"We're back!"
From a distance, Hifumi waved as she approached, carrying plastic bags and boxes. Behind her were Azusa and Mashiro, also with heavy items.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Hifumi said, placing the things nearby and hurrying over with a bright smile. "It took a while to find a shop that sells fireworks, so we bought everything we could… um, I hope I didn't interrupt your conversation or anything?"
I shook my head. "Not at all."
Although if they had returned a little earlier, that might not have been so easy to guarantee.
"Phew… that's good." Hifumi glanced cautiously at Tsurugi, relaxed a little, and continued, "The rest are still with the Crusader-chan…"
"Although their range and power are small, they all meet the command's requirements for explosives," Azusa added, pausing briefly, then added somewhat dissatisfied. "Personally, I think they're overpriced for the power they offer. Cost-effectiveness and practical efficiency are both low…"
Hifumi blushed slightly. "Um, Azusa-chan, fireworks aren't meant to be too powerful, that would actually be dangerous…"
Azusa continued. "Just in case, I also bought a few small bombs that might come in handy in emergencies."
Hifumi's expression turned even more worried. "I think… it's best if no 'emergencies' happen… ahaha…"
Typically, whenever Hifumi set up a "flag" like this, it was almost guaranteed to come true.
Or perhaps, it was all part of Lord Faust's plan…
In any case, we first helped unload all the fireworks and bombs from Crusader-chan, stacking them in an open area.
Time passed without our noticing, and the sun fully sank below the horizon. Even the afterglow gradually faded.
Soon, night fell, and the nearby shops closed one by one, leaving only the sound of the waves.
"It feels so quiet," Hifumi said, echoing that same strange, slightly unsettling tone she had used earlier. "I don't see anyone near the beach either… everyone else must have gone home already, right?"
"No," Azusa said in a low voice. "I checked on the way back. Those delinquent girls are still hanging around on the other side. Not sure what they're doing."
"Really?" Mashiro suggested, "Though they're still a bit far… just in case, shouldn't we take the initiative first?"
"W-what do you mean 'just in case'? Isn't it fine not to quarrel with them…! After all, nothing has happened yet…!"
I completely understood. Hifumi meant that if anything happens, we could respond then, just like during the beach volleyball earlier!
Mashiro opposed. "Still, they've attacked us so many times already. Considering past events, don't you think something might happen again?"
I guessed optimistically. "Maybe they, like us, are just planning to set off fireworks?"
Some of the delinquent girls we added on Momotalk had just told me to keep an eye on the sky.
"They're… too?"
"It's possible," Azusa said. "When we were buying fireworks, those girls were also at the shop. Judging by that, even with other variables, they likely went to buy fireworks too."
But the next moment, the white-haired girl added. "Of course, even so, there's always a chance of the unexpected. From a risk-avoidance perspective, I agree with you…"
"I-I don't think we need to go that far…"
"Just knew Hifumi would say that." Azusa looked at me. "Sensei thinks the same? Then we'll stay alert for now."
Mashiro nodded. "Mm, understood. In that case, I won't say anything further."
At that moment, a sharp whistle echoed from afar.
The girls, puzzled, instinctively looked toward the sound.
The next moment, brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky.
"Fireworks…"
"Yes."
"They're over by the delinquent girls… they're really setting off fireworks."
While the three discussed, another very quiet voice caught my attention.
"…So sparkling, so beautiful…"
SAUCE
I looked at Tsurugi, who was staring blankly at the sky, unconsciously voicing her thoughts. She quickly noticed my smiling gaze, and her face flushed crimson.
Undoubtedly, Tsurugi had strong feelings for me, but given her reserved personality, it would take time before she could fully express them.
"This isn't enough yet!" Mashiro suddenly shouted. "Azusa-chan, let's launch a firework just as impressive as theirs!"
"Of course! We cannot lose!"
"For the sake of justice!"
"For the honor of the Make-Up Work Club!"
Chanting strange slogans, they began lighting fireworks.
"Eh eh eh!? Wh-why are they competing over this…?!" Hifumi shouted in disbelief. "Why do they have to make this a contest here!? And does the Make-Up Work Club even have honor?!"
As Azusa and Mashiro's larger fireworks soared higher than the delinquent girls', the girls on the other side unwillingly launched even more.
"Th-the other side seems to be getting competitive…!?"
Hifumi flailed helplessly, calling out. "Ha—! Sen, Sensei~!"
I smiled. "This isn't so bad. Everyone's happy, and… isn't it beautiful?"
"Ugh… yeah, but…"
Hifumi looked almost tearful. "But that means the fireworks we bought with so much effort are almost gone in an instant…"
I asked. "Isn't fleeting beauty the very essence of fireworks?"
"…I guess that's true…"
Hifumi seemed slightly comforted by this reasoning.
However, her smile quickly turned into alarm.
From the delinquent girls' side, an explosion erupted, more powerful than the fireworks themselves.
"Probably… a Molotov cocktail?" Mashiro assessed.
"Indeed," Azusa nodded. "Molotov cocktails are brighter and more powerful than normal fireworks. I can't believe they thought to use it as fireworks."
"That can't be called fireworks anymore…" Hifumi muttered weakly.
"Ah, another Molotov over there…" Mashiro added, frowning. "Is… it a dud? It's been flying for a while without exploding… ah."
At this point, everyone noticed the situation.
"Ah." Azusa said, "It's coming this way."
BOOOM——!