"Eh? You said the boss cheated on the rack, making the items harder to fall?"
While licking her lollipop, Iroha stared in shock.
Yuu nodded: "Probably the more expensive items had iron powder attached with tape, then pulled with magnets to increase stability... Although the effect isn't much, it doesn't mean they can't be knocked down, but you need certain technique and luck. If successfully knocked down, they just remove the tape when taking the prize, so basically no problems will be discovered."
As for the biggest prize—the Totoro doll—it wasn't cheated at all. It was purely displayed to attract overconfident people to jump into the trap, and the owner had no intention of letting it fall at all.
If Yuu's shooting skills and physical fitness hadn't exceeded human limits, even with all those tricks, 'even a clever stall owner couldn't make Totoro fall'. Spending tens of millions of yen still wouldn't guarantee knocking that doll down.
Of course, he also wasn't that foolish—tens of millions of yen could already buy everything in that stall, including the owner. Why torture himself there?
"How dare there be such things! Outrageous!"
Biting the candy on the lollipop stick hard, Iroha chewed with puffed cheeks, like an angry little hamster biting sunflower seeds: "I shouldn't have let him off so easily! I should have threatened the boss with this issue, and demanded he give all the cheated prizes to customers who already paid!"
She only wanted to defend the deceived visitors, and didn't care about having released that Totoro doll.
Anyway, she was the one who said she didn't want it, and indeed didn't want to carry such a big doll up and down the mountain... No, actually that wasn't the most important reason.
Even if she really brought that big doll, in the end Senpai would become the porter. She didn't need to worry about such things at all—Although she was full of mischievous acts and liked to tease, Iroha still very much trusted her Senpai's chivalrous nature and manliness.
So, the biggest reason actually was...
If she held something that took up space, wouldn't Senpai have no opportunity to hug her!
The moment when the fireworks festival was announced to start at eight o'clock, was when the warmest atmosphere reached its peak tonight.
Shy teenagers would choose to confess their love when the fireworks exploded, and couples in love would also express their feelings to each other with romantic kisses. It could be said, the core of the fireworks festival was here.
—Was it necessary to attend a fireworks festival if you couldn't make physical contact with the person you liked?
Wouldn't it be better to eat snacks while enjoying the AC and watching broadcasts at home?
Most importantly, Iroha had already imagined everything that would happen tonight. That joyful feeling had already swelled unbearably. How could she let the adorable Totoro become a 'light bulb' when she was being intimate with Senpai?
So, although she was angry, Iroha didn't intend to go back to demand accountability from that boss—after all, they weren't the ones deceived. As long as the costs had returned, and Senpai also didn't mind, that was enough.
"Weakening the gun and sprinkling iron powder are just small tricks in business. If not done, the losses would be greater than other stall owners, so it can't be avoided. People who insist on knocking down big targets at stalls like this actually don't deserve pity. On the contrary, this method to stimulate consumption is done quite well..."
Under the night breeze, Yuu's hair lifted slightly. He explained to Iroha with a relaxed expression: "It's not that I want to defend that uncle, but if you think about it, there's actually nothing to be angry about, and no need to disturb other people's business... Just let him know there are still people more capable than him, and take back what we should have gotten."
"So, this is finished?" Iroha sighed. Her annoyed expression immediately changed. She threw away all negative emotions, and returned to smiling mischievously. "Senpai, after all those lectures... You actually enjoyed it too, right?"
"Enjoyed what?"
"The feeling of being looked at with stunned gazes by the boss and several people beside! I didn't expect just by shooting, Senpai could really show off~"
"Their thoughts aren't important," Yuu shrugged calmly. "As someone said, if there's no sweet kouhai looking at me with admiring eyes, what's the use of showing off? It's just lecturing a water buffalo."
As if very moved, Iroha stared at him confusedly. Her moist eyes blinked after a while. Her small soft lips slightly parted, as if she couldn't hold back from letting out the feelings hidden deep in her heart now.
"Senpai, forget about showing off with words, I'm tired of hearing it."
Yuu looked up and took a deep breath—this spicy and cold voice, every time he heard it, always made him feel something.
When someone has gotten used to respect and flattery, unconsciously they'll become a masochist... Is this the principle that excess will surely reverse?
He understood. This was the time to open the door to a new world.
Yuu shook his head and smiled helplessly at Iroha: "Wouldn't it be better to be honest? Why are you always being tsundere?"
"No, I'm serious. Can you stop being narcissistic?"
