"…Taki?"
Kitahara Makoto stopped.
He recognized at a glance the petite, elementary school-like girl in a yukata in the corner.
Although he could only see her profile, Kitahara Makoto was certain he hadn't mistaken her.
Speaking of which, looking from the side, this Taki clearly had a bit of a 'mountain range from the side, peaks from the front' feel. If Anon were used as a unit of measurement, she'd be at least five times the amount of Anon.
However, Taki's expression at this moment was anxious, just like an elementary school student who had accidentally gotten lost. She looked to be in a very bad state.
"Taki, are you okay?"
Kitahara Makoto strode to Taki's side.
"Eh?"
Hearing Kitahara Makoto's voice, Taki quickly turned around, a hint of surprise flashing across her small face, then she tensed her face and closed her right eye, saying:
"I'm fine…"
"Still saying you're fine." Kitahara Makoto couldn't help but retort, "Tears are already falling, hurry up and wipe them."
Taki: "..."
Did Taki encounter a pervert?" Kitahara Makoto guessed.
"No way!" Taki gritted her teeth. "When I was watching the fireworks festival just now, something fell into my eye from the sky. I can't rub it out, and it's so uncomfortable."
"I see." Kitahara Makoto nodded lightly, then suggested, "It must be really uncomfortable to have something in your eye… How about I blow it for Taki?"
"…"
She had wanted Kitahara Makoto to help her blow it out just now, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
But Kitahara Makoto had now offered…
"Okay."
Taki turned her small face away and quietly agreed.
If it were a stranger, she would rather grit her teeth and bear it than let him help blow her eye, but Kitahara Makoto… he was no longer a stranger.
"The fireworks were too loud just now." Kitahara Makoto bent down slightly, bringing his face close to Taki's ear. "Taki, speak louder and say it again."
Taki was about to say it again, but her gaze suddenly caught the smile on Kitahara Makoto's face, and she immediately clenched her fists in annoyance:
"Go away! I don't need your help anymore!"
Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't leave. He smiled and said:
"I already know Taki's feelings."
Taki: "…I don't have any feelings for you, okay?!"
"Stop talking, let's get the dirt out of your eye first." Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand, touched Taki's small head, bent closer, and said gently, "We can talk about anything else later."
"Hmph~"
Taki let out a soft hum, but still cooperated by raising her small face and trying to open her eyes wide.
"Phew…"
Kitahara Makoto leaned in to help blow the dust.
Dirt that falls into the eye is hard to rub out, but it's very easy to blow out.
Taki, with her small face tilted up, felt that Kitahara Makoto had only blown a few times, and the discomfort in her eye quickly dissipated, and she soon felt comfortable.
Her gaze shifted slightly, falling upon Kitahara Makoto's face.
A patient, meticulous, and serious expression.
Clear and gentle eyes.
Perfectly proportioned facial features.
And the fireworks blooming across the sky behind Kitahara Makoto…
Thump-thump.
Under the sky full of fireworks, Taki clearly heard her heartbeat quicken.
Without a doubt, this was the feeling of falling in love…
"It's, it's fine now!"
Taki snapped back to reality, quickly stepped back half a step, her small face flushed as she distanced herself from Kitahara Makoto.
(Calm down! Quickly calm down!)
(Taki, do you only have this much resolve?)
(Don't forget your initial goal is to keep Tomori away from the scumbag and get her life back on track!)
"Thank you for what you did just now, you can…"
Taki thanked him in a low voice, just as she was about to part ways with Kitahara Makoto, a soft cry suddenly rang out:
"Taki, I finally found you!"
Kitahara Makoto looked over at the sound and saw a tall girl in a yukata excitedly jogging over.
"It's Taki's sister."
Kitahara Makoto recognized her identity at a glance.
Beside Taki's sister, there was also a middle-aged couple in yukatas, who appeared to be Taki's parents.
Presumably, the family of four had gone out together to watch the fireworks festival, but there were too many people at the fireworks festival, and they accidentally got separated.
(Oh, oh no…)
Seeing her sister and parents approaching, Taki felt her scalp tingle and instantly panicked.
(After so much persuasion, I finally got my parents to drop the idea of inviting Kitahara-kun over for dinner. If they run into Kitahara-kun now… it's too dangerous, no matter how you think about it!)
