Chapter 1699: Noontime Founding Festival with Shallow Vernal ⑥

<Author’s Notes>

I worked overtime and got home late, so today’s chapter is a little short.

Shiro-san gave me a return gift, giving back exactly what I did to her and telling me she loved me a hundred times, and it really had quite a destructive power.

Even now that it’s over, I still feel a bit lightheaded. I almost forgot what we were doing at the moment, but I shook my head lightly and regained my composure.

[For the time being, can we turn back the speed of the gondola?]

[It’s already returned to normal though?]

[Eh? Ah, you’re right.]

Even though a lot of time should have passed quite a while ago, when I mentioned that the world hasn’t progressed in time at all, it appears that the time that was continuously delayed has somehow returned to its original state.

Indeed, when I look outside the window, the scenery really is changing, so it seems like the flow of time has returned to normal. Though I say that, when I look at the scenery, it doesn’t seem like we’ve moved very far from the starting point, so I suppose I could say we started moving just a little while ago?

[……Unnn?]

[Is something the matter?]

[Ahh, no…… Something kinda feels a bit strange…… Hmmm.]

I’m not really sure, but something feels rather out of place with the view from outside the window. The reason for that is because, naturally, I’m overlooking the venue of the Founding Festival, so I can see many people, but strangely, everyone seems to be looking our way…… or rather, they’re looking at the sky.

Moreover, is it just my imagination that some of them seem to be in a praying posture and even shedding tears?

Following the gazes of those people, I looked at the sky, but I didn’t see anything unusual. Perhaps fireworks or something went off while I was flirting with Shiro-san.

[……Well, there doesn’t seem to be anything there. Anyhow, while we’re at it, let’s enjoy the view.]

[You’re right. By the way, Kaito-san, I realized something……

[Unnn?]

[We haven’t kissed yet, you know?]

[Hmmm?]

What is this, she clearly started saying strange things again. I wonder from the bottom of my heart, when in the world did we start talking about kissing? That doesn’t connect in any way to our earlier conversation though!?

[I see, Kaito-san does have a point.]

[Right!? We were talking about the scenery, but the change towards that topic is too sudden, isn’t it!?]

[Indeed.]

[………………]

[………………]

Ahh, not explaining the reason or steering the conversation in a way that feels seamless, she’s just gonna agree huh……

Eh? What’s gonna happen now? The development of things, I mean……

[Kaito-san.]

[Yes?]

[We haven’t kissed yet, you know?]

She’s gonna push it forward!? This God, without trying to justify herself or provide any reasons, she’s just gonna force her way through her request!?

N- No, it’s not that I don’t understand what’s going on here. Since just a moment ago, we were openly expressing our mutual affection and creating a good atmosphere, so I guess she probably wants to keep the momentum going…… but when such a strong demand is made, it completely ruins the atmosphere, you know!?

[……Wait, why did everything outside stop again!?]

T- This is gonna be that, right? I feel like we won’t move forward again until we kiss……

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Another serving of lovey-dovey supreme?]

? ? ? : [Another serving of stomachache supreme, rather……]