Chapter 533 - Night Breeze, Sparks, and the Sound of Waves
“—Alright, pop quiz. What comes after ‘Ta-ma-ya’?”
“...‘Kagi-ya,’ right?”
“Indeed, the classic fireworks chant. But do you have any idea where it comes from?”
“No clue.”
“The correct answer is that they were the trade names of two firework makers from the Edo period, Tamaya and Kagiya.”
“Trade names?”
“Basically, like their store names.”
“...But why Kagiya if they were firework makers? Doesn’t that mean ‘locksmith’?”
“Beats me. I’d like to know that myself.”
“Don’t go showing off your shallow knowledge with such a smug look.”
It was night, and as usual, it was recreation time after dinner.
It wasn't that I was throwing bits of half-baked trivia at the handsome blonde next to me for no reason; it was a topic befitting the occasion.
Our current location was a sandy beach, the wind was calm, and the weather was perfect. An event that mingled the gentle sound of sparks with the music of the waves—
It was a fireworks show, the very embodiment of youth.
Which is why Irori and I weren't just standing around empty-handed. We were each equipped with a handheld sparkler, sending colorful sparks fizzing into the air.
Well, you know. You could argue it was a bit surreal, or that just standing there blankly would have made for a less ridiculous sight, but I wasn't taking any criticism.
It's not like we were trying to form a two-shot of a couple of guys by choice...
“—If you do this, like this, and then like this... see? You can draw pictures and letters with the afterimage of the light.”
“...!”
“Wow...!”
—It was to avoid disturbing the three girls, who had been growing closer at an accelerated pace ever since the trip began. Just like now, as one smug-faced, unsmiling princess (the experienced one) was giving a lecture on drawing with sparklers to the other two young ladies (the inexperienced ones).
“Shouldn't you go join their circle? Literally, right in the middle.”
“At this timing, wouldn’t I just get burned at the stake?”
Watching them having fun in a small group a short distance away, I casually deflected the jab that flew from Irori's lips.
I swear, it’s not that I was getting cold feet. Setting aside our complicated relationships, seeing the three of them getting along so well was gratifying, heartwarming, and precious... Even though I knew they wouldn't see me as a nuisance, I just didn't want to get in between them right now.
It was the kind of moment I wanted to watch over forever. For this instant, I was perfectly content being part of the background.
“Anyway, what are we gonna do about that?”
“...Well, Goldow will probably figure out what to do with the leftovers.”
While my soul was being healed by a sight that was surely recording some of the highest eye-candy values in the world, I glanced over at the mountain of fireworks sitting nearby.
Every conceivable type of personal firework was piled up in a chaotic jumble, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was easily enough for a hundred people.
The instigator was Gossan, who had been out.
As soon as he returned, he'd boomed, “Souvenirs!!!” and magnificently dumped that mountain on us, which was the reason for this impromptu fireworks festival... but there was no doubt we couldn't possibly use them all. It would be impossible even if we did this every day from now on.
“It’s not even the season yet, so where did all this come from...?”
“Who knows. Maybe he got stuck with some unsold stock.”
Well, I’m grateful for what we can enjoy, though.
“Isn't this kind of scene—in real life or in fiction—usually the last event?”
“I don’t know what you’re basing that on... but hey, we can just do it again on the last night. Or every day, if you want.”
“I feel like the charm, emotion, and sentimentality would fade at an incredible rate with each go...”
I wonder if someone like Sora, who's been acting her age over there, would want to do this over and over. If the main event was watching over such a heartwarming sight, then maybe a nightly fireworks festival wouldn't be so bad.
Incidentally, Gossan himself, the one who summoned this massive amount of fireworks, had once again bailed, casually saying, “I’m heading out for drinks at a friend’s place.” Helena-san, who had probably gone along as his minder this time as well, was also absent.
As for Uni, she had sunk into a massage chair in the relaxation room, mumbling something like, “Maybe I’ll go do some sparklers later.”
