Gathered

Time elapsed.

　　May 5, evening.

　　"Gathered on the steps of the temple..."

　　Shinichi put down his cellphone, changed into casual clothes, walked out of the house, and walked towards the meeting place announced by the group leader.

　　It was late and the wind was a little warm.

　　Hands in pockets and walking, Shinichi looked around.

　　Beside the river embankment that was brightly colored by the setting sun, there were already many people wearing various yukata and Jinbei walked on the street leading to the square where the shrine festival was being held, chatting and laughing while showing a bit of anticipation.

　　According to the official announcement, this fireworks display is the most extravagant and special in recent years. There are not only fireworks in the form of ordinary chrysanthemums and thousand-wheeled chrysanthemums, but also fireworks displays of the Star Mine, Nicaragua Falls and other forms and actions.

　　Under the temptation of this beautiful scene, the crowd must be extremely agitated, definitely more terrifying than in a shopping mall.

　　Therefore, Shinichi had prepared them to be dispersed by the crowd in the middle of their journey. When the time came, he would just take a walk and pay enough for the ticket, so he could find an excuse to come back and get on with business.

　　Plus, he doesn't really like fireworks.

　　Something that could only develop its splendor at the last moment, something that could announce its existence to the world before disappearing... From six years ago until now, Shinichi had felt a bit enchanted.

　　Even if everyone in the Student Council didn't disperse and walked together to the end, he would close his eyes when the fireworks went off, only listening to the cacophony and exclamations of the people he knew.

　　——The once neglected influence had subtly changed him.

　　Gazing at the red clouds in the distant sky, Shinichi averted his eyes and blended in with the crowd that was walking forward.

　　...

　　Not long after, when he reached the steps of the shrine, Shinichi swept his eyes, and found Ishigami who was playing with his cell phone next to the red pillar of the torii gate.

　　He was wearing a light green jinbe, and his figure was thin, but the leg muscles under his shorts were showing, and he didn't look like the gloomy otaku that he appeared to be.

　　"Haven't everyone arrived yet?" Shinichi approached to say hello, Ishigami put down his cell phone.

　　"Yes, you are the second to arrive."

　　"There's still 10 minutes before the meeting time, but you seem to have waited a long time." Walking beside him, Shinichi teased with a slight smile, "Ishigami, were you looking forward to going to the shrine festival with everyone?"

　　"Very noisy." Ishigami shook his head, "We've set a meeting time, wouldn't it make sense to arrive a few minutes earlier? There's basically no concept of punctuality, and some girls even consider being late as a necessary behavior, which is really stupid."

　　"I agreed, so I came early." Shinichi shrugged, and instead of continuing the topic, he asked, "You and the president also participated in last year's fireworks festival? I remember you in the 1st year of the Student Council."

　　Receiving this question, Ishigami couldn't help but fall silent, leaning against a pillar.

　　"...Not really. On that day, Shinomiya Senpai was going to go with us, but her family stopped her, so she was barely able to come."

　　"By the time the president brought it, it was too late, and we were planning to rush to the postponed fireworks display in the next city, but we still missed it, so we had to watch the fireworks in the car, then head home."

　　As he said this, Ishigami sighed: "I hope there won't be any unforeseen situations this time… The President and the others have already become 3rd year students, and I don't know if there will be another chance next year… "

　　"...Then enjoy today." Shinichi smiled, and patted his shoulder, "Be careful not to get separated. After all, Ishigami, you seem like the kind of person who would gnaw at fried chicken nuggets and wait for someone to come to you, but you were ignored in the end because your attendance was too low. As a result, everyone has gone home, and you were left alone in the shrine after the performance."

　　"What the hell is this ridiculously long and incredibly detailed scene simulation?!" Ishigami stared at him through gritted teeth, "Although I think this is very possible… But don't forget, there are things as convenient as cell phones in this world!"

　　"Oh?" Shinichi looked at him.

　　"Ishigami, is your phone still fully charged?"

　　"What..." Ishigami's expression immediately changed, and he quickly took out his phone to take a look, he was too excited to go outside and didn't notice, was just fiddling with his phone again, and now it had 20% battery left!

"No way..." He shook his body in surprise, because he was wearing a jinbei (similar to a boy's yukata), he only brought convenient items like keys, wallet, cell phone, and no charger at all.

　　If it goes on like this, the scene Shinichi said might really come true...

　　Ishigami turned around with a grave face, and walked quietly in the direction he came from.

　　"I go first. Tell the president, I'll bring the radio and beacon, I might be late..."

　　"Hey, don't be hasty..." Shinichi was about to pull it back when a voice suddenly sounded.

　　"Ishigami, gathering time is almost here, where are you going?"

　　Standing to the side, Iino was wearing a floral yukata, resting one hand on her waist, glaring at Ishigami in displeasure.

　　"Could it be that you want to come back? You are also a member of the Student Council. If you leave the team without a valid reason, it will be troublesome. Or do you have something urgent to do? If you have anything, please speak, we will be waiting for you."

　　"Ah, no.."

　　"Oh, I really can't stand you..." Iino sighed heavily, and said helplessly, "Then just follow us closely, and if you feel like you're going to get separated, hold the hands of the president or Asada-san, you won't I need to teach you, right?"

　　"...Don't treat me like an elementary school student, change your caring tone." Ishigami complained, and walked slowly back to the pillar.

　　"I don't care about you, this is the so-called collective action! A lonely person like you wouldn't understand, right?" Iino snorted and turned away from looking at him.

　　Shinichi heard footsteps behind him.

　　Then, a soft object pressed against his back, and his view was blocked by a pair of hands that were gentle and cold at the same time.

　　"Guess who I am~"