Chapter III: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Nothing here’s changed at all. It was August. The week of the Bon festival. That weekend, I—Shinonono Houki—chose to visit a certain shrine. Shinonono Shrine. It was there that I lived before moving. There where I had been born. And there where I could honor my ancestors properly.

It really is just the same. The plank-floored dojo was just as I remembered it. I’d heard that after we’d moved, a retired police officer began teaching lessons there as a way of giving back to the community. Just like the old saying that swordsmanship began and ended with good manners, the children were helping each other clean up the equipment and the dojo. It seemed like he really had the right idea. There are a lot of people here now. It used to be just me, Chifuyu, and Ichika. My mind drifted back as I looked over the wooden name tags hanging from the wall.

“I’m gonna win today!”

“Nah, no way.”

“Gotcha!”

Clack! Thwack!

“Tomorrow for sure!”

“You say that every day.”

Wait... Was I really that rude as a kid? And didn’t I have any memories of anything else? Maybe just us hanging out together? No matter how hard I tried to dredge them up, nothing came to mind.

C’mon, that can’t be the only thing that sticks in your mind, me... Can it? I pulled out my pocket notebook and peeked at a photo I kept inside. It was me and Ichika, in our uniforms. It really brought back memories. Really. By my side was Tabane, and by his was Chifuyu, but I’d folded both sides in and hidden them. Ling had a photo of him folded to make it just the two of them, too. I guess we childhood friends had a lot in common.

“Oh, there you are, Houki.”

“Huh?!”

The sudden call surprised me, and I spun around, hiding my notebook behind my back. In front of me was a woman in her mid 40s, with a calm manner and gentle smile matching her age.

“Sorry, Aunt Yukiko. I just got lost in a memory.”

“Well, nothing wrong with that. You used to live here, it’s only natural to look back.”

Her grin was a natural one, without a trace of a sneer behind it. I don’t think she’d even once gotten angry at me. Even when I deserved it. “Well, if you know you did something wrong, isn’t that the important part?” When I heard that, I practically burned with embarrassment. And made very sure not to do whatever it was again. I was not an unruly child.

“Are you sure you really want to help out with the festival?”

“Would I be getting in the way?”

“Of course not. I really appreciate the help. But, Houki. The summer festival isn’t every day of the year, you know. Isn’t there a boy you’d like to invite?”

“I-I mean...”

I turned bright red as I spoke. Ichika’s face suddenly floated to the front of my mind. Aunt Yukiko chuckled gently, understanding from my reaction.

“Well, that’s fine too. The Kagura dance begins at six. You should bathe now.”

“Of course.”

The Shinonono Shrine had long tended toward, to be precise, folk traditions rather than doctrinaire Shinto, and celebrated Bon as well as the new year with Kagura dance. The dance was an offering to both the returning spirits and the gods which bore them across the divide, and a reason for the Shinonono School of Martial Arts’ focus on swordsmanship. Precise records had long since been lost to the flames of war, but the shrine’s sword for women had long been famous. Even after my family had moved, our relatives had continued to maintain it.

Nothing changed here either... I stood in the changing room of my old house. Uninvited, memories of why we’d had to leave welled up. If she hadn’t created the IS... If she hadn’t done that, I could still be here. Right next door to Ichika.

“.........”

Scowling, I stripped, But soon my attention was caught by something wrapped around my left wrist. A red cord, perhaps a centimeter across. It twined around me intricately before ending in a pair of bells, one gold and one silver. Akatsubaki in standby mode.

But she gave me this, too... The first time in my life I’d ever asked her for something. But she was swift to answer. Remembering the joy which reverberated in her voice, my scowl faded. What do I even want to do? Forgive her? Reject her? I... don’t know... I didn’t know. I just didn’t know. Each felt in my mind like the truth, and in my heart like a lie.

Anyway... I need to take my bath. Before the Kagura dance came ritual purification. Once, this was done only with cold water from a river or well, but as the years passed and this became less acceptable, warm water was adopted to preserve the tradition. And thus, cleansing at the Shinonono Shrine could be accomplished with a bath.

Wearing only Akatsubaki, I stepped into the bath. When I was young, it had been remodeled in cypress. It was just as luxurious as the resort we’d visited on our class trip last month. Perhaps not quite as huge, but easily enough for four people to stretch out their legs.

