"Mm, that's about what I mean."
Kotomi Izumi nodded. She didn't have any particularly profound insight into it, she was simply voicing what she thought.
"Trying to find a flower that can represent yourself... it feels like that process could take a very long time, or it could be extremely short. Whether long or short, who can really say for sure..."
Yukino Yukinoshita let out a soft sigh.
"That's life, I guess~"
Kotomi Izumi casually echoed with a sigh of her own.
But after she said it, Yukino couldn't help but laugh.
"That's so strange. We're not even sixteen or seventeen yet, and you're already sighing, 'That's life.' The key point is, when you said it, there wasn't the slightest sense of awkwardness. It's like you're not a sixteen-year-old high school girl at all, but more like an old grandmother who has lived through a hundred years and seen all the ups and downs of human nature."
Kotomi froze for a moment after hearing that, then smiled in both surprise and helplessness.
"You must have read too many novels to come up with a character setting like that for me. If I really were that kind of old grandmother, able to live for a hundred years while keeping a youthful body and appearance, then the most fitting description would probably be some old monster who drinks human blood to cultivate and seek immortality."
"Maybe you really are an old monster~ Hehe, just kidding." Yukino Yukinoshita made a rare joke.
"Honestly, if you're going to classify me as a monster, at least give me a nicer description. 'Old monster' doesn't sound good. Change it to something like a beautiful fox spirit who has cultivated for a thousand years, then I might accept it."
"Wouldn't that basically mean you're a fox seductress?" Yukino asked with a faint smile.
Only then did Kotomi realize—right, a fox spirit was essentially that.
After realizing it, Kotomi met Yukino's gaze, looking straight into her eyes.
Neither of them knew how long they stared at each other, but in the end, they both smiled at the same time, as if by mutual understanding.
Just as Kotomi was about to continue chatting with Yukino, Yui Yuigahama came running back with drinks in hand.
To avoid triggering any kind of awkward love triangle situation, Kotomi had been casually chatting with Yukino while also keeping an eye on Yui at the vending machine out of the corner of her eye—watching her take out coins and buy the drinks.
That was why she reacted so quickly the moment Yui finished and turned back.
"Slow down, there's no rush to drink it."
Kotomi stood up, reached out, and took the Pepsi and mineral water from Yui's hands, then handed the mineral water to Yukino.
"Thank you." Yukino nodded, then said to Yui, "Yui, thank you. I'll treat you to dinner tonight."
"You don't have to be so polite, Yukinon."
"Not treating me?"
Kotomi unscrewed the cap of her Pepsi, and after hearing their conversation, she asked with a teasing grin.
"Treat you? I'd like to, but I'm afraid I don't have the means. If I treated you to dinner, I'd probably have to walk all the way back from Kyoto to Chiba afterward."
Yukino rolled her eyes at Kotomi, her tone carrying a hint of grievance, as if complaining about her enormous appetite.
Every time she watched Kotomi eat, Yukino couldn't help but think more than once: With how much Kotomi eats, how would I even manage to prepare three meals a day to satisfy her in the future?
Because this thought always surfaced in the deepest part of Yukino's heart, she never consciously realized it. Naturally, she also failed to realize that this was exactly the kind of thought a girl would have when preparing to live together with, or even marry, her lover.
Kotomi shrugged and continued.
"Anyway, you should save that idea of treating Yui for later. Once we're back in Chiba, it won't be too late to treat her then. Didn't we already agree before coming here? All the expenses for this Kyoto trip are covered by me—Miss Izumi!"
As she said that, Kotomi made an exaggerated, chuunibyou-like gesture of pulling out a bank card from her wallet. The pose and flair made it seem as if what she was holding wasn't an ordinary card at all, but a black card.
Sensing her theatrics, Yukino chuckled lightly.
"With the way you're acting, anyone who didn't know better would think you're about to pull out a black card from your pocket next."
Kotomi just smiled.
"Hehe, I'd rather look forward to the day when Miss Yukinoshita places a mysterious gift box in front of me on my birthday and says domineeringly, 'Woman, this is your birthday present.' Then when I open it, it turns out to be a black card."
"You think too highly of me. Even my mother—the head of the Yukinoshita family—doesn't have a black card." Yukino shrugged and retorted.
It's not like you're the only Yukinoshita heiress. What if your older sister gave me one instead... Kotomi thought to herself. She originally wanted to say it out loud to tease Yukino, but after thinking it over, she decided against it.
After all, Yukino probably still doesn't know about my relationship with her sister... Kotomi reflected silently.
"Alright, let's head to the next spot. I heard there's a love fortune-telling stone nearby. Let's go check it out."
As she spoke, Kotomi called out to Yui and Yukino, leading them toward the next attraction. At the same time, she subconsciously touched the inner pocket of her coat...
The black card—specifically, the American Express Centurion Card—is one of the most prestigious, top-tier, and mysterious cards in the world, often referred to as the 'king of cards.' It grants access to the highest level of luxury, personalized services, and unparalleled global privileges.
The service philosophy of the black card is of the highest tier—no matter where the cardholder is, any request will receive immediate response and assistance in being fulfilled.
To put it more directly, holding a black card means having the power to make people all over the world serve you.
And Kotomi Izumi just so happened to have one.
It was a gift from her grandfather when she entered high school this year.
Both her parents have one.
Aimi will also receive one once she turns sixteen and enters high school.
Back then, American Express had collaborated with the Izumi family many times. For the Izumi family, ensuring that every member possessed a black card was nothing more than a trivial matter.
Right now, that very black card was resting in the inner pocket of Kotomi Izumi's coat.
...
After leaving the main hall and stage of Kiyomizu, following the route on the map, one could see the torii gate of Jishu Shrine standing atop the stairs.
