I, the mastermind behind the scenes at Soubu High, refuse to be caught in a bloodbath.

A stillness filled the air. Having removed my shoes, the cold air seeped uncomfortably up my feet. The sudden shiver wasn't just from the temperature; it was also a primal fear. Unable to see. Unable to know. Unable to grasp. Unable to understand. All of this was intertwined with unease and terror. The vulnerable person beside me must be terrified.

The familiar scent of incense lingered around her nose. Himekoji touched the handrail, which resembled a Buddhist rosary, with her other hand. To ease her tension, Himekoji said, "You must have had a hard time during the cultural festival."

"That, that's completely unnecessary... Besides, your band's song was really good in the end too."

"Practicing singing is quite a busy thing."

"That last song...did you really write it? I checked, and there doesn't seem to be any information about it online, only a video uploaded by a student from our school that day."

"I wrote it."

"I remember the song title was... 'Yukitoki'?"

"Yes, you're right."

Did you record any songs when you were working together?

"There are still some, so we'll just record the one where the team worked together perfectly."

"Oh..."

"If you like, I can give you a copy."

"I'll have to owe you a favor again, won't I?"

Yukinoshita responded skillfully.

"No, after all, this isn't something I accomplished alone, nor is it something you urgently need to deal with, so I can just send you a copy directly."

After hearing Himekoji's words, Yukinoshita's already racing heart began to pound again...

After several twists and turns on the road, something broke into the pitch-black vision.

A grayish-white light appeared. It seemed that the rock was being illuminated.

The rock is carved with talismans; it's a wishing stone disc. You spin it and make a wish—Japanese people always like to do this.

Do you want to make a wish?

Himekoji asked the question.

"...Um."

Yukino hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

In this illuminated spot, Himekoji finally saw Yukinoshita's expression.

He saw it all: her flushed face, the slight sweat on her forehead, her constantly shifting eyes, and the timidity that prevented her from leaving his side.

The two placed their hands on the stone slab, and as they were about to turn it, Yukino looked up at him.

The two looked at each other silently. Yukino coughed and quickly lowered her head to spin the wheel.

Chapter 222 So troublesome, these girls have so many demands.

Silent, make a wish.

May my dearest mother and sister Yaozi enjoy long life, good health, and lasting beauty.

There seems to be a saying that "if you make too many wishes, even the gods will dislike you," so Himekoji no longer makes any more wishes.

"End?"

He asked this question.

"Um..."

Yukinoshita responded softly, her right hand gently swaying on the side of her skirt. Himekoji easily picked it up and led Yukinoshita forward.

However, it seems that this stone was set as a climax not far from the end point; after taking a few steps, the exit could be vaguely seen.

How nostalgic it is to see the light filtering through the ascending stairs.

Those in front, seeing the sunlight, breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at the time, it hadn't been long at all, just a little over five minutes.

Himekoji released Yukinoshita's hand and stretched. Yukinoshita stared at her hand for a moment before quickly putting on her shoes.

The two put on their shoes and rejoined the queue, but of course, they didn't need to hold each other's hands on the way back.

Even so, as soon as they got back, the two of them were surrounded by eyes that seemed to say, "What embarrassing things did you two secretly do?" This made Yukinoshita very uncomfortable, but she couldn't seem to argue back, since several people had seen Himekoji holding her hand as they left.

So, blushing, she rubbed her temples and tried to make a sighing gesture.

Since Class F, where Hikigaya and the others were, was ahead of Class J, they left early and returned to the queue. They have now entered Kiyomizu-dera Temple, while Class J still has some people ahead of them and can only wait a little longer before they can enter.

There is a Japanese proverb that says "to jump off the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple," which means that when people are desperate, they take a gamble. Legend has it that many people wanted to commit suicide by jumping off the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple but gave up after being blessed by Kannon. Therefore, some people do foolish things in pursuit of faith. As a result, the government later had to issue an ordinance to strictly prohibit jumping off the high platform of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

While queuing and entering the visitor area, Yukinoshita did not speak to Himekoji again, and neither did Himekoji.

The hall contains artifacts such as an image of Mahakala, iron clogs, and a tin staff. Because there were so many people, it was difficult to touch them.

After everyone arrived at the high platform, Yukinoshita couldn't help but hold onto the handrail and exclaim, "So beautiful..."

The mountains, ablaze with autumn colors, and the heart of Kyoto stretch out before you. What would this view have looked like a thousand years ago? While the scenery in the city center may differ, the exhilarating feeling of being overlooked from such a height must remain the same.

