"Thank you very much… Thank you very much…"
The orphanage expressed his gratitude again and again.
Having handed them 40 boxes of takoyaki instead of 30, Miyuki and I were about to go back to the shrine.
But then, we turned our heads when we heard a knocking sound on a window.
When I looked up to the second floor, the little takoyaki thief was silently mouthing his thanks.
Brat … Don't steal things from now on.
Actually, you can steal but only from Miyuki, so I can catch you.
"Is that the kid from earlier?"
Those were the words of Miyuki, who was waving to the kid with me.
"You recognized him even though you only saw him for a second? You have pretty keen eyes?"
"Yes, I think so too. But, Matsuda-kun."
"What."
"How did you come up with this idea? Matsuda-kun is usually very self-centered."
You're starting to tease me again.
I laughed and scratched one cheek.
"It's just… Their situation without parents is similar… That… How do you say it…?"
"You felt some kinship?"
"Yeah, kinship. I felt that. But, will your dad be okay, though?"
"What?"
"That was quite a huge loss. 40 boxes is 12,000 yen."
"Dad likes to help others, so he won't think it's a waste of money at all."
"Then, that's a relief… I'm kinda sorry that I caused this."
At those words, Miyuki stared at me intently, as if trying to look into my soul.
I couldn't read what she was thinking from her expression at all.
Staying like that for a while, she then lightly smiled and asked:
"By the way, Matsuda-kun, did you finally die after eating only junk food?"
"What are you saying now. Why're you saying such ominous things?"
"Sorry. But, the right side of your collar is turned up. That's how you dress the dead"
"Who cares about that…"
"I do. Just stand still for a second."
Miyuki, who came right up to my nose, began to loosen the obi tightened around my waist.
The sliding of the fabric sounds kinda lewd.
Taking off my clothes because she already wants to have outdoor sex.
My Miyuki seems to have an exhibitionist fetish.
Later, it would be nice to have her walk naked in front of Tetsuya's house.
Miyuki, holding my obi up, turned around and said:
"Fold the left side of the collar upwards and say 'it.'"
Brought back to reality, I tasted bitter disappointment in my mouth as I followed Miyuki's directions.
"It."
Myuki looked back at me again and scoffed.
It's an annoying joke. Yes, I know.
She shook her head and meticulously tied the obi around my waist.
I could've just done it myself, but seeing as how she's doing it for me, she must have a better opinion of me now.
After finishing up, Miyuki checked the time on her phone.
"We still have a lot of time left to enjoy the festival. Let's go quickly."
"Don't you have to work at your dad's takoyaki stand?"
"I don't have to work. Dad said to enjoy the festival with you."
"Yeah? What an unfilial daughter you are to abandon your father."
"Where did you get that yakitori earlier?"
She's now gotten to the point where she can effortlessly handle my jokes and change the topic.
I'm proud.
"It was by the shrine entrance. Shall we go get some?"
"Yes. Isn't the weather really cool today?"
"Yeah. Kind of crazy that it's so nice on the day that there's a festival."
We talked aimlessly as we walked down the dark road.
I placed my hands behind my head and joked with Miyuki.
Miyuki giggled then gave a boring nonsense quiz.
The atmosphere is pretty good.
Does Miyuki think so too?
"I want the leg meat."
"Wasn't the one I bought leg meat?"
"Yes."
"You're gonna eat it again?"
"Because it is delicious. What do you want, Matsuda-kun?"
"Breast meat."
"Alright. Excuse me! Give me two pieces of leg meat and two breast!"
Miyuki ordered in a loud and cheery voice and was pulling out some money from a wallet that looked like a fortune pouch.
But, I paid first.
Miyuki's eyes opened wide.
"No… I was going to pay…"
"I was just using some spare change. Don't worry about it."
"But…Then, I'll pay next time. Thank you."
"Do as you like."
"But, Matsuda-kun. Your yukata does not seem to have any pockets, so where did you get your money from…?"
"Are you curious?"
I put on a mischievous expression.
Miyuki's eyes slowly inspected my yukata and slowly opened her mouth.
"T-That's not… No way, right…?"
Her astonished gaze was on the lower half of my body.
To be precise, she was looking exactly where my underwear would be, which obviously couldn't be seen from the outside.
Clicking my tongue, I said:
"You think I took the money out of my underwear? I'm wearing shorts underneath. Wanna see?"
Miyuki, her face reddening in an instant, lowered her head slightly.
"N-No… I was thinking that as well…"
It's cute how she flounders and her ears redden.
"Uh huh… Why don't you just admit it?"
"I have nothing to admit, so how can I admit anything…"
"Don't you have a guilty conscience?"
"…. Haah…"
Miyuki let out a deep sigh then confessed honestly:
"Matsuda-kun usually talks very obscenely, and since you had a weird look… I couldn't help but think that way…"
"Do I normally talk about pulling out money from my underwear? You were the one talking about not having prejudices…"
"N-Not a prejudice… it's a stereotype… Anyway, I'm sorry. I was wrong…"
"Well… I wonder if you were actually wrong?"
When I asked that question with a smirk, Miyuki was once again dumbfounded.
"What…?"
"I'm kidding. Why're you so naive?"
"… Matsuda-kun. It's not funny at all."
