29-91

EP.91 Summer Festival – The Widow Shrine Maiden and the Public Restroom (1) 

Nearly an hour had passed since Honoka and Yuu went out to enjoy the festival together. 

Just a short while ago, the crowds had been so thick you could barely move, but now perhaps because it was dinnertime, or because people had gone off in search of more exciting sights the area in front of the stall had grown relatively quiet. 

The once noisy chatter and laughter had faded, replaced by the festival music drifting more clearly from afar. 

Being alone at the stall wasn’t lonely or difficult. In fact, the brief peace after all the commotion felt rather nice. 

When customers came by not for chocolate bananas, but for charms or omikuji a gentle happiness would well up inside me. 

“Do I really look that unfamiliar?” I wondered, recalling how several visitors, like Akari, commented on my yukata. 

I’d hesitated in front of the mirror so many times, but ‘Still, Master said I looked pretty.’ 

All that awkwardness and discomfort melted away with just that one memory. 

Whenever Yuu’s voice replayed in my mind, I couldn’t help but smile shyly. If a passerby saw me, they might have thought I was some weirdo grinning to herself. 

‘I wonder what Honoka and Yuu are up to now…’ 

I thought of Honoka, who was probably with Yuu at this very moment. 

In the plan Yuu had whispered to me for the festival’s final night, Honoka’s name was included. 

Which meant… Yuu had probably already tamed Honoka, or was finishing that tonight. 

“I need to hurry, too…” 

The words slipped out unconsciously as my gaze drifted to the bag beside my chair. It was a little crazy to bring those kinds of things even to a festival, but my heart raced with anticipation for time with Master. 

Just then, a sour, unpleasant energy so out of place in the festive air washed over me, cooling my cheeks. 

Looking up, I saw two large shadows swaggering toward the stall. The stench of alcohol hit my nose first, and I instinctively wiped the smile from my face and stood up. 

“Fumika-san~! Still as pretty as ever! Minding the stall alone?” 

It was Kato and Yamada, members of the festival committee. They were regulars, often hanging around the shrine for no reason, always giving me lecherous looks. 

“Welcome. Is there something you need?” I greeted them as calmly as I could, hiding my unease. 

They stepped closer, as if to grab my wrist. “Need? hic What do you sell here?” 

“We have sweets, charms, and omikuji.” 

“Charms? Omikuji? Who pays for that kind of junk these days, right?” 

Their rudeness made me bristle, but they were drunk hardly rational. 

I forced myself to stay calm. “These are precious items filled with people’s wishes. Please don’t speak lightly of them.” 

“Ooh, you’re cute when you’re mad.” 

“Sorry if we upset you~. Hehe.” 

They ignored my words, trading crude jokes and leering at me. 

I tried to block out their voices, but it was no use. 

“We saw a place selling good snacks how about joining us? Our treat, as an apology!” 

“I can’t leave the stall right now. Please invite someone else.” 

I declined firmly and politely. I knew from experience that half-hearted kindness or hesitation only encouraged men like this. 

“Come on, there aren’t many customers now. You can step away for a bit.” 

Sigh. 

They just wouldn’t take no for an answer. 

In the past, I might have endured this kind of persistent pestering for hours. 

But now, I had a “Master” to whom I’d given my body and heart. 

I met their eyes and spoke in a colder, firmer voice than before. “I’m sorry, but I already have someone precious to me. Please don’t trouble me further and leave.” 

For a moment, the men looked surprised, but then exchanged sleazy glances and grinned. 

“Oh, you mean your late husband?” 

“We get it, but you have to live your life, too. You can’t pine for the dead forever, right?” 

“Come on, Fumika-san, you must get lonely at night. You need to let loose sometimes.” 

Each word stabbed into me like a knife. No matter how drunk, it was hard to bear such disrespect for my late husband. 

“Don’t be so standoffish just come with us.” 

Kato suddenly stepped into the stall, reaching for the display. His bulk loomed close, and I instinctively backed away, heart pounding in fear. 

‘What do I do? Someone, please… Yuu…!’ 

I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for their filthy hands when suddenly: 

“Hey! You drunk idiots!” 

