Chapter 123: [ Summer Festival Near Home ]

~~ • ~~

After that, we got ready.

I didn’t have much to bring. Just my work bag containing my laptop, a few files, some measuring tools, and the usual small gear I needed for fieldwork.

Yuna, on the other hand, looked incredibly excited. Even though she wasn’t carrying anything at all.

"Papa, are you ready?"

"I’m ready."

"Let’s go."

"Yeah."

And with that, we headed out.

_

It didn’t take long to get there.

As we neared the venue, the atmosphere of the streets began to shift.

Several roads were already closed off.

Traffic diversion signs stood at various corners.

Attendants were busy directing the passing vehicles.

Along the streets, festival posters had been put up—who knows since when.

Brightly colored flyers were plastered onto utility poles, notice boards, and storefront walls.

Bold letters announced:

*Summer Cultural Festival.*

Illustrations of fireworks and lanterns decorated the bottom edges.

And lining that very street was a row of massive trucks.

Some were already being unloaded.

Others were still covered by heavy tarps.

_

Suddenly.

A small hand tugged at my sleeve from behind.

I turned around.

Yuna stood right there.

Her fingers were still gripping my sleeve.

Her eyes darted back and forth.

Taking in the massive trucks.

Taking in the people hurrying by.

Taking in the stacks of equipment she had never seen before.

Her face was full of curiosity.

"There’s so much..." she murmured softly.

By the side of the road, a few groups of workers were chatting casually.

The atmosphere was bustling.

But not like a crowded market.

It felt more like a place gearing up to host something massive.

Suddenly, a voice called out from a distance.

"Itsuki-senpai! Over here!"

I looked ahead.

Someone was waving their hand high in the air.

I raised a hand in return.

"Yeah!"

I then reached down and took Yuna’s hand.

"Let’s go, Yuna."

"Okay."

We walked over to the group.

_

As soon as we arrived, I set my bag down.

"Is everyone here?"

"Yes, senpai."

"Everyone’s accounted for."

"Only the Boss hasn’t arrived yet."

I nodded.

"Right, Bardy-san won’t be here until this afternoon."

I unzipped my bag.

"So, in the meantime, I’ll be leading this project."

"Understood."

"Got it."

Yuna stood right behind me.

Quiet.

She didn’t say a word.

Her gaze kept drifting toward the large trucks crowding the street.

As if trying to process everything that was happening.

I pulled a stack of handouts from my bag.

And passed them around one by one.

The papers quickly changed hands.

Some started reading right away.

Others quickly flipped through the pages.

"Alright."

I unfolded a larger blueprint.

"The main stage will be set up right at that intersection."

I pointed toward the large crossroad a few dozen meters from where we stood.

"This area will be the center of the event."

They followed the direction of my finger.

"The food and game stalls will line both sides of the street."

"Make sure the spacing matches the blueprints."

"Don’t pack them too tightly."

"And leave clear paths for evacuation routes."

Several people nodded, jotting down notes.

I continued.

"Speaker placements are on page two."

"Stage team, structural details are on pages three and four."

"Visuals, audio, and the fireworks team are on the following pages."

Multiple pages were turned in unison.

A chorus of rustling paper filled the air.

"We’ll also be utilizing the advertising screens on some of the surrounding buildings."

"We’ve already secured permission from the property owners."

"That includes several balconies and camera mounting points."

"So make sure everything aligns with the blueprints."

"Got it."

"Understood."

"Copy that."

Affirmations rang out from all around.

Behind me.

Yuna, who had been quietly observing all this time, slowly shifted her gaze.

Not toward the trucks anymore.

Not toward the street anymore.

But to me.

She looked slightly confused.

And a little amazed.

It was likely her first time seeing me work like this.

Giving instructions.

Explaining plans.

Managing so many people all at once.

I tapped the blueprint in my hand.

"Alright."

I looked at their faces, one by one.

"Are there any questions?"

They exchanged glances.

Then shook their heads.

"None here."

"In that case, let’s get to work."

"Right!"

They dispersed immediately.

Group after group headed off to their respective tasks.

Within minutes, the crowded area began to empty out.

Everyone was busy moving.

Lifting equipment.

Measuring the site.

Marking installation points.

I let out a soft sigh.

And turned around.

"Yuna."

"Yes?"

"Watch from the side of the road."

"It’s dangerous over here."

Yuna followed my gaze.

Beneath a large tree sat a long wooden bench.

It was a safe distance away from the flow of vehicles and heavy machinery.

"Okay, Papa."

She nodded obediently.

No protests.

No further questions.

And she walked over to the bench.

I watched her until she was safely seated.

Only then did I shift my focus back to the work site.

The trucks were being opened.

Equipment was being unloaded.

The hum of a forklift echoed from a distance.

The festival preparations had truly begun.

I stretched my body for a moment.

*Crack... pop...*

My joints let out soft pops.

Then, I took a deep breath.

"Alright..."

I grabbed my hard hat from my bag.

And placed it on my head.

"Time to get to work."

__

I walked straight over to one of the trucks.

A few workers were already there.

Two men stood in the bed of the truck, while two others waited below to receive the load.

