"Kiyomizu-dera... is a pretty good spot! I approve!" Yui Yuigahama nodded without hesitation, agreeing with Kotomi's suggestion.
Or rather, no matter where Kotomi proposed going, Yui would always agree!
All of this stemmed from the dependence and trust Yui felt toward Kotomi Izumi. So whatever choice Kotomi made, Yui would stand firmly by her side without the slightest hesitation.
Yui's thinking was simple—always stand on Kotomi's side. If Kotomi chose correctly, then that just meant Kotomi was amazing. If Kotomi chose wrong, then she would accompany her all the way down that wrong path.
"Indeed, when it comes to Kyoto, the first place that comes to mind should be Kiyomizu-dera.
However, at this time of year, it's probably not the best season to visit, right?
Kiyomizu-dera is most suitable for viewing in spring and autumn. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom in abundance, their petals drifting with the wind. In autumn, red maple leaves surround the temple. Standing on the Kiyomizu stage and looking out at the maples gives you the feeling of being enveloped in blazing crimson.
But right now, it's neither spring nor autumn. No matter how you think about it, this isn't the best time to visit Kiyomizu-dera, is it?"
Yukino Yukinoshita, while agreeing with the idea of going to Kiyomizu-dera, still voiced her own opinion.
"It's fine, it's fine. If we come to Kyoto and don't visit Kiyomizu-dera at least once, wouldn't that be such a waste?
"Even if now isn't the best season, it's not like we can only come once. Let's treat this as a scouting trip—take a look at all the beautiful sights Kiyomizu-dera has to offer and plan out the best route for exploring it.
"That way, when the three of us come back to Kyoto together next time, we can confidently enjoy and appreciate Kiyomizu-dera's beauty~"
Kotomi Izumi spoke as if she had already prepared this reasoning in advance. To a certain extent, her words were indeed logical and well-supported.
So comprehensive that even Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't think of a rebuttal at the moment. She could only nod, as if conceding this round, and said:
"You really are quite adaptable... Fine, we'll go with your plan—Kiyomizu-dera it is."
At this point, Yukino glanced at Yui Yuigahama and added meaningfully:
"Besides, even if I insisted on opposing, we'd probably just settle it by majority vote, wouldn't we?
"Raise your hand if you want to go to Kiyomizu-dera, don't raise it if you don't.
"As the one who proposed it, you'd definitely raise your hand. And once you do, Yui would follow you without fail. At that point, even if I don't raise mine, it'd still be one against two. No matter what, we'd end up going to Kiyomizu-dera. So I might as well agree outright—everyone stays happy that way."
There was a subtle undertone in Yukino's words, as if she meant more than she said.
Kotomi Izumi vaguely sensed it, but she also felt she might be overthinking. Perhaps it was just Yukino's usual sharp tongue.
After all, ever since she became Yui Yuigahama's girlfriend, she had done an excellent job keeping it a secret. Even Megumi Kato and the others hadn't realized she had gained another girlfriend.
There was no way Yukino could know that she and Yui were in a relationship!
As for the innocent Yui Yuigahama, upon hearing Yukino's words, her simple mind didn't wander in that direction at all.
And just like that, the decision to visit Kiyomizu-dera was easily settled.
A famous cherry blossom viewing spot in spring, a sacred maple-viewing destination in autumn, and its tea culture ranked among the best in Kyoto—
This sentence perfectly described Kiyomizu-dera.
After buying tickets and entering the temple, Kotomi Izumi first took a photo from a distance, then turned to Yui Yuigahama and Yukino Yukinoshita with a smile and said:
"So? I picked a pretty good time, right? This is when Kiyomizu-dera has fewer tourists. If it were spring or autumn, the Kiyomizu stage over there would definitely be packed with people."
As she spoke, Kotomi pointed toward the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera not far away.
Supported by 139 pillars, the main hall resembled a massive stage, which is why it's also known as the [Kiyomizu Stage].
