The Summer Lights Festival

As the summer festival approached, preparations were in full swing.

Akemi meticulously applied her makeup, styled her hair in an elegant traditional fashion, and painted her nails with care.

The guys donned their yukatas, hair lightly groomed — though despite Hideaki's best efforts, his stubborn strands refused to cooperate, becoming slightly disheveled.

Seeing Seiji and Hideaki dressed in their ‘matching’ yukatas, Akemi’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

"You two look cute together~" she teased, her grin wide.

Both of them flushed and immediately denied her claim.

"No!" they said in unison.

A sly grin spread across Akemi’s face, "Oh you do, don't deny it! Birds fleeing from the stormy sea… a perfect match!" she said, blushing lightly.

Seiji’s brows furrowed, and he let out an exasperated sigh. "Where in the world do you see a perfect match here?"

Akemi stifled a giggle, leaning in conspiratorially. "Between you two, of course! If you'll mix the blue and red together, it will give a royal purple!"

Seiji shot her a blank look, letting out a long sigh. "Your imagination never fails you, does it?"

For a moment, her expression softened, sincerity in her tone. "It’s not just imagination, you know. There’s something special there, even if you won’t admit it."

Seiji rolled his eyes and shook his head. 'Special? If only you knew the truth, Akemi. There’s nothing poetic or charming about it.'

***

Soon, it was time to leave. Excitement filled the air as everyone hurried toward the festival by the Sumida River.

Along the way, they encountered more individuals dressed in yukatas, all heading to join the festivities.

Hideaki began to feel a twinge of nervousness, uncomfortable amidst the large crowds of people that filled the streets like mushrooms sprouting after rain.

He felt anxious and stressed enough to start shaking all over and gazing suspiciously at each person that passed near him,

'DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!!!'

He screamed in his mind, imagining slitting their throats, stabbing them in guts, draw their whole blood from bodies — everything to make them go away and stop feeling their scrutinizing gazes fixed upon him.

'T-they are watching me!!! Everyone is watching me!! Aghh!!!! Stop it! Don't stare at me!! DIE DIE DIE DIE!!!!!'

His mind was consumed thoughts of wanting to kill everyone around him just for being there.

Suddenly, they encountered familiar faces.

"Oh, look who we have here! Are you here for the festival too?" Seiji remarked, his tone neutral but polite as his gaze landed on Ichiyo and Izumi - both dressed in yukatas.

The girls beamed upon seeing their neighbor.

"Yes! Hello, Sekiguchi-san!" Izumi replied cheerfully, while Ichiyo greeted them with a polite bow. The girls noticed Akemi, and Akemi noticed them.

"Hello!" Akemi greeted them warmly.

"Hi! Nice to meet you." both girls chimed in unison.

"Who are you?" Izumi asked.

"I'm Sekiguchi Akemi. Call me Akemi! I'm Seiji's younger sister!" Akemi replied proudly, her voice brimming with confidence.

"Sekiguchi-san has a sister??" the friends exclaimed, visibly surprised.

"Yes, that's my sister," Seiji confirmed, his voice calm but appreciative.

The teens began to lively chat with each other, while Seiji stepped back a bit from them.

Hideaki soon joined the group, his voice trembling slightly as he noticed the neighbors. "Oh... It's t-them again..."

Seiji glanced at him, subtly noticing the change in his demeanor.

"Hideaki, are you okay?" Seiji asked, his tone level, but a faint hint of concern underlying his question.

"Tch... Y-yes..." Hideaki stammered, visibly shaking as he anxiously scanned the surroundings. "W-why the hell I w-wouldn't feel okay, huh!? I-it's just... Tch!" He hesitated before speaking further, fidgeting nervously with his fingers.

"Are you sure? You're shaking like a jelly." Seiji remarked dryly.

"Y-yes! I-I am f-fine." Hideaki stuttered, trying to mask his nervousness.

Seiji raised an eyebrow, not exactly convinced of this. "Yeah... I'll definitely b-believe you, e-speci-ally when you s-stutter like that." he added a little maliciously.

Hideaki clenched his teeth "Tch! Sh-shut up!! It's just... just... Th-there are... too many people... Everyone is s-staring at me!" Hideaki stuttered now even more. Finally he couldn't stand it anymore and hissed with anger.

"Tch! T-they're all watching me... T-they probably w-want to get me... A-and-" he hold his breath, a short roar was being held in the throat "-what i-if police officers are among these people?? What i-if they recognize me!?"

"No one here is paying any attention to you. They're just here to enjoy the festival," Seiji said. "You don't enjoy crowds, I get that. But you're projecting your anxiety onto everyone around you."

"Tch! Sh-shut up..." Hideaki stuttered silently, his paranoia creeping further into his voice. "I j-just want to fucking kill them all!!"

Seiji's brow furrowed slightly, but his expression remained composed. "Hideaki," he said quietly, a measured tone in his voice. "Don't do anything rash. I'm only going to say this once."