A long steel frame was slowly pushed to the edge.

"Itsuki-san."

One of them looked over at me, keeping a firm grip on the steel frame.

"Who’s the kid?"

He nodded toward the bench under the tree where Yuna was sitting.

I took a quick glance.

Yuna was still there.

Sitting quietly, watching the entire work area.

"My daughter."

My answer was short.

But I didn’t hesitate for a second to say it.

Because it was the truth.

Yuna is my daughter.

The worker nodded.

"Ah, I see."

The steel frame was slowly lowered.

The men below caught it, shifted its weight onto their shoulders, and walked toward the installation site.

I held out my hands.

"Pass one down to me, too."

"Sure thing."

Another frame was pushed down.

I caught it.

The cold metal pressed against my palms.

"Thanks."

I hoisted it onto my shoulder and carried it straight to the stage construction site.

_

Meanwhile.

Beneath the leafy shade of the tree.

Yuna was still sitting on the wooden bench.

Her legs dangled in the air, the seat just a little too high for her.

She swung them back and forth in small, rhythmic arcs.

Her gaze kept shifting from place to place.

"So this is Papa’s job..."

she murmured softly.

She watched the people passing by.

Across the street, a few workers were measuring distances.

A measuring tape was pulled taut.

Someone crouched down.

And pressed a piece of colored tape onto the asphalt.

One.

Two.

Three.

Over and over.

Yuna watched intently.

"Oh... are those markers?"

She began guessing to herself.

Maybe that was where the stalls would be set up.

Or the boundary lines for the road.

Or something else entirely.

Down the street, a vehicle approached slowly.

Trailing behind it was a large container.

Yuna immediately turned her head.

"I wonder what that is..."

Her eyes tracked the vehicle until it came to a stop.

Several people rushed over to it.

One of them carried a massive spool of cable.

Another carried a crate of equipment.

Elsewhere, a few workers were unloading large speakers.

Four people hoisted one up together.

They walked carefully.

Placing it precisely on a designated spot.

Yuna just sat there.

Not doing anything.

But she didn’t look bored in the slightest.

On the contrary.

She looked more curious than ever.

"Hm... what’s that for..."

A short while later.

The food carts began to arrive.

Several vendors pushed their equipment toward their designated locations.

Some brought folding tables.

Some brought coolers.

And some brought stacks of wooden boards.

They began assembling their respective stalls.

"Oh..."

Yuna nodded slowly.

"So that’s where they’ll be selling stuff."

Little by little.

The once-empty street began to transform.

Stalls popped up.

Equipment piled in.

The stage framework began to take shape.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

The sun climbed higher.

The air grew hotter.

The asphalt began to radiate heat.

The crew kept working.

Sweating.

Lifting.

Measuring.

Installing.

Until, finally, noon arrived.

_

A few small vehicles pulled up from behind.

The drivers were carrying large bags filled with lunch boxes.

"Alright, everyone!"

Someone shouted.

"Time for a break!"

"Got it!"

"Roger!"

"Thank goodness."

The atmosphere instantly relaxed.

The workers stepped away from their respective tasks.

They moved to the side of the road.

Seeking out the shade beneath the trees.

Some immediately sat down.

Some lay back.

Others cracked open their water bottles first.

I wiped the sweat from my neck.

Then walked over to the bench where Yuna was.

She was still sitting there.

Her position had barely changed at all.

I stopped in front of her.

"Are you bored, Yuna?"

"Not at all, Papa."

"Then why do you look so sleepy?"

Yuna gave a slight start.

By reflex, she rubbed her face with the hem of her shirt.

"I don’t."

She shook her head quickly.

"I’m not sleepy."

I stared at her for a few seconds.

Then let out a soft chuckle.

"Alright, alright."

I sat down next to her.

The wooden bench creaked softly.

Not long after, a worker walked over.

In his hands were two lunch boxes.

"Itsuki-san."

"Yeah?"

"Here’s yours."

"Thanks."

I took them.

"Good work out there."

"Yeah, you too."

The man nodded, then walked off.

I looked at the two lunch boxes.

Then handed one over to Yuna.

"Here."

"Mm."

Yuna accepted it with both hands.

"Thank you."

"If you’re tired, you can take a nap after we eat."

"But, Papa..."

"I’ll wake you up when it’s time."

Yuna seemed to think about it for a moment.

Then finally gave a small nod.

"Okay."

She popped open the lid of her box.

Her eyes immediately darted inside.

"What’s in it?"

"Fried chicken."

Her reply sounded a little more excited.

I proceeded to open my own box.

Then looked at the contents.

"Hm."

"What is it, Papa?"

"I got fried chicken, too."

Yuna stared at me.

For a few seconds.

Then let out a small sigh.

"Obviously."

"Why is that?"

"They came from the same place."

"Oh, right."

Yuna shook her head slowly.

For whatever reason.

Then the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

I laughed along.

"Haha..."

"Let’s eat."

"Yeah."

And for a while, the sounds of construction were replaced by the sounds of people enjoying their lunch beneath the shade of the summer trees.

__

Suddenly—

"Itsuki!"

Someone called out from a distance.

