In fact, festivals aren’t really that great.
Of course, there are some festivals like the Olympics or the World Cup that attract attention from people all over the world. If we’re talking regionally, then maybe the Asian Cup or… something like that.
There are also festivals organized by the country. Those relatively large-scale festivals hosted directly by local governments.
But the festivals that happen in summer are often smaller in scale compared to those. Many of these small festivals take place in Japan throughout the summer.
Even at those small festivals, after attending, my mood gets lifted. No, to be honest, just being with friends and family is enough to brighten my spirits.
Whether it’s going on a distant trip and soaking in the afterglow for a while, or having fun with a friend I ran into and recalling those moments later on.
Memories don’t really require any grand conditions, you see.
If I consider a specific memory as nostalgic, then that’s what it becomes. That’s why when friends gather and have fun, it’s only natural to remember differently over time.
In the far future, will we remember today?
Next year, we can do it again. We can go next year, and while saying such things, in reality, each passing day is a day that only comes once. Though it’s impossible to remember every single day and cherish each one, meeting friends in this manner.
Especially for high schoolers, a year that only happens once is incredibly blessed.
Neither I, Koko, nor Kagami can shake off that afterglow.
Before coming home, my friends had already changed into different clothes, but the three of us still wore yukata, which made that feeling even more special.
However, it’s not like the afterglow completely vanished just because my friends changed clothes, so we went ahead and bought some small fireworks.
We also bought snacks and drinks for a late-night snack.
I also bought some karaage to share with Kagami.
We hurriedly got off the train and walked for about 30 minutes, finally reaching home.
When I was living alone, my house seemed endlessly dreary, but now it’s not like that at all. Ever since I properly recognized it as a home, it’s become a place where I can relax my mind.
To be truthful, I have air conditioning now.
First, I turned on the air conditioner and went in to wash up.
Me, Kagami, and Koko were all taking our time to wash up while the kids were playing a game console in the living room. Even now, despite it being an old classic fighting game, the kids were quite enjoying themselves.
Yuka was at the center of it all. Well, Yuka was the one who brought the game, after all.
Even though there were quite a few new items in the house since Kagami moved in, Yuka’s things were still all intact.
Whenever Yuka came over, she always had an unusually comfortable expression; perhaps that was the reason why.
“Ah, I lost again!”
“I played a lot when I was young.”
When Harumi said it incredulously, Yuka smiled back, responding.
…I felt like, even when we get older and drift apart, we might still meet often. It felt that way for some reason.
Because, um, of course, there are many people who commute from this area to Tokyo… But still, isn’t it a bit far between our houses?
If we maintain this degree of effort to visit each other, even if we attend different universities, we may well continue to meet quite often.
If it really doesn’t work out, I still have plenty of friends in the neighborhood where Mako’s trio lives.
“Koto Ne, you’re all washed up?”
Her hair was still a bit damp. I had just stepped out.
“Want me to dry your hair?”
“Yes, please.”
Harumi smiled as she said this, and I responded with a smile too.
We took turns drying each other’s hair and then Koko and Kagami also consecutively came out after washing up.
I dried Kagami’s hair.
Her hair was as long as mine, so it took quite a while. By the time it was done, it was already late enough to be considered night.
After we all finished washing up and stepped outside, I felt the humid air wrap around us.
Crouching down in the only cool area of the parking lot, we continued with the leftover fireworks.
Sparkle, sparkle.
In the dimly lit parking lot, the kids’ faces lit up.
They all looked beautiful.
And this isn’t just because their faces are pretty. Their expressions are lovely too. The pure joy on their faces for the smallest things.
Among them, Koko’s face shone the brightest. It wasn’t simply because the fireworks reflected off of her; her eyes sparkled, making her whole face glow.
The damp sensation on my skin. The subtle warmth coming from the fireworks. The strange chemical smell. The small sounds of giggles as we stifled our laughter…
Each and every one was a true memory of a summer night.
We watched that sparkle endlessly until every last firework we brought was finished.
Though it was the smallest and shyest firework among those we saw today, it was more than enough to leave a lasting impression in our memories.
Chuhai.
There was actually a drink that used that name directly, but it actually refers to a cocktail made by mixing Japanese “shochu” with soda in a highball style.
