Chapter 530: 184. Could it be?_3
The woman in casual wear that accentuates her beautiful curves, with white little leather shoes on her feet, seemed like a little fairy in training, attracting the gaze of most people. Especially that striking orange hair, which drew many to take photos with her.
Hoshimi Rinko, in her shrine maiden outfit, was also very beautiful.
Unfortunately, a dignified aura that could be called mythical always surrounded her, preventing ordinary people from daring to disturb her.
The main entrance of the Main Palace was close at hand, but looking around, there were only the entrance columns and a gently rising slope. A field of white foxtail grass obscured the view ahead, revealing the outlines of low mountains through the grass spikes.
"Senpai, are the fortunes drawn here at Hachiman Shrine accurate?"
"Why do you ask?"
"To contribute a bit to your success."
Hoshimi Rinko pressed her chin thoughtfully, posing as if she were genuinely considering: "Thank you for your kind gesture, but I don’t have any KPI assessments to meet. Your overwhelming goodwill could be forwarded to another young shrine maiden, how about it?"
"Such a good deal?"
"What do you think?"
"I think I’d only want senpai and no one else."
Hoshimi Rinko hummed contentedly.
Their conversation paused for a moment.
After a while, Fujiwara Reya couldn’t help but say: "Mostly, I just want senpai to personally help me draw a fortune. The result doesn’t matter, what matters is the process."
"What’s so important about the process?"
"Having senpai personally divine your own love fortune, isn’t it a solemn and sacred moment?"
Hoshimi Rinko glared at him in dissatisfaction.
"Alright then, it’s decided; you’ll help me pick a fortune later." Fujiwara Reya quickened his pace, rushing towards the main gate.
After climbing the stairs into the Main Palace, the sky dominated by maple trees suddenly opened wide, and the sunshine wasn’t too intense. The distant sound of autumn insects chirping echoed softly around them, and on the left side of the courtyard, numerous brightly colored persimmons hung from the tree.
The fortune-telling spot was in the small pavilion beside the worship hall.
Fujiwara Reya spent 100 yen to have Hoshimi Rinko choose a fortune for him, then slowly opened it himself, not letting her see.
[Misfortune]
Hmm.
It’s all fake, deceitful.
This is of no use at all, Fujiwara Reya thought, it would have been better to ask the Yuanjie God directly to draw a red thread herself.
Seeing him toss the fortune into the trash can, Hoshimi Rinko smirked and asked: "No good?"
"It’s great luck, but I don’t believe it." Fujiwara Reya stared at her suspiciously, "Was Hachiman Shrine trying to trick visitors into donating more incense money by putting great luck in every fortune slip?"
"Did you remember the scenery along the way?" Hoshimi Rinko asked mildly.
"Did I miss something special?" Fujiwara Reya looked back at the road they had come.
Hoshimi Rinko covered her mouth with the back of her hand, smiling joyfully: "If you don’t remember this time, there won’t be a next time. Because of what you just said, I’ve decided to put you on Hachiman Shrine’s blacklist, forbidding you from visiting again."
Suddenly, Fujiwara Reya could hear nothing.
Her thoughts were astute, yet outwardly she remained as calm as still water. Watching her smile was like seeing the clear bottom of a lake.
Feeling a bit uneasy under Fujiwara Reya’s gaze, Hoshimi Rinko lowered her hand and glanced at her own shrine maiden outfit: "Is there something wrong?"
"If it were our first meeting, I might fall in love at first sight." Fujiwara Reya exclaimed incredulously.
For a moment, shame surfaced on Hoshimi Rinko’s face, then she habitually adopted an elegant lady posture, saying loftily: "You only fall for a pretty face."
Seeing Fujiwara Reya still with a look of surprise at a fairy, she turned around and walked towards the backyard. Her slightly red cheeks and her disrupted pace stirred one’s heart.
Turning into the backyard, they were greeted by a field. Radishes were planted in the west, a row of fences to the east, with red-berried southern magnolia vines winding along the fence wall. Beside the field was a waterside pavilion where the four directors of the Onmyo-ryo Kanto Branch were already waiting.