Hideaki clenched his fists even tighter and let out a grunting hiss, as if he was holding back another outburst.

'W-what the hell does he even know about it!? He doesn't know what I feel! He is pissing me off! H-he is such an i-idiot!! He-'

Seiji sighed inwardly, being oblivious to Hideaki's paranoid inner monologue.

'-he should be killed with his annoying sister! A-and those s-stupid noisy t-teenagers too!'  Hideaki continued.

"Hideaki, listen..." Seiji said calmly.

His voice suddenly pulled out Hideaki from his trance, and he gazed at him. 'W-what does he want now!? H-huh??'

Seiji continued "Honestly, I'm not a fan of large crowds either. But here's the thing: no one here recognizes who you are, and they certainly aren't plotting anything. They'd rather mind their own business than observing a wanted serial killer. Heck, they probably don't even know that someone like this is right now at this very festival. And police? Even if among some of these people are officers, then I'm sure that they're just here to have a good time, like we are."

Hideaki hesitated, his nervous energy still palpable. "But... but..."

Seiji sighed, knowing this conversation was going to be longer than he had hoped. His mind worked quickly, seeking another approach. His eyes landed on the flapping birds on Hideaki's yukata. An idea sparked.

"Hideaki," he began, his voice lower but precise. "Look at your yukata. See those birds? They're free. Try to be like them. Relaxed. Free. Ignore the crowd, the stares, the noise. Focus on what you're here for: enjoying yourself. Even if it's just for tonight."

Hideaki's eyes followed Seiji's gaze to the white birds on his yukata. Then, he looked back at Seiji, who, though calm, projected a sense of quiet authority. "Tch..."

Seiji continued calmly, "Look, we're at one of the best summer festivals in Japan. It's pointless to waste energy worrying about something that isn't happening. Focus on the food, the games, the experience." His tone was pragmatic, as though he were explaining a simple equation. "Just look aroud." He added, scanning the festival.

Hideaki's gaze flickered to the food stands and the neon lights that colored the whole festival scene. He glanced at the people near him again, still cautious but less agitated. No one seemed to care about his presence. The tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. Slowly, he began to relax.

Seiji observed this, noting the shift without saying a word.

"They... They don't want me–" Hideaki started.

"No," Seiji interrupted softly. "No one wants to get you." His tone was firm but not forceful, more like a guide than a reassurance. "Now, take a big breath." Seiji calmly ordered "And exhale."

Hideaki closed his eyes, trying to catch a ragged breath, whispering to himself, 'They're not interested in me... they're just passing by... Relax... there is no police here...'

He tried to calm himself down, letting go of his anxieties...

But...

The sounds of laughter, conversations, and footsteps from the bustling festival grew louder around him, pressing againts his ears like a waterfall.  He became too fixated on the loud noises. His hands began to shake.

"Tch" He grinded his teeth.

Laughter, stomping, talking... everything sounded like mockery, irritating and stressing him once again.. He clenched his fists.

'I can't. I can't calm down! I can't stay here. I have to escape! I need to kill! I want to kill them all! I want to murder with blood hehe... I want to-'

He suddenly opened his eyes wide open.

Before him, he saw Seiji who stared at him with a calm gaze.

'Tch- I want to scream—'  Hideaki clinged his fists again,

"Calm down." Seiji said that again, in his calm and confident voice. "No one wants to harm you."

'S-Seiji. Tch. Idiot... Does he really think that people here don't plot anything againts me!? Damnit idiot!! He looks so self-assured... So focused on... me... Tch! Just shut up!!'  he yelped.

Then, he heard again, Seiji's calm... Yet stern voice...

"Don't overthink it. You're here. That's enough."

Hideaki flinched.

Seiji sighed at this. 'Damn, he still looks tense... If my chatter isn't getting through to him, I need to use some other calming agents...'

He looked around, and suddenly, he remembered something,

'Food. Everyone likes it. And Hideaki in particular devours it like a vacuum cleaner... After all, that's what we came here for in the first place. To eat good food and have fun. Okay. I know what to do.'

>>>

The girls continued to bond, discovering they had all done well on the recent exams. Soft giggles and whispers filled the air between them, as they talked about various things. The tension of studying long behind them.

Akemi glanced at her older brother and Hideaki from side. She chuckled silently, her eyes twinkling mischievously before announcing,

"They're so close! First they slept together in bed, then they were bickering with each other during the way back home and now they are talking so close to each other! I swear, my brother and his roommate must be a couple!"

Ichiyo's eyes widened, nearly choking on her drink. "What??" she exclaimed, her voice rising with shock.

Izumi raised her eyebrow from equal shock as Ichiyo had. "But... that can't be possible! I swear that Sekiguchi-san would never be that close to someone like Miyahara-san. He just doesn't seem like the type. Plus, Miyahara gives off such... dangerous vibes."

Akemi tilted her head, puzzled by their reactions. "Why though? They could be secretly in love! Opposites attract, right?"

