Ringing Sounds at the Summer Festival - Ch.3

 Chapter 3. You’re going too?

Main ground of the shrine

Mizuki: We’veeeee arrived! If we go through here, we can go right back to the station.

Ena: I had no idea that there was a shortcut like this…!

Mafuyu: How did you even find out about this path? 

Mizuki: I stumbled upon it while I was wandering around here before.

Kanade: Thank you, Mizuki. You’ve helped us a lot

Mizuki: You’re welcome! 

Kanade: ...... Hey, what's that? It looks like they're preparing for something.....

Mafuyu: The sign says "Shibuya Summer Festival”

Ena: Shibuya Summer Festival, huh? I went there once when I was in middle school. 

There were a lot of food stalls and even a live event, so I remember it being pretty exciting.

Mizuki: Woah, a live event. I wonder what kind of people will be there?

Ena: I can look it up...Here

Mizuki: Let me see...Ah, all different kinds of people are here!

Uwah, ZEROstear is coming too!?

Kanade: ZEROstear...is that one anime song artist, right?

Mizuki: Yep! That person was the one who sung the theme song of this season's popular anime!

Ena: Eh, I didn’t know that...Look like lots of famous people are coming too

Mizuki: Yep yep, I recognize all these names! ...... Oh, but I don't know this “A-GURI” person....

Kanade: Eh, A-GURI…?

Mafuyu: Kanade, do you know them?

Kanade: Yeah,.... They’re not very famous yet, but their works are starting to get more popular on video posting sites.

I was a bit surprised because I didn’t expect them to be the kind of person who would perform in front of many people.......

Ena: Hmm, so not all of them are famous, huh?

Mafuyu: ...... In addition to the professional stage, there's also a stage for amateurs.

Kanade: That's right. There are many dance units in the amateur section, but it seems that there are also units that are high leveled singers.

Ena: Well, both the professional and amateur categories are inviting musicians from all different genres.

(Everyone seems to be more interested in this than I thought......! Could this be a chance to ask Mizuki out? If so then---) 

Hey, since we're all here, why don't we all go to the live event at the Shibuya Summer Festival?

Kanade: ...eh?

Mizuki: Um, I don’t really want to. Isn’t it too hot there?

Besides, I've been to an outdoor concert like this one before, and it's pretty chaotic. It might be tough for Kanade to participate

Mafuyu:  You might even collapse from heat stroke.

Kanade: Uu...You’re right…

Ena: But it says that the festival starts in the evening. By then it'll be a little cooler, so we'll be fine.

Mizuki: Ngh, but--

Kanade: ...Maybe I’ll be able to go if I bring a lot of cold drinks?

Mizuki: Eh, You wanna go that much!?

Kanade: I've never liked going to an outdoor live events, but I'd love to hear A-GURI sing live. There are many opportunities like this, afterall....

Ena: How about you, Mafuyu?

Mizuki: No way--, Mafuyu is probably busy

Mafuyu: I have to go to cram school, but I think I'll be okay since lectures will be over early today and I don't think I'll have to do much homework either.

Mizuki: Eh, really!?

Ena: Then it's decided. Since we're going out of our way to participate, let's all go together, Mizuki. Your favorite artist is coming as well, right?

Mizuki: ...If so then,  I'll go too. I haven't been to a summer festival in a while, afterallー♪

Kanade: I have to make sure I don’t faint there..... Mizuki, can you tell me later what would be useful to bring to an outdoor concert?

Mizuki: Alright, got it!

Ena: I'll get back to you all with more details later.

Mafuyu: If I'm going to be late, I'll let you know as soon as possible.

Ena: Yes please. Since it's a summer festival, let's try and have fun together!

Shinonome’s house - living room

Akito: Hah…

(As expected, the difficulty level is higher than usual) 

(I still have to continue practicing my singing as well)

(..... but the shoes I bought today are nice. I feel like I can move lighter compared to the ones I've been wearing.)

Regardless, I'll just practice my moves one more time later.

