Chapter 237. Since We're Seeking Thrills...
As the biggest local festival of the year, the half-hour fireworks show alone was enough to draw crowds, and not long after night fell, the whole street was bustling, saturated with the scent of street food and smoke.
The last time they'd come to the festival had been three years ago, and the familiar clamor stirred a pang of nostalgia the moment they stepped out of the car.
Except for Xander Masato, the girls had changed into brightly colored yukata to follow local custom, and with their refined looks, they drew a sea of gazes the instant they appeared.
"Same as before—split up?"
Standing at the entrance to the festival street and staring at the packed crowds within, Xander made the suggestion.
"Then let's split up. There are too many of us—sticking together isn't great," Mei nodded, replying softly.
The road wasn't that wide to begin with, and a group like theirs would definitely clog the flow.
The moment the words left her mouth, Xander felt several pairs of eyes lock onto him at once.
Unfortunately for the rest, Bronya stepped sideways, naturally hugged Xander's arm, and smiled. "Then I'll team up with Xander."
"Mm…"
Kiana drew back the foot she'd been about to step forward with and puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
Ugh—so close!
But they were out to have fun, after all, and after a couple of grumbles Kiana couldn't stay mad. She scooted up to a somewhat quiet Sirin, happily took her hand, and said, "C'mon, Sirin, let's go roam~"
Sirin looked up at Xander, then at Kiana beside her, and gave a light nod.
"Heh-heh, no time like the present—onward to food!"
"It's 'no time to lose'!"
Sirin offered a tiny bit of snark, the two sisters linking arms and looking very close.
"Ah, don't sweat the details. This time, hold on tight to me, okay? Don't you dare get lost like last time!"
"I'm not a child anymore. How could I possibly…"
Sirin refuted her on reflex, but almost at once, the boy who had played guitar and sung to her beneath the fireworks surfaced in her mind.
Pulled along by Kiana, she couldn't help glancing back.
The surging crowd had carried them away from Xander; she could only vaguely make out him laughing and chatting with Bronya, Bronya hugging his arm, a softness on her face reserved for him alone.
Turning back, she looked at Kiana's hand tightly gripping her own…
If she got lost again this time, would Xander still come looking for her?
Her thoughts tangled until Kiana shouted her name at full volume, and only then did Sirin snap back to herself.
"W-What is it?" she replied in a hurry.
"What do you mean 'what is it'? I'm asking if you want takoyaki. I've called you like a dozen times!"
With a hint of annoyance in her voice, Kiana frowned.
"Eat!"
"Then let's buy two orders!"
Seeing Sirin agree, Kiana beamed and tugged her toward the takoyaki stall.
Kiana's bubbly voice washed her thoughts clean, and Sirin couldn't help a self-mocking little smile.
You're not a kid anymore—so why are you thinking like one just to get someone's attention? Better to behave and enjoy the festival~
…
After Kiana and Sirin hurried off, the rest split again.
Mei and Kaguya Houraisan paired up; both wore yukata with graceful posture, and their long-cultivated gentleness fit the local aesthetic so well that they drew the most looks here.
Elysia naturally linked up with Seele, and the two of them took Griseo along, laughing and chatting as they flowed into the crowd.
There was no need to worry about safety. As a locally connected family, Mei's household had pull here; Xander had already noticed a few clearly trained silhouettes shadowing them, the chauffeur who'd brought them included.
"Shall we go too?"
"Mm~"
Merging into the stream of people, Bronya clung close to Xander, hugging his arm as she looked left and right, wearing a very serious expression.
"You like festivals that much?"
Xander asked curiously.
Bronya shook her head. "No. I just feel like this will be useful when I make games later."
"?"
Hearing that, Xander couldn't help a helpless look. He pulled his hand free only to wrap it around her waist. "You're at a festival—just have fun. When you need it, you can look up reference material. Why are you thinking about work on vacation?"
Bronya came back to herself and scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed.
"Let's go. We haven't had dinner yet—let's see what's good."
"Mm."
Nodding obediently, Bronya had softened quite a bit.
His solid arm circled her, and Bronya felt as if a little world had been fenced off by her lover, keeping the crowd at bay.
The two of them ate their way along until they reached a fork near the river. Only then did they toss their trash and come to a contented stop by the roadside.
"Full?"
Dabbing her lips with a tissue, Bronya asked lazily.
"More or less."
Xander answered under his breath, checked his phone, and saw there were still more than thirty minutes before the fireworks show.
"Want to take a walk?"
Pointing to the side path, Bronya smiled, meaning heavy beneath her tone.
Xander looked at the unlit, empty path that led into the trees and frowned a little. "This way?"
"It's too crowded here. I want somewhere quieter."
"All right."
Without thinking too much, Xander let Bronya hug his arm, and they walked into the pitch-dark path.
The footpath wasn't proper—clearly trodden out by people—and crooked besides. Trees clustered along the sides, and before long Xander felt the festival's clamor fall away as they entered a pocket of stillness.
He looked back. In the far darkness lay a bright ribbon of light, and if he listened closely, he could still catch a murmur of bustle.
And just then Bronya spoke softly. "We've probably gone far enough."
"Far enough? Far enough for what?"
Perplexed, Xander slowed to a stop as Bronya did.
Bronya didn't answer. It was so dark he couldn't see her expression.
Suddenly, he felt his hand taken by cool fingers.
"Xander, did you know?"
"Know what?"
"They say, according to tradition here, you don't wear anything under a yukata~"
"!!!"
