Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818093088829455155
We left the gymnasium and started walking with Sakine-chan’s cheerful voice.
“It was great, Haruki Onii chani! Hey, hey, do it again!”
Sakine-chan said as she tugged on my sleeve.
She was still feeling the afterglow of the concert, or perhaps she was more excited than usual.
“Don’t say “one more time” so easily. We’ve been practicing for days.”
Saying that, I lightly pat Sakine-chan on the head. She smiled rather happily.
Next to her is Hina. She is smiling quietly as she listens to our conversation, but she is somewhat absent-minded.
I glance at her face and our gazes meet. She looks surprised for a moment, but then quickly looks away.
We headed straight for the tent area where the food stalls were lined up. Sakine-chan was pulling Hina’s hand along the way. Hina was looking at Sakine, who seemed to be enjoying herself, but I noticed that she occasionally took a deep breath.
When we arrived at the cheese hatg stall, there was a line of people waiting in line.
Sakinee-chan was begging, “I can’t wait to eat it!” I shrugged and got in line.
“Well, well, that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?”
“But I’m hungry!~”
Sakine-chan began to fidget like a child.
Hina soothed her by saying, “It’s just a little patience,” just like a mother would.
When my turn finally came, I ordered three cheese hutgu.
When the freshly fried hutgu are handed to me, Sakine-chan exclaims, “Yay!”
“Here, these are for you, Sakine-chan.”
“Yay! Thanks, onii chan!”
When I handed the hutgu to Hina as well, she smiled and said a small “thank you”.
I was a little relieved to see that her smile had regained some of its brightness.
Sakine-chan took a bite and said, “The cheese stretches~!” she fussed with laughter.
“Onii chan! Take a picture! Take a picture!”
With that being said, I took a picture of Sakine-chan with her cheese stretched all over the screen with the camera of my smart phone.
She holds two cheese next to each other with both hands and takes a bite of both at the same time after a moment of hesitation.
When she released the cheese from her mouth, the cheese extended with it.
Just like some American comic book
Seeing her like that, I unintentionally turned on the camera I had activated earlier to take a picture of Sakine-chan, and pointed it at Hina and snapped the shutter.
“Ah!”
“That’s not the way to eat. If anyone sees you, you will be the subject of rumors.”
When I teased her, she tore off a piece of cheese and shoved it in her mouth, her cheeks flushing.
“B-Because …… they both looked so good I couldn’t decide which one I wanted!”
Saying this shyly, Hina looks a little miffed, but it’s also adorable.
Sakine-chan next to her is laughing hysterically at the sight of Hina.
“Nee chan, that’s great! Nee chan, do more!”
“I won’t do it again! It’s so embarrassing! And you, erase the picture too!”
“That’s not nice.”
“I told you to delete them!”
Hina’s mouth is slightly smiling as she says this.
◆
After finishing the hutgu, Sakine-chan said, “I want to go with you to the after-party too!”
Some parents might say, “It’s getting dark and it’s time for the good kids to go to bed,” but I think a little bit of that is okay.
“Then let’s go.”
Hina looked a little surprised when I said so, but quickly nodded her head.
The venue for the after-party was the grounds.
A large bonfire was set up in the center, and chairs and tables were arranged around it.
Another volunteer project was being held on the stage, and light music was playing.
Sakine-chan’s eyes lit up at the large bonfire and she said, “Wow, it’s so big! It’s so big!” She ran out to the fire.
“Hey, don’t run!”
The main event of the party was the “Pair Dance.”
An announcement echoed through the plaza laid out around the bonfire
“Now it’s time for the pair dance! Everyone, pair up with your loved ones or friends and dance!”
At this moment, the atmosphere around me changed a little. The whole venue was buzzing, especially the men and women who were looking for a partner.
I looked for Sakine-chan. She had found a kid her own age, and was happily holding hands with her parents by the campfire, laughing.
This makes me feel safe.
But when I looked to the side, I saw Hina standing there looking a little troubled.
“Hina, do you want to dance the pair dance ……?”
Suddenly, the words came out of my mouth. I was surprised at how natural my voice sounded.
Hina opened her eyes for a moment in surprise, but then her face turned red and she looked down.
“Eh,…… are you sure it’s okay with me?”
“Why do you say that? Of course it’s fine.”
I thought I said it jokingly, but Hina nodded in embarrassment.
“Then …… please.”
I held out my hand and Hina timidly took it.
Around the bonfire, many couples had already begun dancing. We stood a little apart from the other couples as light music played in the background.
“I’ve never danced before. ……”
Hina laughs a little uneasily.
“I’ve never done it before either. But I’m sure it will be fine.”
I pulled her hand lightly and she began to move her legs a little awkwardly.
We both laugh a lot because our movements don’t match each other.
“That’s surprisingly difficult, isn’t it?”
“True,……, but it’s kind of fun.”
The smile on Hina’s face was natural and different from what it had been a moment ago.
The warm light of the bonfire was a welcome sight. The warm light from the bonfire was illuminating her face with a hint of red.
When the song changed to a slow ballad, Hina stopped for a moment.
“This kind of thing is a little embarrassing.”
“Really? It’s not so bad.”
I shrugged my shoulders lightly, but Hina looked away and kept her eyes downcast.
“Thanks……, Hikaru.”
“Why?”
“For inviting me to the …… dance. I was so happy.”
Hina’s voice was so small that it seemed like it would disappear in the wind.
But those words are slowly sinking into my heart.
“Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to dance.”
“I see…….”
As she said that, Hina laughed a little. I was unable to say anything because of the sadness in her smile.
The song ended and we let go of each other’s hands amidst a round of applause. Hina looked at her hands a little regretfully, but quickly looked up.
Then, before the next song started, I called out to her
“Hey, will you go out with me for one more song?”
Hina’s eyes widened in surprise, but she immediately smiled.
“…… yes. I’d love to.”
We took hands again and surrendered ourselves to the music.
In the light of the bonfire, I felt a little closer to her.
After that, I met up with Sakine-chan and we went home without incident.
▼Diary of a Sakine▼
*with backstory
Today, I went to onee chan and onii chan’s school’s culture festival.
We did the first puzzle, and it was fun even though it was difficult.
I wanted to do it again.
Onii chan played the piano very well, and everyone in the gym had fun jumping up and down and doing handstands, it was amazing and cool.
The cheese hutgu that onii chan bought for me was so awesome. The cheese had a great flavor and was delicious.
Onee chan and I went to a place where people put on cat and dog ears and drank juice.
She looked so cute with cat ears on.
But when I took a picture of her, she got mad and erased it.
I want to go to Culture Festival with everyone again.
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