Chapter 70 – Summer Festival (4)
"Food from the festival stalls just tastes better, doesn't it?"
"Totally, Kyoya. It's so strange how the food sold at stalls is always so tempting. You end up wanting to try everything."
"Yeah, exactly! Maybe it's the special atmosphere of the festival that adds to it?"
"Takoyaki, yakisoba, frankfurters, chocolate bananas, cotton candy... We ate so much that our stomachs are full, but our wallets are empty. But you know what, we had so much fun that it was worth it."
The lights and smells of the food stalls, blending with the excitement of the festival, loosened my purse strings. Before I knew it, I had spent all the allowance my mom gave me.
But I can say with confidence that it was totally worth it. The time I spent was so fulfilling.
After finishing our rounds of the stalls, we were now relaxing on a bench in a plaza a little distance from the main festival grounds.
Reo and Nishikawa looked satisfied as they picked at their yakisoba with chopsticks, while Mashiro was tapping a water balloon yo-yo, playing with it.
Watching the three of them, I couldn’t help but smile. My eyes drifted to the beautiful goldfish swimming energetically in the plastic bag I was holding.
This cute, lively goldfish was one of the many prizes we won as we visited the stalls.
There was the calico cat plushie from the shooting gallery, the bag of sweets from the shape-cutting game, and also water balloons and super balls we fished up from the yo-yo stand.
All of them were treasures filled with precious memories, each one marking an irreplaceable page of our youth.
Looking at the prizes, which I never could have obtained in my previous life, a warm feeling overflowed in my chest.
All of this is thanks to Mashiro, Reo, and Nishikawa being here with me.
It’s a moment I would never have experienced on my own, and I want to express my deepest gratitude for being able to share it now.
(Thank you... so much.)
I stretched my body, whispering my thanks in my heart.
When I looked up at the night sky, it was filled with glittering stars.
The fireworks display is scheduled to start soon, and with this clear sky, it’s bound to be spectacular.
Mashiro seemed excited too, gazing up at the sky with an eager expression.
"The fireworks start at seven, right? It’s almost time."
"Yeah, it’s about time. We should probably start moving."
As I called out to everyone and prepared to stand up from the bench, Reo, who had just finished his yakisoba, suddenly spoke up as if he’d remembered something.
"Ryusuke, I know a great spot for watching fireworks. It’s a hidden gem with a fantastic view and barely any people."
"Really? Sounds good. Where is it?"
"Follow me. It’s close by."
With a bright smile, Reo led us to his secret spot.
Mashiro and I, full of anticipation, followed behind Reo, while Nishikawa, more focused on finishing his frankfurter than the fireworks, walked alongside us.
After a bit of walking, Reo led us into a residential area, winding through the back alleys.
"There’s a staircase ahead, and once we climb it, it leads to a path by a shrine. Behind the shrine’s grounds is the perfect spot for watching the fireworks."
"Wow, Reo, you sure know all the best places."
"I’ve got connections, you know. I’ve got plenty of other hidden gems too. Maybe I’ll show you around another time."
"I’m looking forward to it. If it’s Reo’s recommendation, it’s gotta be good."
When I complimented him honestly, Reo grinned shyly.
After climbing the stairs together, we soon arrived at the shrine Reo had mentioned.
As we walked around to the back of the shrine grounds, Mashiro and I gasped in unison.
"Wow. I never knew a place like this existed."
"Yeah, this is amazing. You can definitely see the fireworks perfectly from here."
The view was breathtaking. Below us stretched the residential area, with nothing to block our view of the night sky. The city lights shimmered brightly, blending with the twinkling stars above.
This would be the perfect place to enjoy the fireworks. And with no one else around, the peaceful chirping of insects created a soothing atmosphere.
While I was marveling at the scenery, Mashiro tugged at my sleeve. Her clear blue eyes sparkled as she spoke to me excitedly.
"This is incredible, Ryusuke. Watching fireworks from such a beautiful place with you feels like a dream."
"Yeah, just the view alone makes it worth coming. Adding fireworks to it will make it unbeatable. I’m really grateful Reo brought us here."
I smiled at Mashiro while expressing my gratitude to Reo, and she returned the smile with a radiant one of her own.
Just then, the signal for the fireworks echoed in the distance.
"It’s about to start. Hey, Kyoya, quit eating and focus on the fireworks."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Sorry, this frankfurter is just too good."
Even as Reo scolded him, Kyoya remained laid-back, making Mashiro and me chuckle.
We then turned our eyes back to the sky and waited for the fireworks to begin.
And soon enough—large blossoms of light exploded in the sky.
Beautiful flowers of light illuminated the dark sky, blooming and fading, only to bloom again. We were rendered speechless as we watched the continuous bursts of fireworks.
Red, blue, green, yellow, purple—each firework lit up the sky with vibrant, dazzling colors, and we couldn’t take our eyes off them.
"Wow, Reo, this year’s fireworks are on another level."
"Yeah, they’re amazing. So beautiful and full of impact."
Even Nishikawa, who usually didn’t care for these kinds of things, was mesmerized by the fireworks, his eyes sparkling, while Reo smiled proudly at his discovery.
"...So beautiful."
Mashiro murmured quietly, her large eyes captivated by the fireworks.
The light from the fireworks reflected in her clear blue eyes.
Her profile, illuminated by the colorful fireworks, had never looked more enchanting.
"Yeah... truly, truly beautiful."
As the sound of the fireworks echoed in the air, I spoke in a voice so small no one could hear.
While watching Mashiro gaze at the fireworks, I squeezed her small hand tightly.
She seemed a bit surprised at first, but then blushed and shyly intertwined her fingers with mine.
The warmth from our joined hands spread through me, a warmth so gentle it made me forget the summer heat.
As I savored the warmth from her fingertips, Mashiro whispered softly like a ringing bell.
"Reo-kun and Nishikawa-kun are too focused on the fireworks, so... can we stay like this, just for now?"
"...Of course."
"Hehe, I’m so happy."
After our brief exchange, Mashiro and I smiled at each other, our eyes meeting.
She then leaned against me, gazing up at the fireworks.
The vivid fireworks painted the night sky.
Watching this spectacular display with my dear friends Reo and Nishikawa, and the girl I loved most, Mashiro, my heart was filled with a gentle happiness.
This was a small fragment of the perfect youth I had always dreamed of. A fragment I had fought so hard to attain.
A place I never would have reached had I remained the villain.
The passing summer days were turning into priceless treasures. And now, that moment was here.
"I’m really happy. I hope we can all watch the fireworks together like this next year too."
"Yeah, we will. Next year, and the year after, and for many more to come."
"Promise, Ryusuke."
With a joyful smile, Mashiro leaned her head on my shoulder.
I felt her warmth through her soft touch, making my heart ache sweetly.
As I watched Mashiro’s face, illuminated by the beautiful fireworks, I etched the memories of this summer night deep into my heart.