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Realistic or Modern 守りたい • candy & ukii
- Thread starter ukiiyo
- Start date
ukiiyo
doki-doki
MINAMOTO UME
location: the bus .... mood: awkward
coded by ukiiyo!
The start of a school year was always an odd time for Ume. The sound of new school shoes hitting the concrete path, cherry blossoms swirling the air around everyone. A spirit of excitement and dread permeated each student in different amounts. It was odd. She personally didn’t really like nor dislike the start of school, as the first couple of months were easy and she didn’t have to worry about any exams or drama as the year had just kicked off. There were only a few school events that ever occurred during the start of the year. Unfortunately, this one, in particular, put her in a situation she desperately wanted to avoid.
A field trip to see the cherry blossoms, but, not just any cherry blossoms. They were the oldest ones in the region and the school had been invited to attend this year’s celebration due to the fact it was the anniversary of the tress’ 900th year. So naturally it was quite exciting and many vendors, dancers, and performers were going to be present and the president of the school wanted to reward the third years for doing so well and making it to their last and final year. To get them in the headspace of graduation and navigating the world of employment and college.
In all honestly, Ume had completely forgotten about this trip as she had spent much of the first few weeks catching up with her friends from other classes and simply daydreaming before going home to work. So when she was ushered to a bus and was suddenly standing in the aisle, earbuds in, eyes wide with confusion over the only seat available, she started to regret her choice of signing the slip that she would attend the trip. Hashimoto Shouhei. The face and name of a boy she tried to actively forget still attending her school, as he brought back nothing but unpleasant memories.
Memories of watching him around the school with his best friend, her shy gaze carefully studying what the two boys got up to in their free time if she could walk home with his friend instead of them going together, it was all spiraling once again in her head. The embarrassment of the last time she saw him, tears and snot running down her flushed face as she clutched a ruined love letter in her trembling fingers. Oh no, anything but this. “Minamoto! Sit down! We need to get going so we aren’t late!” The booming voice of her homeroom teacher broke through her dread and music, causing the girl to jump slightly before hurriedly sitting down in the open space.
Her face flushed slightly from the snickering that ensued from her getting scolded, but it quickly died down when the bus began to pull out of the high school gates. The rocking of the vehicle and the smells of students cracking open snacks to keep them from getting too hungry on the long drive, all made Ume very aware of the person she was sitting next to. She had no idea what to do and simply hugged her school bag to her chest, eyes cast down as she thought of something to do that would entertain her for the long ride.
Soon a tap on her shoulder caused the dark-haired student to pull an earbud out and she saw the excited expression of a friend that had been sitting behind her. “Mina!! Have you met Hashimoto-kun before? He’s the guy that the girls were talking about last year remember? He’s like an ice prince or something, so you know a bunch of girls from his old class are seething that he let you sit with him!” The cheerful, and rather mischievous expression on Kana’s face made Ume roll her eyes as she listened to her hushed gossip.
“Kana, it’s rude to talk about someone right in front of them. Plus, this was the only seat open. I’m not trying to date him or something” The hustle and bustle of bus games and singing seemed to mostly act as a buffer as the two girls talked to each other, not trying to attract the attention of the somewhat unhappy student that sat to Ume’s right.
A field trip to see the cherry blossoms, but, not just any cherry blossoms. They were the oldest ones in the region and the school had been invited to attend this year’s celebration due to the fact it was the anniversary of the tress’ 900th year. So naturally it was quite exciting and many vendors, dancers, and performers were going to be present and the president of the school wanted to reward the third years for doing so well and making it to their last and final year. To get them in the headspace of graduation and navigating the world of employment and college.
In all honestly, Ume had completely forgotten about this trip as she had spent much of the first few weeks catching up with her friends from other classes and simply daydreaming before going home to work. So when she was ushered to a bus and was suddenly standing in the aisle, earbuds in, eyes wide with confusion over the only seat available, she started to regret her choice of signing the slip that she would attend the trip. Hashimoto Shouhei. The face and name of a boy she tried to actively forget still attending her school, as he brought back nothing but unpleasant memories.
Memories of watching him around the school with his best friend, her shy gaze carefully studying what the two boys got up to in their free time if she could walk home with his friend instead of them going together, it was all spiraling once again in her head. The embarrassment of the last time she saw him, tears and snot running down her flushed face as she clutched a ruined love letter in her trembling fingers. Oh no, anything but this. “Minamoto! Sit down! We need to get going so we aren’t late!” The booming voice of her homeroom teacher broke through her dread and music, causing the girl to jump slightly before hurriedly sitting down in the open space.
Her face flushed slightly from the snickering that ensued from her getting scolded, but it quickly died down when the bus began to pull out of the high school gates. The rocking of the vehicle and the smells of students cracking open snacks to keep them from getting too hungry on the long drive, all made Ume very aware of the person she was sitting next to. She had no idea what to do and simply hugged her school bag to her chest, eyes cast down as she thought of something to do that would entertain her for the long ride.
Soon a tap on her shoulder caused the dark-haired student to pull an earbud out and she saw the excited expression of a friend that had been sitting behind her. “Mina!! Have you met Hashimoto-kun before? He’s the guy that the girls were talking about last year remember? He’s like an ice prince or something, so you know a bunch of girls from his old class are seething that he let you sit with him!” The cheerful, and rather mischievous expression on Kana’s face made Ume roll her eyes as she listened to her hushed gossip.
“Kana, it’s rude to talk about someone right in front of them. Plus, this was the only seat open. I’m not trying to date him or something” The hustle and bustle of bus games and singing seemed to mostly act as a buffer as the two girls talked to each other, not trying to attract the attention of the somewhat unhappy student that sat to Ume’s right.
HASHIMOTO SHOUHEI
location: the bus
....
mood: tired and uncomfortablecoded by ukiiyo!
I should have just slept in, the thought treks across the empty vastness of his drowsy mind as he stares impassively at the only pair of seats still vacant in the rowdy bus. Identical swathes of bright blue covers drape over the two back-cushions, and various multicolour stripes lineate across it. These two particular covers might be slightly more scuffed up, with bunches of hair-thin, transparent fibre sticking out in odd places, but that is the last thing that could bother Shouhei right now; he is more concerned about the group of high school boys folding themselves over the spines of their seats to titter with among their scattered friend group.
He sighs, slinging the careworn cords of his duffel bag over his shoulder. He has had this bad ever since middle school, and has not yet had to replace it.
"Be quiet," he grumbles, trudging down the aisle parting the female-dominated rows on his right from the male-dominated ones on his left. The smattering of their intra-class couples are seated all the way at back, huddled close, and probably holding hands that they were keeping pressed under their legs to avoid drawing tease and attention from their peers.
Shouhei can hardly believe he was the same grade-level as these other kids sometimes.
He can hardly believe it right now, when he is stuffing his knobbly knees through the constricted space between the back of the front two reclined seats, and the protruding cushion inserts of his own. He knows exactly why these deviants are laughing, and if any of the girls found out—though he presumed some were already aware, as is the way of rumours—none of their high school sweetheart fantasies would ever come to fruition.
This was not an issue last year when they had a springtime trip, nor was it the year before that. It was not due to the nonexistence of the rumour during those days, but rather how their class has miraculously always been two students short on every school trip conducted thus far. However, if the words of their ex-class representative in the boys group chat last night were to be trusted, this year is a strange anomaly in the past trends. An anomaly that Shouhei is actively contributing to.
I should have just stayed in bed, he thinks, letting the back of his head relax against the foam headrest. He pointedly ignores the several jabs and elbows that the boys to his immediate right jostle him with, and already holds a deep sense of remorse for the girl who will have no choice but to sit adjacent to him.
Two years ago, they had a senpai. He was extremely good-looking, and was even able to charm their male staff. Rumour has it that he did not perform well in the finals, but the teachers collectively decided to let him retake the paper at a later, private date. Rumour also has it that he snuck out, and whetted the interest of a local girl on the night of the big, annual school trip exclusive to the seniors; they are said to have consummated their whirlwind romance on these two seats. The rumour is relevant to the progeny of said senior because it is widely believed those who, by some pull of fate, wind up next to each other in these two seats, are destined to fall in love.
Shouhei, entirely uninterested and unbothered by such baseless hearsays, pays no attention to pleated, knee-length skirt that swishes beside him—the last student finally taking their designated spot on the bus—and fishes inside his pocket to take the coiled bundle of his white, wired earphones out. His nimble fingers are in the works of skilfully untangling the unruly mess when he accidentally overhears the conversation his seatmate is having with her friend.
He shifts awkwardly in his spot. Shouhei sometimes forgets that his reputation precedes him. He can not recall having done anything to garner this level of adoration and attention from the student body. Maybe it was his height, or the status of his family that first caught their eye, though there are many other tall and rich senpais who are enrolled in this school too.
