The dense shade of the three ginkgo trees stretched out majestically, displaying their lush foliage.
The broad roof, with its graceful and smooth design, complemented the verdant leaves of the ginkgo trees harmoniously, exuding the elegance of a noblewoman.
Shoes were removed before entering the house, which was still empty inside.
Fujiwara Reya waited for a while, and a familiar scent of perfume wafted from behind. Turning around, he saw Natsuki Kuri standing there, dressed in a fashionable tea-green twisted silk long dress that looked like she was ready to attend a Western-style banquet for nobles.
"Where are they?" Fujiwara Reya asked.
"They’ll be here soon." Natsuki Kuri smiled as she brought over snacks and tea from the partition, "Before they arrive, please allow Kuri to serve you, Lord Mountain God."
Fujiwara Reya shrugged.
After another round of a stiflingly challenging game, Kasahara Fumi and Kawashima Miki finally arrived, having changed into regular kimonos.
"Where’s Yukino?" Natsuki Kuri asked while wiping her hands on his clothes.
"Oh, she went shopping with a friend first." Remembering the earlier incident, Fujiwara Reya couldn’t help but chuckle, "That girl is quite interesting, I’ll introduce you all someday."
"Hmm?" There was a hint of wariness in Natsuki Kuri’s amused smile.
Kawashima Miki also casually picked up a stool. Though Kasahara Fumi said nothing, her gaze at the stool in Miki’s hand clearly suggested she’d like Miki not to hold back if she were to use it.
Realizing the situation, Fujiwara Reya raised his hands in surrender, "She likes women!"
Kawashima Miki finally put the stool down.
After chatting in the room for a while, they left the tea room ten or so minutes later to meet up with Yukino Ritsuko.
In another pavilion of the courtyard, there was a table covered with a crimson felt cloth where guests could enjoy tea and admire the flowers.
Next to the pavilion was a large lake, where many guests were feeding fish with bait. Schools of carp crowded the shore, some even flipping their bodies out of the water. The cool breeze on the lake’s surface spread in ripples, slightly swaying the reflections of the cherry and pine trees.
Clad in a long-sleeved kimono, Yukino Ritsuko emerged from the dim grove, walking toward the pavilion, accompanied by Kitagawa Ryoko, who chattered all the way.
"Sister Yukino, break up with him quickly!"
"The Snow Woman must remain loyal forever."
"Don’t follow those outdated rules anymore, it’s 2020 now!"
"How can those rules be considered outdated!"
With the nonstop chatter from the young girl, Yukino Ritsuko wasn’t irritated, just amused.
"That kind of scumbag could never bring Sister Yukino happiness." Kitagawa Ryoko tugged at her sleeve, shaking her head all the while, "He doesn’t even look in the mirror at his own appearance, with that despicable face, how can he have two girlfriends! If he were as powerful and influential as Lord Mountain God, it would be understandable, but he just has a shabby little shrine. Such a person can’t protect Sister Yukino at all!"
Hearing this, Yukino Ritsuko felt even more like laughing.
Approaching the pavilion, Kitagawa Ryoko took her hand, "Shall we go inside for some tea?... The seats are just available now."
"Let’s go in." Yukino Ritsuko felt a bit thirsty too.
They had just stepped into the pavilion when two figures appeared not far away.
Takeuchi Akira, walking with Yayako, saw the Snow Woman in the pavilion and immediately headed over.