Miyuki sounds like she was sulking.
Giggling, I took the finished yakitori and handed the two leg meat yakitori to Miyuki.
Then, I began walking with her to the inside of the shrine.
While I was trying to enjoy the festival with Miyuki, we met an unwanted guest.
Tetsuya, who was watching the simple parade hosted by the shrine with his family, spotted Miyuki.
"Miyuki!"
Calling her name, he walked over fast.
Miyuki greeted Tetsuya with a bright smile on her face.
"Tetsuya-kun! Are you having fun?"
"Yes. But where were you? I went to Uncle Wataru's stand, but the covers were down, so I was worried that something had happened. Why didn't you respond to my texts?"
"Ah… I was busy and didn't have time to check my phone. I'm sorry, Tetsuya-kun."
"It's fine. What were you busy with?"
"I will tell you later. It's a long story."
As Miyuki glanced at me, Tetsuya's gaze also followed hers.
He was visibly surprised.
Could it be that he just noticed me? If that's the case, he's a real bitch.
Tetsuya, who was speechless for a moment, asked:
"Matsuda, you are here too? When did you come?"
"A long time ago."
"Really? Did you just meet up with Miyuki?"
So, you're conscious of me.
He was talking nonchalantly, but it's easy to discern.
"Hanazawa will tell you later."
"Oh, is that so…? Are you enjoying the festival?"
"It's not bad."
"Right…?"
What do you mean "right," you leech bastard.
I have to get rid of him quickly.
I tapped Miyuki on the shoulder and pointed to the signboard of a stand where many people were gathered.
"Hey, Hanazawa. Do you know how to catch goldfish?"
"I know."
"I've never done it before in my life, can we try right now? Come teach me how to do it."
"Really? Then, let's try it. Then, Tetsuya-kun, have a good time with your family. I'll call you later when I go to greet your parents."
At those words, Tetsuya's face was filled with panic.
On the other hand, I was singing from joy.
It must've been shocking that Miyuki sent him away to spend time with me alone.
But, if you really think about it, it was an obvious outcome.
Since he was spending time with his family, he didn't participate in the orphanage event.
Due to Miyuki's temperament, she probably didn't want to take away from that precious family time.
Plus, the favorability I've built up until now must have also played a part in Miyuki saying that.
"Ah… Yes… I understand."
Tetsuya, who was hesitant to say something, eventually agreed.
Cowardly bastard… This is why you can't be the protagonist.
If it were me, I would just intervene in order to prevent us from being alone together.
"You spent a thousand yen yet didn't manage to catch a single goldfish?"
Those were the words of Miyuki, who was waiting for the fireworks in the middle of the shrine.
I muttered as I scratched my head:
"Who would have known that the net would break so easily?"
"Who was the one that didn't listen when I said it was made of thin paper?"
"Be quiet. I'm getting annoyed just thinking about it…"
I bit into the apple candy skewer I was holding and munched hard.
Miyuki covered her mouth and laughed.
Her eyes that had turned into a crescent moon shape was strangely sexy.
She looked at me like that for a while then asked:
"You had fun, right?"
"Somewhat."
"You had fun playing the whole time, and now, you're giving such a low rating? Is it because of the geta?"
"Maybe that's it. I'm never wearing these again."
"Yes, it's like that when you first wear them, but when you get used to them, they're nice because your feet feel cool. Oh yeah, I was super surprised today."
"Why? Because I was so bad at catching goldfish?"
"No… Not that. I really couldn't have imagined that Matsuda-kun would think of the orphans at the orphanage. It was unexpected, and now, I'm seeing you in a new light."
Miyuki suddenly praised me in a serious tone.
I said, expressing my embarrassment by rubbing my nose:
"I was just being nice because they were too pitiful."
"You said earlier that it was because you felt a sense of kinship. You don't remember?"
"Nope."
"Don't you have a guilty conscience?"
Returning my words from when I was buying the yakitori. Well done.
"What should I do? I don't feel anything at all."
"Liar."
"How would you know whether I'm lying or not?"
"I just know."
"Stop talking nonsense and watch the fireworks."
"The fireworks haven't even started ye…"
Piuuuuu-!
Just in time for Miyuki to playfully retort, a single firecracker rose high into the sky.
And with a loud BANG!, white sparks spread in all directions.
At the same time, many people gathered at the shrine shouted 'Tamaya' in unison.
It was an old, traditional Japanese chant.
Startled by the unexpected fireworks, Miyuki missed the timing to say it and pouted. It was cute.
After the first firework, many followed in rapid succession.
Seeing all kinds of fireworks explode and light up the sky wasn't half bad.
"Wow…!"
Miyuki couldn't take her eyes off the sky, bursting with admiration and completely forgetting about her upset mood.
Every time the firecracker explodes, I can catch a glimpse of her captivating face.
I want to leave hickeys all over her slender jawline and nape of her neck.
"It's really pretty… Doesn't Matsuda-kun think so too?"
Miyuki's question woke me up from my delusions.
I, who did not answer, just stared at Miyuki.
Not getting a response, Miyuki looked over to me just as I turned slowly towards the sky, briefly holding eye contact with her, then I said:
"Yeah… Very pretty."
I acted like that to make her confused whether I was calling her or the fireworks pretty.