~Jan. 03 - Votive Picture and Sacred Lot ~
Takuto's room
Takuto's trying to write his term paper since exams start once break ends. The phone rings but it's not Ryouta, it's Shibamata-sama so Takuto doesn't pick it up. He goes to get a drink of water when the doorbell rings. Takuto smiles and looks at the sunflower on the window. He lets Ryouta in.
CHOICE #1 - Ryouta asks what Takuto did while he was gone.
1: New Year's Eve is left out.
2: I lie casually
'The event of New Year's Eve came to mind momentarily and I felt my neck become hot.'
Takuto: "It snowed and I shut myself up in the house for a long time."
Ryouta: "Ah, it fell here too? Though it fell at night, it stopped suddenly in the morning."
Takuto: "It fell considerably on New Year's Eve. It accumulated enough to bury your shoes."
Ryouta: "Eh! It fell that much?"
'I take out two coffee cups off the shelf. Ryouta's elder sister gave it as congratulations for moving. Ryouta's is orange, mine is sky blue. I still remember Ryouta's embarrssed face for getting gifts like a newly wed couple.'
Ryouta: "What does Takuto think?
Takuto: "Huh? What?"
Ryouta: "The child from Takuto's flower shop and Arecshio is missing."
Takuto: "Ah...aahh...Is that?
Ryouta: "Big brother's mood worses as he's wrapped in the mystery."
*steam whistling*
Takuto relates it to a horror movie and Ryouta scolds him for it.
'I stood, startled at Ryouta's words. The tea spouted white steam before I was aware.'
Ryouta: "I worried about Takuto and it's not good luck, even though it's girls missing."
Takuto: I'm sorry...sorry.
*whistling stops*
'I hadn't forgotten Makita-san was gone but I didn't want to think about it. However,---I began to realize the limitations in this life.'
Takuto: "Wait in the other room."
Ryouta: "Ah, un."
Takuto remembers Shibamata words about meeting after New Year with his answer.
Takuto: "..."
*pouring coffee*
Takuto thinks about the choice he has to make in order for their band to debut. Ryouta says that Syusei called earlier while he was on the train.
*phone rining*
Ryouta: "Ah, hello? Syusei? Nn? I just came back from the parents. Takuto? Ah, he's here. Practice is on the 7th, don't forget. Ah, bye!"
Ryouta says it's strange that Syusei called just to remind them about practice. Takuto recalls the last practice and how Syusei kept trying to tell him something. Ryouta reminds him that they're going to the shrine tomorrow like they always do.
'Conversation the same as always. Room the same as always. I was relieved. However, Ryouta was not able to be told about Haishima. [I sincerely thought that remembered. Sweet voice heard in feeling and ear of tongue where my finger is crawled---.]'
Ryouta at the shrine
They got to visit the shrine. There're fewer people here this year. Takuto suggests it's because all the students have jobs now. This puts Ryouta is an "ill-humored mood". They go up to the offering box and Ryouta puts twice as much money in than usual. He's all grumpy now. Takuto has to quickly put his offering in to catch up with Ryouta. Takuto keeps trying to get his attention. Finally he does.
'I don't understand the reason for Ryouta's bad mood at all. '
Ryouta's been wishing for the same thing since last year (to find a job) so he's bummed.
'I finally noticed the reason for Ryouta's bad mood was because of me.'
***Ryouta's bummed because the band hasn't debuted, which is Takuto's fault...but Ryouta doesn't know that for the debut to happen, Takuto has to become Shibamata-sama mistress.
Ryouta's brothers told him he depends too much on Takuto and Ryouta is useless. He brings up the band.
'A memory. Early summer in the music room. Suddenly Ryouta confessed.'
Young Ryouta's voice: "Katsuragi-sempai! Will you create a band with me!?"
Takuto laughs. He doesn't think Ryouta's a problem. Ryouta's glad and says something stupid (along the more than friends line). Takuto laughs it off. As Ryouta rushes off to the food stalls, Takuto prays that Ryouta doesn't become like "them".