"Psst, Shou!" A masculine voice whisper-shouts from across centre aisle, seizing Shouhei's immediate attention.
His head whips to the side, a questioning "Hm?" already vibrating the jut of his adam's apple, but the corner of his eye catches on waterfalls of endless black locks first.
"Oh, it's you."
His eyebrows shoot right up the expanse of his forehead, which is now crinkled in unbridled surprise. Partly because he is ashamed such a rude exclamation left his mouth in the first place, and mostly because he never surmised that he would encounter her so closely again: Minamoto Ume, affectionately called Mina-chan by her friends as well as an old friend of Shouhei's before he graduated. Though given their convoluted situation, and the state he last saw Minamoto-san in, he doubts whether that is still the case. Regardless, it does not concern him.
"Ah, apologies," he mutters, straightening in his seat so he is facing the front again. He stiffly tousles the shorter ends of his hair, curtaining them closer to his eyes. The boys across from them can keep snickering and trying to tease him all they want.
Shouhei tucks the smooth curve of his white earbud into his right ear just as their teacher, Hina-sensei, bounces to her feet with a translucent tupperware box in her hands. The contents of it crumble and rattle against the plastic walls.
Shouhei unintentionally zones out during her speech: hyper focused on the way the road tar zooms past the direction of their bus. He only reorients himself when the tacky crick-crack! of the tupperware box being opened reverberates in his ears.
"Let's pass this around, and commence our wonderful spring trip with some fortunes for your coming school year," Hina-sensei announces gleefully, handing the box to the first row of girls at the very front.
Oh, Shouhei muses, sliding down further in his seat and engaging himself by tapping the browser icon on his phone, tsujiura. He wonders where she got a hold of those, since they are not a common delicacy in Japan anymore.
Tsu—, he types, —jiura history.
He sighs, slinging the careworn cords of his duffel bag over his shoulder. He has had this bad ever since middle school, and has not yet had to replace it.
"Be quiet," he grumbles, trudging down the aisle parting the female-dominated rows on his right from the male-dominated ones on his left. The smattering of their intra-class couples are seated all the way at back, huddled close, and probably holding hands that they were keeping pressed under their legs to avoid drawing tease and attention from their peers.
Shouhei can hardly believe he was the same grade-level as these other kids sometimes.
He can hardly believe it right now, when he is stuffing his knobbly knees through the constricted space between the back of the front two reclined seats, and the protruding cushion inserts of his own. He knows exactly why these deviants are laughing, and if any of the girls found out—though he presumed some were already aware, as is the way of rumours—none of their high school sweetheart fantasies would ever come to fruition.
This was not an issue last year when they had a springtime trip, nor was it the year before that. It was not due to the nonexistence of the rumour during those days, but rather how their class has miraculously always been two students short on every school trip conducted thus far. However, if the words of their ex-class representative in the boys group chat last night were to be trusted, this year is a strange anomaly in the past trends. An anomaly that Shouhei is actively contributing to.
I should have just stayed in bed, he thinks, letting the back of his head relax against the foam headrest. He pointedly ignores the several jabs and elbows that the boys to his immediate right jostle him with, and already holds a deep sense of remorse for the girl who will have no choice but to sit adjacent to him.
Two years ago, they had a senpai. He was extremely good-looking, and was even able to charm their male staff. Rumour has it that he did not perform well in the finals, but the teachers collectively decided to let him retake the paper at a later, private date. Rumour also has it that he snuck out, and whetted the interest of a local girl on the night of the big, annual school trip exclusive to the seniors; they are said to have consummated their whirlwind romance on these two seats. The rumour is relevant to the progeny of said senior because it is widely believed those who, by some pull of fate, wind up next to each other in these two seats, are destined to fall in love.
Shouhei, entirely uninterested and unbothered by such baseless hearsays, pays no attention to pleated, knee-length skirt that swishes beside him—the last student finally taking their designated spot on the bus—and fishes inside his pocket to take the coiled bundle of his white, wired earphones out. His nimble fingers are in the works of skilfully untangling the unruly mess when he accidentally overhears the conversation his seatmate is having with her friend.
He shifts awkwardly in his spot. Shouhei sometimes forgets that his reputation precedes him. He can not recall having done anything to garner this level of adoration and attention from the student body. Maybe it was his height, or the status of his family that first caught their eye, though there are many other tall and rich senpais who are enrolled in this school too.
"Psst, Shou!" A masculine voice whisper-shouts from across centre aisle, seizing Shouhei's immediate attention.
His head whips to the side, a questioning "Hm?" already vibrating the jut of his adam's apple, but the corner of his eye catches on waterfalls of endless black locks first.
"Oh, it's you."
His eyebrows shoot right up the expanse of his forehead, which is now crinkled in unbridled surprise. Partly because he is ashamed such a rude exclamation left his mouth in the first place, and mostly because he never surmised that he would encounter her so closely again: Minamoto Ume, affectionately called Mina-chan by her friends as well as an old friend of Shouhei's before he graduated. Though given their convoluted situation, and the state he last saw Minamoto-san in, he doubts whether that is still the case. Regardless, it does not concern him.
"Ah, apologies," he mutters, straightening in his seat so he is facing the front again. He stiffly tousles the shorter ends of his hair, curtaining them closer to his eyes. The boys across from them can keep snickering and trying to tease him all they want.
Shouhei tucks the smooth curve of his white earbud into his right ear just as their teacher, Hina-sensei, bounces to her feet with a translucent tupperware box in her hands. The contents of it crumble and rattle against the plastic walls.
Shouhei unintentionally zones out during her speech: hyper focused on the way the road tar zooms past the direction of their bus. He only reorients himself when the tacky crick-crack! of the tupperware box being opened reverberates in his ears.
"Let's pass this around, and commence our wonderful spring trip with some fortunes for your coming school year," Hina-sensei announces gleefully, handing the box to the first row of girls at the very front.
Oh, Shouhei muses, sliding down further in his seat and engaging himself by tapping the browser icon on his phone, tsujiura. He wonders where she got a hold of those, since they are not a common delicacy in Japan anymore.
Tsu—, he types, —jiura history.
Last edited:
ukiiyo
doki-doki
MINAMOTO UME
location: the bus .... mood: awkward
coded by ukiiyo!
“Oh, it’s you.”
A rather low voice broke up the conversation that Ume was having, causing her to turn her head to the right, dark gazes clashing, being divided only by thin glass lenses. Her expression seemed to mirror the boy’s as her eyebrows raised slightly in surprise simply due to the fact he was speaking to her and that was what came out of his mouth first. A very poorly stifled laugh could be heard from the seat behind the pair as Kana laughed, clearly entertained by the development.
She could feel the heat of blood rushing to her face, her skin tinged a soft pink as she quickly looked away, a soft hum leaving her in response to his muttered apology. She could feel the tips of her ears burning and her pulse seemed to drown out all the noise the students made. There wasn’t really anything for her to get embarrassed about, but she knew that he remembered the last time they had seen each other. She could practically see the memory flash in those sharp eyes of his, her pathetic crying figure almost reflecting back at her. She really wished she sat somewhere else.
Her posture was upright and her knees were pressed together, fingers curling against the material of her bag as she tried her best to ignore all the fuzzy memories and worried thoughts that bounced around her skull. Luckily their teacher interrupted her restless mind as she began to talk about the trip, the expectations, etc. It was a boring speech, but Ume didn’t mind. She was used to this sort of thing as the shrine often hosted school trips and a similar speech was made during each other.
She was surprised by the familiar container that was produced and quickly placed into the hands of eager students. The familiar scent of a baked treat filled her senses, causing her to watch curiously as the plastic container was passed down each aisle, exclamations quickly coming from the students as they greedily read their fortunes. As the cookies dwindled and the box was placed in Ume’s hands, she felt almost nervous, mostly because she wasn’t particularly good at picking good fortunes.
Her eyebrows knitted together in concentration as she looked over each cookie, hoping that maybe she’d have good luck for once. Picking up a slightly pale-colored one, she offered the container to her seatmate. Once he had chosen a cookie, they were sent on their way, the students still chatting excitedly. Ume pulled the small slip of paper out and between slightly unsteady fingers, she unfolded it.
‘You must face the future boldly.’
A slightly confused look formed on her face, dark tresses falling around her as she stared at the tiny black words. How did someone face their future boldly? Better yet, how was she supposed to face a future that was already decided for her? Her rationality seemed to be blatantly looking for an excuse to not follow the fortune, mostly because it would guide her into the unknown. If she did what she wanted, she would be like an infant lost at sea. There would be no safety, no guide, she would be alone. And that was a terrifying thought. Gently folding it back up, she placed it in a small pocket on her bag before she began to eat the slightly sweet cookie, leaning back against the seat for the first time.
