Chapter 126 Chapter 126 Apple Candy and Goldfish Scooping (Part 1)...
The wind gently caressing his cheeks, the girl's cheerful smile, the colorful fireworks, these elements combined together, washed away all of Keigo Atobe's previous worries and reconstructed his entire impression of this night.
"What a shame, it's all gone."
As the two ran into the bustling crowd, the last firework just disappeared in mid-air. Saionji Tamon looked up at the direction of the night sky where the fireworks were set off, waited for a moment to make sure that there were no more behind, and felt a little regretful.
It was already approaching evening when she woke up in the hospital. She had spoken with Saku and Ango Sakaguchi for a while, which delayed her for a while. By the time she realized she had missed the appointment, she teleported to the villa and then rushed to the town. Most of the fireworks for the event had already been set off.
So although she felt regretful, she also understood that she was late in the end.
Atobe Keigo twitched his fingers, suppressing the urge to reach for his phone. He said soothingly, "We can enjoy the fireworks together again at the next fireworks display."
"Haha, by then, we'll be back in Tokyo, right?" Yuyin smiled, turning back. "There are fireworks displays in several places in Tokyo, and they're even bigger and more beautiful. It's perfect for you guys to finish your games and really relax and watch them."
Speaking of real fireworks displays, the ones that can be considered real are those held at grand summer ceremonies in places like Tokyo and Kyoto. Those huge festivals have an average of at least 1,200 or more fireworks of various types launched per show. In comparison, what they just watched was just a small-scale event in Karuizawa.
Yuyin thought about it and couldn't help but sigh: "Come to think of it, I haven't watched fireworks properly in many years."
Atobe was slightly shocked: "Not even once in all these years?"
Atobe grew up in England and only studied in the island country for the past three years, and only then did he witness the unique celebrations of this island country. Unlike him, Tamane is a native of the island country, and it seems abnormal that she hasn't watched a fireworks display for so many years.
"Haha," Yuyin scratched her head, unsure how to explain it properly. "Actually, I used to watch them often when I was little. But then I grew up, and every time there was a fireworks display, I happened to have other things going on..."
Specifically, before fifth grade, she had regularly watched fireworks displays while still in elementary school in Kyoto. The fireworks at the Kyoto Racecourse and the nearby Miyazu City water lanterns were both truly spectacular and particularly impressive. But starting in fifth grade during the summer vacation, she had to spend every year in the hospital, so she naturally missed them all.
In those other worlds, every time a fireworks display is held, it is often the peak period for some short-sighted people to cause trouble. She doesn't even have time to work overtime and is busy like a top. How can she have the leisure to watch the fireworks?
The superposition of several worlds made it seem to her that she hadn't seen fireworks for many years. However, this involved the secret of her "time travel", so she couldn't tell Jingwu directly.
On the other hand, Keigo Atobe thought of the fact that she had multiple jobs and naturally misunderstood.
In a sense, he had guessed the truth by accident.
"Don't worry, I will let you enjoy the entire fireworks show this year!" Atobe Keigo promised.
"Okay," Yuyin thought he was talking about returning to Tokyo, so she turned around, put her hands behind her back, and walked back a few steps, smiling, "Then I'll wait and see~"
Just as Tezuka was about to say something, her eyes suddenly lit up and she said in surprise, "Apple candy!" Then she disappeared like a gust of wind.
When he came to his senses, Yuyin had already handed the change to the stall owner, ran back with two candy apples, handed them to him with a smile and said, "Here, I really loved eating these when I was a kid. I wonder if the ones here are well made and how they taste."
Keigo Atobe took the red apple candy wrapped in a layer of crystal clear sugar coating and was a little at a loss.
Although he did not have the arrogant, contemptuous and picky nature of other rich young men, he had never eaten this kind of "common people's food" before, so he was a little at a loss as to how to prepare it.
Sometimes, Atobe would want to try common people's food, but not at this time, especially not in front of Yuyin. If he did something wrong and made a fool of himself, where would his reputation as the eldest young master be?
While he was hesitant, Yuyin took a bite of the candy coating. Seeing that he hadn't moved, she asked in confusion, "Why aren't you eating it?"
Atobe groaned, then imitated her and started biting it. He couldn't help but frown, "So sweet..."
"Oh, I forgot you don't like overly sweet flavors," Yuyin slapped her head and suggested, "How about I help you with yours too?"
"Ah?" Atobe Keigo looked at the apple candy in his hand that was already missing a bite, and then glanced at Tamane next to him. If he helped Tamane to solve the problem, wouldn't it be an indirect kiss... ?
Thinking of this, his fair cheeks couldn't help but turn red. He quickly coughed to cover it up and waved his hand, "No, no, I can still handle this little bit of sweetness..."
