After a relaxing break drinking soup under the stars, we decided to set off some fireworks in a patch of bare ground. They weren’t flashy, launched fireworks, though; they were handheld fireworks.
I had picked up several in anticipation of today and made sure to have a bucket of water ready by our side.
"I recall you mentioned you liked Senkou Hanabi, right, Isis-san?"
"……Yes…… I…… like these."
"I like them, too. At times like this, the quiet beauty of a Senkou Hanabi is much better than something flashy."
I remembered setting off fireworks with Kuro and the others the day before the Six Kings Festival. Isis-san had mentioned her preference for them back then.
As I watched her, I was struck by how picturesque the scene was. She wasn't wearing a yukata today—just her usual clothes—but there was still something ethereal and beautiful about her in the glow of the sparks.
"……Come to think of it…… fireworks were…… brought here from the otherworld."
"Ah, so that is the case. The name was the same as back home rather than something unique to this world, so I did wonder."
There were many instances where names were changed to match those introduced by a Hero-role, so a name alone wasn't always proof of origin. Ingredients, for example, were often renamed to match the terms used in our world. Apparently, the authorities did this as much as possible so that the Heroes summoned from the otherworld wouldn’t feel overwhelmed or anxious about things like food.
However, for things like ripples, the names remained unchanged because they were tied to famous locations like Riple Town, where altering them would cause too much confusion.
"……Yes…… the Hero-role from about 850 years ago…… his family business was making fireworks…… and they spread rapidly from there."
"Heh. If that’s the case, their history here might actually be longer than it is in my world. That’s pretty interesting."
I didn’t know exactly when fireworks were invented back home, but a history spanning 850 years was significant. Since the flow of time differed between this world and Earth, it was fascinating to see the depth of history reversed like this, even though the concept had been imported from Earth.
Lost in these thoughts, I took my time enjoying the fireworks with Isis-san.
Once we finished, there wasn't much else to do, so we decided to turn in for the night. The tent was quite spacious and was already equipped with two simple beds. Originally, I had thought about using separate tents, but at Isis-san's request, we had decided to share one.
"……Hey…… Kaito."
"Yes?"
"……Is it okay…… if I sleep in the same bed…… as you?"
S-So that’s how it was going to be… Honestly, it wasn’t as if the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. When I stayed at her castle, and again during the Six Kings Festival, we had ended up sleeping together one way or another.
Knowing there was a good chance this would happen again, I had actually come prepared with a replacement double-sized simple bed.
Even so, I was momentarily flustered. In the end, there was no way I could refuse her request. After a moment's thought, I gave her a wry smile and a nod.
"……To be honest, I thought you might ask, so I brought a larger bed just in case. I’ll swap them out now."
"……I see…… As expected of…… Kaito."
"Well, even so, it might still be a little on the small side for two."
"……It’s fine…… Being together with Kaito…… makes me happy."
Isis-san gave me a beaming smile, and I couldn't help but smile back. I quickly packed away the existing beds and set up the double-sized one.
Serious-senpai: "Aaaaaah! Stop it! Please! Let me out of here!! The next part is going to be bad—it's going to be absolutely lethal!!"
???: "What's with all the noise right after you've been revived? Hahaha."
Serious-senpai: "Don't 'hahaha' me! Let go! Why can't I move a single muscle? You're barely even touching me! What kind of strength do you have!?"