Seventy-Six
Up here the crowds were dense, and we had to carefully wind our way between groups of revellers. We drew a lot of attention, and not just for the five very pretty girls I was with. I heard people talking about my stellar turn at the baseball, and a few people even congratulated , causing my sister and Shaeula to both look as pleased as if it was they who were complinted.
After talking to one such well-wisher, Shaeula ca over and dragged away, over to a stall where a load of goldfish were swimming around. “What is this, Akio? Is it another food stall-stall?”
At the question the owner managed to look both amused and horrified, so I corrected her quickly. “No, it’s a classic festival ga, goldfish scooping. You use one of these fragile paper scoops to capture the fish, then you get to keep them as pets. Want to have a go?”
“Very well, I shall try-try it!” she declared, and quickly broke her scoop. “Hmm, it is indeed rather feeble-feeble. But now that I know… another go-go!” she adapted quickly and began scooping out fish one after the other, the onlookers very impressed.
“I can do that too!” my sister declared, and she managed to flip out several before her paper broke. Rika-san and Yae-san cajoled into trying too, and with my enhanced skills I quickly amassed many successes. All in all we decimated the fish supply, though I took pity on the owner and we only kept five fish, one each for the girls, returning the rest, to rounds of applause from the onlookers.
“So, what is next-next?” Shaeula looked around, very excited. Man, she’s like a little kid, but then I guess everything on the Material is new to her. Man, it gets right in the feels, she’s so cute…
There was a toy rifle range with so cuddly toys and other items for prizes, as well as ball scooping, yo-yo fishing and katanuki, the cutting out of shapes from sugary candy sheets with a needle. Shaeula hopped wide-eyed from ga to ga, and I was again forced into trying them out, as well as paying for the girls to do so. Quite a crowd was following us, egging us on as we cleaned out stall after stall, Shaeula and I winning many prizes, and my sister taking a few for her trouble. Once we had finished with the last stall, where I took the best prize for carving out the most complicated, nearly impossible shape (thanks to my Precision and Alacrity) the crowd once more applauded us as we scuttled away, embarrassed by all the attention.
“Are you sure we can have these?” Yae-san asked, looking at the stuffed bear she was holding. Rika-san had one too, as did all the other girls, as well as keychains, badges and other small prizes. As with the fish scooping, we had returned most of our winnings, as I would have felt bad taking everything from them. Of course now the question was, who was going to receive the largest prize I had won, an extrely large and fetching dog plushie, modelled on the kami of the shrine? Of course it had to be a dog… though admittedly this is more a cutesy design than a realistic one, so it’s bearable, I guess…
Everyone was eying it, but Shaeula spoke first. “I think Eri should have it. Perhaps it will be a good motivation for her to do her best-best.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” My sister agreed, and while Yae-san and Rika-san looked a bit disappointed, they also agreed. Eri-chan tried to refuse but I wouldn’t have it, insisting she take it.
With the dog plushie in her arms she gave a brilliant smile, causing my heart to skip a beat. “Thanks Akio. I’ll treasure it, and when I look at it I’ll always think of you, and that ti you saved . That day… I think it was destiny. I will never, ever forget it.”
“Wow, little Ri-Ri delivered that bold attack with a killer smile.” Rika-san goggled, while beside her Yae-san agreed sourly.
Scratching one cheek while my sister and Shaeula congratulated Eri-chan I looked away, embarrassed all over again, only to see Marika-san coming through the crowd towards us, accompanied by her mother. When Takeyabashi-san saw her gaze hardened, and she quickened her stride, Marika-san struggling to keep up. Oh great, just what I needed…
“Oshiro-san, I don’t know how you convinced last night, but I will not be fooled again…” she launched into an angry tirade at , her daughter looking on apologetically from behind her.
“Uh, what’s going on?” Yae-san asked.
“Nothing of importance.” Shaeula san answered. “I believe these… fireworks… as you call them, will start soon, no-no? We do not have ti to waste here. I shall speak with her.”
Hearing Shaeula talk, Takeyabashi-san turned to her. “And just who might you be, young lady? You should be silent when adults are talking…”
“No, I feel it is you who should be silent and listen to -…” Shaeula retorted, and under the hanging lights of the festival I could see flickers of green rising from her.
Should she be doing that in public? That’s pretty careless…
Luckily no-one else seed to notice as Shaeula began to talk to Takeyabashi-san, using her befuddling winds to defuse her anger and persuade her to comply. I’ve thought this before, but that is a very dangerous power. If others have similar abilities but aren’t as kind-hearted as Shaeula… ugh, I shudder to think at what might happen.
“I apologise for my mother, Akio-sama.” Marika-san said sadly, offering us a deep bow. “She does not understand what an honour this is, and how important it will be for our shrine. My father… he tried to reason with her, but when mother sets her mind to sothing…”
“Oh, that’s fine then. I didn’t understand.” Takeyabashi-san was saying. “In that case I am more than happy to leave my daughter in Oshiro-san’s care.”
Marika-san froze at this strange situation, eyes wide, then understanding dawned and a shy smile spread over her face. Bowing again to Shaeula, she turned to us. “I’ll be dancing the Kagura dance shortly. I would be honoured if you could co and see it, especially you, Akio-sama, Shaeula-sama.” Ignoring Shaeula’s grumbles about honorifics, her smile turned impish. “Afterwards that boy who lost the bet with you should be taking the stage. I heard he tried to renege on his bet with you, but so seniors from the ‘pro’ team said doing so would make them look bad, and he had to ‘man up and take the loss like an adult.’” She giggled then.
