The sounds of drums with "Don don don!" and flutes playing "Pii hyaa raraa" pulled us into the world of the festival, unwillingly.
As the sun began to set and the evening darkened, the light of the lanterns created a fantastical atmosphere.
The festival in the neighboring town, where Grandpa’s house is located, was a small local festival around a tiny shrine, with food stalls lined up—essentially a neighborhood festival.
It wasn’t on a large scale, but it was a community event created by the neighborhood association and local residents.
In the town square, a small yagura (platform) was built, and energetic men wearing happi coats were playing the large drums.
According to Mom, this festival isn’t a traditional one—it was organized in the past few years.
"Oh, it reminds me of the festival in Eashen," said Yae.
"Eashen is a country similar to Japan, huh?"
"Yes, that’s right, Father-in-law. Eashen and this country have many similarities…"
Yae, walking ahead, was telling Dad about Eashen. It’s a country that mixes elements from the Sengoku period and Edo period, more or less.
"Oh, they’re selling balloons!"
"Huh?"
Frei looked toward a shallow water tank between the stalls.
I thought they were just selling regular balloons, but it was a Yo-Yo fishing game. Wow, they still have this, huh?
Inside the water tank were small, colorful water balloons. These are called water yo-yos, or yo-yo balloons. Each small water balloon had a rubber loop tied to it.
"Do you want to try?"
"Yeah! I’ll do it!"
"Oh! Me too!"
"Me too!"
At Mom’s words, not only Frei but also Linne and Steph, who had been watching the Yo-Yo fishing game with interest, responded.
We paid, and the vendor gave us a hook attached to a twisted paper string. The goal is to hook the rubber loop attached to the water yo-yo and fish it out.
"Get it, ah!?"
The moment Linne hooked a water yo-yo, the paper string broke, and the yo-yo splashed back into the water. Yeah, that’s pretty common.
I told Linne a little trick I heard from Grandpa.
"Try to avoid getting the paper string wet while fishing. Hook the rubber string and follow it to bring the loop up. Hold the paper string from the base, not the tip, and hold it short."
"Got it!"
We paid again and got another hook, which I handed to Linne. By now, the other girls had started fishing too. Elze and Sue joined in as well.
"I got it!"
Frei, who had been listening to my advice, shouted as she fished up an orange water yo-yo. Oh, she got it.
"Can I do more?"
"As long as the string doesn’t break."
"I’m doing it!"
Once you fail at Yo-Yo fishing, it’s over, but as long as the string doesn’t snap, you can fish as many as you want.
Eventually, Frei fished up three water yo-yos and gave one to Steph, who hadn’t managed to catch any.
By the way, I showed them how to put the rubber band on their fingers and make it "snap" back and forth. When Frei used too much force, the rubber broke, and one of the yo-yos ended up as a stain on the ground—just a funny little incident.
"Oh, they have cotton candy!"
"Huh? Do you know about cotton candy?"
Arcia, eyes sparkling, rushed toward the cotton candy stall. Mom seemed surprised that the granddaughter from another world knew about cotton candy.
"Cotton candy is sold at festivals in the future Brünhild too. It’s made using a magical tool that Father made."
Huh. Looks like I must have created a cotton candy magical tool in the future.
Now that I think about it, when we came to Earth during our honeymoon, Lu and Yae ate cotton candy at the school festival. Maybe they asked me to make some for them.
"But it didn’t have this kind of color. I see there are a lot of different kinds besides white."
Ah… I must have made simple cotton candy. Just with sugar.
I think you can use colored sugar to make red, blue, and orange cotton candy like this. Some even look like a rainbow.
Dad bought cotton candy for the kids who wanted it. Kuon, Yakumo, and Quun didn’t seem interested. However, Sue and Sakura received some.
...I’ve been noticing it for a while now, but the curious glances from people around us are starting to bug me.
Well, it would be weird if no one paid attention to a group of kids like this.
And if there are nine cute girls walking around in yukatas, of course, they’ll stand out.
Well, they’re all my wives, though!
"What’s wrong, Touya-san?"
"Sorry, I was just feeling smug inside."
"Smug...?"
Yumina tilted her head with a puzzled look. That gesture is also cute, my dear wife!
Hmm, the charm of yukatas really increases their appeal... I need to be careful not to be overwhelmed. Well, even if I am, it’s not really a problem.
"Oh, there’s a shooting gallery."
