Yoimiya and Sayu, after a brief reunion with Feng Yi and Kamisato Ayaka, departed their separate ways.
Yoimiya, as the queen of the summer festival, was quite busy, needing to prepare early for the evening's fireworks display.
Sayu was focused on sleeping and had no interest in frolicking with Feng Yi and the others. Consequently, Feng Yi and Kamisato Ayaka were left alone to enjoy the festival.
"Ayaka, look, that stall over there is selling masks. I heard that to truly experience the festival, one must wear a mask. Is that true?"
Feng Yi and Kamisato Ayaka strolled along, and Feng Yi pointed towards a stall selling masks, which was being hawked by a vendor.
"There used to be such a custom, and it has continued to this day, becoming a fashionable festival attire. However, it's not an absolute rule..."
Kamisato Ayaka, while eating candied hawthorns she had bought, chuckled and offered a brief explanation.
"Yo! Isn't this the young lady from the Kamisato clan? Are you here to inspect the festival regulations? Please, inspect away. Our shop operates in strict compliance!"
Upon seeing the young lady of the Kamisato clan in front of his stall, the shop owner quickly stood up and presented the compliance documents for his business for her to review.
"Uh... um, cough, cough, hello, sir. Today I'm not here to inspect business materials. I... I'm here to participate in the festival. Yes, just like an ordinary person!"
Kamisato Ayaka took a deep breath and then stated very seriously.
"I see. So, the young lady of the Kamisato clan is accompanying a friend to the festival. Then you absolutely cannot miss the masks here. I guarantee that no one else at this festival has masks better than mine!"
Hearing this, the shop owner secretly breathed a sigh of relief and began to promote his merchandise.
"Feng Yi, what do you think?"
"Since the shop owner is so gracious, let's buy two!"
With that, Feng Yi stepped forward and began to select uniquely styled masks.
Setting aside everything else, the shop owner's craftsmanship was truly excellent. The masks were made with such exquisite detail that Feng Yi found himself unsure which one to choose.
Seeing this, Kamisato Ayaka also joined in the mask selection.
After some deliberation, Feng Yi finally chose a cat mask, while Kamisato Ayaka opted for a fox mask.
"Sir, how much for these two masks?"
"Ah, considering it's for the young lady of the Kamisato clan, these two masks are on the house!"
"Oh, that's too kind!"
"It's nothing. We common folk have received plenty of care from the Yashiro Commission. We must show our appreciation somehow. If you pay, you'll be doing this old man a favor!"
"Thank you, uncle. You're a good person!"
"Hahahaha, don't mention it. I wish you a delightful time at the festival!"
The shop owner waved his hand and, seeing that Feng Yi and Ayaka had accepted, continued to hawk his wares nearby.
"Ayaka, shall I put it on for you?"
Feng Yi took the mask from Kamisato Ayaka's hand and said with a smile.
"Yes, please."
Kamisato Ayaka closed her eyes, a hint of nervousness in her demeanor.
Feng Yi didn't understand. It wasn't like he was about to kiss Kamisato Ayaka, so why would she close her eyes?
But the atmosphere had been built up to this point, and it felt like a shame not to do something.
So, while putting on the mask, Feng Yi used his sleeve to shield them from the eyes of passersby, and then, with lightning speed and without leaving a trace, he planted a quick peck on Kamisato Ayaka's soft, rosy cheek.
"Ah?!"
Kamisato Ayaka cried out in surprise. Why would Feng Yi kiss her at this moment? What if someone saw?
"Young lady of the Kamisato clan, what's wrong? Is the mask not fitting well?"
The mask stall owner, hearing the young lady of the Kamisato clan's exclamation, quickly asked.
"N-no, it's fine. The mask fits perfectly, it's beautiful!"
Kamisato Ayaka's face flushed slightly as she quickly pulled Feng Yi away from the scene of potential scandal.
"Don't worry, Ayaka, my sleeve covered us. No one would have noticed."
"Next time, please do it in a more private place..."
Kamisato Ayaka gave Feng Yi a reproachful glance. Although she had decided to act as an ordinary person at the festival, subconsciously, she still saw herself as the young lady of the Kamisato clan. The burden of her noble status made her reluctant to be seen by outsiders.
"Alright, alright, next time for sure!"
Feng Yi smiled and then led Kamisato Ayaka towards another stall.
It was a fortune-telling stall, and Feng Yi wanted to see how his luck would fare.
"Oh! Is the young lady of the Kamisato clan here with a friend today? Welcome, welcome! A rare sight! Would you like to try your luck with a draw?"
The fortune-telling stall owner, seeing a distinguished guest, quickly rose to welcome them.
"Yes, please. How much per draw?"
"Heh heh, you might not know this, but my uncle once received favor from the Yashiro Commission, back when your father was in charge, personally handled by him. So, you see, how could I possibly charge you?"
"Oh? Is that really okay?"
Kamisato Ayaka was taken aback. The mask stall owner had been the same, showing her special consideration. This was the convenience brought by her status. Kamisato Ayaka truly wished to enjoy the festival as an ordinary person, but it seemed to be rather difficult now.
"Of course, of course. If you like it, please spend some time at our stall. And for the guest beside Miss Kamisato, please feel free as well!"
The stall owner moved aside and presented the fortune-telling bucket.
"Feng Yi, what do you think?"
Kamisato Ayaka still instinctively asked for Feng Yi's opinion.
"Ayaka, you're quite popular. It seems I'm destined to bask in your glory today!"
Feng Yi chuckled.
Seeing that Feng Yi had said so, Kamisato Ayaka accepted the stall owner's kindness, picked up a fortune-telling bucket, and began to shake it to draw a lot.
"It's 'Chū-kichi' (Middle Good Fortune). My luck isn't bad. Feng Yi, what's yours?"
Kamisato Ayaka glanced at the fortune she had drawn and nodded with satisfaction.
"Xiǎo xiōng!" (Minor Ill Fortune!)
Feng Yi handed the drawn fortune to the stall owner for interpretation.
"Oh dear, sir, 'Xiǎo xiōng' is not a good omen. However, there's no need to worry too much. 'Xiǎo xiōng' simply means you might encounter a small unexpected event in the future. Overall, there won't be major problems. It's only effective if you believe it, and meaningless if you don't. You don't need to dwell on it too much; just live your life as usual. Even if it signifies misfortune, it will only be a minor ailment or sickness..."
The stall owner took the fortune slip and began to interpret it while comforting Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi~"
Kamisato Ayaka looked at Feng Yi with concern. She didn't want to see Feng Yi suffer any harm, not even a minor ailment!
"Hahahaha, it's just 'xiǎo xiōng,' not 'dà xiōng' (Major Ill Fortune). It seems my luck is quite good. Thank you for the interpretation, stall owner. Ayaka, let's go."
Feng Yi burst into laughter, signaling to Kamisato Ayaka not to worry, as it was merely minor ill fortune. Feng Yi felt the stall owner was right: it only held power if you believed in it. If it were good fortune, Feng Yi would surely have believed it. But if it were ill fortune, then to hell with superstition!