Author's Note : Thank you so much for the review! Hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well~ Happy reading!

Chapter 34 - Summer Festival

Looking into the mirror, Eira gently touched her flower hairpin, making sure that it stayed properly and wouldn't fall when she walked. She turned her head to left and right a few times, frowning as she examined her reflection in the mirror. After a few seconds—when she was certain that her makeup was perfect—she huffed then smiled, finally feeling satisfied with her looks.

She stepped back a few inches so that she could see her outfit from head to the toe. Her hair was being tied into a bun, and on the side of her head, there was a pink hydrangea hair clip adorned her hair. She was wearing a yukata—a traditional outfit from an ancient far east continent—with pink color and flower pattern.

No crumple. No stains. The sash was strong. The sash ribbon was cute and not broken— Great! She was ready for the summer festival!

Glancing at the clock on her dressing table, she grinned then walked out from her room.

Ah, she was so excited for tonight.

It was the summer festival. The first summer festival that she would spend with her boyfriend, Cor the Immortal. She couldn't wait to look around the festival stalls with him, to eat street food with him, to walk side by side—even though they couldn't hold hands—, and to stand next to him as they watched the fireworks at the end of the festival.

Bold move, indeed. But it wouldn't be weird if Eira accidentally met the marshal at the festival, right? And if someone noticed them, they could just pretend to go separate ways and—hopefully—find a way to go back together.

"Ah! Yukata!" Lizette's voice surprised her right when Eira stepped inside the living room.

"So, you're going to the festival with Lizette?" Eira's mom who was standing next to Lizette eyed her daughter from top to bottom. "I wonder when will a man pick you up instead of Lizette?"

"Aw… You're right, Ma'am… I wish Eira had a boyfriend so he can pick her up and I can go with mine." Lizette teased. Well, Eira had a boyfriend though. It was just that his identity couldn't be revealed, yet.

"You don't have any boyfriend, Liz." Eira curled her lips while walking out from her house.

Lizette just gave a small giggle in response then followed her.

Cor Leonis was very anxious as he was sitting in his car. He just parked in a parking lot a few miles from the place where the summer festival was being held today. The man arrived an hour early, and now he was sitting in his car while tapping his steer.

Yesterday Eira asked Cor to go to the festival. It was because Prompto brought the topic when they ate together after the shooting practice. He thought that it was just a courtesy because they were in front of Prompto and didn't really mean it. However, as he arrived home, Eira called him and talked about it again, making sure that they would go to the festival.

He was reluctant. Moreover, his relationship with Eira was supposed to be a secret. No way that Cor could be next to her all the time. People might notice.

But Eira convinced him that it was okay to go to the summer festival since there would be lots of people and thus Cor visiting it wouldn't be weird. Also, meeting people in festivals is not a rare occasion. They could pretend that they met accidentally.

After pondering—and also because he didn't want to disappoint her—Cor finally agreed to go.

Sighing, Cor decided to get out of his car. He might want to look around, without actually entering the venue and just observing from afar.

When was the last time he visited the summer festival? Not that he remembered it.

The festival was just a few blocks away from there and the area around was already lively. People were leaving their home with friends or family as they also wanted to visit the festival. The children were running while letting out cheerful laughter. The parents were walking slowly after them while asking their kids to be careful as they ran. Some teenagers were wearing traditional yukata, and they chatted as they were going to the venue.

Yukata…

He wondered if Eira would wear one.

Well, of course Cor didn't wear one. He had one, but he didn't want to wear one. It was a hassle to put it on, even though it was nice to wear it in the summer. The clothing is light and cool on the skin. But, he didn't like the idea of people he knew noticing him wearing it in the festival.

Cor blinked when he noticed there was a convenience store not far from there. Knowing that it was still an hour until their meeting time, Cor decided to have some drinks. It was still in the middle of hot summer, and now he just realized that he was quite thirsty.

It was right after he picked up a cold can of Ebony when he noticed a familiar man who was waiting for him to move away from the refrigerator.

"A…! Marshal, good afternoon." It was Ignis.

"Good afternoon." Cor was surprised. He then looked at the coffee can he was holding, remembering that it was Ignis's favorite—almost everyone in the crownsguard, no, probably in the entire citadel knew how much Ignis was addicted to it. He then handed the can to Ignis, "Ebony?"

"Ah, yes." Ignis nodded awkwardly as he took the coffee from Cor.

"Going to the festival?" Cor asked while taking another can from the refrigerator.

"Yes." Ignis smiled.

