1158 -1144- Harurouin Festival

When breakfast time began, there were still two people missing from the Minamiya household's dining table.

One was Natsuki.

The other was Kojou.

Natsuki had special work to attend to, so she had left early.

Kojou was still fast asleep, and since Nagisa couldn't wake him up, she just let him go hungry.

So, Rozen sat down with the company of the girls and began chatting while having breakfast.

The topic of conversation among them was something that everyone in the entire Itogami City would mention recently.

"The Harurouin Festival... huh?"

Upon hearing this topic, Rozen couldn't help but mutter.

"Yeah!" Nagisa, as the initiator of the topic, exclaimed excitedly, "The Harurouin Festival is coming soon. Have you all figured out how you want to celebrate?"

———— The Harurouin Festival.

That refers to the largest celebration held in Itogami City during the last week of October each year.

Due to Itogami Island being an artificial island, there were no proper traditional ethnic festivals on the island. However, for a city, providing entertainment for residents and stimulating the economy required holding such non-routine activities.

Thus, as part of its public service, the Artificial Island Management Cooperative, taking inspiration from Halloween, established an annual grand celebration.

This grand celebration is the Harurouin Festival.

In other words, it's a grand festival celebrated across the island.

During the festival, events such as fireworks displays, outdoor performances, costume parades, and various other activities are held in various areas of Itogami Island, allowing citizens from all over the island to immerse themselves in the celebration.

Even Itogami Island is opened to the outside world, allowing a large influx of tourists.

Therefore, during the Harurouin Festival, Itogami Island becomes unusually lively, with over 100,000 visitors arriving on the island alone. Considering the distance and transportation limitations between Itogami Island and the mainland, this number is quite impressive.

This is also because Itogami Island is a Demon Sanctuary and usually does not accept visitors other than family members, businesses, and researchers. Not to mention ordinary tourists or journalists.

So, for outsiders, this is a rare opportunity to visit the Demon Sanctuary openly, and there are even TV stations, business people, and others who come to Itogami Island during the festival for various purposes to seek profit.

To prevent visiting outsiders from doing anything inappropriate, during this period, the Security Forces even deploy en masse, continuously patrolling and inspecting the island to maintain order.

Natsuki had left home early in the morning precisely because of related work arrangements.

Of course, for Itogami Island, this is also a rare opportunity to promote economic consumption. Therefore, a few days ago, advertisements in Itogami City were all about the Harurouin Festival, special TV programs were arranged, and advertisements for seasonal products were widely broadcasted everywhere, and the whole island was already immersed in the festive atmosphere.

Since this is the age when teenagers like to have fun, the group of boys and girls present here couldn't help but feel excited about such a festival.

"I'm really looking forward to the fireworks display! And the costume parade! I just dressed up as a shrine maiden last year, but this year I want to dress up as a witch! But but, dressing up as a vampire also sounds good, don't you think so, Avrora-chan?"

Nagisa asked Avrora excitedly, causing the orthodox vampire to shrink her neck.

For Avrora, who is naturally shy, such a lively festival should be very difficult to handle, right?

But...

"I-I also want to see the fireworks display!"

Avrora's eyes lit up as she said this.

It's worth noting that since Avrora was freed from her sealed state until now, it hasn't even been a year yet.

Nagisa had participated in the Harurouin Festival in previous years, but this is Avrora's first time attending such an event. It's impossible for her not to look forward to it.

At the same time, there is another person present who is attending the Harurouin Festival for the first time.

"Astarte, this is your first time attending the Harbinger Festival too, right?"

Nagisa asked the expressionless Astarte sitting next to her.

"Correct." Astarte nodded immediately, her voice lacking intonation, like a puppet. She said, "From the day of my birth until now, it has not been even a hundred days."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was at a loss for words.

Indeed, Astarte is an artificial life form, recently born as a vassal for an artificial beast vassal. If you were to count the days since her birth, it would only be a couple of months.

In this case, Astarte naturally couldn't have attended the Harurouin Festival before.

"Then, let's go together when the time comes." Nagisa quickly changed the subject, saying, "Kanon-chan will also come, right?"

"Yes." Kanon nodded shyly, speaking softly, "I didn't attend last year either. My father has always been busy, and I didn't have any friends to play with."

This girl also has a somewhat poignant experience.

"Then, let's all go together!"

Nagisa clenched her fist, full of fighting spirit.

"The Harurouin Festival is held on the last weekend of October. Our school will start its break the day before. After we finish our own tasks, let's go watch the fireworks display and the costume parade together!"

After all, even though the school will start its break the day before, during the Harurouin Festival period, students in the school still have their own activities.

Some are preparing for brass band competitions or club-related exhibitions, some are pulled to work as labor for the residents' mutual assistance association booths, some plan to take the opportunity to work and earn some money, and some just want to enjoy the festival. Everyone has their own way of celebrating.

Nagisa will be busy with the cheerleading club's activities at the beginning.

Avrora is likely to be pulled in to help.

Kanon plans to volunteer at the mutual assistance association, which is said to be a tradition from Adelard's Monastery, even though the church is no longer there, Kanon has always insisted on it.

As for Astarte, she seems to be planning to replace Natsuki to patrol during the festival.

Considering this, everyone estimates that they will be busy with their own things first and then make plans to play together later.

As for Rozen...

"It's this day again..."

Rozen sighed, his expression filled with sorrow.

This immediately caught everyone's attention.

"W-What's wrong?"

Avrora asked cautiously.

"Does Minamiya-senpai not like festivals?"

Kanon tilted her head, looking puzzled.

"Requesting explanation."

Even Astarte stared at Rozen and made such a request.

Only Nagisa spoke up, as if remembering something.

"Come to think of it, Nichiyo-kun always seems quite troubled during the Harurouin Festival."

Nagisa said so, with a tone that was both teasing and slightly resentful, and finally with a hint of helpless sympathy, making many of the girls present feel a little confused.

Rozen didn't explain either, just sighed.

"I hope this year doesn't turn into a bloodbath."

Rozen sincerely prayed.