Hourglass [Quintessential Quintuplets]

Chapter 8 - All Sides

Asuka's POV:

ϟϟ  Next station, Shinagawa. Next station, Shinagawa. Passengers arriving for the annual Sekuya firework festival must get off at this station.  ϟϟ

''That's the call...''

I'm only halfway there, and the train is already beginning to overflow with people wearing yukatas. The Sekuya Festival, huh? Never thought could be this popular. From what I understand, the Sekuya Festival is an annual autumn event—supposedly meant to welcome the changing season and remind the spirits that we haven't forgotten them. Or something poetic like that. I never dug too deep into the folklore. Not because I didn't care, but... well, because the past versions of me had other things to deal with.

I came here once, a few years ago. But I never imagined I'd return. Seriously, after Itsuki invites me, there's no way I can refuse such offer. Thinking about that now, maybe I should've worn a yukata too. It's too late to worry about it now, but yeah, maybe I'd have looked less like a tourist and more like someone who belongs in the crowd. Pfft, whatever. I look way better then these suckers in any clothes.

I step off the train and begin the walk toward the festival area. ''...'' Fortunately, there's nearly no chance of getting lost— since the festival area is located on the side of a river. Even if someone were to get lost here, they'd have to be some kind of dumbass sword-wielding pirate with green hair and literal no sense of direction.

The festival had officially begun in the morning, but we chose to meet up the late afternoon. Nothing much ever happens early on anyway, it's all setup and families with toddlers. It's pointless to come in the morning since the fireworks are launches at night when the festival is almost over. Still got a couple hours for that, though.

. . .

''Asuka-nii! Asuka-nii!"