Taki gritted her teeth, quickly looked at Kitahara Makoto, and whispered:
"You should go…"
Unfortunately, it was one step too late.
Before she could finish her sentence, Taki's sister had already recognized Kitahara Makoto, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she exclaimed:
"Dad, Mom, look! That boy is Kitahara-kun, Taki's boyfriend!"
(It's, it's over…)
Taki closed her eyes in despair.
"I don't think we can leave now," Kitahara Makoto said in a low voice. "But don't panic, leave it to me."
Since they had already been seen, turning around and leaving now would undoubtedly be extremely rude, and Kitahara Makoto certainly wouldn't leave like that.
Before long, Taki's sister led the two sisters' parents through the crowd and squeezed over.
"Good evening, Uncle and Auntie."
Kitahara Makoto bowed politely.
"You must be Kitahara-kun, right?"
Taki's mother, wearing a pink and white yukata, was not as serious and earnest as Taki; she looked quite sweet and gentle. She quickly sized up Kitahara Makoto, and a look of satisfaction soon appeared on her face.
There was no other way.
This world was a world that judged by appearance.
As his charm continued to increase, people would instinctively develop a good impression of Kitahara Makoto just by looking at him.
"I am Kitahara Makoto. Nice to meet you both. Please guide me."
Kitahara Makoto said neither humbly nor arrogantly:
"I wanted to visit you both before, but I was tied up with important matters and couldn't find the time. Please forgive me."
"It's alright, we can talk about it when you have time." Taki's mother smiled and waved her hand, asking curiously, "I'll just call you Makoto-kun, how did Makoto-kun and Taki meet?"
After all, her daughter attended an all-girls school, so it should be difficult for her to meet boys.
"Taki has a very good friend whom I also happen to know. Through her, I got to know Taki, and then we gradually became familiar, and then I confessed to Taki…"
Kitahara Makoto maintained a composed expression, spouting nonsense with a straight face.
(Ptooey~)
(Talking nonsense with your eyes wide open, Tomori must have been tricked by your sweet words back then, right?)
Taki's small face flushed, and she couldn't help but inwardly spit.
"I was worried that Taki would be deceived, after all, this child is always silent at home and doesn't tell us anything…" Taki's mother said with a smile, clearly very satisfied with Kitahara Makoto. "Now I can finally rest assured."
(Rest assured about what?!)
(This guy wants to openly have a harem, and it's not just one or two; two mahjong tables wouldn't even be enough!)
Taki kept complaining in her mind.
Unfortunately, not only could she not expose Kitahara Makoto's true colors now, but she also had to help him speak. In short, it was very irritating.
"Taki has become much more cheerful recently," Taki's sister interjected, her voice clear and sweet. "Yesterday, Taki was eating potato chips on the sofa, and when I passed by, Taki actually asked me if I wanted some! She never used to ask me before, I was so happy! I almost cried at that moment!"
Taki lightly twitched the corner of her mouth, unable to help but retort:
"It was just a bag of potato chips, isn't sister exaggerating a bit?"
After the feeling of inferiority disappeared, her personality was indeed quietly becoming more cheerful.
In the past, at home, she only felt her sister's shadow everywhere, and she couldn't breathe. Now she could finally face her sister directly.
When one's mindset changes, one's entire personality will naturally undergo subtle changes.
"Of course she did." Taki's sister showed a pitiful expression. "When Taki was little, she would follow me all day. If she accidentally fell, she would immediately shout 'Sister, hug me.' Unfortunately, as she grew up, she stopped being close to me."
Taki: "…"
She's not a child anymore, so she's bound to be different from when she was little, right?
Taki's sister clasped her hands in front of her chest, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Kitahara Makoto:
"It was after dating Kitahara-kun that Taki became cheerful. Indeed, love can change a person."
Taki looked up at the sound, glanced at Kitahara Makoto, and said nothing.
(Of course, it's not because of love that I've become cheerful, but… it is indeed because of this guy that I've changed.)
"Makoto-kun, when do you have time to come visit us?"
Taki's mother enthusiastically invited him, growing more and more satisfied with Kitahara Makoto. If a hundred was a perfect score, she would definitely give Kitahara Makoto ninety-nine points.
His attitude was polite, his appearance refined and gentle. Not only did he quietly make Taki more cheerful and resolve family conflicts, but he also saved Taki's sister at the stadium. Most importantly, Taki liked him… Taki was clearly incredibly lucky to find such a good boyfriend!