“Phew...”

It had been years since I’d soaked in this tub, but it felt just as good as it ever had. The water was just a tad hotter than normal, how I liked it. Hearing the water splash quietly around me as I stretched only underlined the peace it brought to my soul. Baths are great... The water washed over my soft skin, and carried me toward utter relaxation. Soon, though, I thought again to the month before...

That night with Ichika, together on the beach. Remembering that our lips were almost close enough to touch, I experimentally ran a finger over mine. If we had kept going... We would have kissed. There was no question.

As if I was trying to hide my blush, I sunk in the water up to my nose. Wordless thoughts of joy spilled from my lips and burbled to the surface. So does this mean... Like, that? If Ichika likes me, and I like him, does that mean we’re in love? Ahhhh... My face turned red all the way up to my temples as the burble rose to a roil. What could have been one minute, or two minutes, or ten minutes later, my breath ran out and I suddenly stood bolt upright, pushing myself out of the water.

“Ahhh!” It was happy, it was embarrassing, but... It was love. My heart was leaping from emotion to emotion, and somehow, my face was angry. The heat of the bath had nothing to do with how red my face was. I can’t be thinking about this. Maybe some other day, but not one when I have duties as a shrine maiden. I need to focus. I sank again below the water, air burbling up from my mouth again. “.........”

When I finally left the bath, it was 50 minutes later.

◆

“There. I’m all set.”

In a pure white outfit with hakama, bedecked with gold, I looked more mature than usual. Its mystic air gave me a touch of breathtaking beauty.

“Will you put your lipstick on yourself?”

“Yes. I always have.”

“Oh, right. You’ve been doing this since you were little. The Kagura dance and everything. You were so cute back then.”

“Can you stop bringing up...”

She chuckled, “Oh, sorry. But you’ll be like this when you get old, too.”

I stiffened my expression, as much to hide my embarrassment as anything, and dipped my pinky into the small dish of lipstick. Using the traditional style, rather than a modern stick, was another shrine tradition.

There... I checked the mirror to make sure I’d applied enough, and was satisfied. Thinking back, I always used to want to do whatever my mom did, and I begged her to let me take part in the Kagura dance too. It’s a bit embarrassing to remember, but really I was more focused on my reflection. Aunt Yukiko’s still great at makeup. I look like a different person. Almost like a— Like a princess. The phrase came to mind unconsciously, and I reddened, this time without the help of any powder. Why do I keep getting carried away with myself... I knew, though.

“Ahem...” Clearing my throat, I forced myself into a neutral expression. My aunt watched with a smile as she took up the sacred sword from the altar.

“You always used to just have a fan instead of this, though.”

“I think I’m old enough now!”

I drew the blade forth. A sword in my right hand, and a fan in my left. The Shinonono School had always fought with one blade to strike and one to dazzle and deceive, so a fan was a natural evolution. Of course, a fan would never be used in real combat, but it captured the defensive style of two-sword fighting using the left hand to block, parry, and entangle while relying on the right to slash, chop, and thrust. Similar to how other styles used a kodachi.

“Come on, Houki, wave the fan for me. I haven’t seen you do it in forever.”

“Okay. I’ll do it once for practice.”

Returning the sword to its sheath, I thrust it through my belt. It seemed less like the motion of a dancer and more like that of a true samurai. Only fitting, for a daughter of the Shinonono.

“Now, then.”

I opened the closed fan, and let it sway. The bells at either side jingled livelily. Then I thrust myself into the dance as if this were the actual ceremony, with a force of will as if my surroundings stood silent. As I swung the fan from side to side, I dropped into a crouch and spun, bearing my blade. Its razor edge trailed the fan as if floating in its wake. My blossoming beauty combined with all the stoic severity I could muster. I was the very picture of a swordmaiden.

“That should suffice...”

“Oh my. Oh my! That was wonderful, Houki! You must have kept practicing even while you were away.”

“Well... Ah... I mean, I am a shrine maiden...”

My aunt’s face lit up with joy as I shyly accepted my heritage. I just hoped Ichika never finds out. I had unresolved issues about doing womanly things. Even back when those boys were making fun of me...