The alcohol content isn’t very high. Depending on the mix, some may intentionally increase the alcohol level, but the one Kagami brought was 5%.
“……”
Including Koko and me, all the kids were silently staring at Kagami as she drank the chuhai.
Their gazes seemed to carry a hint of expectation.
At this age, curiosity about alcohol is at its peak. They might have had the chance to try it, but as far as I can tell, none of these kids have actually had any.
They might have caught a whiff of it, though.
Adults enjoy drinking, but it’s banned from minors, so the question “Why do they drink?” comes into play.
I first tried it when I became a college student, and… well, I didn’t particularly enjoy it back then. I drink tea and coffee, but the bitter taste mixed with alcohol wasn’t to my taste.
However, as time passed by, when things were tough or joyous, drinking a little with friends made it gradually enjoyable for me.
But what about Kagami?
“……Hmm.”
While watching Kagami staring into the can, I asked,
“How’s it?”
Harumi, who had become the closest to Kagami among today’s kids, cautiously inquired.
“Oh? Hasn’t your dad told you?”
“Dad told me to wait until I became an adult to try it myself.”
Harumi hugged her knees and answered with a pout.
“Hmm…….”
Kagami pondered for a moment while looking into the can,
“…I think I’d like to give a similar answer. I won’t know until I try it myself.”
She made a bit of a grimace.
Looks like she didn’t like it.
Well, considering the type of food Kagami usually eats, it’s likely to be “delicious,” which means she generally likes foods that don’t elicit a strong response.
But could Kagami have never tried alcohol? After all, she’s someone who has been involved in selling it.
Feeling the weight of that gaze, Kagami laughed bitterly and said,
“I know what it tastes like. Bitter, not very tasty, and it has a strange smell. I didn’t really enjoy it.”
“What about this one?”
“Hmm. I thought it might taste better if I was in a good mood.”
Kagami set down the can and picked up a piece of karaage with chopsticks to put in her mouth.
“So it’s not that great.”
“Well… everyone has different tastes, right? Who knows, there could be people who say it was really tasty the moment they turned adult.”
The kids nodded, showing that they were a bit puzzled.
I wonder what these kids’ parents do; Harumi’s dad seems to be doing something similar to the Yakuza.
Yuuki’s dad is just the Yakuza itself.
And Mako’s dad, while not a Yakuza, seems to be a rather suspicious public servant.
As for Yuka… doesn’t she use alcohol for rituals?
It’s somewhat surprising that all four of them have never tried drinking.
Well, that’s probably the right thing to do.
“If you’re not going to drink that, can I?”
I’m not really someone who enjoys drinking excessively, but I don’t avoid it either. It can depend on the occasion, but overall I do prefer drinking something.
However, just as I said that, the kids’ gazes quickly turned to me.
“No way.”
Kagami stated sternly.
“No!”
And for some reason, Koko’s expression became serious too.
“They said you can’t drink.”
The way she added that made it sound like they were saying that based on what they learned at school.
Still, considering my body, wouldn’t it be okay to drink? I may be half a person, but I’m technically half a god. I shouldn’t get drunk off some old booze from this world, right?
“…I’m just joking, joking.”
But seeing the way their gazes turned serious, I felt compelled to clarify.
Kagami quickly grabbed the can and took a few gulps, then popped a piece of karaage into her mouth.
“Yuuki-kun, you said you were thinking of going to the same university as Koto Ne?”
Then, without warning, Kagami brought that up.
The kids’ gazes turned back to me. Especially Mako and Yuuki seemed a bit surprised.
I hadn’t actually discussed university with these kids yet.
I side-eyed Kagami for suddenly bringing it up.
“Yes, I’m planning on it. We made a promise that day.”
Yuka responded assertively, puffing out her chest.
“Then, will you keep a close eye on her when we go to university? I don’t want my daughter to end up drinking. I’m worried she might fall for a bad guy.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure to look after Koto Ne and Koko too.”
With a huff, Yuka said that, and I looked at her, dumbfounded.
Why are you meddling in my drinking?
Is it because of my appearance?
Seeing Mako, Yuuki, and Harumi find that conversation mildly amusing made me even more dumbfounded.
No, but you’re the one who used to sell alcohol.
But I figured bringing that up here could spoil the atmosphere, so I just mulled over the absurdity while chowing down on karaage.
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