The time I spent tending the stall and chatting with Illness-san flew by. Perhaps because the fireworks display was still in full swing, there were hardly any customers, allowing us to spend almost the entire duration just talking.
The thunderous booms in the sky eventually faded into silence, and shortly after, Tre-san and the others returned.
"We're back, Kaito! ...Wait, look at Kaito, holed up here with a lady!"
"You make it sound so scandalous," I replied with a weary sigh. "She was just helping me with the stall."
I looked at Tre-san, who was wearing a mischievous grin, and then back to Illness-san. Tre-san nodded a few times, a bright smile lighting up her face as she spoke again.
"Well, setting that aside, thanks for watching the shop!"
"Did you enjoy the fireworks?" I asked.
"Yeah, they were incredible! Oh, but it’s not over yet, you know?"
"What do you mean?"
"Apparently, the display is a two-act show. There’s going to be another round in about ten minutes. We came back so we could take over the stall and let you watch this time, Kaito."
A two-act show? I hadn't realized that was the format. They had been launching fireworks for quite a while already, so the scale of this event must be truly massive. Perhaps they had pulled out all the stops since all the Six Kings were participating. Regardless, I certainly didn't mind the chance to see the show for myself.
"But yeah, this actually worked out perfectly!" Tre-san chirped.
"What did?"
"We'll handle the shop. You should take this lady here and go on a date while you watch the fireworks!"
"Huh?"
The suggestion was so sudden my voice cracked into a pathetic squeak. A date? Me and Illness-san? No, no, surely saying something like that was being disrespectful to her.
Personally, I would be thrilled to go on a date with Illness-san, but I couldn't help but wonder if she’d find the suggestion awkward. From the perspective of a calm, mature woman like her, I was likely still just a kid—at best, maybe a younger brother.
"Kuhihi... Well then, since the offer is on the table... if it’s alright with you, Kaito-sama, would you like to go on a date with me?"
"Hwah? O-Oh, yes... I'd be happy to."
Wait, what? Things were moving along much more smoothly than I had anticipated. In fact, she almost seemed to be enjoying herself. I couldn't quite wrap my head around what Illness-san was thinking. Was she just playing along with Tre-san's joke, or did she actually see me as a man, even if only a little? I had no idea.
"Um... okay then. I'll leave the stall in your hands."
"Yep, yep! Don't worry about us. Just take your time and enjoy yourselves."
"Thank you."
It felt like I was being swept away by the current, but I decided not to fight it. I was looking forward to watching the fireworks with Illness-san, and given the upside, I didn't mind being pushed around a little.
Just as I prepared to make the most of this opportunity, Tre-san spoke up again.
"Oh, wait a sec!"
"Yeah?"
"The Main Street is going to be packed, so it’s dangerous to just head out like that. You might get separated... 'So I think it’d be better if you held hands.'"
"Excuse me?"
Hey, wait a minute, Tre-san! What kind of assist was that supposed to be? And why did she just glance at me and give me a subtle thumbs-up? She was wearing a blatant Doyaaa Face that practically screamed, "Nice assist, right?"
Seriously, that was crossing a line. No matter how much of a prankster she was, it felt rude to put Illness-san on the spot like that.
"I see... That’s a good point. I am quite petite, after all, so there is a risk of us being parted by the crowd. Kaito-sama... would you be so kind as to escort me?"
With a gentle smile, she reached out and offered me her hand. Was she serious? I didn't think Illness-san was the type to just go with the flow like this.
What should I do? Well, she was the one offering her hand; it would be ruder to refuse her now.
"Y-Yes. Then, um... if you'll excuse me."
My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat as I reached out and took her hand. It was small and soft, her skin incredibly smooth. Even though we were just holding hands, I couldn't help but be intensely conscious of her.
I felt my face heating up as we began to walk. Amidst the excitement of the festival, I felt a flicker of anxiety, wondering if I would actually be able to focus on the fireworks at all.
Serious-senpai: "Tr-eeeeee-san! What on earth are you doing with an assist like that!? If you'd just left them alone, Illness would have probably just gone home... but you had to go and turn it into a full-blown date!? Dammit, you've gotta be kidding me..."