Ichiyo swallowed nervously, at the merge mention about Hideaki. She felt a cold shiver creep up her spine. "You don't understand... Miyahara is... erratic, at least. Sekiguchi-san is probably just keeping a close eye on him, that's all."

"Why would he do that? Oooh..." Akemi's eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. "Maybe Seiji's just making sure Hideaki doesn't get involved with another guy?" she teased, a playful grin spreading across her face.

"I... I..." Ichiyo started, but the words caught in her throat. 'Does she even have any idea who Miyahara-san really is?'

Izumi glanced at Akemi, her voice low and serious, barely a murmur. "You really don't know, do you?"

Akemi, still caught up in her cheerful thoughts, blinked. "Don't know what?"

Izumi hesitated for a moment before softly muttering, "Miyahara-san... he's a killer."

Akemi's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, a what?" she asked, tilting her head. "A healer? That doesn't sound like him at all."

Ichiyo's face flushed, her heart racing. "N-no, not a healer!" Her voice cracked as she blurted it out, no longer able to hold back.

"H-he... he killed my mother!"

Akemi's smile instantly vanished as the words sank in.

The festive sounds of the crowd faded in her ears as Ichiyo's words settled over them like a thick fog.

She gazed at them, searching for any sign of maybe, they were just joking, but the truth was written clearly on their faces, leaving no room for doubt.

"W-what...?"

Her face went pale, eyes widened in shock, darting between Ichiyo and Izumi as the weight of the revelation hit her.

"W-what are you talking about... This... No... No way... This can't be true. Aren't you sure that you're just messing around? Heheh.." She defensively tried to not let this thought go deeper into her mind.

"This isn't a joke," Izumi added quietly. "We wouldn't joke about something like this. We need to be careful. If he's around, we should keep our distance."

Akemi shook her head, still in denial. "But... I'm sure my brother wouldn't be hanging out with someone like that if he was really a threat. Seiji's smart, he wouldn't let himself live with a killer!"

Ichiyo exhaled shakily, her eyes darting away. "Y-you don't... really know this killer, Akemi-chan. Miyahara-san... he's dangerous. I... I think Sekiguchi-san is just... trying to handle it, but... that doesn't make it safe." 

Akemi swallowed, her voice trembling. "What...? But... but..."

Izumi, noticing Akemi's discomfort, tried to steer the conversation back to a lighter tone. "Look, we aren't saying this to scare you, but... to warn. And know that we can still enjoy the festival, right? Just... be cautious."

Akemi hesitated, then forced a small smile. "Y-yeah... Heh.. Um.. Maybe... Let's go have some tayaki first? I'm sure we'll have a good time if we just try to relax... Heh..." her tone attempted to sound fun and confident to ease up her new freinds accusions.

"Y-yeah..." Ichiyo nodded shyly and swallowed hard. Her gaze flickering toward Hideaki.

'Even though I made peace with him... I'm still worried that he could lash out in any moment and murder us all...'

Before they moved futher, Akemi glanced nervously at Seiji and Hideaki in the distance.

'My brother, living with a serial killer? This can't be true! Hideaki doesn't seem to be a killer type. At least that's what I've seen so far...'

She watched as the girls drifted towards the food stalls.

Quickly she pulled out her phone and typed to Seiji to not making him worried: "We are going to check out stalls! Don't worry, I won't spend all my money on snacks... probably."

As she pulled her phone back to the little purse she was carrying, she gulped from growing disbelief,

'I can't believe this. It's probably just big coincidence... Hehe... Seiji wouldn't live with someone as dangerous as a killer! Hehe...'

>>>

Seiji recieved Akemi's message and turned back, spotting the girls by a Tayaki stand, chatting with food.

'I hope that this trio won't cause any trouble along the way.'  he thought, observing them from a distance.

Then, he messaged Akemi back: "Alright. Call me if anything happens. Hideaki and I are going to grab some food as well. We'll meet up in a bit."

A moment later, Akemi replied with a happy emoji.

Satisfied, Seiji glanced at Hideaki, who was on edge, scanning the crowd warily.

"Let's go get something to eat. Now," he said curtly, preventing Hideaki from complaining any further.

"Food..?" Hideaki asked uncertainly, lightly scratching his hands.

"Yes. We came here for this after all. Akemi said that she'll stay with Takahashi-san and Matsuo-san, so we are all free to go by ourselves. Let's go." He motioned for Hideaki to follow him, then moved forward. 

He wanted him to relax as quickly as possible and not cause any problems.

---

As they were walking, Seiji's mind briefly wandered to the various activities they could try. "If you're interested, we can try goldfish scooping later, or maybe get some taiyaki."

He said and glanced behind him, only to find that Hideaki had vanished. 

Seiji halted, his mind immediately analyzing the situation.

"Damn, not good," he muttered under his breath.

He knew that if Hideaki got too agitated or lost, things could escalate quickly.

