Chapter 107 Prelude to the War
"Yue-chan, the festival is over."

"Um"

"Why does Yue-chan seem a little distracted?"

"I was thinking about the word for this year."

"born?"

"Yes."

"Is there something wrong with this word?" Hiiragi Rinka was puzzled.

"Rinka, you don't know much about the traditions of Matsumae Shrine. In fact, Mr. Akai just said that Matsumae Shrine protects Kaneyama Town, and Matsumae Shrine also proposed a word on behalf of Kaneyama Town. It is not only a warning to everyone, but the Matsumae family should also set an example. And this new word."

Jiuhuayue pinched her chin and suddenly thought of something.

Heart Spring
Could it be that he wanted to use the family to coerce and bribe the uncle? !
"No, I have to go find Mr. Fujii."

"Tsuki-Tsuki-chan?!"

*
"."

Fujii Itsuki didn't understand why Matsumae could say such things seriously.

She was wearing a miko costume and a beautiful Chihaya coat.

He is obviously a very holy "Son of God", but he said such bizarre words to himself at this time.

She was right in front of him, sitting down on the prayer mat in the tea room.

Just say it out loud.

But she spoke so quietly and politely.
It's the normal tone of voice used when asking someone for help.

This made Fujii Itsuki feel as if there was something wrong with him.

What did I do to her?
Why did this kid suddenly say to me that he wanted to be with me?
Fujii Itsuki didn't even dare to think about it, let alone say that word.

This is the professor's daughter!

The daughter of my mentor!

And they are my own students!
How can this work!

"Matsumae."

"Teacher Fujii, please come with me--"

"Kokoharu-chan! You! What the hell are you talking about!?"

Before Fujii Itsuki could answer, Yang Kui Chitose, who was holding the newly bought skewers in her hands, shook her head and stood behind Matsumae Shinharu to question her.

"Chi-Chitose.?!"

Matsumae Shinchun obviously did not expect that there was a third person in the room at this time.

When the girl heard her best friend's voice and saw her best friend standing next to her holding a plastic bag with a shocked look on her face, she felt embarrassed.

Matsumae Shinharu knew what he was talking about.

She also blushed and mustered up great courage, and only after being brainwashed by her aunt did she
No.
It is out of a sense of historical responsibility to continue the flame of the Matsumae family that I dare to say such words to Mr. Fujii.

She is the only descendant of the Matsumae family.

She has the responsibility to continue the tradition of the Matsumae family and to add children to the Matsumae family as soon as possible.

No reason.

Just because her last name is Matsumae.

"Xinchun!"

Yang Kui Chitose knelt down on the prayer mat next to Matsumae Shinharu. The girl held her shoulders with both hands, her expression dull, and kept shaking her:

"Xinchun-chan, are you okay? What on earth were you talking about?!"

"I-I'm fine."

"You're fine, so what did you just say?!"

"I'm saying"

"How could you say that to Brother Shu!"

"Isn't that right? Or am I not sincere enough?"

"Is this a question of sincerity or insincerity? Xinchun, think about what you are saying. You normally don't interact with boys!"

Matsumae Shinchun's cheeks blushed. She glanced at Fujii Itsuki above her, then lowered her eyes and looked at her belly behind her hands.

Not sincere enough?

“That’s right.”

Just now, her aunt specifically warned her.
If your intention is not expressed strongly, the other party will mistakenly think that you are not sincere or firm enough.

So. So.
Even though these words were really too embarrassing, even in front of her best friend, Matsumae Shinchun still needed to repeat them to ensure that they reached Fujii Itsuki's ears.

Matsumae Shinchun took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

She clutched her miko uniform tightly with both hands, suddenly lowered her head, blushed and said loudly:
"I, I want to have a child with Mr. Fujii!"

"puff--!"

Fujii Itsuki originally wanted to drink a cup of hot tea to calm himself, but when he heard Matsumae say this loudly again, he spit it out.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

"ha--?!"