A voice like thunder or an angel’s cut through the darkness. 

At that moment, nothing was more welcome or reassuring. 

“Honoka!” 

She stood at the entrance, arms crossed, her playful smile gone, glaring coldly at the men in her red yukata. 

“This area’s off-limits to outsiders. If you’re not buying, get lost.” 

Her yukata fluttered in the night breeze; to me, she looked like a goddess come to punish evil. 

My strength drained, and I nearly collapsed. 

The men, taken aback by Honoka’s boldness, hesitated, unsure how to react. 

In that brief pause, I suddenly felt a warm hand grasp my cold left hand. 

Startled, I turned to see Yuu had come to my side. 

“Master… I mean, Yuu?” 

“While Honoka distracts them, let’s go.” 

Before I could process what was happening, Yuu whispered in my ear. 

Though confused, I understood immediately. I nodded deeply, quickly slung my bag over my shoulder, and let Yuu take my hand and lead me out. 

“Hey, Fumika, where are you going? Stay and talk with us!” 

One of the men called after us, reaching out, but his hand only caught empty air. 

“Geez, why do grown men act like this? She already has plans, so give it up,” Honoka blocked their path, her red yukata blazing in the dark. 

“If Fumika won’t, how about you, Honoka-chan?” 

Was it okay to leave her alone? I glanced back anxiously, but Honoka caught my eye and winked, giving a thumbs-up. 

“Oh, it’s you, Kato and Yamada, right?” she said boldly. “You’re on the festival committee shouldn’t you be setting a better example?” 

“We’re just trying to have a friendly drink, that’s all.” 

“Yeah, Honoka-chan, don’t be so harsh.” 

“Should I call your wives? A couples’ drinking party would be fun, don’t you think?” 

Their voices grew flustered. 

“Honoka-chan, it was just a joke just joking.” 

“Yeah, no need to go that far, haha.” 

“I told you to leave nicely, didn’t I? If you’re bored, why not be generous and buy something?” 

Her sharp voice finally let me relax. 

Yuu led me briskly through the festival crowd, never letting go of my hand. His warmth calmed my racing heart. 

As the noise faded and we turned into a quiet alley, I finally caught my breath. 

“Thank you, both of you… I don’t want to imagine what would have happened if you and Honoka hadn’t been there.” 

My voice still trembled, but my gratitude was sincere. Without them, I might not have escaped that unpleasant, dangerous situation. 

Yuu suddenly stopped and turned to face me. 

“If you keep letting people walk all over you, creeps like that will keep coming, you know.” 

The streetlight cast a shadow over his small face, his eyes sharp and cold nothing like a child’s. 

My heart pounded. Was it… jealousy? Was he angry because he didn’t like me talking to other men? 

That thought replaced my lingering fear with a rush of happiness and heat. 

“Y-yeah. I’ll be more careful. I have you now my Master…” 

Yuu still pouted, but his eyes softened a little. I was already completely his. 

“Um… Yuu?” 

I called him gently, and he looked up. 

“Is there anywhere else you want to go? Somewhere you didn’t get to see with Honoka? I can show you around.” 

Despite the earlier trouble, I was glad to have a moment alone with him, even if just to walk the festival streets together. 

“Then…” 

He looked straight at me with dark eyes. 

“I want to go there.” 

He pointed to an old public restroom just off the main street. 

Did he really need the bathroom? But the faint smile on his lips and the way he gripped my hand told me otherwise. 

“Y-Yuu, that place…” 

“Fumika…” 

He looked me in the eye, voice low and knowing. 

“Tonight, you were waiting for this more than the festival, weren’t you?” 

Even in the darkness, his eyes shone strangely bright. 

Ah, that look just like in the shrine’s secret room, when he gave me all those shameful orders. 

I swallowed hard, gripping my bag tighter. A shiver of anticipation and submission ran down my spine. 

“Come.” 

His voice was soft but commanding impossible to disobey. 

“…Yes♥” 

Barely able to breathe, I answered without looking away. 

Satisfied, he took my hand again and led me toward the old public restroom. 

I had no idea what would happen next, but strangely, excitement outweighed fear.