"Hideaki?!" He called, scanning the festival, his eyes narrowing as he searched through the crowd. "I swear, if he decides to cause trouble here..."

His pace quickened as he began his search, but outwardly, he remained calm and composed, not wanting to alarm the festival-goers.

Meanwhile, far away in the crowd, Hideaki found himself surrounded by people, the noise and movement pressing in on him. His irritation boiled over as he gritted his teeth.

"Tch!" He hissed, 'That idiot! How'd I lose him in this damn crowd? He.. He is too damn tall! I'll kill him if he doesn't show up soon!'  he angrily thought.

The pressing throngs of people only amplified his frustration.

He could feel eyes on him, though he wasn't sure if it was paranoia or reality.

'Are they staring at me again? Judging me? They must know who I am... Seiji's wrong. They're not minding their own business... They're watching me!'

His hand twitched involuntarily, the urge to lash out growing stronger. 'They are multiplying like ants! Arrgh! Fuck!!'

He glanced at laughing children, adults that were having fun around. He hissed again.

'Tch! Their smiles... Their fucking laughs... I... I want to make them go away... all of them... I would torture them until they'd stop laughing like that! And then... I'd kill them one by one. Hehehe.... Yes! Kill!!! Kill them all! Hehehe! EHEHEHEHE!'

[In the meantime at the Water Balloon Yoyo stand]

Ichiyo nervously searched over the street. Even though, she tried to relax as much as she could, something still gnawed at her.

Izumi noticing that her friend had a worried face, she moved to her closer, whispering

"Ichiyo-chan, if you're worrying about Miyahara-san, I'm sure Sekiguchi-san will handle everything if he would snap. Just as he did last time. You'll see, everything will be fine."

Ichiyo gave a small nod "I... hope you're right, Izumi-chan."

Akemi sighed heavily.

The knowledge that she recieved haunted her mind.

'Okay... Calm down. This whole 'killer stuff' is probably just a coincidence... right? It isn't real! Like I said to myself before, Seiji would never harbour a killer into his flat! Never!'  

She remembered how her brother and Hideaki acted before.

'They're just normal roommates! A roommates that seems... soetimes difficult to each other... but still just roommates! Friends! Friends... with.. heh.. benefits.. hehe... Oh my Gosh! They absolutely are like that! Hihhi!'

Her full enthusiasm resurfaced again.

She gazed at her new friends and noticed Ichiyo's distracted expression and decided to break the silence. "You know, I still think they might be in a relationship, hehe." she said, her voice chipper as always, trying to bring back the cheerfull festive mood.

Ichiyo blinked, her brow furrowing slightly. "Sorry, but... you're still stuck on that idea?"

Akemi giggled, twirling slightly to let her yukata catch the breeze. "I'm not sure, but imagining it is fun! I just love seeing people in love."

"But it isn't logical." Ichiyo retored.

"Maybe it isn't, but it's fun!" Akemi said back to her, grinning.

Ichiyo sighed internally, not sharing Akemi's romanticized view of things. She couldn't quite understand why Akemi liked to speculate about something so trivial.

As they started walking to other stand, their pace slowed, taking in the sights and sounds of the festival.

The rhythmic beats of festival drums mixed with the lively chatter of the crowd, while the smell of grilled yakitori and sweet candied fruits filled the air.

Yet none of this could distract Ichiyo from her growing unease, but this time.. it was something different than a worry of a serial killer snap.

Izumi noticed the change in her and stepped a little closer. "Hey, Ichiyo-chan are you having fun?"

"Mhm." She nodded "I just... I still can't believe we're actually here." Ichiyo admitted, her voice barely rising above the noise. "It feels strange. I haven't been to a festival in over two years."

"Why not?" Akemi asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I used to go to Tokyo's summer festivals all the time with my dad and... my mom... We wouldn't miss any festivals when I was growing up. But after she passed, we stopped going. It just didn't feel the same anymore without her..." Ichyo's excitement slightly faded once the memories started resurfacing.

Akemi, sensing the weight of the moment, clasped her hands behind her back and offered a warm smile. "You know, it's okay to enjoy things, even when they feel bittersweet. Festivals can be a break from all the heaviness. I'm sure your mom would have wanted you to feel happy right now."

Ichiyo gave a small nod but remained quiet, her mind drifting between the past and the present.

The bright festival lights ahead seemed almost too cheerful, being a stark contrast to the darker memories stirring within her.

As they passed a group of children lighting sparklers, Akemi pointed out, "See, sometimes it's nice to just watch the world go by, even if you don't feel completely in it."

Just then, Izumi put a reasurring hand on Ichiyo's shoulder.

"Tonight, we can just let ourselves be part of the festival, even if only for a little while. We can handle the rest later."

Ichiyo gazed at her a bit taken aback, but as she saw Izumi's soft calming smile, she exhaled with relief.

"Yeah... maybe you're right."

Akemi led the way, while both Izumi and Ichiyo followed her on back.

