I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Aoto, showing no intention of letting go, turned and smiled slightly at Sanako.

"Once we reach our destination, you'll know where we're going. The place I'm taking you isn't far from here; we'll be there soon."

A short while later, Qing Deng dragged Sanako back to Edo and arrived at the streets where pedestrians were gradually appearing.

A young samurai dragged a beautiful woman along the street at breakneck speed... Such a bizarre sight certainly attracted a lot of strange looks.

As a Yamato Nadeshiko who takes etiquette and image very seriously, how could Sanako bear such stares from others?

"I see."

Sanako quickly said to Aoto.

"I'll go with you, just stop holding my hand."

Seeing that Sanako seemed to have no intention of escaping while he let go of her hand, Qingdeng nodded, released his grip, and released Sanako's fair wrist.

Sanako gently rubbed her wrist, which had finally regained its freedom, then raised her eyes and frowned slightly as she looked at Aoto's back.

"Tachibana-kun, honestly... where are you taking me?"

Sanako quickened her pace and walked alongside Aoto.

"I already told you, I'll keep it a secret for now." Qing Deng smiled mysteriously. "Once we get to our destination, you'll know where I'm taking you."

"...Please don't take me to any weird places."

"No, no. The place I want you to go is very proper. It's a place where men, women, young and old can move freely."

While talking with Qing Deng, Sanako suddenly heard a commotion of voices ahead.

Listening to the increasingly noisy sounds as she and Qingdeng walked forward, and looking at the surrounding streets... Sanako suddenly revealed a knowing expression, as if she had guessed where she and Qingdeng were going.

"We've arrived," Qingdeng said with a sudden smile.

Sanako looked up and glanced ahead.

A complex and colorful spectacle unfolded before Sanako's eyes with an irresistible force that made it hard to look away.

What I saw was a sea of ​​lights, as bright as the Milky Way; rows upon rows of shops and vendors; and a bustling crowd as vast as the mountains and as deep as the sea.

What you hear is a variety of accents from all over the country; the melodious cries of merchants; and the endless praise of performers.

What you smell is the mouthwatering aroma of food and wine; the sour and unpleasant odor of body odor; and the pungent smell of gunpowder.

This is the site of the fireworks display.

"Tachibana-kun, you...you want to take me to see the fireworks festival?" Sanako asked hesitantly.

“Yes.” Qing Deng nodded without hesitation, then lowered his head and said to Sanako, “The annual grand event…wouldn’t it be a waste not to come and have a good time?”

“…Tachibana-kun.” Sanako glanced at the lively scene around her, then at Aoto in front of her, her red lips slightly pursed, “I…”

"Miss Sanako."

As if anticipating what Sanako was about to say, Qing Deng interrupted her just as she was about to utter "I":

"Just now... when Jutaro said you were missing, I told Mr. Jutaro and Mr. Chiba Tamon Shiro about how you suddenly asked me to spar this morning."

"Upon learning of your whereabouts this morning, Mr. Jutaro showed a worried expression."

"When Chiba Tamon Shiro and I saw this, we asked him if he knew anything."

"Then... he gave me and Chiba Tamon Shiro a brief account of his conversation with your father last night, and the whole story of what you may have overheard between them."

“!” Sanako’s pupils contracted slightly, and her beautiful eyes widened, flashing with a complex light, mainly in surprise.

Qing Deng pretended not to notice Sanako's change in expression and continued speaking to himself:

"To be honest, this level of incident is beyond the scope of what an outsider like me can get involved in."

"Even so, even if it's just a little bit, I want to do everything I can for you."

"Even if it just makes you feel a little better, I'll be content."

“Your second cousin… Chiba Eijiro once told me: When you are confused and don’t know what to do, you might as well try to change your mood.”

"Try a lifestyle you've never experienced before."

"Go to places you rarely go to, or have never been to before."

"Once you improve your mood, many problems may naturally resolve themselves."

"I think Chiba Eijiro's theory makes a lot of sense."

At this point, Qing Deng paused for a moment, then gave Sanako a peaceful smile.

"This year's fireworks display only has tonight and tomorrow night left."

"If you miss these two days, you'll have to wait until next year to experience such a lively celebration again."

