Arriving at the side hall of the shrine, Shido saw Kotori and the others, who had arrived a step earlier, sitting at a large square table, preparing the Ema (wooden wishing plaques) that they would hang on the wooden stand later.
"Kotori-chan, what is this?"
"This is called an Ema. If you write your wish on it to the gods, they will help you fulfill your wish."
"What! Really?"
Hearing Kotori's words, Tohka's eyes imdiately lit up with excited light.
"This developnt... why does it feel so familiar?"
Yutsuki felt a strong sense of deja vu.
That's right, just like during Christmas. The pure and innocent Tohka and others completely believed the legend of Santa Claus, and then full of expectations, played the role of good children waiting for Santa's gifts. And in order not to let down their expectations, Shido had to step up and play Santa Claus, so that their dreams wouldn't be shattered by cruel reality.
That ans, if things unfold according to this process...
"Do your best!God-sama."
Yutsuki smiled and patted Shido's shoulder to show encouragent. The underlying aning was self-evident.
A drop of cold sweat couldn't help but appear on Shido's forehead. Once or twice was fine, but if he had to step in as God or Santa Claus to fulfill wishes every ti there was a holiday or event with wishing customs, it would be sowhat too much to handle.
"Ahaha... Tohka, God-sama can't fulfill all wishes either, so don't expect too much."
"I know, God-sama works very hard too."
Although he said sothing a bit disappointing, Tohka was obviously still full of enthusiasm to draw on the Ema. Moreover, the Yamai sisters also showed eager expressions, so Shido went and bought Emas according to the number of people and distributed them.
"By the way, Shido, the two people over there are drawing amazingly well."
Looking at the duo a little further away, Yutsuki said with a mix of speechlessness and admiration.
"Hmm?"
Following Yutsuki's gaze, Shido saw that Natsumi and Nia were currently drawing on their Emas with an intensity as if they were rushing to finish manga manuscripts.
"This is really... impressive."
Shido couldn't help but sigh.
How should I put it, other people's Emas were just simply written with a few words, at most like Yoshino who drew a simple cute picture of Yoshinon. But these two were using various colored pens to draw exquisite illustrations at the level of light novels.
"Oh, Boy, and Biri-chan."
After noticing Shido and Yutsuki, Natsumi and Nia stopped their pens and looked up.
"Hey hey! What's going on here? It's a rare New Year visit to the shrine; cute girls should put on beautiful kimonos and dress themselves up gorgeously at this ti. How can you be so casual? Believe it or not, readers will send you complaint letters for fan-service fraud."
Looking at Yutsuki's casual clothes, Nia shouted in disbelief.
"Out of everyone here, you are the least qualified to lecture ."
Yutsuki angrily flicked Nia hard on the forehead. This person's clothes weren't much better than her own.
By the way, except for Shido, Yutsuki, and Nia, the Spirits were all wearing various styles of kimonos right now, forming a beautiful scenic line that attracted many people's sidelong glances along the way.
"Ugh... these are my casual clothes for gathering materials, so it's fine for . But you can't, Biri-chan. Didn't you notice how disappointed the boy was when he saw you weren't wearing a kimono?"
"Shido, is that true?"
"I-I wasn't disappointed at all."
Seeing Yutsuki look at him, Shido hurriedly waved his hands in denial.
(Well, if you say regret, there is a tiny bit...)
"...I know, I'll wear one next ti, alright?"
Yutsuki sighed helplessly and said.
"I-I already said I don't mind."
"Idiot Shido, your mouth is smirking."
Natsumi stared speechlessly at Shido and roasted him.
"Ahem—"
Coughing awkwardly, Shido hurriedly changed the subject.
"Honestly, your Emas are really amazing."
"Well, I can only draw it like this for now, it's less hassle."
Nia spun her pen and answered proudly. However, Natsumi reluctantly covered the characters on her Ema.
