Summer festival

“Stay, please” Minami whispered in her ear, then let his head fall on her shoulder.

Wha— Satoko’s face caught fire. What the hell is happening?!!

“I’m scared, I don’t want to stay alone” he mumbled.

Scared of what? Satoko frowned.

“What could scare you so much, danna-sama?”

Minami waited a moment. “Promise you won’t laugh, okay?”

“I promise.”

“I…” he hesitated. “I’m scared of ghosts!” Only pronouncing the word made him shiver.

Uh?! All this scene for a ghost?? Satoko was baffled. He must be scared to death.

“I think I saw one two weeks ago, but since there was my sister to keep me company I was fine, but now I’m alone…”

He’s talking about that day! Satoko thought, mortified. It’s all my fault…

“I was too frightened to come back here, so I waited until the last minute to enter and, since I wasn’t able to think of anything else, I thought that if I kept myself busy with a shower I would have been okay.”

“Did it work?”

“No.” His tone was desperate.

Predictable. Satoko chuckled. He’s so cute, though.

Minami raised his head and pouted, offended. “You promised you wouldn’t have laughed!”

“You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re adorable.”

Satoko immediately regretted saying it. What did I have in mind? Now he will think I’m weird!

But, contrary to the expectations, Minami blushed a little and smiled.

“Well, if you’re the one saying it, I’m fine with it.”

Does this mean that if I wasn’t Satoshi it would have bothered him? Satoko lowered her gaze, defeated. I wanna be in Satoshi’s place so bad…

Suddenly, Minami distanced himself from her, embarrassed. “Sorry, I must have scared you earlier. I didn’t mean to do any of that, I was just too frightened to rationalise my actions.” He clasped his hands in prayer and bowed his head. “Please, forgive me! I’ll do anything.”

He’s very thoughtful, how can someone be this perfect? Satoko’s heart melted. Oh, but I should remind him to wear his yukata properly!

“You should fix your yukata. That’s the only thing I ask.”

Minami placed his gaze on his clothes and his eyes widened. “Oh… I’m sorry” he apologized, mortified.

Satoko held back a laugh. “It’s fine, just be more careful next time, danna-sama.”

“Okay.” He scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed.

***

When she was done with everything, Satoko finally took a shower and curled up in her futon.

Tomorrow Mei and Watanabe will come here and we will enjoy the fireworks together, I can’t wait!

She closed her eyes and immediately fell asleep with a smile depicted on her face.

The next day, as planned, they pretended that Satoshi was sick, so Satoko could freely spend time with her friends without worries.

She put on a pair of black baggy jeans, a brown hoodie, a cap and a mask to cover her face, since it was too hot even for a foulard. She took her backpack and exited the ryokan from the secondary exit, so that no one could see her, especially Minami.

It feels like I’m fleeing after stealing something.

Her friends reached her in a place near Finchi Ryokan.

Watanabe, dressed in a white dress and a hat, waved at her from the other side of the street. Mei was next to her, with a pair of jeans, a crop top and her usual ponytail.

I’m glad I’m not the only one with jeans. Satoko thought, relieved.

When the two crossed the street, Watanabe chuckled.

“Hi, Satoko-chan! Don’t you feel hot with those clothes? You know, I didn’t recognize you at first. I thought you were a suspicious individual, with that cap and mask, how funny!”

Satoko placed her gaze on her outfit, confused. I know it’s not a very common summer outfit, but suspicious seems exaggerated to me…

“Luckily, there was Mei who recognized you, eheh!”

Yeah, luckily…

During the morning they went to the beach together. Watanabe and Mei had brought their swimsuits, but Satoko didn’t have any because she was too shy to wear it, so she stayed on the shoreline with her jeans folded up to the knees, looking like someone who was walking on a ricefield.

So as not to leave her alone, Mei did the same and Watanabe tied the skirt of her dress.

At least now we’ll be collecting rice together. Satoko thought ironically.

