438 Chapter three, 2018, what happens in Kyoto: 1 (1/2)

In the end Kuri left them to their own devices with another promise to make up with her boyfriend. Noriko felt happy for her brother. Idiot as he might be he still truly cared for Kuri, and as far as Noriko was concerned the two of them made a good couple. That Urufu didn't get dragged into something dangerous was an added bonus.

'Yeah, dangerous, right! You're just jealous of Kuri.' But to be honest Noriko didn't fear Kuri all that much any longer. Sure sometimes, just like at that café earlier, the tall model made her feel supremely uncomfortable, but those moments never lasted for long.

That was hours earlier. Right now she was panting by Urufu's side as they climbed Fushimi Inari-taisha, or rather one of the endless gated paths up the mountain. Earlier this day her world had been a green fantasy land of bamboo. Now it was red or orange and made of toris. It was as if the gates stood upon each other.

It was all very beautiful and all that, but unlike Urufu Noriko didn't have the stamina to climb mountains at a pace like this. Sure, the club's walking talking sessions did wonders, but Urufu and endless walking was an entirely different beast. He was also clumsy with the small things that Ryu never was.

”Too fast,” she panted. ”Wait for me!”

He turned. ”Sorry.” Then after just a few more steps he was ahead of her again.

”I said wait.”

”Ah, sorry, you're slow.”

'Really!' ”You're an arse.” She loved him, but right now he was a twat.

”Sorry.”

He did slow down his steps, and with her hand in his, pulling just a little to show him it was hard work climbing the hill, they made it up the next crest. There was kind of a view, but for all the work getting up here Noriko felt a little disappointed.

”I'd like to continue a little more,” Urufu said.

Noriko looked around her. The gates thinned out considerably from here on, and the prospect of climbing even further didn't appeal all that much to her.

”Not going back?” she wondered.

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Urufu still gazed at what view was offered. ”If that's what you want,” he said just to prove that he wasn't oblivious to her presence. There was something forlorn in his voice that had Noriko swallow the affirmative words that already lay in her mouth.