“Well I don’t care about that absolute clown, so long as he gets the ssage and stays away from my sister.” I spat. “I’m not going to waste my precious ti watching him. But of course we’ll co see your dance. Just let us grab so drinks first, okay?”
As Marika-san rushed off happily, Shaeula and my sister went to purchase so drinks for us… as well as more food. Wow, they are bottomless pits, where do they put it all?
“So, what’s this about then?” Yae-san asked as Marika-san left. “Just what have you done to upset her mother so?”
“She seems to be another love rival.” Rika-san said. “She’s cute and all, but if you go for girls her age you’ll get a bad reputation, Akio-kun. Stick to high-schoolers like us.”
“Yeah, it isn’t what you think…” as I explained as best I could the circumstances that led to taking charge of Marika-san’s relocation we all headed to the shrine proper, enjoying our drinks and snacks. The night was clear, the stars burning brightly overhead, and sounds of rrint were coming from the crowds around us. This is… nice. I’m glad I ca back ho. I should do it more often. But will I get chance now? If I have to build my Territory, being away from it makes feel nervous… oh well, if I find more trustworthy allies and build my forces, as soon as the upgrade is done and everything is functioning again it should be okay for a few days, surely…
As I was lost in thought a collective noise of appreciation went up around us. Marika-san had taken the stage, wearing a very ornately embroidered chihaya over her usual shrine maiden attire, the long white sleeves flapping, showing glitters of silver and gold thread in the light of the lanterns that overhung the stage.
“I am very curious to see this traditional dance to honour your local Gods-Gods.” Shaeula whispered to . I nodded in response, eyes glued to Marika-san. She saw us standing at the front and smiled, before calming her nerves, face expressionless.
She then began to dance, the ringing of the brass suzu bells she held in one hand the only sound that could be heard in the suddenly still night air. Her movents were sure and elegant, and it was hard to believe she was still so young. The dance continued, everyone srised, and I felt a stirring within , almost as if I was circulating aether, though I was not. As I continued to watch with rapt attention, she struck one final pose, bells ringing, sweat dripping from her brow. Looking directly at , she smiled again, in relief for a perfect performance.
In that mont, when the crowd broke out into applause, I felt a flash of heat go through , my chakra nodes bubbling with energy.
Your Class, Kami-Blessed, has increased from level 4 to level 5.
Your Fortune and Charm have increased.
Your Aether has greatly increased.
Huh? Why? As I pondered, Marika-san ca down off the stage towards us, making polite small talk to those who were praising her for the performance. Upon reaching us she bowed to Shaeula and I. “How was it, Akio-sama, Shaeula-sama? I really felt the touch of Chairo-sama on as I danced, and I wanted to make sure you felt his blessings too…”
“It was really cool, I’ve seen a few dances at festivals before, but that was definitely the best!” my sister said, and I had to agree, not that I had seen many before…
“It was indeed.” I ruffled Marika-san’s hair, causing her to blush, but she did not seem too displeased. “I think you pleased the kami of this shrine more than you know. I was definitely moved by your dancing.”
At my praise she squird with happiness. Shaeula was appraising with her amber eyes after my comnt, and she arched an eyebrow in surprise at what she saw.
“So anyways, Kenji-san should be up next now that the dance is over. We going to watch?” Rika-san asked.
“I will, I want to make sure he knows how unimpressed I am with him.” My sister said. “You two should as well. We can stay here with this little cutie.” She grabbed the hand of Marika-san. “We’ll buy you a drink and sothing to eat, you must be tired. Co on, our treat. You are with Shaeula. Oh, but…” my sister slapped her forehead with her free hand, looking puzzled.
Yeah, nice acting sis. That looks fake as hell…
“The fireworks are soon, so if we try to find a good spot after watching that idiot humiliate himself we might not find one. Big bro, why don’t you and Eri-chan go and find us a decent viewpoint? You can let us know when you’ve got one. Just drop us a text. You can leave your prizes here, we’ll being them later.”
Eri-chan grabbed at my hand. “I don’t mind. We… we can find a good place.” Her hand was warm, almost hot, in my palm.
“Oh, I see how it is.” Yae-san grimaced. “Well, nothing that can be done about it.”
“Yeah, see you later Ri-Ri. Don’t blow it, all right?” Rika-san said.
“Don’t embarrass …” Eri-chan complained, but she started leading slowly away from the crowd. “We’ll… see you all later.”
So, I think I know where this is going. I’ve pondered this these last few days, but I’m still not sure what decision I am going to make… looking at Eri-chan who was clutching my hand tight, looking beautiful and mature in her makeup and yukata, I felt a strange turmoil within . My hand tightened involuntarily, and Eri-chan looked at in surprise, but when seeing I was staring at her, she smiled, shyly yet sohow bold as well. “I think… over there might be good.” She gestured to the rising hills to the side of the shrine, where there were very few people.
“Should we let the others know where we are?” I asked, as we moved out of the glow of the lanterns into the darker shadows.
“Uhh, wait, I’ll do it, big bro… Akio.” She reached into her purse with her free hand and pulled out the phone I had bought her, typing away furiously. “There, done.”
An awkward silence descended, both of us seemingly searching for sothing to say. Eri-chan opened her mouth first, though no sound ca out. She swallowed nervously, her hand gripping mine, and then, as she started to speak, her words re whispers, they were drowned out by the explosion of a firework, red and gold sparks scattering across the sky.
How pretty. And how cliché. What is this, so sort of ani?
We turned away to watch the fireworks, bright clouds of colours scattering across the pristine mountain skies. Eri-chan was right against , her breath hot on my neck, her skin scalding through the thin fabric of our yukata. Even under the multicoloured bursts of light from the fireworks I could tell her skin was flushed crimson, and her breath was coming in ever faster gasps.
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