My new Neighbor's an Idol!?

New Year's Resolution 1

The new year brought about plenty of things. Most significant of them all would be the prayers people would make on their annual trek to the shrines. Out of everyone here, it was Ishi that some were surprised to see.

"It was nice of your parents to let you show me around." Rinse was walking aside him as they explored the area together. While the ritual wasn't new to her by any means, the location certainly was. So Ishi and Koto were practically her tour guides, though it was mainly the latter who brought up the idea.

"Well, it's no big deal. We already go every year, so there's nothing wrong with spicing things up for once." Ishi replied to her. "I guess we'll probably see everyone else here too."

"I'm actually surprised that you came here without anyone asking." Rinse commented. She wasn't even the one who invited him, but rather it was the other way around. "You never really stuck me the type to pray for the new year."

"I might not look like it, but I am a believer." He answered. "Though it looks like my prayers from last year definitely went unanswered." Unsurprisingly, other than asking for the well being of those close to him. Ishi also prayed for the ability to go through his final year of high school in an uneventful fashion. If anything, it appeared that the gods specifically heard his wishes and did exactly the opposite.

"So are you going to ask for everyone to leave you alone again this year?" Koto asked as they navigated through the crowd.

"No, I think I have something else in mind." Meanwhile, they were hanging about and wondering where the rest of their friends were. Thankfully, because of the attention Rinse garnered, the others were able to find them fairly easily.

"So, it's nice to see you here this year again." Said Youna as the others were telling the crowd to not bother Rinse so much on a day like this. However, she was really nervous about speaking with him, even if she had really wanted to see him today. It's not that there was anything wrong with him, but rather she really wished she wore something better.

"What's up with your outfit?" He asked. It was impossible for anyone not to notice her like this. Unlike most other people here, who were wearing casual wear, she was wearing traditional clothing to fit with the new year festivities. Basically the point was that she was wearing a kimono, appearing to be way overdressed for today.

"I wasn't planning on wearing it." She got shy now that he pointed it out. "My mom said it would look great for today, but all I'm doing is standing out like a sore thumb."

"You look nice." He assured her that things were fine. Of course, she felt very happy inside to hear him compliment her appearance, even when she was worried about everything around her. "I'm sure everyone else feels the same way."

"Ishi, Ishi." Their conversation was interrupted by Ryugi grabbing his attention. "Me and my friends are about to make our prayers, have you already made yours?"

"Just invite him into our friend group, why dontcha?" Her friends were already complaining about this offer.

"Go ahead without me." He told her. "Someone's gotta keep an eye on Koto after all." While it seemed that the young boy was behaving so far, things could easily take a turn for the worse. Especially when rinse was here too.

"Ugh, fine." She left him alone as she and her friends went up the steps.

"Yo." Chinae greeted him after that group left him. It seemed that everyone was taking turns making sure the boy couldn't spend a second away from anyone else. "What are you wishing for this year?"

"Just the usual." He responded. "You know good health and all that."

"Heh, same." She was glad to hear his answer. "I'm going to be praying that my dad has a good year too."