A ray of sunlight slipped through the curtains as the alarm began to ring.
Erika, buried under an army of plushies, only shifted slightly in her sleep. She had never been a morning person, and it was still summer vacation. She could afford to sleep in.
She mumbled vaguely,
"…Akira… turn it… off…"
Then she immediately drifted off again.
The alarm continued for a while longer before finally falling silent.
From her usual place, Selena watched the scene from her throne and let out a quiet sigh.
"Erika-chan… why are you saying it like the two of you are sleeping together?"
It wasn't completely unfounded. There had been nights when Erika slept in Akira's room, usually after she had taken too much blood and both of them simply passed out. But they hadn't done that much since returning from the island. Akira had been too busy preparing his surprise.
After watching Erika continue to sleep peacefully, Selena decided she had waited long enough.
She raised her voice through the telepathic link.
"ERIKA-CHAN! ERIKA-CHAN! WAKE UP!!"
Erika only turned over and mumbled,
"…Five more minutes…"
Selena's tone sharpened.
"ERIKA-CHAN! Today is the last day of summer vacation. You have a date with my brother. Did you forget?"
Erika's eyes snapped open. She sat up so quickly that she tumbled straight off the bed and hit the floor with a dull thud.
"Ouch…" She rubbed her head, wincing. "Selena… why did you have to startle me like that?"
"Oh, come now. You're the one who slept in. Did you forget about your date?"
Erika groaned, still sitting on the floor.
"But it's only in the evening. Do I have to wake up this early?"
Selena sighed.
"My brother has been preparing for this for a long time. You should do your best too, you know."
Erika sighed and pushed herself up.
"…Yeah. I can't just sleep in. Alright. I'll go see what he's up to."
She freshened up, got dressed, and made her way downstairs.
At the dining table, Akira was sitting with a serious expression, speaking to Ritsu's screen.
"Ritsu, today is important. Everything must go well. Is the Anti-Octopaparazzi Protocol ready?"
Ritsu saluted crisply.
"Yes, Akira-kun. The Anti-Octopaparazzi Protocol is ready to be deployed at any time."
Akira nodded firmly.
"Good. I won't let him interfere, no matter what the cost—"
Both of them suddenly noticed Erika standing in the doorway.
Akira's posture immediately softened.
"Oh. Erika. Good morning."
"Morning, Erika-san," Ritsu added.
Erika walked over with a small sigh.
"Morning. What are you two up to now? What's this protocol or whatever?"
Akira scratched his cheek, suddenly looking a little shy.
"Don't worry. You know how Koro-sensei is a professional paparazzi, especially when it comes to romance between his students. So Ritsu and I just prepared some countermeasures… so that no one will disturb us."
His voice grew quieter and shyer toward the end.
Erika's cheeks warmed a little.
"…I see."
Ritsu spoke up.
"Akira, you forgot to tell her about the plan."
Akira straightened.
"Ah… yeah. The plan."
Erika tilted her head.
"What plan?"
Akira hesitated, then spoke carefully.
"Just… what to do for the date. I was thinking that maybe we should arrive at the festival separately and meet there… like a lot of couples do… but…"
Erika tilted her head.
"But?"
He turned his face slightly away, his voice growing softer.
"…Nothing. I suddenly decided not to. I… want to go with you, I guess."
Erika watched him for a moment.
"Why?"
Akira was quiet for a second before answering honestly.
"When I thought about going there alone… I felt lonely."
A small, gentle smile appeared on Erika's face.
"I see. Then we'll go together. I'll get ready for the festival too."
Akira nodded, looking relieved.
"Yes."
Then he remembered something and quickly stood up.
"Oh, right. Here's your breakfast."
He placed a plate of her favorite egg sandwiches in front of her.
Erika sat down.
"Thanks."
As she began eating, her thoughts already drifted toward what she should wear for the evening.
---
Erika spent the rest of the morning and afternoon carefully choosing her yukata. After trying several options, she finally settled on a white one patterned with soft blue flowers. Once that decision was made, she devoted the remaining time to her makeup, determined to look her best.
Selena's voice drifted into her mind, mildly amused.
"Erika-chan, aren't you going a bit overboard?"
Erika frowned at her reflection.
"You told me to prepare well, okay? …And I want to do my best too."
Selena giggled.
"I see. Well… good luck then."
By the time evening arrived, Erika was fully dressed. The white-and-blue yukata suited her perfectly. Her hairstyle remained the same as always, still with her signature red ribbons.