Shinonome’s Mother: --So you’re going to the summer festival with your friends this weekend?

Akito: (...huh, this weekend?)

Ena: Yeah! So you don’t have to make dinner then

Shinonome’s Mother: Okay, okay. Have a safe trip.

Ena: Ye--s

Akito: (Ena is  home already?)

(And by summer festival, does Ena mean the Shibuya Summer Festival? Is she going too?)

(If anyone sees me at an event with Touya, it might cause a ruckus later.)

Ena: Hm? Akito, you’re back, it’s pretty late you know…

Akito: ‘guess so 

Ena: Hey, that bag you're holding is from a store that just opened recently, isn't it? Did you buy something?

Akito: It doesn’t matter, it’s none of your business anyway--

 

Ena: Woah, are these dance shoes? Are you gonna use them for events?Let me see!

Akito: Oi, don't look at my stuff without permission.

Ena: Huh. isn't this design a bit too chic for someone like Akito?

Akito: Shut up. I don’t care, just give me those shoes back

Ena: Right right, good luck with your practice

Akito: ...Oh

(Summer Festival, huh......)

Flashback to younger Akito and Ena

Akito: (I wonder, if she even remembers what she said back then)

Ringing Sounds at the Summer Festival - Ch.4

 Chapter 4. Words of the past

The past, Shinonome’s house - living room

Akito: Hah, I’m bored…

(I used to play soccer in the afternoon, then watch soccer games when I got home. At night, I’d be practicing lifting¹--) 

(Was everyday just about soccer? Even so I......)

Flashback 

Teammates: Those guys from East Musashiya are playing soccer in a special dormitory away from their family, right?

Teammates: I heard that they practice all the time after school. They said there wasn’t even a moment when they weren’t touching the ball 

They play soccer from day to night to become pros. They don’t even have a minute to have fun or relax, you know

---------

Akito: (That wasn't enough at all. I hadn't practiced enough, hadn't been prepared enough, hadn't done enough.--)

…….. 

(...a phone call? From Ena?)

Hello?

Ena: “Akito! Where are you right now?”

Akito: I’m at home........ Anyway, I thought you were going to a summer festival.

Ena: "Yep, I'm calling from the festival venue. I'm glad you're at him, Akito, since I’m actually in a bit of trouble.”

Akito: What do you mean you’re in trouble? I’m not gonna do errands for you if that’s what you want

Ena: “That’s not it! Actually, I got a bit injured. I need you to come help me!”

Akito: ...Hah? Injured?

Summer festival venue

Ena: Ah, Akito! Over here!

Akito: Oi, are you alright?! I brought the shoes like you asked for, but can you even walk!?

Ena: Yeah! The geta² I was wearing didn't fit so my feet started hurting. It's good that you were at home.

 

Akito: ...Hah?! So your “injury” was just a sore foot!?

Don’t just call me for nonsense like that! Dammit, I even came in a hurry…

Ena: Stop right there, what do you mean by nonsense!? I was in so much pain to the point where I couldn’t walk, you know!

Akito: Ha--, shut up. Here, I brought you these pairs of shoes so put them on already.

Ena: You’re the one who's been nagging at me! ...Well, I’m grateful that you brought these shoes for me
--hold on! You brought sports shoes! There's no way they'll go well with the yukata.

Akito: Hah? That’s none of my business

Ena: You should care about stuff like this! I’m not gonna wear some lame sports shoes! 

Akito: You’re the one who asked me to bring some pair of shoes! At least be a little grateful for them! 

Ena: Yes, but….! That didn’t mean you had to bring sports shoes, it would be embarrassing if anyone I knew saw me wearing these…

Akito: Hah!? If so then, you're on your own. I'm going home by myself.

Ena: Ah...Wait, Akito!

 

Akito: (Tch! I'll just go home by myself.)

Shouta: ......oh, Akito-kun? I didn't know you were going to be here!

Akito: ...you!

Shouta: Long time no see! I was wondering how you've been doing since the tournament ended.

...... Hey, Akito-kun, are you really going to quit soccer? Everyone says they want you to come back.

