Tonight in your village there was a festival for the end of the summer, where people could go and watch the fireworks and get food at stands with friends or their date. 

This was true for you as well, as your friend had invited you with the intent to maybe 'score with someone' tonight. You didn't own any yukatas, so she told you she'd bring her own for you to try.

She kept her promise, as she had about three different yukatas with her. There was one that was adorned with a floral pattern, a cute one with a cat face pattern on it, and a plain but nonetheless pretty one in your favourite colour.

"Oh you're picking that one? I knew it, it really suits you!" You friend squealed, resisting the urge to just squeeze you. You couldn't help but laugh as you tightened the obi.

"You're so excited today." 

"Well, yeah! Do you know how many people go the festival without a date? A ton! I'm sure you can get a boyfriend too!" She replied, clasping her hands with a dreamy expression.

You rolled your eyes playfully. "Sure, sure. Don't ditch me too quickly, okay?"

She gave you a faux shocked look. "I'd never!" 

It's didn't take long for the both of you to erupt into giggles. She picked up her bag and headed for the door.

"Alright, to battle we go!" 

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Sure enough, there were many people at the festival, most dressed in yukatas like you and your friend. You looked over to her but she looked like she was already on the hunt. 

Letting out a laugh, you patted her on the back. "Well, good luck. I'm getting something to eat." 

"Oh, thanks! I'll meet up with you later!" She responded with excitement, giving you a wink. With that, she somehow skipped away in her sandals.

You looked ahead of you into the sea of people, wondering were to start. You were feeling a bit hungry, so maybe you could see if there's anything good there.

Deciding on the stand with the shortest line, you smelt the tasty scent of takoyaki. The customers in front of you quickly walked off, not wanting to miss anything, meaning you were now in front. After buying some, the owner of the stand gave you a friendly goodbye, and you walked away from it too.

There was still sometime until the fireworks started, so you had some time to kill. What could you do though? 

While you were walking you glanced at the masks on display, the different games you could win prizes in, and more.

"Hmm... W-woah!" 

Since you weren't paying attention to where you were walking, you had bumped into someone. You rubbed your face where you had collided with their chest, sighing.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't looking where I was..." Your voice got quieter as you trailed off. Instead of making eye contact with the eyes on the persons face, they were on their arms?! 

Before you could even come up with the excuse that they were tattoos, they blinked at you! 

The man in front of you quickly wrapped his arms with a white bandage, looking anxious. He grabbed your arm and walked at a brisk pace down the path. The crowds of people grew thinner and thinner until there was no one there. It was just the two of you.

You were still on shock, your mouth gaped open. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking to the side.

"You saw, right? J-just forget about it." 

"S-so it was real? You have eyes on...!" You found yourself trembling. Those dark eyes with no life in them, you made eye contact with them! 

He looked worried. "I know okay?! I'm a freak, so just run away already!" He blurted out, his eyes showing hurt. 

A feeling of guilt surfaced in your stomach. "I'm sorry... I just got startled." 

"I don't blame you." He sighed, sitting himself down on one of the nearby benches. You sat down beside him, causing him to look at you quizzically.

"Huh? W-why are you still here?" He asked, a tinge of hope in his voice. 

You shuffled your feet, feeling awkward. "Well... You're alone, right? So am I. Why don't we spend time at the festival together?"

His immodestly flushed, matching the red apples you saw on the trees earlier on the way here. Raising his finger to his face, he pointed to himself.

"W-what?! With me?!" 

You couldn't stop a laugh escaping you, but it wasn't a malicious one. This showed you he was just like you.

"Of course, it'll be fun." You said, holding out a hand. He looked at it with hesitation. 

After a few seconds had passed, he put his hand on yours. You pulled him up with you and you gave a smile to show you weren't lying to him. 

"Is there anywhere you'd like to go first?" You asked. He fiddled with his glasses.

"A-actually, I've  never been here before. Or anywhere with a lot of people. I finally mustered up enough courage today." 

"Then let's make today count!" You raised your first in the air, and he stared in awe at you. Nothing was said, making you feel embarrassed.

He suddenly laughed, slightly covering his mouth with his free hand.

"Wha? W-what is it?" You mumbled with furrowed eyebrows, lowering your arm. He shook his head, his loud laughs turning into chuckles.

"S-sorry, it's nothing." He smiled, looking fondly at the ground. 

After getting over your embarrassment, you led him down the path were the rest of the people were. 

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The two of you walked hand in hand under the hanging lights, the colours giving off a glow. 

You had begun to get used to the large crowd constantly moving, but your new friend had been getting nervous, evident in his sweaty palms. As a way to make him feel better you squeezed the hand you were holding, but doing so make him jump. 

He noticed you staring at him in surprise and looked away. "S-sorry."

You shook your head with a smile. "It's okay! Hey, do you want to play some games?" 

"Games...?" He asked, looking curious.

With a bit of a bounce in your step, you led him over to the nearest stall which was a little shooting range were you could try win prizes. Your companion looked at it warily. 

