Miracle

~~~🌟~~~

“What a beautiful shrub.”

"Coach, that's Daisuke."

The young long-haired assistant turned into a giant red bell pepper upon Shiraito's comment, not fully lucid due to the alcohol.

"I'm going to beat you up, old loser!"

Shiraito might not be thinking clearly due to the alcohol, but he showed good motor skills while escaping from the man with long hair, protecting his sake like a midfielder under high pressure.

"God, these guys are hopeless," said Satoru, the other assistant, thankfully with short hair. "You go and enjoy the festival; we'll handle him. Remember, we'll leave the inn at 9:30 for the shrine."

Takashi felt silly for a moment, having forgotten about the promise of that dinner after the second game. Before the festival ended and as the last activity before heading back to Tsuno, the team would visit the Inari shrine.

“We'll return to the shrine one last time. The place where our… began and will…”

Two words were the ones he couldn't think clearly. One filled him with warmth, and the other ripped it away instantly, although the bitter feeling disappeared after a gentle head pat from Jun.

"Well, well, you two go and enjoy the festival. You still have a lot to see."

"Eh?"

"What's wrong, Nao?"

Upon the rabbit's rephrased question, their small hands weakly entwined. "It's just that, don't you want to come with us?"

"Well," Hiroshi took the word with a smile, "you've been with us for quite a while. It's better for you to enjoy your last time together."

"Yes, yes," Jun impulsively hugged the crow. "We'll visit you soon, Nao. Now enjoy the remaining time you have together."

"I'll return too."

As they turned their gazes, the four found Yoshida approaching.

"You really are a good forward for soccer. I can't wait to train with you again."

"And me!" Sasaki chimed in. "Next time, they won't score a goal against me!"

"You mentioned your mom sells ornaments, right?" Kato, a central defender, joined in from behind. "I might need something for a gift for my mom."

And so, one by one, the boys surrounded Nao, while she smiled naturally at each comment and compliment. Takashi stayed back, but by choice, to observe the scene.

"I know she achieved everything, but... if I at least helped a little for it to happen..."

Amidst the commotion, he noticed Nao giving him an even bigger smile.

"I'm so glad I did."

~~~❤️~~~

"Wow, I can see you really want to keep me close."

Their eyes focused on their hands, fingers intertwined, creating a sea of caresses. The scene elicited a shy smile from Nao.

"Sorry, am I holding you too tight?"

"A little," he answered before squeezing tighter. "But I like it."

"Oh... okay."

Their eyes shifted to the aromatic food stands, entertaining games, and more lively attractions of the vibrant Obon festival. Yet during that half-hour alone, their attention was divided between the butterflies in their stomachs and the gentle touch of their palms.

"This... about what you wished for..."

Nao's eyes gazed at her beautiful sandals, showing her lingering nervousness when speaking from the heart. There was something Takashi found very endearing in her calm way of speaking.

"Although my wish was different, I also want to be with you forever," Takashi was enchanted by Nao's profile when she looked at him. "I'll come to visit you too. I want to see Tsuno, and I feel like it's my responsibility."

"Eh?" Clarity reached his mind. "Ah, right. I sometimes forget you're older. The first time, you accidentally said you were two years older than me."

Takashi's laughter blended with a squeeze from Nao. "Ah, yes," the girl responded with a somewhat nervous laugh.

After the innocent comment, Takashi looked to his right, allowing his retinas to be captivated by vibrant decorations and crafts. His sense of smell caught something that made him close his eyes for a moment—roasted chicken aroma.

"Nao, do you want to eat yakitori..."

Just as he finished his sentence, Takashi felt a pull on his right hand as Nao came to a sudden stop. He looked at her, completely bewildered, as she focused her gaze on a path a bit farther away, surrounded by signs indicating the location of the bathrooms.

"Nao?"

During the split second of surprise in Nao's exclamation, her face turned pale. "I'm sorry, I need to go to the bathroom. Will you wait here?"

"Oh... sure."

As their hands separated, Takashi felt a cold feeling enveloping each of his fingers, and he squeezed them slightly to replace the sensation. He helped himself by continuing to gaze at the beautiful girl who captivated him so much.

“Silly Nao. You can still be a bit rough sometimes.” Just seeing the affectionate smile she wore made him understand what she meant. “But I'm glad you're getting stronger each day.”

As she disappeared from his sight, Takashi leaned back to look at the moon. The clouds almost covered it completely, but its radiance didn't fade. “Tsukuyomi, the moon deity... so it exists too, huh?”

Takashi had thought several times about Inari's words regarding the other deities. About how, as they knew, there were kind, enigmatic, and balancing deities.

