The Carnivorous Beast Beauties Are Dying to Devour This Herbivorous Beast Me - 84

Chapter 84: The Summer Festival 7

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“…If possible, I too would like, with you, Arisugawa-kun—”

“I finally found you. Senpai, Onii!”

““!?””

At the sudden voice that rang out, Sumeragi-senpai and I hastily separated from each other. I turned my eyes toward the source of the voice, half-dreading what I would see and sure enough… There stood Chinatsu, arms crossed, baring her fangs, and glaring down at us.

“Chinatsu…!?”

“It wasn’t easy to track down Onii’s scent in this crowd, but don’t underestimate a wolf’s nose.”

Snorting, Chinatsu shifted her sharp gaze toward the silent Sumeragi-senpai.

“Anyway, why are the two of you here together?”

“Eh? Well, it’s not like anything suspicious is happening between us… I was just thanking Arisugawa-kun for everything until now.”

“…Really?”

Under Chinatsu’s sharp, doubtful stare, Sumeragi-senpai lost her usual commanding aura. Her cheeks reddened as she averted her eyes. She was fidgeting with her fingers in front of her chest.

Wait, isn’t Senpai kind of cute like this?

“Th-that aside, Chinatsu! Where are the others…”

It was rare to see Sumeragi-senpai being scolded by a junior, and I honestly wanted to keep watching, but it would be too cruel to leave her be like that. Not to mention, who knew what kind of trouble I would be dragged into after this…

“They’ll be here soon. I’m sure Seira-san has already caught your scent too… Besides, you’re the ones who wandered off on your own in the first place.”

“Ugh, fair point…”

“Here we are.”

“Ah, there you are. If you’re going to disappear, at least say something first!”

“Oi oi…Now it’s the Student Council President!?”

“Are you planning to collect all four of our school’s Top Four Beauties?!”

“So this is how it turns out…To be honest, I expect nothing less from Haruku-kun.”

Speak of the devil, and she appears.

Following Chinatsu came Seira-san and Miran-san…And in the end, everyone had gathered again, making the place lively once more after their absence.

“…I smell the scent of a female in heat coming from Arisa-senpai.”

“Wh-what are you saying, Second Year Seira Yukiya!?”

“No way… Could it be that Arisa-senpai also intended…?”

“What…! Did you take Onii away for that reason!?”

“T-that’s not fair, Senpai… Sneaking ahead like that is not fair!”

“Uh, um… Arisugawa-kun, could you please help me out here…?”

Not just Chinatsu, but even Seira-san, Miran-san, and even Anju-chan had started scolding Sumeragi-senpai, who looked on the verge of tears as she turned to me for help.

“Everyone, I get how you feel, but it’s just downright cruel if you say too much. Don’t you feel sorry for Sumeragi-senpai? Sumeragi-senpai really only wanted to thank me.”

“…She took all the trouble to be alone together with you just to thank you…?”

“Ye-Yeah… Apparently, Sumeragi-senpai found it hard to say it with other people around… That’s all….”

““““……””””

“Ugh…”

This time, I found myself subjected to four pairs of sharp, predatory eyes turning their attention at me. 

Ugh, that gaze… As expected of carnivores…

But it wasn’t like I was lying, and it wasn’t like there was anything I needed to be guilty about between me and Sumeragi-senpai. Though… She did hug me.

“Come on, let’s not fight here. We’ll ruin the summer festival at this rate.”

“Hinako-san is right.”

“Well, I can always ask Haru later. We’ll put off the interrogation for now.”

“Exactly. Besides, from here on──”

As if to drown out those words, a brilliant light shone down on us from above and within the next moment───

BOOOOOOOOOOM!!

A sound that shook the soul thundered through the air, and giant flowers bloomed across the night sky. The fireworks festival had begun.

Everyone present was instantly captivated by the sight of the beautiful giant flowers blooming in the sky. Their eyes stolen away and their hearts enchanted. Their gazes sparkled brightly, rivaling the fireworks themselves, as they looked up at the sky.

Well, the reason I knew that was because I wasn’t looking at the fireworks. I was entranced by the side profiles of the girls illuminated by light from the fireworks.

And as I gazed at Sumeragi-senpai’s side profile───

“───”

Our eyes met and as if on cue, her face softened into a gentle smile. Her beauty was taking on a dreamlike, ethereal glow. My heart skipped a beat at the enthralling sight. When our eyes met, Sumeragi-senpai gave a slightly embarrassed smile and quietly slid closer to my side.

“You’ve saved me again.”

“No, I should be the one to apologize… Everyone tends to lose their composure when it comes to me somehow…”

“That just means you’re loved that much. …I’m a little envious, to be honest.”

As the continuous fireworks roared, Sumeragi-senpai’s expression was tinged with a hint of melancholy. That said, that expression only lasted for a moment. She then laughed softly, as if she was trying to blow the gloomy feelings away. Then, she placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned close to my ear.

“Arisugawa-kun, would it be fine if we add one more person into the equation?”

“Huh….? Sumeragi-senpai, what do you mean by that───”

“Interpret it however you like. I just decided I should be a little more honest with myself.”

“Honest? Do you mean…”

“Yeah… Fufu, please look forward to it.”

With those words, Sumeragi-senpai smiled again. Her radiant smile shone even brighter than the fireworks adorning the beautiful night sky.

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