"So many people..."
"Yeah... isn't that how New Year's is?"
Yuta, Rikka, Kuzuha, and Fang Wuwei, a group of four, were bundled up and standing outside the Torii of the shrine, looking at the sea of people inside, inevitably breaking a sweat.
Going in now would definitely get them crushed to death.
But it had come to this; they had no choice but to go.
"Push through! How can mere mortals stop our advance!"
Rikka roared, expressing her spirit that she would never be defeated by a little difficulty, then walked behind Yuta and pushed him forward.
"Why me?!"
"Yuta... your body is larger and stronger than mine; the task of opening the gate falls to you!"
The crowd in front was still dense, but then new crowds surged from behind them.
In front was an abyss, behind was hell; there was no retreat, only advance, but... weren't there too many people? Why did Rikka think I could squeeze through?
Yuta looked at Fang Wuwei, who was a head taller than him, then pointed at the crowd in front, his face full of pleading.
Fang Wuwei: ...
Fang Wuwei had a hint of displeasure on his face, but considering the time, it was better to finish the worship quickly... he still complied and obediently went to clear the way.
In Japan, a small place where the average height is less than 1.7 meters, when Fang Wuwei straightened up and pushed into the crowd, his tall stature and strong body made him a human shield tunneling machine when clearing a path.
Even if the people in front were pushed, when they turned around angrily, most could only see a chest, and subconsciously looking up, they would see a red eye...
The [censored] on the tip of their tongues was forcibly swallowed back, and they silently made way.
Just like that, Fang Wuwei cleared the way in front, Yuta held onto Fang Wuwei's clothes, Rikka held onto Yuta's sleeve, and Kuzuha walked behind hand in hand, forming a long line to avoid getting separated and not blocking the people behind too much.
Inside the Torii, leading to the shrine, there were many food stalls and shops for everyone to enjoy and spend money.
After passing through the Torii, the space became much wider. Although it was lively at this time, it hadn't reached its peak, and everyone could now disperse and go their separate ways.
Although they came to worship... who said it was just for worship?
On weekdays, there are a lot of procedures for worship, such as tidying clothes and bowing before passing through the Torii to show respect to the gods, and not walking in the middle of the shrine's approach... But now there are too many people, and not much can be managed; the priestesses and chief priests also didn't bother.
Rikka was overjoyed and dragged Yuta away. To avoid disturbing their date, Fang Wuwei and Kuzuha didn't pay attention and watched them leave.
Turning around to look at his surroundings, he had just let out a sigh of relief when he heard a voice from the roadside.
"Master! Master! Over here! Over here!"
Huh? Maki?
His mind paused for a moment, and he looked towards the source of the sound. Over the crowd, he saw Ikenouchi Maki waving at him from inside a shop.
Why was she here? What a coincidence?
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, someone's calling us over."
"Who is it?"
Kuzuha was short, and even standing on tiptoes, she couldn't see anything in the crowd. She stretched her small head, trying to see the person calling them over the crowd.
"Ikenouchi Maki. You probably met her on the yacht two days ago. Although you're not familiar, she's actually my disciple, following me to learn martial arts."
Looking down at Kuzuha, Fang Wuwei naturally took her hand and walked towards Ikenouchi Maki's shop.
After all, Kuzuha wasn't tall and big like him; he had to hold her hand when walking in a crowd, otherwise, she might get separated and lost.
"Eh—is that so—"
"Mm, it's good for you two to get to know each other while we have the chance..."
"Mm..."
"...No, she's really just a disciple, I just teach her some swordplay, nothing else! Really! I've only known her for less than a year!"
"Is that so...?"
"Yes, yes... If you're unhappy, I'll expel her from the sect tomorrow."
Kuzuha burst out laughing, her face beaming with joy.
"Alright~ I didn't say anything~"
Letting herself be held by Fang Wuwei's hand as they walked, feeling the warmth that enveloped her entire hand, and hearing Fang Wuwei's somewhat flustered explanation, a sweet smile appeared at the corner of her eye.
"Master!"
Ikenouchi Maki popped out of the shop, smiling as she approached the two. This shop didn't sell anything, so there were no customers at all.
"You're very noticeable in the crowd, Master, I saw you at a glance... Speaking of which, Master, where's your eye patch?"
"Couldn't find it, and there are too many people today, so I won't wear it."
The real reason was that Kuzuha said it was fine not to wear it, and he immediately stopped looking for it.
Ikenouchi Maki was about to invite her Master in to sit down when she saw Fang Wuwei's hand still in the crowd. Soon after, he led out a small, cute girl from within.
Hey, wasn't this the girl she saw on the yacht back then?!
And they were holding hands...
"...Hello, Mistress."
"Eh?!"
Kuzuha was startled by the title and blushed a little, while Fang Wuwei's face instantly darkened. He reached out and slapped Ikenouchi Maki on the forehead.
"Don't call her that. This is Yuta's younger sister, Togashi Kuzuha. You should have met before."
"Ugh... Hello, ugh..."
Ikenouchi Maki hadn't recovered yet, squatting on the ground, covering her head and shedding tears... Master's slap was real, it hurt... Why did he do that? And looking at your stance, I wasn't wrong, was I?
But she was very optimistic and immediately stood up, patting her chest and proudly introducing herself to Kuzuha.
"My name is Brilliant Gale! I am the successor of Gale Sword Technique and Ripple Qigong! The one who has grasped the truth of the world! Mistress... *cough*, Little Sister Kuzuha, you can just call me Maki, I don't mind!"
Kuzuha understood, chuunibyou... Instantly, she stopped worrying and returned an awkward smile.
"Why are you here? And you have a shop?"
"This shop isn't mine, it belongs to the Totsukami family. Mr. Totsuka anticipated that we would definitely come to worship and specifically bought this place for us to rest... Master, you two come in first."
It seemed it wasn't a coincidence after all.
"Alright... Brother Wuwei, let go now~"
Being called that by Ikenouchi Maki just now, Kuzuha felt a bit shy and voluntarily let go of Fang Wuwei's hand, watching the two who seemed to have more to discuss, and walked into the shop first.
Fang Wuwei silently watched Kuzuha's back, then raised his hand and looked at his palm...
"Your training volume will double for the next week."
"Eh?! Master, you can't do that!"
"Quadruple."
Ikenouchi Maki fell silent. Based on her past experience, if she argued again, it would probably double again.
Damn it... Master is inhuman when punishing people, it's too much!
But there was one thing she had to say!
"Master..."
Ikenouchi Maki looked around, then stealthily approached Fang Wuwei, standing on tiptoes, as if to whisper something to Fang Wuwei.
Fang Wuwei was a bit surprised. What needed to be said like this? He also cooperatively leaned his head closer so Ikenouchi Maki could speak into his ear.
"...With Mistress looking like that, Master, are you sure this isn't illegal?"
"......I'm expelling you from the sect right now."
Ikenouchi Maki's knees buckled, and she dropped to her knees with a thud.