At the festival venue.
All around the shopping district, the decorations embodied the spirit of a summer festival.
Looking around, both the utility poles and the ornamental trees on either side of the street were adorned with orange lanterns, brown wooden plaques, and bamboo branches for hanging wish cards.
You could easily imagine that once the night fell and all the lanterns were lit, the orange glow would bathe the streets in a rich festive atmosphere.
As for the theme of the Noryo Festival — to create the most delicious summer festival in all of Japan —
With a slogan like that, there was naturally no need to elaborate on the variety of food available.
Every shop had sectioned off a small area in front of their storefronts for food stalls.
Everything from tamagoyaki, grilled meats and yakitori, sashimi and oysters, to egg waffles — you name it, it was there.
On the way over by car, Ryo was pressed up against the window with glowing eyes.
This girl had always had a bottomless appetite, so it was easy to imagine how in her element she'd be once the stage performance ended and she got to dive into the festival food stalls.
"President Chisato."
Ever since Chisato announced that he had officially established a company, everyone had gone through a phase of surprise and acceptance.
Thanks to Ryo, who for a few days wouldn't stop calling him "President Chisato" with a playful tone, the nickname stuck for a while.
After Chisato tirelessly corrected everyone, the novelty wore off for most — except Ryo, who stubbornly stuck to it.
"What?"
Chisato replied from the front passenger seat without turning around, clearly used to Ryo's antics.
"Hungry, food."
"I'll take you to eat after the rehearsal."
"I want the stuff from the street stalls."
"We don't have time for that right now. After the performance tonight."
"What if they're all sold out by then?"
"Unless everyone coming to this festival is named 'Ryo,' I don't see that happening."
"I feel attacked. You know, I am a girl too, you know?"
"No, you're not. You're an alien freak."
"Hey… hehehe…"
"..."
"Idiot Ryo, Chisato-kun wasn't complimenting you."
Amid the chatter, the car had already come to a stop.
Chisato got out along with the four band members and headed for the venue, while Seika drove off alone toward a distant parking lot.
At the venue, staff members were moving busily in all directions.
Since this wasn't their first time on stage, everyone took the hustle and bustle in stride.
A staff member quickly approached to greet Chisato, asked about their status, and then led them to rest under a temporary shade tent. The stage rehearsal would begin shortly.
"We've got about thirty minutes of rest,"
Chisato said, checking his phone while seated around a folding table.
"There's tea, drinks, and snacks over there prepared by the organizers. Ryo, you said you were hungry, go grab a bite.
The bathroom's on the other side — go now, because once rehearsal starts, there won't be time."
"Got it."
Everyone responded. Predictably, Ryo dragged Nijika straight toward the food.
"I'm heading to the bathroom,"
Ikuyo said as she turned and walked off.
Chisato watched her leaving figure for a moment, then patted Hitori's head.
"I'll be back in a bit too."
"Okay."
After arriving at the restroom and washing his hands, Chisato stood quietly in the shade under the eaves outside, waiting.
Before long, Ikuyo came out, drying her hands with a tissue. Their eyes met.
"Chisato-kun?"
Chisato stepped out in response to her surprised tone.
"Let's have a private chat, Ikuyo."
…
The two didn't go back right away.
Instead, they walked toward a shaded area on the other side.
The wall here was covered in lush green ivy, a refreshing sight that helped soothe the irritation of summer heat.
"Sorry for making everyone worry and causing trouble."
Ikuyo stood with her hands behind her back, her slender fingers interlaced.
She faced away from Chisato, her voice soft as she spoke, lightly kicking a small pebble on the ground with her foot.
She had a general idea why she'd been called here alone.
She had been late that morning and hadn't contacted anyone, so before Chisato could even speak, she offered an apology.
Chisato didn't respond immediately. He simply looked at her.
Today, she wore a white and pale-blue floral dress.
Her calves, exposed beneath the hem, were fair, and paired with white shoes and socks, she looked like a delicate lily blooming amidst the vibrant greenery — youthful and lovely.
"Um…"
Not hearing a reply, Ikuyo turned around — only to meet Chisato's unwavering gaze.
A strange sense of shame rose from deep within her, and the words she had wanted to say got stuck in her throat.
Chisato looked away, shaking his head.
"No one — not me, not the others — is blaming you over something this small."
Ikuyo looked up again. Since he wasn't staring directly at her anymore, she could relax a bit and openly admire his side profile.
"Then… was there something you specifically wanted to talk to me about, Chisato-kun?"
"It's not that I have something to say — it's you who probably has something to tell us, Ikuyo."
Chisato spoke calmly.
"…"
Ikuyo's eyes widened. Her lips parted but no words came out. After a brief pause, she forced a smile.
"What are you saying, Chisato-kun? There's nothing special that I need to say."
"Everyone has their own burdens. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you. But if you're facing a problem you can't handle on your own, you can come to us.
Remember, we're a team — and more than that, we're irreplaceable friends."
After saying this, Chisato didn't press further.
"Everyone's waiting. Let's go back."
He turned and walked a few steps. Just as he was about to round a corner, hurried footsteps came from behind.
He turned back. Ikuyo's eyes shimmered, her lips trembling.
"Chisato-kun… can you really help me?"
Chisato smiled.
"Of course. The person standing in front of you is pretty amazing, you know."
Hearing that, Ikuyo smiled through her tears.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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