Out of curiosity, her gaze traveled towards the fortune of the boy sitting beside her. She didn’t really care what it was, but for some reason, she felt like Shouhei either had incredibly good luck or incredibly bad. Knowing him, it was probably good luck.
A rather low voice broke up the conversation that Ume was having, causing her to turn her head to the right, dark gazes clashing, being divided only by thin glass lenses. Her expression seemed to mirror the boy’s as her eyebrows raised slightly in surprise simply due to the fact he was speaking to her and that was what came out of his mouth first. A very poorly stifled laugh could be heard from the seat behind the pair as Kana laughed, clearly entertained by the development.
She could feel the heat of blood rushing to her face, her skin tinged a soft pink as she quickly looked away, a soft hum leaving her in response to his muttered apology. She could feel the tips of her ears burning and her pulse seemed to drown out all the noise the students made. There wasn’t really anything for her to get embarrassed about, but she knew that he remembered the last time they had seen each other. She could practically see the memory flash in those sharp eyes of his, her pathetic crying figure almost reflecting back at her. She really wished she sat somewhere else.
Her posture was upright and her knees were pressed together, fingers curling against the material of her bag as she tried her best to ignore all the fuzzy memories and worried thoughts that bounced around her skull. Luckily their teacher interrupted her restless mind as she began to talk about the trip, the expectations, etc. It was a boring speech, but Ume didn’t mind. She was used to this sort of thing as the shrine often hosted school trips and a similar speech was made during each other.
She was surprised by the familiar container that was produced and quickly placed into the hands of eager students. The familiar scent of a baked treat filled her senses, causing her to watch curiously as the plastic container was passed down each aisle, exclamations quickly coming from the students as they greedily read their fortunes. As the cookies dwindled and the box was placed in Ume’s hands, she felt almost nervous, mostly because she wasn’t particularly good at picking good fortunes.
Her eyebrows knitted together in concentration as she looked over each cookie, hoping that maybe she’d have good luck for once. Picking up a slightly pale-colored one, she offered the container to her seatmate. Once he had chosen a cookie, they were sent on their way, the students still chatting excitedly. Ume pulled the small slip of paper out and between slightly unsteady fingers, she unfolded it.
‘You must face the future boldly.’
A slightly confused look formed on her face, dark tresses falling around her as she stared at the tiny black words. How did someone face their future boldly? Better yet, how was she supposed to face a future that was already decided for her? Her rationality seemed to be blatantly looking for an excuse to not follow the fortune, mostly because it would guide her into the unknown. If she did what she wanted, she would be like an infant lost at sea. There would be no safety, no guide, she would be alone. And that was a terrifying thought. Gently folding it back up, she placed it in a small pocket on her bag before she began to eat the slightly sweet cookie, leaning back against the seat for the first time.
Out of curiosity, her gaze traveled towards the fortune of the boy sitting beside her. She didn’t really care what it was, but for some reason, she felt like Shouhei either had incredibly good luck or incredibly bad. Knowing him, it was probably good luck.
HASHIMOTO SHOUHEI
location: the bus
....
mood: apologeticcoded by ukiiyo!
Shouhei is mindlessly scrolling on random websites by the time the box reaches their row. He learnt that the true origin of fortune cookies—as they are called in the West—truly does lay in Japanese shrines. Which means his seatmate, Minamoto, must be knowledgeable about them.
He waits for her to pick her cookie, before he reaches a hand and picks a random one without much thought. To his right, the boys make a show of eagerly rubbing their palms together, or clapping them together loudly in an extravagant show of asking for Kamisama's blessing for their bright futures.
Too bad Shouhei never grew up religious. He has memories of his grandmother taking him to the temple on New Years when he was younger, but that tradition was buried alongside her. His parents, both staunch workaholics, never had the time nor the faith to go out of their way to make their kids fulfil their religious duties and obligations. He sometimes wonders if they regret their decision; maybe if they had, their oldest child might have turned out differently.
Shouhei breaks the cookie with the pressure of both of his thumbs pressing on the fold. It snaps in half right through the middle, and he plops one in his mouth. It has the distinct sweetness of soy that lingers on his tongue long after he has swallowed the lump. As he eats the other half, he thinks he can understand why it is so favoured among the Americans.
A rustle between his fingers reminds him of the most crucial element of the cookie: the fortune slip. Tucking his chin downwards, he unrolls the waxy paper, revealing the glazed black lettering that was either printed or stamped on. Most likely the latter. “May life throw you a pleasant curve,” it says, and Shouhei’s brows scrunch in the middle. He would rather life did not. Kamisama, he thinks, I have left you alone until now. May you leave me in peace as well. His life has been going well so far; he does not have any complaints. At least, none that can be remedied, so he goes with the current that the river rocks his boat in.
The idea of dramatic changes, or curveballs, breaks the monotony of the routine he has learnt to adjust and be content in.
Shouhei crumples the little slip in his fist, sedulously pushing it into his beige pants’ left pocket.
Before he knows it, the bus is slowly rolling to a stop in a moderately occupied parking lot. Petals of baby pink hues scatter all corners of the concrete, piling atop of the already-present vehicles like winter snow. It is a beautiful sight. When he strains his neck to look further, he spots a bold, white stairway leading up an easy hill slope. Shouhei did not know they would be coming to a spring shrine. Was that mentioned on the permission form? Maybe if he did not game with his friends until dawn, he might have been able to recall.
As the buzz of students rise from their seats, holding onto their friends as to not lose each other in the onset rush, Shouhei remains determinedly seated with the intention of making amends with the mysterious girl next to him.
His arm shoots out in front of her, a request for her to stay seated. He is careful not to touch her in any way while still acting like a seatbelt holding her in place. It takes a while for the bus to empty, with a few looks and titters thrown their way. He hears his name whispered and carried through the wave of students, but eventually, they are alone.
Nearly alone, he corrects himself, because still there is a girl glued to the entrance steps by the folding door. Shouhei does not recognise her, but her shoulders are tense, and her eyes have a hidden fury in them. “Please leave us. I have something personal to discuss with Minamoto-san,” he tries, knowing she must have misunderstood the intentions of what seems to be a boy preventing a girl from leaving the bus. He knows that does not assuage whatever concerns or assumptions she must have made about him already, but with a frustrated pout, she stomps her heavy soles out the bus. The bus shakes minutely with her weight off, and he hears her tell their sensei that there are two students still on-board who will be out in a second.
He sighs deeply, before turning to Minamoto with his head bowed, and bangs falling above his eyes. He can only see her lap, and how she clutches her bag tight to her chest. Shouhei must really be making the poor girl uncomfortable. “I hope my presence here will not cause you any pain or humiliation,” he says. “Consider our meeting that day completely forgotten. I want you to enjoy your trip with your friends today. For retribution, I will ensure my absence for any future outings.”
He waits for her to pick her cookie, before he reaches a hand and picks a random one without much thought. To his right, the boys make a show of eagerly rubbing their palms together, or clapping them together loudly in an extravagant show of asking for Kamisama's blessing for their bright futures.
Too bad Shouhei never grew up religious. He has memories of his grandmother taking him to the temple on New Years when he was younger, but that tradition was buried alongside her. His parents, both staunch workaholics, never had the time nor the faith to go out of their way to make their kids fulfil their religious duties and obligations. He sometimes wonders if they regret their decision; maybe if they had, their oldest child might have turned out differently.
Shouhei breaks the cookie with the pressure of both of his thumbs pressing on the fold. It snaps in half right through the middle, and he plops one in his mouth. It has the distinct sweetness of soy that lingers on his tongue long after he has swallowed the lump. As he eats the other half, he thinks he can understand why it is so favoured among the Americans.
A rustle between his fingers reminds him of the most crucial element of the cookie: the fortune slip. Tucking his chin downwards, he unrolls the waxy paper, revealing the glazed black lettering that was either printed or stamped on. Most likely the latter. “May life throw you a pleasant curve,” it says, and Shouhei’s brows scrunch in the middle. He would rather life did not. Kamisama, he thinks, I have left you alone until now. May you leave me in peace as well. His life has been going well so far; he does not have any complaints. At least, none that can be remedied, so he goes with the current that the river rocks his boat in.
The idea of dramatic changes, or curveballs, breaks the monotony of the routine he has learnt to adjust and be content in.
Shouhei crumples the little slip in his fist, sedulously pushing it into his beige pants’ left pocket.
Before he knows it, the bus is slowly rolling to a stop in a moderately occupied parking lot. Petals of baby pink hues scatter all corners of the concrete, piling atop of the already-present vehicles like winter snow. It is a beautiful sight. When he strains his neck to look further, he spots a bold, white stairway leading up an easy hill slope. Shouhei did not know they would be coming to a spring shrine. Was that mentioned on the permission form? Maybe if he did not game with his friends until dawn, he might have been able to recall.
