𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒; 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢 𝐘𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢

06. FESTIVAL

THE FIREWORKS

The screams and laughter of young children and the irresistible smell of street food filled the air as you, Isagi, Hiori, and Kurona roamed the streets of the fall firework festival. The rest of your group was setting up camp on a nearby hill adjacent to the festival, so you all could get a great view of the fireworks without running into any crowds.

The fairgrounds were particularly busy, as parents often let their children run wild and do whatever they please while they were out dining at a food truck or grabbing a beer. The odd in-between were the teenagers— you guys— who were trying to find someplace to fit in.

"Bachira said to be back in thirty minutes." Hiori announced to the group, shooting a final text to the energetic boy before clicking off his phone. "Any thoughts on our pastime?"

"Definitely not those sketchy ring toss games." You point to a shady corner of the fair, where an old man is advertising to children. "All of them are rigged."

"Carnival games are overrated." Hiori sighed. "Those stuffed animals are bought for cents on the dollar. You could get five of those jumbo ones for 100 yen, I bet."

"Plus, they're crappy." Kurona chimed in.

"Yeah..."

"Why don't we go find some good food?!" You suggest, jumping in your place. "Ahh, candy apples, fried dough... fried dough!!!"

"There isn't enough fried dough in the world to sedate your cravings, I think." Isagi sighed. You playfully kicked him in the side.

"Fried dough is lame! We should get burgers." Kurona shook his head. "Right, Hiori?"

"Yah, it's too early for dessert."

You pouted. "You guys suck! Let's go, Yoichi."

Isagi felt you take his hand in yours, tugging him along in the opposite direction to where Kurona and Hiori were. "We'll meet you two back at camp!"

"Okay!" Kurona called out.

You sighed. "Those philistines. They don't understand the great quality that comes with fried dough. Right, Yoichi?"

Isagi muttered a response, but his eyes were entirely set on your interlocked hands. Your hands were soft and small, with perfectly maintained nails and barely any blemishes in sight. It was like a pillow was wrapped around his rough and blistered palms.

And you weren't letting go.

You slowed your walk as the two of you approached the food stands, now taking an easy stroll while observing your options. Your hands swung back and forth between you, leading to a somewhat synchronized walk.

"Last I remembered, the fried dough was near the mochi stand." Isagi hummed. This was the semi-truth. Isagi knew exactly where the fried dough stand was: they passed by it a few minutes ago on their way through the fair. He just wanted to extend this time he had with you as much as possible.

"Right." You nodded. "I wonder if they have different flavors."

"Flavors? How many variants can fried dough have?"

"So many! In Korea, they have this fried dough shop that does strawberry fried dough, cookie dough fried dough, matcha fried dough... we should go sometime."

"Sure, but I'll gain like twenty pounds in Korea."

"Rookie numbers, I'd gain forty! Plus, you'd work all the calories right off."

"True... does this mean I get to drag you to practice now? You can finally learn how to play instead of just watching."

"I'd fall on my face!"