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EP.89 Summer Festival – The Snack Shop Lady and the Special Banana (1) 

As dusk fell, the town’s streets were packed so tightly with people that there was barely room to walk. 

The cheerful chatter of people in colorful yukata, the fragrant smells wafting from food stalls, the festival music playing endlessly in the background, and the occasional burst of small fireworks all of it combined to fill the rural village with the heat and excitement of the festival. 

“Wow.” 

I couldn’t help but let out a gasp of wonder as I gazed at the hundreds of lanterns painting the indigo sky like a dream. The scene before me was as enchanting and mysterious as something out of a childhood storybook. For a while, I’d been so distracted by the heroines’ bodies that I’d forgotten how much new experiences like this were a perk of being in this world. Of course, that didn’t mean I wasn’t looking forward to what might happen with the heroines at the festival. 

“There are so many people! Look, Yuu! Goldfish scooping! Remember? We did that together in front of the shrine when you were little.” 

Akari, walking beside me, looked around with sparkling eyes, as excited as a child. The pale blue yukata with morning glory patterns she wore was a striking contrast to her usual active outfits, giving her a different kind of charm. Her neatly pinned-up hair and the graceful lines of the yukata made her look especially elegant. 

“Hm, for a country festival, this is pretty legit. Not bad at all.” 

While I was sneaking glances at Akari’s pure beauty, Daiki showed up with a cup of takoyaki, his mouth already a mess of teriyaki sauce. 

“Worth waiting a month for, right, Daiki?” Akari asked, looking pleased. 

“Worth it? Hmph, this is nothing. I’m going to enjoy tonight to the fullest, so don’t try to stop me later,” Daiki snorted. 

“No one’s going to stop you, don’t worry. But first, we need to drop Yuu off with Honoka,” Akari replied. 

Just as she said, our first destination was Honoka’s festival stall. I’d finally agreed to help her out, and even Akari, who’d been hesitant at first, stopped objecting once I made up my mind. She’d spent the whole day trying to cheer me up, too. 

So we made our way through the crowd toward the location Honoka had given us. 

“Oh my, Akari?” 

A familiar voice called from behind. Turning, I saw Fumika, also dressed in a yukata like everyone else. Her deep navy yukata, embroidered with delicate white butterflies, was a far cry from her usual shrine maiden attire, exuding a different, more alluring charm. The way the hem swayed to reveal her slender ankles, and the way her chest rose beneath the fabric, made her look striking. 

“Fumika-san! I mean, Fumika-nee! Hello! You’re running a stall with Honoka, right?” Akari greeted her warmly, her eyes unconsciously tracing Fumika’s yukata from top to bottom. 

“Akari? Is something wrong?” Fumika asked. 

“Sorry, I just… I’m so used to seeing you in your shrine maiden outfit, seeing you in a yukata is… really different,” Akari admitted. 

Fumika smiled gently. “Isn’t it? Since the festival only comes once a year, I thought I’d try something different. Though honestly, I agonized over it until last night.” 

For a moment, Fumika’s deep gaze flickered toward me. 

“But you look lovely too, Akari. That yukata suits you perfectly.” 

Akari waved her hands, embarrassed. “Oh, I just picked the one I liked best from the rental shop. It’s nothing compared to you, sis.” 

“I think Akari-nee is plenty pretty,” I chimed in. 

“Oh, you too?” Akari said, feigning exasperation, but her red ears gave away her true feelings. 

“And you too, Fumika-nee!” I added. 

Fumika looked surprised, then smiled shyly. “Thank you, Yuu. You look nice tonight, too.” 

“Yeah!” I replied. 

“He’s just wearing his usual clothes,” Daiki muttered, spoiling the mood. 

“Is this your boyfriend, Akari?” Fumika asked. 

“Yes, this is Daiki. Daiki, this is Kirisaki Fumika, the shrine maiden I told you about,” Akari introduced. 

“Uh, hello,” Daiki replied stiffly, unusually reserved around Fumika. 

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kirisaki Fumika,” she replied politely, bowing. 

As she did, the deep neckline of her yukata revealed a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage, and I caught Daiki’s eyes lingering there before he quickly looked away. 

“Let’s not just stand here, let’s walk and talk. Honoka’s waiting,” Fumika suggested. 

We started moving again. 

For a moment, Fumika leaned in and whispered to Akari, “Remember, on the last night of the festival…” 

“Yes, I remember. I’m supposed to go to the shrine, right?” Akari replied seriously. 

“The last night? Is something special happening then?” Daiki interrupted, oblivious as ever. 

