I woke up abruptly at eight in the morning.
Today was Rainy Holiday.
It’s also the day when the giant sky whale leisurely flies over this city.
Those same sky whales eat the rain clouds in the sky above the city. So, it’s guaranteed not to rain. In other words, it’s the perfect day for the event.
After finishing my morning preparations, I headed downstairs.
Today, I’m going to enjoy today to my heart’s content!
But, I saw something unexpected.
For some reason, there’s a panda in [Grand Bahamut].
“W-Why is there a panda here? Was it delivered…?” (Wilhelm)
The panda turned towards me.
“Wow, how rare. Even though you’re a neet, you can still wake up early on festival days mew.” (Mew-chan)
The panda spoke!
“…Hmm? Ahahaha, I see. So, the panda’s true identity is Mew-chan!” (Wilhelm)
Mew-chan seemed extremely embarrassed.
Mew-chan had black ink painted around their eyes, chest, hands, and feet. Color-wise, he looked exactly like a real panda.
“Who on earth did this to you?” (Wilhelm)
“I was done in by Ojou… Every year, just for this one day, I have to be enthusiastic mew.” (Mew-chan)
“Wow, even though you’re usually so quiet. The power of the festival is amazing.” (Wilhelm)
Rainy Holiday is an event for children who have been enduring staying indoors during the rainy season.
Children will go around and keep asking for sweets, and there’s a rule that allows them to freely paint ink on adults who don’t comply.
When I was little, I used to paint on adults as well.
“Ah, Wil-sama~!” (Anya)
Anya’s voice was brighter than usual. Her expression was also cheerful.
“Good morning, Anya!” (Wilhelm)
“Give me sweets, please.” (Anya)
“Ahaha, I don’t have any.” (Wilhelm)
“Then, please be prepared!” (Anya)
“Ah, I’ll gladly accept!” (Wilhelm)
I spread out my arms and resigned myself to it.
Ah, the brush tickles. She’s showing no mercy at all.
My face and clothes were all covered in ink. I must look terrible.
“Wil-sama, you look really strange!” (Anya)
“Well, that’s troublesome. Ahahaha!” (Wilhelm)
Anya giggled mischievously as she circled around my back, painting freely.
No mercy indeed. Well, I think it’s okay. Today’s that kind of day, after all.
“Good morning! Wil-kun, are you awake? There’s no way you’re awake.” (Sofia)
It seems like Sofia-san came from the back door of the house. Unfortunately, I am awake. Sofia-san looks extremely surprised when she finds me.
“Wow, how rare, that Wil-kun is awake in the morning. What’s going on today?” (Sofia)
“It’s a festival day, so I ended up waking up earlier than usual.” (Wilhelm)
“Wow, you’re like a child! But, you’re already covered in ink.” (Sofia)
“How do I look?” (Wilhelm)
“Hmm? Maybe like a colorful zebra?” (Sofia)
“Surprisingly cute, huh?” (Wilhelm)
“Eh? Do you like staying like that? Don’t you want to change out? I brought along a shirt that my dad doesn’t wear anymore. You can have it and throw it away after today.” (Sofia)
“I’ll change into it later. What about you? Is wearing your usual outfit okay, Sofia-san?” (Wilhelm)
“Yeah, I’ve prepared lots of sweets, so it’s fine.” (Sofia)
Sofia-san happily showed me her bag of sweets.
There must be lots of them packed inside. The bag’s colorful design is also perfect for the festival.
“Sofia-san!” (Anya)
Anya bounced over excitedly.
“Anya-chan, onee-san will give you some sweets, so prepare yourself.” (Sofia)
“Ah, I’ll take the sweets later.” (Anya)
“Huh?” (Sofia)
“Before that—” (Anya)
Anya dipped the brush in ink and doodled on Sofia-san’s cheek.
Sofia-san squinted, as the brush tickled her.
Anya drew cat whiskers on her. It’s so cute!
“Ehehe, it tickles. Hey, wait, Anya-chan? I did bring sweets though~?” (Sofia)
“I’ll take the sweets later. Hehehe! Sofia-san’s so cute.” (Anya)
“I wonder if that’s okay… Ahahahaha—wait, you’re doing it on my body too?” (Sofia)
Anya showed no mercy.
