The car drove away, carrying Ichika to the audition location. Ryuya then turned around and returned to the hotel rooftop.
He briefly explained Ichika's situation to the four sisters.
"This… we clearly promised we'd go together," Nino muttered disappointedly.
"This was Ichika's own choice. We should respect it," Itsuki said seriously.
Nino frowned slightly.
"Of course I understand that. It's just… this only happens once a year. There will always be more opportunities for work, right?"
As she said this, it was clear that in Nino's heart, the five sisters attending the once a year fireworks festival together was far more important. Work, on the other hand, could always be found again.
But Ryuya understood that Ichika valued this opportunity very much.
She had worked toward this day for half a year.
It was definitely not something that could be easily given up like Nino had said.
He walked over to Nino and quietly explained on Ichika's behalf.
"You might not understand, but opportunities are fleeting. Ichika wants to seize this chance, so she can't simply keep waiting like you suggested."
"Perhaps settling for the second best does sound like a way to satisfy everyone, but life becomes ordinary precisely because people keep settling for the second best."
Nino glared at him, clearly emotional.
In her heart, what mattered most was that the five sisters stayed together. Because of that, she felt dissatisfied with Ryuya's words.
"In the end, you just don't understand what this fireworks festival means to us. We were never supposed to be separated. Can you stop lecturing us?"
Her tone was somewhat harsh, making the other three sisters frown slightly.
"Nino, watch how you talk," Miku reprimanded bluntly.
Nino refused to back down and said firmly,
"Did I say anything wrong?"
Miku was about to respond again, but Ryuya raised his hand to stop her and spoke calmly to Nino.
"You didn't say anything wrong. I really shouldn't be lecturing you."
After saying that, he turned and walked away.
As he passed Yotsuba and Itsuki, he lowered his voice.
"She's a little emotional right now. Keep an eye on her. I'll step out for a while."
He knew Ichika's worries had not been mistaken.
Ichika leaving was bound to cause some disagreement among the quintuplets.
So at this moment, it was better for everyone to calm down.
Itsuki looked surprised.
"Huh? Where are you going?"
"Just to take care of something. I'll come find you once I'm done," Ryuya said softly before heading downstairs.
Watching his departing figure, Yotsuba's mouth opened slightly as she said nervously,
"D-Do you think he's angry…"
"Probably… not?" Itsuki was not sure either.
After all, Ryuya had always been someone who never showed his emotions on his face. How could she possibly read what he was thinking?
Seeing Ryuya leave, Nino also began to feel a little regretful.
Maybe what she said earlier had been too harsh…
No matter what, Ryuya had always treated them with patience and kindness.
How could she speak to him like that?
Nino wanted to apologize, but Ryuya had already left. Whatever she wanted to say could only stay bottled up inside her.
She could only sit there gloomily.
Fireworks continued exploding across the sky.
The four sisters looked up at the bursts of colorful flames in the night sky.
The vibrant fireworks should have been a beautiful sight.
But in their hearts, it did not feel good at all.
Ichika was not there.
And the image of Ryuya's departing back lingered in their minds.
Before they knew it, all of them had begun to drift into restless thoughts.
Nino could not shake the feeling that Ryuya was angry.
Her heart was conflicted, wondering if that boy might be very disappointed in her.
Meanwhile, Ichika had already arrived at the audition venue by car. After changing out of her yukata, she managed to make it just in time.
The audition began.
She started performing, reciting lines she had long since memorized by heart.
Yet in her mind, Ryuya's words kept echoing.
Living by freely expressing your true feelings… is that really the easiest way to live?
He really is a broad minded guy.
Somehow, it made her a little envious…
Ah, but if she admitted that honestly, that guy would probably get smug about it, right?
The image of Ryuya appeared in her mind, and Ichika's lips unconsciously curved into a smile.
The audition judges all paused slightly.
They could not help but marvel at how genuine the girl's emotions looked.
It felt like true feelings were pouring out naturally, perfectly portraying the budding romance in a young girl's heart.
This was real talent.
Several judges exchanged glances and unanimously agreed that Ichika had passed the audition.
When she received the news, Ichika still looked a little stunned.
She… passed?
It felt… surprisingly easy…
The pressure in her heart suddenly lifted, and joy filled her completely.
Walking out of the audition company building, Ichika glanced at the time.
By now, the fireworks festival should already be over…
Suddenly, a magic circle lit up ahead, and Ryuya appeared through teleportation.
The bearded man accompanying Ichika stood there with his mouth hanging open, staring at Ryuya as if he had seen a ghost.
Ryuya glanced at him and casually cast a spell of common sense alteration.
Immediately, the man stopped reacting so dramatically.
"Finished with the audition?" Ryuya asked.
"Yeah. I passed."
"Not bad. Congratulations."
Ryuya's tone was calm as ever.
Ichika, however, immediately thought about her sisters.
"How are they? They didn't say anything… right?"
"Nothing much. Let's go. Everything's basically ready, so we need to hurry."
As he said that, Ryuya looked at her.
"We're a bit short on time. Do you mind if I carry you?"
"Uh… n-no, I don't mind…"
Although she said that, Ichika's face still turned red.
"That's good. Besides, I've carried you before."
As he spoke, Ryuya bent down and lifted Ichika into a bridal carry.
"Hold on tight."
The moment he finished speaking, he dashed forward.
Ichika let out a startled cry.
Her vision blurred for a moment, and when she could see clearly again, she realized they were rapidly weaving between tall skyscrapers, the scenery around them rushing past at incredible speed.
"Ahhh!!"
Frightened, she clung tightly to Ryuya.
This was far more thrilling than any roller coaster or drop tower ride.
"T-This is too scary, waaah…"
As an ordinary person, she had never experienced anything like this.
Ichika felt her whole body go weak.
"Don't worry. It's perfectly safe."
"I know that, but experiencing it firsthand is still terrifying!"
Her voice had almost turned into a whimper.
Ryuya could only laugh helplessly and comfort her a few times.
At the same time, he was thinking that perhaps he really should learn flight magic.
After all, ordinary people like Ichika could not use teleportation magic.
If they encountered situations like this again, where he had to carry someone while running across rooftops, it might be a little too intense for normal people.
…
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