Manga Born to Be King

　　Xin Naizhi smiled shyly, and glanced sideways at Nangong Xiaoxiao.

　　"Student Xiao, if you have time, would you like to go to the river lantern together? And there are fireworks to watch that day."

　　"Well, I really want to go... oh? It says there is a photo contest."

　　Below the poster is a message inviting the public to actively provide photos of the river lanterns to participate in the competition.The organizer is a local shopping street, and the prize for the special prize seems to be a two-day-one-night hot spring trip. In addition, the shopping street also prepares various prizes for the selected contestants.

　　"I figured it out! How about using photography as the subject of freelance research?"

　　"Just taking pictures?"

　　"If you only take pictures, it shouldn't be regarded as free research, but if you participate in competitions, it should be regarded as an artistic activity? Anyway, even if you don't win the ranking, you will still have a participation award."

　　"It makes sense... If you can take serious photos, maybe it will be convincing."

　　"I've always been very serious, okay?"

　　"You can't just photograph a girl in a yukata."

　　"I won't just shoot those, okay? Let's go set the river lantern together, shall we?"

　　The moment he opened his invitation, Xin Naizhi's expression brightened...

　　"Okay, let's go together!"

　　Then he smiled and nodded in agreement.Just as the two were about to continue walking towards the entrance, someone from behind stopped them.

　　"Xiao, Hezhen classmates, are you coming to school today?"

　　When he turned around, he saw that it was Ya in uniform.What she was carrying was not a schoolbag, but a bag with a swimsuit.

　　"Yeah, Ya. I've just done my summer homework in the library."

　　"I think you must be there wailing and saying 'you can't finish your homework~', right?"

　　"You're thinking too much. Don't look at me like this. Everyone says I'm a gifted student who is devoted to learning."

　　"What? Xiao is dedicated to learning? It's incredible~"

　　Ya stared at him with suspicious eyes.

　　"It's true. Xiao-san worked so hard that he forgot about the freedom to study."

　　Genuine gifted students are sour and sarcastic.

　　"Okay, okay, I don't have much to discuss about me - but Ya, you went to the club activities?"

　　"The summer job at the cafe is over, and I haven't been in the water for a long time, so I came to the swimming club for a few laps today. I must attend the national competition next year!"

　　"Ah, I'll cheer you on—by the way, do you want Ya to set off the river lanterns together? I made an appointment with Xin Naozhi just now."

　　"Xiao and Tsuruzhen-san...?...Aren't they dating? Would it be wrong for me to be a light bulb?"

　　"It's not even a date. Right, Shinnoe?"

　　"Huh...? It's not a date, uh, what should I say..."

　　Xin Naizhi lowered her flushed cheeks and muttered vaguely.

　　"I want to participate in the photo contest in order to submit a free research report. So Ya, you don't have to worry so much. Besides, I also hope to create summer memories that belong to our brothers and sisters."

　　"is that so……"

　　Ya stared at his and Xin Nae's faces in disbelief.

　　"Then I'll go too. I brought a new yukata from my hometown last time!"

　　"That's it, let's set off the river lanterns together after the three of us gather. Is there any problem with Xin Naizhi?"

　　"Uh-huh……"

　　Xin Naizhi nodded in agreement with a bit of disappointment.Xin Naizhi left the two of them behind and walked listlessly towards the end of the corridor.When Xiao looked at her somewhat lonely back, Ya who was beside her suddenly put her elbow on his flank.

　　"...Stupid Akatsuki."

　　Ya cast a stunned look at Nangong Xiao and muttered.

　　(Ya, I'm not an idiot for your Oni sauce. Don't you want to go too?).

Chapter 778

　　On the day of the Lantern Festival, Nangong Xiao put on the dark blue bathrobe that was stored in the closet.This yukata is prepared in advance considering the possibility of being useful.

　　Of course, don't forget to bring a digital camera for the competition.After putting on his bathrobe and getting ready to go out, he left the room.As dusk approached, the sun was slowly sinking towards the western horizon.

　　When they walked to the school gate to meet the other two, Shinnae and Ya were already waiting there.

　　"I made you wait for a long time! Everyone wears yukatas."

　　Shinnoe wears a pink yukata with an elegant flower pattern, while the elegant one is a white yukata with a polka dot pattern.Both styles are lovely and fit-for a summer celebration.

　　"Summer is almost over, of course you have to take the chance - dress up Luo."

　　Ya nodded in agreement with Xin Naizhi's remarks.

　　"That's it! Watching fireworks and eating marshmallows without wearing a yukata, summer is not over!"

