On Itogami Island, there is essentially only one official shrine - Itogami Shrine.
Itogami Shrine is a rather famous landmark on the island. This is because the omikuji fortunes here aren't just simple luck tests, but highly accurate oracles created through the jujutsu theories of the Demon Sanctuary.
In other words, drawing fortunes here isn't like other places where it's just for good luck - the accuracy of the predictions is remarkably high, so much so that it could be called genuine divination. As a result, many people come to Itogami Shrine for fortunes every year, sometimes even visitors from the mainland making special trips. It's one of the more well-known locations in the Demon Sanctuary.
Thanks to this, during New Year's, the lines for Itogami Shrine stretch endlessly, compounded by the fireworks display during the countdown period which can be seen particularly clearly from the shrine. The liveliness is unimaginable, with night market stalls lining up in rows, creating a festival-like atmosphere. In some ways, even the Harurouin Festival can't compare to how bustling Itogami Shrine gets during this time.
Rozen's group arrived early, queuing up from 8 PM, yet it wasn't until around 11 PM that they finally got their turn to pray - proof enough of how popular it was.
Naturally, everyone drew fortunes after praying. The girls especially were quite concerned about their fortune results.
The reason was simple.
"Itogami Shrine enshrines gods of business prosperity and marital bonds. Those who come for fortunes are either company executives and partners, or singles hoping to find their other half."
Motoki's explanation immediately changed the girls' expressions.
Particularly Yukina and Yuuma, who had only recently come to Itogami Island and weren't previously residents, didn't know as much about the shrine as Asagi and Kanon. This was their first time learning which gods were enshrined here, and they suddenly became very interested.
Thus, the girls prayed very earnestly and all drew fortunes to learn their luck.
Generally, shrine fortunes come in four types:
1. Good Luck
2. Great Blessing
3. Misfortune
4. Great Curse
Based on what's drawn, the fortune typically falls into one of these four categories.
And the girls' results were... somewhat subtle.
"Great Curse...?" Yukina looked grave.
"Misfortune...?" Astarte remained expressionless.
"G-Great Curse?!" Asagi was visibly shaken.
"I... got Great Blessing." Kanon had drawn the best possible fortune, appearing both flustered and somewhat embarrassed, earning envious looks from Yukina and Asagi.
Of the four girls, aside from Kanon, the other three had drawn misfortune - especially Yukina and Asagi with their Great Curses. The implications were obvious.
"Seems your love lives next year won't be smooth sailing. Want me to introduce you to a shrine priest I know who can change your luck?" Motoki offered sympathetically.
"...No need. It's not like I have time for romance anyway."
"...Right, it's not like I said I wanted to fall in love."
Yukina and Asagi responded this way, but their tones were unexpectedly heavy.
Almost unconsciously, their gazes drifted toward a certain someone.
"...Would you two stop looking at me like that?" Rozen's eye twitched.
He couldn't help it - under their stares, he genuinely felt his blood running cold, with a vague sense of extreme danger, as if one wrong move could get him killed, torn apart from the inside out.
Worth noting, Kanon was also sneakily glancing at Rozen with a somewhat shy expression, making him feel even colder.
Only Yuuma, holding her fortune slip, grinned slyly and sidled up to Kojou.
"Look, Kojou, I got Great Blessing too!"
She gave Kojou a meaningful smile.
"Oh... oh... congratulations..."
Kojou's tone was somewhat strange - he'd clearly realized something too.
Of course, the boys had all drawn fortunes as well.
Kojou, like Yuuma, got Great Blessing.
Motoki, like Astarte, got Misfortune.
As for Rozen? Like Yukina and Asagi - Great Curse.
Everyone also had their fortunes interpreted:
Yukina's: "Your destined encounter will come after great misfortune. If overcome, it will bear fruit."
Asagi's: "Your destined bond will arrive after great turmoil. Whether realized depends on your choices."
Astarte's: "The coming year is unfavorable for marriage. Focus on work for possible advancement."
Kanon's: "The hardest times are past. Your most beloved and admired is already near. Seize the chance for certain success."
Yuuma's: "You've obtained what you desired. Cherish and nurture it to achieve your wishes."
The fortunes ranged from extremely good to extremely bad, some even worryingly ominous.
"Misfortune..."
"Turmoil..."
Yukina and Asagi exchanged glances, perplexed.
The boys' fortunes were equally noteworthy:
Kojou's: "Your destiny is one step away. Take that step bravely to meet your lifelong most important person."
Motoki's: "Your hesitation and unfinished business guard your heart. Pursue boldly what you desire for fate to appear."
Everyone became contemplative about their fortunes.
Only Rozen stared at his slip, eye twitching again:
"You are fated for many bonds that will gather wherever you go. Handle them carefully - too many may bring misfortune."
This was Rozen's "Great Curse."
"Am I being threatened here?" Rozen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
In any case, everyone's fortunes were... peculiar.
As the group descended from Itogami Shrine, several voices suddenly spoke up inside Rozen:
"I'd like to draw a fortune too."
"An occasional shrine visit wouldn't hurt."
"Forgive me, Rozen-sama, but I'd also like to pray."
Artoria [Alter], Jeanne [Alter], and Serenity all chimed in unexpectedly.
Then...
"Senpai, there's something very important I'd like to do. May I come out for a moment?"
Mash's unusually solemn tone made its appearance.
What could Rozen say?
He could only let them go.
After discussing their fortunes for a while, the group dispersed to return home.
Since it was already past midnight, Rozen and Yukina decided:
"We'll investigate Shinjin Lake tomorrow."
This New Year might turn out to be quite eventful indeed.