As the buzz of students rise from their seats, holding onto their friends as to not lose each other in the onset rush, Shouhei remains determinedly seated with the intention of making amends with the mysterious girl next to him.
His arm shoots out in front of her, a request for her to stay seated. He is careful not to touch her in any way while still acting like a seatbelt holding her in place. It takes a while for the bus to empty, with a few looks and titters thrown their way. He hears his name whispered and carried through the wave of students, but eventually, they are alone.
Nearly alone, he corrects himself, because still there is a girl glued to the entrance steps by the folding door. Shouhei does not recognise her, but her shoulders are tense, and her eyes have a hidden fury in them. “Please leave us. I have something personal to discuss with Minamoto-san,” he tries, knowing she must have misunderstood the intentions of what seems to be a boy preventing a girl from leaving the bus. He knows that does not assuage whatever concerns or assumptions she must have made about him already, but with a frustrated pout, she stomps her heavy soles out the bus. The bus shakes minutely with her weight off, and he hears her tell their sensei that there are two students still on-board who will be out in a second.
He sighs deeply, before turning to Minamoto with his head bowed, and bangs falling above his eyes. He can only see her lap, and how she clutches her bag tight to her chest. Shouhei must really be making the poor girl uncomfortable. “I hope my presence here will not cause you any pain or humiliation,” he says. “Consider our meeting that day completely forgotten. I want you to enjoy your trip with your friends today. For retribution, I will ensure my absence for any future outings.”
Last edited:
ukiiyo
doki-doki
MINAMOTO UME
location: the shrine .... mood: flustered
coded by ukiiyo!
The slight squeak of the vehicle rolling to a complete stop, a subtle hiss as the doors opened meant that it was time for her to escape the awkward prison she had found herself in. Her fingers nervously played with the small charm on her bag, eyes trained on the students all rising from their seats and shuffling down the bus aisle. Ume took a deep breath and moved to stand, but was abruptly kept seated by the boy next to her. Eyes wide, she stared at the arm that was placed across her, keeping her in her seat while all of her classmates chatted and exited the open doors.
Passing glances, unapproving stares, jealous whispers, harsh gazes, childish giggling, it all caused her face to flush quite red, her heart practically faltering in her chest. She took a rather shallow inhale, seemingly forgetting how to breathe as she was kept in her current position by Shouhei. Even her friends walked by, making soft comments about her getting a confession from her seatmate. Honestly, she never even stopped to process why he had stopped her, let alone the reason being a confession. Now that was a bit daunting. How did someone go about being so bold as to keep her behind and confess after not seeing each other for a long period of time? Had they even spoken to each other beyond casual greetings in the past?
Her mind was racing just as her heart threatened to leap out of her chest. Dizzying thoughts bounced around her head until the deep and calm voice next to her spoke, silencing the whirlwind inside of her. Turning her head to look at him, she stared in almost awe at how he so confidently told someone to leave them alone. She could never do that. Then again, she backed out of most things that required her to stand her ground on anything.
A rather soft mess of hair was soon at her eye line as Shouhei bowed his head immediately upon the exit of the straggling classmate. His words were smooth and apologetic, clearly feeling awful by how awkward Ume was. She was baffled. She didn’t mean for him to feel like she hated him, she just felt embarrassed that he had seen her cry so much. Her face warmed and she dropped her hands to her lap, gripping the skirt fabric tightly. “U-um, I don’t hate you or anything!” An unavoidable voice crack happened, causing her to immediately clear her throat in an attempt to ignore how nervous she was.
“You don’t need to do something as wild as never going to a school or class function. I’m just… embarrassed. Last time I saw you I looked unpresentable.” The anxiety seemed to twist in her chest as she slowly admitted why she was so awkward and stiff with the student. “You don’t need to apologize or lower your head about this anymore. I honestly don’t have a problem with you Hashimoto-san. I’m sorry I made you feel so bad. I should’ve said something sooner.” This time it was her turn to bow her head, her hair falling and hiding most of her flushed skin and bitten bottom lip. She didn’t like upsetting people either so she could see where he was coming from. It was just embarrassing for someone to straight up think she held strong negative feelings towards them.
Finally raising her head, she stood up and held her bag’s straps in her hands tightly. “Um! If you are hungry at lunch, I made too much and planned on sharing it with some friends but there’s enough for you. Just so we’re even.” The eye contact was fleeting, but she made sure to hold it long enough to show that she actually meant it. Her flustered figure turned and began to walk down the aisle, trying her best to look composed when she stepped off the bus. Her gaze was quickly caught by her various peers practically staring holes into her as she stepped onto the sidewalk and made her way over to her group of friends.
Kana quickly grabbed onto Ume’s arm and tugged her close, a cheeky smile on her face. “So, you get a boyfriend?”
“No! We just cleared up a misunderstanding is all.” A soft hum left the shorter girl as she kept their arms linked, clearly peering around the group of students for the tall boy who had stayed behind with Ume.
“Alright, everyone! Remember to pay your respects before we start going through the festival area! Once we get settled we will split up and let you guys explore a bit before we sit down for lunch. But no wandering off alone!” Hina-sensei’s voice carried as she and the other adults did a quick headcount before starting off into the shrine. The stone underneath the students’ feet echoed as they all made their way through the large torii gate, each bowing slightly before passing through. Ume was no exception, it being her normal routine when at home.
Once she had passed through the gate, she turned to see Kana bouncing slightly, her head turned in the direction of Shouhei. “Hey! Hashimoto-kun! If you’re lonely, we have plenty of room over here~” Her teasing words earned a swift punch in the arm from Ume who couldn’t help but shoot an apologetic look towards the boy, clearly not wanting to make him uncomfortable by the second offer to hang around them.
Passing glances, unapproving stares, jealous whispers, harsh gazes, childish giggling, it all caused her face to flush quite red, her heart practically faltering in her chest. She took a rather shallow inhale, seemingly forgetting how to breathe as she was kept in her current position by Shouhei. Even her friends walked by, making soft comments about her getting a confession from her seatmate. Honestly, she never even stopped to process why he had stopped her, let alone the reason being a confession. Now that was a bit daunting. How did someone go about being so bold as to keep her behind and confess after not seeing each other for a long period of time? Had they even spoken to each other beyond casual greetings in the past?
Her mind was racing just as her heart threatened to leap out of her chest. Dizzying thoughts bounced around her head until the deep and calm voice next to her spoke, silencing the whirlwind inside of her. Turning her head to look at him, she stared in almost awe at how he so confidently told someone to leave them alone. She could never do that. Then again, she backed out of most things that required her to stand her ground on anything.
A rather soft mess of hair was soon at her eye line as Shouhei bowed his head immediately upon the exit of the straggling classmate. His words were smooth and apologetic, clearly feeling awful by how awkward Ume was. She was baffled. She didn’t mean for him to feel like she hated him, she just felt embarrassed that he had seen her cry so much. Her face warmed and she dropped her hands to her lap, gripping the skirt fabric tightly. “U-um, I don’t hate you or anything!” An unavoidable voice crack happened, causing her to immediately clear her throat in an attempt to ignore how nervous she was.
“You don’t need to do something as wild as never going to a school or class function. I’m just… embarrassed. Last time I saw you I looked unpresentable.” The anxiety seemed to twist in her chest as she slowly admitted why she was so awkward and stiff with the student. “You don’t need to apologize or lower your head about this anymore. I honestly don’t have a problem with you Hashimoto-san. I’m sorry I made you feel so bad. I should’ve said something sooner.” This time it was her turn to bow her head, her hair falling and hiding most of her flushed skin and bitten bottom lip. She didn’t like upsetting people either so she could see where he was coming from. It was just embarrassing for someone to straight up think she held strong negative feelings towards them.
Finally raising her head, she stood up and held her bag’s straps in her hands tightly. “Um! If you are hungry at lunch, I made too much and planned on sharing it with some friends but there’s enough for you. Just so we’re even.” The eye contact was fleeting, but she made sure to hold it long enough to show that she actually meant it. Her flustered figure turned and began to walk down the aisle, trying her best to look composed when she stepped off the bus. Her gaze was quickly caught by her various peers practically staring holes into her as she stepped onto the sidewalk and made her way over to her group of friends.
Kana quickly grabbed onto Ume’s arm and tugged her close, a cheeky smile on her face. “So, you get a boyfriend?”
“No! We just cleared up a misunderstanding is all.” A soft hum left the shorter girl as she kept their arms linked, clearly peering around the group of students for the tall boy who had stayed behind with Ume.