"Ramune! Ramune!" A loud singing voice was heard from behind another shelf. The singer then cheerfully walked into the aisle to follow Ignis. "Ramune! Ramune! Specs! I want Ramu…" Prompto abruptly stopped singing when he noticed Cor. He blushed, "Ah! Marshal!"

Ignis and Prompto were here. Obviously Noctis would be also here.

"Oh! Cor!" Right? It was Noctis.

"Woah! Marshal! What a coincidence." And Gladio followed from behind.

The full-gang was here.

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Cor ended up buying drinks for Noctis and others. And when they knew that Cor was also going to the festival, they walked to the venue together.

"I didn't expect that marshal had any interest in visiting the festival," said Gladio. A wide grin was on his face, which unfortunately reminded Cor to Clarus—which then also reminded him how annoying Clarus was especially when he invaded Cor's privacy.

"Ah! It was because of me. Ehehehe. I told the Marshal about it yesterday when we had dinner together after the shooting practice." Glad that Prompto answered it instead. Now that Cor didn't need to lie to hide the fact that he was going to meet his girlfriend.

"Oh… Good job Prompto." Gladio grinned at Prompto.

"Ehehe…" Prompto seemed proud about it.

"Dinner together, huh? Does it mean that Cor always treats you to dinner after practice?" Noctis asked, seemingly curious about it.

"Yes!" Prompto said. "Also for lunch."

"Woah… That's nice…" Noctis grinned.

"You can join if you want," Cor said, "As long as you join us on shooting practice too."

"Oh, I can't agree more. This sleepy prince is lacking combat practice. It will be nice to have the marshal supervise him again." Gladio laughed.

"Haaa…?!" Noctis groaned lazily. "Ugh… I'll pass."

Prompto laughed. "It will be nice if we practice together though!"

"Nah…" Noctis waved his hand, refusing the idea.

"Actually that's a good suggestion," Cor agreed.

Noctis quickly turned his head to look at Cor and scowled, "Nooo… I've had enough training with you since I was a kid. So, no."

Cor chuckled. Not that he would force him though. Except perhaps if the King demanded him to do so.

"By the way, Marshal, will Eira come too?" Prompto asked.

Glad that Cor wasn't choked when Prompto mentioned her name suddenly.

Gulping, Cor then replied, "Perhaps."

"It will be nice if everyone's here!" Prompto exclaimed happily.

"The more, the merrier. Right, Marshal?" Gladio smirked.

Glancing at Gladio who was walking next to him, Cor just gave a quick reply, "Yeah."

Eira told him that Gladio knew that she had a crush on Cor. It would be best if Gladio still thought that her feeling was a one sided love. Cor needed to be careful around him so he didn't notice that they had become a couple.

Cor : Sorry.

Cor : Been dragged inside with Noctis and others.

Eira giggled as she read the chat message from Cor. She then typed the reply.

Eira : Means you can't go out to the meeting point?

Eira : Will find you inside!

Eira : Have fun!

"What's funny?" Lizette asked.

"Cor's been dragged inside with Noctis and others." Eira explained as she put her phone back inside her clutch bag.

"Ahahaha! Really?" Lizette was amused.

"Seems he can't find any excuse to go out and meet us at the meeting point." Eira guessed.

"I bet."

They then stopped talking until Lizette parked their car not too far from the festival and asked, "Then? What would you do?"

"Of course enjoying the festival!" Eira answered without hesitation.

"Even though you probably won't meet him?"

"Well… That can't be helped."

"Hmm…" Lizette gave a slight pause then turned her head to look at Eira, "Okay, I'll accompany you then."

"Really?" Eira's eyes were sparkling in excitement. Lizette kept refusing to go to the festival stating that she disliked being alone there—well, it was because Eira was supposed to be with the marshal. But now the plan has changed.

"I'm worried if you're alone in the crowd." Lizette gave an excuse which warmed Eira's heart.

"Aww… You're so sweet." Eira smiled.

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It was around five p.m. when Eira and Lizette arrived at the festival. There were a lot of stalls selling food or toys, or offering mini-game to get some cute prizes. The smell of delicious food rammed into Eira's nose as they walked—she promised she would buy some later, perhaps after trying to look for Cor. Pretty lanterns decorated the alleyway along with small lamps. And the people were laughing as they had fun with their friends or families—or lovers.

Eira wasn't sure if she could find Cor but… yeah… At least Cor could enjoy the summer festival even though it wasn't with her. Of course when her eyes caught some couples holding hands, she also desired for the same with Cor. But…

"Should we find him?" Lizette's suggestion diverted Eira's attention.

"You don't want to look around and buy snacks instead?" Eira asked.

"You'll be sad if you can't find your marshal though."