Hearing her invite Kitahara Makoto to their home again, Taki quickly said:
"Mom, this guy is super busy every day, so don't bother him."
Kitahara Makoto said seriously:
"I am quite busy, but Uncle and Auntie's invitation is also very important. I will make time to visit."
"…Huh?!"
Taki immediately looked up, glaring at him in annoyance.
(You're not really my boyfriend, why would you come to visit?!)
Kitahara Makoto secretly winked at Taki, saying gently and politely:
"When I have time, I will visit Uncle and Auntie."
As for when he would have time, that was unknown.
"…"
After chatting for a while longer, Kitahara Makoto prepared to take his leave. If he didn't go back soon, Anon would surely be getting impatient.
But before he could walk away, a clear and pleasant female voice rang out first:
"Stupid Kitahara, I told you to buy ice cream, why haven't you come back yet?"
Kitahara Makoto looked over at the sound. The girl speaking had pink hair down to her waist and was holding a small round fan. Who else could it be but Anon?
"Eh?" Taki's sister blinked, blurting out, "Matching yukatas?"
"…"
The atmosphere instantly became subtle.
Taki's mother's smile disappeared, her gaze quickly retracted from Anon, and then she looked at Kitahara Makoto.
(It's, it's over…)
Taki tightly clenched her small fists, feeling as if her heart had stopped beating.
(If Mom finds out this guy has a harem, she'll definitely order me to break off all contact with him, and never see him again, right?)
(But Tomori hasn't been saved yet…)
(What should I do?)
(Or else, secretly behind mother's back...)
Suddenly being bumped into like that, even Kitahara Makoto's thick skin couldn't help but feel a little guilty at this moment.
However, Kitahara Makoto didn't plan to hide it.
A true man should have the courage to face an explosion head-on.
Just as Kitahara Makoto took a deep breath, preparing to self-destruct, Chihaya Anon blinked her eyes, suddenly stepped forward quickly, grabbed Kitahara Makoto's arm, and then a sweet smile appeared on her pretty face, and she called out in an exceptionally sweet voice:
"Onii-chan ~"
"..."
Kitahara Makoto shivered slightly, already feeling a 'Danger' sign appearing above his head.
The voice sounded sweet and greasy, but Anon's little tiger teeth were clearly showing!
"Eh?" Taki's mother said in surprise, "She is Kitahara-kun's younger sister?"
If she was his younger sister, wearing the same style of yukata would naturally not be considered matching couple outfits.
"This..."
A hint of hesitation appeared on Kitahara Makoto's face, still wondering what to say, Chihaya Anon had already looked at Taki's mother and preemptively said:
"You must be Onii-chan's girlfriend, right?"
Taki's mother's pretty face quickly turned red, and she hurriedly waved her hand shyly:
"I, I'm not, you've mistaken me! Taki is his girlfriend!"
"..."
It has to be said that this pink-haired girl is quite clever, and with just one sentence, she dispelled the doubts just now.
After believing Anon's identity as 'Onee-chan', matching couple yukatas naturally didn't matter, and couple bracelets also didn't arouse suspicion. Taki's mother even warmly invited the two to watch the fireworks festival together.
Kitahara Makoto certainly wouldn't choose to stay. Whether it was Anon or Taki, they obviously didn't want to watch the fireworks festival together, so he simply made an excuse and then said goodbye and left.
"Huff..."
Squeezing to the riverside, after not seeing Taki's family, Kitahara Makoto finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Onii-chan ~"
An exceptionally sweet and greasy voice floated into Kitahara Makoto's ears.
It sounded as sweet as maltose, but Kitahara Makoto knew very well that there was a hidden murderous intent beneath the sweetness.
Kitahara Makoto gently moved the corner of his mouth and raised his hands, saying:
"Anon, listen to my explanation, I just happened to run into Taki, who knew it would be such a coincidence, and we just happened to meet..."
After listening to Kitahara Makoto's explanation quietly, Chihaya Anon still had a sweet smile on her face, and said with her hands behind her back:
"I clearly didn't ask anything, why is Onii-chan in such a hurry to explain? Are you feeling guilty?"
"Not feeling guilty." Kitahara Makoto said sternly, "I promised before that I would only accompany Anon to watch the fireworks festival today, of course I don't want Anon to misunderstand."