Yang Kui Chitose felt like the sky was falling. What was going on in this world?
The people around me, one by one, want to be so close to my brother tree.
Forget about that little fox Jiuhuayue.

Why, Xinchun-chan, can you still say such outrageous things!

That’s my tree brother!

Your Fujii teacher!!

Yang Kui Chitose simply didn't want to believe it, didn't want to believe that this was the truth.

Something must have gone wrong.

"cough cough"

Fujii Itsuki wiped the tea stains from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief and was about to speak when the door outside was suddenly pushed open and Jiuhuayue rushed in again.

"Ahem. Jiuhua?"

Fujii Itsuki also looked incredulous when he saw her.

"Matsumae. You!"

"Xiaoyue, I."

Matsumae Shinchun didn't expect that so many people would hear what she said, and she was too embarrassed to continue speaking.

Shameful
It's really shameful.
Jiu Huayue found out at this time, and she knew that Xinchun had no good intention in suddenly placing the uncle in the team!
She was going to steal his most precious thing again!
"Jiuhua, why are you here again?" Yang Kui Qiansui couldn't help but ask.

"Why can't I come?"

"Why are you two running here at this time?"

"no?"

"This is clearly Brother Shu's resting room!"

"This is Uncle's room, but he didn't say I can't come."

"Teacher Fujii, what I just said--"

"Xinchun-chan! I won't let you talk nonsense anymore!"

"I, I didn't."

"Matsumae was absolutely serious about what he said."

"Jiuhuayue! You are not allowed to sow discord between me and Xinchun-chan!"

"Huh?! I'm just stating facts."

"You're just trying to instigate something!"

"I'm not interested in doing such boring things."

The three of us were talking at the same time.

It’s endless.

"You guys—alright, alright!"

Fujii Itsuki really couldn't stand seeing these three little girls bickering in front of him.

He sighed in his heart, what was going on today.

Then he looked at Matsumae Shinchun who came in first, and said with a smile as much as possible:

"Matsumae, some jokes should not be told this way, or they will lead to misunderstandings. Look, Chitose misunderstood, didn't he?"

"Teacher Fujii, I'm not kidding."

Yang Kui Chitose turned her gaze to the profile of Matsumae Shinharu:
"Nonsense! How can this not be a joke? Xinchun, look at the atmosphere right now..."

"."Matsumae Shinchun noticed the gazes of Jiuhua and Fujii.

Fujii Itsuki sighed and said, "I see Xinchun, you are tired. How about you go down and rest for a while? I will pretend I didn't hear what you said just now."

"I, Mr. Fujii."

Fujii Itsuki turned his gaze to the other side, "And Chitose, why is Chitose here?"

"I went to eat kebabs with Brother Shu. I thought Brother Shu must be hungry after walking all night."

"Thank you. Then you can put it down first."

"Jiuhua, what about you?"

"I came to ask you about my homework, uncle." Jiu Huayue didn't expect him to ask her.

"."

Can you come up with a decent reason?
Fujii has a big head.

It's really big.

So many things happened today that he couldn't wrap his head around them.

After accidentally entering the backyard of the Matsumae family, he was threatened by the chief priest to get engaged to Matsumae, and was suddenly arranged to be Harumi.
Not to mention having to listen to the three little girls chattering and bickering here in the early morning after being busy for several hours.

He just couldn't stand it anymore.

"You all, get out."

He wanted to lock himself in the room, have a good rest, and relax his overloaded brain.

Yang Kui Chitose also noticed Fujii Itsuki's fatigue and didn't want to disturb him too much: "Brother Itsuki, the skewers are here. If you are hungry, just eat a little. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay, Chitose is thoughtful." Fujii Itsuki held his head.

The three of them left Fujii Itsuki's room together.

Walking outside, in the corridor outside the room on the third floor, Jiuhuayue took the lead in grabbing Matsumae Xinchun and questioned:

"Why did you say that just now?"

