This question stumped Shouko. In all the excitement, she hadn't considered what to actually do with the goldfish.
Akira, standing beside her, wasn't particularly concerned. He had no intention of thinking too hard — whatever Shouko said, he'd go along with. He was just the catcher, after all.
"Shouko, Yuzuru, Akira?"
The familiar voice interrupted their thoughts. Everyone turned and saw Matsuoka Miu and Ito Chika approaching. Both were dressed casually and gave a quick greeting to Miyamura Shizuka and the others.
Shouko's eyes lit up. The problem she'd been fretting over moments ago had just solved itself:
"Yes, yes! You two came at the perfect time!"
She split the two nearly full bags of goldfish she was holding, handing one to each of them.
"Why do you have so many goldfish?" Ito Chika asked, confused.
Miu blinked at the bag in her hand. "You're not planning to release these into the river, are you?"
Ito Chika's question hit the nail on the head. Shouko, ignoring Miu's reaction, proudly recounted the whole story — how Akira had scooped every single goldfish. She finished by raising five fingers and saying with a chuckle,
"It only cost five hundred yen!"
The two girls looked toward Akira like he was some kind of goldfish-scooping deity. They'd played the game before; they knew how hard it was. No way was Shouko lying — she didn't gain anything from exaggerating.
"Akira, can you teach me? I want to scoop like that too!" Miu's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Me too!" Yuzuru stopped teasing the goldfish and chimed in enthusiastically.
Ito Chika didn't say anything, but she was clearly tempted. The attention alone would've made it worthwhile.
Akira waved it off. "It's just because the vendor's nets were really sturdy. That's all."
He refused them without hesitation. Teaching someone how to scoop goldfish sounded just as boring as studying. Let's be honest — neither was high on their list of fun activities.
Miu, though a little disappointed, nodded. "Fair enough."
She looked toward the goldfish stall again, noticing the crowd hadn't thinned at all.
"Still so many people..."
"Let's come back when it's quieter," Chika suggested. "Thanks for the goldfish, Shouko!"
Before Shouko could reply, Chika grabbed Miu and dragged her back into the crowd.
"Shouko! If I win anything later, I'll share with you!" Miu called over her shoulder.
Shouko waved in response, a soft smile on her face, clearly amused but not taking the promise seriously.
Once they left, Akira turned to Daiki Miyamura, who was now juggling several bags. "Dad, you've got so much already. Want to hold this one too?"
Before Daiki could respond, Miyamura Shizuka scolded her son.
"Stop using your dad as a porter!"
She reached up and ruffled Akira's hair mercilessly.
Akira stood still, grumbling silently about the double standard. Didn't she make Dad carry stuff too?
Satisfied, Shizuka finally took the goldfish bag from him.
"Let's keep walking. It's still early. Oh, and here—these are the attraction tickets for you and Shouko."
She handed him two folded tickets from her wallet.
Akira passed them to Shouko, who was still chatting with Yuzuru. She took them naturally and tucked them into her small pouch.
Akira scratched his head awkwardly.
"Uh... Mom? Can I borrow some change? I just realized I forgot to bring money…"
It was embarrassing. He'd grown used to managing his allowance without ever asking.
Before Shizuka could answer, Shouko interrupted, tugging his hand:
"No need, no need! I brought money."
She waved at Shizuka and smiled.
"Auntie, you don't need to give him anything."
Akira had always paid when they went out. Now that he'd finally forgotten his wallet, it was her turn.
The others watched as she dragged him away again. Yuzuru made a move to follow, but Nishimiya Yaeko quickly grabbed her hand.
"Yuzuru, stay close. There are more people now — don't get separated."
"Exactly," Miyamura Shizuka added with a chuckle.
"If you get lost, you might not find us again."
Yuzuru's grip tightened instinctively, fear flashing in her eyes at the thought of losing sight of her mom.
"Shouko, slow down. Don't trip," Akira called out as they made some distance.
"Oh, oh, oh…" she nodded, gradually slowing her pace.
Their wooden sandals weren't great for speed, and the crowds didn't help. She wasn't even sweating — just catching her breath.
Akira held her hand gently as they walked.
"You really dragged me off like that, huh?"
"Mhm." Shouko smiled at him, not saying anything more.
"Well then... I'll trouble Miss Shouko to sponsor me for now," he teased.
Shoko dramatically patted her chest and pointed at the stalls ahead.
"No problem! Buy whatever you want — it's on me!" she said proudly, flashing him a wide grin.
Then, suddenly serious, she frowned and wagged a finger:
"But no wasting food! Only buy what you can eat!"
Akira chuckled. "Aren't you the one who never finishes?"
He raised a hand, meaning to flick her nose — but paused midway. It suddenly felt… awkward?
Shouko noticed his hesitation and smiled to herself. Then, without a word, she leaned in and rubbed her nose against his hand.
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