I was so impressed with him when he stood up for me. I’d always expected him to be the worst of the lot, but that incident really warmed me up to him. But that’s why I didn’t want him to know.

What set him off then was a group of guys making fun of a girl. Not because it was me. If he ever said that being womanly didn’t fit me, I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I might even break down crying then and there. So if he were to watch me as I danced, I just wouldn’t be able to deal with it. That’s why I didn’t invite Ichika.

I mean, it’s him. Even if he realizes what day it is, he still wouldn’t show up. He’ll just tell himself it’s no biggie and roll back over on the couch. On the other hand, thinking of it that way just means that I’m not enough to get his attention, doesn’t it. Anyway! Whatever! Ichika’s not coming! So all I have to focus on is dancing!

◆

“Yo.”

“.........”

“Good job.”

Ichika came.

Wait. Wait, wait, wait. This isn’t right. This isn’t right at all. After the dance, I washed the sweat off, changed into a shrine maiden’s outfit, and now I’m selling charms. So what’s Ichika doing here? Houki ran back through the events of the past few dozen minutes in a list, trying to get a grasp on the situation.

“Honestly, I was amazed.”

This is probably a dream, isn’t it. There’s no way this could be happening in real life.

“Really, you... You were beautiful.”

Houki’s breath caught. In an instant, her face was a bright red, no duller than the color of her hakama. Wh-Whaa? This is a dream. This has got to be a dream. Ichika would never say that to me. I have to be dreaming.

“THIS IS A DREAM!”

“Wait, what?” Ichika, a bit shocked by the shout, asked waveringly.

“It’s a dream. It has to be. Hurry and wake up!”

“Houki! What’s wrong? Oh, could that be...” Yukiko, attracted by the commotion, looked over Houki and Ichika. “Oh, it must be.”

With a clap of her hands, she reached understanding, as if a light bulb turned on over her head.

“I can handle things here, Houki. Go and enjoy the festival.”

“What?! This must be a dream. This can’t be happening in real life. So...”

Yukiko, arms folded, watched Houki mumble to herself in shock a bit longer before another light bulb lit up.

“There!”

Thud. A sharper karate chop than her gentleness made seem possible.

“Oww!”

“Get a hold of yourself, Houki.”

“Ugh...”

Houki rubbed her head as she calmed down. A moment later, Yukiko spun her around and pushed her forward.

“Now, now, hurry up. Go take a shower. I’ll lay you out a yukata.”

“But...”

“It’s okay.” Yukiko pushed Houki inside, ignoring her objections. Before she herself left, she turned and spoke to Ichika. “Just hold on a moment. It’s a boyfriend’s job to wait for his girlfriend.”

“Eh?”

She gave the stunned Ichika a quick wink before following Houki inside. With no idea of what was going on, he could only wait as he was told.

◆

I still can’t believe this is happening. As Houki dunked her head into the shower’s stream for a third time, she kept repeating her words from before. Ichika came to the festival. I suppose that’s not impossible. But still!

The splashing of water on the shower’s floor. A fourth dunk. Droplets of water fell from her raven-black hair, but she paid them no heed. Ichika, of all people! Just called me beautiful! A somehow more handsome version of him spoke to her in her mind.

“You’re beautiful, Houki.”

“W-Wait, Ichika. Didn’t you come to look at the fireworks? Yet you’re only looking at me...”

“That was just an excuse to be with you.”

“I-Ichika...”

“Houki...”

Slowly, their lips drew together, and...

“AGGHG!”

With a loud splash, she dumped a pail of water over her head.

“Houki? That didn’t sound good. Are you okay?”

“Yeah! I’m fine!”

It was very much obvious that she wasn’t.

“You should hurry up. It’s already been thirty minutes.”

“What?!” Houki had completely lost track of time, and quickly finished washing. As she dried her hair, she relied on Yukiko to wrap her in the yukata to save time.

“There, done. You look so good in traditional clothing! It’s because you have your mother’s hair.”

“Th-Thanks.”

Houki meant the thanks to be both for the compliment and for dressing her, but she wasn’t able to keep her nervousness at the outfit out of her voice. It had been years since she had worn a yukata, but her presence in one was still comparable to a magazine cover girl’s.