Akito: …….. 

Shouta: I do too-- I’m gonna practice hard from now on. That’s why, let’s all be together again-- 

Akito: I told you, that doesn't matter. I'm not playing soccer anymore.

See ya.

Shouta: Ah…

Akito: --There’s no point in it anymore

...I did all I could, I…

Ena: Ah, Akito

Akito: Ena...you changed your shoes

Ena: I had no choice! I wouldn’t be able to move otherwise, it’s still pretty lame though...

Akito: Nobody’s gonna look at you anyway

Ena: Hah!? That’s not the point!

Anyway, isn't the kid you were talking to from the soccer team?

Akito: That has nothing to do with you

Besides, I'm not playing soccer anymore. We're not on the same team or anything.

Ena: ...Hmm?

You've been looking down lately, haven't you?

Akito: No way

Ena: Yes way! It’s your choice if you wanna quit soccer. But if you keep on looking gloomy like that, it’ll affect others, you know?

Akito: Shut up! You wouldn’t even know how I feel anyway!

Ena: Uwah!? What’s that? There’s some really loud noises…?

Akito: It’s ...... Ah, it's probably a live performance. I just saw a bunch of people gathered at the outdoor stage.

Ena: Live performance, it’s really like a summer festival, huh?

Akito: I wouldn’t know, maybe you can check it out? Neitherway, I’m not interested, I’m gonna leave now.

Ena: Hey, Akito! Why don't we go see that live performance?

Akito: What are you saying? Didn’t you say before that you got a sore foot…

Ena: I already put on my sports shoes, so it’s alright now! Come on, let’s go!

Akito: Ah, oi…! Don’t pull my arm like that!

Festival’s stage

Musician: ♪——！　——！！

Ena: Woah! It’s super lively here!

The guy singing right now, isn’t he famous? It’s so heated here…!

Akito: --Yeah, it is 

(Live, huh ....... I've never really been into music.)

(But this feeling...I don’t particularly hate it)

Musician: ♪——！！

Akito: (Uwah, the cheers got way louder than before.....!)

(Amazing...So much cheers and excitement right in front of me! All by just one musician--)

...It’s really amazing…

Ena: Well then, let's go home. That was a great live!

Akito:...ah

(That was seriously amazing. My heart is still shaking with excitement…!)

Random spectator A: Uwah, that was a high level live!

Random spectator B: Yeah! But it's nowhere near KEN

Random spectator A: They’re different people, you know? Did you hear that KEN was gonna host an event next year?

Random spectator B: I heard about it! It’s gonna be so much fun!

Akito: (--KEN? So there’s someone even more amazing than the person from earlier…...)

Ena: Akito? What's wrong? Could it be that you got really impacted by the heat of the live earlier?

Akito: It’s not that!

Ena: Well, it was really crowded and exciting, so I understand how you feel.

Akito: I told you, it’s not like that

Ena: ...Hey, Akito. Why don’t you try something like that out?

Akito: Hah?

Ena: It's been a while since I saw you having fun like that. So if you have time, why don't you give that kind of music a try?

Akito: A try...No way , it's not that easy to start, I don't even know if I can do it for real.

Ena: What’s up with that attitude? You can just start out simple, you know?

Akito: No, ......it would be lame if I tried it only to quit.

Ena: Hey you...

You haven’t even tried it out yet, what are you even worrying about?

Akito: Shut up! You don’t know anything

Ena: “You don't know”....... What are you talking about? Of course I wouldn’t know Akito’s feeling

Akito: ..Hah?

Ena: Even if I told you that I understand how you feel, you'd probably find that annoying.

Akito: Well, that’s true…

Ena: Well, leaving the details aside. You're good at many things, aren't you? So, why don't you try out many different stuff?

And you can decide whether you're serious about it after you've tried it out

Akito: (Try it out, huh…)

--Well, if I feel like it. I'll think about it more

Ena: ...I see

Then, let's go home. Also, do you want to buy some cheesecake at the convenience store? We can eat it at home.

