Reina stared blankly at Rin, looking at that expressionless face, at those calm, azure eyes like water.
Her voice was very soft:
"Really... is it not allowed?"
"Mm, not allowed."
Rin's answer was brief and firm.
She then reached out, took back the soy milk that had been placed on the shelf when drawing the fortune, and handed it back to her.
"Drink it. It was just a fortune."
Reina took the soy milk and took small sips. The warm liquid slid down her throat, carrying the faint, unique sweetness of soy milk.
Rin stood beside her, also opening her own bottle of electrolyte drink, drinking slowly.
The mountain breeze blew by, bringing the faint ringing of bells in the distance, along with the curling blue smoke from the incense burner.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, casting light upon them both.
"...Rin."
"Was that one you drew just now... really a Great Curse?"
Rin did not answer.
She only turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the shrine hall in the distance.
Seeing Rin's reaction, Reina understood most of it in her heart.
Actually, whether it was a Great Curse or not didn't seem to matter that much.
Reina held the soy milk in her palms, feeling that slight warmth.
The sunlight was just right.
The wind was just right, too.
——————
After finishing their drinks, the two slowly strolled around the shrine.
Reina bought a few omamori—one for herself, saying it was to pray for smooth studies, two for her parents to pray for their health, and one more she held in her hand, hesitating for a long time, before finally stuffing it into her pocket without saying who it was for.
Rin only bought one. She stood in front of the omamori sales counter, staring at the row of colorful little bags for a long time, before finally choosing the simplest white one, with only the two simple characters "Peace" embroidered on it.
"Who is that for?" Reina leaned over and asked.
"Myself."
Reina blinked. Although she felt a bit confused and curious, she didn't press further.
They went to look at the Ema hanging rack. The rack was full of wishes written by tourists, some in neat handwriting, some crooked, with cute little patterns drawn on them.
"Hope to pass the exams."
"Hope to be with the person I like."
"Family health."
"Hope to lose weight this year."
Reina looked through them one by one, occasionally unable to help but laugh out loud.
"Rin, look at this, 'Hope the new game doesn't get delayed', does this count as a wish?"
"It does." Rin answered matter-of-factly, "Everyone's wishes are different."
Reina was stunned for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.
They didn't write any Ema.
They just stood in front of the rack for a while, watching those dense little wooden plaques, carrying various wishes, swaying gently in the wind, making soft clinking sounds.