CH 130

The station is not too far from home.

Some of them were couples dressed in yukata, and others were little kids dressed in the same manner, rushing along happily.

I remembered that Kaede also used to do the same and then fall down.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, but Kaede seemed to remember the same thing, and muttered.

“It brings back memories… I used to fall down because I used to be too excited.”

“You know, you just used to fall down when there wasn’t anything to fall down on.”

If I had to guess, I’d say she’s about to fall down even now.

Then Yuuto spoke to me as if he envied the conversation between his siblings.

“Maybe if I had a sibling, I would have had more fun at home.”

“…I won’t deny it, but there are also good things about being an only child.”

For example, they can buy you whatever you want.

…And then there’s the fact that you can basically have it all to yourself, I guess.

I guess it can be both good and bad, depending on the person.

As we approached the station, the number of people around us increased.

The sidewalks, where I had no problem walking side-by-side earlier, were now lined up with people walking in lines.

Every once in a while, I almost bumped shoulders with someone passing by, and then at least I managed to catch sight of the clock tower, the meeting place.

“Perhaps the two of them would come together.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too high…”

It’s hard to imagine them standing next to each other.

The two of them have hard-core incompatibility.

The three of us turned around, checking the time on the screen of our phones.

I hadn’t heard what they were going to wear, but I knew that it would be hard to find them out since everyone was wearing similar clothes.

I wondered why young people were walking around in such similar outfits.

It’s so hard to distinguish.

As I was inwardly complaining about the mass-produced clothes these days, my gaze stopped at a certain place.

The overwhelming difference from the people around which I have experienced many times before.

Those girls were so distinguished from the rest, it could never be imitated even with clothes or makeup.

Their appearance fascinated and attracted the gazes of the people around.

Perhaps because they were too well-groomed, there was no one brave enough to approach them.

If it had been just one person, there might have been someone who tried.

But with two such figures standing side by side, it would certainly not be easy to talk to them.

Slowly, I changed my direction and walked towards the girls.

They must have noticed us, and their bored expressions brightened.

Well, as for Kirasaka, there wasn’t much change.

“Hello Minato-kun! And Kaede-chan and Ogiwara-kun too.”

“Oh, ….you’re wearing a yukata.”

“Yes!”

I glanced once again to see the Shizuku who cheerfuly replied.

She was wearing a white yukata with a white base and polka-dot patterns, and carrying a small purse.

Combined with Shizuku’s white skin and bright expression, it looked great on her.

“…You’ve made me wait so long, you’re cheeky, Shinra-kun.”

And next to her, Kirasaka was similarly dressed in a yukata.

In contrast to Shizuku, the yukata with black fabric and blue flower patterns made Kirasaka look even more mature.

“Sorry, …but I’m still on time with this one.”

She continued to greet Kaede and Yuuto as she avoided my verbal attack with an apology that showed no remorse.

Shizuku and Kaede praised each other’s appearance, and a pleasant atmosphere was formed.

When the greetings were over, Shizuku and Kirasaka looked at me in silence.

I immediately knew what they meant, but I felt embarrassed to put it into words.

I’m not sure what to say, but the fact that I have to say it in front of my sister and friends made it even harder.

“Isn’t it …good?”

Why did I reply with a question?

Why did I use a question in my response? I didn’t realize that as I exposed my lack of communication skills, or my ability to use the incorrect wordings, in such a situation.

To hide my embarrassment, I turned my back and walked away.

It must have been my imagination, because I heard a voice behind me giggling.

“It’s as lively as ever!”

Kaede said honestly as she looked at the people gathered at the festival.

It’s certainly crowded.

In fact, it’s so crowded that I’m starting to feel sick.

It’s surprisingly nerve-wracking to walk around without bumping into people and looking obvious.

And since I was walking with three people who stood out even more this year, I was even more concerned about the people looking at me.

“The number of fireworks and the stalls increases every year, I guess.”

“But it’s a shame that they look the same every year, isn’t it?”

Shizuku and Yuuto were having such a conversation behind me.

No matter how famous the festival or fireworks are, if you see them every year, you certainly won’t feel the freshness.

Whether you think it’s a waste of time or not, for me it’s more difficult to find out what’s different from previous years.

It’s more difficult than looking out for mistakes.

“There are too many people …maybe we should reduce…”

“…”

What are you, a God?

The idea was so scary that I couldn’t stop trembling…

But what kind of reduction were you going to do?

There is no doubt that something will be shot down from the sky.

They do that all the time on Friday Roadshow and stuff!

I often hear that the SNS server went down every year.

While each of us were commenting on the crowds and stalls, words from a passing group reached my ears.

They were just some sentences, and I’m not sure what kind of person said it, but I could definitely hear it clearly.

“Wow, she’s seriously beautiful.”

“The two behind her are cute, and the guy next to her is hot too.”

There is no other word that is as accurate and reliable as an opinion from a complete stranger.

Because there is no human relationship, personality, or other information, so they judge you just based on your appearance.

The fact that I was not part of their conversation is nothing to worry about now.

They probably don’t even think that I’m a part of this group in the first place.

They are a group of people who are just …extraordinary, so naturally I hear the same kind of things everywhere.

Normally, a sense of inferiority and disgust might swirl in one’s heart.

One may lament the fact that they are not seen in the same way.

But this is what reality is, and it has always been the same.

It’s not the first time I’ve been told this, it’s just the first time in a long time.

I’ve often heard that people’s character changes when someone has something they don’t have, and I’ve almost forgotten that.

Lately, I’ve been living in an environment where I’m either blessed or cursed by the people around me, but either way, I’ve been surrounded by people.

Exposure is a terrible thing.

I had the illusion that I was in the same position as them, that I was categorized in the same way.

No matter what the environment, I was still the same.

The difference between me and them is so clear.

Perhaps it was because I was able to reconfirm this, but for some reason, only a feeling of relief remained in my heart.