“Jeez, Hikari-chan should stop accusing us of going out on a date. Haruka-senpai facepalmed to hide her obvious “flustered” state.

  “I mean it’s very clear that she’s just teasing.” I really didn’t mind if Hikari-san kept assuming we were dating though…

  “You sure? This is the second time she did it you know, what if rumors started circuting among the people who overhear her?

  “Come on, don't be like that, Hikari-san isn’t the type to start spreading rumors about her friends.”

  “I know, but if rumors actually did start circuting it would be bad for Yuuki-kun.”

  Bad for me? Normally people would be more concerned by how others see them not how they see their friends or loved ones?

  “If you don’t mind me asking, How come Haruka-senpai is more concerned for my “reputation” and her own reputation?”

  “Because if Yuuki-kun gets dragged along with those rumors, then I can only assume that some of the boys from our campus might attack or hurt him over getting too close to me.”

  “Eh? Isn’t that too on the nose? I mean isn’t it already known that Kana, Senko, Haruka-senpai and I are already a close group of friends?”

  “Yes it’s well known that the four of us are friends for a very long time now but some of the boys on campus… they tend to keep barging into other people’s business, I can tolerate it myself, but if Yuuki-kun or even Kana-chan gets involved with them, then I will show them hell!” Haruka-senpai clenched her fists menacingly.

  I’m so gd I'm not on her bad side.

  The two of us continued along the festival, catching goldfish at a stall that I swear is rigged, the two of us also bought snacks. I bought some dango and yakitori while Haruka-senpai got some caramel apples and karaage. We also started seeing couples of passersby enjoying the many snacks served at the stall, and even participated in dart toss which both of us failed all three of our attempts since the darts were too small to properly aim towards the balloons.

  “That’s a bummer, Hey, Yuuki-kun, do you want to take a short break just enjoy the festival?” Haruka-senpai approached a nearby bench that wasn’t occupied.

  “I don’t mind, cooling off for a bit isn’t a bad idea.” I followed Haruka-senpai to the bench and sat next to her.

  Sitting at the bench, it was clear that the lighting wasn’t as lit up, in fact it was very dim, not to mention the noise here wasn’t that loud… almost rexing.

  “Yuuki-kun, what college do you pn to go to?”

  “Hmm?? Where’d that come from?”

  “You see, since I’ll be heading to college in a few years, I was just curious on whether Yuuki-kun has decided on which university he pns to go to?”

  As expected, she truly does try to think in advance.

  “Well I haven’t exactly thought of it yet, afterall, I still have three years to decide, then again Senko should be edging towards college now, and not being dragged behind by his low grades.”

  “That is understandable, though I recall Kana-chan only started studying early so “Yuuki doesn’t leave her behind” was that right?”

  “Now that you mentioned it… Kana was very clingy when we were little.”

  “Well she does treat Yuuki-kun like a brother more than her actual older brother so maybe it’s just the two of you being close?”

  “I guess your right.”

  The two of us sat together for a while, maybe it was around fifteen minutes just observing the crowds of people walking by and sharing our snacks with each other and catching up with our csses, it was like the town naming ceremony at Kyoryu-Online’s unch day, only this time the two of us were actually together and not confined in the game.

  “It looks like the fireworks show will be starting soon,” Haruka-senpai pointed out as a few boys with a wheelbarrow full of fireworks walked pass us towards a secluded area.

  “I guess we should continue going through the stalls and activities then.” I stood up first and helped Haruka-senpai stand up.

  I need to get used to holding hands… otherwise I might end up in the hospital.

  “I wonder what other game we can even try since the fireworks festival is close?” I asked as we walked past a ball toss stall, a Yo-yo Tsuri stall, and a Kingyo-sukui stall.

  “How about a card flip game?” Haruka-senpai suggested.

  “Nah those are rigged beyond belief. How about Fukuwarai?”

  “That will take too much time to complete.” Haruka-senpai declined.

  As we continued walking My phone started vibrating.

  “Oh sorry, I gotta take this, I’ll be right back.” I quickly picked up my phone and walked to a corner.

  Upon opening my screen it was Michi-san calling me.

  “Michi-san?”

  “Ah Rin-kun, I hope you’re treating my dear Haruka-nee well there at the festival eh~? How is it? Have you two gotten your first kiss yet?”

  “Get to the point, what do you want?”

  “You see I heard your friend Fumiko-kun was it? I heard he’s still depressed after I gently rejected him the other day.”

  Gently my ass, Girl you ripped his heart out and threw it on the ground before stomping on it aggressively!

  “Uh huh…”

  “And I heard from my information networks, that your friends Johnny-san, Toda-san, And Senko-kun had to drag him along the festival since it was the only way he would get his mind off his sad showing~”

  Is she pulling stuff out her butt? Haruka-senpai and I saw Senko with Kana earlier, were they in a group but separated?

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Hmm…why am I telling you this?” Michi-san asked teasingly.

  “YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW!?”

  “Ah I remember now, It’s because~~~ look behind you~”

  “I don’t see the point of that-” Upon turning around Michi-san was behind me, she was mere inches away from my face and smirking like a cunning weasel. She was dressed in a deep purple kimono with a moon and star pattern all over.

  “Did I get ya heart raising?” Michi-san teased.

  “No.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  “Speaking of no fun, how come you’re here?”

  “Well if you must know, I’m here making sure you don’t y a single finger on my dear cousin!”

  “Too te for that we already held hands twice.”

  “Have you no shame? Don’t you know that holding a girl’s hand could leave her pregnant with nine to eleven kids!?”

  “You’re full of crap, anyway I know that’s not why you’re here so spill it.”

  “Jeez, well if you must know truthfully, I wanted to see your bum of a friend Fumiko-kun, maybe I should hold his hand as an apology.”

  “Oh, I see, you’re in love with him.”

  “UWAHHHH!!! DON’T SPEAK ABOUT IT SO LOUDLY!!!” Michi-san panicked and signalled for me to keep it down.

  I have never seen this girl panic, it feels like whipsh to see such a cunning girl go beet red and act like a maiden in love.

  “Then stop yelling! Plus I don’t even know where he is. You have better luck looking for him with Senko and Kana.”

  “W-well where are they then? Michi-san pouted at me.

  “Around that direction.” I pointed towards the choco banana stall.

  “I see… well see ya!” Michi-san suddenly bolted off.

  Talk about a waste of time… whatever I’m sure Haruka-senpai might be getting impatient now, I should treat her to a snack or something. Leaving the corner I suddenly couldn’t find her anywhere! I wasn’t gone that long right? Did she get swept off by the crowd or something!?