Page 29 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
She led them on a roundabout path to the archive, which was located in one of the shrine’s several detached buildings. Its key was hers, so their privacy was assured. Inside, she shed her boots and hung coat and scarf. While her partners did the same, she padded over to the clunky electric heater in the corner. She knew from long experience that it would pop and groan and wheeze in complaint, but it would soon be throwing off enough heat to set the battered gold kettle on top to steaming.
“A library? Wow, these look old.” Akira jammed his hands in his pockets as if he’d been warned to look but not touch. “Do shrines have so much paperwork?”
“Wedokeep ordinary records, but most of our collection has to do with folk lore and fables. It’s a Miyabe family tradition and entirely unique.”
In truth, after her grandfather’s death, there had been several carefully-worded invitations to move the contents of Kikusawa Shrine’s archive to Ingress Academy’s larger, more modern facility. But Grandma had declined every offer in no uncertain terms. Their trove of stories, their handful of dusty relics, and the mysterious blade for which their shrine was named—all would remain in their trust and keeping. This was their whole purpose.
Kimiko said, “I’m in charge of them now.”
“How many have you read?” asked Akira as he took a seat at the folding table in the center of the room.
“Hardly any, but I canfindanything. I used to help my grandfather index these books and files.” She quietly repeated, “I’m in charge of them now.”
“How long?” Akira asked softly.
She didn’t try not to understand. “Almost a year.”
Suuzu’s expression gentled, and his hands curved in an expression of sympathy.
Akira, who was paying closer attention to such things now, mimicked his best friend, adding a low, “Sorry.”
“Thanks. It’s okay, but … thanks.” Kimiko rummaged in the cupboard that held her chocolate stash and laid out the remainder of her convenience store snacks, opening two more bags of crisps. “We can make tea once the water’s hot.”
Akira wrinkled his nose. “Kimchi and Chives? Really?”
“It’s a limited edition,” she said coaxingly.
He peeked at the label on the other bag. “Why do you like such strange combinations?”
Kimiko beamed. “Don’t shy away from the unknown! Risk can beexciting. And new experiences are hard to come by in a place that exists to uphold traditions.” She nibbled thoughtfully at a chip dusted with green and purple flecks. “This may be as adventurous as my life will ever get.”
Akira bit … and gagged.
Suuzu considered her for a long moment, then gravely accepted her hospitality.
She chuckled at his pained expression. “I’ll admit, I’m content to let Sardine Brulee remain a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Do you like sweets?”
“Not when they’re mixed with fish sauce,” grumbled Akira.
“I may dabble with daring flavors, but there’s onlyonechocolate for me!” Kimiko placed the chocolate bars in the center of the table like a peace offering. “Junzi makes the finest in the world. You can help me eat these. All I ask is that you let me keep the labels. I collect them.”
Suuzu’s whole posture radiated welcome surprise and pleasure. “The renown of the Rindo clan is vast. My brother shares your fondness for their confections, though not your generosity.”
Kimiko’s eyes widened. “Junzi is an urban enclave?”
The phoenix ducked guiltily. “That … may yet be a secret.”
“Rindo, huh?” Akira eased a chocolate bar out of a sleeve with a snowflake design. “I think I met one of them. Tried to use fudge to bribe Sis into letting one of their crossers come to us for schooling. Like she’d turn anyone away. Cute kid. Ringed tail.”
Suuzu blinked. “And that was definitely a secret.”
Akira crammed half a chocolate bar into his mouth, ostensibly to keep from spilling any more scandals. Suuzu was clearly flustered, and his posture begged for confidence. But he confirmed her suspicion. “Your favorite sweets are tanuki-made.”
Kimiko cleared her throat. “How about I spill one of our shrine’s secrets, and we’ll all just … keep them.”
They nodded, and she firmly changed the subject. “Have you heard of the Star Festival?”
“Of course,” said Akira. “I’ve lived in Keishi all my life. It’s coming up soon.”