Without hesitation, Anya painted ink on Sofia-san’s chest, stomach, and thighs.
She gradually started to look more like a tiger.
Sofia-san seemed ticklish the whole time, squirming and giggling. She looked like she was having fun.
This is what festival days are all about. Today, I’m going to enjoy myself to my heart’s content!
◇
Together with everyone from [Grand Bahamut], we headed out to prepare our stall for the event. Our destination was the central square of the city.
Our rival, [Cosmic Falcon], seemed to have already started preparing their stall.
“Oh-hohohoho. So, you decided to not run away, Anastasia! I’ll win today’s battle by a landslide!” (Clara)
“Good morning, Clara-chan.” (Anya)
“W-Wait, wait, wait!” (Clara)
“Hmm? What’s wrong?” (Anya)
“I’m still a child desu wa.” (Clara)
“Yeah, I know.” (Anya)
“Then why are you trying to paint ink on me with a smile on your face?! That smile is scary desu wa. Sofia-san, Sofia-san—Please help me instead of just watching!” (Clara)
“Sorry, Clara-chan.” (Sofia)
“You’re heartless desu wa. Aaah!” (Clara)
Anya mischievously doodled on Clara’s cheek without hesitation.
Clara seemed reluctant, but she accepted it. She really seemed to dislike it though.
Pink heart marks are being drawn all over Clara. That must be Anya’s way of expressing her affection towards Clara. Anya seems incredibly happy, smiling from ear to ear.
“Hey, neet. Doesn’t the stall feel a bit plain to you?” (Mew-chan)
Mew-chan, dressed in a happi coat1 and a festival hat, seemed to be pondering something.
Mew-chan had set up the table, but indeed, it looked quite lonely with just that.
[Cosmic Falcon] had decorations like flowers and plush toys all around their stall. Moreover, they had a wide variety of treats, from chocolates to cookies, caramels, and baked goods. It was so extravagant that just looking at it made you feel excited.
In comparison, [Grand Bahamut]’s stall was anything but lavish. There was only a plain table with a box filled with lots of candies.
“You’re right, Mew-chan. Should we buy some balloons?” (Wilhelm)
“Huh, surprising proposal coming from you, considering it requires money. Do you have money to spare mew?” (Mew-chan)
“Heh, I’m not the same as I was during the spring.” (Wilhelm)
“That’s odd. The neet is more reliable than usual mew.” (Mew-chan)
This time, I made sure to bring my wallet before leaving the house. There’s no way I wouldn’t have money to buy balloons.
With that, I went and bought some balloons from the nearby general store.
Mew-chan and I blew them up together like crazy. I felt like I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen.
After inflating the balloons, we tied them with strings and hung them on the legs of the table.
“Wow, it really feels like it’s got the festival atmosphere now mew!” (Mew-chan)
“We did it, Mew-chan!” (Wilhelm)
We high-fived each other with excitement.
At that moment, a nearby sky whale let out a loud “buoooooo” noise.
Mew-chan and I looked up simultaneously. There’s a gigantic whale floating in the sky above the city. It leisurely floats around, and it would probably be until tomorrow for it to pass through the city.
I can’t help but envy it a bit. After all, it’s just leisurely floating in the sky, living a life of eating and sleeping. I wish I could live such a lazy life too.
We steadily continued our preparations.
Right now, [Grand Bahamut] is a candy shop.
We have flavors like orange, strawberry, peach, berry, and many more. Kids can also scoop them into paper bags, making shopping fun for them.
At ten-thirty, the fireworks signal was fired.
It was a loud sound that could be heard throughout the town. This marks the beginning of the festival.
“Clara-chan, I won’t lose!” (Anya)
“I won’t lose, Anastasia!” (Clara)
They bumped their fists together.
Now, it’s the start of the showdown between [Grand Bahamut] and [Cosmic Falcon], a battle of who sells out first. Who will emerge victorious in this rivalry?
◇
It’s past noon.
Both candy shops are selling well. But if I had to say, [Grand Bahamut] is lagging behind a bit. Hang in there, Anya.
As for me, I was surrounded by neighborhood kids.