"Jiuhua, what are you doing!?"

Yang Kui Chitose waved away Jiuhuayue's hand and put her hand between Jiuhuayue and Matsumae Shinchun. Matsumae Shinchun huddled his hands on his chest.

"Chitose, you still don't understand?"

"Understand what? I only saw you bullying Xinchun! She won't fight back if you bully her!"

"We all heard what was said just now, right? Qiansui, are you still going to cover your ears and pretend you didn't hear it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Jiuhua, didn't you hear what Brother Shu said just now? Xinchun was just tired and was joking with Brother Shu!"

"A joke? You think this is a joke?"

"Otherwise?! Why else would Xinchun say something so outrageous! It's something that any normal person wouldn't be able to say!"

"."

Is what you said abnormal?
Matsumae Shinharu realized this when she saw Chitose Haruki standing in front of her to block for her.

"How can you be so stupid!"

Jiuhuayue couldn't stand Yang Kui Qiansui's stubbornness. She held her forehead and said, "Otherwise, you can ask Matsumae if he was serious about what he said."

"No need to ask! She was just joking with Brother Shu! I just happened to pass by and heard it!"

"you--!"

"Jiuka, I don't want to argue with you. But you shouldn't drive a wedge between me and Xinchun."

Stupid, idiot!
Stupid Chitose!

You just don’t understand Xinchun!

".I can't stand you. You will know the pain from now on."

Jiuhuayue suddenly felt so sorry for Qiansui because he was kept in the dark by Xinchun's superficial personality. She felt uncomfortable, but she couldn't explain it clearly.

She sighed helplessly and decided not to continue the argument.

Jiuhuayue saw Hiiragi Rinka peeking at the stairs, so she walked over and took her hand and went downstairs together.

It was late at night and there were only two people left in the corridor on the third floor, but the street outside was still bustling.

Matsumae Shinharu was thinking about how to let Mr. Fujii know that he was serious.

"Kokoroharu-chan." Yang Kui Chitose took her good friend's hand.

"What happened just now? Are you serious? Why did you suddenly say that?"

Matsumae Shinchun saw from her eyes that she wanted to believe him, ".I am serious."

Yang Kui Qiansui's pupils shrank, "Could it be that what Jiuhua said is true? Why?"

".My aunt told me to say that to Mr. Fujii."

"Ah? Your aunt is the owner of that shrine?"

"It's the Grand Priest."

"It's almost there."

"Why does she want you to say that?" Yang Kui Chitose asked again.

"Because, Chitose knows this year's word, right?" Matsumae Shinchun lowered her head in front of her good friend. "The Matsumae family needs a role model. As a shrine maiden of the Matsumae family, I need to take the lead."

"what?"

"Because my father didn't want to remarry, and my grandfather only had my father as his son, the main family of the Matsumae family has no bloodline."

"But what does this have to do with you, Xinchun? How old are you?"

"We're preparing for a rainy day," Matsumae Shinchun said with a blushing face, "My family wants us to at least get the marriage arranged."

"But what does this have to do with Brother Shu?"

"Because my aunt said that Mr. Fujii is the right person."

".? I can't understand. I totally can't understand. Brother Shu and your aunt just met, right?"

"I just met Mr. Fujii, but my aunt has known Mr. Fujii for a long time. The Matsumae family doesn't care about the other party's family background, but their ability, and whether the other party's fate matches mine. If they match, and the person has the ability, the Matsumae family will try to contact the other party."

Matsumae Shinharu spoke with a depressed tone.

"I'm sorry, Chitose. I'm your father's daughter, a member of the Matsumae family. I can't say much at home. My family will arrange everything for me."

"Your aunt has been eyeing Brother Shu for a long time? When?"

"It was probably in December." Matsumae Shinchun recalled the day of tutoring.

Isn't this when Brother Shu first became a teacher? (Same month).

After hearing this, Yang Kui Chitose finally understood everything.