“Alright, everyone! Remember to pay your respects before we start going through the festival area! Once we get settled we will split up and let you guys explore a bit before we sit down for lunch. But no wandering off alone!” Hina-sensei’s voice carried as she and the other adults did a quick headcount before starting off into the shrine. The stone underneath the students’ feet echoed as they all made their way through the large torii gate, each bowing slightly before passing through. Ume was no exception, it being her normal routine when at home.
Once she had passed through the gate, she turned to see Kana bouncing slightly, her head turned in the direction of Shouhei. “Hey! Hashimoto-kun! If you’re lonely, we have plenty of room over here~” Her teasing words earned a swift punch in the arm from Ume who couldn’t help but shoot an apologetic look towards the boy, clearly not wanting to make him uncomfortable by the second offer to hang around them.
HASHIMOTO SHOUHEI
location: the shrine
....
mood: confusedcoded by ukiiyo!
Shou watches the sway in her iron-straight, coal-black hair as she swirls around, turning to leave the bus. He thinks about her invitation to join her for lunch, his eyes following the last pleat of her skirt swishing past the exit, leaving him the only person left inside. Hina-sensei’s huffing and puffing can be heard from right outside—the impatient clack-clack-clack! of her heels on the pavement. Before she can drive a stress-crater into the tar, or stomp inside to deliver a lecture about time management to him, Shou lifts himself from the fuzz-covered seat. Casually, he slings the padded strap of his bag across his right shoulder, and saunters down the empty aisle of the bus.
An arm reflexively comes up to shield his eyes from the sun as he scans the opening of the parking lot. His friends are huddled on the side, waiting for him with leering smiles and suggestive eyebrow-raises; Hina-sensei is ushering him off, heaving to shut the bus door, and irately muttering something about privileged, smart kids under her breath. With his gaze trained on Minamoto, and the girl clinging to her arm, he gives a half-hearted apology to their teacher before he is being tugged forward by his own friends.
He finds himself immersed in the crowd ascending the stone steps to the shrine. “It makes sense though,” the conversation carries on around him, “that the Ice King is the one to draw the Ice Princess out of her shell.” Shou does not take part to confirm or deny their assumptions, barely even that he is the subject of their gossip; his mind is wholly distracted by the light breeze tingling all the way under his uniform. It truly is the perfect spring day. His nose even twitches when a dancing flower petal lands on the tip of it. His friends laugh, commenting, “Look! He’s already covered!” Shou ruffles his own hair, and a shower of multi-hued pink petals delicately drift to the ground, creating a graceful tapestry of gentle colours around him.
Climbing the steps further, a thought suddenly locks in his head, and he belatedly surges, “Wait, I’m not an Ice King.” The boys burst into another fit of laughter that prickles Shou’s lips into a hint of smile as well.
They bow, hinging at the hip with their arms glued by their sides, before entering through the red-lacquered torii gate. A group of his classmates head towards the haiden, to offer their prayers before heading to enjoy the festivities. Shou does not join them, and neither does his blond friend, Akihiko; his bright eyes are in fact fixed on two feminine figures readily approaching their direction.
Shou coughs into his fist, sharing a fleeting glance with Minamoto before he begins to reply, “Thank you, Kana-san and Minamoto-san, for the generous offer bu–,” only to be brusquely interrupted by Aki throwing a heavy arm across his shoulders, and beaming radiantly.
“Kana!” He greets with great enthusiasm, hanging all of his weight on Shouhei for a freighted second. “Of course Shou and I will join you! Minamoto-san, did you make the food? There are several people part of the Home Economics club’s everyday conversation; did you know you’re one of them?” He makes an exaggerated gesture with both of his hands clenched in front of his chest, and says with a sincerity that pours from his shining eyes, “I would be so, so honoured to try Minamoto-san’s cooking!”
Aki engages both of the girls in conversation, and Shou finds it the perfect moment to make a swift escape; however, before he can extricate himself from both, the group, and Aki’s surprisingly hard grip on him, a short young girl is approaching the four of them. A quick observation of her attire—the white hakui, and a pair of azalea-red hakama—instantly identifies her as a sacred Miko of the holy shrine.
The flow of their bubbly conversation halts at her abrupt, silent arrival. She does not look at any of their faces, keeping her face tipped downward. Shou follows the trail of her gaze, eyebrows furrowing in question at the red ribbon clutched in her hands. Without saying a word, she takes Minamoto’s arm and winds it around her wrist; the other velvety loop goes around the wrist Shou has half-tucked into his pocket. She tugs it with a pressure that takes Shou aback, and he tumbles forward, nearly colliding with Minamoto. The shrine maiden tops her handiwork off with a neat, big bow, and it is only then when Shou notices the omamori—the colour of fleshy, nandina berries—dangling below the equally-red ribbon.
The young girl leaves them with a quick bow, as quiet as she appeared, and with a cursory glance to their surroundings, Shou notices they are not the only two victims of this mysterious happening: many of his own classmates, along with the other visitors, are being approached by the red-and-white shrine maidens with multi-coloured ribbons in their hands.
“What is this?” Shou lifts his arm, examining the tight knot. “Is it part of some kind of game?”
Then a sudden recollection strikes him, and he remembers every person is being tied to another; there is a hand touching Shou’s right now, and a body breaching far too deep into the intimate level of his space.
An arm reflexively comes up to shield his eyes from the sun as he scans the opening of the parking lot. His friends are huddled on the side, waiting for him with leering smiles and suggestive eyebrow-raises; Hina-sensei is ushering him off, heaving to shut the bus door, and irately muttering something about privileged, smart kids under her breath. With his gaze trained on Minamoto, and the girl clinging to her arm, he gives a half-hearted apology to their teacher before he is being tugged forward by his own friends.
He finds himself immersed in the crowd ascending the stone steps to the shrine. “It makes sense though,” the conversation carries on around him, “that the Ice King is the one to draw the Ice Princess out of her shell.” Shou does not take part to confirm or deny their assumptions, barely even that he is the subject of their gossip; his mind is wholly distracted by the light breeze tingling all the way under his uniform. It truly is the perfect spring day. His nose even twitches when a dancing flower petal lands on the tip of it. His friends laugh, commenting, “Look! He’s already covered!” Shou ruffles his own hair, and a shower of multi-hued pink petals delicately drift to the ground, creating a graceful tapestry of gentle colours around him.
Climbing the steps further, a thought suddenly locks in his head, and he belatedly surges, “Wait, I’m not an Ice King.” The boys burst into another fit of laughter that prickles Shou’s lips into a hint of smile as well.
They bow, hinging at the hip with their arms glued by their sides, before entering through the red-lacquered torii gate. A group of his classmates head towards the haiden, to offer their prayers before heading to enjoy the festivities. Shou does not join them, and neither does his blond friend, Akihiko; his bright eyes are in fact fixed on two feminine figures readily approaching their direction.
Shou coughs into his fist, sharing a fleeting glance with Minamoto before he begins to reply, “Thank you, Kana-san and Minamoto-san, for the generous offer bu–,” only to be brusquely interrupted by Aki throwing a heavy arm across his shoulders, and beaming radiantly.
“Kana!” He greets with great enthusiasm, hanging all of his weight on Shouhei for a freighted second. “Of course Shou and I will join you! Minamoto-san, did you make the food? There are several people part of the Home Economics club’s everyday conversation; did you know you’re one of them?” He makes an exaggerated gesture with both of his hands clenched in front of his chest, and says with a sincerity that pours from his shining eyes, “I would be so, so honoured to try Minamoto-san’s cooking!”
Aki engages both of the girls in conversation, and Shou finds it the perfect moment to make a swift escape; however, before he can extricate himself from both, the group, and Aki’s surprisingly hard grip on him, a short young girl is approaching the four of them. A quick observation of her attire—the white hakui, and a pair of azalea-red hakama—instantly identifies her as a sacred Miko of the holy shrine.
The flow of their bubbly conversation halts at her abrupt, silent arrival. She does not look at any of their faces, keeping her face tipped downward. Shou follows the trail of her gaze, eyebrows furrowing in question at the red ribbon clutched in her hands. Without saying a word, she takes Minamoto’s arm and winds it around her wrist; the other velvety loop goes around the wrist Shou has half-tucked into his pocket. She tugs it with a pressure that takes Shou aback, and he tumbles forward, nearly colliding with Minamoto. The shrine maiden tops her handiwork off with a neat, big bow, and it is only then when Shou notices the omamori—the colour of fleshy, nandina berries—dangling below the equally-red ribbon.
The young girl leaves them with a quick bow, as quiet as she appeared, and with a cursory glance to their surroundings, Shou notices they are not the only two victims of this mysterious happening: many of his own classmates, along with the other visitors, are being approached by the red-and-white shrine maidens with multi-coloured ribbons in their hands.
“What is this?” Shou lifts his arm, examining the tight knot. “Is it part of some kind of game?”
