Chapter 52

This year's Spirit Festival was going to be crazy, I could tell just by looking at the morning streets.

The excitement has been growing year by year, but this year is different. It's clear that not only locals but also many tourists have come.

"Is this free alcohol, and will my share come around too...?"

In the crowded streets, I walked with extra caution against pickpockets.

Even houses that don't usually run shops were selling things outside today. Cheap jellyfish plushies made by folding fabric edges inward, typical souvenirs that somehow sell despite their poor quality. I definitely don't need them.

"Mongrel-senpai, over here..."

"Hey, Rina..."

When we reached the meeting spot, "Forest's Bounty Pavilion," an unfamiliar kid was waving at me.

It was Rina upon closer inspection.

She usually wears short pants, but today she was in a light yellow, cool-looking dress. The image of Rina in a skirt didn't quite compute in my head.

"Um... is something wrong?"

"No, I just thought it was unusual. I'm used to seeing you in your work clothes, so it feels fresh."

"Unusual?"

"Pretty cute, actually. You look good in such delicate clothes."

"...Okay, thanks."

Rina seemed to want a compliment, and I genuinely thought she looked cute, so I praised her. But her reaction was pretty lukewarm. She should be more excited for her age.

Oh well. It's a special festival day, so we should enjoy it to the fullest.

"Alright, let's start from the beginning and work our way through."

"Got it."

"By the way, what do you want to eat today?"

"Anything's fine. Oh, I'd like something sweet, though."

"Something sweet, huh? I hope we find something good."

I've managed to save up some money, so I have enough to splurge for the day.

Of course, I'll have to earn more after today, but it's a festival, so I don't need to worry about the future. I'll just go with the flow.

Decorated jelly slimes floated heavily in the air, and people walked while looking up at these moon spirits.

Perhaps because of this, the flow of people was naturally slow, and even places where I usually walk quickly were moving at a snail's pace.

As we walked slowly, we couldn't help but be drawn to the nearby stalls, and our pace became even more leisurely.

"Look, Rina, this is laurel tea."

"Is it good?"

"I'll get a cup. It's really bitter, try it."

"Um, I don't really want to... but I'll try a little... bitter!?"

"Is laurel this bitter?"

"How much did it cost?"

"50 jelly."

"Hmm..."

There are good things and bad things.

There are also many useless souvenirs like poorly made plushies, jellyfish leather decorations, and small wooden statues.

I sometimes think I should have tried to make money with such souvenirs, but I don't have the motivation to make anything that isn't practical.

It's probably more fun to be a participant and walk around than to be a vendor.

"Senpai, there's apparently a good candy stall around here."

"Oh, really?"

"Want to go?"

"Sure, let's go."

"Let's go."

But still, buying food is the most fun for me.

In my previous life, festivals were all about eating.

"Candies with dried fruits... much more sensible than putting in apples."

"Mmm! It's delicious!"

The candies were soft and sticky, with dates as the main ingredient.

When I tasted it... the texture was smooth, and the sweetness was more restrained than I expected. Not bad at all. I might want to try a mango flavor.

However, after a quick search, there didn't seem to be any mango flavors. Only dates, raisins, and a few types of berry flavors were available.

The candies were small, so Rina and I generously tried all the flavors. The sour berry flavor was the best.

"Senpai, senpai, there's music over there."

"Buskers or bards... let's check it out. I'll rate them on a scale of 10."

"Your personality is so bad... the lowest is 0, right?"

"You're enthusiastic."

Bards sometimes visit taverns to sing, but the festival is their best time to earn.

They sing praises of Legor and its heroes, popular songs, and other things, accompanied by lutes or small violins, and ask for tips.

Listening to these performances, I realize that the street musicians I saw in my previous life were of much higher quality. Most of these performers are quite casual, but it's a festival, so there aren't many terrible ones.

"At that moment! The 'Sword of Harvest' was thrust, and the giant mantis screamed! Its massive body fell to the ground, kicking up dirt, and the men's victory cries echoed through the forest... The brave warriors of Legor raised their scythes and triumphantly returned home..."

Already tipsy guests threw coins into the leather bag.

Rina and I exchanged glances, saying "Hmm, 3 points" or "2 points," and threw in one jelly each.

Free entertainment is usually like this.

"I used to play an instrument."

"Really? You can do that, Mongrel-senpai?"

"A bit of a lute-like thing. It's been so long, I'm not sure if I can still play."

I was in the light music club in high school.

I started playing guitar after reading *K-ON!* that was left in the manga club, which I visited to read manga.

However, the guitar I ordered online turned out to be an acoustic guitar...

I couldn't file a complaint because the response was in a mix of Chinese and suspicious Japanese...

I ended up joining the light music club with an acoustic guitar and formed a folk band with some other members.

The live performance at the cultural festival was amazing... the older teachers were really into it, but the students' reaction was like a funeral... It was fun, though.

But I eventually got bored with the guitar and stopped in high school.

"I did a bit of busking at the guild a few years ago, just for fun."

"Really? I didn't know! What was it?"

"Didn't you know, Rina... I didn't know I was getting pelted with tips... I was playing a heroic tale called 'Red Ragnar'... I'll play it for you sometime, I still remember it."

"...I'm half excited and half scared to hear it..."

The reaction from the guild members back then was also "What? What?" I found it funny and laughed.

"Hey, Mongrel. Oh! Is that Rina? Wow, you look nice. You've changed."

"Hey, Balgar, already drinking?"

"Hey, Balgar-senpai."

"Of course, it's a festival. You two look young and energetic."

As we walked, we ran into a cheerful Balgar, who was already in the festival spirit with skewers and alcohol.

"Hey, Mongrel, did you hear? The guild is giving out free drinks this year, but only for guild members!"

"Really? That's great."

"Really! Awesome!"

"Since it's crowded this year, they're distributing the drinks in different places. After you've had your fun outside, come to the guild! We're drinking today!"

"You're already pretty drunk, though."

Balgar gave us the scoop and then wandered off down the street.

I hope he doesn't get into a fight. He'll be fine, though...

"After we finish watching the square dance, let's go to the guild, Mongrel-senpai."

"Sure, let's do that. Getting free drinks at the guild sounds great."

"Agreed."

We'll also buy some tasty snacks from the stalls.

It's worth it, even if they're a bit expensive. It's a festival, after all!