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Chapter 75: New Year's Eve

"Hahahaha I can't believe you would lose your own challenge, Yukino."

"D-Don't mind it now, Yuki-chan."

"Ughh~ It's so embarrassing! I don't think I could face him again!"

A laughing Yuzuha, a worried Hinata, and an embarrassed Yukino are back to their room after their day-long visit at the Osaka Science Museum. It is 8 o'clock in the evening and they are now preparing to visit the Tenmangu Shrine, where they plan to welcome the New Year. They had just finished their dinner but a certain brunette still hasn't move on from an embarrassing moment that she unexpectedly did out loud in public.

Flashback of the earlier events...

"Let's go out, Yukino." Was what the man has said before he stood with their hands clasped together.

She immediately blushed upon digesting what the long-haired roommate of hers has said. And so, she blurted unhesitatingly...

"You want to go out with me, Kazutora-kun?"

There was a long silence before she hears the man chuckling.

"What I meant is let's go outside now. The display is over."

As soon as she digested what the man has just said, her whole face fumed, and this made the man laugh louder. Even the whole Toman couldn't stop themselves from snickering with the female doctor's cute clumsiness.

"I'm not going to Tenmangu Shrine."

"Don't be like that, Yuki-chan. Come on. We bought kimonos for all of us."

The two could only look at each other after seeing the woman who is now planking on their bed.

"Stop sulking. I'm sure he has already forgot about it. Besides, we all make mistakes."

"Don't torture yourself because of it, Yuki-chan. New Year is here. Let's be happy."

"Tell you what, Yuki-chan..." A pair of gray eyes turn to Yuzuha who has just patted her back.

"Once we get back later, let's drink 'til morning." She even winked at the sulking woman.

"Drinking will anger the boys, Yuzuha-chan." The kind Hinata says.

"Which is why they shouldn't know."

"You girls are not telling a soul, right?" 

Both Hinata and Yukino could only look at each other and nod in agreement.

"Well, that settles it. Why don't you go and take a shower now, Yuki-chan? We'll help you with the kimono later." Yuzuha says and then gave her a towel. She could only comply since she knows how badly she wanted to see the majestic Tenmangu Shrine where Tenjin Matsuri or the festival which is celebrated every 1,000 years and only held during July 24-25. Even though this is the holiday season, people are still expected to crowd the place that celebrates the god of scholarship.

And so, she walks to the comfort room on the second floor which was a few steps away from their room. She even glanced around the area if there was anyone around. She inwardly assumed that the others must be downstairs.

But it is as if the gods decided to play with her on this day.