I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Sanako's clothes were stretched taut. This part of her body, which was developed in contrast to her proper appearance, was more eye-catching than usual because of the perfectly outlined curves.

Because the neckline was properly covered, and the belt that cinched the lower part of the waist to the southern hemisphere had a lifting and gathering effect, the fabric in front of the bear was pushed into a mountain peak.

Aoto couldn't help but wonder: could Sanako see her toes when she looked down now...?

Down from the waist are two calves that are as white as if they have just been soaked in milk.

The hem of the yukata, which only reached Sanako's calves, swayed slightly with the occasional night breeze, revealing more of her fair and beautiful legs.

Sanako possesses a slender waist and voluptuous, fleshy legs that perfectly complement her figure.

Her slender ankles and small feet, usually hidden under the hem of her long trousers and inside her white socks, are now openly exposed.

Fair skin, jet-black eyes and hair, rosy lips, light blue clothes, pale pink fingernails and toenails...

All colors find their most perfect expression on this delicate body.

From shapely legs to plump, round "peach-like" breasts, and the straight collarbone faintly visible beneath her clothes... the silhouette outlined by these beautiful features exudes an aura unlike any other.

Sanako still possessed that noble and elegant appearance, but her dignified aura now carried an indescribable touch of delicacy and playfulness.

Aoto's sense of time became particularly strange the moment his gaze turned to Sanako.

He felt as if he had been staring at Sanako for a long time... but in reality, it all happened in the blink of an eye.

"...I think I'll change back into my kendo uniform."

Sanako's sudden words restored Aoto's normal perception of the world.

Qing Deng looked closely and saw that Sanako's bright eyes were filled with a faint blush.

She pulled her hands inward, hugging the furoshiki tightly. Her toes, like white lotus sprouts, gently gripped the blue-buttoned wooden clogs beneath her feet.

Furoshiki was a type of cloth used by people in the Edo period to carry or store items.

The furoshiki in Sanako's arms contained her kendo uniform and her cloth socks.

"These clothes... are a bit too casual."

As she spoke, she reached behind her and touched the bow at her lower back.

"I'm not used to wearing yukata, so I'm not wearing it."

After saying this, Sanako made a turning motion, intending to return to the kimono shop behind her.

"Miss Sanako!"

However, before she could even take a half step back, Qingdeng quickly called out to her.

Sanako originally thought that Aoto wanted to persuade her not to change her clothes.

however……

"Miss Sanako, this yukata suits you so well."

The first thing Qingdeng said was praise that showed no trace of hypocrisy or flattery.

"It was worth all the anticipation I had for seeing you in a yukata."

At this point, Qingdeng paused for a moment, then broke into a broad smile, his expression revealing genuine and unpretentious emotion—

"It's so beautiful!"

Sanako's expression became unpredictable in that instant.

With her red lips slightly parted, she gave Qingdeng a long, expressive gaze that held countless emotions.

"It's a rare treat to wear such beautiful clothes. It would be such a waste to wear them for only a short while."

"Miss Sanako, just think of it as trying out a new life. Wear this outfit tonight and visit all the venues of the fireworks festival."

Qing Deng released his hands from the sheath of the Ghost-Stabilizing Blade and strode towards the dense crowd beside him.

"Let's go, I'm feeling a little hungry, let's go buy something delicious."

"..."

Sanako gazed with a hesitant look at Aoto's receding figure.

A hint of hesitation tugged at Sanako's cheeks.

After a moment, Sanako took a deep breath as if she had made up her mind.

Immediately afterwards, she swiftly retracted the small foot that had just taken a half-step back, and then, with quick, light steps, caught up with the tall figure...

……

……

The fireworks display tonight was just as spectacular as last night's.

Everywhere you look, you can see street performers hoping to make a fortune during this rare celebration.

These street performers' performances are all very interesting and exciting... but if you just walk around stopping and looking at them all the time, it would be too boring and a waste.

