The girl under the cherry blossoms, her smile is like a flower

"I'm starting!"

Kuriyama clasped his hands together and said.

Originally, the Kuriyama family did not have this rule, but since Kuriyama's father remarried his aunt Yukiko, there have been many more rituals in the Kuriyama family.

Putting your hands together and saying "I'm starting" before eating is one of them.

Breakfast is rice balls rolled with seaweed, plus a bowl of warm tofu and miso soup, which is very characteristic of this country.

Kuriyama had not had breakfast like this for a long time before. Kuriyama's father went to work early and finished late. Sometimes he even worked overtime at the company until dawn. Naturally, he didn't have the time or energy to get up early in the morning to prepare breakfast.

Kuriyama simply couldn't get up.

He stays up late every night cultivating immortality and hasn't slept before one o'clock. This is why his eyes are extremely sore when he wakes up every morning.

This is very consistent with his status as a high school student, just like the dark circles that exist around his eyes all the time, they are a status symbol of a high school student.

From this point of view, it seems good to be able to have a hot breakfast and not have to do the housework myself.

A sip of warm tofu soup gives people the strength to resist the biting cold wind in this still cold late winter.

"Kuriyama-kun's hair is a little long, you can go and trim it."

Aunt Yukiko sitting opposite her face showed a smile that was warmer than tofu and miso soup. The faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were squeezed together, but she didn't look old. Instead, she had a gentleness like water.

"Well, I see."

Kuriyama naturally knows this, but he is very afraid of the cold. After a haircut, the cold wind like a knife will blow directly on his scalp, which he absolutely cannot accept.

"Well, Kuriyama-kun says that every time."

Aunt Yukiko stood up and went back to her room. When she came back, she already had her wallet in her hand. She took out a Fukuzawa Yukichi card from her wallet and put it on the table.

"Kuriyama-kun must get a haircut after class today. Kazuki has told me many times. He also said that if he doesn't get a haircut today, he will take Kuriyama-kun to the barber shop. His attitude is very tough."

Aunt Yukiko rarely acted like an elder, but from Kuriyama's point of view, the acting was not very similar.

"okay."

After careful consideration, Kuriyama still took the Fukuzawa Yukichi card, mainly because his father was indeed a stubborn man, and he might actually do what Aunt Yukiko said!

"Kuriyama-kun's beautiful face is blocked by his hair. It's such a pity."

"It looks good...it's too exaggerated..."

Kuriyama blushed because Aunt Yukiko said that. He could only pick up the tofu soup and drink it to cover up his embarrassment.

Aunt Yukiko covered her mouth and laughed, and for a moment, a cheerful atmosphere lingered on the dining table.

This is a feeling that Kuriyama has not experienced for a long time. Although his head may get cold if he wants to get a haircut, Kuriyama doesn't hate it.

No big deal, just buy a hat and wear it.

.................................. .................................

Kuriyama was changing his shoes at the entrance. Even though he hadn't opened the door yet, the cold air outside seemed to be squeezing in through the barely visible crack in the door.

"Kuriyama-kun, I haven't worshiped Inari God yet today."

Aunt Yukiko, who had already cleaned up the kitchen, shouted from behind.

"Sorry, Aunt Yukiko, I forgot."

Kuriyama quickly took off the shoes he had just put on, ran to the living room, stood in front of the shrine, closed his eyes, clasped his hands, and prayed seriously to the statue of Lord Inari.

Worshiping the Inari God is a daily necessity. Even if Kuriyama forgets one day, Aunt Yukiko or others will remind him.

Even before Aunt Yukiko came, if Kuriyama forgot to worship one day, he would be able to remember to worship when he went out and saw the shrines everywhere outside.

"I'm leaving!"

After putting on his shoes, Kuriyama picked up his schoolbag and shouted into the room.

"Kuriyama-kun, have a nice trip."

Aunt Yukiko said softly.

As soon as I opened the door, the cold air hit my face, as if it was going to freeze my nerves.

Kuriyama tightened his scarf and ran out of the yard in a few steps.