Fumika smoothly covered for Akari, “Yes, there’s a big fireworks show on the last night. It’s really spectacular.” 

“Fireworks, huh? Now I’m looking forward to it,” Daiki said, quickly distracted. 

After chatting as we made our way through the crowd, we finally reached Honoka’s stall. Even before officially opening, it was packed with customers. 

At the center of the commotion, Honoka was busy preparing to open, dressed more boldly than anyone else: a tight, bright red yukata with a deep neckline and a skirt so short it showed off her thighs, decorated with a fiery pattern. It was no wonder so many men were crowding her stall. 

“Hey! You’re finally here, my helpers!” Honoka called out cheerfully, making chocolate bananas for customers. 

“Honoka-nee! It’s packed already!” Akari said. 

“Hehe, it’s all thanks to my good reputation,” Honoka grinned. 

Akari looked at the display of chocolate bananas and sighed, “So this is what you made? Figures you’d go for something simple.” 

“Hey, as long as it sells, who cares? And these take more work than you think peeling bananas, skewering them, dipping in chocolate, adding toppings… I’m busy!” Honoka retorted. 

“Just kidding. They look good. Can I try one?” Akari asked. 

“See the line? If you want one, get in line like everyone else!” Honoka laughed, swatting Akari’s hand away. 

As she bustled about, her short yukata skirt kept flashing glimpses of her toned thighs, drawing audible admiration from the men in line. 

“Isn’t your outfit a bit much, even for a festival?” Akari asked. 

“This is all part of my sales strategy,” Honoka declared, pulling her yukata open to show off her G-cup cleavage. 

“Oooh!” the men gasped. 

“Gotta show just enough to lure in the shy guys with cash,” Honoka winked. 

“Don’t say that out loud in front of customers…” Akari muttered, but Honoka just laughed. 

“Hey, might as well make a killing in one night if I’m running a stall,” Honoka said. 

“But your skirt’s so short it’s barely covering your butt! Are you even wearing underwear?” Akari asked. 

Honoka grinned and lifted her yukata a little. “Who knows? Want to guess? If you’re right, I’ll give you a free banana.” 

“Oooh!” 

“Don’t! I don’t want to know!” Akari yelped, backing away, her face bright red. 

Honoka burst out laughing, and even the customers joined in. 

“Akari, let’s go look around before it gets more crowded,” Daiki called, unable to wait any longer. 

“Sorry, Daiki! Coming!” Akari replied, hurrying out. 

“We’ll go now! Yuu, behave and help out, okay? I’ll check on you later!” she reminded me. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll put him to work,” Honoka said with a sly smile as she watched Akari leave. 

Working the stall was busier than I’d expected. As night fell, the crowds only grew, and both the chocolate bananas and Fumika’s omikuji and shrine charms sold out fast. 

As the festival heat began to wane and the crowds thinned, a small shadow lingered at the edge of the stall. 

“Um…” 

It was Kenta, standing alone, looking anxious. His usual gang wasn’t with him. 

“Hey, Kenta! Here to pull another prank?” Honoka called, hands on her hips. 

“N-no! I just want a chocolate banana,” he stammered, his bravado gone. 

Poor kid he was still shaken from what happened before. 

“If that’s all, you should’ve said so! I’ll make you a big, tasty one,” Honoka said, quickly whipping up a chocolate banana. 

As I watched from my seat, Honoka called to me, “Yuu, can you grab another chocolate syrup bottle from the back? We’re out.” 

“Okay! I’ll get it!” 

Just as I got up to fetch it, Kenta’s wide, frightened eyes met mine. 

“Here you go, Kenta… Huh? Where’d he go?” 

By the time Honoka turned around, Kenta had vanished. He’d bolted while I was in the back. 

“What? I made it and he just left? What a waste.” 

Honoka sighed and looked at the banana in her hand. After a moment, she offered it to Fumika, who’d been quietly helping. 

“Here, Fumika-nee. You’ve been working so hard, have one.” 

Fumika shook her head gently. “I’m fine. You should eat it you haven’t had a break.” 

“I ate too many yesterday. I’m sick of chocolate now.” 

“Want me to get you something else?” 

“Hmm… Something I want to eat…” 

Honoka’s gaze drifted to my face. 

“Actually… I want something even more ‘special’ than this banana.” 

With a provocative smile, she brought the chocolate banana to her lips, licking the chocolate off the tip erotically before slowly taking it into her mouth. 

“Chuuup♥ Chooop♥ Mmm♥ Hehe.” 

Her blatant seduction made me feel a familiar stirring below.