The time spent chatting with Illness-san and tending to the store passed pleasantly. Since it was the middle of the fireworks, there were really few customers, and most of them seemed to be chatting with each other.
And when the sound of fireworks faded away, Tre-san and the others came back.
[Weāre back~~ Kaitoā¦ā¦ I see Kaito replaced us with another woman already.]
[I could sense malice in the way you say that. Sheās helping me in the stall.]
Looking at Illness-san, who was tending the stall with me, I astoundedly responded to Tre-san telling me that with a teasing smile.
Thereupon, after nodding a few times, Tre-san smiled and spoke.
[Well, that aside, thanks for looking after the stall!]
[Did you enjoy the fireworks?]
[Unnn. It was awesomeā¦ā¦ Ahh, but the fireworks arenāt over yet.]
[Unnn?]
[It seems like the fireworks are a two-part event. I mean, I heard that thereās going to be another one in 10 minutes. And so, we went back to take care of the stall this time and let Kaito watch them this time.]
Two-partā¦ā¦ It has that kind of format huh. I thought they had been setting off fireworks for quite a while, but it seems like it was a fireworks performance with a considerable scale.
Iām not sure if they put a lot of effort into it because all of the Six Kings are participatingā¦ā¦ but in any case, Iām inclined to want to see the fireworks too.
[However, unnn. I guess this was just perfect then!]
[Perfect, for what?]
[Weāll take care of the stall and Kaito will go on a fireworks date with her!]
[ā¦ā¦Huh?]
I looked at Tre-san, who was giving me a thumbs-up, and an idiotic response leaked out of my mouth. A date? Me and Illness-san are going on aā¦ā¦ No, no, it would be rude to say stuff like that to Illness-san, wouldnāt it?
Well, as for me, I would be happy to go on a date with Illness-sanā¦ā¦ but itās just, how should I say thisā¦ā¦ Wouldnāt Illness-san not like being seen that way?
Sheās a calm and mature woman, and from her point of view, Iām no different from a childā¦ā¦ I feel like she only thinks of me as a little brother.
[Kuhihi, well theeeen~~ since youāve suggested iiiiiiit, if Kaito-sama is alright with iiiiiiit, would you go on a date with meeeee?]
[Hoehh? Y- Yeah, yesā¦ā¦ I would be happy to.]
Arehh? The conversation is proceeding more smoothly than I thought it would? Rather, it seemed like she was somewhat happyā¦ā¦ U- Unnn? I canāt understand Illness-sanās thoughts. Was it that she was simply playing along with Tre-sanās jokes, or that sheās more or less aware of me as a member of the opposite genderā¦ā¦ I- I donāt know.
[ā¦ā¦Errr, please take care of the stall.]
[Unnn, unnn. Donāt mind the matters here and enjoy yourselves.]
[Thank you very much.]
I- I feel like Iām being swept away butā¦ā¦ oh well. Iām also looking forward to seeing the fireworks with Illness-san, and considering its merits, being swept away a bit isnāt really something I should be concerned about.
Just when I was thinking of enjoying that opportunity, Tre-san spoke again.
[ā¦ā¦Ah, wait!]
[Unnn?]
[The main street is quite crowded, you know? Just walking through that path would be dangerous. You might lose each otherā¦ā¦ so āI think itās better if you hold hands with each otherā.]
[ā¦ā¦Huh?]
Oi, Tre-san!? What kind of passing remarks are you throwing out now!? ā¦ā¦Also, why are you glancing at me and giving me a little thumbs-up? Thereās also that smug look on her face, as if to say āNice assist, isnāt it?āā¦ā¦
No, no, as expected, that just goes beyond being a joke. No matter how kind Illness-san is, thatās just rudeā¦ā¦
[I seeeeee, indeed, I certainly have a small buiiiiiild. I worry that we might get separateeeeed. Kaito-samaaaa, would you kindly escort meeeee?]
Saying this, she held out her hand with a gentle smile. Eh? Seriously? Was Illness-san the type thatās up for anything?
W- What should I doā¦ā¦ No, but since she was already holding out her hand to me like this, it would be rude to refuse.
[ā¦ā¦Y- Yes. Well then, ummmā¦ā¦ If youāll excuse me.]
Realizing that I was feeling quite nervous, I held Illness-sanās hand. Her hand is small and soft, and her skin is smoothā¦ā¦ S- Somehow, even though Iām just holding her hand, Iām feeling quite conscious.
Feeling my face heating up from the blush rising up my cheeks and the apprehension as to whether we would be able to enjoy the fireworks without any problems, I walked out with Illness-san.