章節 8: Summer Harvest Festival

Inside the changing room, I decided to take a look at the outfit my dad brought for me. It consisted of a dark blue kimono jacket, a white T-shirt, and black shorts paired with some sandals. It seemed he had rented me an outfit for tonight.

'Does everyone know about my date?!' I screamed inwardly

Although it irked me, I can't really complain as the clothes were very nice. I heard these clothing designs, as well as the games we feature in the festival are all ideas that came from a wandering merchant. She was a Neko, or Cat beastman and worked as a traveling seamstress and clothing merchant. She taught some of the villagers how to make clothes commonly worn by her people. The people of the archipelago nation of Oto Country.

After getting changed I made my way back and saw my dad chatting with Stella.

"Oh Rune, there you are" she said while look at me with a slight blush on her face

"Hi Stella, you look very cute today" I replied.

I wasn't lying either. Like me, Stella was also wearing a rental outfit called a Yukata. It was solid black with white lilies on it, with a dark blue trim and sash that was fastened behind her in a bow. this one was a little different from other yukatas I've seen in the fact that it was modified to be much shorter, stopping just above the knees. The colors of her dress complemented her blonde hair and blue eyes, while the length showed off her long, creamy legs

Its colors quite obviously matched my own outfit, which only confirmed my suspicions of our parents collaborating. It was impossible for me not to stare and I took a moment to admire her appearance.

"Y-You also look very handsome" she replied in a shy tone while blushing deeper from gaze.

at that moment moment I was taken out of my stupor by my dad.

"GUAHAHA! Well don't just stand around here. go on and enjoy yourselves." he said while pushing me on the back towards Stella.

"Old man pushing it, Literally." I said turning my head in annoyance but deep down I was grateful for his actions.

"hahaha. Little Stella, I'm sure you've realized this by now but my son can be quite the tsundere. make sure not to let him go."

"Mmm" she nodded with a determined look in her eyes as she grabbed my hand.

"Tch" I clicked my and simply let her pull me away. She seemed much more proactive, despite her shyness and took the lead for our date.

We went around the festival and tried various foods and played games like scooping goldfish and ring toss. I wasn't any good, but that did not stop me from having fun. Stella seemed to get quite a kick out of it and would giggle at my frustrations.

Currently, we were sitting in the plaza while quietly watching the embers from the large bonfire float up into the air. Stella was resting her head on my shoulder with a happy look on her face while I was gently stroking her hair. I was feeling extremely content, but I was also feeling something else. something I didn't like.

'What is this?' I thought to myself. I decided to ignore it as Stella spoke up, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Rune, would you like to go somewhere special with me?" she said, gazing up at me with her bright blue eyes.

"Where?"

"It's a secret, you'll see when we get there." she said with a smile before standing up and pulling me with her."

I followed her away from the festival toward a forest trail. we walked for a couple minutes until we reached a clearing. I looked around and saw that we were in a field, completely covered in a multitude of flowers. looking up you could clearly see the night sky and all of the stars. Stella let me look for a moment before she guided me to the center where a blanket was laid out. we sat down and watched the starry night sky in silence for a moment before she spoke up.

"You know Rune, I was really surprised and also very happy when you asked me out."