Natsu Matsuri

"I....It's already August?!"

I'm in shock as I am looking at the calendar.

Man, vacation sure is quick, huh? I would love if they extend it a little more~

It has been 3 weeks or so since I saw Suzuki in person. Oh well, it's fine since I had a 2 week break from her teasing.

Yes, a 2 week break because she still teases me over the phone! Yet those were inconsistent mockery for she said that she'll be on a trip starting that day.

Anyway, even though vacation is soon to be over, a waiting gem is there for me to expect.

It is the.... SUMMER FESTIVAL!

This year, I'm going with my friends in the class who are Koyanagi, Tatsumi, and Okamoto.

*audible ringtone in background*

Oh, Koyanagi texted me. I have to go now.

Time to enjoy!!!

......

"Yo, Kusakabe. You look really excited, huh?" greeted Tatsumi.

"Of course I am!"

"Man, let's get going already so we can roam around the stalls. I can't wait!" said Koyanagi.

"You just wanted to eat right now, aren't you?" asked Okamoto.

Hahaha, our group always is filled with laughter.

It will only take a short walk to reach the shrine. Maybe around ten minutes or so.

They sure are talkative, aren't they? But this what makes them great. A happy circle of friends is a thing most students like me would want.

"Say Kusakabe, how is it going with Suzuki-san?" asked Okamoto.

Though sometimes they need to observe what they say. Geez.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you two are dating, right? You're everyone's rumor." revealed Tanaka.

"W...who started that talk?!"

People are getting the wrong idea about us!

"....and why do you even consider we're d...dating? What's your basis?"

"I mean you always go home together. Plus, you mesh well with each other so we can definitely conclude that there's this romantic factor from the two of you." answered Okamoto.

"C...C'mon, that's not really the case. I'm telling you straight, we're not dating okay?"

It's better to clear the misunderstanding. Yes, it's like prevention is better than cure motto!

"We're finally here." said Koyanagi.

"It really is a little bit packed already."

"In about one and a half hour or more, the firework show will start. People annually are awaiting for the fireworks so this situation is inevitable." stated Tatsumi.

Natsu Matsuris (Summer Festival) are magnificent!

"Look, a fortune slip section. Wanna draw?" invited Koyanagi.

"No problem with that. I want to see if I'm lucky today!"

Since Suzuki is not here, my luck should be booming right now!

These guys are fond of this stuff, huh?

"What I got is... GREAT CURSE?! Ugh~" said Okamoto.

"There's something written below. Is this a bonus fortune telling?" asked Koyanagi.

"Yes, written there is a daily fortune telling plus the annual one." answered the priestess.

" "Cheer up, as the curses will build your successes!" said by my draw. Now, I'm MOTIVATED! NYARGH!!!" shouted Tatsumi.

"Kusakabe, try to draw yours too." suggested Koyanagi.

"Yes, here I go.....! There. Hmm?"

"What is written?" asked Okamoto.

"GREAT CURSE?! What the hell?!"

"Hahahahahaha! Sucks to be unlucky." teased Tatsumi.

"Like you could talk about it!"

Tsk, I'll just make sure I'm not going to face any adversity tonight.

Huh? I forgot something is still embedded in the paper.

" "Someone's curse can be also someone's blessing and that someone might give light to your demise." Hmm? What does this even mean? Someone?"

Hey wait, why did Suzuki pop in my mind when I said the word "someone"?!

P...perhaps because she's the closest companion of mine in the opposite sex. That's why.

"Basically, fate will do it's work for us today, so let's get going and stuff our tummies with food!!" said Koyanagi.

"YEAH!!!" shouted the rest of the group.

There are many stalls open right now, and all are interesting to try! I just hope my wallet wouldn't be empty after these.

"Hey, wanna try this?" asked Tatsumi.

"Ring game, huh? You just have to shoot your three rings around numbers 1-9 then the prize will depend on your final score. " explained Koyanagi.

"OK, I'm good to go!"

"Sure. You go first, Kusakabe. We want to see you get a score of less than 5." mocked Okamoto.

Hehehe, they are not aware that I am good in carnival games!

"9+8+7?! That means 24 points! Crap, you're a master of this." amazed Koyanagi.

"Fufufu... Thanks for that remark."

I am unbeatable when it comes to this stuff!

"Aw.... I only got 18." frustrated Tatsumi.

"Mine is 22, so close!" said Okamoto.

"Pick your prices here in the box, young men." called the stall owner.

Since I got 24, I get to pick three.

Hmm, I'm gonna go with this Futaba keychain, a sealed earbuds pair, and uhmmm....

I can't think of what to pick.....

"Hurry it, Kusakabe. I'm hungry already." requested Koyanagi.

I'll just get this long hair pin or whatever they call it.

We are now walking deeper through the stalls, and the number of visitors have multiplied.

"I can't wait to eat takoyaki!" said Koyanagi.

"You really love eating, aren't you?" asked Tatsumi.

"You're naive, Okamoto! Eating is the way of life, remember it!" answered Koyanagi.

Koyanagi again with his mantra, that's why he doesn't lose weight.

As I am walking in a pathway almost full of people, a child probably 6 years old is behind me, crying.

"H...Hey, what's wrong?"

"M..Mama... Papa.... where are they? Uwaaah...!!!" cried the child.

Crap, she's been separated.

Judging from the moment I saw her, her parents should just be here around.

"Don't worry, your Mama's just around here. I'm sure she's looking for you. Don't cry now, okay?"

Gah, I'm not really used in comforting children.