Just then, a sudden growl from Izumi's stomach interrupted them, drawing a light laughter from the group.

"S-sorry hehe! How about we grab some food?" Izumi suggested with a embarassed grin.

"M-mhm.. Good idea Izumi-chan." Ichiyo agreed.

"I vote for yakitori!" Akemi exclaimed, her enthusiasm lifting the mood, and the trio quickly made their way to the nearest food stand.

>>>

Hideaki was breathing heavily, and a terrifying smile was on his face. The pupils in his eyes seemed as small as grains of sand.

'Kill, kill, kill, kill!!!'

He repeated in his mind.

In his trembling and bleeding hands were forming tiny crimson blades, droplets of blood were dripping on the pavement.

The killer's odd behaviour seemed to draw the attention of nearby festival-goers as they began to take notice of him.

With heavy and anxious breaths, Hideaki started to lift his hands, poised to bring mayhem upon anyone who dared to be nearby, only to be interrupted by the familiar, dulcet tones of Seiji's voice:

"There you are."

Hideaki startled, gulping when hearing Seiji's echoing voice. His bloody weapon immediately melted and splashed before his feet.

In the last moment Seiji noticed a small red pool on the ground. He narrowed his eyes 'Looks like I've made just in time.'

"The spectacle ended ten minutes ago. You don't have to practice those tricks anymore. Heheh." Seiji said wanting to show any other 'explanation' of the blood on the floor than that Hideaki was going to lash out on others.

He made his way over, keeping his expression neutral.

Some people around breath with a relief.

"So it was just part of performance..." They commented.

"I must say, it was pretty scary at one moment."

Hideaki turned around, "Tch!" he hissed. His expression quickly went into frustration, "Y-you lost me, you i-idiot! You were walking too fast!"

Seiji didn't react to the insult, keeping his voice calm and measured. "My mistake. I should've kept a closer eye on you. We won't get separated again."

"Tch-" Hideaki clicked his tongue, still agitated "F-fine. But d-don't do it again... Or I'll kill you!"

Seiji sighed "Let's keep moving." He gently grabbed his elbow and led him toward the stalls. "I think you'll like what's up ahead."

---

They stood side by side in the crowd, Seiji shielding him with his body so no one would get too close and increase his anxiety. He spoke quietly, matter-of-factly:

"We'll go to takoyaki stand in a moment, but first... Tell me, why did you use your Magic Ability again? I know that your usage and flow is getting better and better with each day, but you could hold yourself from using it. Especially in public."

"Tch..." Hideaki hissed.

Seiji pointed at Hideaki's bleeding hands "Why did you do this."

Silence

"Hideaki." Seiji said his name.

Silence

"Don't act offended. What did you wanted to do?" Seiji asked concerned.

After a while,

"I wanted to kill..." Hideaki muttered.

"Who."

"E-everyone. Tch. They all are pissing me off! They're everywhere! If I would slit up their throats, or gut them out, they wouldn't be a problem anymore. Hehe..." His hands moved slowly again to the bleeding wounds and began to scratch it even more "They wouldn't stare. They wouldn't try to catch me."

Seiji sighed heavily. He grabbed Hideaki's wrists firmly, making him to stop moving again.

"Don't give me that crap." He said "You're not going to murder ANYONE here. You hear me? And you're not going to use your Magic Ability here too."

"Huh!?" Hideaki flared.

"You heard me good. If not me stepping in time someone could have called police seeing you forming... -whatever you tried to form from your blood. You would be caught, which means something that you are so terribly afraid."

Seiji pinched a bridge of his nose

"You're unbelievable... Doing something that would lead to exactly that which you fear most. Having two such contradictory needs is just fucked up!" He said and then sighed, added silently "But I guess it's the price of housing a insane serial killer at the house... Figures..."

"You wouldn't understand!" Hideaki retored back.

"I don't have to understand. You need to calm the fuck down. And for that we need food." Seiji said stating the matter of fact and he dragged Hideaki at takoyaki stand.

Hideaki's hands were still shaking, but when the smell of fried food hit his nose, his gaze drifted a bit to the stalls.

Seiji ordered a portion of takoyaki for both of them and a portion of yakisoba — things he knew Hideaki would devour without a second thought.

When the vendor handed over the steaming balls, Seiji handed them to Hideaki without any ceremony.

"Eat. Now. Don't think," he said dryly, but his finger pointed at the food with more care than severity.

Hideaki began to eat nervously, the first bites quick and mechanical. Seiji stood beside him, watching him for a moment, then reached for the second portion and asked for two small bottles of water.

As Hideaki slowly stopped chewing, as if on autopilot, and focused on the taste, his shoulders slumped. The trembling in his hands began to subside.

Seiji seized the moment — taking his hand for a second (a simple, fleeting gesture) to guide it to the cup of water.

Doing that, he caught sight of his hands — no blood this time, just faint red marks along the knuckles.

Old scratches, half-healed.

He exhaled quietly, relief mixing with vigilance.

