Despite those minor hiccups, we made the most of the festival once the crowds thinned out. Guided by Hashimoto, our self-proclaimed expert, we headed toward a "hidden gem" for viewing the fireworks.
He was apparently dead set on making it a surprise; no matter how many times I asked where we were going, he just dodged the question.
In the end, we spent our time fooling around and didn't even bother securing a spot until right before the launch. I wondered if we were really going to be okay.
Given that Shinohara-san, who surely knew Hashimoto's intentions, didn't seem concerned, it was likely just a needless worry... but I still felt a vague sense of unease.
"What's with the skeptical look? Just trust me! Here, this way, this way."
"...Hmm. Hashimoto, if my memory serves me correctly... I believe there's a parking lot up ahead."
At Moriyama's dubious remark, Hashimoto pouted. "You figured it out already?"
Looking closely in the direction we were heading, I did indeed see a sign for the park's permit-holder parking lot—and, simultaneously, a sign stating that entry was prohibited to anyone other than authorized personnel during the Summer Festival.
It seemed this parking lot was being used as private staff parking and a temporary storage area for materials.
"It says entry is prohibited for non-staff, though?"
"Which means it’s no problem if you are staff! Just shut up and follow—gah!"
"We're already here, so it's fine... I'm sorry. Actually, my uncle—well, this idiot's father—is the Setup Team Leader for the Summer Festival Executive Committee."
...I see. Between Shinohara-san’s explanation and the sight of a few families scattered around the parking lot, I grasped the situation.
I looked toward Hashimoto to confirm, only to see him shouting toward a large man in a happi coat standing at the lot's entrance.
"Hey, Pops! We're here!"
"You're finally here, Hiroto. The fireworks are about to start."
So that was Hashimoto's father. He looked exactly like what Hashimoto would become if he grew up just as he was; the family resemblance was undeniable.
At any rate, we had to greet him first. As we lined up and bowed, Hashimoto's father laughed and waved us off.
"None of that stiff stuff! I've heard all about you kids from Hiroto. I should be the one thanking you for looking after my son... especially with his studies! Hey, Hiroto, I hope you've given them a proper thanks?"
"I have, and this is part of that."
"Hahaha, that's right. Well, there you have it... Consider it a staff privilege. Enjoy the show from the best seats in the house without a care."
"Th-thank you very much."
At the boisterous laughter of Hashimoto's father, we bowed again to express our gratitude.
Hashimoto, the only one acting unfazed, walked over to a nearby light truck and began unloading several folding chairs from the bed.
"Hey, Hamasaki, Moriyama! Help me carry these."
"Ah, roger that, ssu."
Hamasaki hurried over at Hashimoto's call. I bowed once more to the father, who was waving with a smile, and we joined the others.
"...When you said it was a hidden gem, I wondered what kind of place it would be. Is it really okay, though? We aren't exactly staff."
"It's fine. Shio and I helped out a little with the setup, and I got permission from the guys on the committee to bring my friends."
"Heh... You prepared more thoroughly than I expected, ssu."
"Even so, isn't eight people a bit much?"
"There isn't a strict limit on the number of people. As long as we don't go wild and cause trouble, it'll be fine."
"It's more of a custom than a strict rule. I've already cleared it with the Operations Committee members, so please, just relax and enjoy yourselves."
Hashimoto and Shinohara-san answered Takamiya-san's question with reassuring smiles.
"Well, if Shinohara-san says so..."
"Shio-chan, thank you!"
"Heeeey! Why do you only accept Shio's words so easily?! I worked hard too, you know!"
"It's your daily conduct... Just kidding. Thanks. I'm truly grateful."
"Thank you for thinking of everything, Hashimoto-kun, Shio-chan!"
"O-oh... Well, as long as you get it, it's fine."
When Haruka and I thanked him with smiles, Hashimoto scratched his cheek bashfully.
Since there was nothing to feel guilty about and they had put in the effort so that we could enjoy the fireworks comfortably, I could only be honestly grateful.
Now then... there was very little time left before the fireworks were scheduled to start.
Everyone started walking so we could settle down quickly, but for some reason, only Haruka and I were stopped by Hashimoto.
"What is it, Hashimoto? Is there something else?"
"You and Akise-san go over there."
The "over there" Hashimoto pointed to was toward the woods at the back of the parking lot.
...I never thought I'd be so blatantly excluded. And by the very person who invited us to the festival, no less.
