Chapter 28
"Are we there yet, Fuutaro-kun?" Ichika asked, stretching her arms above her head. "We've been walking for quite a while, and we're still not there."
"Almost there," Fuutaro replied, briefly glancing at his phone to check their location. "The place should be just 100 meters ahead."
They had been walking for over fifteen minutes, making their way toward the final stop of their nighttime stroll. Earlier, Fuutaro had hinted that this particular place held special memories, sparking Ichika's curiosity. Despite her attempts to pry the details out of him, Fuutaro remained elusive, insisting she see it for herself.
Finally, they arrived. A subtle smile spread across Fuutaro's face as he took in the familiar surroundings. Ichika, on the other hand, blinked in surprise. The location was far from what she had expected, and she tilted her head, trying to make sense of it.
"A shrine?" she muttered, glancing at him for confirmation.
Fuutaro nodded, his voice softening. "Yeah, this is the place. This shrine means a lot to me. Six years ago, something good happened here during my visit."
"What happened? Did your wish come true after you prayed here?"
"Something like that, but there's more to it," Fuutaro replied with a faint chuckle, stepping onto the shrine's grounds. Ichika followed closely behind, her curiosity growing. "Do you remember the story I told you about meeting a girl in Kyoto, six years ago? This shrine was the last place we visited before we parted ways."
"Hmm, I see…" Ichika nodded thoughtfully, recalling the story Fuutaro had shared with her months earlier. The pieces fell into place, and she quickly realized why this place held such importance for him.
"So, this is the shrine where Fuutaro-kun and Yotsuba visited before dad take them back to the inn…"
"You've been holding onto those memories all this time, huh…?"
"It's a shame that she doesn't want to tell it to you…"
The shrine was modest in size, a world apart from the grandeur of more popular destinations like Fushimi Shrine. It occupied a small area, typical of the lesser-known shrines scattered across Japanese cities. The main structure showcased intricate wooden carvings, their details worn by time, while weathered stone steps led up to the entrance, each step a testament to countless visitors over the years. Nearby, a small fortune-telling booth offered O-mikuji in exchange for a modest donation, its presence adding a touch of tradition. Scattered around the grounds were several benches, inviting anyone to sit and rest beneath the shrine's peaceful aura.
In the stillness of the night, the shrine stood in tranquil solitude, absent of the usual presence of daytime visitors. A soft glow emanated from a few lampposts, casting gentle light across the grounds and accentuating the serenity of the setting. The air, stirred by a light breeze, felt reverent and filled with a quiet hope. With no other souls present, the shrine exuded an intimate, almost sacred atmosphere—a place where one could pause, find solace, and connect to something beyond themselves.
Fuutaro let the nostalgia settle in as he surveyed the familiar surroundings. Everything was just as he remembered—nothing had changed. The quiet night, the shrine architecture, even the benches and lampposts were exactly as they had been six years ago. Ever since the school trip started, he had hoped for a chance to return here, but the tight four-day schedule left little room for personal excursions. He had originally planned to slip away on the second evening trip, but an unexpected downpour had thwarted those plans, cancelling the outing.
Now, standing here again, he felt a deep sense of gratitude for this second chance. Six years ago, after his prayer at this very shrine, his life had begun to shift, setting him on the path that made him who he was today. And it was all because of her and the promise they had made to each other.
"This brings back memories…"
"Everything looks exactly like I remembered..."
"I'm glad I finally got the chance to come back…"
Lost in thought, Fuutaro was brought back to the present by Ichika's voice. "Fuutaro-kun, this is an Inari shrine, right?" she asked, nodding toward the entrance where two fox statues stood watch. "I noticed them when we walked in earlier."
"Yeah, that's right," he replied, following her gaze to the fox statues before looking back at the shrine. Near the main structure, a few small ceramic fox figurines sat discreetly on a ledge, adding to the shrine's identity. "You know, when I first visited here six years ago, I didn't even realize it was dedicated to Inari. I only figured that out later, probably after I started high school."
"Hehh... It took you that long to notice? I guess you weren't very observant back then."
"Not really," Fuutaro admitted with a shrug. "Back then, I was too absorbed in studying to pay attention to much else. I didn't give this place a second thought at the time. But ever since that prayer six years ago, I've changed a lot. I went from being a no-good, troublemaking kid to the person I am now. That's why I felt the need to come back—show some respect to the deity that might've helped me along the way."
"I can see why this shrine means so much to you," Ichika said, offering him a soft smile. She recalled the story he had shared about his childhood, about how much of a troublemaker he was back then. Maybe Fuutaro's determination had been so strong that the shrine's deity really had granted his wish. "Though I have to say," she added teasingly, "I never pegged you as someone who'd turn to divine help. You always seem to rely on logic and your own skills to get through things."