'He stopped the bleeding. Good.'  he said, then looked into Hideaki's face.

"Breathe. Again. Inhale — exhale," he repeated, this time in a calm voice, devoid of any warning.

Then he gently led him to the edge of the quay, where there were a few benches, and in a slightly quieter tone. He sat down beside him, still drawing Hideaki into banal, concrete actions— "Take the second ball. It's hot — carefully."

After a few minutes, Hideaki stopped shaking so violently. He still looked tense, but less panicked.

Seiji put down his food, glanced at his figure, and said dryly,

"Fine. You're still irritable, but you won't tear anyone apart here. If you feel anything again, tell. Don't freak out inside yourself. Speak out."

Hideaki looked at him, cheeks slightly red. "T-tch... o-okay..." he replied anxiously, but visibly calmer.

Seiji stepped back, not making a melodrama of it. He was there, practically. He had prepared a contingency plan in his head — if the panic attack returned, he would immediately escort him to a less crowded place or find a stand selling his favorite food — and that was enough. Hideaki took another bite, looked at Seiji, and, unconsciously, for the first time in a long time, smiled a little.

---

They continued their way through the festival, and at a nearby sweets stand, Seiji bought two candied apples.

He handed one to Hideaki. "Here. I know you like sweets."

Hideaki accepted it cautiously, taking a bite. His eyes lit up as he tasted the sweet toffee and fresh apple. "Mmm...! It's so good!"

Seiji smiled slightly, satisfied to see Hideaki enjoying something. "Seems like I choosed right."

Hideaki nodded, and he savoured the sweet even more eagourlesly "M-mhm! It's so sweet and I love the caramel taste!"

Seiji sensing the tension easing, nodded. "Come on. There's even more to try."

Just then, they unexpectedly crossed paths with Ichiyo, Izumi, and Akemi.

"Well, this is a surprise. You three again," Seiji remarked with a slight nod, his voice calm but with a hint of curiosity. "Have you checked out all the stands yet?"

"Not yet. We're about to grab some cotton candy and ice cream." Izumi responded with a smile

"Don't let us stop you then," Seiji replied, understanding their eagerness and not wanting to hold them up.

As soon as Ichiyo's eyes fell on Hideaki, her heart skipped a beat. The familiar creepiness in his crimson red eyes stirred up the trauma, a sharp tension building in her chest.

She froze for a moment, unable to tear her eyes away from him, fear creeping up her spine.

Seiji's sharp eyes observed the interaction, though he didn't comment on Ichiyo's visible unease. He decided to kept things light.

Hideaki on the other hand, didn't even notice them. The whole Seiji and girls conversation was in the muffled, faded background in his head, as he focused more on eating a caramel apple than caring about anything else around.

Akemi noticed the sudden tension on Ichiyo's shoulders quickly shoved a Dango into her mouth,

"Have you tried all the sweets here yet nii-san?" She excitedly asked, clearly trying to divert attention.

"Not yet," Seiji answered plainly, then glanced at Hideaki, who was licking the lasts drops of caramel from the stick, "Though, knowing this one... he'll probably want to try every sweet at the festival."

Izumi gave light chuckle, "Just be careful not to overdo it, or you'll end up with a huge stomachache like me last year... Not fun."

Seiji gave a brief smile. "Noted. I'm not big on sweets, but Hideaki here could eat his way through every stall if he wanted." he added with a faint touch of amusement.

"H-hey!!" Hideaki blushed, clearly embarrassed by the comment.

'Is Hideaki really that dangerous as Izumi and Ichiyo said..?' she thought, gazing at Hideaki and her brother.

"Anyway, we should get going," Akemi said, sensing the moment to move on.

"We'll be wandering around too, checking out some games and booths," Seiji said.

"Have f-fun." Ichiyo added with a polite nod.

"Oh, hey before you go... Why don't we agree on a time and place to meet up before the fireworks?" Seiji suggested, trying to keep things organized.

Akemi perked up. "Sure, that sounds good."

"How about ten minutes before the fireworks start? We can meet near that tree by the koi stall," Seiji suggested, pointing toward the spot with a clear plan in mind.

"Okay!" Akemi replied enthusiastically.

"Great." Seiji nodded "Let's stick to that plan then."

The girls agreed in unison, nodding as well.

Seiji gave a polite, measured farewell, his attention already shifting back to Hideaki as they parted ways.

---

As they wandered through more booths with food and games, Seiji stayed calm, occasionally stepping in when Hideaki's impulsiveness flared up.

The evening went by without much trouble, and both of them seemed to ease into the atmosphere.

Seiji wasn't one to get sentimental about these moments, but he knew their importance - keeping things balanced and under control was crucial when dealing with someone like Hideaki.

They both were enjoying dango at the quieter space, when suddenly...

"Hideaki, how about playing a game?" Seiji suggested with a hint of playfulness.

"A game?" Hideaki questioned, intrigued.

"Yes."

