GJ Bu Volume 2 Chapter 31

One evening at the entrance to the shrine.

Kyouya stood beside the stone lanterns, still having not quite gotten used to wearing his yukata.

"It is ok now?"

"Not yet."

Immediately, a reply came from the president's voice behind him, but this time Kyouya could not turn to face her voice.

The president had been standing behind Kyouya for some time already, but today Kyouya had not yet seen her face with his own eyes. He had only been coldly told to face the other way, and it had already been half an hour. Kyouya felt like a puppy that was being trained to "stay".

Kyouya could hear the buzz of the crowd from inside the shrine.

The road in front of the shrine continued in a straight line. Stalls lined both sides of the road with barely a gap in-between, and the joyful warmth of the lights drew Kyouya's gaze toward them.

The music of the taiko could be heard carried on the wind. It seemed the Bon dance had already started.

Kyouya was growing impatient, and decided to ask once again.

"What about now?"

"I told you not yet! I'll bite you."

"Kirara-san sure is late."

"Did anyone call her?"

"Mao, I don't think Kirara has her phone with her."

"Oh."

As far as Kyouya could tell from the others' conversation behind him, he wasn't allowed to turn around as long as they were missing a member. That was the rule.

What kind of rule is that supposed to be?

"Ah, she's here!"

The president's voice ringed out. Kyouya, who was still "being trained to 'stay'", felt a sense of relief wash over him.

"Kirara! You're late!"

"We were supposed to meet. When it smelled like 6 o'clock."

"Worry about the time instead of the smell!"

Kyouya wondered what 6 o'clock was supposed to smell like. Was it the smell of dinner beginning to be cooked? Kyouya, who was still not allowed to turn around, could only amuse himself with such trivial thoughts.

"All right. Kyoro!"

The president called out.

"Everyone's here, so you can turn around now."

Finally the president granted her permission.

But now that it was finally time, Kyouya started to get nervous. He realized suddenly how dry his throat was as he slowly rotated his body.

Four flowers were in full bloom in front of his eyes.

That was the first thought that entered Kyouya's mind as he looked at the girls' yukatas.

The patterns on each of them differed wildly as the multicolored designs burst forth in a kaleidoscope of light and hue. The sashes tied on their backs fluttered like flower petals quivering in the wind. Both s.h.i.+on-san and the president tied up their hair, exposing their normally unseen nape to the cool midsummer night breeze. Kirara, too, was dressed up neatly, an unusual sight in of itself.

"W-What? What are you staring at!?"

Said the president. She kicked at the ground with her black slippers.

"Cotton candy."

"Huh?"

"You're the worst. I'm the only one standing facing the other way and you're here eating cotton candy by yourself."

"If you want some then have some, s-stupid."

The president shoved the cotton candy towards Kyouya. Kyouya tore off a bite sized piece from the cloud shaped candy that was already missing a sizable chunk.

It was sweet.

"Sorry for making you wait, Kyoro-kun. Mao said it wouldn't be fair if everyone weren't here."

s.h.i.+on-san said as her hands fiddled with her hairpin.

"I did not!"

The president turned the other way.

"It's my first time at a festival like this!"

Megumi-chan smiled happily.

"I didn't ask."

The president berated her sister.

"Meat?"

Kirara-san's eyes locked on to the yakitori and barbeque stalls.

"So, what do you think?"

s.h.i.+on-san asked while playing with her hair.

"You all look great. The yukatas all fit you perfectly. There's beauty after beauty after beauty, and even an adorable little girl— Ow ow ow Prez it hurts!"

Kyouya began walking towards the festival with everyone as he was being chomped on.

Goldfish scooping, candy apples, okonomiyaki, shaved ice. Lots on the to-do list today for the GJ-Bu.

Mini Knowledge

Things Near the School:

- Train station (About 40% of the students take the train to school, and the rest either walk or ride their bikes)

- Shrine (The stone stairs are super long, so the sports clubs use it to train a lot. Nicknamed "The Iron Clog Staircase".)

- Karaoke place (They have student discounts as well as a reward program based on collecting stamps.)

- Ramen shop (Terrible ramen. Delicious meal combos. Has a secret menu.)

- Convenience store (Said to have an amazing selection of snacks and candies.

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