Episode 138: A Summer Festival for the Two of Us

"What’s wrong, Reima?"

My childhood friend peered up at me, her eyes filled with a feigned sort of anxiety.

This was bad. I’d been trying my best to stay indifferent, but between the unfamiliar yukata and the way she innocently tilted her head... I was starting to feel the pressure.

"Hey, Reima. Let’s enjoy the festival, okay?"

Ayane gave me a smile that was as bewitching as it was elegant. That expression was the look of a predator facing its prey—a side of her I hadn't seen once in all the years we'd spent together.

"…Fine," I managed to squeeze out. It was really the only thing I could say.

We wandered through the festival for a few minutes, just the two of us. We were busy sampling snacks from the food stalls when a shooting gallery came into view. It was the busiest spot in the immediate area, which naturally piqued my interest.

"Ah, a shooting gallery, Reima."

Following my gaze, Ayane realized what had caught my eye. "Do you want to play?"

"I do, but are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, it’s fine. I’m curious too... and besides, it’s my first time. I want to try it."

If that's the case, I’ll let her go first.

We approached the stall. I paid the fee and let her take the lead. I took the gun and the six rounds from the attendant, loaded one for Ayane, and handed it over.

"I could have done that myself, you know."

"Just enjoy yourself, Ayane... Anyway, what are you aiming for?"

"That one... I think."

Ayane pointed her finger at a wooden tag labeled Stuffed Toy. Looking closer, it seemed the larger prizes were represented by these tags. There were plenty of other items on display, but nothing that really grabbed me—until I saw one specific tag.

It was an iron plate that looked far too heavy to actually fall. It was labeled Secret. Other customers seemed to be gunning for it too; it had to be something decent.

I decided I’d take a crack at it once Ayane was finished. I pulled out my wallet and settled in to watch her attempt. I wondered for a second if those wooden tags were too difficult and if I should offer to help, but then I remembered something crucial.

"Ah... I got it."

I’d forgotten that Ayane was a natural-born genius when it came to anything involving combat.

She’d toppled the wooden tag in a mere three shots, securing whatever massive stuffed animal it represented. I'm a bit late to the party on this realization, but I guess shooting galleries are deeper than they look.

Normally, you have to account for the gun’s quirks, the angle, the power, and the muzzle velocity. I’d been prepared to play the teacher if she struggled, but that had clearly been a waste of thought.

"…That was really your first time?"

"I just went with my gut."

"…Typical Ayane."

"Hey, Reima. Is there a prize you want?"

"Not really, but that 'Secret' one is on my mind."

"Then I’ll get it for you."

With that one sentence, Ayane’s fighting spirit flared up. I honestly thought it would be impossible with her remaining bullets, but she struck the iron plate with such precision that it was teetering on the edge of the shelf.

"…Muu. I couldn't get it. It’s tough without magic."

"Well, obviously. But leave the rest to me."

She’d done the heavy lifting. I couldn't exactly walk away now, and more importantly, I’d be annoyed if some other customer swooped in and took it. I handed the fee to the shopkeeper and stepped up to the line.

[Two-Shot Kill]

I used the first shot to gauge the gun’s kick and accuracy. I’d already estimated the muzzle velocity by watching Ayane and the others. Now, I just had to wait for the wind to die down. Once the breeze stopped, I pulled the trigger.

"Right. Perfect."

Exactly as declared, I knocked it down on the second shot.

"I can't believe someone actually dropped that. Here—you should give this to your girlfriend."

"She’s not my girlfriend," I corrected the stall lady. She was just my childhood friend, after all.

"Is that so? You two look plenty close to me. Well, that makes this even more useful. Good luck, kid."

She handed me a black case. It radiated such a sense of luxury that I was momentarily taken aback. I cracked it open to find a golden hairpin adorned with a silver Tsubaki flower. It looked so expensive I had to wonder if it really belonged at a festival stall.

"I’m a hairpin artisan, you see," the woman explained. "I brought my best piece along for the festival today."

"Are you sure I can just have this?"

"You won it, didn't you? See ya, handsome. Now move along, you're blocking the line!"

She slapped me on the back, sending me stumbling back toward Ayane.

"Oh, Reima... what was the prize?"

"Uh—hold on a second."

"Muu, tell me."

I’d just remembered something. Gifting a hairpin actually had a specific cultural meaning. I didn't know the exact details, but I had a nagging feeling it was something incredibly embarrassing. Can I really just hand this over?

"It was a game. I’ll try it out when I get home."

"Heh... that’s a pretty fancy box for a game."

"…Yeah, I guess."

Keeping it was pointless, and I wanted to give it to her, but giving it without knowing the hidden meaning would be a blunder. If it turned out to mean something weird, it would only make things awkward for her. I’d have to check later.