episode_0091

It had been nearly an hour since Honoka and Yuugun went out to explore the festival.

The crowd, which had been so dense there was no room to set foot just a while ago, seemed to have thinned out, perhaps because it was dinner time.

Or perhaps they had moved to another spot in search of more spectacular sights. The area in front of the shop was quite deserted, as if it had never been crowded.

The boisterous chatter and laughter of people had subsided considerably, and instead, the sound of festival music from afar became more distinct in my ears.

Guarding the shop alone wasn’t lonely or difficult.

Rather, the brief peace that followed the commotion wasn’t bad.

Occasionally, when customers came to buy charms or omikuji instead of chocolate bananas, a corner of my heart would warm, and a quiet joy would well up.

“But do I really look that unfamiliar?”

Among the visitors, quite a few, like Akari-yang, brought up my yukata attire.

Indeed, I had hesitated many times in front of the mirror myself.

‘Still, Master-nim said I looked pretty.’

All that awkwardness and discomfort melted away like spring snow with just one memory.

A shy smile unconsciously bloomed on my lips at Yuugun’s voice, which kept replaying vividly in my mind.

If any passing customers had seen this, they might have thought I was a strange person grinning to myself.

‘Honoka and Yuugun must be…’

Suddenly, the image of Honoka, who must be with Yuugun right now, came to mind.

Honoka’s name was included in the plan for the last day of the festival that Yuugun had hinted at last time.

That meant… Yuugun had either already tamed Honoka.

Or, tonight, he intended to complete those final preparations.

“…I should hurry too.”

A low voice unconsciously slipped out.

My gaze naturally fell on the bag placed beside the chair.

Even I thought I wasn’t in my right mind for bringing such things to a festival.

But what could I do when my heart pounded with anticipation at the thought of spending time with Master-nim?

It was at that very moment.

As if to cool my cheeks, which had flushed slightly with sweet anticipation, an unpleasant aura, ill-suited for the festive atmosphere, seeped in.

When I lifted my head, sure enough, two large shadows were sauntering towards the shop entrance.

A repulsive smell of alcohol hit my nose first on the wind, and I instinctively wiped the smile off my face and stood up.

“Fumika-ssi~! You’re still as beautiful today! Are you watching the shop alone?”

The familiar voices belonged to Kato-ssi and Yamada-ssi, members of the festival executive committee.

They often came to the shrine without any particular business, loitering around me and casting lewd glances.

“Welcome. Both of you. Is there something you need?”

I tried to hide my true feelings and greeted them in the calmest voice possible.

One of them took a step closer, as if to grab my wrist.

“Need something? *hiccup*. What are you selling here?”

“We have delicious desserts, and we also sell charms and omikuji.”

“Charms? Omikuji? Honestly, who would pay money for scraps of charms like these in this day and age? Right?”

I flared up for a moment at his utterly rude remark.

But they were drunkards.

People whose rational judgment was clouded.

I barely managed to suppress my emotions and collected myself.

“These are precious items, containing the earnest wishes of our customers. I would appreciate it if you didn’t speak so carelessly.”

“Oh, even when you’re angry, it’s charming?”

“We’re sorry if we offended you~. *giggle*.”

They didn’t listen to a word I said, exchanging vulgar jokes among themselves and smirking.

I tried to ignore their words, closing my ears, but it was useless.

“Then, we’ve spotted a shop over there selling delicious snacks to go with drinks, how about we go together? We’ll treat you as an apology!”

“I’m in a situation where I can’t leave the shop right now. Please invite someone else.”

I conveyed my refusal politely but firmly.

I knew from experience that clumsy kindness or hesitation only gave such people an excuse.

“Aw. There aren’t many customers now, are there? It’s fine for a little while.”

*Sigh*.

Since there was no getting through to them, a sigh erupted from deep within my chest.

In the past, I would have endured such persistent advances for hours.

But now, I had a ‘Master-nim’ to whom I had given my body and soul.

I spoke, my voice much firmer and colder than before, looking them straight in the eye.

“I’m truly sorry to both of you, but I already have a precious person to whom I’ve given my heart. So please, don’t bother me any further and go home.”

A look of surprise flickered across the men’s faces at my words, but it was only for a moment.

They soon exchanged lewd glances and put on vile smiles.

“Ah. Are you talking about your deceased husband?”

“We understand your feelings, Fumika-ssi, but those who live must live. You can’t keep dwelling on someone who’s gone forever, can you?”

“Even if you say that, Fumika-ssi, aren’t you lonely at night? You should relieve yourself sometimes.”

Every word that came out of their mouths pierced my heart like a dagger.

No matter how drunk they were, the insults and degradation towards the deceased were difficult to bear.

“Come on, don’t play hard to get, let’s go together.”

At that moment, Kato-ssi suddenly stepped into the shop and reached out his hand towards the displayed items.

As his large body approached the table, I swallowed a gasp and recoiled.

My heart pounded rapidly with fear.

‘What should I do, someone please…! Yuugun…!’

I squeezed my eyes shut, my entire body about to stiffen from the impending unclean touch, when it happened.

“Hey! You drunkards over there,”

Like a thunderclap.

Or like the voice of a saving angel.

A booming yet cold voice sliced through the darkness.

A voice more welcome and reassuring than anything else in this moment.

“Honoka!”

I don’t know when she had returned, but Honoka was standing at the shop entrance, looking exactly as she had when she saw Yuugun and me off just moments ago.

Her playful smile was nowhere to be seen; with a cold expression, she stood with her arms crossed, glaring fiercely at the men.

“This area is restricted to authorized personnel, okay? If you’re not going to buy anything, stop loitering around and go home nicely, will you?”