Then a sudden recollection strikes him, and he remembers every person is being tied to another; there is a hand touching Shou’s right now, and a body breaching far too deep into the intimate level of his space.
Last edited:
ukiiyo
doki-doki
MINAMOTO UME
location: the shrine .... mood: flustered & confused
coded by ukiiyo!
Her arm was quickly pulled by Kana’s, the shorter girl’s strength quite impressive as Ume had little ability to fight her. Stumbled steps brought her face to face with Shouhei once again, but this time accompanied by his friend Akihiko, a slightly familiar face to the girl. Kana’s smile broadened when she saw the equally friendly boy and waved at him. “Aki-kun, you will be so pleased to know that Mina-chan did all of the cooking for this event. She stayed up all night pouring her heart and soul into this big lunch!” Kana seemed to mimic the same energy as Aki, her own movements becoming quite animated as she grabbed onto Ume’s bag and held it up in the air as if it was a precious offering.
Their excited words caused Ume to awkwardly laugh, her fingers twisting around themselves, unsure where to go. “I wouldn’t say any of that, but I’m more than happy to share with you, there’s far too much for us.” Her shoulders were tense but slightly relaxed as Kana and Aki engaged in conversation, spearheading the entire thing so that Ume didn’t have to worry about saying more than a couple of agreeing comments. It was easier for her to follow conversations rather than interject so she felt a bit relieved. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Shouhei was less than pleased to be around her again. She felt unease and guilt as she couldn’t say no to any of Kana or Aki’s requests, and left the other boy looking like he was going to run as soon as the coast was clear.
She felt like saying something to Kana, but before she could, a familiar set of clothing and colors caught her eye. A Miko made her way over to them, immediately causing her to straighten up, her eyes casting down as soon as she stepped within their small square. A flash of brightly colored ribbon caught Ume’s eye, leaving her unable to do anything outside of swallowing her growing anxiety. Warm fingers wrapped around her wrist and a slightly cool yet soft fabric overlaps with the gentle grasp. The girl closed her eyes as soon as she realized what was going on and didn’t struggle against the tied ribbon but just prayed to God that she got attached to Akihiko.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work that way. Instead, she was once again face to face with Shouhei, his body nearly colliding with hers. A noise of surprise left her lips as she tried to turn her head away, almost wanting to ask for help from either Kana or Aki but the students were as equally stunned as to what was going on. By the time the miko had finished her work, she was already moving on and Shouhei seemed to forget that he was tied to someone. His arm raised and subsequently pulled Ume’s with him, making her slightly bump into him. “U-Um, I- we’re tied together.” She did her best to keep her fingers balled up in a small fist so that he didn’t feel too uncomfortable by the accidental skinship.
“Oh, right,” Shou fumbles, taking a small step back. His chest feels warm, and his glasses have slid a fingerprint’s length down his nose. “Uh… Sorry.”
The atmosphere was quiet between the four of them as she recovered some amount of distance so that she wasn’t pressed against his frame any longer. It didn’t last long, the excitedly squealing and giggling of Kana disrupting the air as she jumped at the chance to grab Ume’s hand and investigate the red ribbon. “Oh, my- are you guys like fated or something? Did you actually ask her out?”
“No, I—,” Shou tries, slightly alarmed at the assumption, but Kana’s whirlwind of a temperament drowns out his meager spark of protest.
“—This is too good to be true! You’re like getting matched by the shrine or something, I have to take a picture.” Her teasing was unavoidable as she whipped out her bubblegum pink phone and began to take pictures which she excitedly shared with Aki, much to Ume’s dismay.
Shou sighs when Aki suggests sharing contact information with the lively girl so that she can send the pictures to him later—most definitely to tease Shou with them to the gates of hell. He does not bother asking either of them to take any pictures, because the evidence of his and Minamoto’s… union (Shou nearly chokes on his own spittle at the near-mystic materialization of the word in his head. Union…) is already witnessed first-hand by everyone in their class, and the word of it will most likely spread by the evening. Minamoto is… a popular figure in their school, after all.
So, Shou sees no purpose in trying to stop either of their friends in their cheeky endeavors.
Swallowing thickly, the long-haired girl took her opportunity to look over the extent of their situation, as well as the other ribbons adorning other pairs. “It isn’t a game, but more of a reading? Sometimes shrines will do this during festivals or important times of year to kind of give predictions for people they believe will have overlapping futures. The colors all represent something unique and they naturally give a blessing of luck with this.” Pointing to the omamori with her untied hand, Ume cleared her throat and dared to send a glance over to her newly acquired companion Shouhei.
“They can remove it if you really want to however, some shrines believe that it will bring bad luck if you do that. But if you don’t believe in it or that doesn’t bother you, I can talk to someone to get it off properly.”
“What happens if you keep it on? Does it stay forever?” Aki’s question came from Ume’s right as he wandered around the pair, investigating the state they were now in.
“If you follow the tradition, you generally remove it after exiting the shrine as at that point, the blessing and fortune have had enough time to transfer properly, if that makes sense. My family doesn’t really do this so I’m not entirely familiar with it in practice but I’ve learned about it briefly.” Ume couldn’t help but feel somewhat guilty for subjecting Shouhei to this fate as she could’ve prevented Kana from combining the two groups. Now it was too late.
“So… you should probably get on a first-name basis, huh, Ume?” The girl stiffened and seemed to turn the same color as the ribbon at Kana’s teasing words as she rested her head comfortably on Ume’s shoulder. “I mean you both are tied together by the goodwill of the shrine, I think that requires some familiarity don’t you think?” While Ume was fine with her friends using her first name outside of school, she was unfamiliar with other students using it and she felt rather flustered by the prospect of Shouhei using it. “Or at least nicknames since you guys have such familiar names. I think it would be fun, a bonding experience! Aki and I will be your guides and good fortune guards so you don’t need to worry about anyone causing problems. Unless you want alone time of course~”
Their excited words caused Ume to awkwardly laugh, her fingers twisting around themselves, unsure where to go. “I wouldn’t say any of that, but I’m more than happy to share with you, there’s far too much for us.” Her shoulders were tense but slightly relaxed as Kana and Aki engaged in conversation, spearheading the entire thing so that Ume didn’t have to worry about saying more than a couple of agreeing comments. It was easier for her to follow conversations rather than interject so she felt a bit relieved. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Shouhei was less than pleased to be around her again. She felt unease and guilt as she couldn’t say no to any of Kana or Aki’s requests, and left the other boy looking like he was going to run as soon as the coast was clear.
She felt like saying something to Kana, but before she could, a familiar set of clothing and colors caught her eye. A Miko made her way over to them, immediately causing her to straighten up, her eyes casting down as soon as she stepped within their small square. A flash of brightly colored ribbon caught Ume’s eye, leaving her unable to do anything outside of swallowing her growing anxiety. Warm fingers wrapped around her wrist and a slightly cool yet soft fabric overlaps with the gentle grasp. The girl closed her eyes as soon as she realized what was going on and didn’t struggle against the tied ribbon but just prayed to God that she got attached to Akihiko.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work that way. Instead, she was once again face to face with Shouhei, his body nearly colliding with hers. A noise of surprise left her lips as she tried to turn her head away, almost wanting to ask for help from either Kana or Aki but the students were as equally stunned as to what was going on. By the time the miko had finished her work, she was already moving on and Shouhei seemed to forget that he was tied to someone. His arm raised and subsequently pulled Ume’s with him, making her slightly bump into him. “U-Um, I- we’re tied together.” She did her best to keep her fingers balled up in a small fist so that he didn’t feel too uncomfortable by the accidental skinship.
“Oh, right,” Shou fumbles, taking a small step back. His chest feels warm, and his glasses have slid a fingerprint’s length down his nose. “Uh… Sorry.”
The atmosphere was quiet between the four of them as she recovered some amount of distance so that she wasn’t pressed against his frame any longer. It didn’t last long, the excitedly squealing and giggling of Kana disrupting the air as she jumped at the chance to grab Ume’s hand and investigate the red ribbon. “Oh, my- are you guys like fated or something? Did you actually ask her out?”
“No, I—,” Shou tries, slightly alarmed at the assumption, but Kana’s whirlwind of a temperament drowns out his meager spark of protest.
“—This is too good to be true! You’re like getting matched by the shrine or something, I have to take a picture.” Her teasing was unavoidable as she whipped out her bubblegum pink phone and began to take pictures which she excitedly shared with Aki, much to Ume’s dismay.
Shou sighs when Aki suggests sharing contact information with the lively girl so that she can send the pictures to him later—most definitely to tease Shou with them to the gates of hell. He does not bother asking either of them to take any pictures, because the evidence of his and Minamoto’s… union (Shou nearly chokes on his own spittle at the near-mystic materialization of the word in his head. Union…) is already witnessed first-hand by everyone in their class, and the word of it will most likely spread by the evening. Minamoto is… a popular figure in their school, after all.