"Not entirely," Fuutaro replied with a faint smile. "I still believe most problems are solved through hard work and rational thinking. But I've come to realize that sometimes, help comes from unexpected places. Take my own experience—there were times when I really struggled to focus on my studies and boost my grades, times when I almost gave up. But then, something… unexplainable would push me forward, just when I needed it most. I like to think of it as a kind of divine intervention."
He glanced at the shrine once more, the memory of his past coming back to him. "And that's why I'm back here. I feel like I owe this place something—like in some small way, it played a part in who I am today."
Ichika nodded, her curiosity deepening as she took in this more reflective side of Fuutaro. "Wow, I never realized you were such a complex person," she said with genuine surprise. "I always thought of you as someone straightforward, the type to face things head-on to reach your goals. But I guess there's more to you than meets the eye."
Fuutaro chuckled softly. "You're not wrong. I just don't let many people see this side of me." With that, he pulled his wallet from his pocket, fishing out a few bills before dropping them into the offering box. "How about it, Ichika? Want to join me? It's a good chance to offer a prayer and show some respect to the shrine's deity."
"Sure, why not?" Ichika agreed with a smile, pulling out her own wallet. "Since this is an Inari shrine, maybe a prayer here will bring some luck to my acting career." She deposited her offering into the box, her expression hopeful yet lighthearted.
"Yeah, that makes sense. With how dedicated you are to your acting career, I'm sure any wish you make here will come true someday," he said warmly. His encouragement felt sincere, the words meant for more than just reassurance. "Just make sure to stay focused and determined, okay?"
"Hehe… Thank you!"
Both Fuutaro and Ichika closed their eyes and clasped their hands together in prayer, silently voicing their wishes.
For Fuutaro, his thoughts were consumed with concern for his family. His prayer was filled with wishes for their health, happiness, and relief from their financial struggles. He longed to ease their burdens, hoping that his tutoring job and any future opportunities would help pull them out of hardship. Alongside that, he prayed for the quintuplets' success in their studies, reaffirming his dedication to seeing them through to graduation.
"I know I'm asking for a lot…"
But as he stood there, eyes closed in quiet reflection, another wish surfaced—one far more personal and difficult to voice. He wrestled with it, unsure how to articulate something so close to his heart. The uncertainty weighed on him, yet in the stillness of the shrine, he found the courage to put it into words.
"But there's one wish that's been on my mind for a long time…"
His heart raced as he continued silently, his thoughts crystalizing into a single, heartfelt prayer.
"I wish for the chance to deepen my relationship with Ichika… to move beyond being just her tutor and friend, to become something more…"
A warmth spread through him as he admitted the truth to himself.
"I really like her… and I want to be there for her… not just as a tutor, but as someone who supports her in life and in her acting career."
Meanwhile, Ichika stood nearby, her own thoughts just as earnest. She prayed sincerely for her and her sisters to succeed academically, hoping they would graduate together without setbacks. Beyond that, she asked for the strength and determination to push forward in her acting career and realize her future dreams.
"I know I've asked for a lot already…"
But as her prayer deepened, another wish surfaced—one that weighed heavily on her heart. It was a feeling she had kept tucked away, waiting for the right moment, though it often lingered in the back of her mind.
"But there's one thing that I can't help but ask for… because it's always on my mind…"
The words flowed through her, a raw expression of the emotions she had carefully concealed.
"I wish for the patience to wait for Fuutaro-kun's response to my confession… from a few months ago…"
Her heart ached at the memory, but her feelings were unwavering.
"I want to hear his answer… to know if there's a chance for us to be together."
She bit her lip gently, the longing she had carried for so long now clear in her mind.
"I love him so much… because he's always been there for me… supporting me, caring for me… even when I didn't realize I needed it."
After several minutes, both of them finished their prayers at the same time.
"So, Fuutaro-kun, what did you wish for?" Ichika asked eagerly, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she tucked her hands behind her back.
"Well," Fuutaro began, smiling in return, "there's an old belief that if you reveal your wish after praying, it might anger the gods and stop it from coming true. It's something about staying humble and not bragging. So, it's probably best to keep your wish to yourself and not share it with anyone."
"Hmm, I didn't know that," she mused, tilting her head slightly as she considered his words. "In that case, let's keep our wishes secret until they come true. Then we can share them. Deal?"
"Heh, alright then."
As they spoke, Ichika's gaze drifted to the O-mikuji box beside the shrine, quickly catching her interest. The box, which held slips of fortune-telling paper, was a common sight at shrines and temples. These papers often provided insights into one's fortune and some variations even offered life advice to enhance various aspects of one's life. Visitors could take one after making a small donation, though taking more than one was frowned upon.
"Hey, let's try our luck with an O-mikuji fortune reading!" Ichika said excitedly, moving toward the box. "Maybe our luck will have improved after our prayers!"
Fuutaro let out a soft chuckle at her enthusiasm. "Oi, oi, it doesn't quite work like that," he teased, glancing at the box before giving in with a smile. "But, since we're here… yeah, why not give it a try?"
