“Now then, shall we head out?”
Mayumi-san appeared at the perfect moment, arriving just as Natsumi-senpai and I had stepped away from each other following her scolding. Her timing was impeccable, though for some reason, the smartphone gripped in her right hand felt strangely out of place.
For his part, Hayato had complimented Natsumi-senpai with practiced ease. I found myself wondering if his smoothness might actually work against him by making him seem a bit too slick. Even so, I had to give him credit for offering a compliment to Sara-senpai as well.
“I see. Thank you very much,” she replied.
Her response was so blatantly professional and curt that I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
“Yo-chan! It’s been ages!”
“And Mayu-chan, you’re as youthful as ever, aren't you?”
Apparently, this was the acquaintance who was running a stall. Judging by the way they used nicknames, they were clearly very close.
“Do you know her, Sara-senpai?” I asked.
“I believe I met her once, perhaps two or three years ago.”
So they were at least acquainted. The woman noticed Sara-senpai as well and addressed her with a bright smile.
“Sara-chan, it’s been a long time. You’ve become even more of a beauty since I last saw you… I’m sure the boys won't leave you alone. I bet my son is going to be falling over himself.”
Just as she brought up the one topic I dreaded most, her son arrived, right on cue. He looked to be about our age—an ordinary-looking guy, though his dyed brown hair was a bit much for my taste.
“Whoa, is that really you, Satsukawa-san?! Long time no see! Do you remember me?”
He was clearly excited as he spoke to her. To be honest, I didn't like it one bit, but I knew I couldn't be rude without causing trouble for Mayumi-san.
“Yes, it has been a long time.”
Sara-senpai seemed intent on ending the conversation with her usual business-like tone. It was pathetic of me, but her coldness was my only salvation.
“Man, you were a beauty before, but now… Ah, calling you ‘Satsukawa-san’ is a bit confusing since it’s the same as your mother, right? It feels way too formal, so if you're okay with it, let's use each other's names—”
What was with this guy? Showing up out of nowhere and getting way too carried away. Sara-senpai wasn't even bothering to hide her look of displeasure. At this rate, she would probably handle him with her usual icy bluntness.
However, since he was the son of Mayumi-san’s friend, that might cause unnecessary friction. I decided it would be better for me to play the villain to keep things smooth. We probably wouldn't see them again anyway.
“Excuse me…”
Just as I prepared to intervene, Sara-senpai’s hand caught mine, squeezing tight.
“Forgive me, but I have a strong dislike for overfamiliarity,” she said, her voice laced with a sharp edge of anger. “A formal tone is perfectly acceptable.”
“Eh? Ah… no, I’m sorry, Satsukawa-san…”
He must have caught the warning in her tone, as he immediately dropped the overly familiar act. His gaze, however, remained fixed on our joined hands.
“I’m so sorry, Sara-chan. I knew you’ve always hated that sort of thing, but I didn't think to warn my boy,” the mother apologized.
Sara-senpai looked a bit awkward, as if she felt she might have been too harsh, but she clearly hadn't been able to restrain herself.
“I’m sorry too, Yo-chan,” Mayumi-san added, the two of them exchanging apologies. “Sara-chan is the devoted type. she has eyes for no one but the person she likes.”
The mothers seemed to have a mutual understanding of the situation. I really should have been the one to play the bad guy, though.
“Kazunari-san, thank you,” Sara-senpai whispered suddenly.
I hadn't done anything particularly worth being thanked for.
“I was happy…”
After saying only that, she squeezed my hand a little harder. It seemed she had completely seen through my intentions—and my jealousy. It had been a while since she had read me so deeply.
“Now then, Yokokawa-kun, let’s go before we get in the way,” Natsumi-senpai announced.
“Right. You two take your time. Kazunari, see you later.”
Since we were all supposed to watch the fireworks together, we were free to do as we pleased until the Meeting Time. Natsumi-senpai quickly made off with Hayato, who certainly had no reason to refuse.
And so, we were also… come to think of it, we were still holding hands.
When I looked down at our joined fingers, Sara-senpai followed my gaze. She looked up at me with a smile and leaned in closer, a silent declaration that she wanted to keep going just like this.
“Sara-senpai, let’s go too.”
“Yes… I will follow wherever you lead, so please take me wherever you like.”
We didn't have a specific destination in mind, so we decided to simply wander and soak in the festival atmosphere. As we walked, I felt a barrage of gazes—most of them filled with envy.
I understood why. Sara-senpai was stunning in her yukata. It was only natural that I would be exposed to such looks while walking with someone so beautiful; I was used to it by now.
Ignoring the crowds, we found a corner where handmade trinkets were being sold. I thought there might be some cute accessories that Sara-senpai would like.
“Sara-senpai, why don't we take a look?”
“Yes, I hope there's something nice.”
Sara-senpai seemed genuinely interested and followed me enthusiastically. Most of the stalls featured fairly standard items, but one particular shop dealt in accessories for Japanese clothing.
That flower ornament… it looks like it would suit her perfectly.
A flower hair ornament intended for traditional attire caught my eye immediately. It was a pair of light blue and white flowers. Intuitively, I knew it was the one. I checked Sara-senpai’s reaction while scanning for anything else she might want, intending to prioritize her choice over mine.
However, since she didn't show a strong reaction to any specific piece, I decided on the one I had picked.
“Excuse me, I'll take this.”
Sara-senpai looked surprised by my sudden purchase, but she didn't say a word.
“Sara-senpai, this is for you.”
“Fufu… thank you very much. Kazunari-san, would you put it on for me?”
Since I obviously wasn't going to wear it, she had clearly anticipated this. She tilted her head toward me to make it easier, and I pinned the ornament where I thought it looked best.
Having her head so close to me was more than I could resist. Once the ornament was in place, I reached out and gently stroked her hair with both hands.
“Oh, Kazunari-san, really! No more teasing… bad!”
Her face flushed a deep crimson as she offered a playful, shy scolding. She was so incredibly cute that I felt my heart skip a beat.
I think it’s okay now. It’s okay to confess to Sara-senpai now, isn't it?
It might have been self-importance, but I wanted to believe that she truly saw me as a man—that she loved me. Even if I was wrong, I was prepared to wait for as long as it took.
I didn't know if the right moment would present itself before we met up with Natsumi-senpai and Hayato, but even if I missed the chance tonight, I would simply make another.
I had reached a decision. I was going to confess.