Kanda Myojin Shrine was built atop a small hill. The hill itself was not particularly tall, but it had a long stone staircase stretching all the way from the mountain gate at the top down to the foot of the hill.
Along the mountain path stood rows upon rows of vermilion torii gates. Under the night sky and the glow of roadside lights, these torii appeared especially mysterious and majestic.
According to tradition, torii represented the entrance to the domain of the gods, separating the sacred realm where deities resided from the secular world inhabited by humans. Their existence served as a reminder to visitors that stepping through a torii meant entering sacred ground, and one's behavior afterward should be especially respectful.
Between the torii were also shimenawa ropes tied across them. These ropes were said to form barriers that prevented calamity from passing through.
The mountain path was crowded with people.
Streams of people converged here from every direction, creating a lively and bustling scene filled with noise and excitement.
The group followed the crowd up the hill.
Walking beside Sato was Hirasawa Ui (Yui's sister). Today, the girl wore a pink down jacket paired with dark blue jeans. Her youthful face carried no makeup at all, yet she still looked pure and lovely, like a lotus bud just beginning to bloom.
"Ui, how's your exam preparation going?"
As they walked uphill with the crowd, Sato casually asked the girl beside him.
"Yes! As long as nothing unexpected happens, I should be okay," Hirasawa Ui replied softly.
"That's pretty modest of you."
Sato could not help teasing her.
Although he had never specifically asked Hirasawa Ui about her grades, he was very familiar with her sister, Yui.
Hirasawa Ui's grades had always been excellent. While she was not consistently ranked first like him, Yukinoshita Yukino, or Kasumigaoka Utaha, she was almost always firmly within the top ten of her grade.
So if it was simply a matter of advancing to high school, she would have no trouble getting into any school she wanted.
However, Hirasawa Ui's preferred school was also Private Sogo High School. One reason was that it was the best school nearby. Another was because Yui attended there too. As for whether there was a third reason... that was unknown.
"Not at all, Senpai!"
Hirasawa Ui lowered her head shyly.
As they slowly continued uphill with the flow of people, there were already crowds descending after finishing their shrine visit.
The most attractive part of New Year shrine visits was hearing the very first bell of the new year ring out. However, the crowds at that time were absolutely massive, so Sato and the others had no intention of staying for that. They only planned to pay their respects at the shrine and then head home.
"Oh right!"
Suddenly!
Hirasawa Ui raised her head to look at Sato. Her gaze unintentionally swept over his neck and hands. Biting her lower lip lightly, she asked with visible concern, "Senpai, where are the scarf and gloves I gave you?"
In an instant, countless ears quietly perked up.
"Ah?"
"Well... about that..."
Sato's expression immediately became somewhat subtle. After awkwardly coughing twice, he said, "Because these clothes are already really warm, I figured I didn't need a scarf, so I didn't wear it."
Good heavens!
Six knitted scarves and three pairs of knitted gloves. No matter which set he wore, it would have been a problem!
"Eh?!"
At that moment, Ritsu, who was walking ahead, turned around in surprise after hearing that.
"Ui, the thing you gave Sato was a knitted scarf and gloves?"
"Ah! Yes!"
Hirasawa Ui nodded with a blush on her face.
"Oh wow, the thing I gave Sato was gloves too. I personally knitted a pair for each of you. It took forever!"
Mio also looked surprised at this point. She turned toward Sato and quietly said, "I... I gave Sato a scarf."
For a moment, the atmosphere became rather strange. Everyone seemed to sense a subtle tension in the air.
Swish!
Their gazes turned toward Kotobuki Tsumugi.
The rich girl blinked and said, "I gave him a scarf too!"
Swish!
This time the target was Yui.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Yui blankly scratched her head and said, "I gave him a box of sweets!"
Everyone subtly let out a sigh of relief.
At that moment, Yuigahama Yui suddenly looked curiously at the somewhat stiff-looking Yukinoshita Yukino.
"What did Yuki-chan give him?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."
Faced with everyone's attention, she did her best to maintain her composure while suppressing the trace of panic in her heart.
With an expression as calm and undisturbed as ever, she said, "A scarf."
"..."
Everyone opened their mouths slightly before collectively falling silent.
The next second, countless gazes turned toward Sato.
The corner of Sato's mouth twitched faintly. This time, he genuinely sensed a hint of danger.
It probably would not escalate into a full-on battlefield, but it was definitely an awkward situation.
"Pfft!"
From the very back of the group came the barely restrained sound of laughter.
Although Hikigaya Hachiman was desperately trying to hide it, tightly covering his mouth with both hands, the uncontrollable grin still leaked out from between his fingers.
Hahahaha!!!
So this guy finally has a day like this too. He's not going to get stabbed, is he?!
"Hey! Onii-chan, what are you laughing at?!"
Standing beside him, Hikigaya Komachi looked at Hikigaya Hachiman with complete disdain and disappointment, her face full of a "you're hopeless" expression.
She could not help whispering beside him, "Big bro, this is like a beggar laughing at a king! The most defeated loser in life is laughing at the ultimate winner in life!"
Hikigaya Hachiman instantly stopped laughing.
Very quickly, his expression turned gloomy again. With a heavy gaze, he began reflecting deeply on a certain question.
Why had he laughed just now?
And what exactly had he been laughing at?
Sensing the subtle implications of the situation, Ritsu could not help inhaling sharply as she stared at Sato in shock.
"Hiss..."
Good grief!
No wonder Sato was not wearing a scarf or gloves. There were just way too many people giving him scarves and gloves!
Unable to resist, she carefully asked for confirmation.
"Can you tell us exactly how many presents you received, and how many of them were scarves and gloves?"
"Phew..."
Sato let out a long breath.
"Probably around thirty gifts in total, and then... six scarves and three pairs of gloves."
What could he even do? He was helpless too!
"Ehhhhh?!"
The group instantly erupted in shocked cries!