"Taki.... Taki.... Where are you?!" shouted the child's mother as she is desperately searching.

"E..Excuse me, is she your daughter?"

"Mama!!" cried the child.

"My, oh my. Thank you, boy. I was startled when she's suddenly gone from my sight. Seriously, thank you." thanked the mother.

"No problem, madam. Please make sure to keep an eye to her."

"Yes, I will. Thank you again." replied the mother.

I did solve a problem of another person but....

"Where are those guys?!"

I'm the one who got separated now! Is this the curse already?!

This is a hassle.

I'm just gonna let the wave of people bring me to a spot where I can breathe.

Ugh, some of them are sweaty because of the humidity.

I can't contact them now for I left my phone due to the fact that I am rushing earlier. Misfortune after misfortune.

Good thing as of the moment, my plan to be brought to a desirable spot worked and I can inhale clean air for the meantime.

"Man, does my luck really suck?"

"No, it does not suck, Tanaka." answered Suzuki out of nowhere.

"W...whoa! Suzuki, it's you!"

T...That startled me too much!

"Hahahaha! Your expressions are always hilarious, Tanaka." teased Suzuki.

Mocking me as soon as we meet, aren't you Suzuki?! That's so you!

"By the way, what are you doing here?"

"I'm with Riko and friends but I got separated from them. Now, I'm just chilling for a bit. It's hot after all." answered Suzuki.

"O....Oh."

She's wearing a yukata (Japanese summer gown) for the first time, or should I say the first time I saw her.

She looks different than usual, more like she is shining.

I....I mean it might be because of the lighting behind her. Hahahaha, yes!

"Since we're both separated from our group, wanna spend the rest of the festival together?" asked Suzuki.

"I....I guess we can do that, we have no choice."

Suzuki and I started looking for food stalls, since we're both hungry at the moment.

"These takoyakis are amazingly juicy!" impressed Suzuki.

"Yes, I always buy at their stall in the market district that's why I can agree with you. Ah~ The taste really cannot be matched!"

"Tanaka, wear this." offered Suzuki.

"Oh~ A zombie face mask?!"

"Hahaha, just wear it on the side of your head." answered Suzuki.

"T....Thank you."

I am glad that we can converse normally at times.

"Tanaka, do you consider this a date?" asked Suzuki.

"D...Date? We just bumped into each other earlier."

"Let's make a bet. You lose if someone calls us a couple." wagered Suzuki.

"Fine with me. But children are not counted, okay?"

"No problem." answered Suzuki.

Kekeke, only kids will tease us like that. Adults will never say like th---

"Oh, what a lovely young couple. Brings me back to our old days, honey." said by an old woman in the background.

S....So fast!

"Hahahaha! Looks like I win, Tanaka." declared Suzuki.

"F...Fine. What's the penalty?"

"Let's have fun. That's the punishment." said Suzuki.

Huh? She's awfully nice.

"The fireworks show will start in a moment, let's go up there!" invited Suzuki.

"Fine, fine. I'm coming."

Actually, she also enjoys other things other than teasing me.

It takes 300 ladder steps to reach the top of the whole shrine, yet this is worth it since the view of the fireworks display can be fully witnessed there.

For about ten minutes, we are in a great spot at the summit sitting and waiting for the display.

"Suzuki, here."

"What's this?" asked Suzuki.

"A hairpin. I got it in the prize pool when I was with Koyanagi and company."

"Are you sure you didn't intentionally choose this for me? Hm~" teased Suzuki.

"I.... I did not! It was just a random prize, that's all."

Though it really wasn't.

Ah, she's putting it in her hair now.

"Thank you, Tanaka. Does it look good on me?" questioned Suzuki.

"I.... I guess so."

"You can't even look straight to me. Oh, it's starting!" said Suzuki.

Our attention shifts to the ongoing fireworks display. All of the people attended the annual event is looking above in awe.

Natsu Matsuris never really disappointed the citizens of Japan.

I looked at Suzuki for a moment and somehow I cannot avert my gaze.

Her side profile is pr---pret---

"It's beautiful...." praised Suzuki as she watches the display.

Damn, my heart is pounding so quick. Why am I feeling this?!

"Y.....Yup, i..it is beautiful."

The show continues for the next twenty minutes. I, myself, consciously shifts my attention to the fireworks again. I commend myself for that.

"The fireworks show has ended. Thank you for your support and may we see each other next year." announced PA via public speaker.

"Aw, it's finished." said Suzuki.

"There is always next year, let's just look forward for it."

"I hope someone invites me formally to go with him next year." audibly said Suzuki.

"I....I guess Riko will always invite you."

"That "someone" who gets red all the time." revealed Suzuki.

I...Is she saying that she wants me to invite her?

Darn, my heart's even beating quicker!

"R....really? I hope he invites you.... Hehehe... hehehe..."

"I'm sure he can." answered Suzuki as she looks at Tanaka in the eyes.

The people goes downhill now and so as we.

"By the way Tanaka, what's your fortune draw?" inquired Suzuki.

"A GREAT CURSE. I did feel the damage of it today since I got separated from the boys."

"I guess someone's curse can be another one's blessing, eh?" answered Suzuki.

W...what does she mean by that??

"I...I don't know what you are talking about...."

"Hm~ Really....? You're blushing since we're watching and you are redder right now." teased Suzuki.

"I....I'm not!"

Well, I think this CURSE is not that troublesome than what I expected at first.

It's not that bad, after all.

------------END OF CHAPTER 9--------