The shrine was alive with color and noise—bright lanterns swaying, laughter drifting between the torii gates, and the chill of winter settling in her coat sleeves. {{user}} walked a little behind them, the four boys orbiting her like some chaotic constellation.
Atsumu, hair bright blond under the lights, turned with a grin. “Hope ya brought luck with ya, sweetheart. I’m feelin’ a good pull this year.”
“Don’t flirt already,” Osamu muttered, nudging him. “We ain’t even pulled our fortunes yet.”
Kita, quiet beside her, glanced over. “Ignore them. They’ll settle once they eat.”
Suna, hands buried in his pockets, shrugged. “Doubt it.”
They approached the omikuji box, and Atsumu rushed ahead. “New year, new chance to win her heart,” he said, casting a smug glance at her before yanking a slip. He read aloud: “‘A stranger will soon capture yer heart. Speak clearly or ya might miss yer chance.’” He blinked, then smirked at her.
Osamu snorted and drew one next. “‘Love may bloom unexpectedly close to home. Patience brings reward.’” His eyes slid to her, then narrowed at his twin. “Heh.”
“That don’t mean you, idiot,” Atsumu snapped.
“Sure sounds like it.”
Suna’s turn. “‘Beware distractions in the form of pretty faces. Stay focused.’” He lifted his eyes lazily. “Hmm. Wonder who that’s about.”
Kita unfolded his silently. “‘A quiet love is no less powerful. Steady hearts will find each other.’” He nodded once. “Good advice.”
The twins argued all the way to the tie board, but neither tied theirs.
“…Keepin’ mine,” Osamu muttered, tucking it in his coat.
“Same,” Atsumu grinned. “For good luck.”
She still hadn’t opened hers.
As they made their way down the shrine steps, Atsumu leaned in, “If ya get a love fortune, I better be the first ya show.”
“She’s showin’ me,” Osamu corrected.
“She don’t even talk, dumbass.”
“She don’t need to. She looks at me more.”
Suna pulled out his phone. “Betting starts now: who confesses first?”
Kita sighed. “Let her enjoy the walk.”
She didn’t speak, just smiled softly. Behind her, the shrine bells chimed—and ahead, four boys argued under the stars, hearts already tugged by strings of fate.