It works on me... I hope. At least I don’t look weird in it, Houki, with no confidence in her appearance, told herself as she looked in the mirror. A pale blue wave pattern flowed over the yukata, with crimson goldfish as accents. Here and there were silver beads and golden arcs, but as subtle decorations rather than garish splashes, preserving its calm and refreshing look.

“Oh, and bring this with you. I’ve put your wallet and phone and things inside.”

Yukiko passed Houki a cloth pouch. When did she have a chance to do that? Was something which Houki wasn’t going to ask. Her mother had always described Yukiko as helpful and clever.

“Um, Aunt Yukiko.”

“What?”

“T-Thank you...”

Houki’s shyness was answered by a quick look of surprise before the smile returned to Yukiko’s face.

“You’re welcome. Anyway! You can’t keep your boyfriend waiting!”

“Wait, he’s just—”

“Sure, sure. Now hurry along.” Yukiko rushed Houki out of the changing room and toward the foyer. As she glanced at the clock on the wall on the way, she noticed it was already past six. The sunlight had faded to a golden orange. “The fireworks start at eight. You two should find somewhere to watch them together.”

“I was saying, he’s—”

“Of course. Now have fun.”

Houki sighed. She hadn’t had time to explain fully, or Yukiko hadn’t bothered to listen fully, but either way, her sandals were on and she was on her way out the door. Even more worrying was how Ichika would feel after being kept waiting for an hour.

What do I do? That took longer than I thought. He probably gave up and went home. And Aunt Yukiko keeps getting us all wrong. How do I explain it? Walking carefully to keep her hem even, she made for the shrine’s arch as fast as she could. That was always where they had waited for each other in the old days.

Where is he... The area was already filled with a sea of people when she arrived, and she couldn’t find him. Plus, most of them were entering the shrine by passing through, and she didn’t want to block their way by standing under it. He must have already... Just as she resigned herself, she felt a tug at her hand.

“You’re late, Houki. I’ve been waiting! Oh, wow— You’re wearing a yukata?”

“O-Oh, Ichika. There you are. I didn’t notice.”

Seeing him unexpectedly for the second time made her lose her words again. Calm down, Houki. Calm down. Wait... My hand?! He’s holding my hand? Only now did her cheeks flush as she noticed they were holding hands. Fortunately, it had already grown dim, and Ichika didn’t notice.

“Huh. I like it. It looks good on you.”

“R-Really?! I thought so myself!”

I-Is he really praising me?! Houki let Ichika lead her through the crowd as the praise made her nerves jangle like a telephone.

“Anyway, there’s a bunch of stuff to go see. I missed out on last year; was too busy with exams.”

“.........” Houki held a hand to her chest, as if to feel—and to hold back—her heart pounding, as she followed. Her right hand was still in his.

“Cotton candy, yakisoba, corn on the cob, they’ve got it all. I knew Shinonono Shrine would get this right.”

Houki wouldn’t have known what to make of that if she had heard it. All she could think was to hope that he couldn’t hear the sound of her heart.

“Houki?”

“W-What?!”

Ichika had put his face close to Houki’s to be heard in the crowd. Remembering the moonlit night by the sea the month before when they’d almost kissed, she pulled back. His face looked exactly as it had when she’d opened her eyes then.

“Hey, be careful, or you’re gonna run into someone.”

“Right. Sorry.”

“So, where do you wanna go first?”

“Well, uhh.”

The hand she’d pulled away suddenly felt lonely. Unable to bring herself to ask to hold hands again, Houki nervously cast the hand behind her back to and fro instead. We’re alone together. Not like we sometimes are at school, but alone. Together. Mmm. Her joy at the realization was matched with disappointment that they weren’t holding hands.

“Hey, aren’t you really bad at goldfish scooping?”

“When was the last time you checked? Well?”

“Hm? Have you gotten better then?”

“Of course I have. Don’t think I’m always going to be that little girl.”

“Let’s go, then. Loser buys winner something to eat.”

“Perfect. I was about to suggest the same thing.”

Houki nodded with crossed arms, and the two set off to find a goldfish scooping stall. It didn’t take long before they found one, and each had their payment ready at the same time.

“You’re wearing a yukata, Houki. Are you sure that’s not going to give you trouble?”