"...I only drew it because Nia asked to, it wasn't voluntary..."
"Eh eh? Saying this when we've already reached this point? Didn't we just discuss walking side by side on the path of manga together?"
"When did I ever say that!? And what the heck is the path of manga!"
Natsumi couldn't help but shout in retort.
"Hey, Nia. Are you serious about this?"
Hearing their conversation, Yutsuki's face changed slightly. She stood beside Nia and asked with a serious face.
"That's different from self made doujinshi. Becoming a professional manga artist is extrely difficult."
"What, so that's what you're worried about."
Nia understood what Yutsuki was worried about.
The manga industry is no different from gambling. Out of thousands of manga artists, only a few can beco famous. It's common for manga to be rejected at the storyboard stage, and it's not unusual for published manga to be forced into cancellation due to low popularity. Putting in effort and not getting a return is a very painful thing.
As far as she knew, many manga artists gave up for these kinds of reasons.
Probably also understanding that this wasn't sothing that could be glossed over with a joke, Nia's face beca more serious. She patted her chest and replied,
"Don't worry, I could tell from the last manga competition. Nattsun has a talent for drawing manga. As long as she polishes it well, she can definitely beco a famous manga artist. I can guarantee it with my professional eye."
"That's good then. But rember, if Natsumi doesn't have this intention, you absolutely cannot forcefully drag her into drawing manga. Also, if Natsumi really goes to draw manga with you in the future, you have to take responsibility and guide her properly, got it?"
"Alright, alright, I know. Just relax, Biri-chan."
After instructing Nia, Yutsuki looked at Natsumi again, held her hand, and said gently.
"Natsumi, if you really make up your mind to beco a manga artist, rember to definitely discuss it with . No matter what troubles you encounter, I will definitely help you."
"Uh... although I haven't said I want to beco a manga artist yet... but thanks."
Sowhat unable to handle Yutsuki's overly serious attitude, Natsumi lowered her head in embarrassnt and muttered softly.
"Natsumi is planning to draw manga, huh. When Natsumi makes her debut, I also want to buy a copy to read."
"No, no! I told you I haven't decided yet. Besides, what kind of torture is it to let an acquaintance read your manga that might beco a dark history? So you don't have to co read it, idiot Shido."
Hearing Shido's words, Natsumi hurriedly waved her hands.
"Eh? Don't say that, I will also support Natsumi when the ti cos."
"Honestly... I give up on you guys. Suit yourselves."
Natsumi couldn't help but purse her lips, looking at the two with an "I can't handle you" expression.
"That's great~ Nattsun, you already have two fans right away."
Seeing Natsumi sowhat flustered under the combined offensive of Yutsuki and Shido, Nia couldn't help but say playfully.
"...Shut up."
Muttering softly. Natsumi picked up a blank Ema to block her cheeks, leaving only a pair of slightly resentful erald eyes staring at them.
That appearance made people unavoidably think of a squirrel peeking out from the cracks of a nutshell, making everyone smile knowingly.
"However, I just gave Nattsun a little bit of advice, Biri-chan, why are you acting even more serious than Nattsun herself?"
Nia said sowhat speechlessly.
"What's strange about that? This involves Natsumi's future life problems, of course I have to confirm it seriously."
"Biri-chan..."
Looking at Yutsuki with sowhat subtle eyes, Nia sighed and remarked.
"You're as naggy as an old mom sotis."
Hearing this, Shido and Natsumi's faces imdiately changed.
They saw that right now, veins were popping out slightly on Yutsuki's forehead. She silently arrived behind Nia and, with a smile on her face, raised a paper fan taken out from who knows where.
—Pong!
Accompanied by a crisp sound, Nia's head suddenly had an intimate contact with the table.
"Um... I should tell you... for Yutsuki, 'mom' is a taboo word."
"Boy... you should have told that from the very beginning."
Holding her reddened forehead, Nia said with an aggrieved face.
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