So, Shou sees no purpose in trying to stop either of their friends in their cheeky endeavors.
Swallowing thickly, the long-haired girl took her opportunity to look over the extent of their situation, as well as the other ribbons adorning other pairs. “It isn’t a game, but more of a reading? Sometimes shrines will do this during festivals or important times of year to kind of give predictions for people they believe will have overlapping futures. The colors all represent something unique and they naturally give a blessing of luck with this.” Pointing to the omamori with her untied hand, Ume cleared her throat and dared to send a glance over to her newly acquired companion Shouhei.
“They can remove it if you really want to however, some shrines believe that it will bring bad luck if you do that. But if you don’t believe in it or that doesn’t bother you, I can talk to someone to get it off properly.”
“What happens if you keep it on? Does it stay forever?” Aki’s question came from Ume’s right as he wandered around the pair, investigating the state they were now in.
“If you follow the tradition, you generally remove it after exiting the shrine as at that point, the blessing and fortune have had enough time to transfer properly, if that makes sense. My family doesn’t really do this so I’m not entirely familiar with it in practice but I’ve learned about it briefly.” Ume couldn’t help but feel somewhat guilty for subjecting Shouhei to this fate as she could’ve prevented Kana from combining the two groups. Now it was too late.
“So… you should probably get on a first-name basis, huh, Ume?” The girl stiffened and seemed to turn the same color as the ribbon at Kana’s teasing words as she rested her head comfortably on Ume’s shoulder. “I mean you both are tied together by the goodwill of the shrine, I think that requires some familiarity don’t you think?” While Ume was fine with her friends using her first name outside of school, she was unfamiliar with other students using it and she felt rather flustered by the prospect of Shouhei using it. “Or at least nicknames since you guys have such familiar names. I think it would be fun, a bonding experience! Aki and I will be your guides and good fortune guards so you don’t need to worry about anyone causing problems. Unless you want alone time of course~”
HASHIMOTO SHOUHEI
location: the shrine > taiyaki stand
mood: awkward, but dutiful
mood: awkward, but dutiful
coded by ukiiyo!
Ume, Shou tests the name out in his head.
“Forgive me,” he says slowly, turning his wrist to observe the silky ribbon tied to it, “if I am slightly ignorant regarding these things, but I don’t think Minamoto-san is comfortable with your suggestion, Kana-san.” There is some hypocrisy in his words, he realises, when he uses Kana’s given name without her explicit permission. Everyone calls Kana Kana though, so it feels less presumptuous. Besides, the way Minamoto’s eyes widened imperceptibly at her friend’s intimate proposition signalled to him to stray away from doing as she proposed.
“But if it is regarding observing shrine etiquette,” he continues carefully, eyes trained on the darkened inlays between the stone tiles on the ground, “then Minamoto-san is free to call me Shou, or Shouhei—whichever, you like more.”
Her eyes widen in shock as she looks up at the boy, catching those usually cold eyes hidden by thin glass. Her mind spins for a few seconds, unable to stop her mouth from moving on its own. “O-okay. I’ll keep that in mind.” She can’t help but feel rather impressed by how easily he offers up his first name for her to use. Unable to maintain eye contact for much longer, she turns away and looks down at the ribbon between them in silence.
He hears Aki gasp, as yet another silence settles over the four of them. Shou has never been against silences, he can enjoy the company of one in the presence of another, but this… This is just awkward.
“I don’t need alone time with her,” he interrupts brusquely, eyebrows furrowed. “Let’s go to the stalls. Minamoto-san, I hope you don’t mind if we stop at the taiyaki stand first. We can go where you want to afterwards.”
Without another word shared with any of them, Shouhei turns on his heel, and starts making his way towards the more crowded areas of the shrine grounds buzzing with vibrant energy.
Kana and Aki share an awkward, questioning glance. There is a silent question in the girl’s eyes that Aki does not have an answer for; he merely shrugs, “Maybe he got overwhelmed by the teasing.” Both of them silently follow behind the couple, and Aki wonders whether the act of binding these two really was the goodwill of the shrine.
Shouhei has always been a little awkward around girls, so Aki can only hope this can help him come out of his shell.
Shou can see some of their classmates milling about, and observes the same red ties between their wrists; a lot of them are holding hands, but there is a space between his and Minamoto’s—the length occupied by the crimson tie, taut in the middle under the weight of the omamori.
Maybe he should have accepted the offer when Minamoto mentioned having someone take it off, but he did not want to come across as a non-believing atheist, or worse, offend Minamoto’s sensibilities. He knows her family owns a notable shrine. Regardless of whether or not her family observes this particular practice, if it aligns with her beliefs, then the least Shou can do is oblige her for a few hours.
It does not take long for him to find the taiyaki stand: Shou could have recognised the sweet, egg-y smell of the batter warming in the fish-shaped girdles from a mile away. The man operating the stand is handing a steaming brown paper bag of freshly baked goodness to the last customers waiting for their order before Shou joins the line.
Red bean paste is the traditional, and most popular filling, and there is a line of girdles with half-poured batter covered with the chocolate-y consistency of the paste, but Shou’s favourite filling flavour is vanilla custard.
He does not want to ask Minamoto is she would like any, or the flavour she wants either if she would, because the weight of Aki and Kana’s combined gazes is still searing a brand into his back through the materials of his beige hoodie, and the starchy white of his uniform combined. “One of every flavour, please,” he orders quietly, skilfully using his index finger and thumb to pick his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans.
A soft breeze glides past them, wafting the warm, home-y scent of the baked cakes he accepts from the man, exchanging a two-thousand yen note for them. It was sunny in the morning when they arrived, but now the heavier clouds have begun rolling in, casting cool, sunny shadows in patches over the shrine grounds.
“These are for you and Kana-san.” He hands the steamy package to Minamoto, only to realise that Kana and Aki have disappea– No, there they are: a few stalls down, gushing over cute and unique designs of teru teru bozu dolls.
Shou is about to bite into his own fish-shaped cake, sandwiching it between a tissue with his free, right hand, before he remembers that both of Minamoto’s hands are occupied—one with the paper bag, and the other with the ribbon—and he pauses. “Oh, uhm…” He pulls the taiyaki away from the range of his mouth, and holds it in front of hers, looking away with a slight flush. “I keep putting myself in situations where I have to apologise to you, Minamoto-san.”
“Forgive me,” he says slowly, turning his wrist to observe the silky ribbon tied to it, “if I am slightly ignorant regarding these things, but I don’t think Minamoto-san is comfortable with your suggestion, Kana-san.” There is some hypocrisy in his words, he realises, when he uses Kana’s given name without her explicit permission. Everyone calls Kana Kana though, so it feels less presumptuous. Besides, the way Minamoto’s eyes widened imperceptibly at her friend’s intimate proposition signalled to him to stray away from doing as she proposed.
“But if it is regarding observing shrine etiquette,” he continues carefully, eyes trained on the darkened inlays between the stone tiles on the ground, “then Minamoto-san is free to call me Shou, or Shouhei—whichever, you like more.”
Her eyes widen in shock as she looks up at the boy, catching those usually cold eyes hidden by thin glass. Her mind spins for a few seconds, unable to stop her mouth from moving on its own. “O-okay. I’ll keep that in mind.” She can’t help but feel rather impressed by how easily he offers up his first name for her to use. Unable to maintain eye contact for much longer, she turns away and looks down at the ribbon between them in silence.
He hears Aki gasp, as yet another silence settles over the four of them. Shou has never been against silences, he can enjoy the company of one in the presence of another, but this… This is just awkward.
“I don’t need alone time with her,” he interrupts brusquely, eyebrows furrowed. “Let’s go to the stalls. Minamoto-san, I hope you don’t mind if we stop at the taiyaki stand first. We can go where you want to afterwards.”
Without another word shared with any of them, Shouhei turns on his heel, and starts making his way towards the more crowded areas of the shrine grounds buzzing with vibrant energy.
Kana and Aki share an awkward, questioning glance. There is a silent question in the girl’s eyes that Aki does not have an answer for; he merely shrugs, “Maybe he got overwhelmed by the teasing.” Both of them silently follow behind the couple, and Aki wonders whether the act of binding these two really was the goodwill of the shrine.
Shouhei has always been a little awkward around girls, so Aki can only hope this can help him come out of his shell.
Shou can see some of their classmates milling about, and observes the same red ties between their wrists; a lot of them are holding hands, but there is a space between his and Minamoto’s—the length occupied by the crimson tie, taut in the middle under the weight of the omamori.
Maybe he should have accepted the offer when Minamoto mentioned having someone take it off, but he did not want to come across as a non-believing atheist, or worse, offend Minamoto’s sensibilities. He knows her family owns a notable shrine. Regardless of whether or not her family observes this particular practice, if it aligns with her beliefs, then the least Shou can do is oblige her for a few hours.