"And what game would that be?"

"You'll see soon enough," Seiji replied with a slight smirk.

"This better be a game where I can hit a moron on the head... I'd love to have you as my target..."

"Hey now, no violent intentions. It's a different kind of game. You'll understand when we get there."

---

Seiji led Hideaki to a shooting game booth, rifles and shotguns neatly arranged, with a display of prizes, including large stuffed animals. He assessed the setup, calculating the chances of winning.

"What do you think about this?" Seiji gestured toward the prizes, his eyes already scanning for the optimal rifle.

Hideaki grinned. "Heh... Yes!"

Seiji requested three tries. Taking the shotgun, he carefully aimed and fired, hitting the first target with ease. The second shot missed, but the third hit dead center. Seiji allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction, though he didn't feel the need to boast.

"Not bad," he commented, turning to Hideaki. "Want to give it a try?"

"YES!" Hideaki exclaimed, enthusiasm evident in his voice. Almost childlike.

Seiji paid for the next three shots, and Hideaki took hold of the shotgun, his focus intent on the target. However, his grip on the gun was not quite steady, a detail that Seiji noticed just as Hideaki pulled the trigger.

The recoil caused the butt of the gun to strike Hideaki's shoulder with force, sending him tumbling to the ground in pain "AAAAAGH!" he cried out. The shotgun slipped from his grasp, landing beside him.

Seiji chuckled lightly, offering a hand to pull him up. "You set it wrong," he observed, not mocking but stating the obvious.

"Tch! Shut up!! I want to win a stuffed animal!" Hideaki grumbled, determined to give it another shot.

"Just set it right this time," Seiji advised, noticing Hideaki's ineptness.

Seeing that Hideaki is again setting the gun wrongly, he positioned himself behind him, and carefully took hold of the shotgun. "The stock, make sure it doesn't unexpectedly hit you in the face..." Step by step, Seiji guided Hideaki on how to properly set up the shotgun. Initially, Hideaki felt a slight nervousness at the close proximity, but gradually he let go and allowed Seiji to take charge.

Soon enough, the shotgun was perfectly positioned. "Well done. Do you know how to aim?" Seiji inquired.

"I know, you idiot! I've played shooters on the computer, so I know!" Hideaki retorted confidently.

Seiji let out a sigh, slightly dismayed by his overconfidence.

"But you do realize that games don't entirely reflect the recoil and shooting dynamics in reality..."

"Tch! Quiet! I need to focus!" Hideaki snapped, determined to concentrate on his upcoming shot.

"Okay, okay... Just this one time, hit that target for real," Seiji said, not wanting to argue.

Hideaki fixed his gaze intently on the gun's sight. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and pulled the trigger. The ball whizzed through the air, narrowly missing the target by mere millimeters.

"DAMN!" he cursed in frustration.

Being a bit pissed off, Hideaki readied himself for his final shot.

His concentration was palpable as he aimed with determination.

Boom!

The shot rang out, and this time it hit the target accurately.

"HAHAHA!! EAT SHOT, YOU STUPID BITCH!" Hideaki erupted with joy, unable to contain his excitement.

"Hideaki, mind your language," Seiji admonished, his tone still calm, though there was a slight edge of impatience in his voice.

The salesman, meanwhile, jotted down the results.

"Hmm... Here we got almost 3 wins," he remarked to Seiji "You were so close to win... Wish you good luck next time."

Seiji shrugged, unconcerned. "Maybe next time," he replied. It wasn't about the prizes for him.

Then, the salesman turned his attention to Hideaki, adding,

"And here we have 2 losses and one win... I'm sorry, you didn't win anything this time."

Annoyance flickered across Hideaki's face. "Huh!? I hit one, didn't I?"

"Yes, but it takes three wins to claim a prize," the salesman explained matter-of-facts.

In response, Hideaki puffed up like an angry pufferfish, furious that his efforts had been in vain. He glared at the seller, a crimson aura seemingly emanating from his right hand,

"If you don't give me a stuffed animal, I'll hang your guts instead of these toys!" he threatened, his voice laced with anger.

Before Hideaki could escalate the situation, Seiji stepped in. "Ehehe... Hideaki, enough," he said quietly, nudging him away from the booth. "No need to cause trouble over a stuffed animal."

Hideaki muttered angrily, but Seiji's firm yet subtle grip on his arm pulled him away from the conflict. "Thank you for the game," Seiji called to the salesman, offering a polite smile as he quickly paid.

'Every time I have to figure out some workaround so he doesn't get any stupid ideas. So much work just to avoid an accident...'

Once they were out of earshot, Seiji turned to Hideaki. "You can't threaten people like that, especially over something so trivial!"

Hideaki scowled, "But I wanted that stuffed animal!"

Seiji sighed, keeping his frustration in check this time. "But you didn't win. Simple as that." His voice was measured, as if explaining a basic fact. "I told you, talk, not do. And control your emotions, Hideaki. We're here to enjoy the festival, not cause a scene."

