"Adam! Look! It worked!"

Sylvia laughed excitedly, showing me the carving knife with the revealed text.
"Well done! Let me see... 'Boldly chase love without fear, the riddle solved makes the meaning clear'... Hmm, I have some thoughts about this one..."
"Hang on a sec, let me thank everyone first."

As she spoke, she was about to show the knife to the surrounding onlookers.
I quickly pressed her hand down and whispered,
"Hey, hey, Sylvia, it's not good if others see it. There are definitely other people looking for the 'Star God's Eye' too."
"Adam, don't stoop to Grey's slimy, gloomy level. We should be open and cool about it."
"Wait—"

She didn't give me time to reason with her. Sylvia stood up from her chair, her back to a dozen jack-o'-lanterns, stepping on scattered pumpkin rinds and pulp, and waved the carving knife at the circles of watching bystanders.

"Everyone, thank you for your help! I found it! The second clue is 'Boldly chase love without fear, the riddle solved makes the meaning clear'!"

Hearing the good news, the onlookers immediately raised their arms in cheers, the area around the pumpkin stall boiling over for a moment.
"Woohoo! Well done, young lady!"
"Got it! Long live the shopkeeper's wife!"
"Hooray! I'll go scout ahead for you!"

Sylvia laughed with a boldness that could be called heroic, her unrestrained, overflowing vitality outshining even the midday sun.
Seeing her like this, I couldn't help but smile too, no longer wanting to dampen the spirits of this great contributor.

Just moments ago, I had vaguely guessed the clue should be related to the carving knives. I sensed a barrier and hidden text on a knife, but didn't know how to break only the barrier without damaging the text.
Sylvia invited passersby to help bring over pumpkins one by one and carved them into jack-o'-lanterns strikingly resembling the helpers' faces with astonishing speed.
As a result, in less than 3 minutes, the barrier crumbled, revealing the hidden clue.

After sharing the information, Sylvia spotted someone trying to sneak off ahead and quickly said to me,
"Adam, quick! Where should we go?"
"I think... we should go to the Apple Basin."
"Apple Basin?"
"Right, the full name is the 'Apple Fate-Seeking' activity. It's held every year at the festival, famous enough even I know about it."
"Supposedly, men and women who participate together will become a destined couple, gaining an unwavering love. Even participating alone gives a decent chance of finding a good match."

Sylvia pressed her temples as if with a headache, a note of helplessness in her voice.
"Adam, you're not thinking strange thoughts, are you?"
"The one thinking strange things is you, Sylvia. The clue explicitly mentions 'boldly chase love without fear.' 'Apple Fate-Seeking' is undoubtedly the most fitting."
"Besides, I've already resolved to be open and honest with you. I wouldn't express my feelings in such a roundabout, awkward way."

A blush spread from Sylvia's neck to her cheeks.
Success! Finally made her blush once! Stagnation Rune, give it your all! Can I memorize this expression?
"...After the festival, I'm definitely going to repeat everything you said in front of Emily. Let's go already!"

The 'Apple Fate-Seeking' stall occupied a large open area, its scale different from other activities. The ground was set with many wooden basins filled with clear water, floating with apples.
Young men and women gathered around the basins, hands behind their backs, hopping about with comical movements, trying to bite out all the apples with their mouths.

When Sylvia and I arrived, Mr. Wilson and Mary were just walking away, followed by an unfamiliar young man.
I had intended to at least greet them, but Wilson specifically stopped, flashed us a punch-worthy smile, and then strode off.
This guy...!
"Sylvia, I plan to beat up Mr. Wilson after the festival. Please give your permission as his friend."
"I authorize it. Remember to call me half an hour in advance. Now, accelerate! Let's solve the puzzle in this activity within five minutes!"

As we spoke, we reached the wooden sign with the activity rules.
A nun of the Star God happened to be explaining:
"Take any number of apples, toss them into the water basin, and within 5 minutes, retrieve them using only your mouth."
"If you can retrieve all the apples, the Star God will bestow a blessing. The more apples, the stronger the blessing."
"But please note, a maximum of two people can participate. Please don't crowd in."

I had thought it was one person putting in apples and the other biting them out. I guess it's different since it's guided by the god.
Another couple... no, a pair of lovers asked curiously,
"Sir Hero was here just now too, right? How many apples did he take?"
The nun smiled lightly, placing a finger to her lips.
"I can't reveal others' intentions. However, generally speaking, taking 3 to 5 is safer. The highest record from previous years is 12."

