Injuries are the biggest taboo in a match; although his career prospects look like a good omen, still.. it's better to be careful.
Hinata patted Miya Atsumu: "It's fine, let's go get an Omamori!"
After arriving at the charms stall with Miya Atsumu, Hinata handed over Miya Atsumu's fortune slip.
The shrine maiden took a look, then smiled as she handed back an omamori embroidered with peach blossoms: "May your coming year be filled with happiness and fulfillment."
Hinata patted Miya Atsumu on the back like an adult.
Don't worry, it'll definitely be fine!
Author's Note:
Great Luck Part One: Every grain is hard-earned; your food, clothing, housing, transportation will be blessed, you can look forward to a prosperous family and flourishing descendants.
Second Great Fortune: Family happiness and a fulfilling life; please continue your hard work.
Great Fortune: All your previous efforts will be rewarded, but please do not settle for the status quo. Continuing forward will bring unexpected surprises, your wishes will surely come true bit by bit.
Great Luck: Your heart is clear, but you possess a greedy heart; please reflect upon yourself and pray to the Inari God, otherwise, you will lose everything.
Chapter 161: The One Hundred and Sixty-First Fox
Staring at the dark blue omamori in his hands, which was embroidered with pale pink flowers, Miya Atsumu rubbed his chin. "This is the first time I've ever seen an omamori like this."
The charms ordered for New Year's before were basically all Inari God's rice ear patterns or foxes; this was the first time he had received one with flowers.
Holding the Omamori with "Surprising Victory" written on it, he stared at it for a long time before asking in confusion, "What kind of flower is this? Cherry blossoms? Or plum blossoms?"
Hinata Shoyo also looked closely at it. "I don't know."
But they were pink, with five petals; they should be cherry blossoms.. right?
The shrine maiden said nothing, she simply smiled quietly when the two of them looked at her.
In the end, Miya Atsumu didn't care; after stuffing the Omamori into his own pocket, he turned to Hinata and said, "Come with me to tie the charms."
Leave bad luck behind! He is the luckiest person!
Glancing at his sister, who was having a great time playing with Hoshiumi, Hinata nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
After tying the charm and praying to the Inari God once more, Miya Atsumu felt that everything was foolproof.
Alright, Shoyo, let's go take photos at the Senbon Torii next!
He turned around abruptly, only to find that Hinata was no longer there.
Hinata had already taken the initiative to invite Hoshiumi: "Hoshiumi-senpai! Let's go take some photos!"
Hoshiumi nodded in agreement, Hinata looked toward Suna, who had specifically brought a camera: "Suna-senpai, can you take a photo of us!"
Suna happily agreed, "Sure."
His camera was used for taking beautiful scenery, so it could be used to take group photos of Hinata and the others, but it couldn't be used to take unflattering photos of Miya Atsumu.
—Because the camera actually belonged to his sister.
Following several people around to the back of the main hall, countless red torii gates on the long steps appeared in everyone's field of vision.
Hinata grew excited: "It's exactly like the photo!"
After finding a good angle, Suna nodded. "Let's do it right here."
He knelt on one knee, adjusting his camera angle.
In front of the Senbon Torii, Hinata and Hoshiumi crouched down, letting Xiaoxia be the tallest one.
The flash of the camera in Suna Rintaro's hands went off, freezing the smiling faces of the three of them on the camera's screen.
Atsumu-senpai stood behind Suna, his lips pursed, seemingly lost in thought.
The next second, Hinata's voice came from beside his ear: "Atsumu-senpai! Come take a photo!"
"Alright." Atsumu smiled and walked over, extending his hand toward Xiaoxia.
Xiaoxia and Miya Atsumu locked eyes, a strange spark flashed through the air.
But in the end, she still reached out and hugged Miya Atsumu's arm.
Lifted up by Miya Atsumu with one hand, Xiaoxia held her brother's hand with her other hand and then smiled at Suna Rintaro's camera.
With a light click, Suna adjusted the angle and pressed the shutter.
The Inarizaki members arrived one after another, scrambling to take photos with Xiaoxia, even Coach Kurosu and Coach Omimi, who arrived last, took one as well.
Finally, the camera was handed to Hirugami, Hirugami Yukio took a group photo of the Inarizaki members.
Three, two, one, cheese—
Beside the main hall of the Inari Shrine, the person who was just about to walk this way suddenly pulled their foot back.
What's going on!
Why are everyone from Inarizaki and Karasuno here!
