Beep—
The girl with light blue hair slowly hung up the phone. Feeling relieved, she let out a long sigh. Her smooth, shiny hair and the light ribbon fluttered gently with her steps.
She walked slowly towards a quiet, secluded street, her sharp gaze enough to make people avoid her.
"So, it's..."
Togawa Sakiko, deep in thought, suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her amber eyes noticed a poster on the wall, with only 3 words at the top: [Summer Fireworks Festival].
"…Looks like Haru will be performing there."
Usually, Togawa Sakiko would hold her head high, displaying a cold demeanor that kept others at a distance. But upon seeing this poster, her furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and her eyes seemed to flicker with complex emotions. Her slender, fair fingers gripped the strap in her hand tightly.
"I can't go."
She spoke softly, then turned away without hesitation.
Even though she felt unwilling, there was nothing she could do. She needed more money to alleviate her burdens, so sacrifices had to be made.
Even if she felt depressed, she didn't lose heart, because Togawa Sakiko was paving the way for her future!
It was just going to the festival with him; there would be more opportunities in the future.
Comforting herself, the girl quickened her pace, as if doing so would bring her closer to the 'future' she longed for.
...
Shimokitazawa, a secluded and aged lakeside street, seemed different from its usual desolation.
The crystal-clear lake surface became hazy and gentle as the sky gradually darkened. Many vendors preparing for the festival had already started setting up early. Although the sky still held some afterglow, the orange-yellow lights of the festival had begun to illuminate the lake, and the sultry summer breeze blended into the atmosphere.
Summer Festival.
For others, it might be a day worth celebrating and enjoying, but for Kazami Haru, the best part was seeing beautiful girls in yukatas.
However, today, the girls in the band had to perform on stage, making it impossible to wear the cumbersome and movement-restricting yukatas, which he found quite regrettable.
"Wow, our band's name is really up there!"
A poster listing various performances was pasted on the wall at the festival entrance. The nervous Kita-san exclaimed in surprise, then couldn't help but clutch her skirt and turn to look at Kazami Haru behind her.
Her fiery red hair, full of passion, drew a bright red arc beside her, accompanied by the scent of gardenia shampoo.
Seeing her wide-eyed expression of astonishment, Kazami Haru couldn't help but tease, "Of course it's up there; we're performing. Why do you all look so surprised?"
They hadn't reacted this dramatically when they first heard the news. Why were they showing it now, after the rehearsal was over? This made Kazami Haru twitch his mouth as he looked at the girls beside him.
Usually, the most socially anxious and timid Bocchi was behaving relatively normally today. But the energetic and lively symbols of the band, Kita-san and Nijika-mama, were showing signs of nervousness and restraint?
Had he unknowingly crossed into a simulated world line?
"That's true..."
"But it's still surprising... Our MV performance video on YouTube only has a thousand or two views, yet the audio demo we submitted passed the review! It's just like..."
Nijika, raising her golden head, hadn't finished speaking when Yamada Ryo, standing beside her, spoke expressionlessly.
"There's a conspiracy."
She slightly raised her head, showcasing her exquisite and elegant beauty, and narrowed her mysterious golden eyes, speaking proudly—
"It must be because, during the review, they found out about the excellence and beauty of me, the bassist, and couldn't help but manipulate things behind the scenes to let us pass."
No, she's used that line before.
"No need to thank me too much; just treat me to some fried noodles and takoyaki later."
"No way! Once you start eating, you can't stop!"
"Ryo-senpai, let me treat you!"
The girls beside them started chattering away. Perhaps because of Ryo's deliberate interruption, the tense atmosphere dissipated somewhat.
Yamada Ryo, of course, knew her 'role' was significant. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and smile at him.
"Haru, I want a chocolate banana."
Kazami Haru narrowed his black eyes and smiled, replying in a slightly rising tone—
"Absolutely not."
At the summer festival, snack prices skyrocketed, and they weren't something you could buy casually.
Normally, a chocolate banana would cost 250 yen, but today it could go up to 300 yen. Moreover, Kazami Haru knew all too well what kind of person Yamada Ryo was.
If he started by treating her to food, she would definitely keep asking for more.
If it came to that, who knows if what she asked for next would still be 'food'.
