T/N: Sorry for disappearing, I needed to clear up my schedule since I’ve a whole lot of issues to deal with these days. However issues have significantly slowed down by now so I can usually replace the sequence once more! Since I went bye bye for every week, I am going to make up for it by releasing 3 chaps for every week, hopefully I will not get too busy once more. Anyway take pleasure in!

Subsequent day, Saturday. Though the climate wasn’t precisely a nice one for an autumn day, the forecast mentioned that there can be no probability of rain. They introduced that the fireworks competition would proceed as deliberate as we speak on their social media. Based mostly on the reactions, it appeared lots of people can be going to the venue.

Because it was a vacation, I obtained off the bed a bit of later than typical. After I headed to the lounge, I might scent the scent of espresso wafting by way of the air.

Within the kitchen, Umi was buzzing a tune joyfully as she poured some espresso into two cups. In some way, this had grow to be an everyday scene on this home.

“Good morning, Maki. You awoke late as we speak, hm? Effectively, because it’s a vacation, it doesn’t matter, however understand that in case you do that too typically, you’ll get insomnia.”

“Good morning, Umi. I’ll maintain that in thoughts, thanks for the espresso.”

“Don’t point out it. Anyway, let’s depart the lecture about your sleeping behavior after our breakfast. Come right here~”

We went to the sofa and proceeded with our morning routine. She stroked my head and glued my hair with the comb and the hair wax that she introduced. Since we’d be going exterior with everybody as we speak, she put in additional effort than typical.

I nonetheless had the aversion of getting my hair touched by others, however Umi was an exception amongst exceptions. Her mild touches and the gentle texture of her fingers all the time felt so comfy. If I have been to let my guard down, I might go to sleep proper there after which.

“Hehe, in case you’re nonetheless sleepy, you possibly can return to sleep. We promised to fulfill within the night anyway, I can simply wait till you’re awake.”

“Nah, if I’m going again to mattress now, it’ll simply smash my hair once more. In addition to… Um… It’s essential prepare, proper? You already know, with garments and stuff…”

“Effectively, yeah, I imply, this sort of competition solely occurs yearly. Because you’ll be there too, I’d must put extra effort into dressing up.”

As was the case final Christmas, Umi was the sort of one who’d put an effort into dressing herself up in an occasion like this. There was no manner she wouldn’t be doing the identical this time.

I’ve seen her in a yukata throughout the summer time trip, however this could be the primary time I’m seeing her carrying one in a competition. As her boyfriend, I used to be actually wanting ahead to that.

“Ah, proper, we have now an outdated yukata at dwelling. It’s my brother’s, he used to put on it again when he was nonetheless in center faculty, but it surely ought to suit you. Too dangerous we don’t actually have males’s yukata at our place. Anyway, it’s best to put on it.”

“Huh? I’m carrying a yukata too?”

“In fact! What, are you telling me you wish to put on a traditional shirt, denims and a pair of sneakers for the competition? Despite the fact that I’ll be placing a whole lot of effort into dressing up?”

“…Can’t I?”

“Gee, I don’t know~ Are you able to~?”

“…Fantastic.”

I understood her want to stroll across the once-in-a-year fireworks competition whereas carrying a yukata along with me. Particularly when it was uncertain that we’d be capable of go to a different competition subsequent yr.

…However, nonetheless… I’ve solely been carrying shirts, denims (generally) and sandals every time I went exterior. May I actually pull off a yukata?

“You don’t want to fret, I’ll costume you up so that you’ll look good in it! I’ll provide you with a clear haircut, lovely eyelids, straight nostril, sharp jawline and clean pores and skin with none blemish! What do you suppose?”

“Apart from the hair, you’d must do a cosmetic surgery on me for all that.”

“Hehe, I do know, I used to be kidding, however you actually don’t want to fret about something, Maki. You’re much more toned in comparison with final yr.”

So she mentioned, however she was the one who mentioned {that a} center schooler yukata would match me. I actually needed to develop taller and larger.

…Not less than till Umi might entrust herself to me with a peaceable thoughts.

“In any case, you’ll be carrying a yukata as we speak and that’s ultimate. Additionally, don’t inform anybody about this! Let’s give them a shock!”

“You’re talking as if me carrying a yukata can be an enormous deal… Effectively, no matter, I’ll depart that matter to you.”

“Hehe~ I’ll be seeing you in a yukata

for the primary time~ I’m excited to see the way you’ll look~ Ah, wait, I’ve to name my mother first.”

It appeared like I might be on the mercy of the Asanagis as we speak too. Effectively, after I noticed how giddy Umi regarded, I made a decision to simply settle for my destiny. In spite of everything, it had been some time since I’ve seen her this excited.

The upcoming competition was one thing that I used to be personally wanting ahead to, however that wasn’t as necessary as her smile.

After we’ve eaten our breakfast, it was determined that we’d transfer over to Umi’s place so I might dress. I felt dangerous for intruding, however Sora-san welcomed me with open arms.

“Welcome, Maki-kun~ Hehehe, this yukata has been sitting on the drawer for years now, lastly there’s somebody who’s keen to put on it. I purchased it for Riku, however he was too shy to put on it.”

“I see…”

…I’d say she was too welcoming. After I obtained there, Sora-san was holding Riku-san’s outdated yukata with a smile that regarded so much like Umi.

Every time I noticed this sort of factor, it jogged my memory of how these two have been really associated. They in all probability by no means realized it, however the expression they made as they pushed that yukata onto my face was one hundred percent comparable.

They took me to the visitor room on the primary ground. It appeared like they needed to complete my affairs first earlier than getting Umi to decorate up.

“Hmm… Maki-kun’s hair is getting longer once more, Umi. Why don’t we minimize the entrance half and the again half a bit of? That’ll give him a cleaner look.”

