Kiyomi tugged at the hem of her yukata, feeling a little awkward. The fabric was soft, nothing like her cold combat gear. Wooden sandals clacked beneath her feet as she walked, and she felt like she might fall over at any moment.
"Hey, what's taking you so long?"
Kawaki stood in the doorway, also dressed in a dark kimono. He still looked impatient, but his collar was neatly arranged.
Boruto was dressed in bright orange and already had a candied apple in hand. "Hurry up, hurry up! There's going to be a long line at the goldfish-catching stall!"
The group made their way out onto the main street. It was brightly lit and bustling with people.
The air was filled with the smell of takoyaki and grilled corn. Kiyomi threaded through the crowd, watching children in fox masks run by and couples make wishes beneath the trees.
It all seemed so far away from her, like a dream.
"Want that?" Kawaki stopped and followed Kiyomi's gaze.
It was a shooting-gallery stall, and the grand prize was a huge Kurama plush.
"No. I was just wondering how many people would die if a battle broke out here," Kiyomi replied quietly.
Kawaki blinked, then flicked her on the forehead.
"Idiot. It's a festival. Nobody's asking you to think about fighting." Kawaki walked over to the stall, tossed down a coin, and picked up an air gun. "Watch this."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
All three shots hit.
The stall owner handed Kawaki the Kurama plush with a pained look. Kawaki casually shoved it into Kiyomi's arms.
"Here. Hold it in front of your face so people will stop staring at you."
The plush was huge and soft, with a faint smell of dry cotton. As Kiyomi hugged it, she felt something hollow inside her