It does not take long for him to find the taiyaki stand: Shou could have recognised the sweet, egg-y smell of the batter warming in the fish-shaped girdles from a mile away. The man operating the stand is handing a steaming brown paper bag of freshly baked goodness to the last customers waiting for their order before Shou joins the line.
Red bean paste is the traditional, and most popular filling, and there is a line of girdles with half-poured batter covered with the chocolate-y consistency of the paste, but Shou’s favourite filling flavour is vanilla custard.
He does not want to ask Minamoto is she would like any, or the flavour she wants either if she would, because the weight of Aki and Kana’s combined gazes is still searing a brand into his back through the materials of his beige hoodie, and the starchy white of his uniform combined. “One of every flavour, please,” he orders quietly, skilfully using his index finger and thumb to pick his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans.
A soft breeze glides past them, wafting the warm, home-y scent of the baked cakes he accepts from the man, exchanging a two-thousand yen note for them. It was sunny in the morning when they arrived, but now the heavier clouds have begun rolling in, casting cool, sunny shadows in patches over the shrine grounds.
“These are for you and Kana-san.” He hands the steamy package to Minamoto, only to realise that Kana and Aki have disappea– No, there they are: a few stalls down, gushing over cute and unique designs of teru teru bozu dolls.
Shou is about to bite into his own fish-shaped cake, sandwiching it between a tissue with his free, right hand, before he remembers that both of Minamoto’s hands are occupied—one with the paper bag, and the other with the ribbon—and he pauses. “Oh, uhm…” He pulls the taiyaki away from the range of his mouth, and holds it in front of hers, looking away with a slight flush. “I keep putting myself in situations where I have to apologise to you, Minamoto-san.”
Last edited:
ukiiyo
doki-doki
MINAMOTO UME
location: the shrine .... mood: shy
coded by ukiiyo!
His name felt foreign to her lips as she quietly mouthed it, trying to see if she would be able to use it comfortably. She was rather surprised by how upfront he was with his words and actions. Rather confidently, or shyly (she couldn’t tell), he pulled them through the slight crowds until they came to a stop in front of a stall selling baked goods. Her eyes practically sparkled as stared at the treats, feeling the saliva build up in anticipation. Her free hand had moved to her bag, ready to grab her own wallet, but her companion ordered and paid for everything himself which caused a rather awkward word of gratitude to leave her as she stood quietly by his side.
She hadn’t noticed that their little party had broken up, Kana and Aki having disappeared to look at other vendors, clearly enjoying each other’s company and the entire trip. But Ume stayed quiet and remained by Shouhei’s side, her hair moving slightly in the wind, occasionally brushing against her face. ‘I should’ve pulled my hair back.’ Silently scolding herself, she looked away from the taiyaki stand and up at the swirling petals of pink, admiring how they gently landed on people and the ground, almost undisturbed by the celebration below the branches.
“These are for you and Kana-san” Shouhei’s even tone broke through her daydreaming, causing her to turn her head back to him, only to receive a warm bag of baked goods. The smell was heavenly and tickled her nose as she hugged it to her body, the warmth seeping into the light material of her uniform. She smiled slightly at him before she turned her head to look behind her, her lips parted to call out to Kana. Only she wasn’t there. While the girl had wandered off minutes ago, Ume hadn’t noticed until right at that moment. Well. That made things awkward.
“I’ll give them to her later. Thank you again.” Doing her best to minimize the shyness she felt, she simply occupied her mind and heart by looking around, clearly enjoying the festive nature of this trip. This was why she was even more surprised to see and smell a pastry held out in front of her face, just a small distance from her mouth. Her eyes widened as she looked at him, noticing the slight coloring to his face as he turned away in an almost sheepish manner. Ume couldn’t silence the soft laugh that escaped her, but luckily it only lasted a few moments before she cleared her throat. A rare smile seemed to linger, especially as she took a small bite out of the taiyaki.
Slightly humming from happiness, she shook her head, looking up at the boy’s face. “No need to apologize. I don’t mind. Thank you, for sharing Shouhei-san.” Clearing her throat again, she couldn’t help but lightly fiddle with the ribbon that dangled close to her fingertips, redness creeping back into her face as she did her best to keep a neutral expression. “You can use my name if you want. I wouldn’t be mad or anything, I just get sort of embarrassed because not a lot of people use it at school.” She took a deep breath as if steadying herself for the rest of their trip. “Could we go to that stall next?”
Ume had to use her tied hand to gesture to the brightly colored stall that had a soft pink bin full of balloons inside of it. It was the yo-yo fishing game, something that she often did as a child when attending festivals. All the balloons were colored and patterned to go along with the cherry blossom theme, making them quite pretty in her eyes. “We can wait for Kana and Aki if you’d like, I just want to try my hand at that game.” The girl had rarely gone to festivals since she entered high school, mostly because she got into arguments with her family or because she felt uncomfortable around the couples while she was wallowing in self-pity. But she wanted to have fun on the school trip, especially since she was tied to another person, she didn’t want to ruin it for Shouhei.
The students moved around them like goldfish in a barrel, mostly concerned with what they wanted to spend their money on and what they wanted to do afterward. The miko caught a few lingering stares as students walked past her and Shouhei, but she knew that it would happen. He had a relatively interesting popularity as he was known for his good looks and rather prince-like appeal, apart from his cold front. But she couldn’t tell if the stares were out of curiosity or jealousy, maybe they were both, but it was an odd feeling for her, especially as they were tied together by a very blatantly obvious red string. She was just happy that nobody really seemed to point that aspect out.
She hadn’t noticed that their little party had broken up, Kana and Aki having disappeared to look at other vendors, clearly enjoying each other’s company and the entire trip. But Ume stayed quiet and remained by Shouhei’s side, her hair moving slightly in the wind, occasionally brushing against her face. ‘I should’ve pulled my hair back.’ Silently scolding herself, she looked away from the taiyaki stand and up at the swirling petals of pink, admiring how they gently landed on people and the ground, almost undisturbed by the celebration below the branches.
“These are for you and Kana-san” Shouhei’s even tone broke through her daydreaming, causing her to turn her head back to him, only to receive a warm bag of baked goods. The smell was heavenly and tickled her nose as she hugged it to her body, the warmth seeping into the light material of her uniform. She smiled slightly at him before she turned her head to look behind her, her lips parted to call out to Kana. Only she wasn’t there. While the girl had wandered off minutes ago, Ume hadn’t noticed until right at that moment. Well. That made things awkward.
“I’ll give them to her later. Thank you again.” Doing her best to minimize the shyness she felt, she simply occupied her mind and heart by looking around, clearly enjoying the festive nature of this trip. This was why she was even more surprised to see and smell a pastry held out in front of her face, just a small distance from her mouth. Her eyes widened as she looked at him, noticing the slight coloring to his face as he turned away in an almost sheepish manner. Ume couldn’t silence the soft laugh that escaped her, but luckily it only lasted a few moments before she cleared her throat. A rare smile seemed to linger, especially as she took a small bite out of the taiyaki.
Slightly humming from happiness, she shook her head, looking up at the boy’s face. “No need to apologize. I don’t mind. Thank you, for sharing Shouhei-san.” Clearing her throat again, she couldn’t help but lightly fiddle with the ribbon that dangled close to her fingertips, redness creeping back into her face as she did her best to keep a neutral expression. “You can use my name if you want. I wouldn’t be mad or anything, I just get sort of embarrassed because not a lot of people use it at school.” She took a deep breath as if steadying herself for the rest of their trip. “Could we go to that stall next?”
Ume had to use her tied hand to gesture to the brightly colored stall that had a soft pink bin full of balloons inside of it. It was the yo-yo fishing game, something that she often did as a child when attending festivals. All the balloons were colored and patterned to go along with the cherry blossom theme, making them quite pretty in her eyes. “We can wait for Kana and Aki if you’d like, I just want to try my hand at that game.” The girl had rarely gone to festivals since she entered high school, mostly because she got into arguments with her family or because she felt uncomfortable around the couples while she was wallowing in self-pity. But she wanted to have fun on the school trip, especially since she was tied to another person, she didn’t want to ruin it for Shouhei.
The students moved around them like goldfish in a barrel, mostly concerned with what they wanted to spend their money on and what they wanted to do afterward. The miko caught a few lingering stares as students walked past her and Shouhei, but she knew that it would happen. He had a relatively interesting popularity as he was known for his good looks and rather prince-like appeal, apart from his cold front. But she couldn’t tell if the stares were out of curiosity or jealousy, maybe they were both, but it was an odd feeling for her, especially as they were tied together by a very blatantly obvious red string. She was just happy that nobody really seemed to point that aspect out.
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