Hearing this, the men and women beside me whispered to each other and made their decisions.
"We'll take 3..."
"Give us 5, please."
"I'm single anyway... let's try 10!"
The nun responded to each.
"Alright, please go to the long table over there to pay and collect~"

It seems the used apples, whether retrieved or not, are taken by the participants, hence the payment.
Hmm, how many should we take?
A stronger blessing is obviously better, so we should take more.
Since Sylvia will be fighting too, breaking the record probably won't be a problem.
In that case, 15... no, around 20 would be suitable.

I was about to discuss it with Sylvia, but she had already stepped forward to the nun and asked,
"How many apples do you have left here?"
"Huh? Around 300. We'll restock in the afternoon."
"Then please give us 100."

The nun's mouth opened slightly, not reacting for a moment.
I was also stunned instantly. The previously somewhat noisy crowd around us suddenly quieted, many looking at Sylvia with disbelief.
I hurriedly tugged her sleeve, whispering to stop her,
"S-Sylvia! 100 is way too many! It's impossible in five minutes..."
"? Should be fine. The remaining 200 are enough for over 50 groups of guests. That should last until afternoon."
She was actually considering the organizers! She originally wanted even more!

The nun barely managed to recover her previously calm expression.
"Th-this... You only get one chance. Would you like to reconsider? You see, taking 5 usually uses up almost all the time..."
Sylvia glanced at the townsfolk hopping around the basins like jumping insects.
"Mmm, you're right. And a regular wooden basin probably can't hold that many apples either. Then... let's halve it. Please give us 50."
"...O-okay. 50 it is? Please go over there to pay and collect..."
"Thank you. Adam, let's go."

Following behind her, imagining the scene of 50 apples splashing into the water, I whispered to Sylvia,
"Why so many?"
"Because the clue mentions 'boldly chase,' meaning we shouldn't fear risk."
"And don't worry. A mere 50 apples? We can finish them all in under 1 minute. It won't ruin your romantic fate..."

Hearing this, my gaze instantly grew fervent. Sylvia's words abruptly cut off, and she said helplessly,
"...Pretend I didn't say that. Anyway, hurry up and pay for the apples!"

While waiting to pay and collect the apples, the heavy sound of rolling wheels suddenly reached my ears.
Following the sound, I saw two sturdy staff members pushing a giant round wooden basin, easily two or three times larger than the others, into an empty spot in the center of the area.
The nun quickly walked to the basin's edge and began chanting some kind of prayer or incantation in a low voice. The water level in the basin visibly rose with her chanting. The staff members who had pushed it in began noisily dumping baskets of red apples into the water.
Passersby stopped one after another, pointing at the basin in surprise. Even a few men and women currently biting out apples paused their efforts.

In a moment, I would be beside this basin, jumping and opening and closing my mouth under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
...Feels like this kind of punishment should be made a crime.

Sylvia, however, brightened up, rolled up her sleeves, and said,
"What a great basin! Let's go!"
She walked to the basin's edge with great enthusiasm. Seeing her like this, my nervousness and worries instantly vanished.
Having fun is what matters. And if she says it's no problem, then it definitely isn't.

I followed to the large basin's side. Seeing both of us present, the nun said,
"All fifty apples have been placed inside."
"Later, please spit the retrieved apples into this smaller basin here. Also, please remember: only your mouths may be used. No hands, tools, construction, or pulling-type magic."
Sylvia said confidently,
"Understood!"
"Good. Then, please take your positions. I'll start the countdown from three!"

I quickly stood firm by the basin, trying my best to ignore the murmuring crowd.
"Three!"
Sylvia straightened her posture, hands behind her back.
"Two!"
I took a deep breath, looking at the apples floating in the water.
Someone suddenly nudged me with their shoulder. I looked sideways; it was Sylvia.
Her face was pale, none of the confident brilliance from before remained, looking rather like myself when Emily is almost home and I realize I forgot to cook.
She said,
"Adam, even on my tiptoes, I can't reach the rim of the basin."
...She really can't! Organizers! Didn't you notice this basin is too tall?!

Before I could protest, the nun made her announcement.
"Begin!"