"That's true... Compared to spring and autumn, it's clearly much quieter now. It has its own kind of charm," Yukino Yukinoshita said, glancing around.
Although there were still some visitors today, it was noticeably less crowded than during peak seasons.
For those who came to appreciate Kiyomizu-dera, naturally, the fewer tourists the better. That way, they wouldn't have to stand in long lines at every scenic spot.
But on the flip side, they also couldn't enjoy cherry blossoms or autumn leaves.
Was this a case of gain and loss always going hand in hand?
Meanwhile, Yui Yuigahama stood obediently beside Kotomi, her curious gaze darting left and right like an excited child. Even though this wasn't the most beautiful season, she still looked like she wanted to take in every bit of the scenery before her.
It made Kotomi laugh softly.
"Don't get so excited. This isn't even Kiyomizu-dera at its best. Next spring or autumn, let's come again together. I'll figure out the day with the fewest visitors."
While admiring the scenery with sparkling eyes, Yui Yuigahama let out a shy chuckle.
"It's because this is my first time at Kiyomizu-dera. Before, I'd only seen bits of it on TV or my phone. Being able to see a place I've long wanted to visit with my own eyes... I just couldn't help getting excited."
At this point, she awkwardly rubbed her hair and said in a small voice:
"Kotomi, do I look like someone who's never seen the world? If I do... then I'm sorry."
"How could that be?"
Kotomi Izumi smiled gently, reaching out to smooth Yui's slightly messy hair.
"I would never think that about you. If anyone dared to say you're inexperienced, I'd charge up and beat them until they apologized to you!"
"If you want to beat someone, just tell me—I'll help you!" Yui Yuigahama said, her face flushed, her voice soft but incredibly firm.
That was the kind of girl Yui was.
If Kotomi truly wanted to kill someone, Yui would first try to persuade her not to act impulsively. But if she realized Kotomi truly wanted it, she wouldn't keep urging her to calm down. Instead, she would pick up a can of gasoline—while Kotomi killed, she would help set the fire. Afterward, she would even help dispose of the body.
Whether it meant burning it or cutting it into pieces, Yui could accept it all—as long as Kotomi was happy.
"You idiot..."
Kotomi Izumi's heart was struck at its softest spot by Yui's words. Flustered, she turned her gaze aside slightly, her face reddening as she muttered softly.
"Hm? Kotomi, what did you say?"
Kotomi Izumi, who was adept at controlling her volume, instinctively lowered her voice. Just now, her voice had been quiet enough for Yui to hear but not Yukino. This time, however, it was so soft that neither Yukino nor Yui could hear it.
That was why Yui Yuigahama looked confused and asked her.
"N-no, it's nothing! I just—just..."
Kotomi Izumi, for once, was so flustered that she didn't know what to say.
Just as the atmosphere began to grow awkward...
"Ahem."
Yukino Yukinoshita let out a light cough. It sounded like an unconscious cough, yet also carried a subtle implication—reminding Kotomi and Yui to be a little mindful, since she was still right there.
Even though she hadn't heard what they had just said, from their expressions and movements alone, the perceptive Yukino Yukinoshita had already guessed most of it. It was nothing more than them acting lovey-dovey again.
This wasn't the first time Yukino Yukinoshita had seen Kotomi and Yui being affectionate. In fact, she had witnessed moments far more intense than this.
Ever since arriving in Kyoto, whenever it was time to sleep, Yukino Yukinoshita would appear to go to bed early. In reality, most of the time she was quietly pretending to sleep, just so she could later hear Kotomi's "heavenly voice"—a sound so alluring it seeped into one's bones.
To Yukino Yukinoshita, that "heavenly voice" was like a poison that corroded her heart.
On one hand, she felt jealousy and resentment toward Yui Yuigahama—the one who made Kotomi produce such beautiful sounds. On the other, she found herself addicted to that "heavenly voice" with a piercing intensity. She felt that no combination of the world's most beautiful music could ever compare to the sound Kotomi made.
