The Japanese have a deep affection for festivals, which add vibrant colors to their cultural life. Almost every region in Japan holds various festivals throughout the year, with the peak occurring during the summer.
Even though the scorching summer has passed and given way to the cool beginnings of autumn, the festival spirit has not yet waned. In early September, there are still a few festivals that take advantage of the remaining warmth before the air turns truly cold.
One of these is the fire flower festival, which, despite being synonymous with summer, is often still held in early September.
Tonight, along the famous banks of the Sumida River in the Asakusa area, a major festival is underway.
The fire flower festival is an iconic summer celebration in Japan. Thousands of fireworks are launched high into the night sky, bursting and scattering into thousands of colorful sparks that form stunning patterns.
The atmosphere around the Sumida River tonight is very lively. Rows of stalls are neatly lined up, selling various festival delicacies. The savory aroma of takoyaki, yakisoba, yakitori, and grilled squid fills the air, mingling with the sweetness of cotton candy and caramel-covered apples.
The joyful cheers of visitors playing traditional games like goldfish scooping with paper nets or water balloon fishing with hooks add to the festive mood.
Visitors, young and old, big and small, many are wearing yukata—a more casual summer kimono—with bright patterns and colors. They walk in pairs, with family, or in groups with friends, enjoying the sights and the sense of togetherness.
Almost everyone seems to have come to enjoy this night. Only the white-collar workers, the so-called corporate slaves, who are confined to their offices for overtime, might be missing out on this precious moment.
Amidst the sea of people crowding the banks of the Sumida River, mingling with thousands of joyous visitors, is a very special individual—someone who, if known to the European magical world, would make them tremble in fear and immediately offer their utmost respect and the finest treatment befitting a supreme ruler: the Seventh Campione, Rokuhara Ren!
The European magical world, which has been thoroughly disciplined by Marquis Voban, harbors deep psychological trauma towards the Campiones. While there are always a few foolish individuals who recklessly dare to test a Campione's power, most of them are more obedient and submissive than their counterparts in the Far East magical world.
However, tonight, Ren has no need for special grandeur or luxury. He is content to blend in with ordinary people, enjoying the festival crowds like a typical teenager.
"We live in the same house, why didn't we just go together? Haaah... Women's minds are hard to understand." He muttered to himself, glancing at his luxurious watch for the umpteenth time.
He had been waiting long enough for the partner who would accompany him to enjoy the festival.
Suddenly, a soft touch brushed against his cheek.
"Waiting for a woman is a man's duty, you know~ Ren-kun won't be popular with girls if he's not patient."
He knew that voice well. Ren turned around and was greeted by a mesmerizing sight.
Masha and Alya, the two Kujou sisters who are carrying his children, were standing behind him wearing perfect yukatas.
Masha wore a bright fuchsia-colored yukata with a white and blue hydrangea pattern. Her obi belt was wide and tied in an elegant taiko knot, navy blue with silver thread embroidery. Her brown hair, usually loose, was now tied up in a half-updo with a traditional hair clip shaped like a hydrangea, matching her yukata.
Alya, who is usually a tsundere, looked different tonight. In front of Ren, she chose to be gentle and sweet, afraid of being disliked by the man she so deeply loved. Her yukata was a pale lavender, adorned with a delicate and feminine pattern of white and light green tassels. Her obi was mint green combined with purple, tied in a slightly more modern but still modest way. Her platinum-like silver hair was neatly braided over one shoulder, decorated with a small butterfly-shaped hairpin.
"What do you think, Ren-kun?" Masha slowly spun around, showing off her full look in the yukata. Her sweet smile was full of hope for a compliment.
"You both look beautiful." Ren said lightly, though the compliment was sincere.
"That's it?" Masha grumbled, puffing out her cheeks and looking away with an exaggerated pouting expression. "Boo~ boo~ that line is too cliché, isn't it? You should be more creative, Ren-kun!"
Compared to her childish big sister, Alya seemed calmer. Her face was slightly flushed.
"Thank you for the compliment." With a shy but meaningful gesture, she brushed her silver hair behind her ear, revealing her long, pale neck—a deliberate sight to attract Ren's attention.
"Stop pouting, Masha. Let's start walking around." Ren ignored Masha's behavior.
"Haiz, you're no fun at all, Ren-kun." Masha complained with a dramatic sigh. "You didn't even try to please me a little bit."
Despite her complaints, she dutifully and without hesitation immediately linked her arm tightly with Ren's right arm, pressing her warm body close to his. On the other side, with still-flushed cheeks, Alya took a steady step and linked her arm with Ren's left. Her touch was more cautious, but just as firm.
