V4Ch6: Festival lights Part 2

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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“Why are you here?”

Why is Hinagi here? Her meticulously arranged hair is now disheveled, and her yukata is also worn out. The scene resembles an abandoned stray cat, and there sits a stray Hinagi.

Unable to ignore her, I call out to her. She lifts her face in surprise from her bowed position.

“Yuki…to? Yukito!?—Ouch!”

Hinagi, who tried to embrace me forcefully, loses her balance. I catch her in a moment, and her moist eyes recognize me. The hand that I’m holding trembles slightly.

“I’m sorry! I couldn’t contact you! That guy…! But, this time…!”

Her words overflow like a turbid stream, lacking coherence. Why is Hinagi here? Was she really inviting me? Or was it a mistake? I realize it.

Ah, I see. It’s a double booking, huh?

If the first plan extended and I didn’t show up on time, it would make sense. But how could I communicate that without any means of contact? Maybe I should consider using smoke signals…

No, that’s ridiculous. I discard such trivial fantasies. What does it matter if everything aligns? What’s the fuss about double booking? I might have entertained such self-contained thoughts in the past, but Hinagi’s current state, which is far from ordinary, doesn’t allow it. I don’t trust myself. My conclusions are probably wrong.

Look at the other person properly. Her expression, attitude, condition. It shouldn’t be like that. There must be some reason why Hinagi is here now.

Gently stroking her back to calm her down, I felt the warmth of her body through the thin yukata fabric. Although she relaxed, her expression momentarily twisted in pain.

Looking down, I noticed that the tips of her toes, clad in geta sandals, had turned red.

“You’re injured.”

“Ah…uhm…”

“Get on.”

“Eh?”

“Save the explanations for later.”

I carried Hinagi on my back and headed towards the room. It was a desperate measure, but there was no other choice. For some reason, the residents of my house, including my mother and sister, were not fond of having outsiders inside. It might be considered a kind of sanctuary.

Honestly, I was worried about what would happen later, but it wasn’t a situation where I could afford to delay. It was an emergency evacuation.

Hopefully, my mother and sister would understand… Please, forgive me!

“Welcome back. You’re late… Ara Hinagi-chan?”

“S-Sorry, Ouka-san.”

“I picked up a stray kid over there.”

“Ha? What’s going……”

My sister appeared from the back, and her expression suddenly tightened, her gaze turning stern. Oh no! She seems really angry. I need to somehow calm her down. Maybe offer myself as a sacrifice or something.

“Wait! What’s this about a stray? Why is she here?”

“She just got a little injured, and I was going to send her back right away!”

“Injured… I won’t allow strange things to happen inside the house. Besides, what time is it now—”

“What if it happened outside the house?”

“That’s not the point!”

“…Well, if it was you, Nee-san?”

“That’s acceptable.”

“Case closed.”

“!?!”

We are heading to my room, restraining the watchdog that seems ready to bite at any moment. It was evident that it would turn out like this.

I don’t know the reason, but my sister seems to really dislike Hinagi.

It wasn’t like that in the past, but I wonder if there’s some kind of grudge or conflict between them?

In other words, my sister seems to dislike most people, and I worry if her relationships are okay with such an attitude. However, in reality, my sister is incredibly popular at school, so it’s presumptuous for someone like me to worry. The charm of an archangel is truly extraordinary.

I make Hinagi sit on the unnecessarily large bed and quickly grab the first aid kit. There’s no time to spare.

“Listen, Hinagi. We’ll discuss the details later. This is my room, but there’s no privacy here. No locks or anything. Scary people could come in at any moment, so let’s just finish the treatment.”

“Yeah…”

I take out antiseptic solution and bandages. The skin between her big toe and second toe is red and blistered.

“Don’t force yourself to wear geta if you’re not used to it.”

“I ran all the way here, so…”

Running in geta? Has Hinagi been practicing something like that?

“Any other painful spots?”

“Just my leg… I guess. I’m sorry.”

I apply antiseptic to the affected area. I try to treat it carefully to minimize the pain, but she winces here and there. However, she has to endure it.

With a sense of déjà vu, I can’t help but smile inwardly at this scene reminiscent of the past.

“You always seem to injure your feet.”

“It’s the second time. Getting treated like this.”

“Don’t get so down. I told you before, but your feet don’t smell. Be confident.”

“Then what was that about? You mean it smells? Hey, is my foot smelly!?”

Trying to cheer her up, I playfully tease her, but it backfires. Her cheeks flush crimson with anger.

She grabs my neck forcefully, but I continue wrapping the bandage without paying much attention.

