Chapter 121: Shigure Festival
After rejecting that idiot Satania's request, Kouya was just about to sit down when he felt someone gently tug at the corner of his clothes. The faint pressure was so light it could've been mistaken for a breeze, yet deliberate enough to draw his attention.
Turning around, he saw the blue-eyed young dragon standing behind him, tilting her small face up, her soft hair brushing against her shoulders, her big eyes shimmering with faint grievance and anticipation. She looked so pitiful it almost felt like the whole room had gone quiet for her.
"What's wrong?"
Kanna puffed her cheeks slightly, her voice soft as cotton. "Go out and play."
Was she bored already?
Well, it made sense. Everyone else was either playing games, watching anime, reading manga, or chatting excitedly. Only she sat alone on the sofa, swinging her little legs idly. For a child like her, that silence must've been suffocating.
Since he was the one who brought her along, Kouya couldn't just ignore her. He sighed lightly, a helpless smile curving his lips.
"Alright, let's go out and play."
"Eh, going out to play? I want to go too!" The little loli sitting nearby suddenly perked up, her eyes sparkling like stars. "Onee-sama, I'm going out to play with Kou-nii!"
The shrine maiden turned from her screen and smiled faintly. "Alright, but be careful, okay?"
She was currently in a crucial team fight, her fingers dancing across the keyboard. It was clear she couldn't join them now.
"Taking Kanna out?" Vigne raised a brow, her tone half suspicious and half concerned. "Then I'll come too. Someone has to make sure you don't get her lost."
"Me too!" Takanashi Rikka announced proudly, raising her hand high like a child claiming a quest. Her eyepatch gleamed faintly under the light.
So the two-person group suddenly expanded into five.
Raphiel gave a slow, teasing smile. "Oh my~ How could such an interesting outing happen without me?"
Satania folded her arms and huffed. "Hmph! I'll grace you with my company for a little while. You should be thankful!"
"Have some tea first," the shrine maiden said as she cracked her knuckles. "I'll finish this match in three minutes."
And so—
Three minutes later.
Everyone was out the door.
...
The afternoon air outside was crisp and clean, carrying the faint scent of cedar and distant steam. All around, people in colorful yukata strolled leisurely along the stone-paved paths, wooden clogs tapping softly in rhythm. The sunlight filtering through the maple trees gave everything a warm, dreamlike glow, as though time itself had slowed to a relaxed pace.
The resort was known for its hot springs, and its facilities were impressively complete. As they walked, the group passed by izakaya with paper lanterns swaying in the wind, cozy cafés, and gift shops filled with trinkets. Even a serene lake stretched nearby, reflecting the clouds and inviting couples to row boats beneath the afternoon sun.
A soft breeze brushed by, cool against their faces, carrying laughter and the faint aroma of grilled snacks.
"Hey, Kou-nii, where are we going to play?" the little loli Chiba Hinata asked, skipping beside him, her pigtails bouncing.
"How about visiting the mixed hot springs?" Raphiel said suddenly, her voice dripping with mischief as she pressed a finger to her lips. "It could be… fun."
"Raphy!" Vigne's cheeks reddened instantly. "W-we can't go to… that kind of place!"
For people in Japan, mixed bathing in hot springs was an old tradition. Even now, some families still shared baths between parents and children. But public hot springs were different—no clothes, no towels, not even hair or fabric could touch the sacred water.
In other words, anyone entering a mixed bath had to be completely naked together in one pool.
For many men, this was the ultimate fantasy. Who knew? Maybe fate would let them meet a beautiful woman—fair-skinned, with curves that made the heart race.
Reality, however, was cruel.
Those fantasies usually ended with nothing but elderly grannies enjoying long soaks, or groups of old men chatting loudly about fishing.
Young, beautiful women? Already taken.
The rest? Not your concern.
So Raphiel's bold suggestion earned a firm, unanimous rejection.
"What a pity~" Raphiel sighed dramatically.
"If you're that desperate, you can go alone," Satania huffed, crossing her arms, though her eyes gleamed with scheming intent. Clearly, her mind was still on something else entirely—her 'capture plan.'
Look what we've found here!
A wild Gabriel appeared.
Her protein content might not be as high as beef, but she provided a steady milk supply.
Approach from downwind. Move carefully. Don't make a sound.
Maybe… set a trap with money.
Capture successful! You've obtained a hardworking Gabriel, cultivation-type!
"Pffft—!"
Just picturing Gabriel tearfully begging for mercy made Satania burst into giggles, clutching her stomach. Her idiocy level: MAX.
"Hmm~ Satania-sama seems to be plotting something again," Raphiel said softly, gliding beside her like a ghost.
"I-I'm not! You're imagining things!" Satania flailed, her cheeks burning as she waved both hands. "I wasn't planning to capture Gabriel at all!"
Shut up, you're saying it out loud!
"Tch." Gabriel gave her a flat, lazy stare. "You're delusional again."
"Damn it! I'll duel you right here!" Satania shouted, stomping a foot.
"Enough already." Vigne rubbed her temples. "Listen—something sounds lively ahead."
Following the distant noise, they soon reached a large open square bustling with laughter and colorful lights.
"Eh, a festival? Shigure Festival? Never heard of it," Kouya murmured.
Japan had thousands of gods, and every region celebrated its own festivals—fireworks and dance in summer, snow and light in winter. Every month brought something new.
Over time, the solemn spirit of those rituals had softened, turning into joyful celebrations. And here, held in a hot spring resort, the event had an unmistakable commercial cheer.
At the center stage, two masked women in elegant kimono danced gracefully, their movements synchronized with soft, rhythmic chanting. Around them, a dozen men in white robes carried banners, while musicians played flutes and drums that echoed through the cool air.
Rows of stalls lined both sides of the square, glowing with lantern light. Vendors sold delicate masks, painted fans, caramel apples, and sugar figurines shaped like animals. The air was filled with laughter, warmth, and the faint sweetness of festival food.
"It looks so fun! Let's explore together!" Vigne said, her eyes shining with excitement.
Raphiel smiled, her tone teasing. "It's rare to see you so lively, Vigne."
Gabriel yawned lazily. "Fine, I'll hang around for a bit."
"Hmph! Consider yourselves lucky I'm joining!" Satania announced grandly.
Kanna let out a small, happy noise. "Mhm!"
The square was wide, full of light and color, so they soon split up to explore. Laughter and music blended into a vivid hum around them.
Kouya wandered aimlessly for a while before feeling another tug at his sleeve.
He turned and saw Rikka standing there, eyes gleaming with determination.
"Hero, come with me!" she declared.
"Where to?"
"Secret!" Rikka grabbed his arm and led him quickly through the crowd. They weaved between stalls, past lanterns and chatter, until they stopped in front of a small, unremarkable building at the edge of the square.
"This is where you wanted to come?" Kouya asked dryly.
"Yeah." Rikka nodded, her ahoge twitching as her cheeks flushed pink. "Since this is our first time going out together, we need somewhere… meaningful."
"I'd really rather not have this kind of memory," Kouya sighed.
Rikka held his arm tighter, clearly nervous but forcing herself to smile. "It's okay! Even if it's embarrassing, I know you'll like it in the end."
Passersby glanced at them curiously, which only made her blush harder. "Hero, don't be shy! I'll be right beside you!"
Who said anything about doing that with you?!
And who agreed to it, anyway?!
Before them stood a cosplay shop, its glass window showcasing an array of dazzling, scandalous costumes and prop weapons.