Instantly, they became the center of attention. Looks of envy, admiration, and jealousy floated from the men—and even some women—around them. A man accompanied by two stunningly beautiful biracial girls was a rare sight and sparked a lot of speculation.
Under those scrutinizing eyes, the three of them began to walk down the rows of stalls. The savory aroma of takoyaki and yakisoba filled the air. Masha immediately pulled Ren towards the takoyaki stand, her eyes sparkling.
"Ren-kun, I want this one! Buy me some!" Masha pleaded in a spoiled voice.
Meanwhile, Alya was drawn to the goldfish scooping stall with paper nets. "Ren-kun, can we try that later?"
"Sure."
Ren, squeezed between the two biological sisters, felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart for making them his, even if through a deplorable method.
"Ren-kun, look! Takoyaki! I want that one too!" Masha enthusiastically tugged on Ren's arm towards a stall that was emitting a tempting aroma. The vendor skillfully flipped the batter in the round molds.
"You just had dinner, Masha." but Ren still allowed himself to be dragged.
"But this is for the baby! He's hungry!" Masha argued, dramatically rubbing her small belly. "Right? You want delicious takoyaki?"
Ren sighed but finally ordered one serving. "This is the last one for you tonight."
When the vendor handed over the warm takoyaki sprinkled with sauce, Masha immediately popped a ball into her mouth.
"Aaaah, it's hot! But it's so good! Ren-kun, want to try?" She offered the skewer with a takoyaki to Ren's mouth.
Reluctantly, Ren ate one. "It's not bad."
Next, they approached the stall that had caught Alya's interest. Ren paid for three paper nets. The game turned out to be more difficult than they imagined. The thin paper easily tore when it touched the water.
"Ah! It's broken again!" Masha complained after her paper net tore for the third time without her succeeding in catching a single goldfish.
Alya carefully moved her paper net, managing to slide it under a golden goldfish. But when she lifted it, the paper tore and the fish fell back into the water. "What a shame. I was so close." Her voice sounded disappointed.
Watching closely, Ren took over. His hands moved steadily and quickly. In one smooth motion, he slid his paper net, lifted a beautiful goldfish, and transferred it into a small bowl. The paper didn't even get wet at all.
"Wow! Amazing, Ren-kun!" Masha clapped her hands cheerfully.
"As expected of Ren-kun." Alya praised, her eyes looking at Ren with admiration.
The vendor was also impressed, putting the goldfish into a plastic bag with water and handing it to Alya. "This is for you, young lady. Good luck will surely be with you."
"Thank you." Alya held the bag carefully as if it were a treasure.
They continued walking, trying various foods. Alya was interested in a big, pink cotton candy, while Masha ravenously ate yakisoba.
"Ren-kun, ikayaki! I want that one too!" Masha pleaded again.
"You're so greedy tonight." Ren commented, but once again, he fulfilled her request.
Maybe Masha was having a craving? After all, cravings are normal for pregnant women. For example, Itsuki craved her favorite meat buns from her high school days.
"..."
As they walked past a shooting game stall, Masha pointed excitedly. "Ren-kun, win me a prize! I want that big teddy bear!"
The targets were a row of cans arranged in a pyramid.
Ren raised an eyebrow. "That's just a waste of time."
"But I want it! Please~" Masha whined, hugging his arm and rubbing her head against Ren's shoulder.
"Haaah... Fine."
With a sigh, Ren paid and took the toy gun. He aimed quickly and without hesitation.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Three shots, three cans fell. The can pyramid collapsed.
The vendor was stunned. "Incredible! We have a winner! Please choose your prize, young man."
Masha immediately grabbed the big brown teddy bear. "Yay! Thank you, Ren-kun!" She hugged the bear tightly.
Alya looked at the bear with a hint of envy.
"I... I want a prize too." She whispered softly to Ren.
"Okay. Leave it to me. It's not fair to only give one of you, right?" Ren went to the stall next to it, which had water balloon fishing with paper hooks. With the same dexterity, he won a beautiful plum blossom-shaped hairpin for Alya.
"This is for you, Alya."
Alya blushed. "Thank you, Ren-kun." Then, she bowed her head slightly so Ren could put the hairpin in her braided hair. "Does it suit me?"
"Very beautiful." Ren answered simply, and Alya's cheeks flushed even more.
Seeing this, Masha pouted. "Hmph! You're playing favorites!"
The three of them continued to have fun, enjoying the lively festival atmosphere.