The afternoon sun cast dappled light and shadow in front of the stall through the awning. Okabara Kyogumichi had just placed a fresh batch of firearm-shaped taiyaki on the display tray when Shiina Mahiru gently tugged his sleeve. The girl's apron was dusted with flour, and the stray hairs on her forehead were damp with sweat, but she still smiled gently.
"Okabara-san, why don't you go explore?" she handed him a bottle of iced green tea. "You've been at the stall for the past two days and haven't really seen the cultural festival. I can watch things here; anyway, we have pre-made batter now, so it's manageable."
He twisted open the cap and took a sip. The cool liquid flowed down his throat, dispelling much of the heat. He looked at the long queue still in front of the stall and shook his head: "No, thanks. There are so many people right now; you definitely can't handle it alone."
"It's really fine," Mahiru pushed him out of the stall, her tone firm with an insistence that brooked no refusal. "Natsume-san said he'd help me watch for a bit. Look, he's already waiting for you over there. The cultural festival is a rare event; it's such a shame to stay at the stall the whole time."
Kyogumichi followed her gaze and saw Natsume Takashi standing not far away, holding Nyanko-sensei. When he saw him looking, Natsume smiled and waved. The chubby cat seemed to be throwing another tantrum, twisting and turning in his arms, trying to break free and run back to the stall.
"But..." he wanted to say something more, but Mahiru pressed a cultural festival map into his hand.
"Go on, now," the girl's eyes curved into crescent moons, her voice carrying a hint of a playful plea. "Remember to bring me back some yakisoba, the kind with double sauce."
Seeing her expectant gaze, Kyogumichi smiled helplessly and could only nod in agreement: "Alright, then I'll come back later to relieve you."
"Mm-hmm!" she nodded vigorously, then immediately turned and plunged into her busy work, skillfully flipping the taiyaki on the griddle. The golden sunlight fell on her serious profile, warm like a painting.
He stood there watching for a while before turning and blending into the bustling crowd. The cultural festival campus was still a hive of activity, with people crowding the stalls of various clubs. The aroma of food, the laughter of games, and the music of bands intertwined, creating a unique clamor of youth.
He wandered aimlessly, seeing the Classics Club members showcasing replicated ancient maps, with Chitanda Eru enthusiastically explaining something to visitors. A crowd of eager students surrounded the basketball club's shooting game, where Kawasaki Saki accurately sank a three-pointer, drawing cheers.
Kyogumichi bought some cotton candy and ate it as he walked, the sweet taste melting on his tongue. Occasionally, acquaintances greeted him, smiling as they mentioned yesterday's stunning performance and the uniquely shaped firearm taiyaki, and he smiled and responded to each one.
Unbeknownst to him, he had walked to the other side of the teaching building. It was relatively quiet here, mainly the activity area for handicraft clubs. The corridor was hung with various handmade items—knitted dolls, ceramic vases, and hand-drawn posters—full of creativity and ingenuity.
Passing a classroom with a "sewing club" sign, the sound of fabric rustling came from the slightly ajar door. Kyogumichi originally intended to walk straight past, but the corner of his eye caught sight of the scene inside the classroom, and his footsteps involuntarily stopped.
The classroom curtains were half-drawn, and soft sunlight streamed through the gap onto the floor. Kitagawa Marin stood with her back to the door in front of a mirror, wearing a magnificent purple Gothic Lolita dress. The hem of the skirt was adorned with layers of lace and pearls, and the bow at the neckline was meticulously tied.
She had clearly just changed and was subtly tilting her head, adjusting the lace headband on her head. Her long black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, with delicate rose ornaments tucked into the ends. Her reflection in the mirror showed a slightly shy but unmistakably excited expression, completely different from her usual cheerful demeanor, adding a touch of mystery and elegance.
Kyogumichi froze, instinctively holding his breath. He had never seen her like this, stripped of her school uniform and dressed in meticulously crafted attire, as if a character had stepped out of a manga, dazzling enough to make one unable to look away.
Just then, a system panel suddenly popped up in front of him:
[Hidden Quest Triggered: Guardian of Secrets]
[Quest Description: Protect Kitagawa Marin's cosplay secret; do not disturb her passion and persistence]
[Quest Reward: Skill "Sewing Mastery (Lv.2)"]
His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly took half a step back, hiding around the corner of the corridor. He saw Marin twirl in front of the mirror, gently lifting her skirt, a brilliant smile on her face—a pure joy, blossoming from passion.
He did not go forward to greet her, nor did he make any sound. He just stood quietly around the corner, watching the girl immersed in her own world in the classroom. Sunlight filtered through the window, coating her with a soft golden edge, as if draping her in a mysterious veil.
After a while, he quietly turned and tiptoed away from the corridor, leaving the secret hidden in the sewing club classroom behind.
The light at the end of the corridor was somewhat dim, but the scene he had just witnessed kept replaying in his mind—Marin's back in her gorgeous attire, her excited smile in the mirror, and the subtle sound of fabric rustling.
The distant clamor of the cultural festival reached him, yet Kyogumichi felt exceptionally calm inside. He took out his phone to check the time; it was time to buy yakisoba for Mahiru.
But for some reason, his steps were much slower than before, and what lingered in his mind was the unspoken greeting in the sewing classroom, and the sparkling light of passion in the girl's eyes.
Only the gently swaying curtains remained in the corridor, and a faint lingering scent of perfume in the air, as if silently narrating this secret that had been accidentally glimpsed.
What he didn't know, however, was that the moment he turned, Kitagawa Marin's gaze had already fixed on the doorway, remaining silent for a long time.