............"
Hearing Shidou's words, Kurumi was speechless as she widened her eyes for a moment——
"He, hehe......haha, ahahahaha."
Not long after, she began to laugh uncontrollably.
It was not the gentle, discreet giggle that she had used till now but a loud laughter.
Irritation started to show from the surroundings in the form of coughs, glares of complaint stabbed at the two of them like needles. Despite all of this, Kurumi continued to laugh.
"Um......Kurumi, I think it's better if we left first, alright?!"
Saying that, Shidou helped Kurumi to stand up. Although Kurumi was still in bursts of laughter, she still obediently listened to Shidou's suggestion.
As Shidou repeatedly bowed his head in apology to the visitors around them, he led Kurumi out of the dark hall.
"Haa—......Fufu, that was really funny. I understand now......indeed, Shidou-san does have a point."
"......Actually I had no intention of making you laugh. Since you are done, then shall we go back in again?"
At Shidou's inquiry, Kurumi however shook her head from side to side.
"It is enough. This aside——I wish to write on tanzaku. By writing my wish on that and hanging it on a bamboo shoot, it will come true, is that correct?"
"Although I don't know how true is that......Hm, tanzaku huh, If that's the case, then let's go to the shopping district, there are massive bamboos planted there. Tanzaku are distributed for free as well, shall we go together?"
"Yes, I can't wait."
Kurumi showed an adorable smile, hugging tightly onto Shidou's arm once more.
"Hey, hey......"
Shidou wanted to resist for an instant......however he immediately realized that such resistance is futile, thus he let Kurumi hold on to his arm as they left the planetarium together.
Following that, they walked back onto the route that they came from.
Looking at his watch after leaving the building, the time had just passed six in the evening. The sky has started to take on a crimson hue, the shadows of the two were drawn out on the ground.
......It's going to be dinner time soon, the hungry Tohka must be ranting for dinner at the Itsuka residence already. But it is impossible for him to escape from Kurumi at present. Most importantly——regarding the present Kurumi and the one he had met last time, Shidou was unable to leave her be.
Just as they were about to turn into the shopping district, Kurumi suddenly cried out in surprise, stopping in her tracks.
"Gah......what's the matter?"
"Shidou-san, look at that"
Shidou looked in the direction indicated by Kurumi.
Over there, was a small wedding store, on the signboard had the words [Try on a wedding gown free!] written on it.
"I've always wanted to try one. Before we go back to the shopping district, may we go there and take just a little peek?"
"This is......but I'm still a high school student. Then again why are you suddenly so interested in that sort of thing......"
"............"
Hearing Shidou say that, Kurumi suddenly looked crestfallen, showing a lonesome expression.
"......That's because I wish to have more memories with Shidou-san. At the same time——I hoped that Shidou-san would be able to take away memories of being with me as well."
"Eh?"
Hearing Kurumi say words that did not sound like her at all, Shidou couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"......Can't we, please?"
"Guh......"
Looking at Kurumi's moist eyes, Shidou couldn't find it in his heart to say no to her.
"I, I got it already. Then let's just ask them. If they refuse, then you have to give up, alright?"
"! Yes, yes! I'm so happy!"
Kurumi's expression instantly brightened up.
That pure and innocent look, caused Shidou to lose all intention of resisting, he had no choice but to walk to the wedding store with Kurumi.
"Shidou-san......where are you?"
It was evening. Under the twilight glow, Yoshino was currently walking through the shopping district.
The small figure of the girl was hidden under the straw hat's large brim. Her two sapphire blue pupils as well as the funny looking rabbit puppet on her left hand [Yoshinon] were her key features.
"Yeah, that's right, did something happen to him......"
"Hmph, he's probably mulling over what to make for dinner in front of the stalls. Let's find him quickly and go home."
As though they were replying to Yoshino's outspoken thoughts, the two girls walking in front of her spoke.
One of the girls had hair as dark as night, a girl with crystal-like eyes——Tohka. The other girl had her hair tied into two ponytails with black ribbons, having a haughty expression——Kotori.
That's correct, originally dinner was supposed to be at the Itsuka residence, but Shidou who had left earlier to buy dinner ingredients have yet to return and is unable to be contacted. As such Yoshino as well as Tohka and Kotori who were worried set out together to the shopping district to find him.
"Hm?"
All of a sudden, Tohka's eyebrow twitched, she patted Kotori on the shoulder and asked.
"Kotori, Kotori."
"Hm? What is it? Have you found Shidou already?"
"No, I haven't......I just wanted to know, what is that?"
Saying that, Tohka pointed in the direction of the street.
Over there, numerous bamboos were placed alongside the street. For some reason, the branches of the bamboos had countless strips of paper attached onto them.
"Oh......Those are wishing tanzaku. That means, that today is Tanabata."
"Tanzaku? Tanabata?