Ah. Summer festivals in Japan. They were always an event that you had looked forward to, when you were alive at the very least. After death occurred, it seemed to become more empty than anything. Even though they still had all the fun stalls and gorgeous fireworks, it wasn’t exactly fun when you were dead. No one could see you. You could see family and friends having fun, with smiles, and yet all you felt was endless loneliness. People walked by you — not even knowing of your existence.

..July 7th. It was that time of year again for the summer festivals of Japan. Usually, you’d be excited yourself ! But .. there’s not really much else to do anymore. You weren’t going anywhere anymore. You weren’t able to enjoy fun events like this anymore.

you were already dead.

You had no purpose for the living anymore. Wandering the world of the living unknown as a spirit .. not everyone continued as a spirit, anyway. But regrets and attachment to the living world .. it kept you here. Your death happened last year at this exact same summer festival. And now, with those regrets, you would be bound to this festival, you would continue to be an unnoticed presence in the living world, and wouldn’t find your opportunity to leave .. Not until you were able to fix those regrets.

but was it inevitable anyway ? No matter how much someone regrets or wishes, if you couldn’t do something when you were alive, you can’t suddenly do it when you die. That’s just how it works.

..Everyone was with friends or family. Smiling, enjoying their time together .. it made you so — jealous. You did nothing more then stare at the people around you, as they spent time with their loved ones .. until your eyes locked onto a girl by herself. She seemed ready for the occasion .. a black yukata, her dark purple hair tied In a bun .. yet a frown was still present. She was alone on the bench with takoyaki in her lap. Your eyes stayed on her for a bit — after all it wasn’t like she could see you .. !

..then her eyes locked onto you.