Because everyone was excited about the upcoming performance, Ijichi Nijika, as the leader, naturally noticed this. She clapped her hands gently like a kindergarten teacher, drawing everyone's attention—
"Ahem, since there's still some time before our performance, we don't all need to stay together. Let's go explore freely~"
"It's a rare chance to attend a summer festival; we should enjoy the atmosphere a bit!"
The blonde girl's eyes sparkled as she spoke softly.
Her already angelic, gentle, and beautiful smile now had a touch of cute excitement. Hearing Nijika's words, Kita-san's eyes lit up. She glanced at Kazami Haru beside her.
The girl already had some special thoughts in her heart.
"I don't plan to go to those hot, crowded places."
Yamada Ryo refused expressionlessly. She was the type who enjoyed solitude.
"Please bring me some food. I stayed up late watching horror DVDs, and my brain isn't clear. To avoid falling asleep during the performance, I need to find a place to nap..."
The sleepy Ryo rubbed her drowsy eyes. A faint mist gradually filled her light golden eyes. Her slightly unsteady steps showed she was indeed very tired.
"Huh? Is there a place to sleep at the summer festival?"
Gotoh Hitori asked in confusion, glancing at the growing crowd in the distance.
In a place like this, even Conan could film a hundred episodes. With such a terrifying crowd, is it really possible to sleep?
"Actually, the festival organizers prepared a rest tent for the bands~ but it only has chairs and tables, so you can't lie down."
Ijichi Nijika explained with a hint of helplessness. Even the golden dorito on her head seemed to bend like they were electrified.
Seeing Yamada Ryo in her usual lazy state was enough to make anyone uneasy, there was no way they could just let her nap alone in the band's resting tent, even if one was available.
Kazami Haru naturally thought the same and rolled his eyes as he suggested, "Then I'll take this slacker Ryo over to the tent to rest and keep an eye on her."
Ijichi Nijika barely hesitated before reaching out her fair little hand and casually grabbing Ryo-san by the collar. Her tone was slightly apologetic as she spoke—
"Actually, I don't really feel like walking around the festival either, so I guess I'll look after Ryo! Haru-san, why don't you take Kita-chan and Bocchi-chan for a stroll instead?"
Kazami Haru: ?
Seeing Nijika-mama subtly clasp her hands together in a silent plea, Haru had a pretty good guess at her intention. She probably noticed that he'd been under a lot of pressure lately and wanted him to use this opportunity to relax.
And if Haru tagged along, he could help keep an eye on the most easily nervous Gotoh-san and the prone-to-panic Kita-san, hopefully easing their nerves.
So... was Nijika-mama actually more worried about him than anyone else?
"Then I'll leave it to you, Nijika-senpai!"
Kita Ikuyo's bright yellow-green eyes sparkled with joy as she beamed a radiant, passionate smile. Her already excited face flushed with delight.
Even in the evening, the ever-energetic Kita-san was bursting with life!
With Ryo-senpai conveniently sleepy at this time, it was the perfect chance for Kita!
"Haru-san~ Let's go check out the festival?"
Kita? Kita～～
The moment Kita Ikuyo grabbed onto Haru's sleeve, he thought he heard a sound effect straight out of Ace Attorney, like something dramatic had just happened.
Her cheerful, dazzling smile and youthful charm combined into a burst of pure energy, lighting up the dusky sky.
It was... the Kita Bomb?!
"YAAAHHH!!"
Gotoh Hitori suddenly let out a sharp, sorrowful cry from beside them.
It was as if she'd been hit point-blank by a flash grenade, she tumbled to the ground, clutching her eyes with trembling hands, her petite frame spasming like she'd been electrocuted.
S-So powerful! Why was Kita shining even brighter than usual today?!
"Kita, please—put away your divine powers!"
Kazami Haru instinctively shielded his eyes as if warding off an attack.
If Kita-san kept recklessly firing off that radiant energy, even if he managed to endure it, poor Bocchi-chan would probably vanish like a vampire caught in sunlight.
"S-Sorry! I guess I got too excited…"
Seeing Bocchi groaning on the ground, Kita looked flustered. She quickly reined in her bright smile and scooted closer to Haru. Seeing that he didn't seem too affected, she clenched her fists with renewed determination.
Alright—no matter what, she had to seize this opportunity!
