NOVEL NEXT Chapter 297: [Parade Of The Little Girl]
We opened the front door.
Standing there was…
《"Trick or Treat!"》
《Huh, is that you, sweetie!? And your dad!?》
It was the father and daughter we had a barbecue with around summer.
The little girl was wearing a big black hat and a robe, holding a wand…
《"Happy Halloween," sweetie. You look adorable!》
《Yes, yes! You see, this, this is a witch costume!》
《I'm sorry. My daughter insisted on coming to see you, Iroha, and she wouldn't take no for an answer. But I saw the lights on, so…》
《…Oh!》Angu Ogu seemed to notice something and raised her voice.
However, I still didn't quite get it.
《Hey, Ogu, what do you mean?》
《I see, in Japanese Halloween, there's no such thing. Over here, having the lights on at night on Halloween has a special meaning》
《Huh?》
《You see, some people don't want visitors on Halloween, right? So, they signal if it's okay to visit with the lights.》
《I see.》
Now that she mentioned it, some people might not like kids or be prepared for them, so it would be a problem if they came.
So those people spend Halloween night with the lights off.
《We left the porch light on.》
《That's what it meant.》
《Wow, Iroha, are you dressed up too? Cute!》
《Huh, oh!? This!?》
I forgot! Come to think of it, this outfit is quite… well.
Now that I think about it, Angu Ogu and I, embarrassed, hugged each other to hide our bodies.
《Um, haha… As expected of Japan. Your cosplay is very anime-like or something.》
Gah!? Dad's awkward smile and follow-up hurt my ears!?
No!? This outfit is not my hobby at all!?
《Also, I'm sorry for interrupting your alone… private time. Come on, let's go now.》
Dad gently urged the little girl.
Wait!? He's got the wrong idea!
It's not like Angu Ogu and I were trying to do anything… weird together!?
But, anyway, it's not like that~!?
《No! Trick or Treat!》
《Oh. Right》
Now that I think about it, I haven't given out any candy yet.
I just bought some for Angu Ogu, so I decided to give them that.
《Wait a minute. I'll get some candy now.》
《No, that's not it. I want you to come with me to get candy~!》
《…Huh?》
《Don't you know, Iroha? "Kids" get candy, not give it away~》
《What!? No, sweetie!? We're not kids anymore, we're already adults… Huh!?》
As I was saying that, I remembered.
At that barbecue… Mai and Ah-nee were called "Mai-neechan" and "Ah-neechan" by the little girl, but for some reason, I was called "Iroha-chan"?
And she made me play the younger role in the pretend play… Am I really being misunderstood!?
Mai and I are the same age!? Yes, there’s a difference in development that was just highlighted, but!
《Haha. Hey, Iroha "chan". Go with them. You're a kid, after all!》
《What!? I'm already in high school!? I'm not a kid anymore!?》
《Barely safe, probably! You look tiny anyway!》
《Then, Angu Ogu is the same, right!?》
《What!? I am a proper lady!? Also, sweetie asked for you!》
《Both of you are wrong! I want both Iroha and Angu Ogu to come with me~!》
《W-wait, sweetie. That way of calling us outside is a bit… troubling!?》
Angu Ogu bumped her forehead against mine and began negotiating in whispers.
She looked desperate, but I was in the same boat.
《Iroha, please go! I really can't go out like this!?》
《Me too!? Besides… that's right! I have to watch a livestream now!》
《You're trying to escape!?》
《No, no! It's a fan's duty or rather fate…》
Seeing our situation, Dad came to our rescue.
He gently spoke to the little girl.
《Hey. Don't be too selfish. Iroha and Angu Ogu are in trouble, right?》
《《Dad…!》》
But the little girl had a trump card… no, a special spell.
She let out a "hic" and started sobbing.
《No~! I'm not being selfish~! I just thought it would be fun if Iroha and Angu Ogu came too~!》
《Crying won't work. Come on, let's go─》
《《…We'll go with you. Please let us go.》》
Angu Ogu and I gave in. We cried a little too. For different reasons.
Meanwhile, the little girl quickly smiled.
《Yay! Let's go, let's go!》
《…I'm sorry for my daughter》
《《No, it's fine》》
I thought. Girls might be enchanting from the moment they're born.
And then…
***
《…T-trick or Treat!》
I stood at someone's front door in my cosplay, my face bright red.
S-so embarrassing~~~~!?