"Everyone's gone."
Seeing Erina Nakiri's somewhat surprised expression as she came to her senses, Hoshino Sora shrugged helplessly.
Because their feelings had already come to fruition, these girls clearly preferred to stay with other girls, and without realizing it, they had all dispersed.
But this was also good; Hoshino Sora found it a bit overwhelming to deal with so many people at once, and having only Erina was much easier, especially since they had done that thing last night.
Although he didn't want to admit it, their relationship and hearts had grown much closer because of it.
His arms swayed at his sides, and unconsciously, he took Erina Nakiri's hand; she didn't struggle or refuse, just nodded: "Yeah, they've all gone."
"Where do you want to go next? Is there any shop game you want to play, Erina?"
Looking at the various stalls around, Hoshino Sora's gaze searched the surroundings; nearby were goldfish scooping, ring toss, cork gun shooting, water balloon fishing, dart throwing, and various other games.
Besides these, there were also various fragrant snack stalls, but these snack stalls clearly couldn't attract Erina Nakiri, who possessed the God Tongue.
"Is there anything you want to play?"
Faced with the question, Erina Nakiri's face flushed slightly, then she turned her head and asked for Hoshino Sora's opinion instead, her eyes looking somewhat evasive.
"Water balloon fishing, let's go play together~"
Hoshino Sora keenly noticed Erina's peripheral vision looking at the colorful balloons not far away, and immediately his lips curved upwards, leading her towards the water balloon fishing stall.
"Okay."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Erina Nakiri's face also showed a bright smile, happy for the first time that their hearts were in sync, but she didn't know that he had done it intentionally.
"Hello."
"Hello."
The two then arrived at the water balloon stall; the owner was a kind old grandmother in a kimono, who immediately handed them hooks and introduced the rules upon their arrival.
The string for fishing water balloons was usually made of paper, and the hook was a paperclip; simply put, one end was attached to the paper string, and the other end formed a hook, used to hook the water balloons in the water with this small tool.
Having familiarized themselves with the rules, the two immediately squatted down to play; Erina Nakiri was the first to try, intently focusing on the beautiful water balloons in the pool.
Her eyes were filled with colorful hues; no girl would refuse beautiful things, and Erina Nakiri was naturally no exception.
Having stayed in Far Moon since childhood, she had never truly experienced a festival, which led her to be curious about everything around her.
This was also why she was so interested in fishing for water balloons now.
And...
Her gaze shifted to Hoshino Sora beside her; the surrounding crowd had dispersed, and the scene had become just the two of them.
At this moment, Erina Nakiri truly felt the taste of love, her heart filled with a gentle warmth, and a smile unconsciously bloomed on her face.
"Watch me!"
With a confident expression, Erina Nakiri squatted down, her eyes fixed on the water balloons inside, filled with seriousness.
For a moment, the air was thick with a tense atmosphere.
"Then I'll watch your performance."
Hoshino Sora, with a doting expression, stood by her side, holding a hook and playing with it, but mainly watching her fish for water balloons.
The water balloons were exceptionally colorful: red, yellow, green, purple, cyan, blue, adorned with beautiful patterns, looking exquisite in the water under the reflection of the lights.
Erina Nakiri seized the opportunity and hooked a water balloon; it was about to come up, but the paper string was too fragile, and the water balloon suspended in mid-air immediately fell back into the water.
In an instant, water splashed, getting Erina Nakiri's face wet, and her chest was also soaked. Hoshino Sora, seeing this, quickly reached out to wipe away the water droplets but forgot the occasion, making her blush crimson.
"You... I can do it myself."
Just as she was about to utter a word of reproach, she suddenly remembered their current relationship, so Erina Nakiri swallowed the words she was about to say and spoke softly instead.
It must be said, she had truly changed a lot during this time.
"Sorry, I did that subconsciously, I forgot we were outside."
Hearing Erina's words, Hoshino Sora immediately apologized, his gaze sweeping around. Although there weren't many people here, Erina was a girl after all, thin-skinned, so this reaction was normal.
"It's fine."
Feeling the weight disappear from her chest and seeing Hoshino Sora's awkward expression, Erina Nakiri felt a strange emptiness in her heart, but she quickly shook her head, indicating it was fine.
The atmosphere between the two became noticeably tenser. Erina Nakiri somehow felt her body inexplicably warm, as if there was a restless energy that hadn't been released.
This feeling was very strange, which also made Erina lose interest in fishing for water balloons. Although she was still trying, she couldn't catch any no matter how hard she tried.
Hoshino Sora, seeing this, didn't stay idle. His eyes were quick, and in a few swift movements, he fished out a blue-purple water balloon from the pond near him, a triumphant smile on his face like a victorious general.
"Alright, this is for you. Don't fish anymore, or Wallet-kun will start wailing."
