When the alarm clock sounded once more, Shion reached out and habitually turned it off. Just as she was about to go back to sleep, she heard a noise from the door being pushed open.
Then, a soft body climbed onto the bed. Shion remained facing the door, having stayed up late the previous night and feeling groggy that morning. All she could feel was something pressing down on her.
A soft little hand pinched the girl’s cheek, “Sister, today is the Autumn Festival. Aren’t you going to get up, Lazy Sister?”
Oh, right, what a nuisance, she was worried about it yesterday.
Shion tried to turn over, but she was pinned down by Ayane’s body, making it hard to move.
“I’m not getting up, I’m going to sleep a little more, I only fell asleep late last night…” Shion, for the first time in a while, wanted to stay in bed longer.
“Yeah, Sister has been really tired these past few days,” for once, Ayane didn’t wake her up with “Sister, hurry up and make breakfast for me!”
After a moment’s thought, Ayane lifted the blanket and snuggled into her sister’s bed.
Another warm, soft bundle joined the bed, and Shion’s drowsiness intensified.
Ayane nestled into her sister’s embrace, rubbing her cheek against Shion’s chest. “Silly Sister, don’t be afraid, no matter what happens, I’ll be here.”
“Yeah, I know…” Shion, still fighting to keep her eyes open, hugged her little sister a little tighter. “We won’t be separated, Ayane will always be with me.”
“That’s right, so Sister, all your responsibilities, everything you need to face, your little sister will always be behind you…”
Ayane’s voice sounded like it was coming from far away.
But at that moment, Shion seemed to have woken up a bit.
Her conversation with Rie yesterday, wasn’t Ayane already resting then? Shion had seen her go into her room with her own eyes, and she hadn’t heard Ayane leave…
“Ayane?” Shion opened her eyes, but the sister in front of her was asleep, with her two small hands hugging Shion’s right hand, breathing lightly and rhythmically, already in her dreams.
Shion reached out her left hand, ruffling her white bangs, then carefully got up, trying not to disturb Ayane.
Even though she was still yawning, she seemed much more awake.
After preparing breakfast and arranging the shrine’s souvenirs, she went into the room and put on her familiar shrine maid outfit.
Standing in front of the mirror, Shion looked at herself in the reflection, patting her chest. The red and white shrine maid had been serving the gods of the town for ten years. Though the shrine was now in decline, the Autumn Festival was still a tradition, and many would come to worship on this day.
As the shrine maid, she couldn’t afford to be negligent at this time.
When she left the shrine, two old people approached, just arrived at the great torii gate, standing at the entrance. At that moment, the autumn sun had only risen a short while, and the air still carried the scent of dew and grass.
“Good morning, you two,” Shion bowed politely, hands on the hem of her shrine maid outfit, “Are you here to worship? Please follow me…”
Just as Ayane, who had probably just woken up and finished breakfast, walked to the door, she saw Shion guiding the elderly people visiting the shrine for worship.
This was serious business for the shrine! Ayane quickly realized and hurriedly covered her mouth.
Though the festival activities were to be held after dark, in the morning, there would still be some elderly people, keeping to tradition, coming to pay their respects.
“Phew, I’m here, Shion-san!” The girl with hair the color of the sun climbed up the torii gate, waving at Shion, but as she came to the entrance of the shrine, surprise crept onto her face.
Shigure was a little surprised, this was the first time she had seen so many people in the shrine. Although most were elderly, for a shrine that was usually lacking in visitors, this number of worshippers was a “miracle” in itself.
Shion, in the main hall of the shrine, was guiding an elderly woman and her grandson in their prayers to the Divine Being, the atmosphere solemn and respectful. Upon hearing Shigure’s voice, Shion turned and gave a resigned smile in Shigure’s direction.
Shigure quickly covered her mouth. Though she was usually at ease here, the shrine was ultimately a solemn place, and with the increase in worshippers, Shigure only then realized this. As the number of strangers grew, Shigure, who was usually so free with Shion, became flustered, especially after shouting out Shion’s name so loudly in such a quiet place.
On the other side, in the living room, Ayane pulled open the door, beckoning Shigure.
Shigure, as if seeing a lifeline, quickly ran towards the living room.
“Th-thanks, Ayane-san…” After closing the door, Shigure collapsed onto the floor behind it, “I didn’t expect so many people to come for worship today.”
“It’s okay, I didn’t either. You can rest here for a while until Sister is not busy anymore.” Ayane yawned and casually sat on the sofa, picking up her phone.
“Okay…” Shigure poked her finger, wondering whether to sit on the same sofa as Ayane or on another. She had just realized that although she liked Shion, she hadn’t had much conversation with this sister, who had such a strong possessiveness over her.
After some thought, Shigure gathered her courage and sat next to Ayane.
Ayane remained engrossed in her phone, seemingly not surprised by Shigure’s arrival, sitting quite casually.
“Uh, Ayane-san…”
“Hm, what?”
“About the stall tonight…”
“Don’t worry, it’s all ready.”
“Oh, okay…”
Shigure, after some forced small talk, didn’t know what to say anymore. She pondered over what topic would lighten the mood between them.
Just then, Ayane suddenly stood up and went to the kitchen.
“Eh? Ayane-san doesn’t want to be with me?…”
But after half a minute, Ayane returned with a few boxes of snacks, placing them on the table.
“Help yourself, Iori-san.”
Shigure, thrilled, quickly nodded, “Okay, I will!”
It seemed, their relationship was actually quite good?