Chapter 26 - The Shrine’s Green Serpent (1/2)

A light mist shrouded the hills at the end of the year’s night. Here was the hill next to the city. From here, we could see the brightly lit city, immersed in a cheerful atmosphere, in sharp contrast with the seclusion on this side, as if it were another world.

Due to the rain just a few days ago, the forest was filled with cold moisture, and the high spaces at night were clear.

“Ah-choo.” Sora shivered while holding her shoulders.

“It doesn’t matter, Sora.” Ye You took off his black scarf and wrapped it around his sister’s slender neck. This was the birthday gift Sora gave when Ye You celebrated his birthday last year.

“Well, it’s okay, let’s keep going.”

Sora wore a kimono that was not suitable for walking on the forest path and covered the scarf tied by her brother.

She felt warm in her heart and swayed her thin body to move on. Ye You could not help but think back to Sora’s enthusiastic state before leaving.

The child has been in poor health since she was young, and she could not help being weak. In addition to the way to and from school, she rarely goes out because it is too harsh for her physical load. Moreover, Sora herself was a quiet character, and she prefers to stay at home rather than go outside.

If her hobbies were games and anime, she would be a standard otaku just like Neet Hime. However, today she has to take herself to a shrine on a hill outside the city.

Although he was a little worried about Sora’s body, Ye You did not want to wipe out his sister’s interest.

“Sora.” Ye You called Sora, “I’ll carry you.”

“Huh? No, no.” Sora stopped and refused.

“Uh, why?” Ye You felt confused.

If it was in the past, before even waiting for Ye You to bring it up, Sora would make a noise that she could not walk and had to carry it herself. Nevertheless, today it was unnatural.

“…Because it won’t work,” Sora whispered.

But now Ye You’s five senses are more than the usual number of people, and he still hears it. “What doesn’t work?”

“No, nothing. Yu is really long-winded. I told you I don’t need you to carry me.” Sora turned around first, then puffed her small face, angrily said. Uh… why she angry…

“Okay, okay, I get it. Didn’t you say you want to watch the fireworks at the top of the mountain? It’s still early to 12 o’clock, let’s go slowly.” Ye You said helplessly.

“Hmm…” Sora nodded lightly, then sneaked a glance at Ye You.

After the rain, the forest trails in winter were incredibly wet and cold. The dark trees and grass were swaying, and the sides of the stone steps were covered with traces of moss. It was quiet as if there were only two of them left in the world.

“Sora, is there really a shrine here?”

Ye You took Sora’s soft little hand and stepped on the stone steps, a slightly cold and slippery touch coming from her fingertips.

No wonder Ye You asked, the shrine on New Year’s Eve could be said to be the busiest day.

The lights were colorful, dazzling, and full of people’s voices. Moreover, this place, not to mention bustling, could not even see the slightest hint of a human presence.

“Well, it’s at the end of this stone step.” Sora said affirmatively, “A few of my classmates have been here.

Megumi said that when she passed by here, she saw the torii gate far away.

In other words, Sora herself was not sure yet. Wouldn’t it be better to come during the day in this situation?

But considering Sora’s mobility, Ye You could only smile.

“Is it still holding up? Would you like to take a break?” Ye You asked.

“No, it should be almost here. They said that it is only forty minutes to go up the mountain, and we have all walked for an hour.”

There was a big difference between someone else’s forty minutes and your forty minutes of walking. Ye You sighed inwardly.

He was not tired. He has been exercising for many years, and he has Yonglin’s medicine to cleanse the bones, which was no longer comparable to ordinary people.

Ye You was only worried about Sora, afraid that she would harm her health because of her persistence. “Is that shrine really effective?”

Sora was probably a rumor heard among girls, but Ye You felt something similar to urban legends. It was widely spread by some people who were in the mood of ‘if it’s okay.’