Chapter 42
“The Night of Fireworks”
(Kai and Rutia’s Summer Vacation, Part XI)
As the evening bell rang, the central plaza of the duke’s territory was filled with a lively bustle.
Stalls lined the streets, colorful paper lanterns swayed above, glowing even before night had fully fallen.
The scent of grilled skewers and fruit wine mixed with the laughter of children.
“What the… this is straight-up a summer festival!”
Kai’s eyes widened as he looked around.
He was told that the townsfolk had organized this event themselves — a festival to thank “the son-in-law teacher.”
The new waterways had opened, the fields were fertile again, and the smiles had returned to everyone’s faces.
“It’s the son-in-law teacher!”
“Sensei! Over here!”
“Son-in-law—!”
“I keep tellin’ y’all, I ain’t nobody’s son-in-law!”
His retort rang out immediately, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Then, a louder cheer rose from the people.
“Lady Rutia!”
All eyes turned toward her—
Rutia stood there in a red and white yukata, her golden hair tied neatly at her nape, a hairpin glinting faintly.
Usually regal in her noble dresses, tonight she radiated a gentle, graceful charm that left the onlookers speechless.
“K-Kai… how do I look?”
She shyly pinched the hem of her yukata, glancing up at him.
Kai’s mouth moved soundlessly.
“You… look way too good…”
“My!”
“Wait, did I just say that out loud!?”
Rutia’s cheeks flushed, but her smile softened.
“Thank you, my dear husband.”
“No ‘wife mode’ right now!”
◆◇◆
The two began exploring the stalls together.
At a candied-fruit stand, Rutia held one up toward Kai.
“Here, say ‘ahh’.”
“Who the heck does that in public!?”
“It’s a wife’s duty, you know.”
“You just said that earlier too!!”
When they bought cotton candy, Rutia licked a bit of sugar from her fingertip and met his eyes.
“W-what’s with that look!?”
“Oh, nothing. I just wondered if you wanted a taste too.”
“Stop sayin’ confusing stuff like that!”
The townsfolk laughed and clapped as they watched the two banter.
“Lord Kai and Lady Rutia are like a comedy duo!”
“They’re more like a married couple!”
“We ain’t married!”
As night deepened, the people gathered at the plaza’s center.
The stars glittered above while the lanterns bathed the ground in a soft glow.
And then—
the deep beat of a drum signaled the start.
BOOM!
A giant flower of light burst across the sky.
Red, blue, gold, silver—one after another, fireworks blossomed overhead, showering the night with radiance.
Children squealed with joy, adults applauded in wonder.
“Whoa… didn’t expect they’d have fireworks in this world too.”
“Yes. The townsfolk of the duchy make them every year.”
“They make ’em themselves!? That’s amazing.”
Rutia looked up at the fireworks, then quietly reached out to tug Kai’s sleeve.
“Kai…”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve always dreamed… of watching fireworks together like this.”
He turned to see her blushing profile lit by the bursts of light.
Her eyes reflected the colors of the sky, shining like the very stars themselves.
Before he realized it, her hand found his—and their fingers intertwined.
“H-hey, milady?”
“Just for tonight… could you call me your wife?”
“…”
The sound of fireworks drowned out the beating of his heart.
Kai stayed silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.
“…Guess I can’t say no. Just for now, okay? …Wife.”
Rutia’s face brightened like a flower in full bloom, and she gripped his hand tighter.
The fireworks painted the night sky in brilliant hues.
Amid the cheers of the townsfolk, their two shadows swayed close together.
“…Man, I wonder just how far I’m gonna get dragged into all this.”
Kai’s muttered words vanished beneath the thunder of fireworks, never reaching Rutia’s ears.