When she came downstairs, Akira was already waiting by the door. He wore a simple white T-shirt, blue jeans, and a black jacket. The moment he saw her, he straightened slightly, his eyes widening just a little as his expression softened into something shy.
"…You look beautiful," he said, his voice quieter than usual.
Erika's cheeks warmed.
"Thank you… You look good too. But I thought you would wear a yukata as well."
Akira's expression turned faintly strained.
"I tried. But… let's just say it didn't suit me that much."
Erika tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
Selena answered telepathically before he could.
"Let's just say he looks cuter than you if he wears one."
Erika immediately understood. She pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to laugh.
"…Oh. I see… haha."
Akira coughed lightly and held out his hand.
"Then… shall we go?"
Erika took it without hesitation.
"Let's go."
They left the house hand in hand.
---
By the time they arrived, the summer festival was already in full swing.
Rows of colorful lanterns stretched above the streets, casting warm light over the crowds. Festival stalls lined both sides of the path, each one offering something different — takoyaki sizzling on hot plates, yakisoba being tossed in large pans, glossy candy apples catching the light, and goldfish swimming in shallow tanks. For some reason, a suspicious number of the food stalls were being operated by a yellow octopus at the exact same time.
The air was filled with laughter, festival music, and vendors calling out to passersby. People of all ages wandered through the streets in colorful yukata.
Akira quickly spotted several classmates in the crowd.
Karma was arguing with a game stall vendor about the exact probability of winning the first prize.
Nagisa and Kayano were walking together, quietly looking at the various stalls.
Isogai was focused on scooping an impressive number of goldfish, apparently planning to have them for dinner.
Hayami and Chiba were being firmly escorted away from the shooting gallery after getting a little too carried away.
And Irina was already drinking at a corner stall.
Akira muttered,
"…Seems like everyone is having fun."
Erika looked around, her eyes brightening.
"It's been a while since I've been to a summer festival."
Akira smiled.
"Yeah. Last time we were nine years old. Though we did go to something similar in the Demon Slayer world."
Erika gave him a flat look.
"We did? …No. That was the Yoshiwara Entertainment District. How is that remotely the same?"
Akira looked thoughtful.
"Well… there were people in yukata, it was loud, there were colorful lanterns, so… you know. Kind of similar."
Erika smiled.
"Do you want me to pinch you again?"
Akira leaned back.
"…Please don't."
He quickly pointed ahead, trying to change the subject.
"There — candy apples. Let's go get some."
He gently pulled her toward the stall before she could argue. Erika sighed but followed.
They bought two candy apples. Akira took a bite, then made a familiar dissatisfied face.
"Yeah… it tastes exactly as I remembered. Too sweet. And completely unnecessary."
Erika raised an eyebrow.
"You always complain when you eat it, so why do you always buy it?"
Akira answered while still looking at the glossy apple.
"Because it's fun, right? Sure, it's not the best, but the atmosphere makes it better. As long as you're happy and enjoying your time, even mediocre food tastes good. …Maybe we should bring Erina to one sometime."
Erika suddenly squeezed his hand hard.
"Are you seriously thinking about one of your fiancées while you're on a date with your girlfriend?"
Akira winced.
"Ow, ow, ow—! That sounds so much worse when you say it like that!"
She squeezed harder.
"Because it is worse!"
Akira cried,
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Forgive me!"
Erika finally released his hand, still giving him a pointed look.
"…Fine. But how are you going to make it up to me?"
Akira straightened, confidence returning almost immediately.
"How about I win you whatever you want at the stalls?"
Erika's expression softened into a small smile.
"Fine. I'll forgive you… as long as you win me whatever I ask for."
Akira cheerfully said,
"Yes. Let's go."
He guided her straight toward a nearby shooting gallery, full of renewed determination.
Erika sighed and followed him, the small smile returning to her face.
Akira approached the shooting stall with renewed determination.
"Excuse me, old man. How much for a round?"
The vendor looked him over and frowned.
"Are you a junior high student from the school nearby? First, tell me — do you know those two? Are you from their class too?"
He pointed toward Chiba and Hayami in the distance. The pair were sulking, but still carrying a large number of prizes they had clearly won.
Akira's expression didn't change at all.
"I've never seen them in my life."
The vendor stared at him for a second longer, then grunted.
"…Five shots for 500 yen."
Akira confidently placed the money on the counter.
"I'll take it."
He picked up the rifle and turned to Erika.
"So, which one do you want?"
Erika studied the prizes carefully before pointing at a white-and-purple teddy bear near the back.