"It's not a real gun!" You told him, and his shoulders relaxed.

As he inspected the stall and spectated the current customers, you couldn't help but think to yourself. 

'What has he been through to make him so cautious...?'

"Hey lady, are ya playin'?" Asked the stall owner with crossed arms. You nodded, being dragged out of your thoughts.

"Oh, yeah!" You quickly responded. "Hmm..."

You turned to your friend with many eyes. "Is there there something you like?"

He looked startled to see you speaking directly to him. He eyed the shelves on the stall, his face lighting up. 

"N-Nyaa-chan!" 

You tilted your head. "Nyaa-chan?" You followed his eyes and saw and sure enough saw some sort of Nyaa-chan merchandise. You had heard of her due to her large and rather vocal fan base. Her songs were always playing on the radio too. 

Still, you wondered about something. How could he know about Nyaa-chan? He seemed like he never went out much due to how he seemed nervous around people. The way he was dressed didn't seem very modern either, but then again maybe he just dressed up for the festival. 

While thinking you felt a soft pat on your shoulder.

"Um, is something wrong?" He asked with an anxious expression, his eyebrows furrowed in slight worry.

You shook your head. "Oh, no! I'm fine. You like Nyaa-chan, huh?" 

His face flushed, but a smile ended up showing on his face. "W-well, of course! She's only the best idol out there!" He gushed, not showing signs of stopping.

"Hey!" The owner called, causing the two of you to look up at him. "You lovebirds gonna play or what? I got other customers, ya know." 

Looking behind you, there indeed was quite a line behind you of parents and impatient children wanted to win something. 

"S-sorry." You apologised, picking up the gun. You leaned on the table to steady your aim, and pulled the trigger. The sound of something falling caught your attention. 

The owner sighed with relief, leaning down to pick up the prize. 

"Alright, here ya go." He said gruffly, putting the prize in your hands. You looked closer at it and saw it was a coin purse. You and your friend quickly left the stand as to not bother the owner or customers any longer.

The two of you walked over to a shady area where you could sit down. You handed over the purse with a warm smile. 

"So, how do you even know about Nyaa-chan?" 

He took a moment to reply as he was staring fondly at the purse with a soft smile. "O-oh, well. Someone happened to throw out a perfectly good radio! So I listened and I've been a fan ever since. Sometimes when I pass by television stores I see her perform. I don't go out much to do that, though..." 

He continued to stare at the purse, his smile slowly turning into a frown. 

You couldn't help being curious, leaning forward. "Um, if you don't mind me asking... How did, uh..." 

"The eyes, right?" He let out a sigh. You quickly shook your hands.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me!" You told him, but he shook his head.

"It's fine. I don't remember when it happened, but... I needed food. I had no money, so I tried to... Steal it. The rest is blurry, but I remember waking up with eyes all over staring back at me."  He said quietly, his head hung low. 

Then he let out a soft chuckle, but you could tell it was fake. "I guess it's my punishment, huh?" 

After some silence, you spoke up. "I'm sorry."

"D-don't be! I'm... Making do with the way things are now." 

Your fists clenched. "You shouldn't have to. You didn't deserve it." 

He only stared at you, seeing your eyes narrow as you watched the grass below your feet. You noticed his stare, snapping out of your irritation.

"Uh, sorry. Anyway, I'll be with you!"

"H-huh?!" 

You nodded, holding out your pinky.

"You've been avoiding people this whole time because you've been afraid, right? I'm not scared. I'll stick with you." You said genuinely, giving him a kind smile.

He stayed quiet, his eyes switching between yours and your outstretched pinky. 

After some time, he nodded, wrapping his pinky around yours. 

"O-okay, if you're promising..."

"Of course, I don't break my promises!" 

After saying so, you saluted and he bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. He released your pinky and your hands retreated back to your lap. After some peaceful silence, you heard a familiar giddy voice.

"Oi, Y/n! Where are you?" 

You put your hands around your mouth. "I'm here!" 

Your friend emerged from the bushes, looking around. Her eyes finally settled on you, and she leaned forward to grab your arm. 

"There you are, the fireworks are starting soon!" Then she noticed the other presence. "Oh, so you did find someone."

You quickly shook your head. "I-it's not like that!"

Your friend confidently laughed, flicking her hair. "Sorry pal, but you're outta luck. Y/n promised she'd watch the fireworks with me, so wait for your chance next time, okay?" She gave him a thumbs up.

Your cheeks started to feel warm. Then again, she was right. You gave him a wave. "Y-yeah, I'll see you again!" 

Your friend quickly dragged you off, telling you about how she almost had a date but she stepped on his foot by accident. 

He watched the two of you leave, and soon you were both out of his sight. He sighed, but he had a smile on his face. Looking down at the coin purse, he felt a fluttering in his stomach.

"Y/n, huh..."

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A/N: Requested by @CeresAtera !

Hope this was okay! I remembered reading that dodomeki become that way after stealing, so I put that as the little backstory.