Chapter 61: The Fourth Dance, For the Golden Cinderella (1)
The Cultural Festival had concluded.
Although they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and even secured two subsidies, which had significantly bolstered the sisters’ small treasury, Shion still felt a pervasive sense of emptiness in her heart.
‘Ah, perhaps it was that feeling of profound melancholy, a quiet sorrow left behind once all the splendor had faded?’
On the bustling school grounds, the bonfires that had blazed so brightly were now extinguished, and the students who had shared laughter had dispersed, each returning to their own homes.
Shion finally caught up with Ayane amidst the cluster of food stalls; her younger sister still clutched two skewers of fish balls, her eyes sparkling as she eagerly scanned for more edibles.
Together, the sisters made their way back to the shrine.
The shrine at night was deserted, enveloped in an endless, profound stillness.
Of course, it was equally possible that this feeling stemmed from the impending return to classes, which would commence the following Monday after the weekend.
Lessons had always been a particular headache for Shion, a sentiment undoubtedly shared by countless ordinary students.
In the living room, Ayane, her stomach pleasantly full, hugged a small cushion as she diligently caught up on the morning drama she had missed due to oversleeping.
It was fortunate that Shion had recorded it on a videotape earlier that morning, or Ayane would have missed an entire day’s worth of television.
The sounds from the television, punctuated by Ayane’s occasional bursts of laughter, were perhaps the sole proof that Shion was not utterly alone in the quiet solitude of the shrine.
Finding herself bored in her room, Shion eventually made her way to the living room, curling up on the same sofa as Ayane.
Though Ayane remained glued to the television, her gaze unwavering, she still shifted slightly, making a small space for Shion.
Once Shion had settled, Ayane immediately snuggled closer to her.
Having no particular interest in morning dramas, Shion instead pulled out her phone and began chatting with a few other girls.
[I didn’t get to attend tonight’s after-festival, it’s such a pity~ o(╥﹏╥)o] Shigure’s message conveyed her deep regret at being unable to join the after-festival.
[Iori-san, did you go to the hospital to look after your grandmother tonight?] Shion messaged back, inquiring.
[Yes, even though Grandma told me to go to the after-festival and not worry about her, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. So I came to the hospital to take care of her tonight.] Shigure concluded, adding a cute, rolling kitten emoji.
[But I can see the bonfires lit at the school from here, they’re so beautiful~ I can even see them from the hospital! I feel like I’m catching some of the happy atmosphere!]
Following this, Shigure sent a photograph she had taken from the hospital window.
Through the window, one could discern the distant, orange glow of the school’s bonfires.
She had likely intended to show Shion that the lively scene at the school was visible even from her vantage point.
However, Shigure might not have noticed that through the windowpane, beyond the distant bonfires, the reflection subtly revealed a golden-haired girl whose eyes were filled with both longing and regret, faint and indistinct though the image was.
Perhaps even Shigure herself hadn’t noticed, but Shion had.
Shion let out a soft sigh, then began typing on her phone. ‘[Iori-san, it’s a bit of a shame you couldn’t make it to the Cultural Festival.]’
[Oh? It’s fine, really. There’ll still be a chance to participate next year. By then, Grandma’s illness might even be better.]
As she replied, Shigure did not include her usual adorable emoji.
[I’m planning to head home soon~] Shigure continued.
[Then Iori-san, please wait for me nearby~]
Having sent that, Shion rose from the sofa and walked towards the genkan (TL Note: The entrance area of a Japanese house, typically with a lower floor level for removing shoes).
“Sister, are you going out this late?” Ayane, still seated on the sofa, looked up and asked Shion.
“Yes, I’m going to meet Iori-san. Ayane, please make sure to lock the door later, alright?” Shion specifically instructed.
Ayane pouted in displeasure, yet still replied, “Be careful when you’re out, Sister, and make sure to come back tonight.”
“No problem.” Shion gave an ‘okay’ gesture, slipped on her small leather shoes, gathered a few items, and pushed open the door to leave.
The night wind, originating from the sea, swept through the trees, bringing a slight coolness to the height of the summer night.
Dressed in casual clothes, Shion walked through the breeze, step by step, towards the brightly lit foot of the mountain.
Behind her, the faint chime of the shrine’s wind chimes grew progressively more distant.
The hospital was not far from the Hoshimori Shrine.
After a brisk walk of about fifteen minutes, Shion arrived at the open space in front of the hospital.
From a distance, she could discern a golden-haired girl standing obediently by the entrance, looking around.
The moment Shigure spotted Shion, she waved excitedly and jogged towards her.
“Shion-san, why are you out so late?” Shigure asked, though the delight in her eyes was utterly impossible to conceal.
“I just had a feeling that Iori-san might feel a little regretful not having attended tonight’s after-festival. So, I’ve come to make up for the after-festival you missed,” Shion explained, gently pulling Shigure towards a long bench in the open area and sitting down.
While referred to as an ‘open space,’ this area was actually a simple, rudimentary park designed by the hospital for patients to stroll and relax, featuring only a few benches, some scattered greenery, and a small stream flowing through it.
Shion retrieved a box of takoyaki from her canvas bag and handed it to Shigure. “These takoyaki are from right outside the school gates; there were so many stalls today.”
Shigure opened the takoyaki box, revealing that each octopus ball was still pleasantly warm.
She gently speared one with a bamboo skewer and offered it to Shion’s lips first. “Thank you, Shion-san~ You should have the first bite.”
Shion took a generous bite of half a ball, and a little sauce trickled down the corner of her lips.
Smiling, Shigure pulled out her handkerchief and dabbed at Shion’s mouth.
“It’s really delicious, Iori-san, you should try some too!” Shion urged.
“Mm, okay~” Shigure then naturally brought the takoyaki, half-eaten by Shion, to her own mouth, a look of contentment spreading across her face. “It truly is delicious.”
“I hope Iori Grandma recovers soon, so Iori-san can come to next year’s after-festival without worry. We’ll dance together then, alright?” Shion gently ruffled Shigure’s golden hair, her voice soft.
“I hope so too,” Shigure murmured, setting down the remaining takoyaki. She looked up at the starry sky. “Grandma is the only family I have left to rely on. If her illness doesn’t get better, I’ll be so tired and worried… Hehe, is it okay to say that out loud?”
As Shigure gazed up at the starry sky, Shion was reminded of the day they first met, when, after Shigure had completed her prayers, they sat side-by-side on the shrine steps, watching the fiery red sunset slowly fade into the twinkling stars of the approaching night.
The beautiful, yet utterly helpless, golden-haired girl.