Whenever Yui Yuigahama would finish in just a few minutes—sometimes not even lasting half a minute—and Yukino listened to Kotomi's helpless, comforting voice afterward, the strongest emotion that arose deep within her heart was—replacing Yui.
She believed that if it were her, she could definitely satisfy Kotomi and make her happy.
Yet no matter how intense this thought grew within her, it remained buried deep in her subconscious. Yukino herself had never truly realized it, and so it had yet to manifest into reality.
Of course, if one day Yukino Yukinoshita were to become aware of the thoughts that had been accumulating in the deepest recesses of her heart, then in that very moment, all the darkness she had built up would erupt like volcanic magma—carrying a force capable of destroying everything in its path.
Returning to the present, after her light cough, Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at Kotomi Izumi, who had instantly put some distance between herself and Yui. Suppressing the complex emotions in her heart, she asked in as calm a tone as possible:
"What were you two whispering about?"
Kotomi Izumi: "N-nothing."
Yui Yuigahama: "Ahaha... yeah."
"Oh? Is that so? Then stop standing around wasting time and quickly decide which spot to visit first," Yukino Yukinoshita said indifferently.
"O-oh! Right!"
Kotomi Izumi hurriedly responded. She opened the guide map she had picked up at the entrance earlier, glanced over the layout of Kiyomizu-dera, and pointed to a location on the map.
"Otowa Waterfall. The water is pure and flows year-round without interruption. The stream splits into three, representing longevity, health, and wisdom. It's said to have miraculous properties. Since we're here, let's go drink from it."
Facing the three streams of Otowa Waterfall, everyone would instinctively choose which one they wanted to drink from first.
"Longevity, health, wisdom... Kotomi, which one do you want to drink first?" Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly asked.
"Me?"
Kotomi Izumi was slightly taken aback. She had thought about this on the way here, but hadn't expected Yukino to ask.
"Mm." Yukino nodded. "I'm curious."
"Curious, huh... alright. I did think about it on the way here, but since I didn't know you'd ask, I stopped halfway."
"If I had asked you beforehand, would you be able to answer smoothly now?"
"Of course," Kotomi Izumi replied without hesitation.
"Heh..."
Yukino Yukinoshita let out a faint laugh. There was no deeper meaning—she was simply amused by Kotomi's answer, unsure whether to call it a lie or the truth.
After a brief moment, she continued:
"You really know how to make girls happy. Is that an innate talent, or something you learned through experience?"
"Haha, who knows~"
Kotomi brushed it off with a laugh, skillfully steering the conversation away using her usual method.
Yukino knew she was changing the subject, but didn't expose it. The faint smile on her lips gradually faded, as if drawing a quiet end to their exchange.
After skipping the topic, Kotomi pretended to think for a moment before continuing:
"What I want most is health, then longevity. Living a long life is only good if you're healthy... ideally, an eternal youth kind of immortality.
"I don't just want myself to be healthy and live long—I want my family, my future wife, and my future children to all have long, healthy lives too.
"Otherwise, if only I remain healthy and long-lived, watching my loved ones pass away one by one while I can do nothing but watch...
"Just thinking about it is painful enough."
There was one more thing Kotomi Izumi didn't say aloud—
I long for health and longevity because I've already prepared myself to spend countless years waiting for Kazumi to awaken.
She would never stop searching. Every time she tried calling out to Kazumi in her heart and was met with nothing but endless silence, her determination to make her awaken again only grew deeper.
"Kotomi..."
Yukino Yukinoshita looked at her, suddenly unsure what to say. She could feel that the emotions in Kotomi's eyes had grown heavy.
She wanted to comfort her, but didn't know what had caused that heaviness. Her lips parted slightly, yet she couldn't form the first words of comfort.
As if sensing Yukino's concerned gaze, Kotomi temporarily suppressed the weight in her heart.
Turning her head, she looked at Yukino Yukinoshita and revealed a gentle, reassuring smile.
—
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