Chapter 1

…Phew, I’ve arrived at the turnaround point.

(It took me longer than usual.)

(A jog should not be too long or too short; it’s important to stick to the planned amount of time.)

(I don’t know why, but there are more people out today than usual. Even though we’re on break for New Year’s…)

(I thought it might cause trouble if I were to crash into a pedestrian, so I lost a lot of time working around them.)

(Well, UNDEAD doesn’t have any activities today, and I don’t have any plans after this, so… it’s not actually a problem if I’m late getting home.)

(My sisters have returned home and won’t stop picking fights with me, so I’d prefer not to spend too much time at home, anyway.)

…Hm?

Anzu, good morning. I didn’t expect to meet you here. I’m glad we get to see each other even on our days off.

Hm? Oh… yes, of course. Happy New Year. It’s New Year’s break, so we should greet each other as such.

Oh. I can’t let my body cool down; may I jog in place here?

I hope you can understand that I’m not trying to scare you by making any suspicious movements.

Fufu. Oh, I’m just going for a run.

I’ve set this shrine as my turnaround point for today, although I regularly change up my course to make sure I’m running my ideal distance.

Oh, no… The track club doesn’t have any activities today. I just want to keep my body from getting weaker.

You could say it’s independent training. I like to run, and it always feels like meals taste better when I’ve worked up a sweat. It’s a win-win situation.

Hm. So you’ve also been doing long distance running to build up your stamina.

I think that’s wonderful, but make sure you eat plenty of meat so that your overworked muscles can recover.

That way, you’ll get much stronger.

…Oh. Sorry, are you on your way somewhere, Anzu?

I apologize for holding you up by talking with you. I’m not much of a conversationalist, but for some reason when I’m with you, I end up talking quite a bit.

…I wonder why that is?

Fufu. You’re the same way? I’m glad that you can talk to me without fear or worry.

Hm… So you’re headed to your part-time job. You even work during New Year’s break; that’s just as I’d expect from you.

Oh. You’re working here with a friend of yours… as a shrine maiden?

It’s the time of year for Hatsumoude and they’re in need of hands, and you’ve been recruited on short notice.

Shrine maiden… Hatsumoude… sorry, I’m not very familiar with these terms. I suppose I still have a lot to learn.

Hm? Oh, I see. At the start of the new year in this country, people will come to pray at shrines for various things, such as their health, for the coming year.

So then this Hatsumoude is a religious festival—no, a cultural one… How interesting.

That answers some of my questions, then—One of my sisters asked me, “Aren’t you going out for Hatsumoude, Ado-chan?” …So is that what she meant?

If everyone is visiting shrines to greet the gods… then it seems like I ought to do Hatsumoude, as well.

I will be living in this country, on this land again this year.

However, I don’t know the proper etiquette… Should I go back home and ask my sister for more details, since she seems to know a lot about it?

Mm? What’s wrong, Anzu? Why are you pulling on my clothes…?

You have some time before work starts, so you’d like to do Hatsumoude together…? You’ll teach me how to do it?

Thank you. That’s a big help, and I appreciate you thinking of me. You’re already just as kind this year, as well.

Then I’ll take you up on your offer. Or… I’d like to do Hatsumoude with you, Anzu.

As thanks, I’ll walk up this long flight of stone steps with you in my arms.

You think it’s unnecessary? Hm, the stairs will strengthen your legs, and to climb them on your own is a blessing?

Hm. You’re quite knowledgeable, Anzu.

So you’ve studied quite a lot in order to become a shrine maiden, even though it just looks like cosplay.

What is a shrine maiden? If I had to guess, are you something like a priest appointed by a religious institution?

Oh, I understand. It’s a job with sacred duties, which not everyone can perform. Then do your best; I’d like to help you as much as I’m able.

You helped me a lot this last year too, Anzu.

Ohh. You’re right. We’ve been standing in front of the shrine talking, so the people who came for Hatsumoude are…

They’re called worshippers? Well, let’s get out of their way and climb up these stairs.

? What are you doing, Anzu? Why are you bowing?

Oh. It’s polite to greet the gods before passing under the large archway… the torii?

Then I’ll do it too, although it’s likely too late.

Sorry for disturbing you, o gods who rest in a distant, foreign land.

…Anzu. I’ve suddenly become uneasy. Is it okay for me to come as I am, in these clothes? Isn’t it disrespectful to the gods?

Should I come back later, after I’ve changed my clothes?

Hm? You think that it’s probably okay, since the Japanese gods have big hearts?

You’re right. The people in this country, including you, are always peaceful and kind. At least the people I’ve met and formed deep relationships with are.

They’ve treated me with nothing but love and respect, and that makes me… really happy.