Chapter 333: 137. Kawashima Miki came from Tokyo_4
"My wish..." Mrs. Hoshimi’s gaze swept over the innocent and romantic Kasahara Asuka, landing on her daughter in the dim corner, "Hmm, it’s the same as Himeko’s."
A gust of wind blew through, swirling above the main hall, making it feel as if the gods had granted their prayers.
Hoshimi Rinko ran out of the main hall as if escaping, looked up at the starry sky above the sea, took a deep breath, and murmured to herself, "Making such absurd and willful prayers, will the gods really not punish us?"
After leaving the main hall, they heard a tidal wave-like roar approaching. Bonfires were lit on both sides of the stone steps, sparks flying in all directions in the night sky. The noisy sounds ahead filtered through the treetops, shaking their eardrums strongly.
"From here on up, it’s the main venue." Mrs. Kasahara led the way in front.
The clogs clacked as they stepped on the winding stone steps, reaching the mountain gate, panting heavily, and finally arrived at the main venue.
It was an expansive area on the mountainside, with a performance stage in the center, surrounded by lively night stalls decorated with lanterns. It was already so crowded with spectators that not even a drop of water could trickle through. The excitement surpassed that of the first night, with various games, snacks, and specialty stalls. The windmill stall owner stuck the windmill handles in bundles of straw to sell, next to a stall selling paper umbrellas with floral patterns, as well as playing cards and balloons. Every summer, these small vendors would purchase goods cheaply from city wholesale markets to sell in one small town after another.
The fireworks festival hadn’t officially started yet, and people were browsing stalls and looking for places to watch the fireworks. Fujiwara Reya glanced around; it was difficult to even find a standing space, let alone a place to sit.
If he were alone, it wouldn’t matter; Fujiwara Reya could stand anywhere, and if there truly was no place, he could watch from a tree.
However, today he was with two pairs of mothers and daughters, and he didn’t want to squeeze them through the crowd, because only he could take advantage of the benefits they brought.
"Is there a VIP section?" Fujiwara Reya asked.
"The abbot said there should be, but I didn’t ask." Mrs. Hoshimi looked at the bustling crowd, her expression somewhat excited, "This countryside festival is quite interesting, I’d like to take a good walk around!"
"No way!" Fujiwara Reya firmly refused.
"Hmm?" Mrs. Kasahara looked at him amusingly.
"You all sit and watch, and I’ll buy whatever you want to eat or play with."
"That’s no fun at all." Mrs. Hoshimi shook her head, refusing.
"It’s too crowded, inconvenient. Miss Hoshimi, can’t you imagine, with these rough country men around, how terrible it would be to encounter a pervert?"
"Oh, I get it." Mrs. Kasahara smiled knowingly, "Mr. Fujiwara wants to keep us like birds in a cage, right?"
"..."
"That’s called confinement!" Mrs. Kasahara and Mrs. Hoshimi said.
"Tsk tsk, the little lecher is too bold." Mrs. Hoshimi looked at Fujiwara Reya in disdain, "We are board directors, how dare you have such thoughts?"
"Oh, bothersome sisters, at times like this, you should give in to the cute younger brother!" Fujiwara Reya shamelessly whined.
"Haha~"
The two ladies laughed heartily.
"How about this, if you want to browse, I’ll take one by one with me." Fujiwara Reya continued to suggest, "There are too many people for me to take care of all at once, but taking just one at a time is manageable."
"This is a private date, you know." Mrs. Kasahara immediately saw through his little plan.
"Hmm, sounds not bad." Mrs. Hoshimi looked at her daughter and said earnestly, "For Rinko to have a private date, mom will have to forego the fun of browsing the countryside festival."
Hoshimi Rinko felt a bit tempted.
In front of acquaintances, she really puts down her pride, but if it were just her and the junior...
"Then let’s go." Mrs. Kasahara pointed towards the hillside on the edge of the square, "Mr. Fujiwara, lead the way!"
"Alright!" Fujiwara Reya carried Kasahara Asuka on his back, squeezing into the crowded throng, progressing like a salmon against the current. People were all around, like walking through the Wooden Man Alley of the Shaolin Temple, as Kasahara Asuka slapped his back and shouted, "Make way," "Is the person ahead a log," "Hurry up and move aside," while deftly using her hand to chop a path through the crowd.
Following this path, Mrs. Kasahara and Mrs. Hoshimi walked forward with ease.
Overhead, large lanterns for the festival emitted beautiful firelight, as the two ladies, with elegantly styled hair revealing necks slightly tinted with a golden sheen, shone brilliantly as if polished. Faces illuminated by firelight also appeared resplendent, drawing the gazes of those around, as hot as the lanterns themselves stayed on them.
Their graceful and noble demeanor seemed to naturally attract all admiring gazes, like beautiful statues, appearing cold and proudly self-satisfied.
The VIP section was on a high platform behind the square, surrounded by trees. The entrance was draped with strips of cloth, and each seat was partitioned into small compartments with screens. Due to the elevated position, the visual effect for watching the performances on stage and the fireworks was superior.
Upon entering the VIP section, food and tea were immediately served.
Pricey cherry shrimp, crispy deep-fried oysters, steamed golden seabream, cherry blossom sushi, and fish-and-shellfish salty clear soup were among the dishes. Each dish was as close as possible to the cherry blossom color palette, looking very exquisite, as if the dining table was in full bloom with cherry blossoms.
"This is Shizuoka’s cherry banquet." Mrs. Hoshimi elegantly knelt, "It’s just a pity it’s not spring; otherwise, we could enjoy a true cherry blossom feast."