a good friend of the “the three”¹

Hi-shi-o! Hi-shi-o!

It looks delicious. I wish I came with you guys last time you went here.

You can eat as much as you’d like today to make up for it. Ushio-kun, you ca⁠—

……

……

(Th-They’re not saying anything. They haven’t made up yet. Is there anything I can do…?)

……

(Muneuji-kun made the first move!)

Uu-chan, please accept my salmon.

……

Forgive me for not understanding your pain in being called “Goody-Two-Shoes.” It was shameful of me to act as such.

I apologize.

When we return to HAMA, I’ll be sure to seek retribution against the people who dared to call you that.

L-Lord Kaguya…!

Whatever. You don’t have to.

…Here, take this.

It’s the same syrup I used at my food stall today. I made it with Shodoshima soy sauce… It’s still good until tomorrow, so…take it home with you. Give it to your sister.

I…shouldn’t have said all that weird stuff. Sorry.

Woah! Nice, guys! *munch* That’s the power of long-time friendship for ya! *munch* You really get each other! *munch*

(Yeah. I guess I didn’t have to worry so much. They know how to work things out on their own time.)

Wait, Akuta-kun, you’re already eating?!

I can’t fall behind. I’ll start eating too.

*munch, munch…* It’s good…

Hey, Kurama-kun.

What?

I’m sorry too.

It’s whatever. You were just trying to fight back.

Yeah.

…What…? No…way…!

Kinugawa-ku⁠— I mean, Kiroku, what’s so surprising?

…You…made up…so fast…

Hm? It wasn’t all that hard.

……

Kiroku, dude! You’re not eating anymore! What’s up? Is it the soy sauce? The wasabi? Oh, are you full already?!

…No.

…Even if…you fight…it’s important to…say what you…feel…

……

I… Isotake…

Oui?

You…liked my art…and it made me…happy…but I…never…said “thank…you.”

I wanted to…make a nice…lantern…but I…didn’t finish it… And I…can’t really…talk…

Huh? Are you apologizing for the lantern being unfinished?!

Mm…

Bro, it was still friggin’ AWESOME! It really gave me a shock, like BZZZT!

Ahh… Did I put a lotta pressure on you?

…Pressure…

(…If I tell him that he did, he might think I’m annoying. He’ll end up hating me too… But I don’t wanna hide my feelings anymore…)

Ah, man, I really didn’t mean to do that to you. Sorry. You prolly hate me now.

Ah?! I don’t…

You don’t?! Thank god!

But I didn’t know that was how your mind worked. I learned something new about you today!

I’d be really sad if you ended up hating me without saying anything, so just lemme know if anything bothers you.

…Without…saying…anything…

Yeah. I want you to like me.

……

So I know it’s kind of annoying, but just tell me if anything’s on your mind.

Yeah… You’re right… Expressing…your feelings…is good for…the other person…too…

What was that? You’re full already? And I can eat the rest of your food?!

……

I…didn’t say that.

Ohhh, then I misheard! Sorry, bro!

……

…Hahaha.

Woah, you laughed!

I see everyone’s here. You seem to be enjoying yourselves, but that’s no surprise. Congratulations on the success of the summer festival!

I’m truly grateful that I was able to act as support for such wonderful youngsters such as yourselves.

Thank you so much!! We couldn’t have done it without you and all of the Shodoshima locals!

Eat and drink as much as you want, everyone! I’ll cover the whole bill for you!

With your own money, I assume?

Ye… Yes, of course!

We were certain the weather control device you borrowed would not be able to clear the weather on time… So how did it stop raining?

What magic did the students cast on the sky?

Isotake-kun stated that they launched a skyrocket to pray for good weather… I find it difficult to believe that a simple firework would clear the rain. The mystery deepens… Curiouser and curiouser…

I’m not really good at science, so I don’t understand the specifics, but… Maybe their prayers were answered because they’re good people.

I agree, as someone who’s also not suited for science.

I see, so you hypothesize that science is not at play here. Even curiouser…!

(Sakujiro-san looks excited…)

Do you guys think I can order another hishio-don?

Since the chief is paying for us, I’m sure it’s fine.

Alrighty! Miss, can I get two more hishio-dons?!

Haha…

(It looks like everyone was able to make this a really fulfilling summer vacation. They all recognize how much they’ve accomplished…)

*sniff…*

Chief, are you getting emotional again? You adults cry even easier than we do.

…Mm.

(This summer was a success…! We did it!)