The hem of her red yukata fluttering slightly in the night breeze looked to my eyes like a goddess who had come to vanquish evil.

Strength drained from my entire body, and my legs felt like they would give out.

At Honoka’s unexpected appearance and her confident demeanor, the arrogant men also faltered, seemingly momentarily flustered.

They awkwardly glanced around, seemingly trying to figure out how to escape this awkward situation.

“Huh?!”

In that brief moment of silence, a warmth like a dream enveloped my cold left hand.

I turned my head in surprise to find Yuugun had somehow approached and was standing by my side.

“Master-nim… no, Yuugun?”

“Quickly, while Honoka distracts them.”

Before I could fully grasp the situation, Yuugun whispered in a low voice close to my ear.

My mind was muddled with bewilderment, but I immediately understood his intention.

I nodded deeply without a word, then quickly slung the bag I had placed beside me over my shoulder.

Confirming this, Yuugun firmly grasped my hand and began to lead me out of the shop.

“Huh? Fumika-ssi, where are you going? Let’s talk a little more~.”

One of the men, belatedly realizing our movement, frantically called out and reached towards us, but his hand only cut through empty air.

“Oh, honestly, why are grown men acting like this! My sister already has plans, so just give up quietly.”

Standing squarely in front of the man, her red yukata seemed to blaze more vividly in the darkness.

“Hmm, but Honoka-chan also looks pretty good today?”

“If Fumika-ssi can’t, will Honoka-chan keep us company~?”

Is it really okay to leave her like this?

As I followed Yuugun with heavy steps, I glanced back at Honoka.

Upon noticing me, she winked one eye as if to say it was fine and gave a thumbs-up.

“Oh? Now that I look, you’re all familiar faces, aren’t you? Aren’t you Kato-ssi and Yamada-ssi?”

As we moved further away from the shop, Honoka’s bold voice reached my ears.

“It’s not right for people who are festival committee members to act like thugs.”

“Thugs? What thugs? We’re just trying to have a drink and a serious talk, man to woman.”

“Yeah, Honoka-chan. You’re being too harsh.”

“Then, shall I contact your wives instead? A drinking party with couples would be perfect. The atmosphere would be *very* nice, right?”

At her words, the faint sound of the men flustered and stammering brushed past my ears.

“Ho-Honoka-chan, wh-why are you doing this? Th-that was just a drunken joke. A joke.”

“Y-yeah, why go that far? Hahaha.”

“See? I told you to go home nicely from the start. You clumsy old men. If you’re free, since you’re here, why don’t you be generous?”

At her exhilarating voice, I finally put my mind at ease.

How long did we walk? Yuugun led me silently, but with resolute steps, through the festival crowds for a long time.

His small hand still warmly enveloped mine, and perhaps thanks to that warmth, I felt my rapidly pounding heart gradually calming down.

The boisterous ambient noise grew much further away.

By the time our steps turned into a quiet alley, slightly off the main festival street, I finally caught my breath and opened my mouth.

“Thank you. Just now… honestly, if it weren’t for Honoka and Yuugun… I don’t even want to imagine what might have happened.”

My voice was still slightly trembling, but it was a heartfelt expression of gratitude.

Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to easily escape that unpleasant and dangerous situation.

Perhaps… perhaps something worse might have happened.

At that moment, Yuugun abruptly stopped walking and turned to look at me.

“They keep bothering you because you just accept it like that, Noona.”

The streetlight cast shadows over his small face, and his shadowed eyes were cold and sharp to a degree unbelievable for a child.

For a moment, my heart pounded fiercely.

Jealousy…?

Was he displeased that I was entangled with other men, and that’s why he was getting angry like that?

At that thought, the faint fear that had lingered just moments before vanished, replaced by an overwhelming joy and a surge of heat.

“Yes, yes. You’re right. I’ll be more careful next time. Because now I have Yuugun, my Master-nim…”

At my words, Yuugun pouted slightly as if still displeased, but his gaze softened a little.

I was already so captivated by him that even that expression looked adorable.

“Um… Yuugun?”

When I carefully called out to him, he turned to look at me.

“Is there anywhere else you’d like to go, perhaps? If there’s a place you didn’t get to visit with Honoka-ssi earlier… I can guide you.”

There had been a commotion, but at least I was alone with him like this.

If I could just stroll the festival’s night streets with him for a little while…

“Then.”

His dark eyes stared straight at me.

“I want to go there.”

His small finger pointed to an old public restroom located slightly off the main street.

Was Yuugun in a hurry to use the restroom?

But from the faint smile on his lips and the stronger grip on my hand, I instinctively knew that wasn’t it.

“Yu-Yuugun. That place is…”

“Fumika Noona…”

Yuugun looked me straight in the eyes and whispered in a voice that seemed to see right through everything.

“Tonight, more than enjoying the festival… you were waiting for this, weren’t you?”

Even in the darkness, his dark eyes glowed strangely piercingly.

Ah, that gaze.

It was the very same gaze that had given me all sorts of embarrassing commands in the secret room of the shrine before.

Unconsciously, I swallowed dryly and tightened my grip on the bag.

A thrilling shiver ran down my spine, accompanied by an irresistible sense of obedience.

“Follow me.”

He commanded in a low but firm voice.

It was an absolute voice that no one, not even me, could defy.

“…Yes♥”

Barely suppressing my trembling breath, I answered without avoiding his gaze.

Master-nim seemed satisfied with my answer and pulled my hand again.

Following his small back, I walked as if possessed towards the old public restroom.

I couldn’t even dare to imagine what would happen there, but strangely, a sweet excitement rather than fear dominated my entire body.