Chapter 702

In this rather mysterious atmosphere, time passed second by second.

The midnight bell rang out from the ancient bell at Yonezawa Uesugi Shinai, arriving precisely at 12 o'clock, as the first breath of New Year's cold wind swept over the snow, carrying the warm glow of the shrine lanterns.

Shirakawa Mai, Saito Asuka, and Miyawaki Sakura had already changed into gorgeous and comfortable kimonos, preparing to visit the shrine together with Uesugi Muneyuki. The kimono fabric was smooth and delicate; Mai Xuejie chose a deep red style, with a golden belt around her waist, and black stockings underneath, her long, powerful legs faintly visible through the slits of the kimono as she walked, the pure black, non-see-through velvet 100D stockings thick yet silky, wrapping her well-proportioned thighs and calves, each step producing a soft rustling sound, the leg curves outlined especially enticingly in the candlelight. Asuka's kimono was light blue, with a hint of pure elegance, paired with pure white stockings, her leg lines delicate and bony, the stockings revealing a natural skin sheen under the snowlight and lamp light, extending from the thigh roots to the ankles, her feet clad in wooden clogs, the stocking-wrapped feet slightly revealing a corner, the arch of the foot high and straight, toes well-proportioned.

Sakura's kimono was pink cherry blossom, sweet and lively, with grey stockings inside tightly clinging to her slender yet tense beautiful legs, the semi-transparent effect of the stockings allowing the skin to faintly show pink, her legs trembling slightly as she walked, emphasizing her pair of vibrant, energetic beautiful legs.

Saito Asuka had not yet fully come to her senses from the previous ambiguous situation; whenever her gaze unintentionally touched Uesugi Muneyuki's upright figure, her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, she shyly lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze directly, the white stockings covering her calves trembling slightly, her toes curling inside the wooden clogs, as if trying to conceal her inner panic.

On the contrary, Sakura on the other side was fiery and bold, seeing Asuka so shy, she actively smiled sweetly and leaned close to Uesugi Muneyuki, the grey stockings wrapping her beautiful legs swaying with the kimono as she brushed past him lightly, bringing a hint of ambiguous atmosphere.

Hehe, Asuka, if you don't want it, then I'll take the lead first!!

Sakura's Legend of Striving, now burning!

You wish! You, this idol-playing slut! Uesugi-san is willing to play with you only to give you face!

Kick her out hard with your teeth!

Asuka glared fiercely at Sakura.

And Mai Xuejie merely smiled; since the One Lotus United Birth, her fate with Uesugi Muneyuki has been entwined like vines around the heart, her eyes full of dependence and longing, the black stockings covering her beautiful legs each step seeming to deliberately draw closer to him, the leg curves reflecting an enticing sheen in the snowlight and lamp light. After the bell finished ringing, the four walked together toward the shrine's main hall to conduct the New Year visit.

Uesugi Muneyuki led the way in silence, Mai Xuejie followed closely behind, Sakura enthusiastically pulled Asuka's hand. During the visit, they knelt on the futons, palms together, making New Year wishes.

"May the New Year case not be too few, nor too many, may everything go smoothly!"

Mai Xuejie's wish was simply this.

"Seal the New God, ascend the Divine Throne, go to the High Plain of Heaven!"

Asuka secretly glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki, then quickly lowered her head, shame and curiosity intertwined, murmuring her own wish.

"Just like my sister! Together with Uesugi-san! Build a happy big family!"

Sakura's body trembled slightly as she prayed, but what she thought in her heart was.

"I want to step by step by step climb to the highest, stepping on everyone beneath me!"

"The idol's peak! General election! Love! Social status! I want them all!"

The four clapped their hands, throwing the coins in their hands into the offering box, Uesugi Muneyuki smiling and saying: "Have you all made your wishes?" "We have!" *3

The silver bell-like laughter echoed in the empty shrine.

After the visit, the four stood up, snowflakes gently falling, the New Year's blessings seeming to have already descended.

In this chaotic New Year holiday, amidst the sudden bloodshed and endless chaos, this seemed to give everyone a bit of insignificant comfort. Returning to the comfortable guest room, the four sat around on the tatami mats, the room's hearth warm, the air filled with a faint sandalwood scent. Suddenly, Shirakawa Mai and Miyawaki Sakura exchanged a meaningful glance, both simultaneously reaching out, gently yet firmly pressing down Saito Asuka, laying her on the soft bedding.

"Ashura Rei!" Mai Xuejie said softly, her smile blooming like a flower: "Are you ready?"

"Congratulations on turning 18, Asuka Sauce!" Sakura's complexion was complicated, she glanced at Mai Xuejie.

Asuka's heart pounded like a drum, she understood that everything would be anew after the New Year bell, she would turn 18, able to "become an adult."

The girl's heart was both fearful and anticipatory, that complex emotion surging like a tide, she had awaited this day for a long time, a very long time. Since moving into Hankyo Bridge, since Uesugi Muneyuki argued with her parents for her, since the Sakuradamon hearing, she had vaguely anticipated this transformation, and now, facing Uesugi Muneyuki's deep gaze, her body trembled involuntarily.

"Asuka, I ask you one last time, you..." Uesugi Muneyuki whispered: "Are you ready?"

The weak chick before him struggled to bloom her own light, from her eyes one could see her unparalleled anticipation and tension.

But Uesugi Muneyuki felt quite complex, he understood Asuka's feelings toward him, he also knew that since the Sakuradamon incident, society and everyone had tacitly acknowledged Asuka as his, even he himself felt that Asuka was already his.

But when this day truly arrived, he still felt a hint of strangeness.

Has it really become like this, is this truly what I wanted?

I originally only wanted to take care of Nanami's little sister, wanting to make up for a bit of my own mistake, after all, Saijo Yasue was brought in by me. My understanding of Japanese society is very clear; if I did not intervene, then Asuka's fate would only be to go to Okubo Station Street, Japanese society very welcoming and greedily devouring countless such young women.

But from a certain angle, is Asuka's relationship with him not also similar?

Similar to Nanami, even similar to Okubo Park.

Uesugi Muneyuki himself is not some literary youth sickness, nor does he like affectation, but he indeed has a feeling of the impermanence of worldly affairs; if it weren't for him, Asuka might not have experienced so many dangers, entered the Inner World Path, he really does not want to involve those around him, but Asuka still got involved. But from another angle, if it weren't for him, could Nanami graduate smoothly? Could Asuka normally finish high school and enter society to work? Don't tease you, Uesugi-san, you laughed.

So, this all is the best arrangement.

The best!

Mai-sama, Minami Ojou-sama, Eriringa Shīshō, and also Asuka and Mikoto-nee.

All are fate's best arrangement for Uesugi-someone!

Well, Ming Sha Jie, Sakura, Tobu Television, these excluded, this is his own arrangement.

"Uesugi-san...... I, I am ready......" Asuka buried her head in the bedding, shyly murmuring: "I have already, already waited a long time!"

Yes, she is ready, she wants to be like her sister!

Now!

"Then, Asuka~"

"New Year, Happy!"