"Hmm ~"
Chihaya Anon hummed softly and stretched her right hand in front of Kitahara Makoto:
"Bring it here."
Kitahara Makoto was stunned: "What thing?"
Chihaya Anon tilted her head and looked over, smiling sweetly:
"We agreed to go buy ice cream, but now you've even forgotten about the ice cream... Does Onii-chan really not have a place for me in your heart?"
It's normal to forget with the sudden accident just now!
Kitahara Makoto simply said:
"I'll go buy it right away."
"Forget it." Chihaya Anon shook her head, a pitiful expression appearing on her pretty face, "I disturbed Onii-chan and Taki-san's date, and now I'm asking Onii-chan to buy ice cream, Onii-chan must be very unhappy, right?"
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault..."
Kitahara Makoto: "..."
Enough, speak properly, don't be so pretentious!
Kitahara Makoto helplessly pressed his forehead:
"Anon, speak properly."
"Is Onii-chan already disliking me now?" Chihaya Anon bit her lower lip aggrievedly, her tone resentful, "I really am an extra existence..."
Kitahara Makoto was expressionless, simply stretched out his right hand, hugged the troublemaking pink-haired girl into his arms, and then lowered his head and kissed her without hesitation.
"Ugh—"
Chihaya Anon opened her eyes wide, wanting to refuse, but unfortunately she was too weak to struggle at all.
After a moment.
Noticing the gazes coming from all directions, Chihaya Anon's pretty face was flushed, panting, and she shyly hid in Kitahara Makoto's arms, not daring to look up at people.
"You idiot scumbag-kun, what are you doing in public!"
Chihaya Anon stretched out her small hand and kept pinching Kitahara Makoto's waist.
Kitahara Makoto lowered his head and said:
"Is Anon still calling me Onii-chan now?"
"Hmph, I'll call you when we get back."
"Then I'll go raid you tonight."
"Tch~"
"..."
After her anger subsided, this Anon finally stopped smiling insincerely and calling him Onii-chan.
Time passed quietly.
In the blink of an eye, it was 8:30 in the evening.
As the last grand firework dissipated in the night breeze, the fireworks festival finally came to an end.
Countless pedestrians were bustling and preparing to go home.
Kitahara Makoto looked at Anon:
"Let's go, let's go to the train station, I'll send you back."
"Don't take the train, now whether it's the train or the subway, it's definitely going to be packed to the point of explosion." Chihaya Anon hugged Kitahara Makoto's arm tightly, to prevent being separated by the crowd, "Let's go to the cold drink shop first, we're thirsty anyway, let's have some cold drinks, and then go to the bathroom and ask Hana to help us go back, okay?"
"Whatever Anon says."
Kitahara Makoto agreed, protecting Anon through the crowd, and finally came to a restaurant by the road.
The two pushed open the door and entered the cold drink shop, ordered two glasses of cold drinks, leisurely finished drinking, and then walked into the bathroom one after the other. With the help of Hana, they each went home.
"...Finally back."
Kitahara Makoto loosened the collar of his yukata, preparing to take a bath.
The weather was hot, and Asakusa Temple was so crowded that it was already covered in sweat.
"Makoto-kun, welcome back."
A girl's indifferent voice sounded from behind.
Kitahara Makoto turned his head and looked over: "Mutsumi has already come over?"
"I want to sleep with Makoto-kun tonight." Mutsumi said expressionlessly, tilting her head slightly, "Did Makoto-kun go to see the fireworks festival?"
Kitahara Makoto frankly admitted:
"That's right."
Mutsumi didn't ask who he went to see it with at all, but directly said:
"I want to go see the fireworks festival with Makoto-kun."
Faced with Mutsumi's invitation, Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't refuse:
"Tomorrow... the day after tomorrow, if I'm free the day after tomorrow, I'll go see the fireworks festival."
Tomorrow he still has to go to Otherworld with Nijika and Yamada Ryo to pick Eden Fruit, only the day after tomorrow will he have time.
"I'm going to take a bath first."
Kitahara Makoto waved his hand and walked towards the bathroom.
"Does Makoto-kun want me to help scrub his back?"
Mutsumi's voice was expectant.
"No need." Kitahara Makoto said without turning his head, "Mutsumi can just watch TV."
"Then I'll go wash the fruit and feed Makoto-kun fruit later."
"..."