Sure enough, she guessed correctly.

She didn't mistake her good friend.

She said.
Why would Xinchun suddenly say such strange things to Brother Shu?

This can’t be blamed on Xinchun.

Heart Spring
This is all forced!
Forced by my family!

Xinchun, it’s so miserable.

Just now when Xinchun was dancing, Sister Muzi was standing by and was impressed by Xinchun's quality in performing this sacrificial dance.

This is a dance that can only be performed at a very high level.

Very strict and demanding.

Xinchun has been training like this since she was a child.
Xinchun has been forced by her family to do so many things since she was a child.

"Xinchun-chan, I understand you."

"Ah?" Matsumae Shinharu looked at Yang Kui Chitose in surprise.

"Xinchun, you are the eldest daughter of the Matsumae family, right?"

"Yes, yes."

"Xinchun, you must have been suffering a lot in the Matsumae family. Facing so many elders from big families, you couldn't say anything. You had to learn a lot of things since childhood. That's why you are so polite, Xinchun, and so kind to others!"

"What do you want to say, Chitose?"

Yang Kui Chitose held Matsumae Shinchun's hand, her eyes full of light: "What I want to say is! We can fight together against the shackles imposed on you by your aunt and your family!"

"."

"Don't you think your aunt is too much? Are the Matsumae family too much? They actually asked a little girl like you to take on this task."

".I am Matsumae."

"But you are also an independent person. Brother Shu has taught me this since I was a child. I should live freely and do whatever I want without hurting others! I should have whatever I want! Why do I always listen to my family?
“They just use you as a tool, as an obedient offspring!

"Was your aunt always mean to you in the past?"

"My aunt used to be very strict."

"I can tell from her face that she is an old woman, very fierce and vicious!"

"."

Xiaoyue has said this before.

"Your aunt taught you before, but now that you've grown up, Xinchun, I, your good friend, will teach you. People should have dignity! People should have backbone! Xinchun, you must not succumb to the pressure from your family!
"You must live your own life! Have the motivation to act on your own ideas!"

"But." Matsumae Shinchun's eyes dodged, "I am Matsumae."

"So what if it's Matsumae? What's important is that you're Kokoharu!"

"I am Xinchun.?"

"That's right! Don't care too much about the pressure the family puts on you. You should care about what you think, and then think about what you should do. This is what Brother Shu taught me.

"Look at what your aunt taught you to do. She even asked you to say those words to Brother Shu just now. How will Brother Shu view you?"

Songqian Xinchun suddenly felt enlightened.

"Teacher Fujii would deliberately distance himself from me!"

"Yes! This will make Brother Shu hate you! Because it's too abrupt! Of course, this is not the point at all for you, Xinchun-chan. The point is that you will distance yourself from me, and from Jiuhuayue who you want to get close to."

"Xiao Yue.?"

"Don't you see that Jiuhua likes to be with Brother Shu? If you do this, Jiuhua will be jealous and you will definitely distance yourself from Jiuhua!"

"Understood"

Yang Kui Chitose has a lot to say, all in one set.

Matsumae Shinchun listened thoughtfully.

Qiansui, she seems like a great philosopher!

"So Chitose, what should I do now?"

"My good friend, Kokoharu-chan! Didn't I just tell you that you should follow your own ideas instead of listening to what your aunt says? Even if you are Matsumae, you just need to listen to Matsumae's affairs."

Whatever you want?
Whatever you want?
So what do you want?

Matsumae Shinchun suddenly thought of the scene of herself being held in his arms just now.

It's so warm.
Matsumae Shinchun now thought that her aunt had made her a little hasty in what she said.
Actually, I shouldn't be so anxious about Mr. Fujii.

That would only make Mr. Fujii feel like he was joking.

No matter how serious he was, he would just think he was joking.

If you follow your own ideas.
It would be better to try to slowly get in touch with Mr. Fujii in secret.

think carefully
The times when I was particularly close to Mr. Fujii were always when we met by chance.
Just like I just fell down accidentally.
I accidentally burned my hands while cooking.
correct.

