The most frightening thing is when the air suddenly goes quiet.
Although Gold Legend was a habitually lazy person, she still had the drive to act.
Since she had promised Nice Nature an amulet, she should act without delay.
So she set off decisively, ignoring Nice Nature's reaching hand, leaving behind three people who weren't actually very familiar with each other.
Or perhaps two? After all, Agnes Digital was clearly an accident.
"..."
The air fell into silence for a moment.
Even though the bustling crowd of the Temple Fair was right nearby, at this moment, this place was eerily quiet.
...What to do, what to do? Should I say something?
This was Nice Nature, outwardly calm but internally in a complete panic.
Why isn't she speaking? Is there something wrong with me? What to do? What should I do?
This was Dober, outwardly calm but internally socially anxious.
...
This was Agnes Digital, outwardly sleeping but actually unconscious.
The atmosphere remained tense for a while longer, then Nice Nature took a deep breath, intending to speak up and break the deadlock.
Unexpectedly, Dober spoke first.
"You and Legend-san have a very good relationship, don't you."
"What?... Ah, well, we are classmates, after all, and we've known each other for a long time."
Nice Nature recalled the events from when she first met Legend until now, smiled slightly, and answered calmly.
"Just classmates, huh..."
Dober let out a sigh of relief, though she didn't know why herself.
She looked at the amulet in her hand, remembering Nice Nature's actions just a moment ago.
"...Tell me, do you like it that much?"
The sudden question disrupted Nice Nature's thoughts, which had been immersed in memories, and also disturbed her heart.
"No! That's not it! It's not like that at all!!!"
Nice Nature retorted, her face turning bright red.
"...?"
Dober looked at the amulet in her hand, then at Nice Nature, who had suddenly become flustered, feeling a bit confused.
But she still continued to ask: "Then why did you try to snatch it from me? Wouldn't it have been fine to just let me have it?"
"Eh? Ah? Give it to you? Eh?"
Nice Nature was incoherent.
Dober toyed with the amulet absent-mindedly.
Why does Nice Nature seem so reluctant to give me this amulet?
"Th-this isn't something I can decide! It depends on Legend-san's wishes..."
Nice Nature was incoherent, trying to change the subject.
"Nice Nature, I really like this thing."
Dober stepped forward, closing the distance to Nice Nature, pressing her advantage.
Eh! Like this person?! Classmate Dober! You actually...
"Bu-but..."
"Nice Nature!"
"But, Classmate Mejiro... I..."
The scene was suddenly a bit strange.
"It's a scene only found in dreams, like a scene of lily flowers blooming."
Agnes Digital, who was playing dead, quietly opened one eye and observed cautiously.
"Just waking up and seeing a scene like this, honestly, it's not very good for my heart..."
But it's okay; an Uma Musume warrior won't fall so easily.
Agnes Digital forced her battered body to stay up and observed in secret.
"In any case, at this point, I won't let go; I'm keeping this amulet!"
Dober declared.
"Like I said, you have to ask Legend-san... Eh? The amulet?"
Nice Nature was a beat slow to react.
"Legend-san has already given the amulet to me, and I won't give it to you."
Dober said, puffing out her cheeks.
"..."
You said all that stuff about liking it and wanting it, and you meant this?
Nice Nature felt like a clown.
But for some reason, she suddenly remembered Dober's words from just now.
"Do you like it that much?"
...No, I don't! I was just helping Teio protect Legend!
Nice Nature shook her head violently, her face turning completely red.
"Nice Nature?"
Dober saw Nice Nature's inexplicable actions and asked with concern.
"Th-th-that! Jeez! Why has Legend been gone so long? The matchmaking fireworks are about to start! Could she be lost? I'll go find her right now!!"
Nice Nature replied in a panic and ran off without looking back.
"Eh?!"
What about me?
Dober stood there stunned, looking at the retreating Nice Nature, then at Agnes Digital lying unconscious (pretending) nearby, feeling a bit at a loss.
...
"Strange..." Legend licked the candied apple in her hand and looked around blankly, "Where is this?"
She had finally managed to queue up and get the amulet, but before she could put it away, she was pushed aside by the surging crowd.
She wanted to break free from the crowd, but was afraid of accidentally hurting others.
By the time Legend broke free from the crowd, she had already arrived at an unfamiliar place.
In any case, I'll buy a candied apple first.
She took out her phone; hmm, great, no signal...
What a piece of junk; looks like it's time for an upgrade.
As it turns out, I'm all alone again...
Why did I say "again"?
Legend lowered her head, feeling a bit dejected.
I can only pin my hopes on Nice Nature now; I hope she can find me.
But no matter how I think about it, it's unlikely; there are too many people.
I might as well keep moving forward; it would be a shame not to finish exploring such a fun Temple Fair.
Legend shrugged nonchalantly and started walking forward.
Then she was pulled back.
"Where are you going?"
Nice Nature's face was full of black lines.
"Oh, isn't this Nice Nature? We meet again."
"What's with this tone of a long-lost reunion!"
So annoying! Why is she always acting so unserious!
"Do you know how long I've been looking for you!"
If it weren't for Teio, I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble!
That's right! I did this for... Teio...
Dober's question echoed in Nice Nature's heart.
"Sorry, sorry, but Nice Nature is really amazing, being able to find me in such a vast crowd."
Legend knew it was her own fault, so she praised her with some embarrassment.
"...It was just a coincidence! A coincidence!"
I already said it wasn't...
"Well, well, since Nice Nature found me, let's head back."
Legend's words brought Nice Nature back to her senses.
"Okay, we'll just..."
"What's wrong?"
"Where did I come from again?"
Nice Nature looked at the bustling crowd and asked, confused.
"..."
"..."
Legend and Nice Nature stared at each other.
Brilliant fireworks bloomed in the sky.
"...Oh, it's started. This isn't a very good spot."
Plus, I left Dober over there; she won't be angry, will she?
Legend looked at the blooming fireworks, feeling a bit helpless.
"...Since it's already like this, we might as well watch it from here."
Nice Nature said, realizing it late.
"That's true. Ah, right, here."
Legend took Nice Nature's hand and placed the amulet into it.
"The amulet I promised."
Legend said with a smile.
"..."
Nice Nature looked at the amulet in her hand and fell silent.
For some reason, her heart was beating so fast...
Boom!
A super huge heart-shaped firework exploded in the sky.
It illuminated the Temple Fair.
"...What an over-the-top shape..." Legend complained speechlessly, "Is this that so-called matchmaking firework?"
"..." Nice Nature didn't answer.
"Nice Nature? Did you see that just now?"
Legend turned to look at Nice Nature, but saw her covering half her face with her hand.
"Nice Nature?"
"I'm fine, nothing's wrong."
Nice Nature turned away, not wanting Legend to see her bright red face.
This is something that can't be helped...
If she is my fated person, then it can't be helped that I fell for her, right?
I'm sorry, Teio...
"Nice Nature..."
"Let's go!" Nice Nature turned her head, looking at Legend with a Shaft-style 45-degree angle, and extended her hand to her, "The Temple Fair is still long; it would be a loss not to enjoy it to the fullest."
"...Okay."
Although I don't know what happened, Nice Nature looks so beautiful right now.
Legend sighed sincerely.
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