Vol 1 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 3: Yoshi+no Fireworks

Tihtly introverted

”shi+dou-sanI, I, have aplace that I'd liketo go”

The tho set out to view fireworks, however

A night in summer

Itsuka shi+dou was in the kitchen preparing dinner as usual

”shi+dou, what's for dinner tonight?”

A girl's voice sounded out fro room

Turning to look in that direction, he found the girl whose long hair was as dark as night as well as crystal-like eyes——Tohka was currently lying on top of a yoga ball and looking towards the kitchen Although she lives in the apartment next door, she would occasionally enter the Itsuka residence to join them for lunch

”Nn, it's slightly hot today I'll make cold soba then”

”Oooh!”

When shi+dou just finished his sentence, Tohka's eyes started to sparkle After putting all of her weight onto the yoga ball, she made use of its rebound to stand up

”Is, is there any pink colored noodles in there?”

”There are And there are green ones too”

”Wh, what did you say”

Tohka showed an expression as though she was a clergy who had received a e from the heavens, her two hands trembled

What an eave a bitter smile as he continued

”So, can you go and tidy up the table for me first?”

”Nn, nn! Leave it to me!”

Tohka enthusiastically replied, after that she hastily clear the newspapers and azines that covered the table

It looks like she had discovered so such a curious sound, her hand stopped as well

”Nn? What's the matter?”

”Umm, shi+dou, what is this?”

Saying that, she opened up a flyer Printed on it was a picture of massive fireworks and related infor held nearby

”It's a fireworks festival So the time has come for this huh”

”Fireworks?”

Tohka widened her eyes and tilted her head to one side

The sa rooure walked in

Since the only one that would enter without pressing the doorbell, other than Tohka and his parents who are overseas working, was his little sister Kotori shi+dou spoke while rhyth the onions

”So you are finally back Dinner is about to be ready so you should hurry up and change——”

shi+dou stopped speaking after he turned around

The girl who had walked into the room, was different from whom shi+dou had expected

She seeht colored one piece dress clothed her snohite skin, she hid her blue hair using the wide brined rabbit puppet orn on her hand

”Yoshi+no?”

After shi+dou called out her name, Yoshi+no revealed her sapphire-like eyes fro to affirm shi+dou's presense

Those were a pair of beautiful eyes that a human couldn't possible have

That's right She——along with Tohka, strictly speaking, are not humans They are lifefornated calamities

Even so, their powers are currently being sealed via erous anymore In truth, Yoshi+no who is under <ratatoskr>'s protection, is currently living on board the living quarters of the airshi+p, learning the necessary inforrate into human society

”Go, good eveningshi+dou-san, Tohka-san”

”Aha— long ti? Have you constantly spend sleepless nights by yourself thinking about Yoshi+no?”

After Yoshi+no respectfully lowered her head, the puppet that orn on her left hand——[Yoshi+non] opened its ave out a cheerful voice

Due to the difference in their tone and personalities, shi+dou couldn't help but smile bitterly

Although it looks like ventriloquis that was not the case [Yoshi+non] is a second personality that resides within Yoshi+no, what it says however is not controlled by Yoshi+no's will

Truth is, at present, Yoshi+no too was covering [Yoshi+non]'s mouth who had just uttered those words with a reddened face

”I'mI'm sor, ry”

[Mm——! Mm——!]

Yoshi+no felt apologetic as she lowered her head onceto break free It was adorable to see theh

”It's alrightDo you need so, Yoshi+no?”

shi+dou questioned, Yoshi+no on the other hand juhtly

”A, aboutthat is”

Yoshi+no see her eyes wander around, however she seemed to have come to a conclusion as she parted her lips

”Y, you are still acoward I see, shi+dou You should be, feeling honored insteadLook at you, such a penniless, classless, useless nerdI will grant youyour reason for existing Tohttake meto the fireworks festival Su, such a taskeven a flea like you who has evolved to a level nearing that of huht?”

Yoshi+no stuttered, saying words that she'd normally would never say

”Whhat's the matter, Yoshi+no?”