Seeing Erina Nakiri pull out a ten-thousand-yen bill, ready to try another hundred times, Hoshino Sora quickly handed over the water balloon in his hand, then patted her head gently and said.
This guy somehow got into a battle with water balloons, having already spent tens of thousands of yen from just now until now.
Although Erina Nakiri, being a young lady, certainly wasn't short on money, Hoshino Sora felt bad watching her waste it.
So he took action.
As the most popular person in his middle school class, Hoshino Sora had been to festivals with many girls and was very good at these festival games.
Catching a water balloon in one go was just a basic skill for him.
"Thank you!"
Looking at the smile on Erina Nakiri's face in front of him, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but fall into a memory. Such a smile felt familiar, and the figure of a graceful girl seemed to appear before his eyes.
Yukino Yano, I wonder how she is doing now?
As soon as he thought of his first love, Hoshino Sora's eyes became hazy. He and Yano had spent a long time together, and they had done many things together.
He was even brought home by her. It could be said that they had done everything except the last step, their intimacy was evident.
Then, as for how such an intimate couple ended up breaking up, it all stemmed from the family education Yukino Yano received.
Unlike Yukino's hands-off education, Yukino Yano received a Spartan-style elite education. From clothing preferences to words and deeds, everything was clearly arranged by her family.
She was regulated on what to do at what time, how to behave in front of others, and even whom she should love in the future. Everything was controlled by her mother.
Because Yukino Yano was the family's facade, she had to maintain excellence in all aspects to uphold the family's reputation, which was the most tragic part of Yano's life.
A life not under her own control.
During middle school, she could still date Hoshino Sora and maintain stable contact, but as she entered high school, more responsibilities weighed on her, and she could no longer hide her relationship with Hoshino Sora from her mother.
This was the real reason for their breakup.
Her mother's obstruction, the other party told her that if she couldn't become the family's facade, then Yukino Yukino would.
To prevent her younger sister from becoming the next her, Yukino Yano tearfully broke up with Hoshino Sora. She cried very sadly that night, it was the first time in her life she had cried so heartbrokenly.
After that, outsiders clearly felt that she became colder than before when they saw her.
This was also an unavoidable matter.
Recalling this, a bitter smile appeared on Hoshino Sora's face, which made Erina Nakiri in front of him somewhat puzzled, thinking she had done something wrong.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just thought of an old acquaintance."
Hoshino Sora explained softly, if he were to look for her now, would she still be willing to be with him? With his current status and position, it wouldn't be difficult to make Yano marry him, but would she accept his current life?
Surrounded by wives and concubines, it was impossible to love only her like before. He had once sworn to love only her in this life, but now it seemed so pale and ridiculous.
But in the end, if the other party hadn't abandoned him first, such a situation wouldn't have come about, so Miss Yano, who proposed the breakup, must bear half the responsibility!
"Sigh..."
Having thought so much, if he didn't act, the person wouldn't return to his side...
"Is that so?" Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Erina Nakiri was stunned, curious about who his old acquaintance was and why she would make him show such an expression.
"Well, it's all in the past."
He shook his head, his expression relieved, but was he truly relieved? Hoshino Sora didn't know. He only knew that when he saw a familiar figure at the festival, he would still rush forward without hesitation.
"You go back first, I still have some things to deal with."
A hint of shock appeared in his eyes as he looked at Yukino Yano, dressed in a kimono, holding a fan, with the elegant and dignified demeanor of a young lady, and the handsome man beside her...
Hoshino Sora asked Erina Nakiri to go back first, while he quickened his pace and followed them, but without disturbing them.
It happened suddenly. Seeing a familiar person should have made him happy, but Hoshino Sora felt a sourness in his nose at this moment.
Although he really wanted to go up and question Yukino Yano about who this guy was, considering his own identity and position, Hoshino Sora didn't do so. He just quietly followed behind them, pretending to be a passerby, listening to them talk.
"I told you, I already have someone I like. It's impossible for the two of us."
Listening to the man's heartfelt confession beside her, Yukino Yano dodged his embrace, her voice firm, her eyes full of complexity, clearly unable to forget the person she spoke of.
"But you are my fiancée now. Whether you have someone you like or not, you will marry me and be my wife in the future. You must know that you cannot resist this matter."
Looking at Yukino Yano, who dodged his embrace, the man was not anxious, but calmly told her this fact. Although Yano was angry in her heart, she did not refute.
Her current situation was also very complicated. Although they had broken up, she just couldn't forget Hoshino Sora. She didn't know how long this deep feeling would last, but before it completely dissipated, she didn't want to accept anyone.
Even maintaining closeness with a feigned tone would make her feel disgusted, especially with this man in front of her.
That day, after returning home, her mother suddenly said she had found her a fiancé and asked them to get along well.
