Given how much we had stood out at the Rinka Festival, our visibility tonight was likewise off the charts.
Furthermore, with the female officers all in their Yukata Appearance—and the full Gathering of the Three Princesses present—it was inevitable that a crowd of idiots caught up in the "festival mood" would come swarming toward us.
Yet, curiously, every time I identified someone as a potential threat, they seemed to vanish into thin air before they could even approach. I wasn't sure what was causing this mystery phenomenon, but it was keeping things perfectly peaceful for us, which was a massive help.
"…Takanashi-san, thank you for your concern."
"Nishikawa-san?"
"We’ve increased the personnel since last year, so there shouldn't be any trouble. Please, rest easy."
"I-I see. If you say so, then alright."
I had plenty of questions about what "increased personnel" and "rest easy" actually entailed, but since it was Nishikawa-san, I decided not to pry. I imagined it was something similar to that Human Wall that had secured space for us during the Miss Contest.
"Heh… it seems Tachibana-san and Yokokawa-san were also able to hand theirs over successfully."
"Eh? …A-Ah, you mean the Brooch?"
"Yes. As someone who witnessed their creation, I was naturally curious."
"That’s true… those guys were really dragging their feet about it. Oh, that reminds me, did you give one to Tachikawa-san as well?"
"Yes. On the way home from the Rinka Festival, when I escorted her to her house…"
I had only just noticed it myself, but pinned to Tachikawa-san’s yukata sash was "that" Brooch, a perfect match for the ones Sara-san and the others wore.
However…
"Heh… if I’d known it would turn out like this, I should have made one for myself, too."
As she spoke with a self-deprecating smile, I noticed that Nishikawa-san’s yukata was, naturally, bare of any such ornament. Since I hadn't anticipated this specific gathering, I hadn't considered how she might feel "left out." If I’d known, I should have given it to her much sooner.
Really… I was in no position to criticize the other guys.
"Nishikawa-san, here."
"Yes?"
I reached into my Drawstring Bag and pulled out a small, plain, unadorned paper bag—exactly like the others. Nishikawa-san tilted her head in wonder as she accepted it.
"Um, what is this?"
"Please, open it."
"Y-Yes."
Staring at the paper bag with a tense expression, Nishikawa-san slowly peeled away the sealing tape. Once it was open, she tentatively reached her fingers inside.
"…Eh?"
What emerged from the bag was, of course, one of the Brooches I had made that day.
Its design was different from the ones I’d given Sara-san and Hanako-san. In fact, every single one of them—including the ones for Natsumi-senpai and the others—had a unique shape. They were all, in a sense, custom-made. However, the fact remained that it was made of simple beads, so its overall cheapness was undeniable.
"Eh… W-Why? Um… is this for me?"
"I’m always being taken care of by you, Nishikawa-san. Of course, I don’t think a little thing like this is nearly enough of a thank-you."
"……"
"Besides… as a Best Friend, I just wanted to give you something personal. I’m sorry it’s such a cheap, flimsy thing…"
"That’s not true at all!!"
"!?"
Nishikawa-san, who had been staring intently at the Brooch, suddenly cried out and snapped her head up toward me. Her expression was a complex mix of distress and suppressed joy.
"This Brooch is more precious than anything I am wearing right now! No! Compared to the gifts of Calculated Cuteness I have received before—those hollow displays of wealth—there is no comparison at all!"
"Eh, no… I mean…"
"But… um, is it really alright for me to accept this?"
She lowered her eyes slightly and cast a sheepish, fleeting glance toward… well, I didn't even need to check to know she was looking at Sara-san. It was true that if I’d handed this over in secret, Sara-san might have had some thoughts about it, regardless of my lack of ulterior motives. But still…
"Sara?"
"There is no problem at all. I have already heard about this from Kazunari-san. And besides…"
"This is just so like Kazunari."
"Yes. Kazunari-san is a wonderful man who can naturally show this kind of thoughtfulness without any hidden agenda. As for me, I feel nothing but pride for him."
"Are you flirting again!?"
"I am not flirting. In the first place, why wouldn't I be delighted to know my husband is such a fine Gentleman?"
"Similarly, there is no big sister who wouldn't be proud."
