January 1, 2020.

　It's the first New Year's Day since the year was changed.
　Even though it's the beginning of the year, there are many people, young and old, men and women alike, visiting the nearby shrines, and the priests who work at the temple are busy organizing the procession.
　Of course, I should say, I'm here for my first visit, along with Amana and Amanashi.

'So many people!'
'Yes. Let's keep our hands firmly together so we don't get separated.
'Yes!　Your brother's with me!
Yeah, here.

　The three of us hold hands in the shape of a river with Amana in between us.
　Even though it's through the gloves, I can feel their little hands trying their best to hold them.

　Last year wasn't my first visit to work, but I never thought my life would change like this in a year.
　Would you believe me if I said to myself in the past, 'You've gone from being bored just by working to having one girl in your life to having more fun than when you were a student?

　........I don't feel like I'm going to get called out on myself for not being a pedophile.

　While I was thinking what a ridiculous thing to do, the line went on and the torii gate came into view.

'Well, Tenna. I'm going to show you the steps to take when you perform the worship service, so please imitate me.
Yeah!
Yes, sir.
Kazu-san....

　As I replied after Amana, Amari found out that I didn't know the etiquette of worship.
　I've been doing it somehow until now, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to learn it, but I think she was taken aback.

　I'll make sure this won't happen again, so please teach me how to do it.

　Anyway, I cleansed my hands in order at the chouzuya and was about to throw money into the donation box in the hall of worship when Amanashi suddenly stopped my arm.

'The money is an offering to the gods. Please don't throw it in, but put it in gently so that you can purge the bad luck from your body.
...I've been a bit of a curse, haven't I?

　The reason for the manners told to me with a serious look in my eyes was nothing short of disgusting.
　It's no wonder that no matter how much you increase the amount, the person who is disrespectful is not only exorcised of bad luck, but does not bring good luck.

　I'm going to be able to hold it in my arms so that Amana-chan can easily put the money into the offering.
　I'm not sure if it's because of the fact that I've never experienced being held high and high, but she looks very happy.

　It's time to pray, but before that, I ring the bell.

　And then we say two prayers, two claps and one prayer.
　I carefully perform each step of the prayer and give thanks for having been able to welcome the New Year safely before praying.
　Certainly if you suddenly say your wish without saying thank you, even if you're not a god, you're bound to feel uncomfortable.

　It seems to be a basic rule to keep your wishes to only one.
　When I heard that from Amari, I settled on what I wanted to pray for.　

　I wish for Amana-chan to live a healthy life.

　Unlike until now, when it was all about me, I can think of this without any evil thoughts at all.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about it, because it's Amana-chan, and she's going to be praying for the health of the people she knows.

　Once the prayers were over, we returned to the path we had come on and finished our visit.

'Thank you for your help,'
I'd be surprised how much work it takes to get it right.
Mom!　Amana, did you get it right?
Yeah, it's perfect.
Wow!

　Even from my point of view, Amana was doing well.
　When I patted her head to praise her efforts, she smiled happily at me.
　Cute.

'Huh?　Does it smell kind of nice?
This is like selling Zenzai, isn't it?

　Out of the corner of her eye that Amari turned to, the maidens were selling zenzai.
　Just right to warm up my cold body in this cold.

　I bought a portion for three people and sipped the juice, being careful not to burn myself.
　The sweetness and flavor of the azuki beans spread in my mouth and warmed me from the inside out.

Delicious!
Yeah. It's tasteful, and it's even better.
You could try adding rice cakes to it.
Oh, that's nice.

　When it comes to Amashi's homemade food, you can expect more deliciousness than this Zenzai.
　As a person whose stomach is gripped by her, I feel like my New Year's pleasure will increase.

Onii-san!　Bend over a bit!
'Hmmm?　Good.

　Suddenly Amana called out to me and I crouched down to make eye contact with her as she said.
　Then Amana took off her gloves and put her hands on my cheeks.

　I can feel the soft warmth of a child in her small palms.
　That warmth is extremely comforting, helped by the fact that my cheeks are cold from the cold.

'Amana-chan?'

　When I asked her about it, she gave me a big smile and said, "I'm happy to see you, but I can't see the true meaning of your actions.

'The Zenzai has warmed me up, so I'm going to share my pokapoka with you, Onii-san!
I...

　The cold blew out of my body with an overwhelmingly fast pace that couldn't be compared to zenzai.
　It was at a level where I thought I didn't need to wear a coat.

　What, isn't this great?
　What could be happier in the New Year than this?
　I'll give you all the money you want for your New Year's gift.

And some for Mom!
''~~?

　And Amana put her hands on Amanashi's cheeks as well.　　
　From the way her face turned bright red in an instant, I guess she's probably in the same state as me.

　Eventually she calmed down or became calm and Tenashi looked straight at Amana........

''Amana........let's give you a New Year's gift. If you tell me what you want on the way home, I'll buy that too.

　Amari-san has gone into doting mode........
　

'Yes, I'll give you a New Year's gift, too.
'Wow!　Mom, man, thank you!　I'll pay you back in gold!

　It was just the right flow, so I took advantage and gave her the New Year's gift, but the return was dazzling without being coated in greed.
　Amana-chan, who received the money, did not hide her happiness as she returned the thanks, and the amount of money was up to 10,000.

　If it's this amount of money from us alone, if you add up the amount you get from Watahira-san and the others, it's twice as much, isn't it?
　In fact, Watei-san alone could hand over Yukichi-san to me.

　With an easily imaginable scene in mind, we decided to draw a final fortune.

　As soon as I looked at the result, I found out that the fortune was written as "Daikichi".
　It's a good omen for the new year....

　Money luck is "Maintain the status quo", work luck is "Sharpen your skills"... and love luck is "Never let go of a good relationship"....
　Regardless of whether or not they're tied together, the bond between Amana and Amari is something that's bound to be treasured without a fortune telling you otherwise.
　It's no exaggeration to say that it's more important than your own flesh and blood.

　........but the health fortune said, 'Don't overdo it and put your body first'.
　It's a bit of a twitch in my cheeks to be nailed down by a fortune teller before anyone else.

'Mum, what do you read this?'
'Great luck. Same for me.
I'm with my mom!
Oh, it's my lucky day too.
'You too, man!　We're all together!

　Knowing that the three of us are all Daikichi, Amana rolls her eyes adorably, as if she can't bear to be happy.
　Then she takes our hands in hers, and they walk side by side again in the shape of a river.
　My footsteps are light, as if I were standing on my feet, but I step firmly and dangerously close to them.

'Mommy, Onii-san!　Good luck in the new year!

　As Amana smiles cheerfully, I realize the beginning of a new year.