You shouldn't touch me openly, you should touch me secretly.
No one, not even Mr. Fujii, noticed.

"No, as expected of Chitose!"

"Hehe, as long as Xinchun-chan understands!" Yang Kui Chitose smiled, and she felt relieved.

Matsumae Shinharu took a step back and bowed to Yang Kui Chitose.

"Thank you, Chitose."

"Xinchun-chan, hurry up, hurry up! You're too polite."

"It should."

"That's not right! Xinchun, you are my best friend. You really scared me just now. I was wondering why you said something like that to Brother Shu so abruptly."

"Never again."

Speaking of this, Yang Kui Chitose always felt that something was a little strange.

So, just in case, she added:
"Xinchun, can you please repeat what you should do now?"

"I shouldn't listen to my aunt, and I shouldn't follow the arrangements made by the Matsumae family. I should follow my own ideas."

"That's right!" Yang Kui Chitose was so happy that she smiled at her good friend.

Matsumae Shinharu also had a smile on his face.

Chitose is truly his good friend.

Chitose knew that she liked to be close to Mr. Fujii, so she deliberately told her so much.

"On the most important day of my life, I will never forget Chitose."

"Xinchun! I'm so happy when you say that!"

"As long as Chitose is happy."

"Anyway, the festival isn't over yet! I'll take you out to eat some kebabs."

"But... my clothes."

"Oh, oh, it's okay to go out for a while! And Xinchun's miko costume is really beautiful. Everyone will praise you outside!"

"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey."

"Come! Follow me."

Chitose Yangkui smiled and took Matsumae Shinharu's hand. The two girls walked down the stairs hand in hand, smiling, and happily walked towards the bustling street together.

“This taste—”

"Xinchun, you've never eaten kebabs?"

"No. My family won't let me eat it."

"It's delicious."

"good to eat."

I ate the kebabs bought by my good friend and the food that my aunt never allowed me to buy.

While Matsumae Shinharu felt very surprised, he was also grateful to Chitose.

Chitose was so nice to herself.

"Thank you, Chitose."

"Oh my, oh my, don't be polite! We are good sisters, right?"

"To good sisters."

"We are good sisters who will always play together in the future!"

Under the lantern, in the busy city, Matsumae Shinchun smiled at Yang Kui Chitose's smile:
"Yes, we will be good sisters together from now on."

"Hehe~"

After the tour, the mikoshi was also carried back to Matsumae Shrine.

The Jade Fox Festival is over.

After finishing all the matters, it was almost three o'clock in the morning.

Matsumae Shinharu wanted to go for a rest, but was called over by Matsumae Yoshiko at the last minute.

"aunt."

"how?"

"No, Mr. Fujii will definitely not agree to that."

"I think you are not proactive enough. I have talked to my family about this and they all agree. Let me talk to the other party and bring it up when I have a chance.

"No matter what, the other party is a serious person, and we in the Matsumae family also have our reasons for doing things. We definitely can't force him to agree. Things are in the hands of people. We can only put a little pressure on him. It may not work. It all depends on you, Matsumae."

"clear."

"Matsumae, don't say that I am using my status as an elder to threaten you. You need to understand your own status. There is a suitable man in front of you. You must seize the opportunity. Do you understand?"

"clear."

"Do you understand what I said?"

"Well, my aunt is right. I should take the initiative."

"Repeat your mission."

Matsumae Shinharu's cheeks were red, "Get engaged soon and give birth to a child for the Matsumae family soon."

"Just the kids are fine."

"what?"

"Of course the Matsumae family cares about their reputation, but there are a thousand ways to make sure their children come out legitimately. I'm not in a hurry, but the old men are. Xinchun knows what I mean, right?"

".clear."

Matsumae Yoshiko was very satisfied, "It's good that Kokoharu understands."

(End of this chapter)