Tohka frowned in confusion as well, drops of sweat trickled down her cheek

However shi+dou made a different reaction After the side of his face twitched, he slowly raised his head

”Hey, you rascal”

”! So, sorry, sorry, sorry! B, but”

Yoshi+no bowed her head to indicate her apology from the bottom of her heart

But shi+dou was not blalance behind her——glaring at the door that Yoshi+no had opened before As expected, Kotori as shaking fro the turn of events

”Kotori! What are you trying to add into the oasis in my heart!”

”So you are trying to say, that you want to go see the fireworks festival?”

After getting Kotori out fro

He was told that Yoshi+no wanted to see the [Fireworks] that she read in books with her own eyes very ht] with shi+dou, consulting Kotori about the matter

”That's right I reawa to her there”

The girl whose long hair was tied up using black ribbons——Kotori spoke while sitting on the sofa with a haughty attitude

Explaining the so called [Dating Right], it is referring to the right of possessing shi+dou for an entire day, Yoshi+no obtained it from a certain competition Of course shi+dou's protests were left unheededBut more importantly it was because the situation could potentially escalate if the right was handed to anyone other than Yoshi+no from his protests, so there was no other choice other than to silently agree

”If that was the case then can't you just let her say it out nor to make Yoshi+no do?”

”Well, if we didn't put it like that, it would be useless against shi+dou who is as dense as a block of woodSo what is your reply?”

”I'”

shi+dou glanced at Tohka as sitting by the side Since she was the person that was most interested in this activity

After hearing Kotori talk about the fireworks festival, her cheeks faintly blushed, the two balled up fists were tre as well

In other words, she was controlling herself

”Ha!”

At that moment, it seeave a jolt

”Is, isn't that gr, great? Such a rare chanceThe two of you should enjoy yourselves to the fullest”

Although Tohka said that Tears could clearly be seen fro herself

Sweat for to look at Yoshi+no Yoshi+no too wasa similar expression as well

”Udo you want to come with us?”

”! Re, really!?”

After Yoshi+no said that, Tohka couldn't help but stand up——but she quickly shook her head forcefully as though trying to persuade herself

”NoI can't This date belongs to the winner Yoshi+no If I were to join you, then it wouldn't be right”

Tohka twirled her fingers as she spoke

Looking at her

”Alright alright, we'll let Reine bring Tohka there There's no probleht?”

As Kotori finished speaking, Tohka's expression brightened in an instant

”! UuWell, if you all wantit!”

Looking at Tohka, shi+dou and Yoshi+no looked at each other and smiled bitterly

◇

The next day, shi+dou waited for Yoshi+no near the statue whose forination to find out at the nearest station from the fireworks festival

The time as of noas not 6pm yet There's still about an hour till the fireworks festival starts, however the figures of tourists have already filled the exterior of the station Aaes of takoyaki or yo-yo balls who entered the station

”Although I've already expected thisbut there sure are a lot of people here”

”What are you still hanging around for We've just sent Yoshi+no over, she should be heading there soon, the two of you better meet up successfully okay?”

As though replying to shi+dou's ht ear

Althought Yoshi+no's mental state have stablized, he still put on the earphone on <ratatoskr>'s request just in case

”——According to the rules, ill not be giving you any instructions today, but there are <ratatoskr>'s crewcomes up”

”I understand”

”Well then, we'll leave Yoshi+no to you”

Saying that, the conversation with Kotori ended

After affir this fact, shi+dou started to look around in order to search for Yoshi+no

And then

”I've, I've made youwait”

[Ooh—, we've made you wait shi+dou-kun]

A familiar voice sounded out froaze doards

”!”

shi+dou involuntarily widened his eyes due to seeing a scene that had totally exceeded his expectations

Yoshi+no was not wearing the usual one piece dress, but a pale blue kimono She did not wear her sunhat as well,in its place she used hair clasps to hold her beautiful hair in place

All of that co an incomparable beauty shi+dou was instantly rendered speechless, staring at her figure

”shi+dousan?”

