Only the Two of Us for New Year's Shrine Visit?

After talking with Kitajima Saburo in the courtyard, Yasui Makoto returned to the dining room and asked around. He learned that Hokubu Genkoma and the others were playing games in another room, and naturally headed over with Saburo.

They walked down the corridor one after the other. Before they reached the Japanese-style room, they could already hear the crisp slaps of cards and the girls' bright laughter.

The sliding door opened a little, and warm light and lively voices poured out.

Hokubu Genkoma sat cross-legged on the tatami, holding a card and animatedly gesturing as she told Anmokume and Chunqiu Fen, who sat around her:

"...Then I heard the opening syllable 'yuki,' and—whoosh! I snatched it before Hayabusa-senpai could!"

She mimed a swift strike, making Anmokume cover her mouth and giggle, while Chunqiu Fen's eyes widened in amazement.

"Ku-ku-ku, I let my guard down for a moment..."

Apparently having lost that round, Alice Speed said with a lazy smile, "Still... Xiao Bei's reaction time that round really was impressive."

"Hehe, thank you, senpai!"

Grinning foolishly, Hokubu Genkoma scratched her head and was about to continue when she caught sight of the figures by the sliding door.

"Ah, Makoto! You and Grandpa are here!"

She jumped up excitedly and started toward them, but then a thought stirred in her heart.

The thought, I want to see Yasui Makoto's hometown, had come to her without warning, and her cheeks warmed slightly.

She quickly glanced at her friends, only to find that everyone was naturally looking at the two newcomers. No one had noticed her momentary oddness.

Then she saw Grandpa and Yasui Makoto smiling back at her. She secretly let out a sigh of relief, and the sudden flutter of nerves faded like a pebble tossed into a lake, leaving behind only