Yanami Anna hurriedly pulled her phone out of her Drawstring Bag, only to find that the signal was only one bar.
She dialed the number but found that it showed Imaizumi Keita was out of the service area.
She stubbornly called again, but the result was the same.
There were simply too many people at the Festival site, and the signal base Stations seemed overwhelmed.
Now, even the last bit of hope to confirm his location was shattered.
In that case, she could only hope that Shioyaki Lemon wouldn't drag Imaizumi Keita off to do something time-consuming...
As for the possibility that Imaizumi Keita and Shioyaki Lemon just happened to lose contact separately and didn't end up together...
Yanami Anna wouldn't believe that for a second...
She might not know Shioyaki Lemon that well, but didn't she know Imaizumi Keita?
With a soft girlfriend by his side to tease, why would he wander around the Festival alone instead of staying with her?
If he didn't come back, there must be something equally attractive that made him not want to return for the time being...
Argh...
Yanami Anna held her phone, feeling like crying but without tears.
Lemon...
That woman, she definitely did it on purpose!
She must have taken advantage of my lack of attention to drag Keita away!
Where are they now?
What are they doing?
Are they snuggling close together, just like she and Keita do?
Keita, that unfaithful bastard—with Lemon being so proactive, would he...
Just thinking about the scenes that might be happening, Yanami Anna felt like she was going crazy.
"Alright, alright, Anna, don't worry."
Tsukinoki Koto looked at her somewhat pale face, not quite understanding why she was so anxious.
But she still reached out and gently patted her back, soothing her in a soft voice.
"It's normal for the signal to be bad at the Festival. Since we can't get through, let's wait here for a while, or just go straight to the meeting point at the Station and wait for them. Didn't we agree to meet at 9:30? They'll definitely be there on time."
"...Okay."
Yanami Anna gave a muffled response, but the irritation in her heart didn't diminish at all.
She knew the Senior's thoughts were indeed normal.
But she couldn't tell the Senior what she was worried about, so she could only fret helplessly...
Just thinking that for the next hour or so, Keita would be alone with another girl...
Yanami Anna only felt as if ants were crawling all over her...
That man... I found him first...
He is mine.
He is my boyfriend!
I won't allow anyone to take Keita away from me!
...
Meanwhile, on another small path of the Festival.
Shioyaki Lemon pulled Imaizumi Keita's hand, weaving through the crowded throng, and finally stopped in a somewhat secluded spot.
"Ha... we're finally out."
Shioyaki Lemon let go of his hand and let out a long breath, a sly smile of a successful prank on her face.
Imaizumi Keita looked at her like this and spoke somewhat helplessly.
"I say, Lemon-chan."
"You did that on purpose just now, didn't you?"
"Mm-hmm~"
Shioyaki Lemon hummed noncommittally, turned around with her hands behind her back, and tilted her head to look at him.
"Who told Kin-chan to be monopolized by Yanami all the time? I finally found such an opportunity, so of course I have to make the most of it."
As she spoke, she leaned half a step closer and looked up with a defiant expression.
"Hey, Kin-chan."
Her voice was much softer than usual, with a hint of acting spoiled.
"Now, it's just the two of us."
Shioyaki Lemon's voice echoed on the relatively quiet path, carrying a hint of joy after her success.
Imaizumi Keita looked at her acting spoiled, and the helplessness in his heart was quickly replaced by a sense of pleasure.
He didn't pull his hand away, letting her hold it, with a somewhat amused expression on his face.
"I say, Lemon-chan."
"Hmm?"
"Does this count as... a kidnapping?"
"It's not kidnapping!"
Shioyaki Lemon immediately retorted confidently, shaking their joined hands, her face full of a "this is all for your own good" expression.
"This is called a 'rescue'! I'm temporarily rescuing you, Kin-chan, from Yanami's airtight offensive, so you can catch your breath!"
She nodded solemnly as she spoke, "See, how considerate I am."
This flawed logic left Imaizumi Keita unsure of how to respond for a moment.
"Yes, yes, my savior."
He played along, "So, since I've been 'rescued' by you, what's the plan next?"
"Hmm..."
Shioyaki Lemon tilted her head, pretending to think seriously for a moment, then pointed to a crowded stall not far away.
"Let's go play that! The Shooting Game!"
She seemed to have planned the route long ago, pulling Imaizumi Keita directly toward that direction.
The owner of the shooting stall was a middle-aged man who looked quite hearty. Various prizes were displayed on the stall, from giant plush dolls to the latest game consoles, looking quite tempting.
"Boss! Two rounds here!"
Shioyaki Lemon paid boldly, picked up a Cork Air Gun, and struck a quite professional shooting posture.
However, after several consecutive shots, the dolls on the shelf only shook, and none fell down.
"Darn! Why can't I hit anything!"
She puffed out her cheeks defiantly and handed the gun to Imaizumi Keita beside her.
"Kin-chan, your turn!"
Imaizumi Keita took the air gun, turned his head, and asked, "If I hit it, is there any reward?"
"Hmm..."
Shioyaki Lemon thought for a moment.
It seemed they had already kissed last time; suggesting that to Kin-chan might not be enticing enough...
She stood on tiptoe, leaned into his ear, and said in a whisper that only the two of them could hear, "If you hit it, I'll let you eat my tongue later."
"Eh... Lemon, what you said doesn't sound like a reward at all..."
Imaizumi Keita was somewhat helpless; why could a French kiss be expressed in such a way...
Imaizumi Keita took a deep breath and raised the air gun in his hand.
He wasn't in a hurry to shoot, but first adjusted his posture.
Then he turned sideways, half-enveloping Shioyaki Lemon in his arms.
"Eh?"
Shioyaki Lemon's back suddenly pressed against his firm chest.
"It's no fun playing alone," Imaizumi Keita's voice came from above her head, with a gentle smile, "Let's do it together."
After saying that, he reached out his arm from behind her and covered her hand holding the gun stock with his own.
"Come, I'll teach you."
His chest was pressed against Shioyaki Lemon's back, his cheek brushing against her cheek and the top of her head.
Shioyaki Lemon felt like her cheeks were about to burn up.
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