Well, my shirt was completely covered in ink. Well, it can’t be helped, it’s that kind of day.
“We did it! We defeated the Demon King!” (Child)
“Yay!” (Child)
Everyone’s merciless today.
It’s a good thing that I got this shirt from Sofia-san. I’ll just throw it away when today is over.
“If anyone’s free, could you help out at Anya’s shop?” (Wilhelm)
“That’s right. Anya’s losing. Let’s go!” (Child)
“Yay!” (Other Children)
They’re energetic kids. I vaguely remembered asking for everyone’s names. I remember the oldest boy was named Daniel. And then, um… the demon girl was named Scarlet…
“Oh, Wilhelm-kun, what a coincidence to meet you here.” (Liliana)
When I turned around, Liliana was there. Her eyes were sparkling like stars, holding a brush in her hand and a bottle of ink on her hip. She’s fully equipped.
For some reason, I feel like I’m about to be attacked.
“Is it really a coincidence?” (Wilhelm)
“Will you let me touch your muscles? Or will you let me play a prank on you?” (Liliana)
Liliana seems excited.
She’s totally ready to touch my muscles.
“Hey, Liliana, you’re not a kid anymore, right?” (Wilhelm)
“When I see muscles, I revert to my childish self.” (Liliana)
“What kind of excuse is that?” (Wilhelm)
“Hehehe. I can’t resist anymore. I’m very curious to see how your muscles react when painted with a brush. Now, let’s paint!” (Liliana)
“No, sto-” (Wilhelm)
Argh! My face got painted, and my shirt buttons were undone, and my muscles were covered in ink.
I got annoyed and snatched the brush away.
Liliana, looking satisfied, turned pale.
“W-Wait a minute! What are you thinking? Unlike you, Wilhelm-kun, I’m working right now!” (Liliana)
“I revert to my childish self when I see Liliana.” (Wilhelm)
“What kind of excuse is that?” (Liliana)
“Hahaha, I can’t resist anymore!” (Wilhelm)
I said in a monotone voice.
“W-Wait! Please grow up already. Your classmates have all long since grown up. W-wait, are you really going to do it? A-a-a-argh! This is totally harassment!” (Liliana)
“Isn’t it fine~” (Wilhelm)
“It’s definitely not fine!” (Liliana)
I painted her mercilessly.
“Hahaha, your face and uniform are covered in ink now. Guess you’d got to go back to work looking like that.” (Wilhelm)
It’s kinda funny to see a serious girl like her covered in ink.
“Ah… well, you’re just hopeless.” (Liliana)
“Hey, that’s my line.” (Wilhelm)
“There’s a difference in weight between the words of someone working and someone not.” (Liliana)
Ouch. That hit me right in the feels. Yeah, that’s totally true.
“There aren’t many kind-hearted women who would let you do something like this, you know. You should be grateful to me.” (Liliana)
“Yeah, yeah, I am.” (Wilhelm)
I said it again in a monotone voice.
“Then, as a thank you, let me touch your muscles.” (Liliana)
“Why does it still come back to that? Ah, I should get back to work soon,” (Wilhelm)
“Aww…” (Liliana)
Don’t ‘Aww’ me.
“Which is more important to you, me or work?” (Liliana)
“Work, work.” (Wilhelm)
“Then, Wilhelm-kun, let’s work together!” (Liliana)
“I’ll pass.” (Wilhelm)
With a sigh, Liliana wiped her face with a handkerchief.
The ink wasn’t coming off at all. She’ll need to wash her face to get it off.
“Oh, right. Wilhelm-kun, you’re free around 2 o’clock today, right?” (Liliana)
“I’m extremely busy, though?” (Wilhelm)
“Then please come to the church. I’ll be waiting.” (Liliana)
“Huh? Wait, did you just ignore my busy statement?” (Wilhelm)
Liliana smiled and headed back towards the castle.
Completely ignored. Even though I’m busy playing all day today. Hah…
TL Notes:
Thanks for reading!
Children can paint you if you don’t give them candy? Well, Anya can paint you even if you give her candy.
That painting thing sounds pretty fun, except that if it was in the real world, it would be much more dangerous cause kids are merciless.