The winter vacation has just ended, and the next longer vacation is the spring vacation, but that still takes a month and a half, and this month and a half happens to be the coldest time of the year.

Sure enough, I still need to buy a hat, otherwise how will I survive after getting my hair cut?

The bare trees on the roadside are also announcing the desolation of this season. At this time, even the fat cat will not come out.

Because it was really cold, Fat Cat only wanted to bask in the sun, have food, and, um, sleep.

It was deserted, as if isolated from the world, and the sky was gray, with no life in sight.

Therefore, Kuriyama hates winter the most.

When we got on the tram, as usual, there were no seats on the tram, but luckily or unfortunately, because there were so many people in the tram, it was very warm as people were squeezing around.

Fortunately, Kuriyama would rather squeeze into a crowded tram than get cold outside.

Although there were many people in the carriage, it was not noisy. Perhaps people were worried about disturbing Inari God.

In the corner of the tram carriage, there is also a shrine dedicated to Inari God. Perhaps it was prepared for those who were in a hurry to go to school and work. They were too anxious and forgot to worship at home, so they happened to make up for it on the tram.

The people who built the tram shrine also carefully considered the crowded situation on the tram, and deliberately made the shrine smaller to take up less space. However, the statue of Inari God is still lifelike, and the hair on his body is clearly visible. The two eyes are also bright, as if Inari God will appear in the next second and bring people happiness and hope.

For example, at this time, some people were crowded in front of the shrine. They closed their eyes, prayed devoutly, and were grateful to Lord Inari for his blessing.

The people next to him just looked at this scene with a heartfelt smile on their face.

Although the worship was a little late, it was not too late.

Still a bunch of good kids.

When the tram arrived at the station, Kuriyama bowed to Lord Inari and stepped off the carriage.

But within a few seconds after he got off, he wanted to get back on the tram.

It was so cold that Kuriyama shivered from the cold.

He watched the female high school students passing by him and wanted to go up and ask them if they had any secrets to keep warm.

Even in the middle of winter, my thighs are bare!

In Kuriyama's view, this could be called a warrior, the kind of ultimate warrior.

If it weren't for covering his eyes, he couldn't see clearly. Kuriyama wished he could cover his eyes with a cloth. That way, it would definitely be warmer.

"Good morning, my dear friend!"

A palm patted Kuriyama's right shoulder, followed by that extremely familiar rough voice.

Kuriyama looked to his left, and sure enough, Miura was looking at him with a smile.

"As expected of my best friend, he still found my location accurately this time."

Miura laughed, seeming to recognize the bond between the two.

"Miura, you kid, you have played this trick so many times, and you still enjoy it."

Kuriyama was a little farther away from Miura, because he ran here, and the cold air on his body was much heavier than that of his surroundings. I don't know if it was an illusion, but Kuriyama always felt that the temperature around him had dropped again.

This is all thanks to this guy Miura.

"What are you, dear friends? This is the bond between men and an inseparable part of us!"

Miura didn't seem to realize the disgust in Kuriyama's words, he just put his arm around Kuriyama's shoulders and shouted excitedly.

"Shhhh! Keep your voice down..."

Seeing the people around him looking at him, Kuriyama quickly covered Miura's mouth.

"Oh, I forgot that this place is still outside. We can't disturb Lord Inari."

Miura bowed slightly to apologize to the shrine not far away.

"By the way, I worshiped Lord Inari as soon as I got up this morning. I must have done it earlier than you!"

Kuriyama checked the time. It was now 43:25, minus the time spent waiting for the bus, which was about [-] minutes. It was definitely earlier than him.

"Okay, okay, let's just consider you winning today."

"What does it mean that I win? It's just me who wins."

Miura said with a dissatisfied look on his face.

The two walked towards the school, and there were more and more students wearing the same uniforms around them.

But some people are always as gorgeous as the stars in the dark night. Just by standing there, they can attract the attention of countless people.

"Xue Sui..."

Kuriyama unconsciously called out the girl's name.

They were obviously wearing the same uniform, and there were obviously no extra decorations, but that girl was so different, like crystals among the gravel, or roses among the wild flowers.

