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Two days had passed since the battle ended.
Scars of the conflict—collapsed roofs and scorched cobblestones—still marred parts of Hanemiya. Yet, more than the damage, it was the sound of laughter and the dazzling warmth of the lights that truly enveloped the city.
The calls of street hawkers and the joyful shouts of children drifted through the air.
I lightly rolled up the sleeves of my yukata and scanned my surroundings. Today was the final day of the Reibu Festival.
Normally, the city would have been completely immersed in the festivities from day one, but circumstances were different this year. Because of the God Summoning Philly had suddenly performed on the first day, monsters known as Genma had swarmed Hanemiya.
We had managed to repel Philly and the Yata no Hebi that appeared afterward, but the damage caused by the Genma was significant. Since the battle ended, we had spent our days devoted to the city's reconstruction, with Nagisa leading the efforts.
Ordinarily, we probably should have continued the recovery work today as well. However, Nagisa had made a firm decision: "We will hold the festival today as scheduled!"
There were voices of opposition, of course. But she had stood her ground.
"—It is precisely because such tragedies occurred. I don't want everyone to keep hanging their heads forever. It is fine to have days for shedding tears. But it is equally necessary to have days where we can smile and look forward. I want to hold the Reibu Festival just like we always do, at least for the final day. I believe that will be the first step for this country to begin walking again."
Apparently, she had delivered those words with an uncharacteristically forceful tone.
We hadn't been there to hear it ourselves, but Instructor Kiryuu recounted the story to us later with a look of genuine joy.
"At first, there was resistance... but we simply didn't expect Lady Nagisa to speak with such conviction. Everyone was taken aback."
Fuuka, who was listening alongside me, also looked pleased. As usual, her expression hadn't changed a bit, though.
I’d heard that Nagisa was typically a retiring sort who avoided the spotlight. Yet, she had stood before the rubble, looked out over the people with their soot-stained faces, and said those words.
That was why lanterns now glowed throughout the city. The wounds had not completely healed, but the people had paused the reconstruction to celebrate the festival anyway. It was the result of everyone choosing to look up and believe in her words.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the night began to drape over the sky. The overlapping laughter of passersby mingled with the gentle, distant melody of festival music.
"...Not bad," Oliver muttered with a small, sudden smile.
He was also dressed in a yukata—a refined, deep gray-indigo garment with a subtle geometric pattern.
"Agreed. It has a different charm compared to the Thanksgiving Festival back in Tsutrail," I said.
Oliver nodded, though his gaze drifted toward the distance. "The Thanksgiving Festival, huh? It reminds me of how I was last year."
"Back when you were constantly spinning your wheels and kicking me out of the party?"
"Please, don't remind me. That entire period is just one long, cringe-inducing memory now..." Oliver winced and looked away. Still, his expression seemed more at peace than before. "That said, I don't intend to blame everything on Philly. Even if I was under the influence of Perception Alteration, I was the one who made the final decision. If I had just kept believing in you, Orun, I never would have done something so stupid."
"I see. But you could also say that because of what you did, we have the present. I don't know what kind of future would have existed if I hadn't been kicked out, but... I want to live so that I can say this current path was the right answer."
Oliver’s eyes widened slightly at my words, and then he let out a wry chuckle. "...Orun, you’ve started saying those kinds of embarrassing things quite nonchalantly since you got your memories back."
"Maybe I have."
I thought so myself. The old me probably wouldn't have been able to voice my true feelings so directly. When I was a child, I couldn't talk about my dreams or my heart because I was afraid of the reactions from my parents and the people in our village. Now, I felt like I had changed, if only a little.
If you don't say it, it won't get across. I had finally realized that simple truth.
Of course, that didn't mean I should just blurt out everything. But I wanted to be able to properly voice the words that needed to be said.
As I was reflecting on this, two eye-catching figures suddenly emerged from the crowd where the lantern light met the shadows. Silver hair swayed like silk reflecting the glow, while long indigo hair flowed smoothly in the night breeze.
"...They're here," I noted.
Shion and Luna walked toward us from the direction we were watching.
Shion wore a moon-white yukata adorned with modest blue-purple dianthus flowers. I was naturally captivated by her appearance as she approached with a slightly nervous expression. The pale hues of the fabric blended perfectly with her silver hair, lending her an air of quiet beauty.
Luna, meanwhile, wore a white yukata decorated with light blue and indigo morning glories, cinched with a pale gold obi. Her long hair was gathered loosely, looking radiant under the night lights.
"...Sorry to keep you waiting," Shion said softly, a shy smile touching her lips.
"We haven't been waiting at all. More importantly, both of you look great in those yukatas."
When I offered the honest compliment, Shion nodded and let out a small laugh to hide her embarrassment.
"Is that so? ...Thanks. It's not weird?"
"I was actually just staring at you," I admitted.
"...Honestly, save that kind of talk for when we're alone." Despite her protest, a natural smile blossomed on Shion’s face.
"Ehehe. I was worried because it's my first time wearing something like this, but I'm a little relieved now," Luna added with a giggle. "You two look handsome as well. Oliver-san, you look even more dignified than I imagined."
"Are you trying to say I look like an old man?"
"Not exactly. But you did have a bit of a dangerous vibe a while back, so I think you've finally gained some composure."
Oliver’s shoulders slumped. "To think my shameful past would be dug up by Luna as well as Orun..."
"Well, as fellow people who have messed up in the past, let's just make up for it with our hard work from here on," Shion said.
"Now then, we still have some time before Nagisa-san and the others perform the dance offering, so let's go check out the stalls. Where should we head first?"
"Let's see. Candied apples are a definite, but after that..."
"Candied apples?" Luna tilted her head.
Shion clarified for her. "Fuuka recommended them to us. Since she can't show us around because she's busy preparing for the dance, she made a point of insisting we get the candied apples."
"It was more like she was ordering us to go buy them..." I recalled. "The look in Fuuka's eyes when she talked about them was incredibly serious."
"She looked like she might actually cut us down if we told her we forgot to buy them," Shion added.
Remembering Fuuka's intensity, Shion and I looked at each other and laughed.
"...I do get the impression that Fuuka-san is always eating something," Luna noted. "She certainly seems like someone you wouldn't want to anger regarding food."
"It just shows how much she cares. In a way, she might have been the one looking forward to the festival most."
"Since she's stuck performing the ritual dance, she's at least making up for it with snacks."
"Then it's decided—candied apples first. So, nine in total for everyone?"
When Oliver mentioned the count, Shion gave a weary smile.
"Do you really think Fuuka will be satisfied with just one? That girl is going to need at least three."
"It would be a hassle for the stall owner if we suddenly ordered that many. Let's tell the shopkeeper in advance to have them ready. How about we pick them up right before we head to the Tenrei Shrine?"
Luna summarized the plan, and no one voiced an objection.