Glancing at him disgustedly, both hands placed gently behind her back. Iroha walked leisurely with her geta, letting the night breeze gently play with the soft strands of hair at her temples.
"By the way... Actually, I don't know much about Senpai all this time."
"Really?" Yuu admired her side profile as white as a crescent moon. The girl's cuteness didn't need to be doubted, pleasing to the eyes from any angle.
"Yes. I only know Senpai is very popular, overall quite good, but has too many mischiefs, and slightly chauvinist..." Iroha lowered her head, starting to count with her fingers. "Handsome face and all-around capable. Seems to know everything. Not only first place in national simulation exams, but also national kendo champion, and even at this age has never had a girlfriend, a virgin monster who often peeks at me and Kanade-chan with targeting gazes..."
"Hey, hey, hey, you're getting more and more absurd!"
The corner of Yuu's mouth twitched slightly. He raised his hand, about to flick her forehead as punishment.
Since they wore summer uniforms, he indeed often peeked at that girl's smooth thighs, and the scenery under her thin uniform.
But in front of that silver-haired kouhai who seemed like an angel fallen to earth, he always maintained affectionate feelings like a father's love. Even when he accidentally saw the innocent Kanade showing 'beautiful scenery' without realizing it, he would immediately turn his face away, and with a polite and calm attitude immediately remind her.
So, it's fine to call him perverted, virgin monster is also okay—but targeting Kanade is pure slander.
"I'm dodging!"
Quickly hugging her head and avoiding his attack, Iroha opened wide her bright and lively brown eyes, and taught him seriously: "A girl's feelings are different from yours! Senpai, you'd better pay attention to your appearance in other people's eyes."
"Only you would look at me with such eyes, right?" Yuu rolled his eyes, not wanting to argue with her anymore.
"I haven't finished talking."
Her steps suddenly stopped. Iroha turned to face him.
The crowd walked past them. Swaying shadows intersected with each other. Only the two of them stood still in the open space, looking at each other.
After reaching the middle of the hill, the stalls became increasingly sparse, not as lively as at the beginning. The view downward was filled with bustling fire lights. The increasingly quiet and peaceful atmosphere on the mountain felt like two different worlds, and even restless hearts unconsciously became calm.
The lantern fire lights still connected the road, reflecting a faint red glow on the girl's cheeks. The light in her eyes was soft and serious.
"I want to know more about Senpai."
Iroha said it without hesitation. Her smile showed no doubt. Her clear and melodious voice rang out loudly under the night sky, like the first wind chime ringing in summer.
"Including where Senpai learned shooting techniques, including what Senpai usually worries about... I want to know more, and want to be closer to Senpai's life."
"..." Yuu and Iroha looked at each other, not immediately answering.
As if unable to stay calm too long under his gaze, Iroha raised her arm, unconsciously scratching her cheek slightly. She laughed awkwardly embarrassed: "Is it not allowed?"
"I didn't say it wasn't allowed." However, Yuu also didn't answer directly.
He stepped toward her. After his footsteps and shadow aligned with hers, he touched his chin while thinking: "Let me think, why my shooting skills are so amazing."
(Should I tell her I got the 'Shooting' skill at Expert level from the system, and then combined it into Perfect level?)
(Regardless of whether she'll believe it or not, it'll be a long story... One fireworks festival might not be enough. I have to find another place to rest while telling the story.)
Feeling amused at his thoughts starting to get dirty, Yuu sighed with slight emotion, but then he was shocked.
(Wait, if I think about it...)
(I clearly remember, 'Shooting' was the reward I got in my first achievement, by helping a noble girl overcome harassment from her admirers...)
(Why is there this feeling of discomfort?)
Memory told him so, but the sensation coming from his palms felt not as simple as that.
Yuu unconsciously raised his hand, stretched his arm forward, taking a very standard ten-meter air pistol shooting position.
"Senpai? What's wrong?"
Although Iroha approached with a strange face, and waved her small hand in front of his dazed eyes.
Yuu still didn't react. He seemed immersed in memories difficult to understand, only acting based on his body.
(By the way, where did I first take this gun-holding position...?)
(Training ground? Game stall? Or when shooting with a yakuza organization?)
(No, none of them...)
Continuously checking his memories. Although he could find answers to all questions there, for some reason, Yuu always couldn't calmly dismiss that doubt, and declare everything was answered.
There must be something important he accidentally forgot. He had to find it...
He trusted his instincts.