Skin as white as snow, long hair as black as obsidian, and a face so delicate that one can lament the injustice of Lord Inari.

Snow Sui Snow Sui, as her name suggests, when you see her, you will think of the snow lotus in the Tianshan Mountains, unattainable, cold, and as pure as snow.

"My best friend still likes Yukiho-san as always!"

Miura spoke the truth on the side.

"Xixi...like something..."

Kuriyama, who always speaks sharply, was rarely suppressed by Miura, a big fool.

"Eh, eh? My dear friend, you're actually blushing!"

"No! You read it wrong!"

Kuriyama turned his face. If possible, he really wanted to cover his face with his schoolbag, but obviously that wouldn't work. Doing so would only make Miura, the idiot, laugh louder.

Kuriyama is not a brave person, which can be seen from the fact that he can be made blushing by Aunt Yukiko and Miura.

And he keeps his hair very long, partly for warmth, and partly because he wants to make himself look inconspicuous and avoid the eyes of others.

He does like Xuesui, but he only likes her. It is absolutely impossible for him to confess her love.

Rather, [-]% of the boys in the entire school like Yuki Sui!

There were quite a few confessors, but Xuesui didn't agree to any of them. He was just an ordinary boy. If he confessed without knowing what he was capable of, he would be rejected and would be laughed at by others.

Kuriyama thought it would be okay to just have a crush like this and keep watching Yukiho from behind, who was like a flower on the mountain. That way he would be content.

Perhaps Miura laughed too loudly and drew many people's attention here, so Kuriyama's face turned even redder, and he pulled Miura to bury his head and move forward.

But at this moment, a voice as clear as the first snow came over.

"Kuriyama-san, good morning."

Kuriyama froze in place. He suddenly raised his head, and was surprised to find that the person greeting him was Yukiho.

"!!!"

Kuriyama's head went into a state of shutdown.

"Kuriyama-san? Moxi Moxi? Kuriyama-san?"

Seemingly distressed, Xuesui's beautiful eyebrows like willow leaves wrinkled slightly, which made me feel pity for her.

Xuesui stretched out her small green hand and waved it in front of Kuriyama's eyes.

"Kuriyama! Kuriyama! Yukiho-san is calling you, don't be in a daze!"

With a look of hatred on his face, Miura pushed his elbow hard on Kuriyama's waist, successfully knocking him awake.

"Hiss—Miura, what are you doing! It hurts me to death!"

Kuriyama's eyes widened in pain, and he wished he could eat Miura alive.

"Yukiho-san is greeting you!"

Miura winked at Kuriyama.

"Yukiho-san? Huh?! Yukiho-san!"

Kuriyama was shocked, and just when he turned his face, he saw Yuki Sui looking over here with a chuckle, and a small hand waving towards him.

"Good morning, Kuriyama-san."

"Ah! Good morning! Yuki Yukiho-san!"

Being so excited, Kuriyama even bowed to Yukiho.

"Who is Yuki Yusui-san? I don't seem to recognize her~"

Xuesui covered her mouth and laughed.

This made Kuriyama blush again, and Kuriyama could only bow again to hide his embarrassment.

"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!"

"There is no need to apologize, Kuriyama-san. May Inari God bless you."

After saying that, Xuesui waved her hand and left with a smile.

Leaving behind a stunned Kuriyama, and a lot of boys who can tear Kuriyama apart just by looking at him.

"Yes, my best friend! I have become so close to Yukiho-san without realizing it. There is a bright future."

Miura winked at Kuriyama and said with an ambiguous expression.

Kuriyama said nothing.

Do you have such a good relationship with Yukiho-san?

He didn't know it himself.

Although Kuriyama and Yukiho were placed in the same class in their first year of high school, they never exchanged a word with each other throughout the school year, let alone that they were no longer in the same class after they were placed in the same class as their second year of high school.

It's rare to even see him every day.

So what's going on today?

Kuriyama didn't know why. His eyes lit up when he thought of the daily obligatory worship.

Thank you Lord Inari for your gift.