The chance of her escaping the clutches of that human-corrupting machine and appearing on the beach was probably around forty percent. I suppose I should check on her later to make sure she hasn't fallen asleep.
...Man, modern handheld fireworks are amazing. The last time I remember touching these things was back in elementary school, but nowadays they last for an impressively long time—and just as I was thinking that, mine died.
You fought well. I have seared your valiant figure into my memory.
“Oh.”
Suddenly, a vibration from my pocket. As I mourned the fleeting life of my burnt-out comrade and gave it a water burial in a bucket, I pulled out my phone and opened the message...
“...???”
I immediately tilted my head at the incomprehensible text displayed on the screen.
What is this... what?
“Hey, Irori.”
“What now? Go ahead and play however you like, dual-wielding or whatever. There are tons of small aerial fireworks too. Should we just set them all up and fire them in succession?”
“You’ve got a nonchalant look on your face, but you’re actually having quite a bit of fun, aren’t you? —No, that’s not it. I got a weird message from Gossan...”
To be precise, it wasn’t from Gossan himself, but rather, sent via the General Commander. The person who delivered her words—or rather, her complaint—to my phone was a certain individual from our Eastern Faction.
Let's see... yeah. For now, I'll just quote a passage.
“—‘You damn lolicon samurai, you’ve got some nerve ignoring me!!!’”
“You’ve got some nerve. Stay right there. I’m going to melt you down, slowly.”
Suddenly, things turned incredibly violent. I don’t think you can do that with the heat from a sparkler...?
“It wasn’t me! I just got this super long, mysterious complaint—or maybe a curse—from the...Crim—from the [Left Wing]-dono.”
“..., ...”
Well, it was probably—no, definitely—a message that was meant to be delivered to this guy through Gossan and then me. The moment he grasped the situation, his face twisted as if he'd just chewed on a bitter bug, a textbook example of the expression. It seemed that, despite me being used as a relay, he understood what was going on.
What is this, what’s the deal?
Huh?
Eh, what’s the deal...?
“...Having been mysteriously and abruptly dragged into this, I’m seriously debating whether I should press the issue—partly as payback for all the merciless teasing I usually get—or if I should just tactfully read the room and swallow my questions... I’m actually torn.”
“...Swallow them. There’s nothing to press—because there really is nothing going on.”
“Hah... well... if you say so, then I’ll take your word for it.”
What a strange and vague situation. As the number one guy who finds himself in a uniquely vague situation of his own, I’m not really in a position to poke fun at him...
Yeah, you know what? I have no idea what kind of relationship they have, so I'll stop meddling—that being said.
“You owe me one.”
“...Honestly, that woman. I can’t tell if she’s a coward or just fearless...”
There’s no need for saintly behavior between us, right? He’s muttering something profound, but as a favor, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that either.
...Alright, that said,
“Come on, pretty boy, time to face the music. The ladies are starting to stare over here as if to say, ‘How long are you guys going to watch from a distance?’—which means it’s time to pay the piper.”
“The death sentence should apply only to you. Don't drag me into it—”
“Guess I’ll cash in that favor right now. You’re the type who hates leaving things hanging, right, one favor. If you come now, I’ll completely forget all about it, not a trace left, one favor.”
“You damn [Acrobat]...”
“Seriously, stop using that as a simple insult that makes no sense.”
Grabbing the arm of my friend, who let out an exaggeratedly loud sigh, I dragged him across the sand. As I did, Nia and the others turned their somewhat amused gazes upon us... but, well, I could live with that.
Let’s just keep getting along like good old troublemakers, giving and taking as we please.
After that, with Irori now present, the three girls didn’t create any strange atmosphere.
Forgetting that we were only midway through our trip, our modest fireworks festival continued lively until late into the night, with everyone completely absorbed in the moment. The next day, we all overslept and missed breakfast, earning us a lighthearted scolding from the half-laughing chef.
Punch them with the power of youth.
I won't say what, but this took 47 chapters. That's 50% more than I expected. What a surprise.