"Okay," Yuyin didn't force him. Instead, she gestured and taught him how to eat it. "Jingwu, if you think it's too sweet, don't just eat the sugar coating. Eat the apple together."
Following her instructions, Atobe took a bite of the apple, frowning even deeper. "Sour..."
When Keigo Atobe gets the chance to taste apples on a daily basis, it's usually only in fruit salads, apple pies, or grilled meat dishes using apple cubes as sauces and spices. His impression of apples has always been that they are sweet fruits with rich nutrition, nothing else. Today, he discovered for the first time that apples can also be sour, which can be said to have expanded his knowledge base.
"Of course, apple candy is best made with slightly sour apples," Yuyin explained. "The outer layer of candy is already sweet enough. If the apples were sweet too, the combination would be too cloying. Instead, the slightly sour apples balance it out and create a perfect sweet-tart taste."
Like the stall just now, there are also "apple candies" made from other fruits, such as oranges, strawberries, peaches, etc. Of course, these are definitely not oranges, strawberries, and peaches with a sweet taste, but Yuyin looked around and finally chose to buy the most traditional varieties.
She heard that there was a small shop in Shinjuku that specialized in apple candies. Instead of starting with the raw fruits, they innovated on the ingredients and flavors of the candy coating. She heard that there were three innovative flavors to choose from: cocoa, cinnamon, and purple sweet potato.
While Yuyin's thoughts raced all the way to the new store, Atobe Keigo had already bravely taken a second bite. The initial sourness faded from the tip of his tongue, and the sweetness of the candy coating enveloped him again. He truly tasted the "sweet and sour combination" that Yuyin had described. In a sense, this "interweaving of sweet and sour" was even more in line with his current state of mind. His originally furrowed brows smoothed down, and he gave his evaluation, "Not bad."
This is a good sentence. For a young master who has high standards and strict requirements for food, it is already a very high evaluation.
"Is that so?" Yuyin raised her eyebrows and smiled proudly. "We were lucky this time. The apples the stall owner used weren't particularly sour or astringent, otherwise they would have been really unpalatable. I was just thinking, if this place isn't good, there's a small shop in Shinjuku that specializes in apple candy. They're highly acclaimed. I'll definitely take you there next time to try it and clear the stigma of apple candy."
"Okay," Atobe Keigo looked at her lively expression and couldn't help but curl his lips, "After the game is over, let's go together."
The two of them munched on candy apples, just like an ordinary couple walking together on the street. Yuyin glanced at the traditional costumes of the people around her and couldn't help but sigh, "It's a pity that I left my kimono at home. I don't have time to wear it today."
After she and Senior Brother Dechang met, he had the family's official tailor make that particular kimono specifically for her figure. It was exceptionally ornate and intricate, and the price was, of course, commensurately "beautiful." It also came with a host of custom-made traditional accessories. Only a Senior Brother, born into a prominent family and steeped in tradition, would pay such special attention to these ceremonial items.
Atobe Keigo responded, "Yes, the time is too urgent this time. No one in the department brought kimonos or yukatas. They all came to the temple fair in their casual clothes."
Keigo Atobe himself also has his own private tailor who specializes in personal clothes, but he grew up in the UK, so his behavior and hobbies tend to be more British and European in style. Most of the clothes he orders are suits and tuxedos. He is a frequent visitor to Savile Row in the UK and old shops in Italy. In comparison, Atobe is not so particular about kimonos and yukatas from the island country.
Besides, the Hyotei Tennis Club had originally gathered in Karuizawa for training for the upcoming national tournament. Besides the necessary tennis equipment, everyone had only brought their club uniforms, a change of sportswear, and a few spare casual clothes. Who would have thought to bring a yukata?
If it were the old Atobe Keigo, he would have definitely considered everything, prepared yukata for the entire tennis club in advance, or sent someone to each player's home to pick them up. However, he had been worried about Tamane for the past two days, so it was inevitable that he had overlooked something. Although the butler Yamaoki had made thorough preparations for his young master's affairs, he didn't pay attention to the other players. So in the end, seeing that all the players were wearing regular clothes, Atobe Keigo naturally discarded the yukata that the butler Yamaoki had prepared for him and went out in regular clothes like his teammates.
It turns out that some people can't stand being nagged.
"Over there, over there, a little to the left, yes, that's it... Oops, why did I fail again!"
Stamping and groaning.
Hearing the familiar voice, the two looked at each other and walked towards the side of the road where the crowd was denser. They saw a large pond in the center of the crowd and two young men standing by the pond. Who else could it be but the familiar Mukai Taketo and Oshizuka Yuushi?
Ozuki Yuushi pushed his glasses up and said helplessly, "Who forced me to play after failing ten times?"
"What are you doing?"