“Hopping causing a stomach prolapse is just a baseless rumor. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Don’t try to divert the topic with such irrelevant things! Hey, how is it!? Is it smelly? I walked barefoot today, and I took a bath right before coming here!”

“As for me, I think claiming that hula-hooping causes intestinal torsion is also a bit exaggerated.”

“It smells good, right!? I use deodorant spray properly. So, what, do you want to smell it!? Do you want to smell my foot!?”

“I’m telling you it doesn’t smell!”

“Then don’t say things that make me anxious!”

“Got it, got it. If you keep insisting, I’ll sniff it properly later.”

“I don’t want that either!”

Is it too unreasonable? Well, if Hinagi is satisfied with that, I don’t mind. While Hinagi protests—or rather, makes excuses, the treatment is completed. It took only a short ten minutes.

“Alright, we’re done. Let’s go. I’ll escort you home.”

“Wa-wait, Yukito!”

I once again carry Hinagi on my back. The time is past 21:00. Her parents must be worried. Besides, she’s injured. I can’t let her go home alone at this hour, and certainly not let her stay overnight. I need to send her back promptly.

Hinagi probably didn’t intend to come here for such a thing. I don’t know how long she’s been in front of the house, but we can’t have a leisurely conversation here. What’s going on! I’ll say it again, there’s no privacy in my house!

Is it something to brag about…? Let’s make it a top priority when building a house.

I open the door with a bang, and as expected, my sister was sticking to the door, eavesdropping. Scary!

“I’ve finished treating the stray childhood friend, so I’ll release her now.”

“Just abandon the stray around here.”

“That’s too heartless.”

“Hinagi-chan, are you okay now?”

“Y-yes… Sorry for this late at night.”

“Why on earth at this hour… If you come home late after doing something weird, you know what will happen, right? You’ll wake up dreaming in the morning.”

“I wonder what will happen. Exciting.”

“Hmph. I expect you’re looking forward to it. I was going to perform a morning fe—”

“Whaaaa! N-no, Yuri-san, that’s not okay!”

“Aah?”

“Let’s go before the beast of prey gets out of control.”

I quickly escape from the impending chaos. Truly like water and oil, incompatible.

But I wonder, do dogs and monkeys really hate each other that much? If so, I wonder if Momotaro was considerate of the tense relationship between his subordinates. Being a hero is tough in this harsh world.

“…Um! I, I can walk on my own now.”

After leaving the apartment and walking for a while, Hinagi seems to have finally realized her own condition. I won’t say anything, but it’s convenient for me. There’s no problem if she keeps this state until I run out of energy. She used to be a petite girl, but now she has grown into a splendid woman.

“Stay quiet until I get tired.”

“Yes…”

What was so noisy just a few hours ago now feels like a silent night. The fireworks and the summer festival seem doubtful, as if they never happened. All I can hear is the faint murmur of Hinagi’s voice as she whispers behind me.

“We couldn’t see the fireworks, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“I wanted to stroll around the summer festival together… but I ruined it by myself again.”

“Hmm.”

I just silently accept the words pouring out without feeling the need to interject or offer any response. There’s no need for me to tell lies, make excuses, or manipulate words. There’s no intention to deceive, no malice. What she’s expressing is a fact, a genuine reflection of the feelings of Hinagi.

―― Hinagi Suzurigawa has changed.

She has become remarkably straightforward. Without embellishments, pretense, or excessive exaggeration of her own words. It’s almost unbelievable compared to how she used to be. No, perhaps she hasn’t changed but has regained something. The part of herself that was straightforward and unwavering.

In that case, can I also believe that I can regain something I lost once, just like her? What I had in the past.

“When I arrived at the meeting place, Yukito was already gone, and I couldn’t contact you. I didn’t know what to do, and before I knew it, I was running to Yukito’s house.”

The disadvantage of not having a smartphone became apparent. The ‘Yukito doesn’t need a smartphone theory’ was completely denied here. Ultimately, it seems to be an essential item for modern people.

“My bad.”

“No, it’s not. The one at fault is me for being late. I should have run to Yukito’s place right away. But, I was thinking about things like disrupting the set or something, and I couldn’t decide what to do. Somewhere along the line, I stopped being good at anything, and nothing I wished for came true. Always wishing but never reaching.”

She whispered softly in my ear.

―― I love you. ――

Abrupt and exceedingly simple words.

At this close distance, misunderstandings and pretending not to hear are impossible. With such a straightforward conclusion, there was no way to use a non-existent diagonal excuse. Hinagi did say it. “I love you.”

