The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason

Chapter 64: Reunion

“As time passes, it’s really getting crowded…”

After the festival had been open for a while,

The number of people inside had increased even more since we arrived, making the place lively.

Though there was still space to walk, our arms and shoulders would occasionally brush against others.

We slowed our pace to avoid tripping, and we held hands to make sure we wouldn’t get separated. But Shirafuji furrowed her brows in slight distress.

“Watch your step. You’re not used to wearing geta, so it must be hard to walk. If someone steps on you, you could easily fall.”

“I am being careful, but maybe we should get even closer together.”

Saying that, she briefly let go of my hand, linked her arm with mine, and then held my hand again.

I was caught off guard by the sudden action, but I understood it was to prevent us from getting separated.

…I decided not to think about the soft sensation pressing against my elbow.

“Now we definitely won’t get separated.”

“Is it hard to walk like this? There’s a bit of a height difference.”

“The sense of security makes up for it.”

“I see.”

I understood, but at the same time, I didn’t.

Either way, Shirafuji seemed satisfied, so I didn’t pull away.

And this did make it less likely for us to get separated.

“By the way, I never knew festivals were this fun. Have there ever been any around where I live?”

“If you look for them, you might find some. Are you interested?”

“A little. I used to avoid going out at night. It’d be lonely to go to a festival alone, and I might end up getting harassed. But with Hakuto here, I wouldn’t have to worry about that.”

“Glad I can be useful for keeping guys away. Though, they still look.”

“That can’t be helped. I’ll tolerate the stares as long as they don’t try anything physical.”

Shirafuji seemed to have accepted it to some extent.

She was probably aware of how much attention she attracted.

“…But maybe because it’s so crowded, I’m feeling a little dizzy. Can we rest somewhere for a bit? I don’t need to sit down, just somewhere quieter.”

When I glanced at her face from the side, she looked slightly fatigued.

It was too dim to tell if her complexion had changed.

“Sorry for not noticing sooner. Somewhere to rest… Let’s head toward the edge.”

“Please.”

As we pushed through the crowd, the number of people gradually decreased.

There were fewer food stalls, and the constant hum of motors and festival music faded.

On the outskirts, there were others resting like us.

People holding food from the stalls chatted and watched us as we passed, but we found a spot a little apart from them and took a breather.

“This should be good.”

“I can lend you my shoulder if you need.”

“That’s a tempting offer, but I’ll pass. I can’t risk messing up my yukata.”

“…That would be a problem.”

If her obi came undone, it would be a disaster.

I had no idea how to tie a yukata properly, and from the way she spoke, Shirafuji probably didn’t either.

If that happened, we’d have to do some emergency fixing and leave the festival.

“Besides, I’ve worked up quite a sweat.”

“With this heat, it’s unavoidable. The sun’s completely set, but summer still feels like summer. At least there’s some wind, and my jinbei helps keep me cool.”

“Jinbei looks nice and breezy. The only downside to yukata is how it traps heat, but it’s cute enough to be worth it.”

“Women’s dedication to fashion is seriously impressive.”

“We just want to look as cute as possible.”

Saying that, she unlinked her arm and spun around once in front of me.

Her smile bloomed like a pale flower in the dark.

I had already seen Shirafuji in her yukata at home and at the festival, but even now, I still thought it suited her perfectly.

“There’s still some time before the fireworks start. Can we see them well from here?”

“I’m not sure. It might not be the best view, but we should be able to see them.”

“It’d be nice if there was a hidden spot with fewer people…”

“I should’ve asked my mom. The best spots are probably packed.”

“A lively atmosphere is nice, but watching in a quiet place would be better. Just hearing the sound of fireworks… It’d be relaxing without other people around.”

“Doubt we’ll find a place like that.”

“Yeah. But more than the location, the person you watch with is what matters.”

I was about to agree when—

“—Huh? Kuwazome-kun?”

A familiar female voice called my name.

A slight tension ran through me as I turned toward the voice.

There stood a girl in a yukata.

With her serene and graceful presence, her black hair swayed gently.

That girl overlapped with someone deeply etched into my memory.

I had thought I might run into someone.

So I wasn’t surprised.

I just felt my mind slowly cooling down.