“I’m used to traditional clothing. You don’t need to hold back.”

“Oh, okay... Then it’s on!”

“You know it!”

Their scoops hit the water at the same time.

◆

“Well, uh. Thanks for the yakisoba.”

“I don’t understand...”

As Ichika chowed down with a grin, Houki sat next to him clutching her fists in resentment. They had been tied three to three at the end, when suddenly, one of Houki’s goldfish dove back into the tank. They both had been so surprised at this turn of events that they let their scoops soak through.

“That damned goldfish, ruining our match...”

“That’s what they do.”

Houki glared even more intently than usual, and Ichika found it wiser to change the topic, “Anyway, you don’t have to stay mad. This yakisoba is great. You should try some.”

As he spoke, Ichika held up a bite for Houki with the same chopsticks he’d been eating with. Is this... An indirect kiss... Trying not to stop the pounding of her heart, Houki snuck a quick glance at Ichika’s face.

“Hm?”

It was as nonchalant as ever. Disappointed at the lack of suggestion but pleased by his kindness, Houki opened her mouth wide, waiting for the ‘say ahh.’

“Mm. Wow, this is good.”

“Isn’t it? Plus, you must be hungry after that dance.”

“Yeah. I... I guess I am.”

She’d forgotten all about it until he brought it up. Still, she hadn’t wanted to say anything and move the conversation away from his offer to feed her. He’d do that for anyone, though. The realization made her heart ache a little. I want that to only be for me... Houki was truly a 16-year-old in love.

“I’m a little thirsty.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s so hot here because of the crowd. Should we get something to drink?”

“Okay.” Houki nodded, though her blush wasn’t from the heat at all.

All right, now I’ll just take his hand. With the eyes of a duelist waiting to draw, Houki watched Ichika’s hand. And then, the moment came. And, and... Now!

“Huh? Ichika, is that you?”

“Huh?”

As Ichika turned toward the voice, Houki’s hand grasped air. Hiding her failure, she quickly brought it around to adjust her hair. Who! Who’s butting in now?!

“Oh, Ran.”

What? Who’s this? It was no surprise that she didn’t know the person, but Houki was still unsettled that Ichika did.

“Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve been running into way more people than I expected. Where’s Dan?”

“I dunno. Probably laying around at home.”

Ran, like Houki, was also in a yukata. Her hair was let down in complex braids rather than held up by its usual hairband.

“I’ve never seen you in a yukata before. I always think of you in western clothing, but that looks good on you too.”

“Oh, really? Thanks.”

Ran looked at her feet to hide her blush. Meanwhile, Houki’s jealousy alarms screamed.

“Wow, Prez is blushing. She never does that.”

“Oh, this must be why she’s never seemed interested in boys from other schools or any of us.”

“Good luck, Prez!”

From behind Ran, a group of other girls in yukata spoke.

“What’s wrong with you guys?!”

“Oh, now she’s mad.”

“Must have touched a sore spot.”

“Scary!”

Ran took a deep breath to fire back at them, but before she could, Ichika interrupted, “Are these friends from your school?”

“They’re, uh, the rest of the student council...”

Ran stumbled over her words as Ichika stepped up next to her. The four girls accompanying her exchanged grins as they continued.

“We came to get ideas for our autumn festival.”

“Where better to learn about festivals than at one?”

“But we were about done, anyway.”

“Eh? Since wh—” Ran’s eyes widened at this new revelation. They must have conversed through eye contact in the way that only teenage girls could.

“All right, Prez.”

“We’re leaving now.”

“See you at school!”

“Adieu!”

“Wait, hold on!”

The four disappeared into the crowd with a speed surprising for yukata-wearers. Left behind were Ran, halfway through raising her hand to point at them; Ichika, standing beside her; and shortly behind the two Houki, whose displeasure meter was rising rapidly.

“They, uh, they like messing with people.”

“Oh, I know the type.”

“But they don’t actually mean it. You know?!” Ran had been so intent on defending them for some reason that she only now noticed that Ichika had stepped up next to her. “S-Sorry!”

Stepping away, she spun around, her face even redder than before.

“Ah... Ahem!” Houki cleared her throat, trying to claw Ichika’s attention back.

