The days after New Year were bitterly cold; alas, no snow.
Gold Legend stamped her feet, exhaling white mist, hands buried in pockets to escape the chill.
Damn it, why am I here?
She began to ponder the reason for her presence.
It was the first day of the new year; normally, she'd be curled up in her fluffy sweater under a warm quilt, letting the uneventful hours drift by.
But life is anything but predictable.
Gold Legend woke up being strangled.
The first thing she saw on New Year's morning was Orfevre's adorable sleeping face—and the pair of arms crushing her ribs.
After the countdown feast, the entire Gold Family had simply crashed in someone's dorm.
A forgotten detail: Tracen dorms are doubles, with two beds.
After a tense lottery, Orfevre won the right to share Legend's bed—congratulations all around.
Who'd have guessed the fearsome Orfevre was a cuddler?
Gold Legend rubbed her sore lower back, cursing her miscalculation.
Legend's body clock is ironclad; once the choke-hold roused her, sleep was over. To save her spine she woke Orfevre, and—since she was at it—rousted the other two sound sleepers.
She helped the trio of rise-and-shine disasters through their routines, cobbled breakfast from last night's leftovers, and bribed Dorm Head Fuji Kiseki with an extra portion for a peaceful morning.
And then Legend found herself with nothing to do.
Over the holidays, anyone who could go home had gone; the rest were busy. Even the Dorm Head had rushed back from her family shift change at dawn.
Gold Ship floated a temptingly whimsical idea.
Let's pay our first shrine visit of the year!
Never having done it, Legend adopted the que-sera-sera attitude and agreed.
Which left Gold Legend contemplating life in the winter wind.
Though it was still early, the shrine was already crowded. Women in traditional yet freshly designed kimonos bloomed like flowers in a field of puffy down jackets.
Legend glanced at her own trench coat and decided the view was fine from where she stood.
Hatsumōde carries weight and ritual; the impatient even head out on New Year's Eve.
Legend's thoughts drifted—until a yawn sounded behind her.
Why are we out here freezing instead of under warm quilts? Nakayama Festa asked, limp with cold.
I'm wondering the same, Legend replied with feeling.
On bright winter days light seeps even into my transparent heart. I dream of wings without feathers, and I know—I'll achieve nothing in this life. Gold Ship lifted her face, serene and stunning, a poet untouched by the world.
…What happened to Golshi? Orfevre blanched.
She drew a fortune at Fukukitaru's stall, Legend answered without looking. Judging by the symptoms, it's probably the Great Curse.
Sounds right. And that line sounds familiar, Festa admitted, secretly loving the quote.
It's Mishima Yukio, Orfevre said. I know this one.
Carry on, then, Festa conceded.
Unnoticed, Gold Ship stuck out her tongue and caught a drifting flake.
It's snowing! Orfevre exclaimed.
Seriously? Snow in Tokyo? Festa cupped a few motes in surprise.
…I still prefer summer. Legend fought the southern urge to romp, sounding calm.
Can't agree—winter's the best! Gold Ship leapt up.
Because it suits your theatrics? One more reason to long for summer, Legend shot back.
Legend loathed the merciless cold; a season that made leaving bed feel life-threatening was no friend to the chill-sensitive mare.
…Shouldn't normal people like mild spring? Orfevre muttered, fearing her housemates were broken.
I'm an autumn person, Festa chimed, meeting Orfevre's stare.
Winter is supreme—take this, Oba-chan! Golshi slipped a freezing hand under Legend's coat to share the season's glory.
Eek! Legend squeaked, dignity gone.
…I never knew Sister Legend could make such a cute sound, Orfevre gasped.
Oba-chan's that type? Festa froze.
…Golshi!!!
Gold Legend immediately launched a high-speed pursuit of Gold Ship.
After some playful scuffling, the four of them joined the queue. Fortunately, while the shrine was fairly crowded, the line for worship was short, and they soon stood before the offering box.
A former exemplary Young Pioneer raised under the red flag, Gold Legend was a staunch materialist.
But since she had already experienced transmigration, a quick prayer couldn't hurt.
Bow, ring the bell, offer, two bows—two claps—one bow, then a slight bend as she stepped back. Gold Legend copied the other three and completed the whole ritual.
"What if I tossed in a million yen?" Gold Legend mused aloud, dropping a single coin into the box.
"Then the goddess—or her agent—would surely descend beside you in mercy, ready to hear your woes," Gold Ship said with a tilt of her head. "Miracles—pretty amazing, right?"
"You're done for; the Three Goddesses are petty," Nakayama Festa teased.
"…" Orfevre stared at the sky in silence.
"By the way, what did Oba-chan wish for?" Gold Ship asked lazily, hands behind her head.
"World peace," Gold Legend answered flatly.
"…That's… admirably grand," Gold Ship muttered, awed by Legend's audacity.
"Me? I just hope something fun happens," Nakayama Festa said.
"A quiet life suits me fine," Orfevre replied with a smile.
"Getting hungry—anyone want food?" Gold Legend eyed the nearby stalls eagerly.
"We only finished the breakfast you made before we left, Sister Legend," Orfevre said weakly.
"Aren't you worried about getting fat?" Nakayama Festa chimed in.
"Careful, or you'll end up a debu like McQueen," Gold Ship needled.
I'm not the easily-plump type like McQueen.
Before Gold Legend could retort, an indignant voice rang out.
"I am not a debu!" It was Mejiro McQueen.
"Gold Ship, do you know there's a price for words like that?" Eyes blazing beneath her yellow coat, McQueen advanced.
"Oh, McQueen!" Startled mid-crêpe, Gold Legend waved. "Here to pray too? Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year to you too."
Smiling at Legend, McQueen spun round, caught the fleeing Gold Ship, and treated her to a textbook wrestling combo.
"That's what you get for loose lips," Nakayama Festa laughed at Gold Ship's wails.
"McQueen? What's wrong?"
A pleasant voice drifted over.
"Oh? Legend-san?"
It only took one glance among the crowd.
"Ardan? You're here as well—Happy New Year!" Munching her crêpe, Gold Legend greeted the blue figure.
"Happy New Year to you too!"
Mejiro Ardan beamed and walked over.
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