Satoko and Rika-chan were already there waiting for me.

While the injuries on her face (covered with band-aids) looked painful, Satoko seemed to be full of life.

It almost looked as though her wounds were from playing too hard or something.

"So you stayed at the clinic last night?"

"Yes. I told him I was fine, but the coach wanted to keep an eye on me."

"If that's what the doctor said, then you should listen to him."

"Ahahahaha, I see!

You were scared to stay at the clinic alone, weren't you?

I heard there are lots of ghosts inside hospitals!"

"......Satoko can't sleep without me."

"Hauuu!

Why can't you sleep without her? Why?"

"That's because...

Rika-chama is the only one who can give her comfort..."

No sooner had Shion finished that sentence than a bucket went flying into her face.

Satoko started chasing Shion in circles, like they were playing tag.

I really missed this rambunctious fun.

"I thought I'd never see this again."

"...I felt the same.

But we got it back.

We did this."

"......I think you did the most.

It was your idea to go to the child consultation center, and you were the one who asked everyone for their support."

"I agree.

I think Kei-chan contributed the most.

Most people in Hinamizawa know who Keiichi Maebara is by now!"

"Hau.

Is Keiichi-kun going to be a popular guy now? Is he?"

"I bet he'll be incredibly popular!

Popular among old ladies, that is.

Ah, I really envy him!"

I'd be fine with that if I could divide their ages by three...

Many people were wearing yukatas.

It was still June, but it felt more like it was the middle of summer.

Once we finished climbing the stairs,

we could see the festival and the crowd enjoying it.

The Furude Shrine was packed with people, leaving the grounds looking nothing like their usual, quiet self.

Lanterns of various colors were hung about, and people were swarming the various festival booths, giving the whole place an unorganized yet pleasant atmosphere.

"What a crowd!!

I had no idea there were even this many people in Hinamizawa..."

"Everyone comes to this festival.

I think at least half of the population of the village is here."

"There's more than just them.

The neighboring town councils and youth groups are invited too."

"I see.

We only have a few students in our school.

That explains why there are so many kids around today."

"Hearing the happy cheers of children is the best part of the festival."

She's right.

I'm in agreement there.

There were lots of booths around too; they were by far the best part of the festival.

Booths selling takoyaki, yakisoba, shaved ice, apricot candy, sauce senbei, chocolate bananas...

There was a yo-yo game, a goldfish game, a shooting gallery... There were countless booths here.

"Those booth runners all came from the city.

You can't call it a festival without festival booths!"

"So we're going to have a battle in every one of them, huh?

I'm not going to lose today!"

"Yeah, same here.

...Heh heh... let's do it!"

"Y'ello!!

Sorry I'm late.

Am I the last one?

Everyone's here now, huh?"

"Once our club gets together, there's no way we can just sit back and enjoy the festival!"

"Of course not!!

We're doing it again this year!!

This Watanagashi festival, for this six of us...

Will be the battle of six evils!!"

"......Satoko.

There's no reason to hold back this year. Let's enjoy the festival with all our might."

"Oh ho ho!!

You don't even need to mention it!

I, too, declare that I will be the victor!!"

"Yeah, Satoko!

You go, girl!"

"Let's put everything that happened before tonight behind us!"

"Let's play with everything we've got!

It's been a good week since we all got together!"

"Yeah, yeah!

Tonight we're all enjoying this festival to its fullest!!"

"My, hello. You all seem to be enjoying yourselves."

"Hi, Rika-chan.

I'm here like I promised.

The festival sure has grown into a splendor."

"Who's this guy?

You know him, Rika?"

"......Akasaka is never there when I need him."

"Huh?

What are you talking about?

Did I do something to make you upset...?"

"Na ha ha ha.

While you were at the hot springs with your wife, things sure got hectic around here."

"Hau, Rika-chan is talking with some strange older guy.

I wonder if he's someone she knows. I wonder!"

"Who is he? Who is he?!

Introduce him to this ol' man, too!"

"Hey!

Maebara boy!!

I heard what you did!"

"I heard about it too!

I heard you fought Oryou-san with a sword until she finally gave in!

Good on you!"

"I-I-I didn't do that...!

We just had a peaceful negotiation...!"

"Still, I'm proud of you!

You led everyone and actually negotiated with the center!"

"Hey you, I'll give you some apricot candy!

How many do you want?"

"Wow Keiichi-kun!

You're so popular today!"

"...I'm sure Keiichi is into old ladies, too."

"I don't know what Rika's trying to say, and I don't even want to know..."

"Oh, that's the guy who helped us yesterday...!

Thank you so very much for your assistance!"

"Oh, I should've introduced him to you then.

This is my uncle Saburou, who's in the prefectural assembly.

This is my other uncle Ken, and he's in the city council."

"Sorry that we were late yesterday!

We got lost on our way there. Gah ha ha ha ha!"

"No, no, you both were a great help!

I was really impressed to see the power of elected officials!"

"Well, we're chosen to fight in place of the citizens!

Of course we're strong!"

"We're glad Satoko-chan is safe.

Talk to us again if there's anything you need.

We'll be glad to help!"

They rubbed Satoko's head while they spoke.

"Th... Thank you very much..."

"You must be proud of your son!"

"Oh, no, it's not really a big deal...!

Hey, Keiichi!

We're here too!"

"Keiichi-kun's parents are here!

Good evening!"

"Nice to meet you.

I'm Keiichi's meow meow, Rika."

"Nice to meet you.

My name is Satoko Houjou."

"So you're Satoko-chan.

Such a poor little girl... look at her face!"

"You can make use of Keiichi if anything happens again!

In return... what would you think about modeling for me....?!"

"Y-Your father reminds me a bit of the coach..."

"Sorry...

That's just the kind of person he is..."

"Still, he seems very nice and fun to be around...!"

"......This is the best Watanagashi festival I've ever had."

"Yes...

I feel the same way...

You've been around a lot longer than me.

If it's your best one, then it must be mine too."

"...Au au.

Still, I think this is most fun and exciting festival we've had since it became known as Watanagashi."

"The Watanagashi festival only became like this just a few years ago, didn't it?

It used to be just a boring traditional ceremony that the Furude family held.

And before that, it used to be something different, more like the things that Takano is interested in..."

"......Au au au."

"Sorry...

I'll try not to be mean to you today.

Let's go have fun.

The both of us.

It's a special night for both me and you."