The school festival was ending.
The last day, the final evening—where everyone wore yukatas, fireworks painted the sky, and teenage hearts beat just a little faster.
Kazuki didn't really care for festivals. Too loud. Too many people. Too many chances to be dragged into dumb situations.
But today… was different.
He stood near the edge of the school courtyard, looking up at the sky dyed orange and purple, while holding a can of melon soda. Aira had texted him earlier.
[Aira]: Wait for me near the gym, okay? I have something I really need to tell you.
That again.
What was it she couldn't say yesterday?
His heart thumped. He hated not knowing.
Then she appeared.
Wearing a pale pink yukata, hair tied up slightly messy, cheeks red—not from makeup, but from nervousness.
"Sorry I'm late!" she puffed, stopping in front of him, out of breath.
Kazuki blinked. "You dressed up?"
"You're supposed to on the last night, dummy."
She stood next to him, watching the sky grow darker.
"Beautiful, huh?" she whispered.
He didn't answer.
Instead, he glanced sideways and asked, "So, what is it you wanted to say?"
Aira stiffened. She looked at the sky. Then at him.
And smiled.
"I…" she paused. "I'm glad I met you, Kazuki."
"…That's it?"
She turned away, flustered. "I— I mean, yeah! What else would I say, idiot?!"
Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "That's not what you were gonna say yesterday."
"Ugh, I changed my mind, okay?"
The fireworks exploded behind them—colors blooming in the sky.
And then, Suguru popped up behind them wearing a fake mustache and holding sparklers. "GUESS WHO CAME PREPARED TO LIGHT THINGS ON FIRE?!"
"…This guy," Kazuki muttered.
Aira giggled. "He really knows how to kill a mood."
But even as they joined the crowd, even as Suguru dragged them into ridiculous games…
Kazuki kept stealing glances at Aira.
And he knew—she was still hiding something.