Seeing Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera Temple and seeing Tokyo from Tokyo Skytree are two completely different experiences.

Himekoji leaned against the railing near Yukinoshita, but with his back to it. He had no interest in watching any longer; he had been to Kiyomizu-dera several times, and this experience was more than enough for him.

"Yukinoshita-san, please turn around."

Haruna and Yui, acting furtively, picked up their digital cameras and aimed the lenses at Yukinoshita and Himekoji.

"Ok?"

Yukino turned around, and this moment of looking back was immediately captured in a photograph. She looked a little angry, puffing out her cheeks slightly.

"Sorry, sorry. Okay, please stand up straight again. I'll take a picture of you two, since neither of you brought a camera."

Haruna said with a troubled expression, rubbing her forehead and shaking her head. Because Himekoji had come to Kyoto so many times, he had too many memories to take pictures. He didn't know why Yukinoshita was there. Anyway, neither of them brought a camera.

"Ok."

Having been told such a thing, Yukinoshita had no choice but to agree. She forced herself to stand about two fists' distance from Himekoji and managed a weak smile.

"No, no, you're standing too far away!"

Hiramatsu, standing nearby, immediately added fuel to the fire.

"Exactly! That doesn't produce good results when filmed like this!"

Yui continued explaining her reasons, and Himekoji leaned closer to Yukinoshita, their arms touching.

"It's still a bit far!"

Haruna smiled mischievously and stopped taking pictures.

"This...this is already zero distance."

It was somewhat difficult for Xue to say.

"At this moment, the gentleman should put his arm around the lady! It's basic, absolutely basic!"

"Yes! Essential!"

"Himekoji-kun, do your best!"

“...Okay, okay,” Ji Xiaolu said, a few black lines appearing on his forehead. He had done this twice before, and as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Ji Xiaolu then raised his arm toward Yukinoshita, intending to put his arm around her.

"Ya ya ————~~~"

The girls watching immediately let out joyful screams. But seriously, I'm not hugging you, why are you screaming?

But Yukinoshita clearly couldn't stand the atmosphere. She immediately took a small step to the other side, blushed, and said sternly, "I'm going to get angry if you do that."

"No, no, no," Haruna gave Hiramatsu and Yui a look, and they immediately nodded in understanding. They pushed Himekoji and Yukinoshita together, and the moment Himekoji's hand gripped Yukinoshita's shoulder, she finally gave up struggling.

But the smile seemed a bit too forced.

"Okay, say cheese!"

"Eggplant... eggplant."

Yukinoshita looked up uncertainly at Himekoji and said.

The photo was taken the instant she looked up.

It was a perfect shot.

She immediately fled from Himekoji's side and disappeared into the crowd.

Of course, this was accompanied by a string of giggles.

However, trouble soon followed.

Himekoji had no choice but to take photos with almost every girl in her class. Once she started taking photos with Yukinoshita, she couldn't stop. Although she didn't know if this was also a scheme by Hiramatsu and Haruna, Himekoji's face was practically frozen with laughter after taking hundreds of photos.

What? You're asking how you can take hundreds of good photos when there are only thirty-three girls in the class?

Of course it's because someone took a few more pictures!

Although the girls all looked happy and were comparing each other's photos, occasionally letting out regretful exclamations like "Ah, if only...", Himekoji was practically fuming. He stood next to Yukinoshita, who was equally helpless, and the two exchanged a glance, both unable to suppress a smile.

The two of them tacitly avoided mentioning the photos taken at Kiyomizu-dera Temple afterward. Haruna, however, said she would send the two photos to Himekoji and Yukinoshita that evening.

Enjoy the sightseeing along the path that leads from the main hall.

The student flow continued towards the Jishu Shrine.

Chapter 223 I don't know what title to give this chapter.

Jishu Shrine is located within Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It is particularly famous as the shrine of matchmaking, making it a popular spot for worshippers seeking blessings in love. Young people visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple almost always visit this shrine first.

After the worship ceremony, everyone rushed to buy amulets and fortune sticks.

"Yukinoshita-kun, what's your fortune slip?"

After she drew her lot, a bunch of girls immediately swarmed around her and asked her questions. On Himekoji's side, a bunch of girls also asked him questions. The girls divided Yukinoshita and Himekoji into two camps, completely ignoring the fact that they were actually in the same group.

"Ha... I'm Xiao Ji."

Himekoji showed the fortune slips to the girls.