We walked into the culture-clubs exhibit area and one club stood out aggressively from the others.
“Whoa — committed.”
“The fortune-telling club goes all-in on festival exhibits. Last year they were the #1 culture-club exhibit.”
“Yeah, this is that level.”
The clubroom entrance was decorated like an actual Hall of Divination — far above other clubs in production value.
Hence the line. High schoolers and attached-middle-schoolers — very popular.
“This will be a wait.”
“Crush talk while we wait?”
“P-please, mercy.”
I had been put through crush talk torture enough times. Their version somehow bent my worldview each time — fear.
“Without Nee-chan it’s less fun anyway. Pass.”
“I’d appreciate it being a pass with Reona too.”
“Will consider.”
“That phrasing means no intention.”
We chatted while waiting. Students exiting the fortune-house wore varied expressions — smiling, scowling, near tears. What was happening in there?
After waiting our turn came. Inside: a girl who’d stepped out of an RPG, with a crystal ball. The interior was committed.
“Next — what would you like me to divine?”
“My and Ryouya’s future.”
“Got it. I’ll read your near-future together.”
Riona’s request locked in. The fortune-teller focused on the crystal ball. After a long silent stare, she gave me a pitying look. That look was scary.
”…I’ve seen your futures clearly.”
“Please tell us.”
“For you, yours unfolds exactly as you want. Failure is not a possibility.”
She’d said this to Riona. Then she turned to me.
”…For you, condolences is the only word.”
“What does that mean!?”
“My advice: don’t bother resisting. Although resistance is meaningless.”
What was my near-future? Don’t resist — was I about to be assaulted by someone?
“Fortune-house — fun.”
“You may have enjoyed it, Riona, I did not, the aftertaste is terrible.”
I don’t believe in fortunes, but being told that by a fortune-teller leaves a mark. Riona looked pleased; I was unsettled.
“If you stay near me, my bright future might offset your dark future.”
“Plus and minus canceling to zero.”
“In exchange, you’re paying back the plus I spent.”
“You’d charge me?”
“Of course. Like a creditor.”
If Riona held debt over me, the repayment terms would be unhinged, and the net could be worse than the canceled minus.
We kept touring the festival. The morning was promised to Riona; afternoon was unscheduled.
I had been planning to relax — Reona joined and I got dragged around at higher intensity than yesterday. You’re not doing anything, right, Ryouya-kun? — Reona’s argument that I could not refuse. We hit the full booth + culture-club circuit, complete clear.
———
End of chapter 7. Web version remaining: chapter 8 + epilogue.