Chapter 165: Tragic, Kaguya, Tragic
The latter half of the game, since Fujiwara Chika had rushed to create it overnight, was somewhat lacking in content and not as interesting as the earlier parts.
After nearly two hours of continuous battle, Shinomiya Kaguya achieved victory with a comprehensive lead.
However, despite her billions in assets, she was still alone in her old age. Looking at Shirogane Miyuki and Fujiwara Chika across from her, who had nine children and a happy family, she felt no joy in her victory.
She hadn't landed on a single event square related to dating, marriage, or childbirth, or even just being a couple. All of her squares were business-related. The only one related to romance was at the very beginning of the game, when she was scammed by a scumbag and then earned ten million.
Shinomiya Kaguya was so dazed she almost wondered if her real-life old age would turn out this way too.
After tidying up the table, Fujiwara Chika asked for everyone's opinions on the game, hoping to make further improvements.
Kaede thought for a moment and said, "Actually, Senior Fujiwara, your overall concept is good, but it's better not to include some of the too bizarre events. Also, don't put too many childbirth squares. With luck like yours and Senior Shirogane's, if you keep landing on them, just collecting the congratulatory money would be terrifying enough."
Ishigami Yuu agreed, saying, "Also, making people die right after they leave home is too cruel. You should arrange fewer events like that and focus on the game's reasonableness."
Everyone chimed in, even Fujiwara Moeha and Shirogane Kei, who had been observing from the side, offered their opinions, so many that Fujiwara Chika couldn't write them all down.
After settling these matters, they ate some snacks and checked the time. It was already past three in the afternoon; the game had unknowingly taken two hours.
Fujiwara Chika finished a piece of pastry, wiped her hands, and said, "Everyone, there are about three weeks left in the summer vacation. Do you have any other plans?"
Shirogane Miyuki thought for a moment: "For me, besides studying at home, it will probably be part-time work, no different from the first half of the break."
Ishigami Yuu said without hesitation, "I'll just stay home and play games. The weather is so hot, and no one will ask me to go out anyway."
Kaede patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Eriri and I will both be drawing manga and writing. We don't have anything else to do. Ishigami, we just added each other as friends, so we can play games together later."
Ishigami Yuu nodded happily upon hearing this.
Fujiwara Chika saw that no one had any special plans, so she directly pulled out a flyer from behind the sofa cushion and said, "Then, everyone, let's go together! The Fireworks Festival!"
"Fireworks Festival?"
Kaede looked at the flyer in Fujiwara Chika's hand and nodded: "I think I did see someone promoting it when I went grocery shopping earlier."
Shinomiya Kaguya's eyes immediately lit up when she saw the flyer.
She had never attended a fireworks festival since childhood, only ever watching a bit of fireworks from afar through her room window at home.
Was her first fireworks festival truly about to happen?
Eriri excitedly tugged on Kaede's arm: "Kaede-kun, the Fireworks Festival, let's go together!"
"Hmm… I don't have a problem with it. It's an annual event, so going would be quite nice."
Seeing that everyone was quite interested, Fujiwara Chika stood up and said loudly, "Then, it's settled! Everyone, the last event of summer vacation, the Fireworks Festival, booked!"
After discussing the next activity, it was getting late, so everyone said their goodbyes and left the Fujiwara Family home.
On the train ride home, Eriri held a bag containing a mug: "Today was so much fun, and there's the Fireworks Festival later! Oh, Kaede-kun, for the Fireworks Festival, should I prepare a yukata?"
"You can, I haven't seen Eriri in a yukata yet."
"Hehe~~" Eriri laughed happily, "I have one at home, but I still want to buy a new one. I haven't worn the one at home in over a year."
"Then let's find some time these next few days and go pick one out," Kaede immediately decided on the plan. "I don't need one, a simple T-shirt will do."
"Is that so? I wanted to see Kaede-kun in a yukata. Kaede-kun's figure would look great in one!" Mumbling, Eriri gently tugged on Kaede's arm, gazing at him. "Kaede-kun, don't forget, you lost a bet earlier, and you owe me a favor. I won't ask for anything else this time, just let's wear yukatas together to the Fireworks Festival!"
Kaede hadn't expected this move and had almost forgotten. He could only say with a wry smile, "Alright, alright, I'll buy one too then, okay?"
"That's great! Woo…"
Having just cheered, Eriri immediately covered her mouth, realizing she was still on the train, but the smile on her face couldn't be hidden.
Seeing Eriri so happy, Kaede, despite finding yukatas and kimonos troublesome to wear, decided to give it a try since she liked it.
But… the Fireworks Festival.
Although he couldn't remember exactly how much, after spending some time with everyone from the Shuchiin Student Council, some vague memories inevitably surfaced in Kaede's mind.
It seemed Shinomiya-senpai encountered some trouble during the Fireworks Festival event? Almost couldn't attend?
Rubbing his chin, Kaede was a bit troubled because he had forgotten how the story developed afterward.
It should be fine, right?
Seeing Kaede lost in thought, Eriri asked curiously, "Kaede-kun, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just a small matter."
It was just some minor worry in his heart, which Kaede felt no need to voice, nor did he know how to. He smiled and shook his head, saying, "What do you want for dinner? We still have plenty of ingredients at home."
Eriri's attention immediately shifted, and she began to ponder: "Hmm~~ We do have meat at home, but we're out of vegetables. Let's buy some on the way back, and snacks too!"
"I think you mainly want to buy snacks, don't you?"
"Hehe~~~"
…This year's summer fireworks festival was destined to be a big event, in every sense of the word.
"Fireworks Festival, huh?"
Takasu Ryuji, who was out grocery shopping in the morning, met Kaede, who was also up early for groceries, and learned about the Fireworks Festival.
Kaede nodded and suggested, "Eriri and I are already planning to go. What about you guys? Do you want to come along? Senior Shirogane and the others will be there too. If it's you guys, whom they know, Senior Shirogane and the others probably won't refuse. It'll definitely be lively with more people. Let's call everyone."
Takasu Ryuji was a bit moved and nodded: "In the evening, it won't conflict with my part-time job. So, let's say that for now. I'll ask Senior Shirogane this afternoon during work. It would be best if we could all go together."
Takasu Ryuji had spent most of this summer vacation working part-time and also wanted some relaxing activities.
Oh right, not only working part-time, but also suffering Oosaka Taiga's torment from time to time.