As The Evening Deepened, The Sky Shifted From A Warm Orange To A Cool Indigo. The Zoo Lights Began To Flicker On, And The Air Turned Softer — The Kind That Whispered That The Day Was Ending.
They Had Reached The Exit Gate, Hands Full Of Snacks, Bags, And Empty Drink Cups. Everyone Looked A Little Tired — Except Kaito.
"Alright," He Said, Stretching His Arms High. "What's Next?"
Mahito Groaned. "Next? Dude, The Day's Basically Over."
Vicky Nodded. "Yeah, Even The Penguins Are Probably Asleep By Now."
Chika Laughed. "Exactly. Let's Go Home Before You Start Acting Like One."
But Kaito's Eyes Were Glinting With Mischief. "Come On! There's A Fireworks Festival Tonight Near The River. It's Close By! We Can Watch It Together."
Chika Froze, Her Expression Changing Instantly. "Wait—Festival!? I Came Unprepared! Look At Me!" She Pointed Dramatically At Her Casual Hoodie. "I Look Like I'm Going Grocery Shopping, Not To A Festival!"
Vicky Chuckled. "You Always Look Like That."
Chika Turned To Him. "You Want Me To Hit You With This Bag?"
Mahito Raised A Hand. "Alright, Alright—No Violence. Let's Just Go, Yeah? It'll Be Fun."
Miyu Looked At Ren, Her Voice Soft. "Should We?"
He Smiled Slightly. "It's Been A While Since We Saw Fireworks."
She Nodded Gently. "Then… Let's Go."
—
Before They Left, Everyone Took Out Their Phones.
Ren Texted Riko First.
[Ren]: Going To Watch The Fireworks. I'll Be A Bit Late. Don't Wait For Dinner.
[Riko]: With Who??
[Ren]: Friends.
[Riko]: Including Her??
[Ren]: …
[Riko]: Okay Have Fun Love Birds.
He Shook His Head, Sighing Quietly But Smiling Anyway.
Meanwhile, Miyu Sat On A Bench A Little Away, Typing Quickly.
[Miyu]: I'll Be Late. Going To The Festival With Friends.
[Mom]: Alright, Dear. Stay Safe.
[Dad]: Enjoy Yourself.
[Idiot]: "Friends," Huh?
[Yui]: Bring Me Cotton Candy!
[Miyu]: You All Are Impossible.
She Tucked Her Phone Away, A Small Smile Resting On Her Lips.
—
By The Time They Reached The Festival Grounds, The Sun Had Fully Set.
The Sky Glowed In Layers Of Deep Blue And Violet, Lit By Strings Of Lanterns Hung Across The Streets.
The Air Smelled Of Sweet Pastries, Grilled Food, And Fresh Flowers. The Sound Of Laughter, Music, And Chatter Mixed Into A Soft Buzz That Felt Alive.
Chika Was The First To Dash Off. "TAKOYAKI! I SEE TAKOYAKI!"
Kaito Followed, Laughing. "You Were Just Complaining About Your Outfit!"
"Fashion Can Wait When Food Exists!" She Shouted Back.
Vicky And Mahito Wandered Off Toward A Game Stall, Already Arguing Over Who'd Win The Ring Toss.
Ren And Miyu Stayed Behind For A Moment, Watching The Lights Dance Across The River.
Miyu's Eyes Reflected The Lanterns. "It's… Beautiful."
Ren Nodded. "Yeah. Kind Of Peaceful Too."
They Walked Slowly Through The Festival Streets.
Miyu Stopped At A Stall Selling Small Charms, Picking Up A Blue One With A Tiny Bell.
The Shopkeeper Smiled. "For Good Luck With Love, Miss."
Her Eyes Widened Slightly, And She Glanced At Ren Before Quickly Paying For It.
Ren Looked Amused. "Love Charm, Huh?"
She Looked Away. "It's Just… Cute."
He Smiled Softly. "Then It Suits You."
Her Ears Turned Red. "You're Learning How To Tease, Aren't You?"
Ren Shrugged Lightly. "Maybe."
They Rejoined The Group Near A Food Stall Where Kaito Was Eating Something He Clearly Regretted.
"Oh My God," Kaito Groaned. "It's So Spicy My Soul's Leaving My Body."
Mahito Laughed So Hard He Nearly Dropped His Drink. "You Ordered It!"