“Being so small in such a vast world, I received a beautiful miracle. Thanks to Inari, and thanks to Nao, who was there to receive the ball on her face. And far from moving away, she approached me kindly when I felt bad, despite her fears.”

Placing his hands behind him, he observed the path that led to the bathroom for a few moments. “That she overcame them for me since that first time... it's a very beautiful miracle.”

"Oh, Takashi. Did you leave Nao alone?"

To his left, Satoru and Daisuke walked together, holding yakitori and mochi in their hands.

"No," he smiled at them. "She just went to the bathroom."

"Oh, good," Daisuke continued. "Remember, we'll leave for the shrine at 9:30. Luckily, we stopped Shiraito, so he'll be able to drive."

"Did you manage to get Shiraito to stop drinking?" Takashi was genuinely impressed. "How?"

Satoru, struggling not to drop his food, took the lead.

"We blackmailed him with old photos."

"You did what?"

"Did you know he once wore a penguin costume?"

Takashi preferred not to ask further questions.

"Well, I'm happy for you guys," he said with his usual enthusiasm. "Enjoy the night!"

A few seconds after the farewell, and after Takashi excitedly looked at another sign announcing that Tsuno was the champion, Nao returned from the bathroom.

"Ready," she tried to smile before letting out a tender yawn, covering her mouth with her fist. "Shall we go?"

"Yes, let's go."

Their hands joined again so they could both enjoy the magical evening. It was as if Inari was in every corner of the street, hiding their spirits and joy among the stalls, while Takachiho bid the visitors the most serene farewell. In that serenity, Takashi gathered courage to ask her something.

"Did you enjoy the festival?"

Their eyes connected with the same chemistry as always, but Takashi paid special attention to what they reflected, as that question had a purpose. "That's why she doesn't plan on going to the festival this year," Inari had said to him the first night.

"Yes, of course," Nao's excited smile instantly triggered an identical one on his face. "These two days we spent together were truly magical. Thank you for..." another yawn interrupted any words from leaving her mouth, "sharing it with me."

"Are you tired, Nao?"

"No, just..." another, even bigger yawn betrayed her, and she squinted her eyes, "a little."

"Ha, I told you not to drink from Shiraito's bottle," he joked, putting his arm behind her and his hand below her armpit. "Silly drunk, chukuchukuchukuchuku."

Since their time together at the waterfall, the night she comforted him, Takashi knew Nao was susceptible to tickling, and that's why he tried to cheer her up with this method. To his disappointment, she barely reacted to it, leaning her whole weight against his shoulder.

“She's really tired,” he noticed.

"Do you want me to walk you home?"

"Eh?" Her eyes threatened to close completely in an instant.

"We have a long walk to the shrine, and it's better for you to rest. What do you say?"

Nao struggled for a few seconds, making a small pout on Takashi's shoulders before being defeated.

"Okay. But don't let go of my hand."

“How lovely.” Takashi would have showered her face with kisses if she had been in a better mood, feeling like he was on cloud nine every time she said something like that.

"That's fine. I didn't want to let go anyway."

The empty and silent streets witnessed the last time Nao and Takashi would be alone during the trip. When they reached her house, they bid each other a brief farewell, hoping to see each other again in a few hours.

~~~⛩️~~~

Yet, Nao didn't show up.

"Takashi," Shiraito called out in a parental tone, now recovered from his drunk state. "We really should leave, or this storm will hit us before we get to the shrine. Can you try calling her?"

"Oh, sure."

The tone rang about five times, but there was no response.

"She's not answering," a hint of disappointment lingered in his voice.

"She's probably fallen asleep. Maybe she can catch up with us later. Is that okay?"

"I understand," he smiled.

He immediately opened his phone. He had been excited to see her again, but there was nothing he could do. He preferred her to rest well and see her again in a week, when he would be excited to see her again. So, he took a few seconds to write a heartfelt message:

Hey Nao, we have to leave for the shrine or we won't be able to leave the village due to the storm. In case you wake up, we'll be waiting for you there. If not, thank you for everything you've done for me during these days. I care about you so much, and I'm looking forward to those drawing lessons with excitement :)<3

While attaching the three photos they had taken that same night, he hesitated about whether it was right to have written ‘I care about you so much.’ “Should I have said...?”

"Alright, let's go!"

Takashi smiled when he saw Shiraito, signaling the group to start walking. They set out under the cool night and the cloudy moon, walking toward the Inari shrine, which had guided the team's path and Takashi's path. Little by little, the cherished journey for all of them was coming to an end.