Before the Edo period, Jishu Shrine had been the guardian shrine of Kiyomizu-dera.
However, after the Meiji era, due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, it became independent from Kiyomizu-dera. Even so, the shrine was not relocated and still remained within the temple grounds.
Just by seeing the words "Prayers for Good Relationships" in front of the torii, along with the prominently displayed red character for "fate" behind it, one could tell this was a matchmaking shrine. Any young man or woman who came here would never miss this place.
Or rather, many young people came here specifically, filled with anticipation, to pray for a good relationship at Jishu Shrine, which enshrines Okuninushi no Mikoto.
The Love Fortune Stones are among the most famous features of the shrine. There are two stones, placed about ten meters apart. It is said that if one can walk from one stone to the other with their eyes closed, their wish will come true and their love will succeed.
Although Kotomi Izumi wasn't particularly superstitious about such things, she still maintained a proper sense of respect toward them, and if given the chance, she might want to give it a try.
If I touch the Love Fortune Stone, will it bless me with a completely aboveboard harem in the future? Kotomi thought to herself, getting a bit carried away as a smile gradually formed at the corners of her lips.
However, even if Kotomi really wanted to touch the stone, it wouldn't be her turn anytime soon—because there were simply too many people lining up around it!
After all, unlike Kiyomizu-dera, which had peak seasons for viewing, Jishu Shrine, as a matchmaking shrine, attracted a high number of visitors all year round. The line near the Love Fortune Stones stretched endlessly. At this rate, it felt like it could go on until evening.
"So this is where the Love Fortune Stones are? But after looking for so long, I still don't see where the stones are," Yukino Yukinoshita remarked, clearly feigning ignorance as she complained about the crowd gathered around just two stones.
"Well, it is a matchmaking shrine~ Most people come here to pray for a good relationship or happiness," Kotomi said with a gentle smile, then continued.
"With this many people, it feels like the line could go on until six or seven in the evening. Let's just head over to the worship hall instead."
"Oh? Don't you want to try touching the Love Fortune Stones? On the way here, you looked quite expectant—like you were planning to find your true love through them," Yukino said meaningfully as she looked at Kotomi.
The moment Yukino mentioned that Kotomi might be trying to find her true love through the stones, the naive yet insecure Yui instantly became alert.
You really have a knack for stirring things up, Yukino. Once I bring you into my harem in the future, I'll definitely have to discipline you properly—so you'll know what should and shouldn't be said. Otherwise, with your growing ability to fan the flames, what would normally be a few dramatic incidents a year might explode into hundreds... Kotomi thought domineeringly.
"Not at all. I was just curious what the Love Fortune Stones actually looked like. After taking a glance earlier, they didn't seem particularly amazing, so I lost interest," Kotomi said.
To make it sound more convincing, she deliberately added.
"Besides, I think that ten-meter distance really underestimates love. If you're going to test for true love, it should at least be several thousand meters!"
"Several thousand meters... that would probably take you from the shrine all the way outside Kiyomizu-dera," Yukino couldn't help but retort.
After hearing that Kotomi wasn't interested in the Love Fortune Stones, Yui Yuigahama let out a quiet sigh of relief, thinking to herself: I knew it. Kotomi only likes me—there's no way she'd rely on something like the Love Fortune Stones to find true love.
On the way to the worship hall, Kotomi subtly slowed her pace and moved closer to Yui. Suddenly, she took Yui's hand and whispered softly into her ear.
"Besides, I've already found my true love. Why would I need to touch the Love Fortune Stones?~"
"Kotomi..."
Yui looked at her, eyes glistening with tears.
If Kotomi's earlier words had merely eased her worries a little, then these words completely reassured her.
Yui's personality was such that after feeling tense over something, once she relaxed, she couldn't help but cry tears of relief and excitement.
"Silly, don't cry at a matchmaking shrine," Kotomi said with a doting smile, gently wiping away the tears gathering at the corners of Yui's eyes.
"Mm!"
Yui nodded vigorously, then let out a shy little laugh, her cheeks flushed as she murmured.
"I feel like I've been getting more and more emotional lately..."
"If you ever feel like crying, just lean into my arms. After all, when I feel like crying, I want to rely on you too. And if one day we both feel like crying, then we'll just hold each other tightly and cry together—like two little monsters licking each other's wounds," Kotomi said softly.
"I'll work hard to become someone you can rely on. That way, when I go to ask your father and mother for your hand in marriage, I can confidently say: 'Please entrust Kotomi to me!'"
There was a firm determination in Yui's voice—a determination strong enough to overcome her own insecurities.
"Oh~ Already thinking about proposing to my parents? Then you'd better work hard—really hard. If you want to marry me, you'll first need my parents' approval. And after that, you'll also need my grandparents' approval on both sides," Kotomi said, lightly rubbing Yui's shoulder with a smile.
"Well? Feeling a bit of invisible pressure now?"
"Yes... but I won't back down! I'll definitely work hard to earn your family's approval!"
"Good. That's the spirit. With that kind of determination, I'll also do everything I can to help you when the time comes," Kotomi said, then added jokingly.
"Even if my family arranges a political marriage for me, I'll run away with you without hesitation!"
"I'll never let anyone take you away from me!"
"What a silly girl~"
Kotomi smiled gently and pinched Yui's cheek.
"What have you two been talking about this whole time?" Yukino asked, turning back to them. With the crowd and noise on the way to the worship hall, she had noticed them talking but couldn't make out what they were saying.
Kotomi Izumi: "Nothing much, just talking about how crowded the shrine is."
Yui Yuigahama: "Mm-hmm, yeah!"
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