“Miss Sanako, let’s leave that ‘secret treasure’ you’re used to tonight for the time being.”

"Tonight, let's forget about everything and just enjoy this annual summer festival to the fullest."

As if she had heard something unexpected, Sanako met Aoto's gaze with an expression that was hard to decipher.

A moment later, she seemed amused by Qing Deng's words, and a half-smile appeared on her cheeks.

"You brought me to the fireworks display to cheer me up..." she said, half-jokingly. "What if I become even more depressed instead of happier?"

"Well, this..."

Qingdeng gently scratched the back of his head, then, as if embarrassed, chuckled awkwardly and blurted out unconsciously:

"I dare not presume to say that what I did tonight will definitely make you feel better."

"But I can at least assure you that I will stay with you tonight until you smile."

Sanako's body trembled slightly... She looked completely dumbfounded, her wandering eyes darting between Aoto's face, chest, her own hands folded in front of her, and the ground in front of her toes.

Not only Sanako was stunned.

Qing Deng also looked stunned at this moment.

What was I even talking about...?!

At this moment, Qingdeng's heart was churning with turbulent emotions.

He just said... almost without thinking!

These are words that just formed in my mind and then immediately and unconsciously slipped out.

Only after he had finished speaking did Qing Deng realize that he might have said something ambiguous to Sanako that was inappropriate for their current relationship...

At that moment, Qing Deng recalled Kinoshita Mai's pretty face...

A strange sense of guilt crept into Qingdeng's heart...

The two, both looking stunned, fell silent... However, before the atmosphere around them became strange, Sanako, who had been standing motionless beside Aoto since earlier, suddenly made a move.

With her hands folded in front of her, she moved gracefully forward, towards the dense crowd, and towards the world enveloped in candlelight.

Qingdeng remained standing there, staring blankly at the graceful figure that gradually blended into the sea of ​​lights.

"……What's wrong?"

Sanako stopped and turned her upper body slightly to the side, looking at Aoto with her left cheek.

The clear night sky and the flickering candlelight shone from behind her.

The dazzling light, though shrouding Sanako in relative darkness, perfectly outlined her exceptionally beautiful figure.

"Didn't you say you'd stay with me until I'm happy?"

Although Sanako's face was in shadow, and because she only showed half of her face to Aoto, Aoto couldn't quite see the changes in her facial expressions.

However, he vaguely saw a hint of embarrassed reproach on Sanako's cheeks.

Suddenly, his legs started moving on their own.

Qing Deng quickened his pace, keeping up with Sasa Nako's steps.

The two walked slowly... their figures, one tall and one short, were bathed in a hazy glow under the moonlight and candlelight.

……

……

This is the first time I've gone on a trip with Sanako.

Even though he was already quite familiar with Sanako, he couldn't explain why he had no idea what to talk about with her right now.

Sanako did the same; she remained silent throughout, simply staying quietly by Aoto's side.

The two remained silent throughout the entire fireworks display, aimlessly idling around the venue.

But I didn't find it boring or dull.

Although he was mentally prepared, Sanako's popularity still far exceeded Aoto's expectations.

……

"Hey, look at that woman, she's so beautiful."

"Huh? Isn't that Chiba Sanako?"

"Chiba Sanako? That 'Chiba Oni Komachi'?"

"Oh my, it really is her. Oh my, I can never get tired of looking at her face."

……

Wherever they went, countless eyes turned toward them from all directions.

Most of those people staring at her didn't actually recognize the beautiful woman in front of them, nor did they care who she was; they simply wanted to admire her with lustful eyes.

In comparison, the attention given to Aoto, the "Niou," has decreased significantly. Everyone, regardless of gender, is only focused on watching Sanako.

Faced with Sanako's immense popularity, Aoto muttered to himself, "At this rate, we'll be stuck..."

Although no one has dared to harass them so far, being constantly stared at like an animal in a zoo is bound to make them feel very uncomfortable.

"I'll go buy a mask to cover my face." Although Sanako was used to being watched by people, being stared at by a dozen or even dozens of people was beyond her tolerance.

Qing Deng turned his head and carefully looked Sanako up and down.

“…Miss Sanako, I think you should change your clothes.”