How could she possibly accept such a thing? Yukino Yano naturally refused sternly, even using her studies as an excuse, saying she didn't want to think about matters between men and women for now.
But her mother forced this man on her because his family had business dealings with theirs. To strengthen this relationship, the two families decided to marry.
Yukino Yano had always protested against this, but she was powerless to resist. She could just pack up and leave, but her sister Yukino couldn't. To protect her sister, she could only sacrifice herself.
What an old-fashioned plot.
Yukino Yano thought mockingly, then looked at the man in front of her. Although they had known each other for a long time, their relationship had always been a little closer than strangers.
Not friends, because of the other party's identity, Yukino Yano couldn't treat him as a friend. Even less lovers, because Yukino Yano never forgot Hoshino Sora from beginning to end.
Their relationship, rather than being fiancés, was more like puppets bound by interests. Thinking of this, a bitter smile also appeared on the man's face.
How could he not know this? If he hadn't fallen in love with Yukino Yano at first sight when he was a child, he wouldn't have been so persistent.
Now he could only take it slow. Anyway, she would only be his bride in the future.
Taking someone else's love by relying on family, though cruel, he didn't care. All he cared about was whether he could find happiness and marry Yano.
Looking at the beautiful and intellectual woman in front of him, the man couldn't help but swallow. Soon, very soon, this woman would be his! Once the rice was cooked, this girl would definitely settle down!
"Hmm?"
"Yano? Where did you run off to? Come out, stop playing hide-and-seek!"
However, just as he was immersed in his future fantasies, Yukino Yano, who had been by his side, disappeared. This first made him confused, then surprised, and then at a loss.
On the other side.
Yukino Yano, suddenly carried in a princess carry, was utterly bewildered. Just as she was about to resist, the handsome face in her line of sight made her stop, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Soon, the two stopped at the shrine on the mountaintop.
"How are you here?"
Looking at the familiar face in front of her, Yukino Yano's voice carried a slight tremor. After being put down, she really wanted to throw herself into the arms of the person in front of her, but she restrained herself.
Because she knew that once she threw herself in, everything would be over. The determination she had finally made might change because of it, and she would become completely unable to let go of this relationship.
"I heard everything just now. It seems you still can't let go of me, huh? Here, black coffee. I really don't know why you like this taste."
"You still remember my favorite drink? I thought you had forgotten long ago."
"How could I dare to forget."
Handing the drink to Yukino Yano, Hoshino Sora complained as usual. Hearing this complaint, a smile appeared on Yano's face. After all, it was still the familiar person.
"I never said the person I like is you. Don't be so self-important."
Thinking of his previous question, Yano's voice carried a hint of tsundere, she turned her head, embarrassed to look at him, but the slight upward curve of her lips proved that she was in a good mood now.
New street meets old acquaintance, or rather, an old flame. The fiancé's cuckold status had already stacked three stories high.
Hoshino Sora didn't say anything in response to Yukino Yano's words, but cupped her small face and kissed her. This area was an abandoned shrine, and usually no one came here.
"Mmm..."
Feeling Hoshino Sora's ardor, Yukino Yano's body instantly went soft. It was a familiar feeling, but she knew this wouldn't do, so she wanted to push him away, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't push him away an inch.
So, by the end of pushing, Yukino Yano's strength actually lessened, and she gradually immersed herself in it, eventually becoming even more passionate than Hoshino Sora.
"I love you. This time, I won't let go."
"We can't do this. Since we've broken up, let's cut ties completely. There's no future for us together."
Her breathing was slightly hurried. Looking at the handsome face in front of her, Yukino Yano stopped Hoshino Sora's next move, her eyes revealing a hint of determination.
She knew that if old feelings rekindled here, her heart would never be able to leave, so she had to endure!
"Don't worry, I'm no longer an ordinary high school student. My father is a national banquet chef, beloved by many, and I've also become one of the Totsuki Ten Elite during this time. My social status is not inferior to your family's."
Looking at Yukino Yano's face, Hoshino Sora spoke seriously. This was also his reliance for embracing her now. As one of the Totsuki Ten Elite, his social status could be said to be exceptionally high.
Why, you ask? Because this is a world centered on gourmet food.
"Don't joke around. Although your cooking skills are decent, there's still a long way to go before you're a professional chef. How could you be one of the Elite Ten of that famous culinary school?"
"Idiot, I used to think you were well-informed. Read the newspaper more often, or search on a browser. I've appeared there many times."
Reaching out and pinching Yukino Yano's face, Hoshino Sora complained sharply. The old Yano was a walking encyclopedia of information, not as dull as she was now.
"You've changed so much."
Logging onto the internet and searching in her browser, Yukino Yano quickly found all the information about Hoshino Sora.
He was indeed a celebrity now, and a particularly famous one—a rising star in the culinary world, a rumored celebrity chef!
These were all Hoshino Sora's titles.
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