After eating lunch in a local restaurant, they spent the day walking around Enoshima island and visiting the shrine. Then, when the evening was approaching, they rented three yukatas and prepared to go to the summer festival.

At first, Satoko didn’t like the idea of wearing the yukata and tying her hair up, but in the end she gave up and decided to put on a fox-shaped mask, so no one could see her face.

She glanced in the mirror to check her appearance. Her yukata was of a soft green, similar to the colour of tea, and was decorated with simple floral designs. It was modest and didn’t stand out, perfect for her.

Mei had made her hair in a bun, leaving only two locks of hair to frame her face, and even did her make-up.

Wow, Mei is truly the best friend in the world! She managed to make me look good, she’s so talented!

“I bet you’re thinking that you look good because of me” Mei guessed.

“Er…” Satoko looked away, guilty.

“You always look good, even without my help.”

Satoko blinked to hold back tears. You’re making me cry, you’re too sweet, Mei.

She smiled mischievously. “After all, Minami-kun fell in love with you after just seeing your face once. You should be more confident.”

Satoko’s face completely reddened. You always have to ruin everything with your humour!

“He’s in love with Satoshi, not me.”

“It’s the same. You are Satoshi, right?”

“Well…”

I can’t argue with her logic, she’s too reasonable.

Mei put her cosmetics back in her bag. “Now, seriously talking, I believe you should tell him the truth.”

Satoko’s eyes widened, shocked. No, it will never happen!

“This thing is only hurting both of you and I’m sure he will find out, sooner or later.”

Satoko shook her head violently.

“N-No! What if he doesn’t want to talk to me ever again?”

“It won’t happen.”

And how do you know that?!

“I’m not saying you have to tell him today, but at least think about it. I’m sure this is not what you want, right?”

Satoko glanced at her reflection in the mirror, thoughtful.

“I don’t know.”

She lowered her gaze, a little pensive. I don’t know what I want. I’m just happy to see Minami-kun every day and I don’t want this to end, but, at the same time, I don’t want to hurt his feelings.

She brought her hands to her head, lost.

What should I do?

***

When the three of them were ready, they headed together to the festival. The street was full of people who went by in every direction, enjoying the festive air.

Watanabe ended up buying too much food, so they had to divide it between them, while Mei bankrupted the target shooting stand winning all the prizes.

“Mei, you’re undoubtedly amazing, but we have too many things to carry now!” Watanabe exclaimed.

“We can give them to the kids, if they want them” Mei replied.

Satoko chuckled. Some things never change, Mei has always been an ace at target shooting.

She placed a hand on her chest, cherishing the gaiety of the moment.

I’m glad we decided to go out together, I’m having so much fun!

Suddenly, a group of people that was walking in front of them changed direction, freeing her vision. Satoko glanced straight ahead, spotting a familiar blonde guy who was talking with two other boys.

Her skin turned pale. Minami-kun is here! I should pretend I didn’t see him—

“Oh, there’s Minami-kun, let’s go say hello!” Watanabe exclaimed.

Satoko let her head fall dead weight, defeated. Someone save me from this world of extroverts, please.

The three of them approached Minami, who immediately recognized them and made the presentations. Apparently, those two guys were his friends from the football team: Yamamoto and Tanaka.

“I’ll go buy an ice cream, some of you want to come with me?” Yamamoto asked.

“Yeah, count me in” Tanaka replied.

Watanabe’s eyes sparkled and a cunning smile appeared on her face.

Satoko glanced at her, unsure. Should I worry?

“I’ll come too. Mei is a super-duper fan of ice cream, so she will come with us!”

Watanabe took Mei’s arm and dragged her away, leaving Satoko alone.

What?! No, come back! Satoko thought, desperate.

Mei shrugged helplessly and mimed a “good luck” with her lips.

Good luck, my foot!

Minami chuckled. “I guess they’re all fans of ice cream.”

Satoko turned to him, nervous. “Uh, a-apparently…”

Mei, Watanabe, I will never forgive you, you betrayers!!