"Ugh… I knew what their answers would be, and I still asked… I’m such an idiot!!"
Natsumi-senpai stamped her feet in frustration and, for some reason, glared at me. Setting aside the comments from the unshakeable Sara-san and the others for a moment… there was no way I wouldn't report something like this to Sara-san beforehand. If anything, the only thing I hadn't decided was the timing.
"Nishikawa-san?"
"…Thank you. If that is the case, I will accept it gratefully."
"Yes, please do."
Finally appearing at ease, Nishikawa-san flashed a brilliant smile and began busily attaching the Brooch. She seemed a bit flustered, though, as her hands were slightly unsteady.
"Heh… how do I look?"
Gazing happily at the Brooch now pinned to her yukata sash, Nishikawa-san struck a light pose like a fashion model. Her cheeks were flushed crimson, suggesting she was still quite embarrassed.
"Yeah, it looks great on you… Wait, you even prepared one for her, but you didn't make one for yourself!?"
"Ahaha… I didn't think that far ahead."
"Hey, Kazunari. By any chance, did you predict this would happen?"
"No, it’s not like I predicted it. But when I was making them, I realized there wasn't one for Nishikawa-san… so I decided I wanted to make her one as a present."
I didn't think a little trinket like this could ever repay her for everything she did for me, but I’d wanted to give it to her as a token of my gratitude and as a gift from a Best Friend.
"Kazunari even made them for Satsukawa-senpai’s parents, and his own… I never guessed he’d prepared one for Nishikawa-san as well. I seriously didn't notice."
"Really. To be that thoughtful in a situation like that, I honestly have to take my hat off to you."
"Ehehe… that’s our Kazunari for you!"
"N-No, this is…"
It didn't feel bad to be praised like this, but I felt my actions were only natural. If anyone else were in my position, they surely would have done the same. As far as I was concerned, I hadn't done anything particularly special.
"Heh… you really are wonderful, Kazunari-san♪"
"Your Big Sister is very proud."
That said, seeing Sara-san and Hanako-san looking as happy as if it were their own success made me feel a little bit proud too.
"Takanashi-san… once again, thank you so much. To be honest, this is the first time in my life I’ve felt truly happy receiving a gift from a man."
"Eh!? I-Is that so?"
"Yes! Therefore, I will treasure this Brooch as my most precious treasure♪"
"I-I see."
It was rare to see Nishikawa-san so openly giddy, but that was how I knew her words weren't mere flattery. She was genuinely happy. Seeing that made all the effort worth it.
"Ah, I see it!"
Immediately after we turned at the Intersection, Todo-san, who was leading the way, called out excitedly. What came into view was a sea of people incomparable to what we'd seen so far, and a countless number of Stalls lined up in the crowded space. The lights of the shopfronts burned brightly, creating a landscape that felt like a completely different world.
"Alright! Let's go!"
"N-Natsumi-san!?"
"Wa-wa-wa, wait for me, Yuzuki-senpai!"
"Sigh, Natsumi is such a child."
"Hayato-kun, let's go too!"
"Yeah, let's go."
Beholding the sight, Natsumi-senpai sprinted forward as if she couldn't stand still for another second. Yuji chased after her immediately, and the others began running to keep up.
And then…
"Kazunari, let's go too."
"Kazunari-san, shall we?"
"Yes!"
Well then, for us too…
It was time to thoroughly enjoy the Festival!
"A-Are you really going to eat all of that?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I eat something I went through the trouble of buying!?"
Currently, Natsumi-senpai was in the middle of a "Grilled Food Party," clutching Takoyaki, Skewers, and Grilled Corn in both hands. Since she claimed this was only the beginning, I had a feeling this was going to be an unstoppable food tour, just as she’d declared.
"H-Here, Yuji!"
"W-What is it?"
Natsumi-senpai thrust out a piece of Takoyaki on a toothpick with a grumpy look, her cheeks blushing slightly. If she was embarrassed, she should have just stayed bold and powered through it, but the way she snapped back to her true, bashful self was quite a maidenly touch.
"Come on!"
"Eh, wait!?"
Yuji was also glancing over at us, appearing restless. To care so much about what people thought in a situation like this—he still had a long way to go.