I found a store I could only see at festivals and felt a nostalgic sense of excitement.
At the back of the stall was something like a shelf, with boxes of candy and targets with numbers on them.
There were small stacks of 10-yen gum and 30-yen soda, and you would use a cork gun to shoot them off the shelf.
When you knock down a target with a number on it, you get the prize corresponding to that number. Oh, there are even remote-controlled cars and large stuffed animals... But the targets with remote-controlled cars on them are as small as a 1-yen coin... They’re definitely not meant to be won.
I guess those targets are just for show to attract customers. There’s no candy tower around the numbered tags, and they’re carefully designed to prevent other targets from falling with a wrong shot.
"Hmm..."
I hesitated for a moment whether to try or not, but then Quun stepped forward.
"How much is it?"
"Three shots for one hundred yen."
Quun took out one hundred yen from her wallet, handed it to the vendor, and received three cork guns and bullets.
Following my instructions, Quun pulled the lever and set the cork bullet in the gun’s barrel. If you load the cork too much, the air pressure decreases, and the power weakens.
Koon aimed the gun at the target, which was number three. Oh, it's the remote-controlled car target... I see.
The rule here is that as long as you’re standing with one foot on the ground, you can shoot even if you stretch out your hand, but with a kid’s height, it’s hard to shoot without leaning forward.
Quun placed her elbow on the stall’s table and fixed the gun firmly.
"I’m good with guns, just not as good as mother-Yumina."
With a loud "Gashapan!" the cork bullet flew, but completely missed the remote-controlled car target. Huh?
"Gashapan! Gashapan!" The remaining shots missed too, failing to hit anything.
What happened to "being good"? Quun, who was holding the gun and shaking, turned to the vendor and confronted him.
"Hey, shopkeeper! What’s going on with this gun’s adjustment?! It doesn’t fly straight at all!"
"Well, there’s not much I can do about that..."
The vendor, caught off guard by the sudden complaint, smiled wryly. From the vendor's perspective, a gun that shoots straight would kill their business, after all.
The gun Quun usually uses is tuned for extreme precision.
"Ugh, Mother-Yumina! Please take revenge for me!"
"Huh...? Well, I guess I can..."
Yumina paid a hundred yen, received the cork gun and bullets, and carefully loaded the cork into the barrel.
Unlike Quun, Yumina, being taller, could have leaned forward, but she also placed her elbow on the table, taking aim.
Wait... Maybe she doesn’t know the rules? Or is it because she doesn’t want to move the gun too much?
She aimed the gun at the remote-controlled car target. "Gashapan!" The shot flew slightly off the target, and everyone sighed in disappointment.
Pulling the lever, Yumina reloaded the gun.
"Next time, I’ll hit it."
"Huh?"
As soon as Yumina said this, the vendor let out a strange sound, and "Gashapan!" The bullet hit the target squarely.
"I did it! As expected of Mother-Yumina!"
"No way...!?"
The vendor stared at the fallen target in astonishment. She must have figured out the gun’s quirks on the first shot, and the second shot was aimed with that in mind.
At this point, I’m sure Yumina could hit anything with that gun. Plus, there’s still one shot left...
"Gashapan!" This time, the first target, which was a handheld gaming device, fell. The first big prize. Sorry, vendor. Well, I didn’t cheat, though.
With a tearful face, the vendor handed over the remote-controlled car and game console, and we said our goodbyes as we left the shooting gallery.
Yumina gave the remote-controlled car to Quun and the game console to Kuon.
Kuon hesitated, saying, "No, I can’t..." but Yumina forcefully pressed the game console into his hands.
"I know, you know? I know that you has been interested in a game where you can build various buildings and towns. I can see right through you, Kuon."
"Yes... thank you..."
Kuon carefully holds the game console, clutching it. That game... is it the one they call "the most sold indie game in the world"? It’s a sandbox game where you can create all sorts of things.
I do remember Kuon watching streams of that game online with great interest. But still...
"You can’t play the game without the software..."
"Well, you can download it from the main console... When we get back, I’ll buy the software with my credit card."
As expected of Dad. I’ll pay later, of course.
In the other world, the researchers there can handle electricity, so charging won’t be a problem.
It’s a shame that we can’t upload to the latest version, and that we can’t play network-based games, but... Well, we can always do that next time we come to Earth, once a year.
Besides, with Kuon’s obsession, I have a feeling some incredible structures will start popping up in that game... Well, as long as he enjoys it.