Chika Was Crying From Laughing Too Much. "You Should've Seen Your Face!"
Even Miyu Was Laughing — That Gentle, Unrestrained Kind Of Laughter That Made Her Eyes Close. Ren Just Watched Her For A Moment, Letting The Sound Sink In.
As The Night Drew Closer, The Lights Dimmed Slightly. People Began Gathering Near The Riverbank.
"Fireworks Are About To Start," Vicky Said, Pointing Toward The Sky.
They Found A Spot On The Bridge Overlooking The Water, The Cool Breeze Carrying The Smell Of Fire And Sweet Food.
The First Firework Shot Up, Bursting In Bright Red.
Then Another — Gold, Blue, Pink — Painting The Sky In Colors That Reflected On Everyone's Faces.
Chika Cheered Loudly. "THIS IS SO PRETTY!"
Kaito Nodded. "Totally Worth It."
Mahito Pulled Out His Phone. "Group Selfie Time!"
Vicky Groaned. "Dude, It's Dark—"
"Doesn't Matter! The Fireworks Will Light Us Up!"
They All Posed Together, Laughing As The Sky Glowed Behind Them.
Miyu Stood Beside Ren, Looking Up. The Lights Reflected In Her Eyes, Making Them Shine.
Ren Looked At Her, His Voice Barely Above A Whisper. "You Know… I Don't Think I'll Ever Forget This."
Miyu Turned To Him, Smiling Gently. "Neither Will I."
A Gold Firework Burst High Above Them, And For A Moment, It Felt Like Everything Else Faded — The Noise, The People, The World.
Just The Two Of Them, Side By Side, Watching The Sky.
The Warmth Of The Day, The Laughter Of Their Friends, The Colors In The Air — Everything Blended Into Something That Felt Like A Perfect Memory.
And As The Fireworks Continued To Bloom Overhead, Ren And Miyu Stood There Quietly — Not Saying Much, But Feeling Everything.
The Night Was Alive.
And So Were They.
—
The Fireworks Slowly Faded, Leaving Trails Of Smoke That Danced Softly Against The Night Sky. The Festival Music Began To Quiet Down, The Buzz Of The Crowd Turning Into A Gentle Murmur Of People Packing Up, Laughter Lingering In The Air.
Ren And Miyu Walked Side By Side As The Group Slowly Headed Toward The Station. Lanterns Flickered Along The Street, And The Air Carried The Sweet Scent Of Candied Fruits And Smoke.
Chika Stretched Her Arms. "That Was Perfect! My Feet Hurt, But Totally Worth It."
Kaito Nodded, Still Chewing On Something. "You Said It. I'm Gonna Sleep For A Week."
Mahito Laughed. "Bet You'll Wake Up Hungry Again In Three Hours."
Vicky Added, "You Guys Are Hopeless."
The Whole Group Burst Into Easy Laughter. It Felt Like The Perfect Way To End A Long, Warm Day — All Of Them Talking Over Each Other, Joking, And Sharing Memories Of The Past Year.
But Eventually, The Roads Began To Split, And Everyone Started Saying Goodbye.
Mahito And Vicky Headed Off First, Arguing About Who'd Won The Game Stalls.
Kaito And Chika Waved, Still Laughing As They Turned Down The Hill Toward The Station.
Ren And Miyu Were Left Alone, The Street Quiet Except For The Distant Festival Sounds.
They Walked Slowly, Neither In A Hurry To Go Home.
For A While, Neither Said Anything. Only The Soft Echo Of Their Steps And The Cool Night Air Filled The Silence.
Miyu Spoke First, Her Voice Low But Calm. "Graduation's… Almost Here."
Ren Nodded. "Yeah. Feels Strange, Doesn't It? Everything's Ending So Quickly."
She Smiled Gently. "But It's Also… A Beginning, I Guess."
He Looked At Her. "Yeah. It Is."
They Walked A Little Further, Talking About Little Things — The Way Kaito Nearly Dropped His Food In The Festival, Chika's Screaming At The Fireworks, Mahito's Overconfident Game Strategy, And Vicky's Terrible Sense Of Directions.
Miyu Laughed. "It Feels Nice… Having Everyone Together Like That."
Ren Smiled. "Yeah. It Does."
There Was A Short Pause Before He Added Quietly, "And… I'm Glad You Were There Too."
Her Eyes Softened. "You're Saying That Like I Wasn't Going To Be."
