The Spirit Festival's Gourmet Date
「Raina! Look, this outfit is way better!」
「Eh, but...」
「No buts! This one is definitely cuter! Don't you agree, jona-san?」
「I'm not as up-to-date with the latest trends like Ulrika, but I think Raina suits that style too. It's youthful.」
「Well... but doesn't it look strange on me...?」
「It's not strange at all! Come on, it's the festival! You have to dress up! Go with confidence!」
「Ulrika, you're being mean... I'm going.」
「Good luck!」
I knew this year's Spirit Festival was going to be wild just from walking down the street in the morning.
It's been getting more exciting each year, but this time it's on another level. There are clearly more tourists, not just locals.
「Is this free booze going to make it my way too...?」
Walking through the crowd, I was more cautious of pickpockets than usual.
Even houses that don't usually operate as stores were selling makeshift items outside today. There were shoddy stuffed jellyfish souvenirs, made by tucking in the fabric edges, which were strangely selling despite their appearance. I definitely didn't want any.
「M-Mongrel-senpai! Over here...」
「Oh, Raina...」
Arriving at the meeting spot in front of 『Forest's Bounty Inn』, a girl I didn't recognize waved at me.
Upon closer inspection, it was Raina.
Even though she usually wore short pants, today she was in a lightweight yellow dress. The image of Raina in a skirt almost short-circuited my brain.
「Uh... what is it? Do I look weird?」
「No, I just thought you were dressed differently. I'm used to seeing you in work clothes, so this is refreshing.」
「Different, huh?」
「You're pretty cute. You look good in a dainty outfit like that.」
「... Well, okay.」
Raina seemed like she wanted compliments, and since she genuinely looked cute, I praised her. However, her reaction was unenthusiastically stiff. She should express her age-appropriate happiness more.
Oh well. It's a festival, so we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest.
「Alright, shall we start checking things out from this end?」
「Sure.」
「So, what are we eating today?」
「I'm fine with anything. Oh, but I'd like something sweet if possible.」
「Something sweet, huh? Hope we find something tasty.」
I had saved up money for this, so splurging today wasn't out of the question.
I would have to earn more after today, but it's a festival, and worrying can wait. I'll make decisions on the fly.
Decorative jelly slimes hovered heavily in the sky, and people looked up at these imitation moon spirits while walking.
Because of that, foot traffic was slow, even in places I'd usually rush through, creating a meandering experience.
When you saunter along, you start noticing nearby stalls, and soon enough, we were leisurely wandering too.
「Look, Raina, they're selling laurel tea.」
「Eh, is it any good?」
「I got a cup of it. It's really bitter; give it a try.」
「Uh, I don't want to if it's bitter... but maybe just a sip... Ugh, it's bitter!」
「Was laurel always this bitter?」
「How much was it?」
「50 jelly.」
「Hmm.」
Some things were delicious, others not so much.
From ill-made plushies, jellyfish-like leather ornaments, to small wooden carvings, there were all sorts of trivial souvenir goods.
I did wonder if I could make money with such souvenirs, but without a practical use, I wouldn't be motivated to make them.
Overall, it's more enjoyable to be a participant in such events rather than on the vendor side.
「Hey, I've heard there's a stall with good candy nearby.」
「Oh, really?」
「Shall we go?」
「Yeah, let's.」
But really, scavenging for food is the most fun.
Even in my previous life, festivals were all about eating.
「Fruits in candies, centered around dried fruits... Well, it's a lot more sensible than just chucking an apple in.」
「Mmm! It's tasty!」
Squishy dates were wrapped in what seemed like a similarly gooey soft candy.
When I tasted it... it had a mellow texture and wasn't as sweet as expected. Not bad. I might have preferred mango flavor, though.
Looking around, it seemed there was no mango flavor. They only had dates, raisins, and a few berry flavors.
They were small candies, so Raina and I generously tried them all, and the sour berry one was the tastiest.
「Mongrel-senpai, listen, I hear music coming from over there.」
「Street performers or minstrels, maybe... Shall we check it out and rate them out of ten?」
「That's mean... The lowest score is zero, right?」
「You're eager.」
Bards sometimes visited taverns to perform, but festivals were probably their big money-making days.
Singing and playing poems praising Regor or other historical figures, along with popular songs, accompanied by folk instruments like lutes or small violins, they would entertain and collect tips.
Hearing these performances, I realized that the street musicians I saw in my previous life were significantly higher quality compared to these casual performers. But at least today, there weren't any dreadful ones.
「At that moment! The 『Sword of the Harvest』 struck, and the giant mantis screamed! Its massive body stirred the earth as it fell, and the cheers of the men echoed through the forest... Regor's warriors raised their great scythes, and triumphantly returned...」
Already in high spirits, the audience tossed coins into the performers' leather pouches.
Raina and I exchanged looks and said, "Hmm, 3 points," or "2 points," as we threw in a jelly coin each.
That's the nature of free shows.
「I used to play an instrument too.」
「What, really? You can do that, Mongrel-senpai?」
「I dabbled in something like a lute. It's been ages, so I'm not sure I still can.」
Back in school, I was in a light music club.
I was at the manga research club, which consisted mostly of reading manga, and stumbled upon K-*N! That's how I got into playing guitar.
But the guitar I ordered online turned out to be an acoustic one... I couldn't even reach a solution since the seller replied only in dodgy Japanese mixed with Chinese...
Left with no choice, I reluctantly joined the light music club with my acoustic guitar, and somehow ended up forming a folk band with a group of slackers.
The culture festival live performance was a hit... The older teachers were really into it, but the students' reactions were like a wake... Though, it was fun.
Well, that guitar hobby ended when I graduated high school.
「A few years ago, I did some half-serious singing and playing at the guild.」
「What!? I never heard about that!」
「You missed out, Raina... the live gig that got pelted with tips...」
「What were you even playing to get stuff thrown at you?」
「Something called 'Red Ragnar'... a sort of made-up ballad? I'll sing it for you sometime, still kind of remember that one.」
「... I have half a mind to want to hear it and half not to...」
The guild back then also had the "Eh? Eh?" kind of reactions.
I found their reactions hilarious and couldn't stop laughing.
「Hey there, Mongrel. Whoa, is that Raina? All dressed up, you sure know how to change the atmosphere.」
「Hey, Varga, starting the drinking already?」
「Hi, Varga-san.」
「Well, of course. It's a festival! You two youngins seem to be having a great time.」
As we were walking, we ran into Varga, who was in high spirits.
Holding grilled skewers and booze, he seemed fully immersed in the festival mood.
「By the way, did you hear, Mongrel? This year, the guild's tavern is giving out free booze to guild members!」
「Seriously? That's awesome!」
「Is that true? Awesome!」
「The crowds are crazy this year, so they must be spreading out the distribution spots. After you've had your fill outside, come to the guild! We're drinking tonight!」
「Though it seems you're already quite drink-drenched.」
Varga shared this valuable tip before staggering back into the street.
Hope he doesn't get into any fights – though knowing him, he'll probably manage.
「After we watch the dances at the plaza, let's head to the guild. What do you think, Mongrel-senpai?」
「Yeah, sounds good. Free drinks at the guild sure sound great.」
「Definitely.」
We might as well pick up some delicious festival snacks to have with our drinks.
Even if it's overpriced, that's okay. It's a festival, after all!