"That one. It looks like it was made from good materials."
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly as he examined it. He could clearly see a thin rod hidden behind the bear, locking it in place so it wouldn't fall under normal conditions.
He smiled anyway and adjusted his grip on the rifle.
"Alright. I will follow your will, my lady."
Erika smiled despite herself.
"…Why are you always like that? Fine. Good luck."
Akira didn't aim at the teddy bear.
Instead, he lined up a shot at a water bottle sitting in a completely different corner of the stall. The cork flew out, struck the bottle at a precise angle, and knocked it over. The falling bottle tipped a wooden bat beside it, which set off a clean chain reaction. One prize after another toppled until, finally, the white-and-purple teddy bear was pushed off its stand and fell.
The vendor stared in open shock at the cascade of fallen prizes.
Akira calmly set the rifle down.
"Oh? That's a rod. Are you cheating, old man? Now you either give me that teddy bear… or should I complain to the police about it?"
The vendor immediately grabbed the bear and shoved it toward him.
"Here! Just take it and go!"
Akira accepted it with a small, elegant bow and held it out to Erika.
"My lady. Your offering."
Erika took the bear, her expression softening.
"This will make a fine addition to my collection."
Both of them laughed quietly.
Akira looked at her hopefully.
"So… am I forgiven?"
Erika tilted her head.
"No. You need to win me more things I want."
Akira placed a hand over his heart with mock solemnity.
"Yes. My lady's wish is my will."
Erika tapped him lightly on the head.
"Stop that." She took his hand. "Come on, let's go."
And so Akira took her around the rest of the festival.
He won her everything she pointed at. Ring toss, goldfish scooping, balloon shooting, cotton candy — they went from stall to stall, playing and eating whatever they felt like. It had been a long time since either of them had properly enjoyed a summer festival, and for a while they simply let themselves have fun.
Eventually, though, Akira felt eyes on them.
He turned his head slightly and caught several of his classmates — along with a familiar yellow shape — immediately ducking behind a nearby stall.
Akira sighed, then checked the time.
"Erika. It's about time for the fireworks show. I found a great place to watch them. Do you want to go with me?"
Erika smiled.
"Okay."
He led her away from the main festival grounds and onto a nearby forest path. As they walked, he quietly raised his phone to his mouth.
"Ritsu. Activate Anti-Octopaparazzi Protocol."
Ritsu's voice came through with a crisp salute.
"Yes, Akira-kun."
Throughout the forest, hidden drones powered up and multiple traps armed themselves.
Back at the edge of the festival, Koro-sensei watched the two of them disappear into the trees and let out a delighted laugh.
"Nuruhuhuhu! A summer festival, fireworks, going alone into the forest… this is straight out of a romance novel! No, I can't leave them alone. I have to supervise them as their teacher!"
Nagisa, standing nearby, gave him a flat look.
"You just want to peek on them, right?"
Kayano nodded.
"Yeah. It's written all over your face, Koro-sensei."
"It's not peeking!" Koro-sensei insisted. "It's supervision!"
He immediately shot into the forest at high speed — and stepped directly onto a buried mine. The device detonated in a burst of anti-sensei BBs. Koro-sensei barely twisted out of the way in time.
A moment later, several drones rose into the air, each one displaying Ritsu's face on its screen.
Koro-sensei's eyes widened.
"It can't be…"
Ritsu smiled politely.
"I'm sorry, Koro-sensei. But I want to conduct a surprise assassination."
Deeper in the forest, Erika heard the distant explosions and glanced toward the sound.
"Did the fireworks already start? Or is there a fight in the forest?"
Akira answered without missing a beat.
"Don't worry. Those are just pre-fireworks preparations. Everything is going according to plan."
---
Akira led her to the edge of a cliff. From there, the entire festival spread out below them in a sea of warm lantern light, and the open sky stretched endlessly above. It was the perfect place to watch the fireworks.
"We're here," he said.
Erika looked out over the view, her eyes softening.
"It does look amazing. How did you find this place?"
Akira looked smug.
"I surveyed the entire forest for the best spot."
More distant explosions echoed from deeper in the trees. Erika glanced toward the sound.
"Alright… what exactly is happening back there?"
Akira answered calmly.
"Nothing much. It's the Anti-Octopaparazzi Protocol. Ritsu and I made it to keep Koro-sensei out so we could enjoy our time alone. She's fighting him in full force right now."
Erika smiled.
"I see. Did it take a lot of time?"
Akira looked into the distance.