(This must be one of the difficulties given by the trial...)
When this sentence appeared in his mind.
(Wait, Trial?)
He suddenly opened his eyes wide, his body stiff, staring ahead, as if there was an electric current paralyzing all the nerves in his body.
Just in an instant, an image with black-and-white static passed like a corrupted video.
He held an air gun, standing beside someone, and defeated that person's technique with his far superior technique.
After that, that person said to him:
"The reward for completing all 'Trials', I give to you now... My hero."
—What trial was that?
—What was the reward?
—What did "my hero" mean?
Countless questions emerged like mushrooms after rain, and took deep root in Yuu's heart.
However, at this moment, he only wanted to know one thing.
That person...
Who was she?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After that, Yuu calmed Iroha who was worried, and continued walking toward the shrine on the mountain above.
Although the girl was already prepared to cancel all plans today, and accompany him to the doctor for fear there was a problem with his brain and it was too late to be saved.
However, because he felt it wasn't that serious, Yuu declined her offer, diverted her attention with another topic, and planned to sort out this memory problem after they returned.
Right now, this was his and Iroha's date time.
As long as he was here, whatever happened, he must not let the girl beside him show a lonely smile—This was Yuu's code of chivalry.
The farther they walked toward the mountaintop, the remaining stalls became increasingly sparse, not as lively as before.
However, Yuu became more active than before. He played more small festival games like dart throwing, ping-pong ball throwing, and so on. Of course, he won high scores, and obtained prizes Iroha wanted accompanied by her cheering support.
Of course, they also bought several more snacks to fill their stomachs. The two had gotten used to feeding each other, but they still often jumped in pain from being stung by the heat of takoyaki or okonomiyaki being fed, and then couldn't hold back smiles while glaring at each other.
Passing the mask stall, Iroha bought two masks, and forced him to wear them together—typical Sailor Moon and Kamen Rider masks. Although slightly strange hanging on the side of their hair, because both had top-class appearance and beautiful facial features, this strange decoration didn't diminish their charm at all.
Like that, the two truly exited the festival area, and arrived at the shrine located on the mountaintop.
They climbed the stone stairs side by side, entered the old mountain gate. Both wearing masks looked at each other, smiled, and continued forward.
"There's still time before the fireworks festival, let's go in and worship."
It seemed the O-Bon dance had just ended. They could see people tidying up items at the event location not far away. Two or three staff leaned on the fence, chatting loudly while holding beer. They were very different from visitors who came to worship, or those looking for seats while waiting for the fireworks festival to start.
But overall, the environment was still quite quiet.
"During New Year's, this place must be more crowded." Iroha sighed softly.
"Want to come together?" Yuu said straightforwardly. "During New Year's worship, you'll wear a kimono, not a yukata."
Iroha squinted. She smiled very slyly: "Wow, you're interested in my kimono?"
Yuu corrected seriously: "To be precise, I'm interested in Isshiki Iroha wearing a kimono."
Iroha's teasing expression froze slightly. She turned her face away as if nothing had happened, and secretly maintained distance from him.
"...Please Senpai don't be too aggressive. I don't know how to react."
Then she took a deep breath, looking at the worship hall that seemed to merge with the night. Only a little light hanging on the roof beams flickered in her brown eyes that slightly dimmed.
"Yes, let's come together!"
She said softly, yet with determination like making a vow. But quickly she switched to muttering to herself:
"Later, I also have to invite Kanade-chan... Honestly, I feel a bit guilty for coming on a date with Senpai today without telling her anything..."
"You don't need to feel guilty. Even among friends, there are many things one wants or doesn't want to say."
Yuu stroked her slightly lowered head. After the couple in front of them left, he walked to the offering box in front of the hall.
"If she has complaints, just say I kidnapped you... Anyway, that's the truth."
Although Kanade probably wouldn't say anything, and might only ask if they had fun... But girls are indeed like that, their feelings sensitive to the point of easily being excessive.
"Make your wish."
"Mhm."
Both inserted five-yen coins symbolizing relationships/destiny, clapped twice, bowed their heads, and prayed to the gods.
Regardless of whether the gods existed, there were always prayers that needed a place to lean on, so restless hearts could become calm.
The night deepened, starlight faintly visible.
The swaying lantern light lengthened their shadows. Fire reflected in the masks, Kamen Rider and Sailor Moon both opened their lifeless eyes, gazing at the sky before them.
The time for the fireworks festival to officially start was less than twenty minutes away.