Chapter 2

“Welcome! How many guests are with you?”

…Mm?

What is it, Anzu? Why are you pulling so hard on my clothes?

Am I wearing these clothes wrong? I wanted to help you with your part-time job, so the people of the shrine generously let me wear them.

But it seems there were no garments that would fit my physique; even this one is tight in various places, so I’m a little uncomfortable. I don’t know my right from my left when it comes to work as a shrine maiden, either, so my words and actions are awkward, as well.

Hm? I’ve got it wrong? It’s not that?

And if I’m a guy, I’m not called a shrine maiden? They’re called a priest, or a Negi? Negi, as in an onion? Does it have something to do with hotpot?¹

Fufu. I’ve learned a lot; it’s fun. But even though it’s a part-time job, it’s still labor. As long as we’re getting paid, we probably shouldn’t be having too much fun.

This has been a valuable experience. Thank you, Anzu.

That attire suits you well. But you look a little cold in it—It may be a nice day out, but it’s still winter.

Hm, you say it’s not a problem? You have a pocket warmer inside your clothes?

Such is the wisdom of the master.

…Oh my, what’s this?

Fufu. You’re trying to stick a pocket warmer on me, too? I’m fine, truly. I have a high tolerance for both the heat and the cold.

You should use it on yourself, Anzu. I’m worried about you, since you’ve started shivering a bit.

Hm? You’re thanking me? There’s no need. I know I keep saying this, but I’m enjoying myself.

It’s very interesting to experience a different culture. I’ve never had money problems, so this is my first experience of the sort.

I’m sure I’ll have many more first experiences this year, too. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

Mm? Why do you keep pulling on my clothes? I’d prefer you explain it to me in words instead of moving about so suddenly. I’m trying my best to do the same thing.

Hm. It’s time for a break, so you want to head over there to get some amazake…?²

Amazake? Is that safe for minors to drink?

Hm. You’re not sure if it’s safe for babies to drink, but it’s just called sake. Hm, is it like Chanmery?³

Fufu. I’m grateful for your invitation. Then I’d be happy to join you.

I’ve been working so hard that I haven’t been able to nourish myself. As you might expect, I’ve started to get hungry.

Let’s go, Anzu. Let’s take care not to lose sight of each other in this crowd.

Mm, is it here? The sign does say “amazake” on it.

We’ll take some. I’ll buy both of them, so you can pay me back later.

…I’d prefer to just treat you, but you don’t like that sort of thing.

All right, here you go. I’m sure you’re exhausted from standing around this whole time, so let’s find somewhere to sit.

Hm. Is this a good place? There’s no one around, so we can settle down here.

…I don’t know if this is a good time to ask, but is something troubling you, Anzu?

Even though the new year is meant to be an auspicious occasion, you somehow seem to have a gloomy aura about you… I’m worried.

I hope I’m just reading too much into it, but if there is something bothering you, I hope you’ll talk to me about it.

You did so much for me last year, Anzu. I’d like to return that favor, if only a little bit.

No… It’s because I love you, so I want to help you.

? What’s wrong? Why are you turning red—are you cold? Or perhaps, did your amazake contain alcohol…?

Hm? I shouldn’t say I love you so easily? But it’s often sung that way in UNDEAD’s songs.

I don’t know of any other way to say that I like you, that I trust you, that I care a lot about you.

…Hm. Mhm. So your family, or particularly your brother, is having some problems. I see, I understand now why you’re so depressed.

You’re always suffering and worrying for other people’s sakes, but never your own. I think that’s a virtue, but I can’t stand to watch it sometimes.

Hm. You took this job as a shrine maiden to help out your brother a little?

If it’s something that can be resolved with money, I can lend you some to an extent… Do you need some?

Fufu. You say you don’t, and now you’re even apologizing? So you don’t even know how to solve the problem in the first place, is it?

So that’s why you’re trying to earn enough money to use it on anything you need, just in case.

But it’s possible your brother won’t accept the money even if you try to give it to him…?

You don’t even know what your brother is thinking about these days? Even though you would do anything you can to help if you just knew what he wanted?

I understand. That must be frustrating.

You can’t just do nothing, so you’ve been working this part-time job because someone you know is in trouble.

That’s… Well, it’s certainly a difficult problem.

As a big sister, I’m sure you must be very worried. But let me say something, as a little brother…

If we keep being pampered and helped by our big sister, we might start to put up some resistance.

It’s not because we hate our big sister, but because she’s an important part of our family.

It’s painful to watch someone in my family be consumed by my own worries and problems. If it would come to that, I’d rather vomit my own blood.

I don’t know anything about your little brother, so I can’t speak for him. But before all else, I’d like you to watch over him and believe in him.

And let him know that you’re always on his side… no matter what may happen.

Just that is all it takes to stand up and keep going. That’s how it was for me. My father and my sisters opposed me following in my mother’s footsteps.

But I talked with them time and time again, and finally I persuaded them by demonstrating what I did with UNDEAD.

Now, they support me. They still worry about me sometimes, and it bothers me, but.

It’s just the right amount of worrying, so I’m grateful for it.

I don’t want people to just tell me that they’ll help me, or that I shouldn’t do something, or that they pity me.

I can’t stand when they treat me like a powerless infant without trying to understand my feelings. It upsets me because it’s like I’m not being recognized as an individual.

It’s true that we’re still young, and we make a lot of mistakes. You’re probably tempted to shout the right answer from up above, or from further down the road.

I’m not saying that it’s none of your business, but… that isn’t love.

Breaking his arms and legs and making it seem like he can’t survive without your care isn’t love. It’s subjugation.

Do you want to subjugate your brother, Anzu?

Of course not… If you want to love him, then watch over him as he toddles around.

You should support him and help him up when he falls over, but you can’t carry him in your arms.

If you do that, his muscles will never develop. He won’t be able to walk on his own. Such a weak creature can’t survive—That’s the law of nature.

…Mh? Why are you patting my head? Sometimes the things you do make no sense, Anzu.

Hm. It’s not that you want to subjugate your brother, but you miss being able to spoil him and have friendly conversations with him…

So just for this moment, you want me to be the substitute for him?

Fufu. I can’t say that using me so vicariously is very healthy, but… if it’ll make you feel better, by all means.

In times of hardship, we ought to turn to each other for support.

Don’t you think so too, onee-chan?

……

Mm? In Japan, that’s what you call your older sister, right? Though at my house I usually call my sisters by their names…

But when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I’d like to practice this country’s customs as much as I can.

Country to country, person to person… People with different values can love one another as long as they are willing to compromise, reconcile their opinions, and connect in ways that are not offensive to each other.

That’s what I believe. And as long as there is one person who believes it, then it’s not just a dream.

Because anything that humans can dream can be made into a reality.

That’s what everyone has taught me.