at Yukinoshita, who gave me a teasing smile, "You just don't want to argue, do you?"

"Exactly."

I sighed, "Fine then. At least, tell me what you wished for."

"I refuse."

"Because of the birthday wish rule?"

"Yes."

"You know that's not a thing, right?"

"It is. You have no way to disprove it."

"That is such a logical fallacy."

"You are just bad at debating then."

I scoffed as we finally reached Yuigahama, and the others as well, who had just finished putting up their wishing plates after, what I presumed to be, minutes of deliberation over what they should spend their wish on. For some god forsaken reason, they all agreed on the stupid birthday wish rule and just gave teasing remarks about their wishes, rather than explaining it outright.

Oh well, not that I cared.

Isshiki wished for romance. My sister probably hoped for academic success. Miura – romance. Tobe – romance. Those two guys – I didn't really care. Hayama – either academic success or romance.

As for Yuigahama…probably the same as Hayama. Or perhaps to fit in at her new school and place of living for the next four years.

Again, didn't really care. Their wishes are theirs after all.

Our next activities would be hiking and picnic, something that I surprisingly looked forward to considering that it would be the only chance that I'd have in order to get some alone time with Yukinoshita. We bought some snacks and bento boxes, and as we finally reached our picnic spot, I tried to pull Yukinoshita away from the group.

I tried. I really did.

I'd hoped that those guys would distract themselves long enough so I can spend some much-needed alone time with Yukinoshita – which was the purpose of this trip in the first place. I thought that we could talk, hold hands, hug, cuddle, or maybeevenkiss-

But.

But it seemed that the gods had other plans as the moment I tried to approach Yukinoshita, she would be swarmed by someone. Inevitably, every time I tried to talk to her, someone else would be starting a conversation with her. The worst offender was Komachi, who was rapid-firing academic questions at my girlfriend as if Yukinoshita is an advisor or something.

Honestly, I was pretty pissed.

And bored.

Yuigahama saw this and tried to ease my pain by offering some sandwiches, which I'd graciously accepted. At least, someone was looking out for me. Speaking of Yuigahama, she was surprisingly not as talkative today. I'd totally expected her to swarm Yukinoshita like Komachi did but no. She simply opted to just occasionally converse and laugh along with the others, but otherwise, she would simply just…sit and enjoy the scenery.

Very un-Yuigahama-like.

But if the last three months had established anything, it was the fact that I didn't know her as much as I thought.

Aaaah, I really am a bad friend.

But aside from questioning my inability to be a good friend, the afternoon was...uneventful. And boring. Very boring. Hell, the most exciting thing that happened was Tobe accidentally sitting on a cactus and having kneel for the entire duration of the picnic.

Even when the evening came and we were going to join the supposed lively festival, I was still bored of my mind. My headspace was only filled with longing and regret of how I would've liked to spend this trip alone with Yukinoshita. I would try to separate us two from the entire group but Yukinoshita was being talked to so much that I found it awkward to just separate her from everyone else.

The rather uneventful afternoon and equally uneventful night capped off with a fireworks display after we all stuffed ourselves with junk food. But hey, at the very least, I was able to hold my girlfriend's hands while we enjoyed the pyrotechnics.

That should count for something…right?

Honestly, I wished we could've done something alone – a thought that plagued my mind even as we went back to the inn and washed up in order to go to sleep. I kept telling myself that by tomorrow, the trip would be over, we would be back home, and therefore, Yukinoshita and I can go on as many dates as we want to.

Just eight more hours of waiting.

I stared at my phone as the other guys prepped their futon and were going to turn off the lights.

|7th March|

|10:15 PM|

Just eight more hours.

At 7 am, we'll wake up. Freshen ourselves. Then go back home.

Then dates with Yukinoshita.

Cohabitating with Yukinoshita.

All I needed to do was sleep and get past these eight hours.

And with those thoughts in mind, my eyelids grew heavy and I drifted off to sleep.

…

…

…

"Onii-chan, wake up already! We're burning daylight!"