Akito: ...Hm, alright then

(Try it out first, then decide...)

(...... Let's just try listening to some music for now.)

Present time, Shinonome’s house - living room

Akito: (Because she said that, I got to encounter that street)

(I thought the music there was amazing, from there I participated in RAD WEEKEND and started singing for real......)

(I got to meet Touya, and now I’m in VIVID BAD SQUAD)

(If I hadn't gone to help Ena at that time, what would I even be doing now?)

(...though, I’m sure she forgot all about it anyway)

 
1. lifting in this context is about not about lifting weights, it's a move in soccer where you pick up the ball with just your leg by kicking it up.
2. Geta are a form of traditional Japanese footwear, it usually accompanies the yukata fit often worn in summer festivals.

Ringing Sounds at the Summer Festival - Ch.5

 Chapter 5. Shibuya Summer Festival!

A few days later, the park

Akito: ♪——！　——！！

Touya: ♪——　——！！

Len: “Woah! You two are getting really good!” 

Akito: ...Well, its thanks to practicing daily

Touya: Besides, the technique itself is not that difficult, despite its flashy appearance.

Considering the amount of time we have before the event, we decided to work on devising a way to present our performance

Len: “Oh, is that so?! I’ll have to do my best too then!"

Akito: Last time I saw you practicing in Sekai, you were doing pretty well, Len. 

Len: “Eh, really!?” 

Touya: Yeah, it was a cool dance. 

Len: “Ehehe, that’s good to hear~! The three of us should dance together sometimes”

Akito: Yeah, we should. Let’s do it one more time before the event starts.
 

Touya: That’s a good idea, since there’s still a lot we can learn from Len.

Len: “Yay! I’ll be looking forward to it!”

Shinonome’s house - Living room

Akito: Fwah, ‘m sleepy...

(...We ended up practicing until late in the night, I’m tired as hell)

(I don’t wanna eat anythin’ right now. I’ll just take a shower and go to bed)

Ena: Akito, you’re home.

Akito: Ah, yeah

Ena: What’s the matter? Are you feeling tired?

Akito: It’s nothing.

Ena: Hah…

...Ah, right. Mom said she bought some pudding

Akito: Pudding?

Ena: If you don’t want it, I’ll eat it for you

Akito: I never said I don’t want it...I’ll eat it right now

Ena: Yes yes, it’s good to eat something sweet when you’re tired.

Akito: I’m not tired though…

Ena: Fwah….I’m going to sleep

You should get some sleep soon too, goodnight

Akito: Oh,okay...Was my tiredness that obvious? 

Day of the festival, at the venue

Len: “Woah, amazing!! There’s so many food stall”

“There's yakisoba and candy apples. Everything looks delicious!”

Akito: Oi, Len, don’t make too much noise or else you’ll get us all in trouble.

Len: “I know already-! But I've never been to a summer festival like this before!”

Touya: Me neither. It’s interesting to see how different the atmosphere here is compared to our school festival.

Len: “Exactly! Now that we’re here, let’s all take a look around the festival!”

Touya: I’m in. It sounds like fun

Akito: So much for coming here early to prepare...We can do so after the event is over

Touya: Let’s buy some gifts for everyone in Sekai too.

Len: “Yay! I’ll help pick out something...Oh, those choco bananas might be good!”

Akito: Right right...We’ll hang out later. For now, let’s go 

Len: “Okay! You better promise so!”

Summer festival stage

Akito: (So this is the stage...It’s not nearly as big as when I first saw it with Ena)

(It feels so small now)

Shouta: Thank you to you both for being here today! The other units are rehearsing right now, so you’ll have to wait a bit.

You can leave your items in the lockers by the venue gate. For larger items, you can-... Ah, sorry, we only have this cardboard box left 

Akito: I don’t really care.I’ll just use it

Shouta: Alright then! I’m looking forward to seeing you all later!

Touya: Looks like everyone is getting busy rehearsing.

Akito: Well then, I’ll just put all my stuff in this cardboard box. What about you, Touya?

