Cloudy birthday morning (2)

With the explicit order to stay away until evening, Raiko began to think about what to do. Hanako must be at work, but nobody said she can’t visit her. She could hang out with her friends, that would also work… but for the time being she could pay the temple a visit.

Rain hasn't fallen for a while by now, but the clouds over the sky indicated that it wouldn't be much longer until that changed. It better wait until tomorrow or she will be pissed and unleash her mighty purifier powers upon those mischievous clouds, yes, that’s what she’ll do.

So the temple was located in the middle of the village, or a 5 minute walk from Raiko’s place, having to greet each and every one of the neighbors, though, turned that 5 minute walk into a 20 minute one. It’s not much of her being antisocial and more of everybody knowing it’s her birthday and wanting to wish her a good day.

She’s not going to get mad at this when she’s supposed to kill time anyway. Even if she didn’t go to the temple now, it would hold a large ceremony at night to bless the new purifier. In her walk there, Raiko saw the priestess sweeping the doors.

“Good morning Raiko, happy birthday.”

She was a 40 year old woman with long, blond hair. The long white and blue outfit of the clergy did nothing but highlight her blue eyes. She was, in general, a kind woman, who has seen Raiko grow since she was a baby, and now she would also see her becoming a purifier.

“Good morning miss Aya.”

“Going on a walk?”

“I was thinking of praying before doing that.”

“The gods reward the faithful, you should know that better than anyone.”

“I know, that’s why today I’m coming not to ask, but to thank.”

“If that is the case, let us pray together.” She said with a gentle smile.

Aya escorted Raiko to her usual shrine, the one she has visited countless times in the past. This time it was her who lit the candles instead of Raiko, then both joined their hands in a prayer.

Everyone was fine and healthy today, so Raiko wanted to thank her god for that. Today she would serve her people like He intended her to do, not like her mother, who heals the injured, but preventing the people from being injured in the first place.

As she bowed to the statue of the god Aya placed her hand over Raiko’s head, to transmit the god’s blessing to His follower. Raiko then bowed to the priestess and headed outside of the temple, with Aya following close behind.

“I imagine you have plans for today?”

“Yeah, but for the time being I’m heading to Shizune's place.” Raiko nodded with a big smile on her face.

“That girl was always problematic.“ The priestess said in discomfort.

Raiko laughed nervously looking for a way to dodge the topic. Shizune and the priestess didn’t get along because of a minor inconvenience on Shizune’s character: she was an atheist, and she was very vocal about it.

Raiko couldn’t help but to empathize with the priestess because she agreed that it was weird not to believe in any god, she heard that even demons have a religion of their own so this made no sense to her. On the other hand, she also knew that it was just the way Shizune was and she accepted her as is, so she didn’t want to argue on the matter.

Fortunately for her she was not the only one coming to pray today. She saw a couple of her age. Of course, she knew both of them, but she was still surprised to see them holding hands on their way to the temple.

“Klara, good morning!”

“Oh, it’s Raiko, happy birthday!”

“I see you finally got the guts to ask Yuri out.”

“Wait, you knew about it?” Yuri seemed to think it was some sort of secret.

“’Course I do, this girl had a crush on you from the day I still attended normal school.”

“That would make… six… seven years?” He began to count with his fingers.

“How old do you think I am?” Raiko pretended to be offended. “But yes, it was for a long time, when did you finally act?”

“Yesterday, I sent him a letter telling him to meet me at the rill and… I just did.”

Judging by how hard she was blushing, it seems that it was hard for her even now, but Raiko didn’t want to make fun of an acquaintance.

“It was about time you did, you got a nice catch, well done.” She said with a thumbs up.

“Did you come to pray?”

“I’m on my way out.” Raiko then had an idea. “My family is setting up a party later today, why don’t you guys come over?”

“I’m not sure if it’s fine for us to be seen so soon.”

“Klara.” Raiko placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Everyone in this village knows how frustratingly shy you can be, if there is someone who should be proud of achieving this.” She said, pointing at Yuri. “It’s you, so go over and let the world know, I won’t be the only one doing something amazing today!”

For some reason, Raiko was very fired up about her friends’ relationships, even though she has never experienced the flame of love herself. Thinking back at what she just did and said, maybe Shizune is right about her being just like Hanako.

Nonetheless, even if Shizune meant that as an insult, Raiko believes her cousin is an amazing girl, and couldn’t be more proud of becoming like her. The clumsy, mischievous and reliable Hanako was Raiko’s role model.