Hearing these familiar words, Oshitari Yuushi and Mukai Taketo subconsciously stood at attention. Taketo was so frightened that he replied directly: "It's none of my business. I didn't play. Look, the things are all in Yuushi's hands..."
This was the first time during the training camp that Keigo Atobe's devilish training style, contrary to his usual liberal style, had left a deep impression on the two of them. When they heard his familiar sentence pattern of catching the lazy, they formed a conditioned reflex answer.
Yuushi Ozuki was a step too slow and was interrupted by his partner, who "slandered" him. He was about to refute when he realized what was happening.
That’s not right. They came to the temple fair to have fun. Why are they so scared?
Oshitari put his heart back down and turned to Atobe and said, "Atobe, you're here..."
Then he froze and forgot the words he wanted to say.
What did he see?
Not to mention the fact that the manager suddenly showed up and went to the temple fair with Atobe, which was a matter of course, what was that red thing in Atobe's hand?
It's a candy apple, right? It must be a candy apple!
He hasn't eaten this kind of temple fair snack since he was eight years old. It's very embarrassing for a boy to hold it in his hands. Didn't Tobe realize that the people who eat this at the temple fair are all children and girls?
The only thing that would make Atobe do something that he would criticize as unglamorous in the past is—
Yuushi Ozuki shifted his gaze to the side. Saionji had already eaten more than half of the apple candy in his hand, but he still took another bite without wavering under his gaze.
Well, he couldn't help but push the frame again, and he knew that every time Atobe behaved abnormally, it must be related to Saionji. Is this what they call "love makes people demented"?
Even though he couldn't help but complain a lot in his heart, Oshitari Yuushi remained calm on the surface. He only showed a suitable smile and asked with concern: "Manager, you are back? Have you finished your family affairs?"
Yuyin nodded and replied, "Although there was a slight incident that delayed me, I finally made it back by the time I agreed with Keigo." She then looked at the torn paper net in Oshitari Yuushi's hand with a curious expression, "Are you guys catching goldfish?"
"Yes, yes," it was Taketo Mukai who interrupted her, "Saionji, you don't know how lame Yushi is. He's broken five nets and hasn't caught a single goldfish!"
Ozuki Yuushi was speechless: "Who was it that just now failed to catch a single fish with 10 nets?"
"Then, can we do the same?" Xiangri Yueren argued confidently, "Aren't you a genius at catching brown bears? Now we don't need you to catch a brown bear, we just need to catch a small goldfish. Shouldn't you succeed at least once?"
He originally wanted to make a specious argument, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense, and his words became more justified.
Seeing that the two partners were about to start their usual emotional exchange, Atobe Keigo quickly interrupted, "Okay," he looked past the two of them and fell on the colorful goldfish in the pond behind them. With a wave of his hand, he said generously, "Since you want these goldfish, just buy them all."
Yuyin couldn't help but chuckle. This was really Jingwu's characteristic style of speech. As long as it was something he wanted, he would spend money to buy it.
Atobe Keigo heard her laughter and turned his head in confusion: "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Yuyin suppressed a laugh and tugged at his sleeve, saying, "Actually, Taketo and Oshitari don't want the goldfish. They just enjoy the fun of scooping them up."
"Is that so?" Atobe turned his gaze back and confirmed with Mukai Taketo and Oshizuka Yuushi.
Mukaito nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, who can't afford a goldfish? The enjoyment is the excitement and fun of not knowing whether you can catch a goldfish~"
"There are still five nets left..." Yuyin looked at the unused net bags in their hands and couldn't help but have a new idea.
She handed the uneaten apple candy to Atobe, "Keigo, help me hold it." Then she smiled sweetly at Oshima, "I haven't played goldfish scooping for a long time, let me try~"
"Ah?" Ozuki Yuushi felt his hand lighten, and the bowl filled with a little water and the unused paper net were taken away by Saionji Tamone.
He made eye contact with Keigo Atobe, who was forced to hold an apple candy in each hand, and then turned his head away very tactfully.
Inuzuka thought that he would not ask for trouble by telling Atobe that he did not look gorgeous at all, so as to avoid Atobe's anger from being reluctant to blame Saionji.
"Wow, Yuyin, do you want to try it too~"
Mukaito was so excited that he even changed his address. You know, usually with Oshitari urging him, he was still very careful to call by his last name or manager.
Oshitari pushed up his glasses and thought, he didn't know which was more unbearable for Atobe: his partner noticing his "unglamorousness" or calling Saionji's name.
"Of course," Yuyin rolled up her non-existent sleeves and said with great momentum, "Just wait and see me show off my skills!"
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The author has something to say: It is said that apple candy depends on the craftsmanship and materials. There are very few delicious ones, and the unpalatable ones are very unpalatable. You can refer to the experience of eating candied haws.
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