The festival continued long after the fireworks ended.
Music still echoed across the campus.
Students laughed, food stalls remained crowded, and bright lights filled the courtyard.
But for Akira, the festival already felt over.
Walking Back
Akira slowly walked toward the campus exit.
His hands were in his pockets.
His mind replayed the same moment again and again.
"I've liked you for a long time."
"I can't return those feelings."
He let out a quiet breath.
"…That was the right answer."
But it didn't feel good.
Not even a little.
The Apartment
Later that night, Akira finally returned to the apartment.
The hallway lights were dim.
He opened the door quietly.
The room was silent.
He assumed Mizuko hadn't returned yet.
Akira walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter.
The quiet felt heavy.
A few minutes passed.
Then the door opened.
Mizuko walked in.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
She removed her shoes slowly.
"…You came back already."
Akira nodded.
"…Yeah."
Another silence followed.
Mizuko walked into the living room and dropped onto the couch.
"…Wow."
She stared at the ceiling.
"What a day."
Akira stayed near the kitchen.
"…Mizuko."
She raised a hand immediately.
"Nope."
"…What?"
"Don't."
She turned her head toward him and forced a small smile.
"If you start apologizing again I might actually cry."
Akira fell silent.
Mizuko laughed lightly.
"…Relax."
"I knew there was a chance."
She sat up and hugged her knees.
"But hearing it still hurts."
Akira walked over and sat on the chair across from her.
"…I'm really sorry."
Mizuko looked at him quietly for a moment.
Then she sighed.
"You're such a serious guy."
"…What?"
She leaned back again.
"Most people would've just said something vague."
"Like 'maybe someday' or 'let's see in the future.'"
Akira shook his head.
"That wouldn't be fair to you."
For a moment Mizuko didn't speak.
Then she smiled softly.
"…Yeah."
"That's exactly why I liked you."
The room grew quiet again.
After a few seconds she spoke again.
"…So."
Akira looked up.
"…So?"
"Is it someone else?"
Akira blinked.
"What?"
She tilted her head.
"The reason you rejected me."
"…Is it because you like someone else?"
Akira hesitated.
His silence answered the question.
Mizuko stared at him.
"…Ah."
She laughed softly.
"I see."
Akira quickly spoke.
"It's not like that."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Then what is it like?"
Akira didn't answer immediately.
Mizuko waved her hand again.
"Relax."
"I'm not interrogating you."
She stood up and stretched.
"…I'm going to sleep."
Then she paused near the hallway.
"…Akira."
"…Yeah?"
She turned slightly.
"Don't start avoiding me tomorrow."
Her smile returned.
"We're still roommates."
"…Okay."
She nodded once.
Then walked into her room.
The door closed quietly.
Akira sat alone in the living room.
The apartment felt unusually silent.
Mizuko Alone
Inside her room, Mizuko leaned against the door.
Her smile slowly disappeared.
"…That went exactly as expected."
But her chest hurt.
More than she expected.
She sat on the edge of the bed.
Her mind replayed the fireworks scene.
Akira and Aiko sitting together.
Laughing quietly.
A small bitter thought appeared.
Was I already too late…?
She shook her head quickly.
"…Stop it."
But the thought refused to disappear.
Meanwhile — Aiko
On the other side of campus, Aiko was sitting by her dorm window.
The festival music had finally started fading.
Most students were returning to their dorms.
But Aiko wasn't thinking about the festival anymore.
She stared at the night sky quietly.
Her thoughts returned to the garden conversation from two days ago.
"After the festival… I'm going to confess to Akira."
Aiko hugged her knees slightly.
"…I wonder if she did it."
Her chest felt strangely uneasy.
She didn't know why.
Maybe it was curiosity.
Maybe it was worry.
Or maybe…
Something else.
She sighed.
"…Why am I thinking about this so much?"
She only knew Akira for a few months.
Mizuko had liked him for years.
The answer should have been obvious.
Still…
Her mind wandered to small memories.
Akira cooking dinner.
Akira quietly helping people.
Akira buying that dessert for her earlier.
Aiko buried her face into her arms.
"…This is so annoying."
She whispered to herself.
"If she confesses…"
"…then that's it."
She repeated the same thought she told herself earlier.
She deserves him.
Aiko stared at the dark sky outside the window.
But the strange feeling inside her chest still hadn't disappeared.
