Chapter 76

Yuzuru and Airi walked side by side, holding hands, without a word between them.

Airi, for some reason, walked with her head slightly lowered, blushing as Yuzuru stood close to her. On the other hand, Yuzuru, who was actively closing the distance between them, pretended not to notice Airi's attitude and walked straight ahead.

"Um... Yuzuru-san?"

"What is it, Airi?"

"Where are we going?"

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Airi asked Yuzuru. Of course, Yuzuru had not brought Airi out aimlessly.

"There's a shrine nearby. We've already done the New Year's visit with our families, but would you like to go and pray together?"

"…Sure. I think that's a good idea. I haven't done it yet."

Airi nodded slightly. Then, as if a question had occurred to her, she asked Yuzuru.

"Um, I heard that your family is Christian?"

"Uh? Oh... well, we're technically Protestant."

"Is it okay to go to a shrine?"

"Well, we're not that strict."

Tracing back to the Meiji period, the Kosegawa family had adopted the Protestant faith. However, this was not because they were impressed by Protestantism, but for highly political reasons.

Thus, the head of the Kosegawa family at the time, while being somewhat favorable towards Protestantism, was not a particularly devout believer. Naturally, Yuzuru, his descendant, was the same.

"…For political reasons? Is it okay to ask about it?"

Airi seemed to have some interest in the Kosegawa family's history. For Yuzuru, it was very pleasing that Airi had a strong interest in his family.

Besides... eventually, Airi would become Yuzuru's wife. This was already a decided matter in Yuzuru's mind.

(Well, how much should I tell her...)

If he were to tell her, he would have to explain the complex political and economic conditions of the time, as well as the international situation surrounding Japan at that time. However, Yuzuru did not want Airi to get bored halfway through.

"The Kosegawa family at the time... was on the side of modernization and Westernization. So, they took the lead in converting to Protestantism."

"Was there a reason for choosing Protestantism?"

"The Tachibana family at the time had already converted to Catholicism. They were pro-France. ...So, to counter them, our family took a pro-German stance and chose Protestantism... that's how it went."

In other words, the reason was the rivalry with the Tachibana family. When Yuzuru said this...

"…The Kosegawa family and the Tachibana family, were they on bad terms in the past?"

Airi seemed a bit puzzled by Yuzuru's way of speaking, which made it sound like the Kosegawa and Tachibana families were in conflict. She asked Yuzuru with a slightly worried expression, but also with strong curiosity.

"Rather than in the past... it's still the case now."

"…Now too?"

"The Kosegawa family and the Tachibana family are basically in opposition. Especially in domestic politics and foreign relations, they often take completely opposite positions."

In domestic politics.

In foreign relations.

It is a kind of tradition for the Kosegawa and Tachibana families to belong to opposing camps.

"…Um, are they actually at odds with each other?"

"Of course not. We actually get along well, so it's fine."

"…Um, what do you mean by that?"

"Think of it like professional wrestling."

The Kosegawa and Tachibana families are always in opposing camps.

This is just a public pose.

After all, the world is not so simple that it can be neatly divided into two. Various interests are intertwined.

"Professional wrestling...? Why is that?"

"Because it's easier to gain benefits that way... I guess? Well, it's adult politics."

In reality, Yuzuru doesn't know the details. Even though he is their son, Yuzuru's father and grandfather are not so loose-lipped as to share information with a mere high school student.

"…Is it okay to tell me about these adult politics?"

"The fact that the Kosegawa and Tachibana families are in opposition, but it's actually just a show, is an open secret, so it's fine."

If the fact that the two families' conflict was just a show were a secret, Yuzuru and Ayaka wouldn't be able to attend the same school and get along well.

"That's a relief. I was worried that I might have learned something I shouldn't."

"There's not much that I know that you shouldn't."

When Yuzuru said this, Airi smiled slightly. Then, with a mischievous grin, she asked Yuzuru.

"Is there something you shouldn't tell me?"

"…Well, a little."

I want to tell you my feelings in the right place and at the right time.

Yuzuru muttered to himself.

While having such a conversation, they arrived at the shrine. They put in a five-yen coin and performed the traditional two bows, two claps, and one final bow.

On the way back, Airi asked Yuzuru.

"Did you make a wish?"

"Sure."

Yuzuru answered briefly and then revealed the content of his wish.

"I wished that we could spend this year together, Airi."

He didn't pray for a successful confession or to marry Airi. He felt that these were things he should achieve on his own.

Making Airi happy was not the job of a god, but of himself.

Yuzuru harbored such a petty, possessive desire.

"…The same, huh?"

"…The same?"

"I... I wished that I could be with Yuzuru-san this year."

Airi's cheeks were slightly flushed. Yuzuru also felt his ears growing hot.

They tightened their grip on each other's hands.

After that... they walked back in silence.

Strangely, the silence was comfortable.

End of the New Year chapter.

If you found it interesting and want to read more, I would be grateful if you could bookmark it and rate it (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★) at the bottom of the table of contents.

New Dere Level: 5 → 10