Ren Smiled A Bit Wider. "Just Saying."
She Nudged His Arm Lightly. "You're Learning To Tease Too Much These Days."
He Chuckled. "You Started It."
"Did Not."
"You Did."
"...Fine. Maybe A Little."
The Laughter Faded Into A Comfortable Silence Again As They Reached The Familiar Crossroad — The Place Where They Usually Parted Ways.
Miyu Looked At Him Quietly, Like She Wanted To Say Something But Didn't Know How. Her Fingers Played With The Strap Of Her Bag, Eyes Glancing Away.
Ren Noticed The Way She Shifted Her Weight, Her Shoulders Slightly Tensing.
And He Understood.
Without A Word, He Stepped Closer And Wrapped His Arms Around Her Gently.
For A Moment, Everything Went Still — The Sounds Of The Night, The Street Lights, Even The Wind.
Miyu Closed Her Eyes, Resting Her Forehead Against His Shoulder. "You're Warm…" She Whispered, Almost To Herself.
Ren Smiled Slightly, His Voice Quiet. "So Are You."
When They Finally Pulled Away, Miyu's Face Was Softly Flushed, Her Eyes Bright.
"Goodnight, Ren."
"Goodnight, Miyu."
They Walked Off In Opposite Directions, Glancing Back Once — Just Once — Before Disappearing Into The Calm Streets Of The Night.
—
Ren's House Was Quiet When He Entered. The Living Room Lights Were Still On.
Riko Looked Up From The Couch Instantly. "Ohhh, Look Who's Back! Someone's Smiling Way Too Much For This Hour!"
Ren Sighed, Hanging His Jacket. "You're Still Awake?"
"Of Course. I Had To See My Brother Come Home From His Date." She Grinned Wickedly.
Ren Raised An Eyebrow. "You Were Waiting Just To Tease Me, Weren't You?"
"Absolutely."
She Leaned Forward, Resting Her Chin On Her Palm. "Soo… Was It Romantic? Did You Two Hold Hands? Maybe—"
"Riko."
"Maybe Even—"
"Riko."
She Burst Out Laughing. "Okay, Okay! You're Blushing!"
Ren Tried Not To Smile, But It Was Hopeless. She Could See Right Through Him.
"Goodnight, Riko."
"Goodnight, Lover Boy~"
As He Walked Past, Riko Whispered Softly, Almost To Herself. "You Look Happy… It's Nice."
Ren Paused At His Door, Glancing Back At Her With A Small Smile. "Yeah. I Am."
He Fell Onto His Bed Moments Later, Still Half Smiling. The Sound Of Fireworks Echoed Somewhere Distant In His Mind, Blurring Into The Feeling Of Miyu's Hug.
His Eyes Closed. And Sleep Came Easily.
—
Across Town, Miyu Opened Her Door Quietly, Trying Not To Make Noise. But It Didn't Work.
Her Brother's Voice Rang Instantly. "Back Already? Or Did You Two Lose Track Of Time?"
Miyu Froze. "You're Still Awake?"
"Obviously. I Had To Make Sure My Little Sister Came Back In One Piece."
Yui Popped Out From Behind The Couch. "Did You Bring Candy?"
Miyu Blinked, Flustered. "I—No! I—"
Her Brother Grinned. "No Candy But Definitely Something Sweet Happened, Huh?"
"W-What Are You Talking About!?"
"Oh, I Don't Know…" He Walked Closer With A Knowing Look. "Maybe The Way You're Blushing Right Now."
Yui Covered Her Mouth To Hide A Giggle. "She's Red Like A Tomato!"
Miyu Groaned. "You Two Are The Worst. I'm Going To Bed."
Her Brother Teased, "Sure, Sure. Sweet Dreams, Lovebird."
"OUT!" She Snapped, Throwing A Pillow At Him As She Escaped To Her Room.
When The Door Finally Closed Behind Her, She Leaned Against It, Taking A Deep Breath.
Her Fingers Brushed Against The Small Charm She'd Bought Earlier.
A Small Smile Crept Onto Her Face — The Kind That Comes From Remembering Something Too Precious To Regret.
She Fell Onto Her Bed, Exhausted And Overwhelmed, Her Thoughts Fading Into The Quiet Of The Night.
And Just Like Ren, Her Last Thought Before Sleep Was Simple —
It Still Feels Like A Dream.
— × —
To Be Continued....