Finding Love (China x Female Reader x Japan)

Wishes for the Future

"Heya! Let's go!"
"Don't run, America!"

Under the bright spring sky, we walked our way to the shrine after getting off the cars that brought us here.

"Ve~ Look, Brother Romano! So many pink trees!" Feliciano stretched his arms out.
"Yeah, really beaut- Gwah! Watch before moving your arms, you bastard," Lovino rubbed his head where he got accidentally hit.

The fragrant Cherry Blossom flowers overhead the paved path made the place look serenely beautiful. A few traditional-looking lanterns made of stone lined against the path. I looked around in awe at the peaceful surroundings.

"We are almost there," Kiku, who was leading us, said.

A large red gate, which I remembered was called 'Torii', came into view, marking the entrance of the concrete stairway. This was the first time I'm seeing one in person.

Passing by the Torii gate, we made our way up the stairs. Yao turned to me.

"The stairs aren't too long, aru. We'll reach there in no time," he smiled.
I nodded and returned his smile.

Soon the stairs came to an end and we found ourselves in front of a big courtyard with the shrine at the end. Two statues of majestic dogs made of stone guarded the entrance to the shrine on each side.

"Woah! So cool!" Alfred was about to run towards the shrine when Kiku called out.

"Please wait, Mr. America! You need to wash your hands first," he pointed towards a fountain with ladles arranged beside it.

"Oh, yeah, sure..." the blonde nervously laughed.
Arthur sighed. "You impatient little wanker."

Kiku led us to the fountain and showed us how to clean our hands.

"Please keep in mind not to pour any water back into the purification fountain. You may now begin," he calmly instructed us and stepped aside.

I took a ladle and filled it with the fresh water to rinse my hands. After washing my hands, I kept the ladle back and suddenly realized I hadn't brought my handkerchief with me.

"Umm..." I looked around to see if there was any cloth given to dry my hands.

"Is there something wrong, (Y/n), aru?"

I turned to see Yao rinsing his hands with the water and looking at me.

"I forgot to bring my handkerchief," I told him.

He chuckled. "Is that all, aru? Here, you can -"

He stopped when another handkerchief appeared before me. I looked up to see Kiku holding out a white embroidered handkerchief to me with a kind smile.

"Please use this," he offered.

"T-Thank you, Kiku," I took the handkerchief, a bit taken aback from his sudden forwardness.

His smile brightened in response.

Meanwhile, Yao blinked in confusion. 

Kiku turned to the others. "If everyone is done, let us visit the offering hall," he said.

We headed towards the frontside of the shrine where the offering box was kept and a large metallic bell hung above it. Kiku went forward and grasped the rope hanging from the bell and rang it. He then threw a coin into the offering box, clapped his hands twice and silently prayed.

Following his steps, we did the same.

I closed my eyes and prayed in silence. "May everyone of us always be happy and all our wishes come true"