"I'll go first, okay? Then we can read each other's fortunes. There aren't any rules against that, right?"
"Not as far as I know. So yeah, go ahead."
Ichika dropped her offering in the box and retrieved a slip of paper from the O-mikuji box. Fuutaro followed suit, making his donation before picking his own fortune paper.
As they opened their paper, the two read their fortune in silent.
For Fuutaro, his fortune read as:
Future blessing.
Through the labyrinth of uncertainty, seek solace in the echoes of your own beating heart. Amidst the mist of doubt, a flicker of revelation shall illuminate your path. Embrace the delicate whispers of self-discovery, for therein lies the compass guiding you towards an enchanting destination where your hope awaits.
For Ichika, her fortune read as:
Future blessing.
As you tread the winding path, time shall test your spirit. Embrace the whispers of patience, for in the realm of waiting lies the key. Steadfast as the ancient peaks, your unwavering fortitude shall summon forth the fulfillment of your heart's desire.
The two were deeply absorbed in their fortunes, studying the slips of paper with furrowed brows. They read and re-read the cryptic messages, their faces shifting between curiosity and confusion. The enigmatic nature of the fortunes prompted them to ponder their meanings, and the late hour seemed to cloud their critical thinking, making it challenging to decipher the messages' true significance.
After more than a minute of struggling, they eventually gave up, unable to fully comprehend the mysterious messages. Nevertheless, the phrase "Future Blessing" brought smiles to their faces, content with the positive outlook their fortunes implied.
Curious about each other's fortunes, Fuutaro and Ichika exchanged their papers.
"You got 'Future Blessing' too, huh?" Fuutaro said, his brow furrowing again as he read Ichika's fortune. The advice below the title was no less cryptic than his own. "This life advice though… it's as vague as mine. Hard to make any sense of it."
"'Through the labyrinth of uncertainty…'" Ichika scanned Fuutaro's fortune, mouthing the words as she tried to decode its meaning. "Yeah, your advice is just as confusing as mine." She chuckled, shaking her head. "I think I'll need a clearer head to figure this out later." She handed his paper back and accepted hers in return.
"Same here," he agreed, slipping his fortune paper into his wallet. "I'm not in the mood to decode riddles right now. Maybe I'll take another crack at it when I have more time."
For Ichika, she stowed her own fortune paper into his pocket. "Now then, shall we go back to the hotel, Fuutaro-kun? Also, what's the time now…" She pulled out her phone and her eyes widened when she saw the hour. "Whoa! It's almost 1 AM…"
Fuutaro's eyes widened slightly at Ichika's revelation. "Is it really that late already? Time sure does fly, huh?" he remarked, stepping closer to her to confirm the time on her phone. After a brief glance, he fell into a quiet moment of thought before speaking again. "Hey, Ichika… do you mind if we walk around a little more before going back? I don't know why, but I'm not ready to return to the hotel just yet. I feel like exploring a little more…"
Ichika raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Hehh... Did I hear that right? You were the one itching to head back as soon as we were done here, right?" she said in doubtful tone, shooting him a playful, scrutinizing look. "Now you're the one wanting to stretch the night out? Are you feeling alright, Fuutaro-kun? You're not half-asleep, are you?"
Fuutaro frowned, though it was more at her teasing than her words. "No, I'm not," he replied, a little more firmly than before. "I can't really explain it... I just want to soak in the quiet a bit longer, before we leave for Tokai tomorrow. Will you come with me, Ichika?"
"Yeah, no problem!" she nodded cheerfully, her grin lighting up the moment. "Wherever you want to go, I'll gladly accompany you! So, where do you want to go?"
Fuutaro rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering their options. "Hmm… How about we go to the river we passed earlier? I remember there were some public benches along the sidewalk. It could be a nice spot to relax if we get tired. You okay with that?"
"Yup, I'm fine with that!" Ichika agreed, already making her way towards the shrine's exit. "Lead the way!"
"Right," he said, quickening his pace to catch up, walking slightly ahead as Ichika followed at a comfortable distance behind him.
Before they ventured too far, Fuutaro paused and glanced back at the shrine one last time, his expression softening with a grateful smile. With a quiet, appreciative sense of closure, he turned back and resumed his steps, leading Ichika towards the very final destination of their late-night adventure.
A/N:
Chapter 28 is finished, and here it is!
After the search for souvenirs and spending time together, I wanted to slip in a chapter that offers some calm and serenity between the two, without any major revelations or dramatic moments. Therefore, this chapter focuses on Fuutaro and Ichika simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the shrine and reflecting on their thoughts.
The next chapter will be released in the final week of September (23rd – 29th). It will mark the conclusion of their late-night sneaking out adventure, as well as the end of the Kyoto school trip. All I can say that it will be something and absorbing to read, so I hope you're looking forward to it.
As always, thank you for reading this story, and I'll see you in the next chapter!
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