“Although I was supposed to be right next to you, I found myself chasing after your back. I thought I should give up. I keep getting weaker, and you keep getting stronger. Before I knew it, the distance between us had become so vast. I’ve been regretting, thinking it’s too late.”

―Hinagi Suzurikawa has become strong.

Truly, to an almost unbearably dazzling extent.

Those words, like magic, shape her current self.

“I won’t let any misunderstandings happen. I won’t let you say you don’t know how I feel. Whether Yukito chooses any answer, as long as my feelings are conveyed directly, there should be no regrets.”

It felt like people can change, that’s what I’ve been taught.

Himiyama-san, Shiori, and Hinagi, too. Even my sister and mother. Everyone seems to be trying to change. The only one who might not have changed is me. A sense of being left behind, a feeling of alienation.

“― Yukito has changed too.”

“Is that so?”

“I feel like you’re looking at me much more than before.”

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been eating blueberries.”

“It’s not about eyesight, idiot… But the real idiot is me. I almost made the same mistake again. Even though I decided not to make the same mistake again. I never learn. I’m really an idiot. Even if I try to bear it alone, there’s nothing I can do.”

― I realized.

I’ve come to a realization a little too late.

I intended to keep my distance. Hinagi has the freedom to seek her own happiness. I thought I couldn’t take away that time from her.

But surely, I can’t persuade the current Hinagi. I understand that no matter what conclusion or words I come up with now, I won’t be able to convince her.

The countless myths woven by our ancestors.

[Childhood friend] is undeniably the absolute heroine.

“I’ll talk to you about today. I want you to listen. There’s something I want to consult with you about. If it’s just me, I wouldn’t know what to do, but together, it’s not scary.”

What I remember is from our elementary school days. There were no secrets between us. We progressed like that. The relationship, like a phantom, that disappeared. Just memories from the time when we were childhood friends.

“Hinagi.”

“…?”

“I’ve enjoyed the sensation enough. Can I put you down now?”

“…Idiot.”

“Ex-boyfriend?”

“…Yeah.”

Hinagi spoke slowly, looking terribly pained. Her voice was trembling.

No matter how much she doesn’t want to admit it, it’s a fact and an unchangeable past.

The faint light spheres disappeared with a clap, falling gently to the ground. It’s already close to midnight. Even though today was a fireworks festival, it’s not preferable for minors to be out at this late hour, especially considering that Hinagi is a girl. Even her parents must be worried.

Despite that, we’re here doing what, you ask? Playing with fireworks. We’re becoming quite the delinquents. We ended up buying fireworks at the convenience store because Hinagi really wanted to play with them. Now, we’re playing together in a nearby park.

I can’t do anything in front of Yankee Hinagi. I’m sorry, Hiori-chan.

We can’t make a big fuss in the middle of the night, and the fireworks we have are just sparklers. We’re squatting down, quietly watching the flickering lights gently fall. Ah, the summer tradition, how nostalgic.

“So, did something happen?”

“No, but I’m scared. I’m sure something will happen again…”

It seems Hinagi was late for our meeting because she had been confronted by some seniors. The seniors, in question, is Yoshikawa, a guy one year older who dated Hinagi in middle school. Even though they go to different high schools and hadn’t encountered each other so far, they coincidentally ran into each other.

It wouldn’t have been a big deal if that were all, but it seems like Hinagi felt that it wouldn’t end with just that. Even now, she carries a vague sense of unease.

Her middle school days must have been traumatic for her. From her past behavior, it’s easy to deduce that she had been suffering in ways unknown to me. She had wandered deep into the darkness to the point where even her personality changed.

“Then make more friends.”

“Friends?”

“I hate to say it, but you don’t have many friends, do you?”

“Yukito has a lot of friends.”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

“…………”

“…………”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

Many friends? Who? Me? I may know many acquaintances, but whether I can call them friends is another matter. The first person that comes to mind is the refreshing handsome man, but come to think of it, the recently acquainted people are probably the goddess sensei and a rookie yin-yang master named Maki Jagai-san. I even received an amulet as a token of friendship.

Hinagi and I both tilted our heads unnaturally. An awkward atmosphere lingers. It seems there is a significant difference in understanding, but that doesn’t matter now.

“Anyway, increase your allies. Besides, you’re already in high school. I don’t know the other person’s intentions, but I don’t think being too forceful is a good idea.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means it’s not enough to just joke around. That goes for you too.”

“Me…?”

“If you make the wrong choice next time, it might be irreparable.”

