Separated from the Tohsaka family, the members of the Matou family finally arrived at Ryuudou Temple.
On ordinary days, most temples in Japan are not bustling with activity (except well-known temples like the Golden Pavilion), but during major festivals, it's a different scene altogether. This is a result of Japan's unique cultural traits and can be considered a local characteristic.
Shinji felt that Japan was closer to the pure intent of Buddhist temples.
Of course, Japanese Buddhism also has its peculiarities. For example, some sects don't require monks to shave their heads, some allow marriage, some don't prohibit meat eating, and so on. To Shinji, who sees the impurity in everything, this is not a bad thing but rather a great thing.
Ryuudou Temple is precisely the kind of temple that Shinji describes as "quite impressive." Although it is a family temple, the abbots all come from the Ryuudou family. Ryuudou is not the name of the temple but rather the family name, which means that they can marry. However, the temple strictly adheres to rules and practices. Morning and evening prayers, sutra recitation, martial arts training, self-cultivation, and character refinement occupy most of the monks' time.
As a result, Ryuudou Temple enjoys high prestige in Fuyuki City, surpassing even the local shrines, and has become the preferred location for citizens' first shrine visits.
Although they intentionally avoided the peak visiting hours, there was still a continuous stream of people coming to pay their respects.
Due to its religious nature, the first shrine visit in Japan follows a specific procedure. Depending on the place visited, there are shrine visits and temple visits.
Let's focus on the temple visit for now. The temple visit consists of several steps: making a wish in front of the Buddha, drawing a fortune slip, striking the temple bell, and obtaining an amulet for safety. Each step has its specific requirements.
Taking the act of making a wish in front of the Buddha as an example, before making the wish, one must bow twice, clap their hands twice, silently state their wish, and then bow once more to express their sincerity.
The ceremony itself is not overly complicated and doesn't evoke resistance from people. When families visit together, there is a subtle sense of solemnity. Honestly, Shinji quite likes this feeling.
Leaving the main hall where the Buddha is enshrined, Sakura, the youngest of them, couldn't wait as she grabbed Shinji's hand and asked, "Brother, brother, what did you wish for?"
"I won't tell you," Shinji teased, building up suspense.
"Come on, tell me, tell me," Sakura pouted and coquettishly shook Shinji's hand. "Fujino wants to know too, right?"
Fujino nodded.
"Then, let's hear yours first," Shinji countered.
"Well, I'll go first," Sakura remained enthusiastic. "My wish is for Dad's health to improve and for you to have more time to spend with me."
"I see."
Shinji wasn't surprised by Sakura's wish, but the last part was something he couldn't promise. Both the Kennys and the Brigade relied on his strength.
"What about you, Fujino?"
"Well, I hope that everyone's wishes in the family can come true," Fujino's idea of family extended beyond blood relations and included all the people who cared for and loved her.
In comparison, Sakura felt that her wish had suddenly paled in comparison. "Ah, Fujino is so cunning."
Fujino's face revealed a mischievousness that was at odds with her usually calm demeanor. "The family I mentioned includes you too, Sakura."
"Um... um... I'll make a wish like that next year too," Sakura pouted, making a solemn vow. "Now it's your turn, big brother."
"As for me, it's still a secret," Shinji smiled faintly.
"Why are you like this? We agreed that if we told you, you would tell us," Sakura's pout grew even higher.
"Did we agree? I don't remember," Shinji's expression was cunning. "I only said you should tell me first, but I didn't say I would tell mine."
"Shinji!" Even the usually gentle Fujino protested this time.
Shinji looked at Sakura on his left and then at Fujino on his right before making a quick getaway.
"Don't run!" The two girls waved their fists and chased after him.
The ones chasing were determined, but the one running away wasn't running seriously. You see, the girls were wearing kimonos and wooden clogs, which severely restricted their movement. How could they possibly catch up to Shinji, who was wearing a suit? If he wanted to run, he would have disappeared long ago. He just wanted to playfully chase and frolic with his family, something he hadn't done in a long time.
Byakuya, Elsa, and Kariya watched the scene with amusement, chatting among themselves as they followed behind.
Touko lowered her head, not letting others see her emotions. Perhaps this was what true siblings were like, but she and Aoko had never played like this, not even once.
Justeaze hesitated for a moment but decided not to join. As a member of the Einzbern family, she hadn't experienced this kind of feeling yet. Maybe she could have Shinji play with her alone someday.
As the beautiful "Yuki Onna" thought this, she childishly kicked away a pile of snow by the roadside. This scene caught the attention of a child nearby, holding a broom and wearing a Buddhist robe, who suddenly became cautious.
The child with glasses folded their hands together and silently recited, "May all obstacles be cleansed, evil spirits be banished!"
On the other side, Shinji, who had run to the vicinity of the fortune-telling stand, saw another familiar group—the Emiya family.
Kiritsugu and Maiya had changed into formal dark kimonos, but Illyasviel and Irisviel hadn't. The mother and daughter were wearing matching white coats, with hats and scarves wrapped tightly around them. Even their eyes, visible through the magic-altered colors, were changed.
Shinji didn't approach them as casually as he did with the Tohsaka family. He simply bowed from a distance to Kiritsugu and the others. This family had always maintained a low profile, and Shinji didn't want to add unnecessary variables to their hard-won peaceful life.
However, it was still a group of four. It seemed that Kiritsugu and Maiya hadn't found Sigma throughout the year 1998. Well, it wasn't easy for a mother and son who had been separated since birth to reunite so easily. He should find an opportunity to check if there were any magus skilled in prophecy at the Clock Tower.
Oh, wait, it wasn't four people; it was five. There was one last person with a lively personality who seemed to have completed the shrine visit earlier and was waving at the others in front of the main hall.
Shinji was also familiar with this person. She was the famous Kendo Girl, or rather, now she should be called the Kendo Young Woman—Fujimura Taiga, also known as the "Tiger of Fuyuki."
She is the granddaughter of Fujimura Raiga, the underworld tycoon and former owner of the Emiya Estate. Just like in the novel "Fate/Zero," after the Holy Grail War, the Fujimura Group, out of a sense of duty, sent people to help renovate the old Emiya Estate, and Taiga was also part of the team.
Soon, this girl, whose simple-mindedness could rival Riesbyfe's, was attracted to the cool and melancholic young man, Emiya Kiritsugu, and became a fervent fan of his. After the "appearance" of Irisviel, she also became a fan of Irisviel (Disciple Zero). Before long, she became the "master" of Illyasviel (Disciple One). It's unclear whether it was due to the convergence of timelines or if some people are just naturally compatible.
The only thing that can be confirmed is that Kiritsugu's Harem EX seemed to have improved a bit.
"Gotcha!"
In the short moment of stopping and observing, Sakura and Fujino had caught up. They grabbed Shinji's arms from both sides, preventing him from escaping.
"I give up. I won't run anymore," Shinji surrendered.
"Then tell us your wish," the girls said in unison.
"My wish? I hope for the well-being and happiness of the people I care about."
This was Shinji's heartfelt prayer.
PS: By 1999, we're not far from the timeline of "Fate/Apocrypha."