“Oh, sorry. You haven’t been introduced, have you. This is Gotanda Ran. Remember, I told you about Dan? She’s his little sister.”

“Hello, I’m Gotanda Ran.”

Ran gave Houki a businesslike bow. At that moment, Houki became sure that she was a rival in love.

“And this is Shinonono Houki. My first childhood friend. I think I’ve told you about her?”

“No, just mentioned her name.”

“Really? Anyway, I hope you two get along. Right, Houki?”

“Sh-Shinonono Houki. Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

Another businesslike greeting, and then the air fell silent for a few seconds. Within each of their hearts, meanwhile—

Ichika made her sound like some kind of samurai. He never said she was this pretty. And why does she have to have such big boobs?

Not into your friend’s sister, huh, Ichika? Well, she’s into you. And... I know I’m not as cute... Ugh, this is frustrating.

Both turned their eyes to Ichika, waiting for him to break the ice.

“.........”

“.........”

Ichika was a bit embarrassed by the sudden serious stares.

“W-What?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing at all.”

Their answers were brief, and their eyes remained fixed.

“Oh.” Ichika clapped his hands together, but his next words only sharpened their glares. “Why don’t we walk around together?”

With her hopes now thoroughly shattered, Houki stalked silently, her head slumped forward. Ran, meanwhile, had received even more praise than hoped and her expression glowed.

“See, her friends ditched her. Unless you want to go home too, Ran?”

“No, I’ll stay! I’d love to walk around together!”

Near-astonishment showed on Ichika’s face as Ran grasped his hand. His own reaction reminded Ran of what she herself was doing, and she blushed as she pulled her hand back.

“All right, let’s look around then.”

“Of course.”

“Whatever...” Houki’s glum resignation was the mirror image of Ran’s joy.

They walked side by side, with Houki on Ichika’s left and Ran on his right. As they made their way through the packed summer festival, they passed families here, groups of friends there, and of course couples.

This is my chance! I almost never get this close to Ichika! And my stupid brother isn’t here to ruin it either! Even if I’ve got a serious rival... I’ve gotta do my best! Ran pumped herself up as she stole glances at Ichika’s face.

Ugh... I’m used to him being a blockhead, but this is really pushing it... I mean, going out of his way to compliment someone else’s yukata too? I could kill him right now...

Houki couldn’t let go of her anger. But at the same time, her naïvete pushed her in the other direction. On the other hand, I’m the one who just got an ind— An indirect... kiss... It may seem like only a handful of solace, but for Houki the handful alone would be enough. She brought her own together as if to cradle it.

“Didn’t you used to come to these with Dan, Ran?”

“I guess. Dad always said it was dangerous for a girl to go alone, so he made me drag him along.”

“Then, that was how I met you,” she added in a whisper.

Deep within her heart, a little voice reminded her of the day she first fell in love, gently and joyously, harmoniously and passionately. Maybe, just for today, I can be a little bit bolder. With another whisper of “Go for it!” she reached her hand toward Ichika’s again.

Thud.

“Wha—”

“Sorry!”

“No, I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking.”

Ran nodded her head apologetically at the passerby she’d bumped into.

“Are you okay, Ran?”

“Ah.........”

Ichika had, when Ran tipped off balance, instinctively pulled her toward his chest. Meaning, she was wrapped in her crush’s arms. For a teenaged girl’s heart, more delicate than Mozart’s piano sonatas and more vivid than Vivaldi’s concertos, it was too much.

“Eh... Ah... I...!”

Ran’s hands flapped back and forth, meaninglessly, as her mental circuits overloaded.

“Hm?”

“Ah, ah... That!”

Ran thrust her finger in the direction of a shooting gallery. Of course, only to disguise what she really meant.

“Oh, are you good at that?”

“Yeah, well, kind of.”

Afraid that Ichika would be able to hear the pounding of her heart, she pretended to adjust her yukata as an excuse to step back from him. Did I really just embarrass myself like that? Ugh... I never realized how muscular he was until—enough about that! It’s time for the shooting gallery! I need to show off!

“Okay, why not then? ...Hmm? C’mon, Houki, don’t go too far away or we’ll get split up.”

