Even Today, the Genius High School Programmer Cashes In on Day Trades, Completely Flustered by Beautiful Girls' Growing Affection. - Chapter 29: Fireworks Festival Day.

Fireworks Festival Day.

“Where the hell are all these people coming from?”

It was the day of the fireworks festival.

We’d agreed to meet at the station closest to the venue.

The human tide was so overwhelming that the best we could do was press ourselves against the side of a stall and hold our ground.

Yukina had gone to Ryuusenji’s house first so they could change into yukata together.

Apparently Ryuusenji’s grandmother was helping them get dressed.

Partway through, Shingo joined them, and the three of them sent a Lime message saying they were on their way.

Shingo and I had quietly agreed beforehand not to wear yukata.

We’d already told Ryuusenji and Yukina the same.

I was in a plain blue casual shirt and chinos—nothing fancy, no effort put in at all.

With this many people, I figured it might actually be hard to spot them…

That worry turned out to be completely pointless.

The moment the three of them appeared, I knew instantly.

They were radiating an almost abnormal aura.

Ryuusenji wore a deep navy yukata patterned with soft pink flowers.

She’d paired it with a calm orange obi.

Her hair was swept up and secured with a red kanzashi.

The mature, composed air suited her perfectly.

She looked every bit the adult.

Yukina, on the other hand, was in a white yukata decorated with delicate light-blue and deep-navy fireworks.

The pale pink obi complemented her pure, refined atmosphere to perfection.

Her hair was also pinned up, held with a navy hair accessory, with a few soft strands left to trail gently beside her face…

How do I even put this…

I couldn’t look straight at her.

“Sorry, Kousuke. Did we keep you waiting?”

The handsome guy raised one hand in greeting.

“Nah, it’s fine.”

“So? What do you think? These two are gorgeous, right〜?”

Shingo was openly egging me on.

Annoying as hell.

But in front of these two in their yukata, any flowery compliment would probably just sound hollow anyway.

“It took longer than expected, sorry about that.”

“I was really saved by Aoi’s grandma helping us get ready. Kousuke-kun… um, what do you think?”

“Yeah… both of you look incredible. I seriously thought a yukata model had wandered over here.”

“Really?”

“Th-thank you…”

Both of them smiled, visibly embarrassed.

And honestly, as people passed by our little group, I could hear them murmuring—

“Wow, so pretty…”

“Both of them are seriously beautiful, huh.”

“Is this some kind of photo shoot?”

Guys and girls alike were saying it out loud.

There were plenty of other girls in yukata around, but these two stood out on a completely different level.

The four of us started walking toward the fireworks grounds.

Shingo and I took the lead, with the two in yukata following just behind.

The crowd was so dense we could only move by going with the flow.

After a while, I heard Ryuusenji call out, “Yukina〜!”

Apparently Yukina had gotten pushed back by the crowd and couldn’t keep up.

Tall Shingo waved his hand high, shouting, “Over here〜!”

Soon enough, Yukina managed to rejoin us.

“With this many people it’s so easy to get separated〜. Okay then, I’ll stick with Aoi-chan, and Kousuke, you escort Sakuraba-san, yeah〜?”

Escort… well, realistically that probably made the most sense.

“Got it. Sounds good. Yukina, shall we go?”

“Fweh? Y-yeah…”

Yukina looked down, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Shingo and Ryuusenji walked ahead together.

Handsome guy and beautiful girl—a picture-perfect couple.

I moved to the inner side of the crowded path and guided Yukina to the outer side.

A girl this stunning could easily attract the wrong kind of attention.

“Kousuke-kun.”

“What’s up?”

“Um… so we don’t get separated again… is it okay if I hold onto your shirt?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

At that, Yukina timidly reached out and grasped the sleeve of my shirt.

“Don’t let go, okay?”

“Okay. As long as I hold on like this, I’ll be fine.”

“If anyone tries anything weird, tell me right away.”

“If that happens… you’ll take me to the police box again, right?”

“Please spare me…”

Yukina let out a small, mischievous “fufu” laugh.

She looked genuinely happy.