Shinsho-ji Temple.
Barbatos and Seiun Sky made their way up the stone steps, careful not to walk in the center of the staircase.
According to Japanese tradition, the central path is reserved for the gods. Those climbing to worship must walk quietly on either side to avoid disturbing the deities.
Right now, they were hugging the very edge of the steps.
That area was built for worshippers in wheelchairs, and Barbatos, seated in hers, could only ascend along this accessible route.
Seiun Sky deliberately lingered half a step behind, guarding against any possibility of the wheelchair sliding backward.
Even with anti-rollback features, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Reaching the Shinsho-ji Temple at the mountain's peak, the pair offered a slight bow toward the torii gate. Barbatos' bow from her wheelchair was a little awkward, but it still conveyed due respect to the gods.
Japanese Shinto speaks of eight million deities.
Every shrine and temple has a torii gate, a boundary separating the human and divine realms. So before entering, one offers a gentle bow.
It's a traditional custom.
Nowadays, this custom is slowly fading. The advancement of science has explained many mysteries, and many have become atheists. But for Uma Musume, the presence of the Three Goddesses statues at Tracen Academy instills a sense of reverence during worship.
For Barbatos, it was a case of 'better to believe and be safe, than disbelieve and risk it.'
Next, they used the water from the basin beside the approach to cleanse their hands, scooping water into their mouths to rinse lightly—completing the pre-worship ritual.
"Doesn't seem too crowded up here now."
Barbatos observed the scene atop the mountain. Shinsho-ji Temple sat at the summit of Narita Mountain, with various stalls offering games and snacks dotting the slopes halfway down.
After a quick bite to eat, she and Seiun Sky had chosen to come up and worship.
Later, as evening approached, the crowds would likely grow. Though certainly not as packed as yesterday, there was still a chance someone would recognize Barbatos, potentially leading to a fan ambush.
"Shall we go draw fortune slips first?"
Seiun Sky pointed to a spot where a handful of people were loosely queued, shaking wooden cylinders.
The cylinders would dispense wooden sticks inscribed with fortunes—good or bad—indicating one's luck for the coming year.
"Alright."
Barbatos agreed readily. When it came to luck, she felt pretty confident.
It was thanks to good luck that she had met Seiun Sky as her roommate after starting school. It was good luck that allowed her to get to know Seiun Sky after enrollment.
Her classmates were easy to get along with, her teammates were fun, and her supporters had shown her the greatest understanding and encouragement.
They joined the line. Only two people were ahead of them drawing slips. Yesterday, the wait here would have likely been an hour.
"What kind of fortune are you hoping to draw?"
Barbatos was curious. While the slips generally foretold the year's overall luck, by custom, one would often voice a specific wish before drawing—testing the fortune for that particular matter.
That way, even drawing a 'great curse' wouldn't doom the entire year's luck—a clever little exploit of the metaphysical system.
"A secret."
"Won't you have to say it out loud anyway?"
"I can just think it."
"Ah!"
Barbatos's mouth fell open slightly. She wanted to say that not voicing it might make it less effective, but then again, no rule stated you had to speak your wish aloud.
Still, what could Seiun Sky possibly not want to tell her?
It felt odd. She'd even been brought home to meet the family, yet this fortune slip wish was being kept secret.
Unable to guess what Seiun Sky wanted to test, she decided not to dwell on it.
After all, everyone had secrets. Just like her own system—she hadn't told anyone, not even Seiun Sky.
Soon, the people ahead finished and left. It was their turn.
The staff member in charge, a young woman in her twenties, smiled and wished them a "Happy New Year," offering the fortune slip cylinder.
Barbatos glanced at Seiun Sky beside her. Seeing no move to take it, she reached out and accepted the cylinder from the attendant.
"I will win all my races beautifully this year. All my friends will stay safe and sound, free from injury or harm."
She murmured this aloud while mentally adding her own private wish: that her relationship with Seiun Sky could deepen this year, that they could pierce through that final, delicate layer of separation, that they could become a true couple, and that she could find the right moment to create a romantic confession.
Finished, she gave the cylinder a gentle shake. A bamboo stick slipped out and landed on her lap.
The young attendant peered at the characters on the stick and smiled. "It's 'Middle Blessing.'"
"Your wishes are sure to come true this year."
"Thank you."
Barbatos replied politely.
Victory or defeat in races really didn't have much to do with fortune slip luck.
Those were contests won through sheer effort and skill. If any race relied on luck, it was probably the Japanese Derby, one of the Classic Triple Crown races.
Still, drawing a Middle Blessing was pretty good.
"Now let me try."
Seiun Sky smiled, reaching over to take the cylinder from Barbatos. She held it for a few seconds in silence before beginning to shake it.
The bamboo sticks clattered inside until one finally "popped" out.
"It's 'Great Blessing'!"
"Your luck is amazing! You're the first to draw a Great Blessing today!"
"Whatever you wish for will surely go smoothly!"
The young woman said excitedly.
Her "today" started from that evening; after all, many had worshipped in the early hours after midnight, and she hadn't been on duty to know if anyone had drawn a Great Blessing then.
But right now, Seiun Sky before her was the first.
"Lucky~"
Seiun Sky returned the cylinder cheerfully. Next, they would proceed to the most crucial part of the worship.
The wheelchair turned slowly, and they made their way toward the other side.
Just then.
"Miss Barbatos!"
The young attendant called out softly. Barbatos looked back over her shoulder. She hadn't mentioned her name during the exchange with Seiun Sky.
This person knew who she was.
"Miss Barbatos, next year's Winter Dream Cup... you absolutely... you will win it!"
Barbatos was momentarily taken aback. "Well..."
"Of course!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.