Is this the manifestation of them getting a Great Misfortune at Tenmangu and then drawing two more Misfortunes at Inari Shrine one after another?!
Fortunately, the Inarizaki members left right after taking their photos and didn't stay any longer.
Only then did Amatori Toru dare to step out from behind them.
Iizuna Sho, who had been struck by Da Xiong and Xiongbao from behind, emerged expressionlessly and asked, "What's wrong?"
Amatori turned back and said, "The people from Inarizaki and Karasuno are here."
He paused for a second, then rubbed his chin. "That's not right. If our luck is bad during this competition, can we just take these people out before the match begins?"
Before Iizuna, whose mind had gone blank, could agree, Agatsuma's voice rang out from behind, "That's not good."
Amatori pointed in the direction the Inarizaki members had gone: "No, no, no, this is the fastest solution."
But this one gesture almost poked Hirugami right in the nose.
"Um.. Amatori-senpai?" Hirugami said softly.
Amatori was startled and hurriedly took two steps back, nearly bumping into Iizuna.
You, you, you—didn't you all leave with the people from Inarizaki?
At the same time, the third-year Captain Suwa said, "The Inarizaki group has already disbanded; they went to browse the snack stalls outside."
He scratched his head. "We're planning to go pray for an Omamori."
Looking at the three of them, a guess surfaced in Iizuna's mind: "Wait, you guys don't also.."
The six of them looked at each other, finally, in unison, they all pulled out their own ominous fortune slips.
Looking at the fortunes of the three Itachiyama members, Hoshiumi's expression instantly contorted.
I knew the Inari God was biased!
This is beyond biased!
"To be honest, we even went to Tenmangu Shrine this morning.." Amatori grabbed Suwa's arm and began to complain.
We drew a 'Great Misfortune' right at Sugawara Michizane!
Hearing this, the three members of Karasuno silently distanced themselves from the three members of Itachiyama, attempting to avoid catching such bad luck.
He knew it; they shouldn't have come to Inari Shrine!
Hirugami looked down at Hoshiumi.
Even though Hoshiumi was the one who suggested coming, he's actually denying it now.
Iizuna resigned to his fate: "Let's go, let's go, let's go get an Omamori.."
As sunset approached, the area around the shrine gradually became lively.
Holding a candy apple, Hinata held hands with his sister, who was munching on tri-colored dango, as they walked toward the stage where the Kagura dance was being performed.
Miya Atsumu, following behind the two, lowered his head and asked Hinata Xia, "Can Xia see it?"
Xiaoxia shook her head.
Atsumu-senpai crouched down and took the initiative to pick Hinata Natsu up, letting her sit on his shoulders: "There, now you can see."
"Yeah!" Hinata Natsu decided to forgive Atsumu-senpai for competing with her for her brother today.
In the very end, the fireworks soared into the sky, blooming into one flower after another in the air.
People always want to freeze beautiful moments, like fireworks, into eternity, but.. that is impossible.
It was just like the fortune Osamu drew yesterday, just like the fortune Hinata drew today.
—The past is the past.
They only needed to keep walking forward.
But besides that, he also wanted some things that seemed a bit greedy.
But it didn't matter; the one warned by the Inari God not to be greedy was Aran, not him, so he only needed to hold firm to his own thoughts.
So, amidst the clamor, Miya Atsumu lowered his head slightly to look at Shoyo: "Shoyo.. will you stay by my side forever, just as you said before?"
With the sound of fireworks and the cheers of the crowd around them, Hinata Shoyo didn't quite hear clearly what Miya Atsumu said; he only caught a few words that sounded like a question.
He shouted back, "What did you say, Atsumu-senpai?!"
Chuckling softly, Miya Atsumu raised his voice: "I mean, are you happy today!"
Hinata Shoyo nodded vigorously: "Yeah! It's fun!"
This was the first time he had ever been to such a lively festival, it was also the most beautiful fireworks display he had ever seen in his life.
Hinata Natsu tugged on Miya Atsumu's hair, attempting to protest.
But Miya Atsumu just nudged her, said nothing, turned his head to make a shushing gesture toward her.
After everything was over, the Inarizaki members regrouped in front of the bus. They were heading straight to their hotel in Tokyo to prepare for the Haruko starting the day after tomorrow.
The moment he stepped onto the bus, Miya Atsumu keenly sensed that something was wrong.
Although the Inarizaki bus had a capacity of forty-nine people, the starters, substitutes, coaches, support staff combined only totaled about twenty people.