A New Year's Shrine Visit for Just Two?

After talking with Saburo Kitajima in the courtyard, Anjing Zhen returned to the dining room and casually asked around. Learning that Kitasan Black and the others were playing games in another room, the two of them naturally headed over.

One after the other, they walked down the corridor. Before they even reached the Japanese room, they could already hear crisp slapping sounds and the girls' cheerful laughter from inside.

The paper door slid open slightly, and warm light and lively voices immediately spilled out.

Kitasan Black was sitting cross-legged on the tatami, holding a karuta card as she animatedly gestured to Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox, who were seated around her:

"...Then I heard the opening sound of 'snow' and—whoosh! That was the only reason Tachyon Senpai didn't snatch it first!"

She mimicked the swift motion of her strike, making Almond Eye cover her mouth with a light laugh while Spring and Autumn Equinox's eyes widened in amazement.

"Kukuku, I let my guard down for a moment—"

Apparently having lost a round, Agnes Tachyon said lazily with a smile, "But, well, Little Kita's reaction speed in that last round really was excellent."

"Hehe, thank you, Senpai!"

Scratching her head with a silly grin, Kitasan Black was about to continue when the corner of her eye caught sight of the figures by the paper door.

"Ah, A-Zhen! You and Grandpa are here!"

She excitedly stood up, about to go over, when a thought suddenly stirred in her heart.

The thought of wanting to see Anjing Zhen's hometown suddenly surfaced again without warning, making her cheeks heat up faintly.

She instinctively swept her gaze quickly over her companions, only to find that everyone's attention had naturally turned toward the two people entering. No one had noticed her fleeting oddness.

Then,