"Honestly, after choosing this place, we spent almost the entire time preparing the protocol. About a month."
Erika blinked.
"An entire month? You mean the thing you've been planning all this time… was this?"
Akira shook his head.
"No. This is just an emergency protocol. It did take some time to finish, though."
Erika sighed.
"So what exactly have you been planning these past days?"
Akira looked away for a moment, a little shy.
"…Let's sit down first. I'll tell you everything."
They sat side by side on the grass. Erika turned to him.
"Okay. Out with it."
Akira took a quiet breath.
"Well… we've been together for a while now, right?"
She nodded.
"And a lot of things have happened. Some unexpected things, too. Like… those…"
"Like your fiancées," Erika said flatly.
"…Yeah." Akira's voice softened. "I mean, we are boyfriend and girlfriend, but that whole situation has been on my mind for a while. I wanted to make us a bit more… closer."
Erika's eyes widened slightly.
Is this what I think it is? …But isn't it too soon?
Akira continued before she could speak.
"But I can't just ask for an engagement or something like that. I do want to be with you forever… but even I know marriage and things like that are extremely important. And I know I'm not exactly ready for it yet. I still have a lot to learn."
Erika let out a small breath, feeling both relieved and, quietly, a little disappointed.
Akira reached into his inventory and took out a small ring box. He opened it and held it out to her.
"So… I casually went to the Moon forfor something completely unrelated, and while I was there, I found something. I made these with what I found."
Inside the box sat two simple but elegant platinum rings. Each one held a small, brilliant golden crystal that caught the fading light.
Erika's eyes went wide.
"This is…?"
Akira misunderstood the question and explained earnestly.
"These crystals are called Crescent Tears. I found them on the Moon when I went there. Do you like them?"
Erika stared at the rings. She suddenly remembered a conversation from when they were children — Akira once mentioning that since the Moon had split from Earth, there might be diamonds or similar stones there, and her casually telling him to find one for her someday. She had never expected him to actually do it.
She carefully took the rings.
"…They look beautiful."
Akira's expression brightened, as if every bit of effort had been worth it.
"I see."
Erika looked closer.
"But aren't they a little small?"
Akira explained.
"That's because they're pinky rings."
Erika tilted her head.
"Pinky rings?"
Akira nodded and held out his hand.
"I may not be ready for an engagement… but I am perfectly prepared for a pinky promise."
Erika's cheeks warmed. She placed her hand in his. Akira gently slid one of the rings onto her pinky finger.
When he moved to put on his own, she stopped him.
"Wait. Let me do it."
She took the second ring and carefully placed it on his pinky.
Akira then held out his pinky finger. Erika did the same. Their fingers linked, the matching rings touching.
Akira spoke quietly but clearly.
"Erika. I promise you one thing. No matter what the future holds, no matter where we end up… I will always try my best to make you happy."
Erika was silent for a moment. Her eyes grew slightly moist. Even when they were children, Akira had always done his best to keep her happy — grumbling and complaining the whole way, but never refusing her. From the day they met, that part of him had never changed.
So all she said was,
"…I know."
Then she added softly,
"I promise too. I won't let you be lonely."
Akira smiled.
"Thanks."
Just then, the first fireworks bloomed across the night sky.
They were far larger and more brilliant than any festival fireworks Erika had ever seen. Colors unfolded in vast, intricate patterns that lit up the entire horizon.
Akira watched them with a small, proud smile.
"Of course I couldn't let you experience a normal fireworks show."
Erika looked from the sky back to him. Her face was faintly flushed.
"…Thank you, Akira."
She leaned in. For a second, Akira thought she was going to bite his neck again. Instead, she gently pressed a light kiss against his cheek.
"That's your thank-you gift."
Akira did not hear the words.
His mind went completely blank — then exploded into a full orchestral Bollywood love song. For a moment, the only thought that existed was:
She kissed me…
She actually kissed me.
My first kiss…
Selena's voice cut in telepathically, thoroughly unimpressed.
"Brother, pull yourself together. It's just a kiss on the cheek. She's bitten you so many times by now. Blood drinking is way more intimate than this."
Akira did not respond. The music in his head only grew louder.
My first kiss…
"It's not even on your lips," Selena tried again.
Still nothing.
MY FIRST KISS…
Selena finally gave up.
She watched the two of them sitting on the cliff — Erika still a little red, Akira completely lost in his own world — while the brilliant fireworks continued to light up the sky above the festival.
A small, quiet smile formed on her face.
"…As long as you're happy, brother."