As we handed by means of a big torii, with Umi main the best way, a heat and vigorous environment greeted us.

The candy odor of candies and the savory odor of soy sauce tickled my nostril. On the identical time, I heard a quiet rumbling noise from my abdomen.

“Hehe, since we’re already right here, why don’t we eat one thing? You introduced some cash, proper?”

“Yeah. I solely introduced the standard quantity although.”n/.OVelBIn

I used to be speaking in regards to the cash my mother gave me for meals and for having enjoyable with Umi. She had been giving me the identical sum of money ever since she came upon about our relationship. Nevertheless, since Umi was the one who invited me right this moment, we determined to separate the payments.

We each grabbed some meals from the stalls, I purchased some yakisoba and ikayaki, in the meantime Umi purchased a complete field of takoyaki and a few drinks. The 2 of us then slowly walked up the hill whereas consuming our meals little by little.

“I’ve by no means anticipated that they’re holding a competition in a spot like this. Contemplating this shrine isn’t precisely an enormous one…”

“Proper? I didn’t learn about it both, my mother was the one who instructed me. Apparently, this shrine all the time held a competition across the identical time yearly. Immediately is the primary occasion, however I heard that they’ll maintain some sort of occasion tomorrow too. Anyway, I believed it’d be good for us to come back to test the place out earlier than tomorrow’s Fireworks Competition.”

“I see. However, you recognize that the Fireworks Competition might be held over there, proper?”

“I do know that! …Anyway, can we speak about that later once we lastly get to the highest? Additionally, would you like some takoyaki? There’s one left for you~”

“Yeah, certain, however…”

We gently climbed the stone steps whereas Umi was feeding me the takoyaki in her hand. Finally, we reached the highest of the hill and the shrine’s fundamental constructing got here into view.

There was a big bonfire within the heart of the grounds. Folks had been surrounding it whereas throwing one thing, in all probability outdated good-luck-charms or one thing just like that. Perhaps it was part of a burning ritual or one thing?

We settled on a bench within the nook of the bottom, watching the flickering flame whereas munching on our meals.

The yakisoba and ikayaki had been extra flavorful than the meals I normally ate, however that was in all probability due to the general cheerful environment of the place.

Truthfully, this sort of environment wasn’t dangerous in any respect. That will be an unthinkable opinion to have if I had been nonetheless the identical individual as I used to be a yr in the past.

Effectively, truly, I might in all probability suppose the identical method about all kinds of locations so long as Umi was with me.

“Come to consider it, we had been so busy throughout this summer time trip. We couldn’t even go to a competition like this, huh?”

“Yeah, cram college, Sports activities Competition… Subsequent yr, will probably be the Cultural Competition as an alternative of the Sports activities Competition, so, technically talking, we should always have extra time, however we might be too busy learning by then…”

Trying again, it actually felt like we hadn’t had sufficient enjoyable collectively. For me particularly, since I had all the time spent most of my summer time trip at residence, I had fewer good recollections of it in comparison with most individuals.

Nonetheless, the summer time trip this yr was fairly good.

If there was a reminiscence I’d cherish essentially the most, it will be again once I went along with Umi and her household to her hometown.

Effectively, I couldn’t bear in mind too many particulars as a result of issues had been just a little hectic, but it surely was across the time when Umi and I lastly grew to become bodily and mentally linked. There have been additionally instances once we had been collectively by ourselves in the course of the journey and actually, I nonetheless discovered myself grinning every time I remembered these events.

“…You’re imagining one thing perverted aren’t you, Maki?”

“N-No? I’m simply wanting on the fireplace!”

“Liar~ There’s no use attempting to deceive me~ I can inform out of your expression what you’re eager about, you recognize~?”

“R-Actually?”

“Sure~”

“…Are you able to specify what sort of expression?”

“…Hehehe…”

It appeared like her phrases had been true, however she was the one one who may inform as I didn’t even understand it.

“Inform me, please.”

“Hehehe, no~”

“Ugh… Why are you so imply to me?”

“Hehehe~ Don’t fear about it an excessive amount of. I stated ‘expression’ but it surely’s actually just a bit change out of your standard ones. Solely somebody like me, somebody who’s all the time observing your face, would be capable of inform that~”

“I’ll belief you then…”

“You already know, I’ve seen you had been doing this fairly continuously lately. However solely once we’re collectively.”

So, apparently she found out about each thought that I believed I had saved hidden.

Like every time I considered these sorts of issues every time we had been alone. Or every time I used to be eager about different ladies like Amami-san or Nitta-san.

I suppose as a result of she found out that I did in regards to the former greater than the latter, she didn’t discover it essential to level it out to me sooner.

“W-Effectively, let’s overlook about that and get going already. We don’t come right here simply to eat some yakisoba and takoyaki, proper?”

“Ah, proper. Now that we’ve stuffed our abdomen, time to do what we’re coming right here for.”

Ignoring the bonfire, which already acquired greater earlier than we seen it, we went to the again of the shrine.

We entered the pitch-black area, away from the hustle and bustle of the competition, the place no gentle may get by means of.

“There’s a competition outdoors, so it feels positive and all, however think about if there isn’t…”

“The environment right here feels nice, isn’t it? Proper, why don’t we do a take a look at of braveness right here later? It’ll be a pleasant solution to have fun the top of our summer time trip, don’t you—”

“Hell no.”

It wasn’t like I believed in ghosts or one thing like that, however the horror style wasn’t precisely amongst my favorites. The Fireworks Competition tomorrow can be adequate to have fun the top of the summer time trip or whatnot.

However, from the move of our dialog thus far, it appeared like it will be inevitable for us to come back again right here tomorrow… Hopefully, we can’t truly do a take a look at of braveness or one thing comparable tomorrow…