The second day of the Ginkgo Festival ended without a hitch.
No, to be honest, it was so busy and hectic compared to the first day that I couldn't really say it went smoothly. Still, it was decided that the whole class would be going to an all-you-can-eat Yakiniku place of a higher grade.
Going for Yakiniku. Just that alone allows growing teenagers to exert more power than usual. The power of Yakiniku is truly great.
And then came the third day, Saturday.
Today, the school is open to the public, and outside guests are allowed to enter.
However.
"I never thought the school would actually ask us to stay quiet," I muttered.
"Ahaha... well, it can't be helped. Not after seeing this situation," Riran replied.
Riran and I were looking down from an empty classroom. In the courtyard, on the grounds, and even inside the school building. Not just parents, but school alumni, elderly people from the neighborhood, and even middle school students aiming for Ginkgo High School had swarmed in, creating a chaotic situation.
If we weren't careful, there were more people here than at a typical summer festival nearby.
"The effect of the Dark Scarlet Thread is truly terrifying."
"Sanzenin-sensei said it too. She mentioned there's never been this many people before."
"I bet."
As a result, Riran and I were exempted from our duties like this. There's no telling what might happen if we were in the classroom.
"But what should we do now? We did get permission from Sensei to walk around the Ginkgo Festival, though."
"I feel like if we move carelessly, something strange will happen again."
But I promised to show Kotono and Noa around. As I was thinking about that, my smartphone suddenly vibrated.
"Ah, as I thought."
"What's wrong?"
"It's from Kotono and Noa. Look."
Kotono: Onii, we're here~
Noa: Akito-senpai, where are you? (っ ॑ω ॑c) Excitement
Kotono: There are way too many people!
Noa: I'm hungry~! (›´ω`‹ ) Starving
Kotono: Onii! ۹(◦`H´◦)۶ Grump!
Noa: Senpai! (「 `・ω・)「 Gao~
Man, they're really pushing it. Riran had a wry smile on her face too.
"Since they're acting so spoiled, we have no choice but to respond, right, Onii-chan?"
"Don't call me Onii-chan. Well, it doesn't feel bad to be relied on."
"I wonder if I can be spoiled too?"
"You're always acting spoiled."
"More~"
She clung to my arm and rested her head on my shoulder. Since her appearance was that of a perfect beautiful boy (with some exceptions), it felt a bit awkward.
Besides, I feel like Riran's spoiled behavior—or rather, her physical contact—has been getting more intense lately.
I don't feel bad about it. In fact, I'm happy... but...
"Akito? What's wrong?"
"...No, it's nothing."
I gently stroked Riran's head. She smiled happily and snuggled even closer to me.
Increased physical contact. Becoming better at acting spoiled. Smiling more.
None of these are bad things at all, but...
"I wonder if I can hold back..."
"Did you say something?"
"No, nothing."
The problem is simply whether I, as a man, can endure it. Even in high school, there are many couples who do what needs to be done. Ryūya and Neika are like that, and based on the atmosphere, Riza-san and Rion probably do it too.
However, the situation is different for Riran and me.
Given the color of our thread, we can't just easily engage in those kinds of acts. ...But, well.
"Muu. Akito, why are you spacing out? Look at me more—nn!?"
I lifted Riran's chin and dropped a light kiss. Just that caused a sweet, numbing sensation to pierce through my whole body. We can't cross the line, but even this is enough to make me feel happy.
For now, I'll have to settle for this.
"Ah, uh...?"
"Sorry. For some reason, I just felt like acting a bit spoiled too. ...L-Let's head over to where Kotono and the others are waiting."
"U-Uh... yeah..."
I took the hand of the dazed Riran and left the empty classroom, heading toward the courtyard where Kotono and the others were waiting.
As a side note, the couples and married pairs who saw Riran and me kissing were affected by the atmosphere and wanted to get flirty with their own partners, so they went home. It seems the crowd decreased slightly.
Furthermore, it is said that for the female students, a new door was opened by the sight of boy x boy.
This is just a side story I heard at a later date.