"Here, Kazunari-san, say 'ahh'…"
"Ahm… munch… chew… Yeah, this is pretty good."
"Heh… this texture is the type you like, isn't it, Kazunari-san?"
"Yeah. I definitely prefer the chewy texture when it comes to crepes."
By the way, Sara-san and I were currently sharing a Crepe we’d bought at a Food Truck earlier. Since we wanted to snack on a little bit of everything, our basic plan was to share.
"…Kazunari-san, stay still for a moment."
"Eh? …Wump."
Sara-san took out a Handkerchief and carefully wiped around my mouth. I must have had some cream on me.
"…Gwaaaaah!! They've been flaunting it right in front of us this whole time!!!"
"…W-We finally got to see the Goddess in her yukata, and I have to watch a sight like that!!!"
"…That guy is the enemy!! To us lonely hearts, he is an unforgivable enemy!!!"
"…Whoa. Just as expected, a huge commotion has already started."
"Well, those two don't care at all about the disaster around them."
"…A-Ahaha, as usual, they're standing out too much. It’s a little embarrassing…"
For the record, it wasn't like I didn't care about the eyes of those around me at all. But since Sara-san’s stance was to ignore them completely, I naturally followed suit. Not that it mattered much at this point. I knew exactly who to prioritize.
"Hey, hey, just a sec… Whoa!?"
"Kid, you're super cu— G-G-Gwaaaaa…"
The moment a flashy duo called out—clearly aiming for Sara-san—a mysterious group appeared out of nowhere, slammed into them, and hauled them off like cattle to the slaughter. It seemed this was the reason we had been able to spend our time in peace so far. I was honestly grateful for it.
"Kazunari-san, say 'ahh'♪"
"Ahm."
"Kazunari, next is this."
"Hanako-san, I cannot permit that."
"Regrettable…"
At Sara-san’s all-too-calm rejection, Hanako-san’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. But "indirect contact" was naturally outside the range of what was permissible, so it couldn't be helped.
"Hmm… Satsukawa-senpai feels a little different than usual, doesn't she?"
"Is that so? I’m not particularly aware of it myself…"
"Munch munch… Isn't it that? She’s remembering the Summer Festival from before."
"Natsumi, stop talking while you eat. It’s unrefined."
"Now, now, don't sweat the small stuff… gulp."
"The Summer Festival… Ah, by any chance, the one where Kazunari made his Confession to Satsukawa-senpai?"
"Exactly. I remember that day as clearly as if it were yesterday."
True… even without Natsumi-senpai pointing it out, that day was an unforgettable, precious memory for both of us. It was only natural that the festival and the yukatas would bring it back so vividly.
"Heh… indeed, being like this brings the events of that day back to me."
"Me too. I’d never been so nervous, nor had I ever had to work up so much courage in my life."
"For me, it was the first time in my life I had ever felt so happy. In fact, just remembering it… I’m so happy I could almost start shaking."
Lost in the memory, Sara-san gazed at me with moist eyes and gently snuggled against my right arm. I felt exactly the same way.
"When I think that the limitless happiness I hold in these hands today began from that day and that moment… I find everything associated with it to be precious."
"I feel the same. Besides, from now on and forever, I’ll be with you, Sara-san… by your side."
"Yes. I will most certainly make you the happiest man in the world."
"And I’ll definitely make you, Sara-san, the happiest—"
"Heh… in that case, I am already the happiest woman in the world, you know?"
"No, no, then I'm also—"
"Kazunari-san…"
"Sara-san…"
No matter what anyone said, the happiest man in the world was undoubtedly me. But if Sara-san intended to aim even higher, then I would just have to aim higher and higher too. And someday, I would make Sara-san…
"Aaaand they've entered A world of their own again…"
"No, it really is an amazing feat, isn't it? How they can head straight into their own private world from the slightest trigger."
"…How many times must I say not to feed the Stupid Couple?"
""Yes… sorry…""
Hey, I could hear them perfectly. I didn't know why Natsumi-senpai and Tachikawa-san were bowing their heads, but I wished Nishikawa-san wouldn't look at us with such a disgusted face. Those eyes were a little scary.