wavenovel Chapter 1246 Another Year in Yodogawa
Chapter 1246 Another Year in Yodogawa
Chapter 1246 Another Year in Yodogawa
"Wow, this looks delicious."
"Oh my god! Candy apple!! MOMO, can you ask me how much this costs?"
Among the crowd, Lim Nayeon seemed like a wild rabbit that had wandered into the CBD. She was interested in everything she saw, and then she would excitedly pull the translator, Hirai Momo, forward, her overflowing energy making the surrounding temperature rise a few degrees.
After working hard in Japan for over a month, Twice probably saw how lively things were outside today. Since they had finished their work for the past few days, their agency took pity on them and allowed them some extra rest time after their work was done.
It wasn't just Lim Nayeon; Park Jihyo and Yoo Jeongyeon, who were following behind, were also attending a fireworks festival in Japan for the first time. Participating in this kind of temple fair-like scene, the two of them were very active, chattering away beside each other, clearly enjoying themselves.
The lively atmosphere around them was also a very important factor. After being busy for so long, they came out to get some fresh air and encountered a famous event like a fireworks festival. These female idols, who rarely come into contact with such things, found it all very novel.
All three were extremely active, while Hirai Momo, who served as the translator and guide, was being pulled around... although as a native of Kyoto, she wasn't very familiar with Yodogawa either.
However, she seemed to enjoy it, and her憨憨 (simple and honest) smile never left her face.
"Uh, the taste is just so-so."
Lim Nayeon paid for everyone to have an apple candy, and they took a few pictures together. However, after taking the pictures, Park Jihyo tasted it and immediately said with some disappointment.
"I think it's alright~"
Lim Nayeon stuck out her tongue and licked it, her red lips opening and closing.
"It's alright, but it's a bit too sweet."
Yoo Jeongyeon glanced at Park Jihyo, took a bite herself, and said something fair. Then she looked around at the bustling crowd and clicked her tongue in amazement, saying, "It's really lively."
"Of course, I read online that the number of tourists visiting the Osaka Fireworks Festival this year is the highest in recent years, almost doubling."
Upon hearing this, Hirai Momo nodded repeatedly, even while still eating her apple candy, and despite being a Kyoto native, her words carried a considerable sense of pride.
"It's said that it's all thanks to Kyungwon oppa," Yoo Jeongyeon said, directly pointing out the core of the matter.
"Fireworks?" Park Ji-hyo asked.
Yoo Jeong-yeon nodded and naturally began to boast, "Yeah, they say this song is so popular that it has attracted a lot of people to Osaka, and even to Japan for tourism. 'Uchiage Hanabi' has been called the best city promotional song..."
"..."
Hearing the two of them suddenly jump to Chi Jingyuan again, Hirai Momo couldn't help but tilt her head and roll her eyes.
They clearly came here to show off their country's fireworks festival, so why are they suddenly praising that fireworks guy?
Without him, would our fireworks festival be deserted?
Listening to the two of them, Hirai Momo gave a strange, crooked look and muttered under her breath, "...She doesn't even sing as well as Sana...Too many people is no good either, it's so crowded!"
"..."
Hearing Hirai Momo's mutterings almost made Lim Nayeon burst out laughing. Of course, she knew why Hirai Momo had such a big problem with Ji Kyung-won.
She gave Hirai Momo a friendly hug, and when she heard her mention Minatozaki Sana's name, she added with a touch of regret, "It's a pity Sana isn't here today. She seems to know this place very well."
“Sana rarely gets to come back to Osaka, so of course she should meet up with her friends when she has time,” Yoo Jeong-yeon said, glancing at her.
"Too……"
Lim Nayeon nodded, and the group strolled around again. Looking at the growing crowds in the distance and the darkening sky, she looked up and asked, "With so many people... are we not going to be able to get in?"
"You can enter freely along the riverbank without a ticket, but there probably won't be any seats left. With so many people, the tickets have already been sold out."
Hirai Momo glanced at the entrance in the distance. Since she was unfamiliar with the area, she had done some research beforehand to prepare to be the guide for the day: "But it seems to have changed this year. It's probably because of the large increase in tourists that the organizers have increased the number of tickets sold. They have also adjusted the location and time of the fireworks display. Even if you don't have a seat, you can still see the fireworks clearly from many nearby stands with good views."
This is the latest change this year, because the number of tourists has surged this year, all coming for the fireworks festival, but the space along the riverbank is limited, and the capacity of the entire Yodogawa area is also limited.
However, there's always a solution to every problem. After careful consideration, the organizers made some improvements that will allow more tourists to see the fireworks and experience the atmosphere of the fireworks festival.
"...And this year, there have been additional live performances." Hirai Momo gestured with her chin and added.
"EXO?" Park Jihyo replied.
"Yes, Jingyuan oppa mentioned in the group chat that they have a performance tonight."
Lim Nayeon knew, and nodded, her tone slightly expectant: "If it weren't for the performance tonight, I guess he would be here playing right now."
"...I wonder who he's going to harm this time."
Reflexively muttering something under her breath, Hirai Momo pursed her lips: "There are some other invited artists, but... mainly EXO, a lot of people..."
"Aaaaaah! The mask!"
Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a joyful shout from Lim Nayeon. Before she could react, Lim Nayeon tugged at her arm and pulled her body to the right as they ran.
"Masks! Masks! I want to buy masks!"
…………
Meanwhile, the person they had just been talking about, Sana Minatozaki, was nearby. However, she wasn't with any of the Twice members, but rather with two of her non-celebrity friends from Osaka. They had heard that she had some free time back in Osaka and had come out specifically to hang out with her.
Unlike Lim Na-yeon, who rushed to book tickets at the last minute, and the unreliable Hirai Momo, Minatozaki Sana's friends had already bought tickets for them in advance and even reserved seats for her on the riverbank, so there was no need to worry about getting a bad spot.
However, after taking their positions, the group didn't just wait there idly. Instead, they chatted and strolled around to soak up the lively atmosphere.
Although Minatozaki Sa is a native of Osaka and had seen the Yodogawa Fireworks Festival a few times before, she hasn't been back since she became a trainee at Peninsula, and it's been several years now.
Walking back into this place that felt both familiar and strange, the sweltering air was filled with the scent of summer and the sea breeze. I was surrounded by a bustling crowd, with my best friends of many years on either side. Strolling through the area, the fatigue from the previous long journey and the negative emotions that had been building up inside me felt much better.
Having not seen each other for a long time, Sana Minatozaki and her two friends were in high spirits, chatting and laughing as they walked.
Although it was at a fireworks festival, all three of them were locals from Osaka. In particular, her two friends had been to such events too many times and were clearly not very interested. They seemed more interested in things related to the entertainment industry, and as they chatted, the conversation turned to things related to the entertainment industry.
"Sana-chan, I've seen a lot of news online saying that after celebrities debut, they have to socialize and have meals with seniors and sponsors, and there are also a lot of powerful bad people harassing them... Is that true?"
(End of this chapter)