[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/LF8JAVp.png[/img]
[color=c6984d][h3][b]~~Nico~~[/b][/h3][/color][/center][hr]

Nico released one hand from her bag in order to raise it to her chin, fixing her attention in front of her rather than look straight at Himeko.

"Ah, I see. I'm sorry if I'm holding you up, then..." she said, after which Nico looked back up towards the shrine maiden. It wasn't the first time Nico had come to the shrine to pray, but Himeko had been there as long as she could remember. It felt nice to have such a diligent person overseeing things.

"Thank you for always working so hard, Yukimura-san. It mustn't be easy to always maintain this place with your family. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day..."

The school girl gave Himeko a polite bow and continued past her, up towards the torii gate. She made sure to bow in front of it before continuing along the side of the sando. She wanted to respect the traditions, at least in so far as she knew them, so Nico was careful to do it as properly as she could manage. The girl made her way towards the temizuya, putting her bag over her shoulder so she could easily cleanse herself before the prayer. She took the ladle of the temizuya in her right hand to cleanse her left, then her left to cleanse her right. She then scooped up with the right hand again, pouring water into the palm of her left in order to bring it up to her mouth and purify that too. Not missing a beat, she rinsed her left hand once more time before putting the ladle down. Now Nico was ready to continue towards the main shrine. Once there, she bowed and gently rang the bell, though mindful to not stand in the middle to prevent angering the shrine deity. Nico pulled out the coins she had on hand and stared at them briefly.

[i](I know I don't need to, but... I think I'll donate a bit extra like she asked me to.)[/i]

Nico picked up three ¥100 coins, two more than she needed to, then gently dropped them into the saisen-bako. They slid in easily, a chink signifying the coins landed without a problem. The girl created some distance by taking two steps back in order to prepare for her prayer. Nico bowed twice, followed by two claps and ending with another bow. The girl kept her hands clasped as she began with her silent prayer.

[i](I'm Nico Kaneko... it's not the first time I've come here.

...Ah, I'm sorry if that was rude.

Tonight I'll be starting with the Hex Night. Not just me, but every magical girl in town, too... it's a tournament to decide who will get their wish granted. A tournament to make sure monsters will never destroy the world.

It's honestly a little scary. I don't want to hurt any of them, but it's still my duty to fight. Even if I've become a magical girl not too long ago. I want to give it my all, of course, just like everyone else. It's just that, whoever wins this tournament... I want them to have earned it. Through everyone trying their best.

Please watch over each and every single magical girl.

...Thank you.)[/i]

Nico raised her head and turned to leave again, but stopped in her tracks when she saw Himeko standing there. Caught off-guard, Nico stuttered a little when she got her reply out.

"A-Ah, Yukimura-san... I didn't think you'd stay around. I apologise if I did anything wrong..."