Lightly grasping Houki’s hand, he led her and Ran toward the shooting gallery. It’s likely that he had no way of knowing what was going through each of their hearts.

“Step right up!”

“Three plays, please.”

“Well, well. Looks like you’ve got your hands full today, pal! No freebies, then!”

“Aww, c’mon. At least for the girls?”

“Gahahaha. Not happening.” The attendant, whose white T-shirt’s sleeves were rolled up to reveal the rippling muscles of his tanned arms, gave a wild grin. Ichika found him amusing enough, and paid for all three plays. “You’re welcome, champ. I like your style, y’know? Not many kids your age know how to treat a lady.”

“You’re telling me. That’s why I deserve a disc—”

“No way, not in a million years. Can’t subsidize the competition, now, can I? Bwahaha.” He may have been friendly, but there was still no room for negotiation.

Ichika, Ran, and Houki each lifted their airguns and loaded them with cork pellets.

“.........”

Ran carefully aimed hers with the steely gaze of a sniper. Her aura was as sharp and unapproachable as a stiletto. I’m a terrible shot... She regretted her choices of a few moments ago. Her spur-of-the-moment claim had dug her own grave.

“Wow, you look like the real thing. Good luck!”

“Yeah.” She nodded laconically, not wanting to break her own concentration.

Argh! This is all wrong! I’m terrible at it! But the longer she took to set up her shot, the more even the other bystanders became as expecting as Ichika was. Just go ahead and shoot! What’s the worst that can happen, having to go ‘I lied, I actually don’t know how. Can you show me?’ That’ll work! I’ll just have to settle for that!”

He might even have to guide her into proper posture. She’d seen on TV the kind of training he would have gone through at IS Academy, so— Her mind filled with a fog the color of pink grapefruit as the cork shot forth with a bang.

“Ah—”

“Oh?”

“Ooh!”

Thwap. Thud.

“You shot down the dog tag?! You win a flat-screen TV!”

“Eh? Ehh? Eh...?”

Ran’s aimless shot had somehow struck the smallest target, and the booth attendant somehow seemed even more excited than the rest of her audience or even Ichika.

“Amazing, young lady! I thought I had that nailed up there—uh, I mean, never mind!”

“Ahh...”

“I’m impressed enough that you set your eyes on the flat-screen TV. Even more that you got it. Incredible!”

Ichika was clapping as if legitimately impressed. The surrounding crowd joined in, as even more began to rubberneck at the commotion.

“Gahahaha. You’re stealing the shirt off my back today! Take it and get outta here!”

“Th-Thanks.”

The package was bulky, but not so large that a middle school girl couldn’t carry it, and Ran took it.

“That was perfect!”

“If you say so...”

A question mark seemed to hover over Ichika’s head as he pondered Ran’s sudden disappointment, before he turned to Houki.

“Ugh...” Her fifth and final shot had missed the mark.

“You were never any good at this, were you.”

“Shut up! If this was a bow I’d have made every shot!”

“And put an arrow through each of the prizes while you did it. Jeez.” Ichika handed his own gun, with shots still remaining, to Houki. “See, your problem is that you’re holding it wrong. You need to straighten your arms like this, and make sure that you’re looking straight down the sights.”

“.........”

As he spoke, he reached out and touched Houki to gently pull her into the proper stance, and beneath her sour scowl, her emotions began to run wild. Waaaaait! Too close, too close! You’re touching me! I can feel you breathing on my face! Get back— Was not what she wanted.

“See, like this. Think you’ve got it?”

“Okay.”

“Give it another try then. Ready, aim...”

“I know!” As she snapped back, she pulled the trigger while barely realizing it.

Thwap. Thump.

“Oh! And a stuffed animal for you!”

Her prize was a rather large penguin, all face, big enough to be used as a cushion. Its innocent gaze almost seemed to be protesting its use at target practice.

“You’re not half bad either, miss! Looks like I’m going hungry tonight!”

“Actually... I wanted the daruma next to it...”

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Houki took the plush, with a surprisingly contented grin on her face even though she’d missed her choice of prize.

◆

“Ran’s taking a really long time.”

“I guess.”

They had walked the night market, playing and eating. The time was almost eight o’ clock, and the fireworks were about to begin.

“I hope she didn’t get lost.”

