Chapter 58: The Sakura Festival

The Sakura Festival

“Yuuta, good morning.”

When I woke up, Hatsune was smiling shyly at me.

That means… she snuck in here again last night…

“Yeah, good morning. But wouldn’t you be more comfortable sleeping in my bed rather than on the futon?”

“Not at all! I’d much rather fall asleep watching your sleeping face, Yuuta.”

“I-Is that so?”

I replied a little stiffly, but… yeah, I was actually really happy.

Besides, waking up to see the person I love right in front of me—nothing could be better.

“Haha… When we get back to the apartment, should we… um… buy a bed big enough for both of us?”

“Y-Yeah! …Ah, but beds can be expensive, so maybe we could just share a futon instead? That would be… totally fine, you know?”

“O-Okay… Well, let’s talk about it when we get back.”

Honestly, I’d love to get a bed, but Hatsune is thinking about our budget. I can’t just splurge selfishly…

“A-Anyway, let’s get up. Today is the Sakura Festival, after all.”

“Y-Yeah!”

We got up, changed clothes, and headed downstairs to the living room.

“You two have fun!”

“We will.”

“Yes!”

With my mother seeing us off, we left the house.

“So, where’s the Sakura Festival being held?”

“It’s by the pond on the other side of the train tracks, just past the station gates.”

“Huh… Wait, if there’s a pond like that, wouldn’t it have been better to explore it instead of going to the castle the other day?”

“No way! If we went there first, it would’ve spoiled the fun of visiting during the festival!”

“Well, that’s true, I guess.”

Hatsune laughed cheerfully as she said that.

As we passed the convenience store where I ran into Kazuki the other day, we arrived at the station.

“Alright. Hatsune, just checking—do you want to grab lunch before heading to the festival?”

“No way! Festivals are all about eating from the food stalls, right!?”

“Haha, right!”

With that, we passed under the train tracks and emerged on the other side.

“Wooow…!”

Hatsune let out a gasp of admiration at the sakura trees, about sixty percent in bloom, painting the area around the pond.

Yeah… It’s been five years since I last came to this Sakura Festival…

Back then, I wasn’t dating Hiyori yet—we just came as childhood friends.

“Alright then… Let’s look for Sasaki-senpai and the others.”

“Ahaha… Hey, Yuuta. Since we’re here, why don’t we enjoy the festival just the two of us for a while?”

Yep… Looks like Hatsune wants this to be a festival date.

“Good idea. So, which stall should we hit first?”

“Takoyaki, of course! Then yakisoba, shaved ice, and—nfufu, there are so many, I can’t decide!”

Holding Hatsune’s hand as she beamed with excitement, I bought a pack of takoyaki first.

“Here, Yuuta. Say ahh.”

“U-Um…”

Hatsune held a piece of takoyaki right up to my mouth, so I took a big bite.

“H-Hot…!”

“Ahaha! Yuuta, your face looks so funny!”

Grrr… Hatsune, you little…

“Alright, now it’s my turn!”

“Haha! I won’t make a weird face like you! Nom… H-Hot… It really is hot!”

“Y-Yeah…”

Damn it, I was going to laugh at Hatsune’s silly face, but she’s just… adorable.

No, more than that.

Lick

…The way she licked her lips was incredibly seductive…

“Okay, next! Come on, come on!”

“Whoa—wait!?”

Hatsune grabbed my arm and pulled me along as we explored stall after stall.

“Still…”

We’ve been wandering around for about an hour now, but there’s no sign of Sasaki-senpai and the others…

“I wonder what’s up with them…”

“Ahaha, yeah…”

“Maybe I should call—“Ahh! W-Wait! Can’t we just enjoy being alone together a little longer!?””

As I pulled out my phone, Hatsune suddenly panicked and stopped me.

Well… I mean, I wouldn’t mind spending more time alone with her at the Sakura Festival either.

“A-Anyway, um… could you wait here for a bit?”

Hatsune asked hesitantly, looking slightly embarrassed.

“S-Sure, but… why?”

“W-Well…”

When I asked, she averted her gaze and hesitated to answer.

…Is it something she can’t even tell me?

“Ah… If you’re in trouble, Hatsune, I can come with you?”

That’s what I said, but that wasn’t how I really felt.

I know it’s completely unreasonable, but… I can’t help feeling uneasy.

And then—

“Ugh, geez! I-I need to use the restroom! It’s embarrassing, so stop asking and don’t follow me!”

“Ah…”

Ahaha… So that’s what it was.

Yeah… I guess that’s not something you’d want to say out loud…

“I-I’ll wait here.”

“Okay…”

And with that, Hatsune quickly headed toward the restrooms.

“Ugh… I should be more careful next time…”

As I watched Hatsune disappear into the crowd, I reflected on my mistake.

“Yuu-kun…”

…Of all people, Hiyori was the one who called out to me.