“――!?”

“It’s the right decision for you to consult with me like this. Never bear it alone. Increase your allies and rely on them. Your family will help too. Don’t think you’ll be a bother.”

“Yeah, I understand.”

Hinagi, answering with a somewhat relieved expression, has indeed changed. Just a little while ago, she was constantly denying my words. That’s why she was taken advantage of. And she barely managed to stop.

However, it might not end with just that next time. If you become too late without knowing anything, without realizing anything, it’ll be too late, beyond my reach.

But before it comes to that, there are countless things I can do.

“In any case, if you know who the other person is, you can handle it somehow. As a great spiritualist once said, ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and throw a monster at a monster.'”

“Isn’t he dead from his failures?”

“Anyway, don’t worry too much. You made the right choice. You’ve grown.”

I pat her back lightly. Taking great care not to unhook the clasp.

“I wonder if it wouldn’t have happened if I had consulted with you properly. ……”

“Well, of course. In the first place, if it had been known that you’re my childhood friend, they probably wouldn’t have thought of doing anything. After all, I was always avoided by upperclassmen.”

“You’re saying that about yourself?”

By the time we reached middle school, Hinagi and I had distanced ourselves. By then, she had started treating me harshly, and we rarely interacted in class since we were in different classes. Probably only our classmates from elementary school knew that Hinagi and I were childhood friends.

For some reason, I was often avoided by seniors. Even though I’m such an honor student. There were many instances where I was intentionally ignored, and if it were known that Hinagi, my childhood friend, would be seen through a biased lens. However, she shouldn’t think of meddling unnecessarily, at least.

Hinagi is anxious, but I’m not actually that worried. She didn’t repeat the same mistake. It should be fine now. Besides, she’s already a high school student. If something happens, she’ll be held accountable enough at this age. It’s not something that can be excused as a mistake made by a child.

It means not expecting the other party to resort to forceful measures. If they forcefully try something and fail, their life will be over. In this day and age, it’s easy to leave evidence by recording audio or shooting videos with smartphones.

In the fantasy world, there is something called an NTR video letter, but such things are nothing more than extremely foolish acts of self-destruction, transferring evidence of one’s committed crimes.

Concealing what you’ve done is surprisingly difficult. I, personally, am used to life being like a hellish apocalypse and couldn’t care less about disposal, but that’s not the case for everyone.

Once you become a student, the risk of expulsion or suspension is something you can’t take lightly. That’s why high school students have discretion.

And deviation from such standards is difficult. That’s the moral rooted in society.

If that’s the case, the other party’s movements naturally become restricted. Even so, if they still choose to resort to forceful measures, one could say they are even easier to deal with. I’ll just beat them up.

Then, I suddenly remember. Come to think of it, there’s someone perfect for times like this!

“That’s right. Let me introduce you to the goddess sensei, also known as the yokai-faced vomit BBA. She caused me so much trouble, so she’ll probably be willing to offer some advice for free.”

“Who is that woman?”

“She seems to be a famous lawyer.”

“Hey. Who is that woman?”

“Her name seems to be Kuon Kozukata. Quite a sparkling name, huh? It’s funny.”

“So, who is that woman?”

“We’ll meet her next time, and I’ll let her know then. I’ll pass on Hinagi’s contact information.”

“Thank you. But, who is that woman?”

“Huh? That’s strange. It seems you’re not getting it.”

“Answer me. Who is that woman?”

“Hinagi?”

Ooi, Hinagi, what’s wrong?

Hinagi was giving off a dark aura somewhat similar to Sister while glaring at me.

Trying to explain in desperation, but she doesn’t seem entirely convinced. She’s quite persistent. In fact, if someone is so persistent, I don’t think they would bother with such a worthless senpai, but there aren’t many people accustomed to being subjected to malice. It’s unavoidable to feel uneasy.

Watching the last sparkler fall, I stand up. I carefully dispose of the trash and make sure nothing is left. Cleaning up after the fire is important. It’s the age of being eco-friendly. It’s late at night, after all. Even I can’t keep someone out until this late.

“Are your feet okay?”

“I’m fine. I can walk from here.”

Unable to say goodbye here, I head towards Hinagi’s house.

In the silence, Hinagi, walking beside me, gently speaks up.

“How about staying overnight at my place?”

“I-I-Impossible! Don’t suggest something so terrifying! I can’t do that!”

“Why are you so flustered?… We used to stay overnight sometimes, didn’t we?”

Muttering discontentedly, Hinagi complains, but her scary suggestion couldn’t help but send shivers down my spine.