There are about 40 minutes left before the fireworks start... Qing Deng glanced at the direction the pocket watch was pointing, then turned to Sanako beside him and asked:

"Miss Sanako, is there anything you'd like to eat or do?"

"Well……"

Because she was wearing a mask, Sanako's low moan sounded somewhat muffled.

To reduce the number of onlookers, Sanako had just bought a white fox mask from a mask stall that could cover her entire face.

Thanks to the mask used to conceal their faces, Qing Deng and his group immediately received less attention.

After pondering for a while, Sanako gently shook her head.

"Hey Tachibana-kun, what about you? Is there any food you'd like to eat, or any games you'd like to play at the food stalls?"

Sanako returned the question to Aoto.

"Um……"

This problem also stumped Qingdeng.

Since I already explored the entire fireworks festival venue with Kinoshita Mai last night, this place wasn't particularly interesting to me anymore...

But just then, Qing Deng caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye: Sanako seemed to be looking at something.

He quickly turned his head and saw that the place Sanako was looking at was a game stall that offered "arrow throwing".

Aoto and Kinoshita Mai went to play last night. They threw arrows without arrowheads at the goods displayed on the shelves, and whichever item they hit, that item was theirs.

Kinoshita Mai is very good at throwing things; you can tell at a glance that she has specially trained in this skill. She is completely dominating in this kind of game.

Last night, Kinoshita Mai, who made 8 out of 10 shots, almost made the stall owner... a middle-aged man with a bald head, cry.

After noticing that Sanako was staring at the "arrow throwing game" stall not far away, Qing Deng immediately tilted his eyes and secretly observed Sanako's expression.

Although Sanako was wearing a mask and her expression was not visible, the changes in her eyes were clearly visible—Aoto could clearly see a lively, eager light appearing deep in Sanako's pupils.

“…Miss Sanako.” Aoto smiled slightly and pointed forward. “Shall we go play that?”

Qing Deng was referring to the "arrow-throwing game" stall.

"Huh?" Sanako was taken aback. "Tachibana-kun, do you want to play that?"

"Hmm... sort of." Qingdeng grinned. "How about it? Want to go have some fun?"

“I…” Sanako shook her head slightly, “I’m not very interested in this kind of game…”

--I see……

Seeing this, Qingdeng thought to himself.

—Miss Sanako, are you too shy to go out and play...?

Sanako has always been very conscious of her appearance.

She was probably worried that playing this kind of game would be very unladylike.

Aoto, who could see right through Sanako's thoughts, pondered for a moment and then smiled:

"I'm actually quite interested in that game. Can you come play it with me?"

"That's no problem..."

"Then let's go."

Aoto and Sanako strode toward the stall, one after the other.

As they approached the vendor's stall, an empty seat became available because one of the vendors had decided to leave.

"Boss, how much do you charge here...?"

Qingdeng lifted the curtains hanging around the stall and shouted into the stall... but before he could finish speaking, the remaining words got stuck in his throat.

"Oh! One arrow costs two coins! Whatever you hit on the shelf, that item belongs to you..."

The boss's words suddenly stopped.

Suddenly, Qingdeng and the boss, who had both fallen silent, looked at each other, their eyes meeting...

The reason for this bizarre scene... is that the stall owner is a bald man who looks very familiar to Qingdeng...

It was the bald boss whose business Aoto and Kinoshita Mai had "patronized" last night...

"Uncle! Your stall wasn't here last night!"

Qing Deng let out a silent cry in his heart.

The first person to recover from his shock was actually the bald boss.

The bald boss seemed to recall something terrifying, his expression suddenly changed drastically, and he stretched his neck to scan Qingdeng's surroundings.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see the red figure.

However... just a moment later, his expression of "relief" turned into a strange look.

He glanced meaningfully at Aoto and Sanako, who was standing shoulder to shoulder with Aoto...

"Tachibana-kun? What's wrong?"

Sanako didn't notice the bald boss's strange expression because her attention was entirely focused on Aoto.

"Ok?"