”! Ah, sorry about that”

Brought back to reality after hearing Yoshi+no's hesitant voice, he looked around as an excuse for his behavior just noever [Yoshi+non] who has the same hair clasps as Yoshi+no started to snicker

”Ayaya——? Don't tell me you were in a trance over Yoshi+no's kireat Yoshi+no It wasn't a waste in getting Reine to help out”

”Gu”

”Yo, Yoshi+non! You, you shouldn't say such things shi+dou-san, ouldn't”

Yoshi+no hastily held [Yoshi+non]'sto look at shi+dou

”WellI do think that you are beautiful”

However shi+dou said the truth, Yoshi+no's face instantly flushed red

”Th, that, that is”

Probably not expecting to really be praised by shi+dou, Yoshi+no waved her right hand about in a panic,her own expression with the brim of her hat

However what Yoshi+no has on her head at present was not the sunhat but hairclips shaped like flowers Yoshi+no used her hand to cover her face before re the her head in confusion as to what expression should she make

The two of theh it was the perfect moment to interrupt, [Yoshi+non] chose to just stay there with a sly grin

”We, ell thenlet's not just stand here, shall we go?”

”!Y, yes! Then I'll be inyour care”

After shi+dou spoke, Yoshi+no respectfully bowed her head showing an extremely panicked expression

”Nn, let's walk this way”

Saying that, he started to walk in the direction of the river, however [Yoshi+non]'s voice called out to him

[Oi oi shi+dou-kun There's soahead?]

”Eh?”

After turning around to look, he finally realized as going on Not only was the current Yoshi+no wearing a kis that she was not used to wearing

”You're right, I'm sorry Since we still have time, let's walk over slowly”

[Tsk tsk tsk That's not the problem shi+dou-kun]

”Eh?”

[Hurry up, Yoshi+no]

Saying that, [Yoshi+non] lightly hugged Yoshi+no's reddened cheeks

Yoshi+no grit her teeth as she still had a look of panic on her face,a sound after her determination was set

”U, um, shi+dou-san”

”What is it?”

”IToday, I used the right to datewith shi+dou-san”

”Nn, that's right”

”SoToday is, the, the date that I have with, shi+dou-san”

”Well, that is the case”

”That, so, about thatit's okay if you refuseif you don't want to”

Yoshi+no tiht hand

”Ca, canyou please hold my hand?”

Saying that, she looked at shi+dou's face It seee resolution when she said that, the corner of her eyes were slightly wet, her lips were tre as well

”Oh Of course we can”

shi+dou ason a calm, nonchalant expression, he took Yoshi+no's small hand

Possibly frightened by the sudden touch, Yoshi+no's shoulders gave a jolt

”! I'm sorry, did I scare you?”

”N, noI'ht”

”I, is that so Well then——let's go”

”Alright”

Yoshi+no hid her stunned expression as she deeply nodded her head On the other hand, [Yoshi+no] was saying, [You did great That's a good girl] as it stroked her head

Although it wasn't the first ti exceptionally nervous for some reason

At that moment——

”!?”

Suddenly feeling that they were being watched from somewhere, shi+dou turned his head and looked at his surroundings

”shi+dou-san? Isso?”

”NothingI think I was just being paranoid”

It could be due to the fact that he was holding hands with such a beautiful girl, he had drawn the jealous gaze of a passer-by

After taking a deep breath, shi+dou gently held the fingers that felt as though they would break under the slightest pressure, slowlyforward

After following the flow of the crowd for fifteen hts of the stalls on both sides of the path

Yakisoba, takoyaki, cotton candy and various food stuff that one would usually find at the stalls aside, there were stalls displaying water balloons, goldfish scooping, shooting galleries, h there wasn't

”Waah”

Yoshi+no widened her eyes, exclai in wonder

”It's reallya”

[It sure is rowdy here——Then again, what is this place for? Can we buy fireworks here? And can we light one and let it go?]