I snapped my head toward the voice.

"Yeah?!"

A plastic bottle sailed through the air, heading straight for me.

Without bothering to stand, I raised a hand and caught it effortlessly.

*Smack.*

The bottle came to a dead stop in my palm.

Before I could even see who threw it, a second bottle was already airborne.

I extended my other hand.

*Smack.*

Caught again.

"Thanks!"

"No problem!"

I raised the bottle slightly in acknowledgment.

Beside me, Yuna sat in stunned silence.

Her eyes were wide.

Her mouth was slightly agape.

She stared at me as if she had just witnessed a miracle.

I set the bottles down next to me.

"What is it?"

"Papa..."

"Hm?"

"That was amazing."

"Just catching a couple of bottles?"

"It wasn’t just catching."

Yuna set her lunch box aside.

And stood up.

"Teach me!"

"Huh?"

"Teach me how to catch like that!"

She thrust both hands out in front of her, mimicking the motion of catching a flying object.

"I want to do it too."

I let out a soft chuckle.

"It’s just practice, really."

"Then teach me."

"Alright, later."

"And..."

Yuna raised one arm.

She then shifted her stance, pantomiming someone lifting something incredibly heavy.

Her expression was dead serious.

"Teach me how to be as strong as you, Papa."

I stared at her ridiculous pose for a few seconds.

Then, I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

"Hahaha..."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You’re laughing, Papa."

"Hahaha..."

"Why? Is it funny?"

"You look like a tiny construction worker."

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"Not at all."

I was still smiling.

"If you want to be that strong, you’ll have to work out."

Yuna sat back down.

"But I’ve never seen you work out."

I popped the lid of my lunch box back open.

"Because I don’t."

"Huh?"

"I don’t do any special training."

"Then how are you so strong, Papa?"

I thought about it for a moment.

"Because I’ve been doing this job for a long time."

"Hm?"

"It’s like they say—experience never lies."

Yuna blinked a few times.

She looked like she was trying to process that.

"Oh..."

"So, if I help lift things a lot, I’ll get strong too?"

"You will."

"What if I carry my school bag every day?"

"A little bit."

"What if I carry you, Papa?"

I immediately turned to her.

"That’s impossible."

"Aw..."

Yuna looked a little disappointed.

I just chuckled.

And with that, we went back to enjoying our lunch.

_

Time marched on.

The sun began its slow descent.

The midday heat gradually mellowed.

The shadows of the trees stretched across the street.

Little by little, the festival grounds began to take their final shape.

Food stalls now stood neatly in rows along the street.

Lanterns were strung up.

Cables were neatly tucked away.

The main stage stood sturdy and imposing at the center of the intersection.

The large display screens were powered on.

Speakers were locked into their designated spots.

Event staff began arriving, all sporting their official uniforms.

Performers began showing up one by one as well.

Some were running sound checks.

Others could be seen rehearsing on stage.

And the most noticeable change of all—

The attendees began to arrive.

At first, it was just a handful of people.

Then a dozen.

Then dozens more.

The atmosphere, once dominated by the sounds of construction, slowly gave way to the hum of conversations and laughter.

The festival was truly going to kick off tonight.

I let out a long sigh of relief.

And walked over to the bench beneath the tree.

The spot where I had left Yuna waiting.

As soon as I got there, a small smile crept onto my face.

Yuna had fallen asleep.

Her head was tilted to the side.

Her black hair was slightly tousled by the breeze.

Both her hands were folded neatly in her lap.

She had probably tried her best to stay awake, but sleep had won out in the end.

I stood in front of her.

"Yuna."

"Mm..."

No real response.

"Yuna."

This time, I gently patted her head.

"Time to wake up."

Her eyelids fluttered.

"Papa...?"

She finally opened her eyes.

Still half-asleep.

"What’s wrong...?"

She slowly rubbed her eyes.

"It’s late afternoon."

"Hm..."

"Let’s head home for a bit."

"Home?"

"We’ll come back here later."

A few seconds later, her senses fully returned.

She looked around.

And froze.

Her eyes went wide.

"Woah..."

She stood up from the bench.

And took a few steps toward the street.

Her head turned every which way.

Taking in the rows of stalls.

Taking in the lanterns.

Taking in the massive stage.

Taking in the glowing screens.

Taking in the people starting to flood the street.

"Papa..."

Her voice was filled with awe.

"Is it finished?"

"Yeah."

"That was so fast."

Yuna kept staring straight ahead.

For a long time.

A very long time.

"Woah..."

She murmured it again.

This time much softer.

"You’re amazing, Papa."

I scratched the back of my neck.

"It wasn’t just me."

"But you too, Papa."

I gave her a faint smile.

"Alright, let’s go."

"Where?"

"Home."

"Why?"

"We need to take a bath first."

"Oh."

"Then have dinner."

"Oh."

"And then we come back to the festival."

Yuna’s eyes instantly lit up.

"The festival!"

"There you go, wide awake now."

"Hehe."

She nodded vigorously.

"Then let’s go home!"

And this time, it was Yuna who took the lead, marching ahead while I followed closely behind her on our way home.

~~ • ~~