If I do something like that, I’ll definitely be punished. Probably with a whip or something like that. I’ve already taken a detour, and it’s getting late. If it gets any later, it’ll be seriously bad.

Moreover, Hinagi doesn’t know, but her mother, Akane, has banned me from the Suzurikawa household. Last time, I had no choice but to accept Hinagi’s invitation because of her desperate appearance. I haven’t directly met Akane, and if I had, I would have been scolded and blamed.

I betrayed Akane’s expectations. If she were told that I should have saved Hinagi before it came to such a point, I couldn’t argue. In that sense, for Akane, I am still one of the parties who hurt Hinagi. I couldn’t save Hinagi. I am…

“Hey, there’s something I wanted to ask you. Why did you go along with my invitation?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“I guess somehow, I understood what you were trying to say.”

“I see, mind reading.”

“No, that’s not it, dummy.”

While facing an unexpected situation, it was indeed true that I had something I wanted to say to Hinagi. That was also the case with Shiori. Falling in love with someone, for me right now…

“Hinagi, I…”

“Earlier, you said I wasn’t wrong, right?”

Cutting off my words, Hinagi overlays her own. Her hand gently holds mine.

“Wandering and continuing to scratch the moss. I thought I wasn’t suitable for someone like Yukito. But you illuminated the darkness. You gave me love. I won’t let go of this hand again.”

“You have your own life. Look around more. Surely, someone like you…”

“Yukito, I have my own life. So I’ll decide.”

We reach Hinagi’s house. Heat is directly transmitted from that hand.

As if to cool the heated body with the night wind, I receive a gentle kiss on my cheek.

“I won’t give up. You always try to help me. Because you’re you.”

A few hours ago, her expression was pale, but now it’s dyed crimson with excitement.

A shy, smiling expression. For the first time in a while, it’s the Hinagi from those days.

“Thanks for today. I’ll properly apologize and thank you next time.”

Hinagi’s figure disappears into the house. I call out to her back.

“Hinagi.”

“…”

“—-That yukata suits you.”

“Thank you.”

I felt I had to say that much. Hinagi doesn’t look back.

But I can somehow sense that she was smiling.

That’s the distance between us now. Farther than when we were in elementary school, closer than when we were in junior high.

Watching her completely disappear, I let out a deep sigh.

“What am I supposed to do…”

Hostility and malice directed towards me are incredibly strong, but I don’t know what to do with goodwill.

Returning with heavy steps, unable to find an answer.

I somehow understood deep down in my heart that I couldn’t find it alone.

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“I’m so sorryyyyyyyyyyy!”

Bowing deeply, I desperately seek forgiveness with a dogeza in the living room. But the pressure only intensifies.

“Didn’t I say I won’t forgive you if you’re late?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong! I just had a stomachache on the way back and went to the multipurpose toilet—”

“Ha? Were you fooling around with that girl in the multipurpose toilet?”

“Absolutely not! The multipurpose toilet is not for that purpose!”

“It seems like you also want to be subjected to a close relative punishment.”

“W-What? A close relative punishment?”

“Yes. For the time being, it’s a close relative punishment.”

“Damn it! I feel like the nuance is different, but I’m too scared to confirm it!”

“Well, shall we sleep together?”

“Why are you starting to take off your pajamas?”

“Because it’s hot.”

“No way.”

“Come here, hug pillow.”

“!?”

This is outrageous! My hierarchy has degraded to inanimate objects. But my mother is also here in this situation, smiling broadly. I sent a pleading glance for help.

“I’m happy that you two are getting along like you used to.”

“Are you nearsighted?”

“Fufu…Fufufu… I thought I wasn’t at the age to grow old yet.”

“I just blurted it out. It’s not my true feelings, Mom!”

“Maybe a bit late rebellious phase? But I’m relieved. Something childlike.”

“I can’t be relieved at all! And why are you in pajamas too, Mom?”

“It’s hot today, isn’t it?”

“No way.”

“Then, shall we sleep together?”

“Yeah, yeah. After all, you two are like parent and child. I feel like I’m the only one different.”

“Don’t say such sad things.”

Held firmly from both sides, I’m dragged away. A perfect combination, isn’t it?

“I’ve said this how many times already, but do you know that this is my room?”

“We only need one air conditioner and it’ll save on electricity, right?”

“When you say that, I really can’t say anything.”

I won’t be independent until next year. I can’t defy my mother. Heatstroke is scary too.

“Confess what you were doing honestly. I won’t let you sleep until you do.”

“I’m innoceeeeeeeent!”