Chiyoda had been in a good mood since morning, ever since she heard the bush warblers singing among the trees, hidden from sight as they had always been.

It's here; it's here! Spring is here! She hummed as she swept the fallen leaves off the shrine's courtyard, hardly paying any heed to how her bouncing steps interfered with her work more than they helped.

"Oh, shoot, gotta clean this properly, or the gods will be mad," she laughed at herself when she realized her haphazard work had left the leaves scattered even more.

But Chiyoda was hardly averse to hard work. It's spring, after all. The air was warmer, and people could get lively again and forget about winter—though traces of the last season can still be seen all around.

"You sure take your time," a familiar voice was heard.

"Oh, it's Chitose-nee," Chiyoda turned to the owner with a sheepish grin.

"I don't mind you being cheerful and all, but do your work properly," Chitose gently admonished.

"Alright, alright," Chiyoda nodded and continued sweeping as Chitose did the same.

As they worked, Chiyoda would, at times, steal a glance at Chitose. Her sister was never one to reveal her feelings often, but Chiyoda wasn't a fool. She could always tell when Chitose was being morose, no matter how subtle it leaked through her stoic demeanor.

"Hey, Chitose-nee, what's disturbing you? Winter blues?" she inquired, and Chitose froze.

"Nothing," she replied and hurriedly returned to her work.

"It's spring, you know. You should cheer up; the flowers are blooming soon, and the bush warblers are singing," Though a little distraught over the reaction, Chiyoda continued, and again, Chitose froze.

"I know," she replied. "... It's just... I've had a lot on my mind lately and not too keen to be still and listen," said Chitose; seeing Chiyoda looking worried, which she thought didn't suit her at all, she quickly added, "But don't worry, Chiyoda, I could manage thi—"

Before she could finish, a startled Chitose flinched from the pat Chiyoda gave her.

"Well, I'm not going to pry, but you know, if you keep this up, you will attract bad spirits."

"Don't speak of dangerous things," Chitose retorted; a small smile soon followed.

"And who knows, maybe they're inside you right now...so...just to be safe, I've no other choice..." Seemingly ignorant of that, Chiyoda went on, to Chitose's surprise. Her sister's grin was quite unsettling.

"Akuryou taisan! Get out of Chitose-nee, evil spirits of depression!" pulling an ofuda from her sleeve and placing it on Chitose's forehead, Chiyoda declared.

"Uwah!" Chitose reeled back from the surprise attack. When she managed to keep her feet steady again and removed the ofuda, she saw Chiyoda looking back, still grinning.

"Wh...what was that for?!" Her glare didn't seem to do anything.

"A little stunt to cheer you up! Well, at least I tried."

Sighing, Chitose stuck the ofuda on Chiyoda's forehead, getting an uncharacteristic squeak out of her. Chiyoda scrambled to remove the charm, and when she was done, she noticed Chitose smiling; unlike the one she had before, it was a blooming smile, with her lips fully curled upward.

"I see. It can't be helped," Chitose said, and Chiyoda smiled back.

"Don't keep your troubles to yourself, Chitose-nee. You can tell them to me like always."

"Thank you, Chiyoda… I'll never forget this. Ah, did you hear that?"

"I could! I could hear it! It's those bush warblers!"

Chiyoda laughed, Chitose smiled.

Spring had arrived, at last.