Kaoru and Asuka walked side by side amidst the bustling festival, enjoying the lively atmosphere filled with colorful lights and cheerful laughter. Among the rows of stalls offering various games, Asuka's eyes lit up as she spotted a shooting game booth featuring a giant plush toy.
"Look, Kaoru! They have Fuwa-fuwa, the mascot!" Asuka exclaimed with excitement.
Fuwa-fuwa was the mascot from the anime *Magical Girl Seven Star*, a show that Asuka adored. Not only Asuka, but Yukikaze was also a huge fan of the series. Meanwhile, Shiranui and Kaoru could only watch with awkward smiles as Asuka and Yukikaze glared at each other, sparks seemingly flying between them as they both competed to win their favorite mascot.
Yukikaze, known for her skills in FPS games online, was brimming with confidence. However, her shooting accuracy in real life was far from what she had hoped.
"Ah! That's your third miss, young lady!" called the booth owner, ringing a bell to signify another failure from Yukikaze.
"Huh!?" Yukikaze was stunned, unable to believe it. After all, she was one of the best shooters, especially since her primary weapon in combat was dual pistols. So, failing to hit the target was the most humiliating thing for her.
Asuka wasted no time to seize the opportunity. "Fufufu... Who was it that said, 'I can shoot with my eyes closed'?" she teased with a smug smile.
Yukikaze's body trembled in frustration at the jab. "Shut up, you cow-chested girl! You're just as bad!" she retorted angrily.
"Ah~ no, I'm different," Asuka replied calmly, glancing at Kaoru, who stepped up to take his turn at the shooting game. With a calm and focused expression, Kaoru aimed at the Fuwa-fuwa plush that Asuka wanted. In a single, perfect shot, the plush fell to the ground effortlessly. He had noticed the booth owner's trick of making it difficult to knock down the top prizes within the allotted six shots.
Yukikaze stared at Kaoru in disbelief. "That's cheating!" she yelled.
Kaoru could only smile awkwardly as Asuka looped her arm through his, her eyes sparkling with happiness as she hugged the Fuwa-fuwa plush Kaoru had just won for her.
"Of course, he's always so thoughtful," Asuka said with a slight blush on her cheeks, making the atmosphere even sweeter and more romantic.
On the other hand, Yukikaze was truly upset and seething with irritation. The open romantic dynamic between Asuka and Kaoru, without a hint of shame, made her heart burn with envy. It wasn't that she wasn't happy for them, but Tatsuro, the boy she liked, was so clueless about her feelings. Every time Yukikaze dropped subtle hints, Tatsuro never seemed to catch on. When it came to relationships, he was awkward and slow, completely unlike how Kaoru treated Asuka.
Meanwhile, her mother, Shiranui, often added to her frustrations. Yukikaze had caught her mother flirting with Kaoru more than once, and the sight drove her mad. "How can someone like Kaoru have so much charm? Even my mother isn't immune," Yukikaze thought, her feelings a swirling mix of jealousy, frustration, and confusion.
As the harvest festival continued in full swing, the lively crowd buzzed with excitement, and the various stalls offered delicious food and traditional games. Bright red and yellow lanterns decorated the night sky, while traditional Japanese music could be heard faintly in the distance. Kaoru, Asuka, Shiranui, and Yukikaze strolled together, each dressed in beautiful kimonos that reflected their elegance and individuality.
Kaoru, with his tall and athletic frame, stood out. His black kimono accented with gold gave him the appearance of an *oyabun*—a respected leader. His composed walk, coupled with his serious yet charismatic face, made him the center of attention as they moved through the crowd. Some passersby even stole glances at him, clearly impressed by the aura he exuded.
Asuka, walking beside Kaoru, looked stunning in a soft pink kimono adorned with cherry blossom patterns. Her face radiated happiness and pride as she held onto Kaoru's arm, clutching the Fuwa-fuwa plush he had won for her. Her kimono emphasized her grace and charm, causing some women passing by to eye her with envy.
Shiranui, Yukikaze's mother, wore a deep purple kimono with intricate embroidery. Her calm and mature demeanor, paired with her elegant posture, made her seem like a wise, experienced woman. Though she spoke little, the gaze in her eyes conveyed the quiet confidence of someone with deep insight. Every step she took was gentle yet commanding, naturally drawing respect from those around her.
Yukikaze, in contrast, opted for a bold red kimono, reflecting her fiery spirit. With her long hair flowing freely, she appeared lively and full of energy, even though her jealousy toward Asuka was still evident on her face. Despite being known as an FPS gamer, Yukikaze's appearance was striking, attracting the attention of several young men around them.
As the four of them continued walking through the bustling harvest festival, Kaoru's imposing and charismatic presence, flanked by three beautiful women each with their unique allure, drew countless eyes. Festival-goers whispered among themselves as they watched the group—Kaoru, looking like an *oyabun*, Asuka with her graceful pink kimono, Yukikaze in her vibrant red attire, and Shiranui, serene and elegant in her purple kimono.
Asuka, unable to hide her impatience, glanced over at Yukikaze with a small sigh. "So, Yukikaze, you said Tatsuro would be here soon, but we've been playing around for half an hour, and he still hasn't shown up!" she said, hugging the Fuwa-fuwa plush even tighter.
Yukikaze instantly shot Asuka a sharp glare. "Hah!? Are you mocking me, you cow-chested girl!?" she challenged with a fiery tone.
Asuka raised an eyebrow, unwilling to back down. "This brat… You want to start something?"
Before the situation could escalate, Kaoru quickly intervened, raising his hand to calm them. "Alright, alright, let's not fight here. Tatsuro will be here soon, so let's just wait a little longer. This festival is for fun, not fighting, right?" Kaoru smiled awkwardly, trying to keep the peace between the two girls.
Shiranui, standing beside Yukikaze, smiled gently at her daughter's mix of irritation and cuteness. "Yukikaze, calm down. Kaoru's right. There's no point in arguing in a crowded place like this." Shiranui's voice was soft yet firm, quickly easing the tension.
Meanwhile, Asuka subtly looped her arm around Kaoru's again, showing a slight possessiveness, which only fueled Yukikaze's growing frustration. Kaoru could only offer a wry smile, knowing that every move he made was being carefully observed by the two girls.
Not long after, two familiar figures appeared in the distance. Rinko, with her usual cheerful and bubbly demeanor, approached quickly alongside Tatsuro, who was walking beside her. Tatsuro, slightly shorter than Kaoru, seemed out of breath as if he had been running to catch up.
"Sorry, sorry! We're late!" Rinko waved enthusiastically, while Tatsuro scratched the back of his head sheepishly, feeling guilty for making them wait so long.
Yukikaze, who had been upset moments ago, immediately ran toward Tatsuro, letting go of her earlier frustrations. "You finally showed up, you idiot! Do you know how long we've been waiting for you?" Though her words were harsh, the blush on her cheeks revealed her true feelings.
Tatsuro gave a sheepish smile, raising his hands in apology. "Sorry, Yukikaze. I got stuck in the crowd…"
"Tch, you always have an excuse!" Despite her annoyed tone, her gaze had softened.
With Rinko and Tatsuro's arrival, the group was finally complete. The harvest festival