~~ • ~~

Evening had fallen.

The sky was no longer bright, replaced instead by a deep, dark blue stretching out over the city. The air should have felt cool, but the sheer density of the crowd made the atmosphere a little stifling.

We had returned to the festival grounds.

"Woah... there are so many people."

Yuna stared straight ahead, her eyes sparkling.

Lanterns hung all along the street, illuminating every corner of the festival. Rows of food and game stalls formed a sea of light stretching far into the distance. The sounds of laughter, music, and overlapping chatter blurred together into a lively hum.

Several attendees were dressed in brightly colored yukata. Not all of them, but enough to make the atmosphere feel entirely different from an ordinary day.

I followed Yuna’s gaze.

Her eyes were fixed on a few young women and children wearing beautiful yukata adorned with summer flower patterns.

"What is it, Yuna?"

"Huh?"

She immediately snapped her head toward me.

"U-Um... it’s nothing, Papa."

Then she tugged at my hand.

"Come on, Papa. Let’s go look around."

Her small hand gripped mine tightly as she began to pull me forward.

"Alright, alright."

I matched her pace.

Hm... what do we have here?

My eyes swept over the rows of stalls lining both sides of the street.

Yakitori.

Yakisoba.

Candy apples.

Cotton candy.

Goldfish scooping.

Shooting galleries.

Ball tosses.

RC cars.

Ice cream.

And so much more.

There was a lot to do here.

And even more money to be spent.

I glanced down at Yuna.

She was still holding my hand, looking this way and that. Her eyes darted around, captivated by everything around her.

I knew that look.

The look of someone trying very hard not to ask for something.

The problem was...

If we bought everything that caught her eye, my wallet was going to meet a tragic end tonight.

I slowed my pace.

And came to a stop.

The sudden tension tugged at Yuna’s arm, bringing her to a halt as well. She turned back and looked up at me.

"What is it, Papa?"

"Yuna..."

"Yeah?"

She waited patiently.

"If you want something, just say so."

Yuna blinked a few times.

Then she looked to her left, then to her right, taking in the bustling rows of stalls.

A second later, she looked back at me.

"I don’t really want anything, Papa."

Her words were accompanied by a small smile.

A smile that was just a little too sweet to be one hundred percent believable.

Right at that moment—

"YUNAAA!!"

A voice called out from a distance.

Yuna whipped her head around.

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

_

In the distance, someone was running toward us.

"Yunaaaa!"

The voice grew louder.

It was Mika.

Behind her was Hana, dressed in a soft pink yukata with cherry blossoms scattered gracefully across the fabric. Beside her walked Misaki, Mika’s older sister, with her usual calm and measured steps.

"Yuna!" Mika called out again.

"Mika?"

Yuna blinked in surprise.

A few seconds later, Mika came to a halt right in front of us.

"You came too!"

"Of course I did. I’m here with Hana and my sister."

Mika glanced back, pointing at the two of them.

I took a look at the three of them.

Mika was dressed in her usual clothes.

So was Misaki.

Hana was the only one wearing a yukata.

"By the way, Yuna..." Mika narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Where were you the past few days? I came by your house a couple of times, but no one was ever home."

"Hehe... sorry." Yuna scratched her cheek. "I was visiting my grandpa out in the countryside."

"Oh, I see. You should’ve told me."

"Yeah, I will next time."

"You’re not wearing a yukata?" Mika asked.

Right then, Misaki and Hana finally caught up to us.

"Don’t worry, Yuna," Misaki said with a faint smile. "You don’t have to wear a yukata to enjoy a festival."

She then turned to me.

"Itsuki-san, good evening."

"Hey, Misaki. Good evening."

As usual.

Every time we met, the same thought crossed my mind.

Misaki really was beautiful.

Her short hair was neatly styled, and her outfit was simple, free of any flashy accessories. But it was exactly that simplicity that suited her so perfectly.

"How have you been?" Misaki asked.

"I’ve been good. Though the work never seems to end."

"Pfft."

Misaki stifled a small laugh.

"Same here. It’s like that at my work, too. The customers just keep coming."

"Haha. That’s just how it goes. Summer is always a busy season."

Meanwhile, right beside us.

Yuna was inspecting Hana from head to toe.

Then she stepped closer.

"That really suits you, Hana."

"Eh?"

Hana looked slightly embarrassed.

"Really? Thank you... My mom dressed me in it."

Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she answered.

"Aw... I want to wear a yukata too."

Mika immediately turned to her older sister.

"Siiiis..."

She shot her a pleading look.

Misaki merely glanced at her.

"You don’t own a yukata."

"We could buy one."

"They’re expensive."

"But—"

"We’ll wait until we have some extra money."

"Fine..."

Mika instantly gave up, retreating back to Yuna and Hana.

"Why aren’t you wearing a yukata, Yuna?"

"Hehe. I don’t have one."

Yuna let out a small laugh as she said it.

"Oh, same here then."

Mika nodded in satisfaction, seemingly pleased to have found a comrade in her misfortune.

Standing between them, Hana looked a little nervous.

"U-Um... well..."

Both of them turned to her.

"What is it?" Mika asked.

"Yuna... Mika..." Hana bowed her head slightly. "I think you both look really pretty just the way you are."

"Eh?"

"You really mean it?"

Hana nodded shyly.

"Thanks, Hana..." Mika said with a smile. "But I still want to wear a yukata like yours."

She then nudged Yuna’s arm.

"You feel the same way, right, Yuna?"

"Uh..."

Yuna hesitated.

Her eyes shifted to Hana’s yukata for a brief second.

Then down to her own clothes.

"A little... maybe."

"See? I knew it!"

Mika exclaimed, feeling vindicated.

Suddenly, her eyes caught something up ahead.

"Hey, look!"

She pointed a finger toward the row of stalls a few dozen meters away.

"There’s a yukata rental stall!"

We all naturally followed her gaze.

Nestled among the food and game stalls, there was indeed a stall with several yukatas hanging up on display.

"Oh, you’re right," Misaki murmured.

Before anyone could say another word, Mika was already on the move.

"Come on, Yuna! Let’s go look!"

She broke into a half-sprint toward the stall.

"Eh— wait for me!"

Yuna quickly hurried after her.

Misaki, Hana, and I simply exchanged glances.

Then, we eventually set off, following right behind them.

_