Chapter 60

Synopsis
The chairwoman, Saikawa, Ryuuichi, and Kotaro visit the shrine for New Year's together. Ryuu and Kotaro bump into Hayato, Taka, and other friends. During their visit, Ryuu and Hayato dress as shrine maidens while Kotaro buys his brother a charm with his New Year's money.

Long Summary
Ryuu and Kotaro arrive at the shrine, and Ryuu picks up Kotaro because there are a lot of people around. Saikawa hopes that things will go smoothly as the chairwoman asks what he means by that statement. The chairwoman tells Ryuu and Kotaro that they have to carefully think about their goal for the new year, or else they will waste the entire year. Meanwhile, Usaida lazes around and takes a nap at home.

The four of them explore the shrine together, and Ryuu spots Hayato. He calls out to him and realizes that he is holding a leash, wondering if Hayato has a dog. He then notices that Taka, who is incredibly energetic as always, is being restrained using a leash. Taka runs around, tangling Ryuu with his leash. Hayato hits Taka and releases him from the leash while also explaining to Ryuu that Shizuka has gone to get yakisoba. Shizuka returns and wishes them all a happy new year. She suggests to Ryuu that they have yakisoba together, and when Hayato asks about him and Taka, she states that they can buy their own. The chairwoman hands Ryuu and Kotaro New Year's money in envelopes. Ryuu tells Kotaro to be careful with the money, but Kotaro drops it immediately. The chairwoman assures him that she has given him a toy coin. Kotaro is quite excited by the coin, regardless that it is only a toy. Saikawa lays sheets on the side so that Ryuu and Kotaro can sit down. Ryuu and Hayato take their brothers to receive fortunes. They see Chuukichi, Yagi, Suekichi, Kichi, and Kyouko. The twins happily wish Ryuu and Hayato a happy new year. Yagi came to the shrine with friends and had bumped into Chuukichi. Ryuu explains that he and Hayato bumped into each other as well. Hayato says that he saw Usokawa wishing for a girlfriend at the saisen. Yagi remembers that he saw Inomata earlier, but she looked really nervous waiting for someone, so he did not greet her. Inomata nervously waits, worrying that she has arrived too early. Soon enough, she hears Ushimaru call to her. Ushimaru, Yamane, and Kawata greet her. Inomata's first line to Yamane is to not eat while she is walking. Kawata offers Inomata a warmer because her nose is really red. Umi, Kousuke, Takuma, and Kazuma arrive at the shrine as well. Umi giggles, saying that she had spotted adorable kids, and Kousuke, who is heavily disguised, tells her that she is the cutest. He panics and assures Takuma and Kazuma that they are cute too. Umi says that Kousuke looks a bit weird with his disguise. Kousuke says that he enjoys the time where the two of them can be alone, without fans bothering them. Umi tells him that she also likes the handsome Kousuke that she sees on TV. Takuma and Kazuma tell Kousuke that they love him, and Kousuke cries as he hugs them. Inui sees that everyone is with someone else and dreads coming to the shrine alone. He wishes to go home so that he does not witness any couples, but bumps into Yutaka. Yukari greets Inui and Yutaka explain to him that he did not recognize him because he shaved his beard. Yutaka thanks Inui for helping him at the culture festival once again. Inui lies that he has a date and runs off to buy a romance charm. Taka and Kotaro receive the fortunes and go to the booth to get the results. Ryuu discovers that the shrine maiden is Yayoi. Yayoi greets them, but Satoru suddenly pops up behind them, telling them that they cannot fall for Yayoi dressed as a shrine maiden. He calls Kirin cute as well, but Ryuu points out that she is upset and crying. Satoru asks Kirin why she is crying, and Kirin sniffles, saying that she wants to be with her mother. She starts bawling, and Ryuu informs Yayoi that if there is anything that she needs, he and Hayato can help, as it is his responsibility as a babysitter. Yayoi dresses Hayato and Ryuu as shrine maidens, stunning the two. Yayoi cites that Ryuu had said that they will do anything to help, causing Hayato to glare at Ryuu. Yayoi apologizes and explains that Kirin must be tired from attempting to stay up all-night. She asks if they can take care of the fortunes as she puts Kirin to sleep. She instructs Satoru to take over the protective charm sales. After she leaves, two girls approach Ryuu and Hayato, asking for their fortunes. Ryuu begins to speak but covers his mouth. He smiles at Hayato, silently telling him that they should refrain from speaking. Hayato looks at him and flips through the fortunes. He wordlessly hands the two girls their fortunes and scratches his ear. The girls feel like the shrine maidens are mysterious since they do not talk, but also admit that Hayato gave off a relaxing vibe. Satoru tries to get the girls to buy charms, but they believe he is weird and awkwardly walk away. Kotaro, who is sitting with Satoru and Taka, asks Satoru if he can have a charm. Satoru explains that he does not have money, but Kotaro takes out his toy coin. Yayoi returns and thanks Ryuu and Hayato for their help. She reminds them that they still have not turned in their fortunes yet. Ryuu receives great luck while Kotaro unfortunately receives bad luck. Ryuu decides to exchange fortunes with Kotaro. Kotaro then gives him a protective charm. Ryuu wonders where he got it from, and Satoru holds out his toy coin says that he did pay for it. Ryuu apologizes and offers to pay him back, but Satoru tells him that he should accept it. Satoru reflects on the brothers' relationship, thinking to himself that they care for one another. Yayoi reminds Ryuu to tie his fortune before he leaves. Ryuu puts his hands together as he thinks about a goal to tell the gods. He tells his mother and father that this year, he and Kotaro will work hard.

Meanwhile, Inui trembles behind a tree after seeing Ryuu dress as a shrine maiden. Mika's friend points out Inui, but Mika quickly takes her away, saying that he is not her brother.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Morinomiya Youko
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Shizuka Kamitani
 * Suekichi Nezu
 * Kichi Nezu
 * Chuukichi Nezu
 * Yagi Tomoya
 * Kyouko Nezu
 * Saginuma
 * Usokawa
 * Inomata Maria
 * Ushimaru Yuki
 * Yamane Saki
 * Kawata Rena
 * Umi Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Kousuke Mamizuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Inui Hiroyuki
 * Yutaka Sawatari
 * Midori Sawatari
 * Yukari Sawatari
 * Nekota
 * Yayoi Kumatsuka
 * Satoru Kumatsuka
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Inui Mika