Toga Himiko. That was the name of the little girl who had been scolded the other day. Lustrous hair and round, sparkling eyes. A warped smile that could rival—even surpass—that of a cursed spirit. She was one year older than me. Five years old, apparently. Her favorite things were pomegranates. She also seemed to like anything red. When she saw the "tomato juice" I was drinking, she stared at it with such longing that I gave her a sip. Her eyes immediately filled with tears. It didn't suit her taste.
Seven days had passed since I met Himiko. Summer heat is unbearable. A room without air conditioning is unlivable. Why didn't this convenient machine exist in the Heian era? The progress of humanity is truly astonishing. Thanks to the refrigerator, food hardly spoils. In winter, the stove keeps us warm. We can live comfortably all year round.
It was now six o'clock in the evening—the time when the sun had almost fully set and darkness began to settle. I had been lazing about in the Japanese-style room when a visitor arrived. There was only one person who would come to the Kaido household specifically to see me.
"Madoka~! Himiko-chan is here~!"
Today was August 7th. There was apparently a festival at a shrine a short distance from the house. I had agreed to go with Himiko. When the topic first came up, I wondered—and openly asked—why anyone would want to go outside in the middle of summer. In response, Himiko burst into tears. For some reason, my father then dropped a fist on my head with a stern "You don't make a girl cry!"
After that, things became quite the ordeal. It took a tremendous amount of time to calm Himiko down. In the end, the moment I said I would go to the festival with her, her earlier loud sobbing vanished so completely it was as if it had never happened.
And so, today I was going to the festival with Himiko.
"G-Good evening… Madoka-kun…"
When I walked from the Japanese room to the entrance, Himiko was standing there, strangely bashful. Mother, why are you looking at me with that wicked grin? I'm well aware that you've been conspiring with Himiko lately. Well, fine. I'll deal with that conversation later…
"Oh, you're wearing a yukata tonight. It suits you very well, Himiko."
"…Auu…"
Tonight, Himiko was dressed up in a pale pink yukata patterned with butterflies. But this girl… her face turns bright red the moment I compliment her. And of course, she was wearing that smile only she could produce. When my father and mother first saw Himiko's smile, they were utterly shocked. Surprisingly, though, they quickly recovered and said with warm smiles, "Himiko-chan has such a special smile, doesn't she?" Ever since then, Himiko has been completely attached to both of them.
"Madoka, it's time to get ready."
"I'm already ready, aren't I?"
"What about your yukata? You're planning to go in jinbei?"
"I refuse. I don't want to wear it."
Wearing a yukata was fine in itself. But Mother! Spare me the children's yukata! It's unbearably uncomfortable!
"No. Put it on."
"Why? Jinbei is fine, isn't it?"
"No. Put it on."
"Stop repeating the same thing, Mother. I don't want to wear it."
"Put. It. On."
"…Gnuu…"
My resistance was meaningless… In the end, I was forced to wear the prepared girls' yukata. I understand that in this life I am a little girl, and that Mother is right. I understand it perfectly, yet this feeling of resistance refuses to fade.
When I returned to the hallway wearing the morning glory-patterned red yukata, Himiko looked utterly devastated. It seemed she had only just realized I was a girl. Wait, she really hadn't noticed until now?
Hey, Mother, what exactly did you just whisper to Himiko?
Wait, Himiko, what did you just reply to her?
Hey, Father, why did you suddenly poke your head out, fold your arms, and nod so deeply? And stop looking at me with that faint smirk.
"Madoka, you'd better take responsibility properly, okay?"
Wait, Mother. Don't direct that wicked smile at your own child.
"Mom was so surprised. I never knew you were interested in girls. But that's fine! Same-sex marriage isn't rare these days. We'd be more than happy to welcome Himiko-chan~"
Wait! Isn't this a bit too soon?! Marriage starts at thirteen, doesn't it?!!!
What? In this era it's eighteen? Ahem.
Marriage starts at eighteen, damn it!!!
◆
Cotton candy is delicious. What is this fluffy, sugary treat? It's genuinely amazing. I knew this era had abundant food, but if something this good existed, why wasn't it served during snack time? Cotton candy is sweet… so delicious… Sweet… mmm…
Candied apples are delicious too. Apples alone are already good, but coating them in candy like this… this should be illegal…
Choco-banana? I hate it. Himiko, don't happily munch on something that looks like a man's… thing. Little girls shouldn't eat objects resembling phalluses.
Baby castella? I hate that too. After seeing the choco-banana, it only looks like testicles. Stop it, Himiko. Stop stuffing your cheeks. Don't look so happy while doing it!!
No, I'm not eating any—hey, stop trying to shove it into my mouth. Stop… Ah, this is actually good… It tastes like pancake…
Also, I will never eat takoyaki again. Forcing the person who ate it to use Reverse Cursed Technique… What a troublesome food. It was so hot I couldn't even taste it properly, and I burned my tongue.
Anyway, right now I was devouring these blasphemously sweet treats while enjoying the festival together with Himiko, Mother, and Father. There were absurdly many people, and it was incredibly noisy. Moreover, ever since we left the house, Himiko refused to let go of my hand. My left hand had been occupied the entire time.
"…Ah…"
"Hm? What's wrong, Himiko?"
"…"
What now? She stopped walking. What is she staring at so intently?
…A shooting gallery? Oh, target practice… You get a prize if you hit the targets… So, which prize do you want? A ring? Ah, the kind Father and Mother wear on their ring fingers. The symbol of a married couple.
Here, Father, hand over the money. Something like this is easy for me.
It's a bow. Bring me a bow and arrows. What? What is this? A gun? Hmm, hold it like this… pull the trigger, was it? …I see. It doesn't hit at all!
…Fine. Then let's do it this way.
First, I'll pinch one of those little "cork" stones between both hands, yes?
"Blue."
Apply just the right amount of pressure. Draw out a little blood.
"Piercing Blood."
There! Look at that! It hit!!!
What? It's not allowed? Why not? Can't be helped, then… I'll infuse cursed energy into the gun. Might as well put some into the cork too.
Oh, it hit.
"Here, Himiko."
"Fueh?"
"What? You wanted it, didn't you?"
I don't know why she wanted something like this, but… why is she blushing again? And why is she looking at me with such feverish eyes?
The way girls think… is completely beyond me.
By the way, that ring from back then is still hanging around Himiko's neck to this day. She says it's a precious memento, so she wants to keep it on her at all times.
Isn't it about time you threw that thing away? I already said I'd give you a proper ring next time.
Wait, sorry. Don't sulk. Cheer up.
When you sulk, nothing good ever comes of it. I'll let you do as many "chuu chuu" as you want, so stop turning away.
…You want me to say "I love you"?
No, that's… ...
I… love… you…?
There, I said it! Are you satisfied now?! You're satisfied, right?! Then cheer up already!!
Wait. What's with that face? Hey, don't push me down onto the futon. Oi, stop taking off my clothes. Don't undress me! What are you planning to do, Himiko?!!!
Uuu… Himiko, you idiot… Sniff.