Touya: I don’t have that much stuff, so I’ll just put it all in my locker. I’ll put my dance shoes right next to the box.

Akito: Got it

(...Since there will be many people coming and going. I’ll just put my dance shoes in the box too, in case it gets in anybody's way)

Let’s just close this box and put it in the corner for now.

Touya: Yeah, it looks like people are bringing a lot of equipment now, so it’ll be a good idea. 

Len: “Woah, so this is the venue-! The stage is more professional than I expected!

Akito: Oi, Len! Watch your surroundings a bit before appearing!

Len: “I know already! It’s fine”

"I heard that we were in the amateur division, but the unit we were rehearsing with was really good at singing and dancing!

Touya: Yeah, that unit is pretty famous too.

Len:  "Really!? It's amazing that both of you were able to take the role of the encore performer then!”

Akito: Well, we’re just a substitute

But if we're going to do this, we're not going to give a half-assed performance. We'll be the one who wows the audience.

Touya: Of course

Len:  "I’m rooting for you both!"

Akito: Well then, I’ll just revise the choreography until it’s our turn to rehearse.

???: Hm? That person over there is…

Akito: Eh?

Airi: It’s surprising to meet you here! Long time no see!

Akito: Momoi-san? What are you doing here...?

Airi: I just happened to pass by here on my way home from practice, so I thought I'd stop by.

Oh, right! This is the girl I'm working with as idols. Her name is Shizuku.

Shizuku: Nice to meet you, I’m Shiho Hinomori. Airi-chan is always looking after me, I am very grateful.

Airi: No way, what kind of greeting is that

Akito: It’s nice to meet you, I’m Akito Shinonome. I’ve heard a bit about Hinomori-san from my sister. She said you all went on a picnic together, and that you helped her out. 

Shizuku: Ah, your last name is Shinonome, which means...You are Ena-chan’s little brother, right?

Akito: Yes, I am

Shizuku: I see! I heard about you from Ena-chan, so I’m glad I finally got to meet you.

Akito: Ahaha...That’s good to hear. Ah, right, this is my partner Touya.

Touya, this is my sister’s friend, Momoi-san and Hinomori-san

Touya: Nice to meet you, I’m Touya Aoyagi

Airi: It’s nice to meet you, Touya-kun!

Akito: I’m working with him right now, singing in events together n’ stuff

Airi: Eh, really!? Does that mean..You’re going to be performing at the event today?

Akito: Yes, I got invited to perform by an acquaintance

Airi: Woah, that’s amazing!

Shizuku: That’s wonderful! Airi-chan and I were just talking about going to see it

Touya: I’m glad to hear that. I’ll do my best to make it a great performance

Shizuku: I’ll be looking forward to it then!

Airi: Come to think of it, is Ena not with you?

Akito: Ah, that person...I mean, my sister is gonna come here with some of her friends.

Airi: I see. Let’s hope we get to meet them then, Shizuku

Shizuku: Mhm, if we stay in the festival venue, we might just cross path

Shouta: Akito-kun, Touya-kun! I need to check on something before rehearsal. Can you two go to the stage?

Akito: Oh, got it. 

Airi: Sorry for taking up your time with chit chats. Anyway, good luck with the event!

Shizuku: We’ll see you soon!!

Akito: Yes, thank you very much

Touya: Let’s go to the stage now

Akito: 'Aight

Summer festival organizer A: Hey, should I move that cardboard box in the corner over there?

Summer festival organizer B: Yeah, just take it to the organizers’ tent

Summer festival organizer A: Got it. Yossha….! Eh, I was told that there was an extension cord in there, but it’s lighter than I thought

Akito: Alright, now we just gotta wait for the actual thing to start

Len: “I can't wait to see you two perform!

Touya: Yeah, I can’t wait to get on the stage either.

Akito: I better put on my dancing shoes then. Wait, where’s the box that I put all my stuff in--

...Eh?

Touya: What’s wrong?

Akito: ...No way, it’s gone

Touya - Len: Eh?