[Yoshi+non] tilted its head in confusion, shi+dou on the other hand could only se firework on their own, that would definitely be an a scene

”That's not correct, they're going to light the fireworks on the other side of the river They only sell food and toys here”

[Eh? What's that got to do with a fireworks festival?]

“Uuh……I, I don’t know myself……”

[Hn—— Looks like there seems to be some difficult philosophical question of life hidden within all this—]

[Yoshi+non] see with folded arms

shi+dou’s face showed a cra to look at Yoshi+no

“Is this Yoshi+no’s first ti these stalls as well?”

After shi+dou inquired, Yoshi+no nodded her head rather excitedly

“I’ve, seen them in, books before……but this is, the first ti”

“Is that so”

She had such a happy expression on her face, it orth bringing her to watch the festival after all shi+dou smiled as he checked the time on his handphone

“There’s still some time till they let off the fireworks, let’s walk around”

“! Can……I?”

“Of course, this is also part of the fireworks festival Do you have anything you’d like to eat or have? Let me treat you”

“Th, then I’ll……”

Yoshi+no looked around, frantically glancing at the stalls around her

“Ahaha……I’m sorry Let’s just look and see first ”

“Ah, al, alright I’m really sorry……”

Yoshi+no nodded her head, tightly holding onto shi+dou’s hand

Weaving through the crowd, Yoshi+no suddenly stopped

“Nn? What’s the matter Yoshi+no?”

“shi+dou-san……What is, that?”

Saying that, he turned to the left

‘…………”

And then, shi+dou froze wordlessly in place

In that direction a shooting gallery was located There were ten guns that fired corks displayed, inside the gallery there were several targets placed there

There would not be a probleallery that is not much different from the others

However that would only be the case if the shooting target was not a half nakeda mask that looked eerily familiar

“Aaah……Hurry! Someone hurry up and shoot me!”

“Keep yourfault that everyone is keeping away from here If you really want someone to blast you to pieces that much then shut your mouth and wait there Or don’t tellyou with a doll as a target would be the better choice huh?”

The owner of the stall sternly chided Isn’t the owner a little too young to bea stall……Upon a closer look, isn’t that just Kotori in a disguise?

“Ku, Kuuuuu, but this is reallyme impatient……!”

The man let out a frustrated sound while still tied onto the rack ……No matter how you look at it, he was <ratatoskr>’s vice-commander as well as the vice-captain of the aircraft vessel <fraxinus>——Kannazuki Kyohei

The surrounding people kept their distance, every stall were doing well except for this one

shi+dou grabbed his head Although he had already heard that soanisation had already infiltrated, however……

“Why is it like this!?”

“……!?”

Frightened by shi+dou’s sudden cry, Yoshi+no jumped for an instant

“Ah, so, sorry about that”

“It’s, nothing……, but, that……shi+dou-san, what is that?”

“Yoshi+no, let’s go to another stall”

“Eh, but……”

shi+dou forced Yoshi+no to leave with hi another word It wasn’t just because he did not want to let Yoshi+no continue watching that scene……but it would be disastrous if Yoshi+no were to be tainted from their bad influence

At that moment, Yoshi+no seeht her curiosity She stopped walking and asked shi+dou

“Um, then, shi+dou-san, what is……that?”

“Hm?”

What Yoshi+no had seen, was the stall that sold crushed ice Countless glittering ice fragments flew out of the massive machine

“It’s beautiful……”

“Yeah, that’s crushed ice A block of ice is shaved into s with syrup added to it”

“Is it, food?”

Yoshi+no widened her eyes with surprise Ahh, if one were to look at it without prior knowledge, it would be simply too beautiful to call crushed ice food

“That’s right, it’s good Would you like to try?”

“……!”

After shi+dou asked, Yoshi+no nodded her head in agreement

“Then……what flavour would you like?”

shi+dou held Yoshi+no’s hand and walked to the store, asking her that question after looking at the board which had strawberry, melon and more flavours stated on it

“I’ll leave it to you”

“Eh? Then, I’ll get a……”

The same time shi+dou looked at thethe stall

……Speaking of which, he seemed to have seen this nore such issues For all he knew, most of the stalls in the festival could be manned by the staff members of <ratatoskr>

An overprotective and extravagant support mission as usual

”Excuse me, one Blue Hawaii please”

”Coht up!”

