Chapter 144
Not only Honoka and Kotori, but even Umi, who usually had a reserved personality, showed a hint of emotion in her words.
However, because he was about to meet Tojo Nozomi in person, Mineo did not reply to the messages from the three girls.
After performing a simple cleanup, Mineo changed into a set of casual clothes and headed to Hieda Shrine, which had been agreed upon as the meeting location with Tojo Nozomi.
In Japan, due to latitude and longitude factors, nightfall generally occurs relatively late.
Additionally, since it was currently summer, the sky usually only began to change color gradually around seven in the evening.
When Mineo arrived in front of the main gate of Hieda Shrine, twilight had essentially ended, but the sky was still decorated with an attractive pale yellow hue.
In the transition between twilight and nighttime, a graceful figure was standing in front of the ancient shrine gate.
The girl wore a pure white kimono top and a red kimono skirt. Above her wooden sandals (Geta), a pair of beautiful feet wearing white kimono socks (Tabi) could be seen.
The outfit Tojo Nozomi was wearing was the official Miko attire of the shrine. She held a long broom, and by utilizing the remaining light of the sky and the dim lamps, she was cleaning the small path in front of the shrine.
A few gentle breezes blew. The wind chimes (Furin) hanging in front of the shrine swayed softly.
Tojo Nozomi lifted her head and tidied her hair, which was slightly messy from the wind. At that moment, a voice reached Tojo Nozomi's ears.
"It's already this late, are you still cleaning the shrine grounds? Nozomi-chan really is a very diligent girl."
Hearing the voice coming from the side, Tojo Nozomi turned her head slightly. After seeing the figure of Mineo walking closer slowly, Nozomi tilted her head adorably and showed her curiosity.
"Mineo-kun?"
"Yes, it's me!"
After hearing the answer from Mineo, Tojo Nozomi showed a faint smile.
"As a Miko, keeping the dwelling of the enshrined deity clean at all times is the most fundamental duty."
"I am only doing a small, insignificant thing."
"What time did Mineo-kun get here? Have you been observing me secretly this whole time? And if I remember correctly, I've never sent a photo of myself to Mineo-kun. How did Mineo-kun recognize me?"
In Mineo's mind, he muttered that he had watched this anime series many times. If he couldn't even recognize Nozomi, then he wouldn't be worthy of being in this environment.
Of course, Mineo did not say what was on his mind directly. Instead, he answered verbally:
"It seems to be based on intuition. Earlier, seeing your back from a distance, I felt that this graceful and charming figure must be my Nozomi-chan. Now it's proven that my intuition was not wrong!"
"Since when did I become your Nozomi-chan?"
Hearing Mineo's words, Tojo Nozomi showed a mischievous smile.
"Mineo-kun seems to have become a bit naughty. This is only our first meeting, yet you've already started flirting with me? This sweet mouth of yours is certainly well-liked by girls. Mineo-kun, be honest, have you been in relationships with many girlfriends?"
"Am I allowed to refuse to answer this question?"
"Of course you are. If Mineo-kun doesn't want to say, I can't force you."
Tojo Nozomi smiled and said:
"Can you give me a little more time? This small path will be finished being cleaned soon. After I finish cleaning here, would Mineo-kun mind accompanying me for a walk toward the mountain behind the shrine?"
"Eh? Is Nozomi-chan making a date request to me? For something as pleasant as this, let alone a few minutes, even if I had to wait for several years, I would be willing to do so voluntarily."
Hearing Mineo's words, Tojo Nozomi suddenly laughed.
"Mineo-kun, your specific purpose for coming to Japan this time shouldn't just be to give support to those three little treasures of yours, right?"
"Are you also targeting me?"
"Yes, now it's proven that Mineo-kun really is a playboy just like the rumors say, no doubt about it!"
"No wonder Eli-chi is so angry. If she knew you were flirting with me now, do you think Eli-chi would become even angrier?"
"Nozomi-chan, don't accuse me recklessly. I'm not flirting with you; you are a very clever girl, so I wouldn't be able to flirt with you anyway."
Mineo walked up to Tojo Nozomi with a smiling expression.
"Is it only after this path is clean that Nozomi-chan can go with me for a walk on the back mountain?"
"Correct, work that is only halfway done shouldn't just be stopped. Why does Mineo-kun ask?"
"Because I want to help Nozomi-chan clean this place together. Surely the shrine doesn't have a rule prohibiting outsiders from helping clean the area, right?"
"The shrine indeed has no rules prohibiting outside help, but does Mineo-kun really want to help me clean this place? Even if you try to win my heart, in my mind, I won't forgive you that easily."
In any situation, Tojo Nozomi would always look very gentle (except when she was playing tricks on people). However, after hearing Tojo Nozomi's words, Mineo showed a mysterious smile.
"I know Nozomi-chan is angry with me! That's why I came here in person to apologize to you."
"How about I perform a small magic trick for Nozomi-chan? If the magic trick I show can surprise you and make you feel satisfied, then Nozomi-chan won't be angry with me anymore, deal?"
"Is Mineo-kun going to show me magic?"
A flicker of interest sparkled in Tojo Nozomi's eyes.
"I quite like that sort of thing. Alright, I agree to Mineo-kun's request."
"If the magic Mineo-kun performs can make me feel satisfied, then I won't make an issue out of the fact that you kept something secret from me and maintained friendships with several other girls at school at the same time."
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