Chapter 4: July — The Summer Festival

“Tsumugi-san, please go out with me. Your yukata looks wonderful.”
Shingo appeared before Tsumugi, who had come to the summer festival with her classmates.

“As expected, there’s always that special feeling about summer festivals!
A confession at a time like this really strikes the heart, doesn’t it?”
With a mask on his temple, a water balloon on his left finger, and an okonomiyaki in his hand—
it was clear he was enjoying the festival to the fullest.
“Ah! I wasn’t lying in wait or anything! It’s just a coincidence!”
He waved his free hand frantically as he tried to explain himself.

“Put the festival before me. It’s only today, you know?”
Feeling like she might be getting in the way of his fun, her tone turned unusually gentle.

“I—at any time, under any circumstance, am always ready to confess my feelings to you, Tsumugi-san!
Even if your head were to come off!”
With sharp, determined eyes, he gazed straight at Tsumugi.

Tsumugi, struck dumb with exasperation, was prompted by his, “So—what’s your answer?”
She let out a sigh and replied, “Why would you ever think you’d get an OK from me…?”
Behind her, her friends, equally exasperated, silently nodded in agreement.

“But I won’t give up!
Please, keep enjoying the festival!”
Saying that, Shingo disappeared into the crowd of the festival.