As Xander froze, a warm body pressed up to him, and his palm met heated skin.
"You…"
Hearing his startled voice, Bronya guided his hand, pressing it—through the yukata—against her lower belly, coaxing those big hands to rub lightly there, the motion drifting lower.
Just as Xander Masato's heart was rapidly accelerating, a soft and alluring voice sounded in his ear: "Want to confirm it with your own hands?"
"Hiss..."
Following Bronya's movement, he felt his palm had already passed through the gap in the yukata, and before even making contact, he felt a wave of warmth.
But just then, Bronya's movement stopped, leaving his about-to-touch palm stuck there.
"Answer me. Do you want to?"
"We're still outside…"
"It's fine. It's just us here."
"Didn't we just this afternoon…"
"But you promised three times. This afternoon was only twice. You still owe me once."
"Mm… but it's only been two hours. Can I rest a bit?"
"Yes or yes. What does 'rest a bit' even mean?"
Hesitating Xander finally pushed Bronya's patience. She leaned in closer, unhappy.
"I didn't bring that thing…"
Xander relented, clinging to one last argument.
"It's fine."
Bronya leaned to his ear and whispered, "I'm on the pill~"
In an instant, his body's reaction made Xander hunch slightly, and feeling that, Bronya finally flashed a triumphant smile.
In this life, you've got to seek a little thrill now and then, and she had finally tricked Xander into the middle of nowhere.
…
More than half an hour later, Mei and Kaguya had already gotten to the meetup spot early.
It was the same place Mei had reserved years ago. They hadn't been seated long before Elysia and Griseo walked up.
"Where's Seele?"
Kaguya asked, curious.
"Seele had something on her mind, so she asked me and little Griseo to come back first~"
During that hour or so of wandering, there was no way Elysia would miss that Seele was preoccupied. A few words later, the flustered girl had confessed everything.
Hearing that it was a private date with Xander, Elysia minded it a little, but she didn't want to make a cute girl sad. Naturally she agreed to keep Seele's secret and even came back to cover for her.
"I see. I hope she makes it back in time."
Kaguya nodded, not thinking too much of it.
Just then, two more footsteps approached.
"Xander~"
At the entrance, Bronya hugged Xander's arm, her face full of sweet, satisfied smiles.
After setting Griseo down, Elysia immediately scooted over to cling to his other side and nuzzle him.
After a moment of fondness with Elysia, he glanced around and asked with feigned puzzlement, "Where's Seele?"
Hearing that, Bronya wanted to roll her eyes at him, but with so much tenderness swimming in them, she couldn't work up any anger. She let go of his arm and lounged in her chair.
Forget it. She'd had her fun. The rest of the time could go to Seele.
"Seele had something on her mind and hasn't come back yet."
Elysia leaned in front of him, smiling with crescent eyes. That knowing gaze made Xander's own sight skitter.
"Ahem… W-Well, in that case, I'll go look for her, so she doesn't miss it."
He stood up and hurried toward the exit.
"Mm~ Xander, you have to find Seele~"
His steps hitched for a second, then he waved in acknowledgement.
He hadn't been gone long when Kiana and Sirin came in together, arms linked, carrying big bags of snacks.
This time, besides eating, Kiana had kept a firm grip on Sirin's hand the whole way, never letting go.
"Wah, that was such a good binge!"
Grinning, Kiana set some snacks on the table. "These are the tastiest things Sirin and I found. We brought them back for everyone to try~"
Now that they were here, Kiana finally released Sirin's hand and happily presented the treats she'd brought back like a trove.
Her bright eyes swept around, but the one face she was hoping for was nowhere to be seen.
"Bronya, where did Xander go?"
"Eh?"
Still a little sticky below and basking in the afterglow, Bronya turned her gaze over and answered lazily, "Seele hasn't come back yet, so he went to find her."
"Huh? There are only five minutes left before the fireworks start. Can they make it?!"
She'd picked those snacks for Xander with great care, and missing the main guest left her deflated.
"Who knows. They probably can."
No chance at all.
Bronya said that in her heart, then leaned back and closed her eyes to enjoy herself.
"Hope they can come back."
Kiana muttered, then quickly straightened her mood. "Forget it. Let's eat first. Here, try this one. These skewers are amazing. Sirin and I stood in line forever—right, Sirin!"
She called out in excitement, but didn't hear Sirin answer. She turned, puzzled. "Sirin?"
Behind her—empty.
That did it. Kiana forgot all about eating, jumped to her feet, and scanned the area.
Still nothing!
"Where did Sirin go?!"
Kaguya spoke up. "Just now I saw her run out in a bit of a hurry. Seemed like she said she forgot something?"
"Huh? But we were together the whole time on the way back. How could she forget anything… Whatever, I'll call her!"
As she spoke, Kiana hastily pulled out her phone and dialed Sirin.
Bzzz bzzz bzzz—
The vibration sounded right by Kiana's hand. She turned and saw a purple-cased phone buzzing with its screen lit up—Kiana's name showing on it.
"She didn't bring her phone!"
A little vexed, Kiana hung up and paced on her toes, anxious.
"Don't you still have the AR-glasses comms?" Mei prompted.
"Oh, right!"
Kiana's eyes lit up, and she immediately called via AR glasses.
This time, Sirin picked up quickly.
"I've got something to take care of. You watch first. Don't wait for me!"
Before Kiana could get a word in, Sirin hung up.
"…"
Kiana was getting mad now. Clutching her glasses, she growled, "When we get home tomorrow, I am absolutely tattling to Sis about Sirin!!!!"
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