"Oh, they’re selling yakisoba!"
"They’ve got takoyaki too!"
Yae and Frei, the always-hungry duo, rush toward the food stalls. The kids, attracted by them, also ran toward the stalls excitedly.
Well, it’s dinner time, so everyone’s hungry. Even I’ve been noticing the smell of okonomiyaki from earlier.
There are benches and tables in the plaza beneath the shrine, so we decided to take a break and have dinner there.
After getting the funds from Mom, Yae and Frei’s food procurement squad excitedly headed toward the stalls.
The rest of us sat on the benches to take a break. The kids were eating the cotton candy they bought, but that won’t fill them up.
"I hear a strange song."
"Huh?"
When Sakura strained her ears, we heard a folk-like song accompanying the sound of drums. Bon Odori... No, it’s past Obon, so it’s probably a summer dance song, right?
I’ve heard this one before. Depending on the region, the song changes, but since my hometown isn’t far from here, it’s probably the same one.
"It’s a song I’ve never heard before."
"Yeah."
Sakura nodded faintly in response to Yoshino, who had also been listening closely. Huh? I thought I’d played them folk songs before? I’m pretty sure I showed them enka, but maybe I missed the folk ones.
But, honestly, I don’t really know them much either. Grandpa didn’t really listen to folk songs.
I know a bit of "Soran Bushi" and "Aizu Bandai-san," though.
Sakura was listening closely to the folk music, and Yoshino was tapping her fingers on the table, likely memorizing the melody... When we get home, she’ll probably play it right away. And Sakura will probably start singing along. Well, I’d like to hear both Yoshino’s playing and Sakura’s folk songs.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"We bought a lot!"
Amidst the sound of the summer dance song, Yaee and the others returned from the stalls. They sure bought a lot. Oh, I get the okonomiyaki!
They got takoyaki, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, candy apples, strawberry candy, crepes, taiyaki, baby castella, frankfurters, yakitori, fried chicken, and twist potatoes... Looks like they bought everything they could. Well, with this many people, it can’t be helped...
"Is it good, Fuyuka?"
"It’s yummy."
Fuyuka was in a good mood as she received a crepe from Mom. The kids were mainly eating sweet treats like crepes and taiyaki. Yaee and Frey were focusing on yakisoba and yakitori.
I ate my okonomiyaki. It’s not the most delicious thing I’ve ever had, but it gives me a strange sense of reassurance like, "Ah, this is what it tastes like." Well, it’s decent.
Sitting across from me, Elna was munching on a candy apple. Next to her, Elze was eating a candy apple like her daughter, but soon started to bite into it, cracking the candy. Yeah, that’s the usual way to eat a candy apple...
After finishing my okonomiyaki, I grabbed a candy apple for dessert. This one was a string of three, like a skewer. The outside is sweet and crunchy, and the inside is soft and tart. Maybe it’s because it’s been a while, but it tastes so good.
After filling up, we decided to take another stroll through the stalls.
The kids were curiously watching a goldfish scooping game, but since we can’t raise them here and taking them back to the other world would cause too many problems, I told them they couldn’t keep any.
However, I didn’t mind if they played and scooped the fish, so I let them.
The vendor gave us two scoops each as a service, telling us we could release the fish afterward.
The kids had fun playing with the goldfish, even if their scoops broke. I should take a photo of this.
In the end, each of them caught at least one fish, and as promised, we released them before leaving the goldfish scooping game. It was quite fun. I’m sure the goldfish hated being scooped, though.
When we returned to the plaza, we saw people dancing in circles around the yagura. People of all ages were dancing, but there were definitely more kids.
The movements in sync with the festival music followed a set pattern and weren’t too difficult. Actually, I remember dancing this as a child.
"Dad, can I dance too?"
"Huh? I think it’s fine, but... can you dance?"
"I learned it!"
Steph pulled Sue’s hand and jumped into the dancing circle. Though she was just imitating, she was dancing well...
"I’ll dance too!"
"Mom, let’s go!"
Yoshino took Sakura’s hand, and Frey took Hilda’s hand, pulling them into the circle. Sakura was okay, but Hilda seemed flustered, dancing as Frei told her to. Don’t push her too much...
Hilda isn’t particularly good at dancing. But since it was a simple dance, she quickly adapted using her athleticism.