　　"They're all high school students and still eat cotton candy."

　　"Well, what do you mean, Xiao! Are you making fun of me for being childish?"

　　"Marshmallows are meant to be eaten by children..."

　　Halfway through his words, he swallowed the words involuntarily.Somehow, Ya's face seemed to feel a little feminine.

　　"What...what are you doing..."

　　"No... Ya, has your temperament changed? I always feel like you've grown a bit more mature."

　　"No, no~ I've been very mature since before. It's just that you didn't realize it, Akatsuki."

　　——When did Ya change so much?

　　Seeing Xiao feel puzzled, Xin Naizhi couldn't help but laugh.

　　"Hee hee. Classmate Xiao, the secret is to make up, make up."

　　"Allah! Tsuruzhen-san, why did you tell him!"

　　Ya puffed out her cheeks angrily.This move immediately brought her back to her former childish appearance.

　　"Makeup? Ya, do you have makeup?"

　　"We just put on a little makeup. A little foundation on the cheeks, and eyeliner. It's a rare opportunity to wear a yukata to go out, and I want to try a natural makeup look. Then I also help Nagi-san with makeup. "

　　Taking a closer look, Xin Nae, like Ya, has a sharper eye socket than usual.The icing on the cake made the two people who were originally beautiful without makeup even more beautiful.

　　Ya looked a little embarrassed at Nangong Xiao's reaction.

　　"What, what? I specially made up for you, so tell me what you think."

　　"Yeah. Ya and Shinnoe, your yukatas and makeup look good."

　　"Really, really...?"

　　"Of course it's true. I'm shocked to be so mature."

　　"Xiao, you are barely looking handsome in that yukata."

　　Ya put her mouth in the shape of ヘ, showing a shy expression of praise.

　　After that, the three of them got on the tram and headed to the venue where the river lanterns were placed.After exiting the ticket gate of the nearest station, the three came to the downtown area with many buildings and a large road running through.There are many temples and shrines scattered here and there, so this place is also a well-known tourist spot.

　　Nearby roads were crowded with people who came to see the river lanterns and fireworks.The sirens sounded one after another, and several traffic policemen were directing traffic.

　　After walking for about five minutes as if being pushed by the crowd, the three saw a river in the distance.There are many house-shaped passenger ships on the river, and the orange sky is reflected on the river.

　　The river banks on both sides were paved with cement, and many people who brought their own plastic blankets sat there, and some people even started to drink and have fun.

　　"It means that this crowd is too scary... Ya, be careful not to get lost."

　　"People won't get lost, okay? Xiao, don't get lost with us."

　　Despite being brave in words, Ya's hand unknowingly grasped Nangong Xiao's yukata.He pretended not to notice, and silently let her pull his bathrobe.

　　"Both of you should bring your mobile phone. If you accidentally get separated, remember to call right away."

　　The two nodded and took out their mobile phones to prove that they all had them.In this way, there is no need to be afraid of the crowds.

　　"Ah, Akatsuki-kun, and Xin Naie and Ya~"

　　The three of them turned around when they heard a familiar voice, and found a girl in a red bathrobe waving.

　　"Aina? Rinka and Shiga-san are here too."

　　The girl who waved is Aina, the leader of the student council president.On the side are Vice President Rinka Kuni and Shiga Junior Sister who is a member of the student council.

　　"It's such a coincidence, do you also make an appointment to set off the river lanterns?"

　　"Yes, the school has a hospitality coupon, and the teacher in Xiaoduli gave it to us as a gift~"

　　"Invitation ticket? Do you need that kind of thing for a festival?"

　　"It's for that one. Aica, we're going to sit there later~"

　　Aina pointed to the Yakata passenger ship docked by the river.

　　"We're going to set off the river lanterns by boat, and then watch the fireworks while eating sushi~"

　　"Really or not, is there sushi to eat?"

　　Rinxiang scoffed.

　　"Nangong-senpai, no matter how much you envy you, you won't be able to eat sushi. Who taught you not to date me, secretly dating Tsuruzhen-senpai and Shinnagi-senpai, you should be punished now."

　　When Shiga-senpai heard the words, "Puff!", she made a sound like she was sneezing.

　　"Shoe (school), shoe length (senior), are you dating?"

　　"No, it's not a date. We're here to set the river lanterns to honor our ancestors..."

　　"Okay, okay, it's too late to take the boat. Let's go quickly."

　　Turning a deaf ear to Nangong Xiao's explanation, Rinxiang pushed Aina and Shiga from behind to urge them to set off.