Long time no see

Nervous and fidgeting, he stood there with his sister Lemon. Both of them were waiting for someone.Not the same people but the one who were going to the same place.

“Dont worry, you look good nii-san.”

“Hmm... When are your friends coming?”

“I got a message that they will be here in 2 minutes.”

“... You should go in.”

“...Nah. What do you think about my yukata?” She twirls on one leg swaying her hairs and showing off the yukata she was wearing.

A dark blue yukata with white flower pattern and sky blue obi.

“–Absolutely beautiful.”

“That was a quick reply. You didn't even take a look.”

“When I first looked at home I thought the same thing. Ah! I think your friends are here.”

“Oh, they really are.”

TAP TAP TAP

Stopping midway and looking back his sister asked,

“Won’t you greet them?”

“...N-No. Go and enjoy, Bye.”

Waving hands from far he sent off his sister and her friends.

…Now I am alone again.

The fear which he acquired a few days ago made him scared of going to crowded places, and being left alone outside also made him anxious. He left home with Lemon which gave him a sense of calmness. Now that she was gone his nerves were a little tense.

On top of all that, the yukata which he wore on request of his sister made me extra nervous. It was after such a long time that he wore a yukata or went to a firework show. The last time he remembers he went to it was with his mother and whole family.

Clank Clank Clank

While he was questioning whether he should go and change or not, footsteps by three beauties caught his attention.

A pink yukata resembling the colour of a Sakura tree with its large single flower pattern, a pale grey one with dark brown branch pattern along with a moon and A black one with a large fish pattern, Respectively worn by Uragao-san, Kiyoko-san and Fumiko-san in the same low bun hairstyle.

“Oh, Mae-kun! You look good!” waving hands Fumiko called out.

The way the three of them were walking towards him was really captivating. Our man was not any different, swayed away by the sight it took him a second to say something.

“R-Really?T-Thanks.”

“Yup”

“Yeah, you really look good.” Eying him up to down Kiyoko commented.

Pulling the strand of hair behind the ears Fumiko asked with a mischievous smile,

“Don't you have anything to say for us.”

Looking away from their stares he said,

“A-All three of you look beautiful without a doubt.”

Though it was easy for him to give compliments without trying to, but when asked he did get embarrassed saying it out loud to others.

“Really?~ You didn't even look at us.”

“Stop teasing him,Fumiko. Let go, Mae-kun.” Saving him from any further teasing by Fumiko, Kiyoko walked towards the path amid the lighted stalls.

Following her footsteps the rest of them also walked behind her.

<>

Walking on the streets, Natsumi’s eyes were constantly searching for that face which he fought half a month ago. He searched through many regions, every corner, every bar,restaurant, everywhere he could,

“Looks like no shot here also.”

But no matter how hard he and Ai searched they couldn't find a single trace let alone him. Because Ai didn't know how he looked she was searching with Natsumi based on his explanations. They could have asked Tengen to draw his face but afraid of somehow making him any further angry asking that, they gave up on that idea.

They started searching for him in another region than the one where Natsumi and Yamamoto first encountered Katsuo. Assuming that there is no way he will still be in the same region where they first met him, Ai and Natumi were first checking the other region around.

But in the end they had to come back to the same region to search for him. Even here, they were having a hard time.

Coming from the front, Ai said,

“Didn't find anyone looking like him in that direction either.”

According to Natsumi’s description, Ai was looking for a boy with slightly long black hair and red colored eyes who was around her age and a little bit longer than her.

“Natsumi-san, do you even think we can find him?”

It was a mere coincidence that Natsumi and Yamamoto met him that time. Repeating that fateful meeting would take an indefinite amount of luck when looking at the number of people present there.

Averting his eyes to that question Natsumi looked the other way. Despite being night time, there were people, mostly families, couples and friends out on streets heading towards the same direction.

“Hey Ai, do you know where they are going?

“... oh, they. Apparently,there is a summer festival around here.”

“Summer festival,huh. Let's check there for the last spot for today.”

Pointing towards the opposite direction of the crowd Ai said, “Let me check around the neighborhood I left in the middle of searching. You go first ,Natsumi san. I will come after I look around there.”

“You sure? I don't think you can find him based on a description.”

“We were just doing it up until now.”

“That was because we were searching rather closely and could inform the other by giving a signal if we found anyone or you doubted someone. You should come with me.”

“Nah, I will be fine. I got a somewhat clear picture of him in my head from your description.”

“...if you say so. Don't forget to give a signal if you find him or someone resembling him, I will come using the GATE.”

“Sure. Don't you also forget it, Natsumi-san.”

Although their words were in agreement, their gazes were saying something else. Parting the way both of them went opposite sides to look for their target.

<>

Before going in between the stalls and the lighted area, Natsumi decided to take a quick round around the entry point. If he was going to search an area it is better to check in every direction, leaving a single place can ruin all their hard work they had done up until now.

Clank Clank Clank

Walking around,his eyes could only find some old couples and children rushing towards the entrance side to not miss the fireworks show about to happen.

In that somewhat quiet street his legs kept walking as his eyes looked for Katsuo.

“... Not here also.”

As his eyes looked around, at the left side where another street meets his path, a group of some young boys walked out in his sight from behind the trees hiding that street.

Natsumi’s eyes widened as he saw his prey talk with the other boys in yukata wearing his fabricated kind look and smiles. Weaving those boys in his deceiving sweet words to close the distance, And when the time is right backstab them from shadows.

Maybe Katsuo felt the anger directed at him, or maybe out of coincidence His face turned back. His eyes blinked for confirmation and widened when they made sure.

Katsuo sent off his beneficial friends with a pale smile and a wave accompanying it till they were out of sight.

Even for him, showing his powers in the open can lead to an unthinkable scenario. If they had seen those abnormal things maybe it would have spiked their interest and somehow katsuo could make them work under him, or they would be freaked out and his kind and normal person facade could be crumbled in public view.

Surely no one knows how it would have turned out, but both the parties which were going to wreak havoc now were surely going to be seen by some eyes and leave traces of this unnatural day.

A gust of wind helped Katuso’s standing figure, making the air feel thick and tense.

In an unintentionally dramatic way Katsuo turned back, his hand folded underneath the yukata’s long sleeves.

Taking a single step at a time he closed the distance,Squinting at Natsumi his heavy tone broke the silence,

“Long time no see.”

Attracted towards him like a magnet, Natsumi also moved his foot.

“Did you miss me?” Katsuo's seductive tone asked.

“For sure, My eyes were looking for you every day and night.”

“Ahww~ To be wanted so much. I hate to break it to you but today will be our last meeting.”

Both of them picked up their pace.

“I don't think so, I will be taking you with me.”

Their legs kept escalating the pace.

At some point they were practically running and their fists were slowly rising. Pulled back slightly to a right amount to swing with a brute force when the moment is right their fists awaited mid air.

And then,

Both of them leaped in the air when their bodies were 4 metres apart. The torso swung supporting the arm swing and the two fists clashed roaring with a thunderclap in the sky.