After Arashi and Mizuki rejoined the group, everyone began heading back together. The atmosphere felt normal again—light, relaxed, and filled with soft after-festival chatter.
As they walked, Hina gently called out, "Mizuki, can you come here for a moment?"
Mizuki stepped a little behind the group with her.
Hina looked at her calmly. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Mizuki blinked. "Did what?"
Hina sighed. "You know what I mean. Tell me… why did you do it?"
Mizuki exhaled quietly. "Alright… look. I didn't want anything to happen between you and Arashi. I didn't want him to misunderstand you or end up breaking your friendship. I didn't want you two to drift apart. That's why I did it.
And honestly… even if you heard our conversation, it's fine. I know you won't tell anyone."
Hina's expression softened as she listened.
Mizuki continued gently, "I know you didn't intend for anything like this to happen. Sometimes situations pull you in even when you want to walk away. So it's alright."
Hina smiled—warm and sincere. "You're nothing like I thought. You're actually really nice."
Mizuki smiled back. "Thank you."
"And don't worry," Hina added softly. "I won't tell anyone. Not a single word."
The two shared a small moment of understanding before walking back to rejoin the group.
Hina then added with a warm smile, "I really liked what you did. It showed how much you care about everyone. Honestly… you're exactly the kind of girl I always hoped Arashi would meet. Now I understand how lucky he is. I just want the two of you to stay together."
Mizuki smiled softly. "Thank you… And actually, I transferred schools too. I think I mentioned it before. Just pray I end up in your class."
Hina nodded confidently. "You will get our class. There are many empty seats in it."
"Right," Mizuki replied with a relieved smile.
On the other side, Miyu pulling Ayane joined the conversation.
"What are you three talking about?" Miyu asked playfully.
Mizuki quickly answered, "Nothing much. We were just talking about school—and hoping we all end up in the same class."
Miyu's eyes widened. "Wait, you transferred schools too?"
Mizuki nodded. "Yeah."
Talking and laughing, the group continued walking until they finally reached Arashi's house.
Arashi opened the gate and said, "You all can stay for a bit if you want."
But Takumi shook his head immediately. "Maybe another time. We're all exhausted today."
Arashi sighed. "You always say that."
And with that, the group began saying their goodbyes, the night ending with warm smiles and quiet laughter.
After that, Mizuki turned to Arashi. "Okay then… bye, Arashi."
She began walking away but paused, glancing at Ayane.
"Ayane, come on—let's walk together."
But Ayane shook her head politely. "Sorry… but Arashi and I usually go home together."
Hearing that, Mizuki gave a small, playful smile.
"Oh? Good. If he does anything troublesome to you, just contact me. I'll straighten him out."
Ayane let out a soft "Hm," half shy and half embarrassed.
Mizuki chuckled, waved at them, and then walked off with the rest of the group.
After everyone left, Arashi stepped inside the house, kicked off his shoes, and turned on the TV. The dim glow of the screen filled the living room with soft light. It was quiet—peaceful in the way only late summer nights could be.
Ayane stretched her arms tiredly and started heading toward her room.
"I'm going to my room," she murmured, stifling a yawn.
But just before she reached the first step, Arashi called out, "Wait. Hold on—listen for a second."
Ayane paused, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Hmm? What happened?"
Arashi leaned against the couch, arms crossed casually. "Tomorrow… let's go to the park."
Ayane blinked, still half-asleep. "The park? Why?"
Arashi shrugged a little. "No big reason. I just feel like going. I asked Mizuki first, but she said she's not coming. Everyone else is busy too. So… you know. You should come."
Ayane's tired expression instantly changed. Her eyes widened—bright, sparkling—and her sleepiness disappeared in a second.
"Really? You want me to come?"
"Yeah," Arashi replied simply. "It's settled then. We'll go in the evening, so it's not too hot."
Ayane nodded quickly, almost too quickly. "Okay. Yes. Of course."
"Good," Arashi said with a small smile. "Now go sleep."
Ayane walked to her room, closed the door quietly behind her, and then—
She collapsed face-first onto her bed.
For a moment, she said nothing. Her hands reached out and grabbed the pillow tightly, hugging it against her chest. Her heart thumped so loudly it felt like it echoed inside the room.
"He… invited me out," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with excitement.
She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling with wide eyes.
"Just the two of us… me and him… He literally asked me."
Her cheeks warmed, her heartbeat speeding up even more. She covered her face with her hands, trying—and failing—to calm down.
"Is this… is this a date?" she wondered silently. "He asked me alone… we're going out together… it feels like a date."
Ayane squeezed the pillow tightly again, her legs kicking lightly in the air from happiness she couldn't contain.
Her entire body felt warm, light, and fluttery. A soft smile spread across her face—a smile that refused to fade.
For the first time in a long while, Ayane felt like something special was happening.
Something just between her and Arashi.
And with her heart pounding harder than ever, she drifted slowly into sleep—still smiling, still blushing, still holding the pillow like it was the most precious thing in the world.
After a few minutes, Arashi finally went to his room as well. He entered his room, closed the door behind him, and collapsed onto his bed. The room was dim, lit only by the streetlights slipping through the curtains.
He stared at the ceiling for a moment before exhaling deeply.
"Alright… think. What's the plan for tomorrow?"
He rolled onto his side, resting an arm under his head.
"First, we'll go to the park… just a normal walk. Nothing weird."
His mind kept running forward.
"Then… maybe I should take my tennis rackets too. If she agrees, we can play for a bit. That'll make things less awkward."
He frowned, thinking harder.
"After that… the swing. I have to bring her to the swings. But how? Should I casually suggest it? Or make a joke? Or should I just walk straight there and say, 'Come on, let's go'? Ugh."
He pressed a hand against his forehead.
"This is too much thinking. My brain is going to melt."
But he kept going anyway.
"Once we're on the swings… I need to bring up the game Mizuki mentioned. The shoe-throw thing. Whoever's shoe flies farther wins. The loser has to reveal a secret—the biggest secret they've kept from the other person."
He sighed loudly.
"But what if she refuses? Then what? What am I supposed to do? Force her? No, idiot."
He flipped onto his stomach, burying his face in the pillow.
"And what if she agrees… but I lose? Then I have to reveal something. Reveal what?? Ughhh."
He sat up, running both hands through his hair, completely frustrated.
"Why is this so difficult? Why am I even stressing this much?"
He dropped back down onto the bed.
"I can't do this. I'm done thinking."
He pulled the blanket over himself.
"Whatever happens tomorrow… happens. I'll deal with it then. I don't care."
With that final thought — half defeated, half relieved — Arashi closed his eyes and let sleep take over.