“True. It’s nonetheless midday anyway, so we are able to get that finished. Maki, depart that yukata behind. Let’s go exterior and minimize your hair.”

I assumed I solely wanted to deal with my garments, but it surely appeared like we’d be doing way more than that.

…This made me surprise what everybody else was doing.

Due to that thought, I grew to become a bit of apprehensive. I haven’t heard something from Amami-san and the others, who is aware of, possibly they’d determined that they’d go a bit of later than us.

“Earlier than you begin chopping my hair, can I exploit my cellphone for some time, Umi? I wish to inspect everybody.”

“Positive. You already know, I ought to simply do the identical.”

Whereas Sora-san went to organize the scissors and clips for chopping my hair, I opened up the group chat that our group of 5 normally used to speak.

After I typed in a message, everybody instantly answered.

[Maehara: Hello, everyone.]

[Seki: Yo.]

[Seki: Never change with that greeting, eh, Maki?]

[Maehara: What do you mean? Isn’t this how you’d normally greet other people?]

[Nina: I know right? Never change, Rep. Anyway, heya~]

[Amami: Hehe, hello~ Is Umi with you, Maki-kun? Or is she at least in the same room as you?]

[Asanagi: Hello, everyone.]

[Maehara: Why are you imitating me?]

[Asanagi: Hehe~]

[Seki: Get a room.]

[Nina: Get a room.]

[Amami: You two, get a room! Hehe, kidding~]

[Maehara: Sorry.]

[Maehara: By, the way, will you guys make it to the festival? There’s no problem like you’ll come in late or feel sick, right?]

[Nina: No problem for me, what about you, Yuuchin?]

[Amami: Me too. What about everyone else?]

[Seki: Me three.]noVe-1B-In

[Asanagi: No problem here too.]

[Maehara: Since I’m the same, then we can follow the planned schedule I guess.]

For now there didn’t appear to be any issues. That meant we might meet up on the deliberate time.

As deliberate, we’d be assembly up right here at Umi’s home because it was the closest place to the bus station. Whereas I used to be pondering that Umi despatched a brand new message to the group chat.

[Asanagi: Alright, we’ll meet at the bus station at five as planned. If any of you are going to be late, just contact either me or Maki. Especially you girls. Yuu, Nina, you two got your yukatas ready, didn’t you?]

[Amami: Yes, of course! My mom insisted that I wear it!]

[Nina: I mean, I’d be looking so out of place if I’m the only one not wearing one.]

“Huh?”

Based mostly on what we have been doing yesterday, we’d be going to the shrine that Umi and I went to. After we obtained there, we’d go to that secret spot and watch the fireworks from there.

I made a decision to cease texting in the intervening time and turned my gaze in direction of Umi.

“Uh, Umi?”

“Effectively, um… I had a second thought. I suppose it could be higher for everybody to observe the fireworks from the precise venue. Sorry, I shoulda notified you earlier, however actually, I solely got here to a call this morning.”

“I see. Effectively, I’ve already ready myself to take care of the crowds within the first place, so that is high-quality, however… Had been you having a second thought due to what I had mentioned final evening?”

“…”

After listening to my phrases, a pink tinge appeared on Umi’s cheeks as she nodded.

“I gave it a whole lot of thought final evening. I do know I’ve mentioned all these issues final evening, however… In the long run, I made a decision that it could be higher if we have been to monopolize that place. I really feel a bit of responsible, however, you already know… What you mentioned final evening… Made me actually comfortable…”

Final evening, I assumed I actually was being egocentric, but it surely appeared like Umi felt the identical manner as me.

We solely stayed at that place for half an hour final evening, however we didn’t spend all that point stargazing.

Remembering what we did made me really feel embarrassed. Mainly, due to the environment round us, we ended up flirting a bit of tougher than typical… To summarize, what occurred was…

‘Maki, which one is prettier? Me or the evening sky?’

‘…There’s nobody round us, Maki. You generally is a liiiittle extra proactive.’

And so forth. Perhaps it was as a result of we hadn’t gone on a date for some time, however we ended up going overboard.

That was why, actually, if we have been to carry everybody to that place, I’d be too busy fascinated about these reminiscences as an alternative of watching the fireworks.

“However, are you positive that is okay? I’ve by no means gone to 1, however don’t fireworks festivals normally have an enormous crowd? I’m kind of already getting used to the crowds, however there’s nonetheless an opportunity that unsavory issues may occur…”

“Don’t fear about that, I’ve a plan for that… We’ve got to carry extra individuals with us due to that although…”

“Carry extra individuals? Others will include us too? Like Nitori-san and Hojo-san?”

“No. They’re adults. Effectively, you already knew them.”

“I already knew them? May it’s…?”

When it got here to my acquaintances that have been adults and have been free sufficient to steer 5 excessive schoolers in a fireworks competition, not many individuals got here to my thoughts. As I used to be pondering about this, I heard the sound of the entrance door being opened.

“I’m dwelling. Significantly, I have never had a day without work for 2 months and a half and I’ve to spend it babysitting?”

“Jeez, Rikkun, I do know you’re wanting ahead to seeing Sora-obaa-san and Umi-chan.”

“I’m not—”

“Huh, that voice…”

If Umi was speaking about these two, then they have been certainly the individuals I knew.

“Yo, Maki. It’s been some time.”

“Good day. I heard there’ll be a fireworks competition right here, so I assumed it’d be good to see it with Rikkun. In fact, we introduced Reiji with us too. C’mon, say hey.”

“Good day, Massive Brother!”

“Riku-san, Shizuku-san and even Reiji-kun is right here?”

Umi would in all probability inform me the small print on how issues got here to be like this later. In any case, it appeared just like the competition can be rowdier than I beforehand thought.