"Tch!" Hideaki grumbled, though the anger still simmered.

>>>

As the girls continued their festival fun, together, they made their way to the goldfish stand, ready for the catching the fish challenge.

Akemi approached the game with unwavering determination, doing her best to scoop up as many fish as she could. The other girls followed suit, their efforts mirroring Akemi's. However, despite their endeavors, they only managed to catch a few fish in their nets.

"Ah, so close!" Akemi exclaimed in frustration.

"I didn't have much luck either..." Ichiyo admitted.

Izumi looked at Ichiyo with surprise. "Why didn't you use your Water Manipulation Magic Ability to make it easier?"

Ichiyo shook her head, firmly rejecting the idea. "No, that would be cheating, and I prefer to play fair. I want to catch the fish just like everyone else."

Akemi's eyes widened with excitement upon learning about Ichiyo's water control ability. "You can manipulate water? That's amazing!"

"Yeah hehe..." Ichiyo corrected her lock of hair that fell on her face, she felt embarrassment getting into her.

"What about you, Izumi-chan? Do you have some cool Magic Ability as well?" Akemi asked, curious about her new friends powers.

"Well yeah hehe. But it's quite dangerous if you'll use it on wrong person... I have Memory Erasing Magic Ability."

"Ooh... That sounds kinda creepy..."

"Y-yeah... I have to double check every time someone asks me to erase their memories... I don't want to do something wrong--" in her voice were noticable a sense of worry and care about others.

"How about you, Akemi? Do you have any Magic Ability?" Ichyo asked while trying to catch a goldfish

"Yeah. I have Plants Growth Ability!"

"Ooh! So that means that you can grow plants out of nowhere?" Izumi asked vigorously

"Well, not quite. I still need to have a soil to do this, to have a some sort of base for them to grow. But other that that, I can make plants grow faster, more beautiful. I not only care for flowers, but I can also make them bloom where they were not, hehe." Akemi explained.

Upon sharing their knowledge of each Magic Abilities, the girls resumed their attempts at catching the elusive goldfish. Unfortunately, their collective efforts fell short as none of them possessed the speed or skill necessary to successfully capture fishes.

"Shoot, we are so bad at this..." Ichiyo added with a wry face

"But even though we didn't catch many fish, we still had fun!" Izumi interjected, trying to lift their spirits.

"We had a blast!" Akemi exclaimed with a joyful smile.

"Hey, maybe let's try some other games?" Ichiyo suggested. Her mood clearly better than a few moments ago.

"Yes! Why don't we go try shooting targets?" Akemi proposed enthusiastically.

"Yeah, and then let's all take souvenir photos for the end!" Izumi added, excited about the idea.

"Yeah!" They all shouted in unison, brimming with anticipation as they made plans for their next activities. Soon enough, they headed off to the various places where they wanted to play.

>>>

As the designated meeting time approached, everyone reconvened at the agreed-upon spot. The girls carried an assortment of stuffed animals, small trinkets they had won. Seiji observed their triumphant haul with a slight smirk. "Seems like you all did well."

"Mhm!" All three girls nodded in unison.

Seiji gave a brief nod. "Good. Hideaki and I managed to pass the time too."

Akemi cast a mischievous glance at Seiji. "Of course, nii-san!"

The girls giggled, clearly in high spirits.

Seiji glanced at his watch, keeping things on track. "Alright. Fireworks next?"

"YES!!!" the girls exclaimed, their excitement contagious.

Hideaki, however, wore a grim expression. "Yes..." he muttered reluctantly, glancing at the stuffed animals that reminded him of his lost attempt at the shooting stall.

Seiji glanced at him briefly, his tone flat but not unkind. "It's just a game, Hideaki. Don't dwell on it."

"Tch... M-mhm..." Hideaki grumbled under his breath but nodded slightly.

They found a free spot among the crowd, settling in as people gazed up at the sky, waiting for the fireworks to begin.

When the fireworks started, the night sky lit up with bursts of vibrant colors. The Tokyo Skytree shone in the background, adding to the spectacle.

Akemi, Ichiyo, and Izumi watched in awe, captivated by the display. Seiji stood next to them, his eyes briefly scanning the sky, though his expression remained neutral.

Hideaki, covered his ears from the booming noise, but as the show went on, he gradually became absorbed by the sight.

"S-so... colorful," he murmured, his voice almost childlike in its amazement of the bright colors in the night sky.

Seiji glanced over at him, taking note but remaining silent.

---

As the show ended, Seiji gave a small nod, more to himself than anyone else.

"Seems the night turned out well enough."

Seiji’s gaze briefly shifted toward Hideaki again.

In the dim glow of the passing lanterns, for a moment, the memory returned — the crimson stain on the pavement from earlier that evening.

He hadn’t forgotten.

"Let’s hope no one dig dipper into from what source this blood even was at first place..." he thought, his expression unreadable as the last firework faded into smoke.