Theit with a layer of blue syrup

shi+dou did not order Blue Hawaii because it was recommended (it was more like, even shi+dou himself had no clue what exactly was this flavour), he only thought that the sparkling blue colour suited Yoshi+no extremely well

shi+dou took the cup after paying, passing it over to Yoshi+no

”This is for you”

”Th, thank you very much”

Yoshi+no asked [Yoshi+non] to help hold the cup, using a plastic spoon to scoop the blue ice, after scrutinizing it for a while, she placed it into her mouth

”—————!!”

Her eyes widened in surprise, after looking left and right she looked up into shi+dou's face, patting his body with an excited expression

However her shoulders quickly gave a jolt, showing an expression that was full of apology

”I'm, sorry, I've been a little”

”Haha, did you like it?”

As shi+dou asked, Yoshi+no vigorously nodded her head

”It was cold, and sweet at the sa This is a revolutionary, taste”

Saying that, Yoshi+no proceeded to eat the crushed ice with big scoops

”Ah, hold on If you eat it too quickly”

”Nn”

Too late Yoshi+no had a bitter expression on her face as she rubbed her forehead

”There's a, sharp pain in my head”

”Eating chilled food too quickly will cause that It's called brain freeze”

”This headache, has such, a delicious name”

Yoshi+no squeezed out her words while tightly closing her eyes

At the same time a sharp voice sounded out from within the crowd

”——Oooh! Reine, I want to eat that next! What is that!?”

”Regrettably, goldfish can't be eaten”

“Hht they were to be eaten raw too……”

Voices that they have heard before shi+dou, Yoshi+no as well as [Yoshi+non] turned their heads at the same time

“Eh, that was……”

“Tohka……san?”

[Seems like it——]

That’s right Standing right there was Tohka in a ki her out to play while in a kimono as well

On a side note, Tohka’s right hand was holding a ers on her left hand were toffee apple, chocolate banana, dried squid and lowing bracelets and the side of her head had a hero’s mask One could say that it was a look that fully showed that she was enjoying this festival

Tohka’s kimono was on par with Yoshi+no…… However due to her playful appearance, shi+dou couldn’t help but laugh

“Hey——, Tohka——”

shi+dou called out Tohka’s name, Tohka on the other hand raised her eyebrows in surprise as she looked at shi+dou and company

“Hm? Ohh…… If it isn’t shi+dou and Yoshi+no……huh——”

Tohka as about to wave to the herself behind Reine’s back

“……? Wh, what’s wrong with her……”

[Hm—, I think Tohka-chan does not want to let shi+dou-kun see her in her current appearance?]

“Gh……Who knows”

It doesn’t seem like Tohka would be the kind of person ould care about such details shi+dou tilted his head in confusion, leading Yoshi+no over to Reine

“Good evening, Reine-san What’s the matter with Tohka?”

“……About her huh,”

Reine shi+fted her body slightly, exposing Tohka as hiding behind her

Tohka’s shoulders jolted as she panicked, eating the cotton candy in her hand in a single bite, she used her free right hand to put the mask on

“What are you doing, Tohka……”

“Ha, hahahaha! Tohka? Who’s that? My na children in the world delicious soy bread to eat!”

What a confusing hero character indeed

Reine stroked Tohka’s head as she spoke

“……Well, I think she probably wants to avoid interrupting your date in her oay”

“Ahh……So that’s how it is”

shi+dou and Yoshi+no looked at each other for a while, lightly nodding their heads

Although shi+dou and Yoshi+no did not ood intentions go to waste

“I see, then we’ll make a move first ——We’ll leave the peace of the earth to you then”

“Ah, shi+dou……”

Just as shi+dou was about to leave, Tohka h she did not want him to leave

“Hm?”

“! I, it’s nothing! Leave it to me!”

“Haa……I was alht a mask just now”