Watashi, Dokidoki Renai Kakumei de Onii-chan Yattemasu

The Fireworks and the Realisation and the Stalking [2]

30th of August. The weather is fine on this day. The fireworks should appear beautiful in this weather.
　In the Fireworks Festival a.k.a. Tachibana City Fireworks Festival, besides fireworks, there are performances like Bon Festival dance and Taiko, and you can partake in the food stands and flea market. For the finale, over 10 000 fireworks will color the night sky.
　The highlights are magnificent star mines[1], humongous skyrockets and elaborately-planned preset fireworks. All of that makes up Tachibana City's grand event as summer comes to a close.

"Mitsuki's friggin' cute, cuute~! As expected of my Mitsuki..."

"Sheesh, stop it already, Mako-chan."

"There aren't many girls this cute after all. Mitsuki's the cutest in the world. Honestly, I wanted to wear a yukata and go to the festival with you. I'm envious of senpai."

　Mitsuki, clad in a dark blue yukata with images of carnations, is unmistakably the cutest girl in the world.
　On her head is a fluffy hair ornament that's also in the design of a carnation. The pearls inlaid on the petals glitter, complementing Mitsuki's angelic appearance.
　I may sound like a foolish doting parent but Mitsuki is really cute.

"Does Mako-chan not have a yukata?"

"Don't worry about me. Besides, I'm not like Mitsuki; I don't think things like that suit me."

"Why? Mako-chan's cool. It'll definitely suit you."

　The Mitsuki tilting her head in puzzlement is cute too.
　I suppose Mitsuki really does think that I'm cool.

"Really?"

"Un! Let's go to the festival together next year. At that time, Mako-chan has to wear the yukata too."

"... Ah, yeah."

　It's not certain I'll be here next year. I give a vague reply as though I'm trying to evade the loneliness that stems from that. Mitsuki's expression makes a complete reversal from puzzlement to smiling faintly with the corners of her eyes turned down.

　Mitsuki's meeting Takayanagi at Tachibana Station while I'm meeting Soutarou and Kaname at Sakaki Shrine, the main venue of the Fireworks Festival.
　Mitsuki's meeting time is 1 hour before mine. To see off Mitsuki who's heading out first, I accompany her to the entranceway.

"Take care on your way, alright."

　I tell her as I correct the position of her hair clip.

"Mako-chan, too, you can't trouble Tsubaki-kun and Fujisaka-kun, okay?"

"Why would I trouble them. It should be the other way round."

　Mitsuki chuckles.

"I'll be going now then, Mako-chan."

"'Kay."

　As though having had gauged the moment Mitsuki will be leaving the house, my phone rings.
　Opening the app, I see it's from Soutarou. I received a message: "Can I come pick you up?" that comes with a grinning emoji. I'm not a girl, not to mention I'm not Soutarou's girlfriend, so he doesn't have to come and pick me up. Is what I'm thinking but since that doesn't make a good refusal, I reply: "Okay."

　Seeing as Soutarou's coming to pick me up, it's about time I prepare to head out too.
　Simple works for summer fashion, which is good. One can look somewhat decent with jeans, cut-and-sew, and a cardigan. Along with my wallet and handphone, I'm all set.

　Just as I get to take a breath after finishing my preparations, the intercom sounds.
　It's undoubtedly Soutarou.

"Mako, I'm here to pick you up."