"These people are so beautiful."
"They have such presence."
"Are they celebrities?"
"I think they might be from some wealthy family."
Due to it being New Year, the temple was packed with people. Countless gazes gathered on Ryuya and his group.
"I hope I can live happily and joyfully with Darling in the future."
"Of course, it would be even better if all my sisters could be happy together."
Praying earnestly, Miku hadn't even finished speaking when she heard Tohka beside her shout cheerfully, "I hope Ryuya stays safe, and I can eat delicious food every day!"
"Affirmation. Yuzuru also wishes for Ryuya's happiness, but Yuzuru also desires to accompany Ryuya together with Kaguya."
Echoing Tohka and Miku, Yuzuru also spoke seriously.
"Yuzuru, you are truly wonderful! Kaguya approves!"
Holding Yuzuru's hand, Kaguya and the other girls also expressed their agreement.
"I hope to be with Ryuya-sama in the new year."
This was from Origami.
"Sigh, even though my husband is a scoundrel, what can I do about it? There's truly no alternative."
This was from Kurumi.
"I actually feel that just being able to see Sensei is happiness enough. What do you think, Karen?"
"I have no objections, Nee-san."
"That won't do! Yoshino has been putting forth her utmost effort! She prays sincerely for Ryuya every day!"
"Yoshinon, that's a secret! You mustn't tell!"
"Heh, this truly resembles a harem scenario from a manga."
Undoubtedly, even during prayers, they could bring up their past with Ryuya. Although it was the New Year period, the girls still squabbled over even a sliver of affection.
"Alright, enough of that."
Stepping forward proactively, Westcott made a suggestion: temple donations.
"Whoever makes the largest donation wins."
Temple donations are usually done during temple visit in Japan. While it's not strictly 'the more, the better,' many people believe that a larger donation signifies greater sincerity and makes prayers more likely to be answered.
"Donations? I believe I have some money."
Not short on funds, Nia, under the pen name Honjo Soji, was the world's most famous manga artist.
With royalties surpassing a hundred million, she certainly wasn't concerned about this.
"A monetary offensive? It's somewhat dull, but..."
The golden clock in her eye spun continuously as Kurumi gently stroked her hand.
"What are donations?"
Not understanding the others' actions, the bold Tohka simply bowed directly to the deity statue, focusing on sincerity… or perhaps, getting blessings for free.
As for the other girls, they were also digging into their pockets, not aiming for anything else, just striving not to be last.
"Heh..."
Smiling at the girls' antics, Ryuya walked alone into the inner part of the main temple hall.
Unlike the chaotic scene outside, it was much quieter here, with only a few scattered priests.
"Hello sir."
Normally, the inner main hall isn't open to visitors, but something about Ryuya's presence made it impossible to think of stopping him. At this time, the Head Priest came out to greet Ryuya.
"Head Priest."
Nodding to the Head Priest, Ryuya wasn't there to seriously observe the inner hall. He just felt a faint spiritual energy here… not Mio's scent, but more like the spiritual power of another Spirit, one he had never encountered before.
"Don't worry, Head Priest. I'm not here to cause trouble. I just feel this place is somewhat familiar."
"Oh, then please feel free, Sir."
Feeling a sense of awe about Ryuya's identity, the Head Priest recalled the girl who had also been visiting frequently recently with her younger sister… their auras seemed quite similar.
"Head Priest, may I ask you something?"
"Please speak, Sir."
For some reason, he instinctively answered Ryuya's question. The Head Priest felt a sense of honor.
"Has a girl visited here, one similar to me?"
"Similar?"
The description was peculiar, but the Head Priest immediately thought of the sisters who had visited frequently a few days prior. Hesitating slightly, as he normally shouldn't disclose other worshippers' identities, he thought for a moment and decided to tell Ryuya the truth.
"Hmm, I see. Then, Head Priest, could you pass on a message for me the next time you see that person?"
Smiling, feeling that Mio would soon return to his side, Ryuya spoke.
"Please speak, Sir."
"Just tell her... I miss her, and to come home soon."
"I understand."
Bidding farewell to the Head Priest, Ryuya returned to the outer hall to find the other girls looking downcast and unhappy.
"What's wrong? Who won in the end?"
"It was Westcott!"
Having victory snatched from her grasp, Nia pulled Ryuya's hand, angrily accusing Westcott of cheating...
That's right. Compared to others throwing around large sums of money, or even Nia directly presenting a bank card, Westcott was ruthless and spoke little. She simply bought the entire temple.
By outright overturning the game board, her chosen wish was for the happiness of this present moment, unnoticed by everyone, to last forever.
"By the way, what wishes did everyone make?"
On the way back, with Kotori, Tohka, and Origami on the left, and Kaguya, Yuzuru, and Shiori on the right, Shiori asked.
She remembered everyone had uttered just a simple sentence, but they had actually dressed up formally and prayed sincerely for quite a long time. Shiori wanted to know what wishes they had made.
"Ah? Mine was simple. I just hope everyone can live happily together and eat delicious food."
"Of course, if possible, I don't want to do math problems anymore! They're too difficult!"
Opening her crystal-like eyes, looking up, the scent from Tohka was clearly perceptible to Shiori.
"Hmph, mere Tohka, is that all?"
Raising her hand in a very cool pose, Kaguya first sneaked a glance at Ryuya's position.
Finding he wasn't paying attention to her, she then continued loudly, "Kaguya merely wished to gauge the capabilities of the local deities, that is all. But it seems they are quite intimidated by Kaguya!"
"Tattletale. Kaguya desires a solo date with Ryuya, and not to bring Yuzuru."
"Ahhhh... Yuzuru! How did you know? I clearly didn't say it out loud..." Covering her mouth before finishing, Kaguya knew she had slipped up.
"Onee-chan are truly amazing."
The hair accessory she wore was white, indicating Kotori was in her pure, innocent little sister mode.
Too shy to tell Shiori her wish directly, she turned her gaze to Origami, "Origami-nee, what wish did you make?"
"My wish is... $%*^#*%^*#$^*$^@*^$*#^@*#%."
Shiori, Kotori, Kaguya, Yuzuru, Tohka; "???"
"My wish, actually, is ^#*%*&($%^*#$)#@*^$"
Again, a string of indescribable characters. Who knows what Origami actually said?
But just looking at Shiori and the others' brightly flushed faces, it must have been something unspeakable.