After finishing their prayers, the group walked out of the shrine and saw the raised platform that had already been set up ahead. That was where the ritual dance would take place later.
Since it wasn't time to gather yet, they didn't see anyone else around.
The stone steps stretched downward in neat rows. In the middle was a steady flow of people, while both sides were lined with lively stalls.
"Shall we go take a look as well?"
Miyauchi Kazuho pointed downward with interest.
After the two nodded, the three of them began strolling along the mountain path. Festivals truly deserved their reputation as one of the liveliest events in Japan. Many small games that were rarely seen in daily life, such as goldfish scooping, could be found here.
"Eh? No, you can't, Ren-chan, your teeth are still growing, you can't eat something like that!"
Suddenly, Kagayama Kaede's somewhat troubled voice reached their ears.
They followed the sound and quickly spotted Kaede, along with Kanna and Miyauchi Renge, by the roadside below.
In front of a candied apple stall, the two little girls were staring longingly at Kaede. Their pitiful expressions made her turn her head away, unable to bear it.
"What's going on?"
"Oh, Sato, you're here?"
When Kaede saw the three of them approaching, she looked as if she had seen a savior and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Sato!"
"Sato-nii-chan!"
The moment they saw him, Kanna and Miyauchi Renge immediately shifted their target, launching a sparkling, pitiful gaze attack.
Sato quickly noticed the candied apple stall beside them. Walking over, he crouched down with a smile and asked, "Want some candied apples?"
"Mm! Mm!"
The two nodded in unison, their eyes shining with desire.
"No! Ren-chan's teeth are still growing!"
Afraid that Sato might give in, Kaede hurriedly spoke up from the side.
"My my~ Kaede really is like a mother."
Miyauchi Kazuho's remark immediately earned her a glare from Kaede. "Kazuho-nee, why are you just making sarcastic comments over there!"
"Eh?"
Miyauchi Kazuho looked a bit stunned, then let out a soft breath and smiled. "Looks like Kaede really likes Ren-chan. Even though she's my little sister…"
"If it's just once, it should be fine, right?"
Sato turned back and helped plead.
"No…"
Kaede instinctively wanted to refuse, but inadvertently she noticed the disappointed, dim look in Miyauchi Renge's eyes.
She pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then stiffly said, "Then you can only eat it this once before your teeth come in!"
The light in Miyauchi Renge's eyes brightened at a visible speed.
Seeing this, Kaede shook her head helplessly. I'm doing this for your own good.
"Boss, two candied apples, please."
After getting her agreement, Sato smiled and spoke to the stall owner who had been watching for a while, taking out money and handing it over.
"Wait! I'll pay!"
Seeing this, Kaede quickly said.
"It's fine, let him. He's a rich guy now, after all."
Fujimiya Konomi grabbed Kaede and, glancing at Sato, said with a half-smile.
You still remember that?!
Sato felt a bit helpless inside. They say a gentleman takes revenge in ten years, but when a woman holds a grudge, it might be endless.
Hearing this, Kaede frowned slightly and looked at Sato with confusion. A rich guy… what did that mean?
She couldn't help but ask, "Sato, did you become a No. 1 Kabukicho Host while you were in school?"
Sato: "…"
"Kaede-nee, maybe read fewer BL (Boys love) manga. Your thinking is getting weird!"
What kind of normal person jumps straight to guessing that?!
"Tch!"
"Eh? Sato-nii-chan, are you buying candied apples? I want one too!"
"Buy me one too!"
At that moment, the mischievous duo from Asahigaoka suddenly noticed them and ran over excitedly.
"Then make it three."
"Eh? Why only one more?"
"Hikari, you'll have to buy yours yourself."
"Why? Why does Natsumi get one but I don't?!" Miyauchi Hikari puffed her cheeks in protest as she looked at Sato.
"You're not a little kid anymore, so you should buy it yourself."
"I, I… fine!"
"So annoying. Why am I the same age as you, Sato? It'd be great if I were a bit younger."
Miyauchi Hikari complained.
Sato glanced at her and said flatly, "You're beyond saving. Who says something like that just for a candied apple?"
"What do you know? Every bit of a girl's allowance is precious!"
Miyauchi Hikari rolled her eyes at him and paid for her own candied apple.
"What are you all doing here?"
Just then, another group approached, and Koshigaya Komari's voice came from nearby.
Turning around, the girls from the light music club, along with Koshigaya Komari and Ichijou Hotaru, were all there.
Seeing this, Sato let out a soft sigh and looked at the already beaming stall owner. "Boss, three more."
"Got it, here you go!"
Sato took the candied apples and stood up, handing them to Koshigaya Komari and Ichijou Hotaru in front of him.
"Oh, candied apples! Thank you, Sato-nii-chan!"
"Thank you, senpai!"
The two girls accepted them happily.
Then Sato handed the last candied apple to Hirasawa Ui, who looked somewhat surprised.
"Senpai!"
Hirasawa Ui stared blankly at the candied apple in front of her, then looked up at Sato, who was close by, her lips parting slightly.
Sato smiled. "This one's for you."
"Thank you, senpai!"
Suppressing the faint shyness in her heart, Hirasawa Ui slowly took it from his hand. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, just like the candied apple in her hand.
"Huh? Why does Ui get one and we don't?"
Ritsu stepped forward, somewhat dissatisfied.
"Well, you're not a cute little sister, President."
"Damn it, so you're a sis-con, Sato! And… for someone else's sister!"
"That's nonsense!"
"Everyone, the ritual dance is about to begin!"
Miyauchi Kazuho suddenly spoke up to remind them.
…
The ancient and solemn ritual music began to play, its lingering melody spanning endless years, pulling people back to an age filled with mystery and primal wilderness.
Dim woods, a brightly lit platform.
On the platform, Miyamizu Yotsuha and Miyamizu Mitsuha performed the ritual dance with utmost focus, praying to the gods.
They wore golden headdresses, white kosode, and long red skirts. Their long hair was bound with paper cords and braided ties. As their steps shifted lightly, their slender arms extended, and the kagura bells in their hands rang with a clear, delicate chime.
The summer night stretched long, and the shrine maidens danced gracefully.