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Friend

Emma, over here! It was crowded, but did you find your way without getting lost?

Visitor

Yes. Once I left the station, lanterns continued all the way to the venue, so it was easy to find.

Friend

Good. This is your first time at a summer festival, right?

Visitor

Yes. Everything catching my eye feels new, and I am already excited.

Friend

Your yukata suits the summer festival atmosphere. It looks great.

Visitor

Thanks. Since this is my first summer festival, I wanted to try wearing a yukata too.

Friend

Is it difficult to walk in?

Visitor

My host mother lent it to me, but I am not used to walking in it yet. I might trip if I hurry.

Friend

There is no need to hurry today. It is crowded, so let us take it slowly.

Visitor

Yes. It really helps that you know so much about festivals, Haruto.

Friend

It looks like it will get even more crowded from here.

Visitor

What should we do if we get separated?

Friend

Then let us meet in front of the large sign at the entrance.

Visitor

Got it. Choosing a landmark now makes me feel better.

Visitor

Wow, stalls line both sides of the shrine approach.

Friend

Takoyaki, yakisoba, shaved ice... There are plenty of sweets too.

Visitor

Everything smells so good, I want to try it all.

Friend

If you eat everything, you will be full before the fireworks begin.

Visitor

That would be a problem. Since I am here, I want something I do not usually eat.

Friend

Then let us start with what you want to eat most. What catches your eye right now?

Visitor

Probably takoyaki. I have wanted to try it from a festival stall.

Friend

It must be popular—the line goes all the way around the corner.

Visitor

You are right. How long do you think the wait will be?

Friend

At this rate, maybe fifteen or twenty minutes.

Visitor

There are only twenty-five minutes until the fireworks begin, right?

Friend

Yes. I think the riverside viewing area will start getting crowded soon.

Visitor

I do not want to miss the first fireworks. Should we leave the takoyaki until later?

Friend

It looks like this stall will stay open after the fireworks. We should be fine if we come back later.

Visitor

Right. We do not have to rush around every stall right now.

Friend

The grilled-corn stall has a short line, so we should be able to get some now.

Visitor

Is grilled corn sweet or salty?

Friend

I think this stall uses soy sauce. It is fragrant and delicious.

Visitor

I will get that. For a drink, I am curious about the ramune in that glass bottle.

Friend

Good idea. While we buy the corn, let us pick up some ramune too.

Visitor

The way you open it is interesting, right? I want to try it myself.

Friend

You open it by pressing the marble at the top down. If you press hard, it may spill a little.

Visitor

It opened! Grilled corn and ramune... Suddenly this really feels like a summer festival.

Friend

Start with the corn. It is hot, so be careful with the first bite.

Visitor

Let me try it... Delicious! The soy sauce aroma is stronger than I expected.

Friend

Be careful not to drip sauce on your yukata.

Visitor

That was close. Enjoying a festival takes skill too.

Friend

Do not worry. There is no festival exam, so no one will deduct points if you make a mistake.

Visitor

Let me try the ramune too. It is not as sweet as I expected, so it is easy to drink.

Friend

It tastes even better when you drink it on a hot day.

Visitor

Yes. The marble makes a cute rattling sound too.

Friend

That sound really makes it feel like we came to a summer festival.

Visitor

Where should I return this bottle when I finish it?

Friend

The sign says to return it to the stall where we bought it.

Visitor

What about the corn waste?

Friend

Let us check the labels and sort it at that waste station.

Visitor

There is ring toss over there! I have seen it in anime.

Friend

Want to try it? We still have about ten minutes until the fireworks.

Visitor

Yes, just one round. Are the rules simple?

Friend

At this stall, you throw four rings. If one lands on a peg, it looks like you win the prize in front of it.

Visitor

Then I will aim for that small fan.

Friend

The peg in front may be easier to land on than the one in back.

Visitor

Here goes! Oh, it flew somewhere completely different.

Friend

You used too much force that time. Try relaxing your shoulders on the next one.

Visitor

Got it. This time... Ah, it hit the peg but bounced away!

Friend

So close. Maybe try dropping it from a little higher.

Visitor

You try too, Haruto. Show me how it is done.

Friend

Sure. This kind of thing is all about feel. Watch this!

Visitor

Wait, didn't yours go even farther than mine?

Friend

The wind is strong today.

Visitor

You did not mention the wind at all until now.

Friend

Okay, that was an excuse. It is harder than I expected.

Visitor

Then I will throw the last one. It went in!

Friend

Wow, great job! You got it on the final throw.

Visitor

I did it! It is a small fan, but winning it myself makes me happy.

Friend

You can use that fan right away. Oh, the fireworks start in five minutes.

Visitor

Is it that late already? Let us hurry to the viewing area.

Friend

Running in a yukata is dangerous, so let us walk quickly. This path is less crowded.

Visitor

Okay. I will follow you so we do not get separated.

Friend

We made it. There is no one in front of us here, so we should have a good view.

Visitor

It is a little breezy and cool near the river.

Friend

See? This time there really is wind.

Visitor

So this is different from your ring-toss excuse.

Friend

Exactly. The venue lights just dimmed. It is about to start.

Visitor

Wow... I can feel the sound through my body. It is completely different from seeing it in photographs.

Friend

It really is. Seeing the night sky light up in an instant may be the best part of this festival.

Visitor

Yes. I am glad we came. I wonder what the next firework will be like. And let us not forget the takoyaki afterward.

Friend

Of course. Let us watch the fireworks a little longer, then head back slowly.

Visitor

Yes. I hope the takoyaki line is shorter by then.

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