Maybe that reassurance gave confidence to the other kids, as one by one they joined the dance with their mothers. In Kuon’s case, she was pulled in by Alice and Yumina.
"Aren’t you going to dance?"
"No, I’ve got my role as the photographer."
I made up a reasonable excuse and began snapping pictures of everyone dancing with my phone.
I’m just not good at dancing... Though I was taught some social dance-like moves as part of my royal training in the other world, I’m still bad at it.
While taking photos, I decided it would be better to record a video instead.
Everyone seemed to be having fun dancing to the folk music and drum rhythms. Hmm, maybe I should’ve danced too...
Eventually, when they were satisfied, everyone returned from the circle. I didn’t even notice, but Dad had gone and bought bottles of lemonade for everyone.
Yumina and the others seemed puzzled by the lemonade bottles. Ah, they don’t know how to open them, do they?
I was about to show them when I popped the cap off the bottle that Dad gave me, and with a "bang!" the marble inside popped into the bottle. And of course, lemonade sprayed everywhere, soaking my hands. This always happens...
"You should open it slowly. Like this... If you press gently and hold it even after the marble falls... see?"
Dad quietly pressed down on the bottle he had placed on the bench, and when the marble fell, the contents didn’t spill.
Well, now it looks like I’m the bad example...
Everyone copied Dad, and none of them had their lemonade spill while dropping the marble.
Drinking lemonade takes a little skill, though. If you’re not careful, the marble can block the opening.
Carefully sipping, it tastes great. Lemonade is basically just soda, but it’s in this bottle, so it feels like a whole different experience. It really suits the festival atmosphere.
"It’s about time we go home."
Maybe because she was full, Fuyuka started to doze off, nodding off as Mom announced it. Steph also seemed to be drowsy.
After dancing so much, it’s no surprise they’re tired and sleepy.
On the way back, Steph, completely out of energy, fell asleep, and Dad ended up carrying her. Then, Linne started to doze off too, so Linze carried her. After that, Elna and Alice, and the younger kids (except Kuon) were all knocked out.
We opened [Gate] from a secluded spot and returned to Grandpa’s house.
I used [Levitation] to lift the sleeping children and carry them to their beds.
"Good work."
Mom said that as she made tea for me. Roasted tea... Ahh, it’s delicious.
We were supposed to rest, but somehow we ended up going to a crowded place. Well, we did get some rest during the day...
Half of the Earth trip schedule has already passed, but I think tomorrow I’ll actually take a break...
"Touya, about tomorrow..."
"...Where are we going?"
I had planned to rest, but Mom quickly cut that short. I just hope it’s a less crowded place.
"Don’t you think we should visit the grave? You haven’t been in years, right?"
"The grave? Oh, Grandpa’s..."
It’s hard to visit since I’m considered dead here, so it’s impossible.
Visiting the grave... Right, I should report to Grandpa about the wives and kids...
"Hmm..."
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"No, I’m just wondering if our feelings will reach Grandpa’s soul, or something like that."
I’m guessing Grandpa has probably already reincarnated. Souls of the deceased eventually forget their memories, cleanse themselves of the impurities of this world, and become pure souls that inhabit new life.
Unless it’s like the undead, where the soul is damaged or consumed, causing them to be removed from the cycle of reincarnation.
So, if Grandpa has reincarnated, he’s probably living as someone else now.
Even though his soul might not be in the grave, I still believe visiting it has meaning. It’s something only the living can do—remembering and cherishing the deceased. The deceased continue to live in the hearts of the living.
Some say that the true death comes when someone is forgotten.
"Couldn’t you ask the gods to find your father-in-law?"
"It’s not impossible, but it’s like searching for a single diamond in the Sahara Desert. It would take so much effort... I can’t really ask that."
Not just Earth, but in the heavens, souls from other worlds also flow in—millions, billions, trillions. I can’t ask them to search for Grandpa among all that.
If Grandpa passed away without any lingering attachments, he may have moved on quickly, reincarnating without hesitation.
I’m pretty sure he’s not in the grave.
"Don’t spirits return around Obon or something?"
"If he hasn’t reincarnated, he might wander back around that time."
Many cultures have rituals where the deceased return to the world, like the Mexican "Day of the Dead." I think Halloween originally had a similar tradition.
Maybe Grandpa has visited a few times already.
Visiting the grave... It’s not Obon or his death anniversary, but since there’s no one around, maybe I’ll go. It’s not too far either. I hope it doesn’t rain...
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