It was true, but she didn't want to just spend this night only to look for Cor and not enjoy the festival. "We can find him while looking around." Eira said.

"Okaay." Lizette agreed.

They walked around and looked at every stall. Funny that it was supposed to be a secret date with Cor but now Eira had a date with Lizette instead. Not that she didn't like it of course. She loved to spend time with her girlfriends too.

"Want apple candy?" Eira asked when she found the apple candy stall. She loved it and this particular candy could only be bought during the summer festival.

"Sure." Lizette nodded and they bought two candies for them.

They continued to look around while eating their candies. Looking at her right, Eira silently observed Lizette.

The young woman was taller than her. Her shoulder length brown hair was tied in a ponytail. Her body was well-built. And because she loved to wear sleeveless outfits, one could see how muscular her hands were. Surely she could blow any ordinary person away with one hit.

Eira bit her candy then glanced at Lizette again. It felt like she was walking with her sister. Of course she didn't have any sisters. But because Lizette was always with her almost everyday for three years—and also she sometimes teached Eira how to fight—, she had become Eira's older sister figure.

"You've been staring at me. It's creepy." Lizette frowned.

Eira giggled then said, "It's just… It's been a very long time since we went out together."

"Well, you're very busy with your marshal. But I don't hate it."

"Stop mentioning him as marshal… I don't want people to overhear."

"Okay. Your boyfriend then."

Eira blushed then looked at her candy apple to avoid Lizette's gaze, "It's embarrassing but I think it's better. Ehehehe…"

After a few seconds' pause, Eira then said, "But… I think I also need to spend time with you and other girls too."

"But other girls are also too busy with their boyfriends, right?" Lizette shrugged then took a bite of her apple.

"I'm sorry if it makes you feel like you're left behind."

"Huh?" Lizette quickly gulped. "Nooo! Why do you think like that? Being single is not a problem at all! I'm fine. Totally! As I've told you before, no one really attracted me. Yes, a certain person tried his best to get my attention, but that's just it."

"Oh! Lizette!"

Both of them suddenly halted her steps as they heard a familiar voice from their behind. Turning around to the owner of the voice, both Lizette and Eira were stunned to see Gladiolus. Woah, speaking of the devil! Lizette was just talking about this particular man and he showed up.

And it wasn't just Gladio but the whole gang too.

"Eira! You come!" Prompto waved his hand, excited.

"Ah! Prompto!" Eira smiled at the blonde man. But her eyes swiftly shifted to a tall old man behind him.

"Woah, Marshal is also here." Eira giggled, pretending that she didn't know that Cor came. Cor didn't answer but she caught small blushes on his cheeks. Ah, she was so happy because she finally found him.

"It's nice to see everyone!" Prompto exclaimed gleefully.

"Right! What a nice coincidence!" Eira said, while once again glancing at Cor who still maintained to put on a stern face.

"Right! What a nice coincidence!"

Cor looked at Eira who was talking with Prompto. He noticed the way she stole a glance at him with an adorable smile on her pretty face. But before he could lift both corners of his lips, Eira had shifted her gaze back to Prompto.

But Cor didn't complain. He just calmly stood there—just about four feet behind Prompto—, crossed his arms on his chest, and politely gazed at his lover.

He loved her appearance, she was so stunning. She lifted her long hair and tied it into a bun, making it easy for him to stare at her slender neck. He gulped. One day, yeah, one day, he would put lots of sweet marks there.

He looked down at her outfit, admiring the yukata she was wearing. It was a soft pink color, with floral patterns on it. Seeing her with an outfit he never saw before made him stunned. She was so pretty. He wanted to kiss her.

Cor averted his gaze in hoping to stop his mind from getting wild. He gulped again, while closing his eyes and massaging his temple. Taking a deep breath, he then looked at her again.

Ah, she was so adorable.

"Let's go!" Prompto's voice made Cor averted his gaze from his lover. Only a second though, because his eyes returned back to see her.

Eira looked at him to give a smile before turning her body and followed the others.

Cor walked in the back, silently observing Eira who was now talking with both Lizette and Prompto. He was slightly jealous that he couldn't talk with her like that. He couldn't even walk by her side—not even hoping to hold her hand. But… Well, he was grateful to be able to see her—especially in yukata—today.

Then they enjoyed the festival together, playing in some mini-game booths, buying festival stuff like toys and masks, and eating snacks which were being sold only at the festival. It was fun—even though Cor should limit his interaction with Eira. At least they played together in a shooting booth, and Cor, Eira, and Prompto won prizes. Prompto was so happy that he got Chocobo plush, meanwhile Cor and Eira got cactuar keychain.