The Next Morning
Morning sunlight slowly filled the apartment.
Akira woke up early as usual.
He quietly started preparing breakfast.
A few minutes later Mizuko walked into the kitchen.
Her hair looked messy.
She yawned.
"…Morning."
Akira looked up.
"…Morning."
For a moment both of them watched each other awkwardly.
Then Mizuko grabbed a cup and poured water.
"…You're cooking already?"
"…Yeah."
She stretched her arms.
"Good."
"I'm hungry."
Akira blinked slightly.
"…You're acting normal."
She grinned.
"Of course."
She sat at the table.
"Did you think I'd disappear dramatically?"
"…No."
"Good."
Then she pointed at the pan.
"Now hurry up."
"I want breakfast."
Akira sighed slightly.
"…Yes, ma'am."
Mizuko smiled.
But for a brief moment—
Her eyes looked just a little sad.
Meanwhile at Campus
Later that morning the group gathered again near the cafeteria.
Ren stretched dramatically.
"Festival Day Two!"
Nanami sighed.
"You're too energetic."
Yuuto looked half asleep.
Rina adjusted her camera.
Meanwhile Aiko scanned the area quietly.
Then she saw Akira and Mizuko walking toward them together.
Both looked normal.
Talking casually.
Laughing slightly.
Aiko blinked.
"…Oh."
For some reason, she couldn't tell whether she felt relieved…
Or disappointed.
Festival Day 2
The second day of the institute festival was even louder than the first.
Music echoed across the campus.
Students moved everywhere — stalls, games, food counters, performances.
The entire place felt alive.
Ren stretched his arms dramatically.
"Day two… and my wallet is already dead."
Rina raised her phone.
"Perfect."
"Perfect for what?"
"For documenting your suffering."
Click.
Ren groaned.
"You're the worst photographer ever."
Nanami laughed.
"No. She's the best. She captures the truth."
Nearby, Aiko looked around excitedly.
"There's a cosplay event near the auditorium."
Yuuto nodded.
"We should go."
Ren suddenly pointed at Akira.
"Wait. Where's the quiet guy going?"
Akira had already started walking away.
He turned slightly.
"I'm getting coffee."
Ren threw an arm around his shoulder.
"No escaping today."
"Why?"
"There's a food challenge stall."
Akira sighed.
"That sounds dangerous."
Ren grinned.
"That's why it's fun."
A Small Moment
Later that evening, the group gathered near a juice stall.
Everyone looked tired but happy.
Aiko bought two drinks and walked toward Akira.
"Here."
He looked surprised.
"For me?"
"Yes."
When he took the cup, their fingers brushed slightly.
Both of them froze for half a second.
Then—
Ren leaned toward Yuuto.
"Did you see that?"
Yuuto calmly drank his juice.
"I saw nothing."
Nanami smirked.
"Oh we all saw it."
Aiko turned red.
"Drink your juice and shut up."
Akira quietly sipped his drink, pretending nothing happened.
Festival Day 3
The final day of the festival arrived.
The group had now become a familiar sight across campus.
Seven students laughing loudly wherever they went.
Near the main stage, Ren suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
Everyone turned.
"What?" Yuuto asked.
Ren pointed dramatically.
"Karaoke competition."
Nanami shook her head immediately.
"No."
Rina smiled.
"Yes."
Ten minutes later Ren stood on stage singing dramatically.
The group watched from the crowd.
Aiko shook her head.
"He has no shame."
Akira replied calmly,
"That's his special ability."
Aiko laughed.
For a moment she looked at him.
Then quickly looked away.
The End of First Year
A few days later—
Exams ended.
Assignments ended.
Just like that…
Their first year at the institute was over.
The group gathered in the campus café one last time before holidays.
Ren stretched.
"Freedom."
Yuuto nodded.
"Summer break."
Nanami leaned forward excitedly.
"We should go on a trip."
Rina immediately agreed.
"Yes!"
Aiko looked toward Akira.
"What about you?"
Akira hesitated for a moment.
"I'm going home for the holidays."
The table became quiet.
Ren scratched his head.
"Well… planning a trip without the chef feels illegal."
Yuuto nodded.
"Agreed."
Nanami sighed.
"Fine. Trip postponed."
Aiko didn't say anything.
But she looked at Akira for a moment longer than usual.