…
"There are so many people! And it's only just evening?"
Kita Ikuyo looked around in surprise as they reached the festival street, her mouth slightly agape.
There was a massive crowd—women in yukata with uchiwa fans, adorably dressed children, couples strolling hand in hand, and groups of high schoolers.
The narrow street was packed, flanked on both sides by food stalls and festival games. With such heavy foot traffic, it would be easy to get separated if they weren't careful.
Kita immediately picked up on that potential problem.
Many couples were holding hands, and even groups of friends were doing the same to stay together—
"Haru-san, let's hold hands?"
The moment that thought occurred to her, the fiery-hearted Kita spoke up. In this situation, she wouldn't hesitate. Act first, worry later!
Fortunately, her decisiveness proved to be the right move.
"That's definitely safer. If we get separated in this crowd, it'll be a real headache."
Haru didn't hesitate and reached out his hand.
A guy and a girl holding hands at a festival, most people would just assume they were a couple.
But Haru was now holding both Kita's and Bocchi's hands, which changed things entirely. Who knew what kind of strange image that painted?
Well, it was too late to care now.
"Ah, eh!?"
Unlike Kita, who instantly grabbed Haru's hand, the timid Gotoh Hitori started trembling.
Sure, they'd held hands just a few days ago, but that was in a closet. Holding hands openly in public was a whole different matter!
"Bocchi-chan? If you don't hold hands, we might get separated!"
Kita peeked out from beside Haru, and her words landed like a sacred chant. Bocchi, unable to resist, instinctively reached out and grabbed hold.
"..."
As for Haru's thoughts right now—well, they were pretty complicated.
Holding both their hands at once, he couldn't help but notice how different they felt. Kita's hand was warm like the sun, while Bocchi's was soft and cool. Different, but equally charming.
Honestly, it felt kind of nice. If only the stares around them weren't so intense.
"Hehe…"
Kita interlaced their fingers naturally. Seeing that Haru didn't object, her smile deepened.
"Look, omamori!"
Full of endless energy, the girl's eyes lit up at the sight of the charms. She immediately dragged Haru and Bocchi toward the stall.
"Omamori?" [1]
Haru glanced at the various charms but wasn't too interested.
To him, they were just pricey little trinkets for peace of mind. He was the type who didn't believe in superstitions, spending 500 yen or more on one of these felt like a waste.
Hmm?
As he scanned the table, one caught his eye, a white charm with two large characters: Great Fortune.
Despite not believing in this stuff, the words gave him a strange, uneasy feeling. He had this odd premonition: if he didn't buy it now, he'd regret it.
But seeing the 800 yen price tag made him flinch.
Damn, what a ripoff. May the vendor be cursed to endlessly farm FGO event materials.
"Haru-san, Haru-san!"
Kita suddenly handed him a bright red charm with yellow-green patterns. It read Peace.
Before he could react, she'd already paid.
"This is for you! To thank you for teaching me guitar!"
With a grin revealing her little white teeth, her eyes gleamed with warmth.
"Haru… Haru-san! I want to give you one too…"
After hesitating for a while, Bocchi shyly handed him a soft pink-and-blue charm reading Success. Haru, receiving gifts from both girls, didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Of course, he wasn't going to just accept them without returning the favor. He promptly bought charms to give back.
Just as he was considering where to take them next, the mikoshi procession nearby began to move, causing the crowd to surge. [2]
In the brief moment he turned to look, Bocchi and Kita had vanished into the sea of people.
"No way, already?!"
They had just said they'd get separated if they let go… and here they were, separated already?
As he frantically searched, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
"Bocchi?"
Expecting Gotoh Hitori, Haru turned, only to meet a pair of soft amber eyes full of surprise.
A chin-length ash brown hair girl with a white ribbon on her head stood beside him, her tiny hand still gripping his sleeve from inside her kimono.
- - -
[1]: Omamori (御守/お守り) are Japanese amulets commonly sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, dedicated to particular Shinto kami as well as Buddhist figures and are said to provide various forms of luck.
[2]: A mikoshi (Japanese: 神輿) is a sacred religious palanquin (also translated as portable Shinto shrine). Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle to transport a deity in Japan while moving between main shrine and temporary shrine during a festival or a piece of cyberspace infrastructure in Cyberpunk 2077.
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