Ran had left the shrine grounds for a few minutes, having decided the TV was too much to carry around, and called Dan to get him to come pick it up. Ichika and Houki both felt it would’ve been too awkward to tag along, so they waited by the water fountain—and kept waiting. Just as Ichika was about to go look for Ran, his phone rang.

“Hi, Ichika?”

“Yeah. What’s up, Ran? Did you get lost?”

“No way!”

“Hahaha, I was just kidding.”

“Hmph...”

Ichika laughed off the half-feigned indignation he’d seen used many times on Dan.

“Anyway, well... Dan already found me...”

“Oh, Dan’s here too? Why don’t we all hang out?”

“He’s being really, really insistent that we leave right now.” Ran let out a defeated sigh as she complained. “So I’ll be heading home now.”

“Oh, okay. Take care!” Ichika hung up and turned back to Houki. “Ran’s leaving.”

“Oh!”

Houki felt a pang of shame at the enthusiasm obvious in her voice. I’m so terrible... The more she thought about it, the more it turned into embarrassment, and she cast her eyes downward as she twiddled her fingers.

“Anyway, let’s go.”

“Ah...”

Ichika firmly took her by her hand and led her toward the wooded area behind the shrine. Somewhere we can be all alone... Nah, that can’t be what he’s thinking. Ichika would never be that forward. Plus, there was a special spot they both knew about with a perfect view for fireworks. Somewhere out amongst the pines, where the foliage opened up above like a window on the sky. No matter what the season, whether the glow of spring dawn or the sparkle of summer fireworks, the luminous harvest moon or the quiet beauty of falling snow, its beauty was framed there like a picture. Only Chifuyu and Tabane, and Houki and Ichika, knew it.

“Wow, it’s still just like I remember back here, too.”

Houki was too lost in thought to hear Ichika’s words. The evening cries of the crickets washed over her in the deserted woods. A cool wind carried away the summer heat. Being alone with one’s crush in a place like this was almost making her lose her mind. It’s only me and Ichika here... It feels... It feels so good...

Houki peered over at Ichika, half-expectantly. But, true to himself, he was just gazing up at the sky excitedly. M-Maybe this is my chance to tell him how I feel? If anyone asked her, she’d surely give that advice.

“Find out how I really feel...”

Mmmm? She stared at Ichika. Her face reddened, and she broke out in a sweat that had nothing to do with the heat. I can say it.

I should say it.

I just have to say it.

Now’s the time to say it...

Say it... NOW!

She repeated to herself over and over, trying to work up the nerve. In her mind, an army of tiny Houkis tried to kick one hesitant one forward. Do I have to say it? Me? Do I have to be the one? Isn’t it supposed to be the guy? But it’s Ichika. He never would. Does he not like me? No! He has to! I know he has to! I just know it...

As she argued with herself over and over, her face turned a deeper blush. The sound of the festival crowds was far away, and she couldn’t hear it anymore. Now’s the time! Houki had found her courage, and opened her mouth to speak.

“I-Ichika!”

“Hm?”

“I-I lo—”

BOOOOOOOM!

“Huh? Ooh, the fireworks are starting!”

“I lo......”

“Mm? What’s up, Houki?”

“.........”

Houki hid her clenched fists behind her. Ugh... Interrupted by the fireworks... She felt miserable, but there was no way around it. It was her fault for not saying it before they started. The festival’s fireworks display was famous for its never-ending barrage. Once it began, the roar of explosions would fill the sky for over an hour. Maybe today isn’t the day... Sigh... The thought drained her emotion, and the passion which had welled up in her ebbed away.

“Wow, this is amazing.”

The bursts of light in the sky illuminated the smile on Ichika’s face. Seeing that look of innocent joy, Houki couldn’t help but want to laugh. Just being by his side is good enough. She looked up at the sky with him. Bursts of red and blue, green and yellow enthralled.

“It’s beautiful...”

“It really is.”

Gazing at the heavens, she regained a little bit of courage, and reached out and took his hand.

“Mm? What?”

“Just let me.”

“Okay, fine.”

She looked over at him, and back at the sky. Houki’s face glowed under the light of the fireworks, not from shyness, but from pride. Her summer memories of her sixteenth year were bathed in vibrant flame.