After looking at his keychain, Cor glanced at Eira who was smiling at him with blushes on her cheeks.

"We got matching keychains. Ehehe…" she whispered.

Warmth crept on his cheeks. Cor smiled, "Yeah."

She then walked before him to follow the others as they moved on to another booth. Putting his precious keychain inside his pocket, Cor followed them.

Glad that he was walking at the furthest back so that no one noticed that the marshal was grinning right now.

Eira was so anxious. Being surrounded by other people who she knew while she was being with Cor made her so restless. They indeed limited their interaction here, but because they were hiding their relationship right now, her heart was beating in tumultuous thudding.

As they walked around, Eira couldn't stop thinking about what was in Cor's mind when he saw her with a yukata. Did he like it? Or not? Or nothing in particular? Unfortunately, Eira couldn't ask him about that. There was no chance to. Moreover, he was always walking at the back.

Prompto, who was walking right at the front with Noctis, suddenly turned his head and exclaimed, "Ah! It's almost the time for fireworks!"

"Where was the best place to see it?" Noctis frowned.

"Riverbank. You forgot? We came here too last year." Prompto pouted.

Noctis laughed, "Sorry, sorry."

"Let's go!"

They began to walk to the riverbank. It wasn't too far from the main festival venue as it took around ten minutes. And as they walked, Eira slowed down her pace so she could walk next to Cor while Lizette was busy talking with Gladio.

"It's really fun, right?" Eira asked as they walked.

"Yeah, it is." Cor smiled.

"I bet the marshal rarely comes to the festival?"

"A few times actually."

"Really? Don't tell me that it's for work."

Cor chuckled, "You're right. I was escorting Regis years ago."

"And since?"

"You know the answer."

Eira chuckled. "Let's come here again next year."

"Sure."

As they arrived at the riverbank, Eira stood close next to Cor. Just this time, she didn't care that they were so close. Well, it was crowded here and being next to him wasn't something unnatural. Of course Lizette was next to her, and it felt like she was shielding Eira from Gladio. Ugh, she didn't want Gladio to know that Cor and her had become a couple, but on the other hand she really wanted to stay close to Cor. He probably would tease her later when they met in the citadel. Aaa, she didn't want to think about that. She just wanted to stand next to Cor! She didn't want to be overthinking right now.

Sheeeee… POOM! Crackle…

"Waaaah!" "Ooooh!"

The first fireworks bloomed in the sky, followed by cheers from people.

Eira raised her head, looking at the next fireworks that lit up the night. She grinned from ear to ear, happy to see how beautiful they are. But then she wanted to see something else, a man she loved from the deepest of her heart. Turning her head to the right, she raised her head to look at Cor who unexpectedly was looking at her.

Their eyes met and smiles touched the corners of their lips.

Still looking at her, Cor crossed his arms over his chest. Eira noticed how his upper arm was so close to her face. And without second thought, Eira moved closer at him until her cheek touched his hand.

"Hei…" Cor murmured.

"Just a second," she said, even though she wasn't sure if Cor heard it or not due to the noise from fireworks.

Cor felt the warmth sept into his skin as Eira put her cheek on his upper hand. He didn't want to move away, nor stop her.

Of course he was a bit worried if someone behind them noticed it. He hoped that all of those people were charmed by fireworks thus they wouldn't see elsewhere.

Glancing at Eira, he noticed that she had returned her gaze at the fireworks. But, instead of looking at the fireworks, Cor chose to look at her instead. How pretty she was under the colorful spark, how adorable her smile was, how enchanting her eyes were as it reflected the multicolor lights.

"I love you…" he murmured. Not that Eira could hear it though.

"Um?" Eira finally lifted her cheek from his arm. Tilting her head as she looked at him in curious eyes, it seemed that she wanted him to repeat his word.

Cor just shook his head and shifted his gaze to the fireworks. He faintly heard her giggle which then made him return his eyes to her.

Eira moved closer again until her upper arm touched his elbow. Seeing that Eira stared at the sky, Cor also looked back at it, to the dozens of colorful fireworks that painted the summer night.

They couldn't hold hands. But, this was enough.

He wished he could hold her inside his arms. But for now… It was enough.

He was happy.

And he was grateful for this blissful moment.

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Eira sat on her bed then took her phone from the bedside table. Smiling as she saw a message notification from her lover, she quickly tapped on her phone.

Cor : I love seeing you in yukata.

Red tint touched her cheeks, as the warmth crawled on her face.

She was happy.

And she wished they could visit the festival again next year. Hopefully just the two of them.