69 Chapter Sixty-Seven

The fading evening light in Orario brought with it the sounds of celebration.

Magic lamps lit up, music played from every corner, and the festivities were in full swing. Amidst the joy and revelry, a breathless member of the Demeter Familia made his way through the crowd.

Finding Muichiro, he gasped out the message. "Lady Demeter... she wishes to meet you... at the fountain."

Muichiro's eyebrows rose a fraction. The fountain. It was a place of many memories for him.

Notably, it was the place where he first crossed paths with May, and saved her and those two kids. It's also apparently the first time Demeter had laid eyes on him.

As Muichiro approached the fountain, a pair of delicate hands covered his eyes from behind. A playful, teasing voice chirped, "Guess who?"

Though caught off guard, Muichiro's face remained as stoic as ever. "Demeter," he answered flatly.

A delighted chuckle echoed in his ears as the hands pulled away. Turning around, he found himself face to face with Demeter.

She was radiant in a flowing dress that shimmered with every hue of the setting sun. The outfit was designed to accentuate her beauty, and it did its job perfectly.

She spun around with childlike glee. "So, Muichiro, what do you think? How do I look?"

A brief memory flashed before Muichiro's eyes — a lesson he had once received from Moon about the intricacies of compliments. Especially when complimenting women.

'Always be genuine, but never mention age. And definitely, do not say something negative,' Moon had advised.

But Muichiro, ever the straight-shooter and unaccustomed to the art of flattery, blurted out, "You look... older than usual, but in a... majestic way?"

There was a pause. Anyone within earshot gaped at him, some with horror, others with shock. One could practically see the thought bubbles over their heads reading, 'Did he just...?'

But instead of the expected wrath, Demeter burst into laughter, clutching her sides. "Oh, Muichiro," she said between fits of giggles, "You certainly have a way with words. But I'll take 'majestic' any day."

Muichiro blinked, mildly surprised at her reaction. "So, is that a good thing?"

Demeter, still chuckling, responded, "Let's just say you're unique." She then extended her hand with a flourish. "Now, how about accompanying me for a date on this festival evening?"

Muichiro nodded, taking her hand. "Of course, Goddess."

.....

The vibrant scene of Orario's festival was one of brilliant colours, savoury scents, and an orchestra of sounds.

Among the bustling crowd, Muichiro and Demeter moved gracefully.

Their first stop was a stall that went by the name "Labyrinth's Lure."

Curious children and adults alike tried their hand at guiding a tiny metal ball through an intricate maze by tilting the board on which it lay.

The aim was to reach the centre without letting the ball fall into any of the numerous traps.

Demeter, with an excited glint in her eyes, took up the challenge.

But as soon as the ball started rolling, it tumbled into a pit. She pouted slightly, turning to Muichiro with a playful expression. "Your turn, let's see if you fare any better."

Accepting the challenge, Muichiro meticulously manoeuvred the board, his movements precise and focused.

It took a few moments, but he managed to guide the ball to the centre, earning an impressed cheer from the onlookers and a delighted clap from Demeter.

Next, they found themselves at "Zeon's Zigzag." This stall boasted a peculiar game where participants would toss rings, trying to ensnare pegs that zigzagged unpredictably, powered by some hidden mechanism.

Muichiro stared at the chaotic movement of the pegs, a little unsure. "This seems... complicated."

Demeter giggled, taking a set of rings. "It's all in the wrist," she explained, flicking her wrist with grace. Yet, much to her dismay, not a single ring landed on a peg. "Or maybe not," she admitted with a chuckle.

Wanting to try his luck, Muichiro took a stance, and to everyone's surprise, ensnared three pegs in quick succession. Demeter looked at him with mock annoyance. "You really are full of surprises."

As they continued their evening, they came across a dessert stall selling "Nectar Delights," honey-infused treats that were said to be as divine as ambrosia.

Sharing a plate, the duo enjoyed the sweet delicacies, with Demeter playfully trying to feed Muichiro a piece, only for him to miss and end up with honey on his cheek.

She laughed, wiping it off with her thumb, and he gave a rare, small smile in return.

It was then that she noticed the intricate braids in his hair, artfully done by the Hostess girls. Reaching out, she ran her fingers lightly over the plaits. "Your hair looks quite fetching this way. It suits you."

He seemed slightly taken aback. "The girls at the Hostess of Fertility did this."

She smirked playfully. "Well, I must say they have a good sense of style. But now, seeing you in this light, I wonder how you'd look in a toga."

The idea made Muichiro raise an eyebrow. "A toga?"

Demeter laughed heartily. "Oh, don't you worry? I won't make you wear one tonight. But perhaps one day. For now, let's enjoy the rest of this evening"

...

As Muichiro and Demeter continued their exploration of the festival, the sounds of children's laughter drew their attention to a brightly decorated tent.

A sign outside read, "Annual Children's Face Painting Contest."

Demeter's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, wouldn't it be fun if you were one of the canvases?" she teased, winking at Muichiro.

He tilted his head, seemingly confused. "Why would anyone want to paint my face?"

"Just for the fun of it!" she replied, trying to hide her growing excitement.

Before Muichiro could process what was happening, Demeter had conversed with the organizers, using her charm to somehow enrol him as one of the unsuspecting canvases for the kids to paint.

As he sat down, a little girl with pigtails approached him, her hands full of blue paint.

"I'm going to make you look majestic!" she declared, and without further ado, began her masterpiece.

Thirty minutes later, Muichiro emerged, looking nothing short of...unique. His face was painted entirely blue, with a long shell-like pattern on his forehead and tiny legs painted on his cheeks.

The result? He looked like a giant blue turtle.

Demeter couldn't contain herself. Her laughter echoed, drawing attention from the onlookers. Through her giggles, she managed to say, "You look... absolutely regal!"

Muichiro stared at his reflection, his usually impassive face showing a hint of bewilderment. "I look like a turtle."

"A very handsome turtle," she corrected, still chuckling.

Seeing her so genuinely amused, a warmth spread through Muichiro's chest. He didn't quite understand the feeling, but the sound of her laughter felt oddly comforting.

Shaking his head with a rare smile, he decided to clean off the artwork, much to the disappointment of the little girl who had so lovingly turned him into a reptile.

Once his face was back to its normal shade, the duo decided to wind down with a meal.

They settled at a quaint restaurant/pub that boasted a variety of Orario's delicacies. Though they didn't serve Muichiro's favourite snack, the dishes they chose were delicious.

They engaged in light conversation, with Demeter reminiscing about the past festivals she hosted...

The atmosphere was comfortable, a mix of playful teasing and genuine interest in each other's stories.

As they were finishing their meal, the distant chime of a bell echoed through Orario.

The grand Float Walk was about to commence, signalling the climax of the festival's first day.