"I'll say this first: I'm not excluding you, okay? This is a suggestion made out of pure goodwill, so relax."
"Well, that's good to hear. I was about to get seriously depressed....So, what's the suggestion?"
"The running course in this park continues into those woods. A little way down that path, there's a small roofed thing for resting... uh, what do you call it? Like a hut."
"A gazebo, maybe?"
"That's it! There's a gazebo there!"
Hashimoto nodded vigorously at Haruka's clarification.
"When we were kids, it was a well-known date spot for couples in the know... I don't know the details, but apparently, there was some trouble during the Summer Festival a few years back."
And because of that trouble, the entire woods were declared off-limits during the Summer Festival.
Given the context, I could take a guess at what kind of trouble it was... but was it really okay for us to enter?
"It's the same as the parking lot; you can go in if you get permission. Actually, Shio and I used it last year, and that's where we had our fir—"
"Wait, Hiro! What on earth are you talking about!?"
"Crap, she heard me!"
...I just had their lovey-dovey history shoved in my face. While feeling slightly put off, I realized that we were usually much the same.
Haruka and I shared a wry smile, likely thinking the same thing, and I prompted him to continue.
"And so... you're offering such a perfect date spot to us?"
"Yes, indeed. I know you guys won't cause any problems."
"I'm happy, but is it really okay with just us? For Shio-chan and Hashimoto-kun... wouldn't it be better to invite Miki and Hamasaki-kun instead?"
"I thought so too and asked Hamasaki first, but... he turned me down, saying 'Being alone with her is absolutely impossible, ssu!!' What a wuss."
Hashimoto answered Haruka's whispered question in an equally hushed tone.
Looking toward the person in question, I saw him being overwhelmed by Mukai-san and the others as they thanked him for preparing the chairs... Yeah, that would have been a bit much for him, I suppose.
"Shio and I have been there plenty of times, and Moriyama and the others aren't like that....I'll ask just in case, but they aren't like that, right? They seem to have something going on, though."
"If you don't know, there's no way I would."
"Mmm... well, I don't think they're on bad terms. But it might be too early for that sort of thing?"
...That was a rather suggestive way of putting it. She might have heard something from her close friend, Takamiya-san.
It wasn't good to pry too much into someone's private life, and stepping in any further—wait, come to think of it, is interfering too much in Hamasaki's relationship also bad? Well, he did ask for help, so it probably didn't count.
While I was lost in thought, Hashimoto clapped his hands to end the conversation.
"Anyway, consider this a personal thank-you to you two from me and Shio! Enjoy your time alone to your heart's content!"
"A thank-you?"
"...I told you I'd pay you back for teaching Shio how to cook, didn't I?"
"Ah—"
Come to think of it, he did say something like that during the study group at my place.
To think he'd return the favor in such a way—it was a class act.
It would be boorish to say anything more, so I decided to accept the offer.
"—Well, you two are probably the only couple thick-skinned enough to sneak off and flirt while out with friends, anyway."
"...You really won't let me just be honestly grateful, will you?"
"Ahaha... I can't really argue with that."
I'd like to state for the record that it wasn't that we disregarded our friendships... it was just that we tended to lose sight of our surroundings a little.
Shinohara-san, who had just delivered a verbal blow to the wisecracking Hashimoto, spoke to us with a wry smile.
"I'm sorry, this is just his way of hiding his embarrassment... Let me thank you both again. Truly, thank you."
"You're very welcome. I had fun cooking with Shio-chan too!"
Leaving aside the agonizing Hashimoto and the laughing Haruka, I walked over to Hamasaki and the others, who had finished setting up the chairs.
I lightly tapped the shoulder of a puzzled Hamasaki and whispered in his ear.
"—Work hard so that you can come here alone with Mukai-san next year. I'm rooting for you."
"Wha...!? Wh-Wait, Master...!?"
"Hahaha, nice. Isn't that a perfect goal? Though the thought of another couple like you two makes things a bit tight for us single guys."
Moriyama, who was standing nearby, shrugged playfully. It seemed he had overheard.
I checked the surroundings just in case, but the women seemed to be gathered in a group of four, chatting away. I breathed a small sigh of relief.
We had spent much longer talking than I expected. It was time for us to head to the gazebo.
"Haruka, shall we go?"
"Yes! Everyone, see you later~!"
"Yes, see you later. Don't go overboard just because no one's watching."
"Have a good time! Man, that's so youth-like!"
"Ow, ow, ow... Ah, that's right. If you have bug spray, make sure you use it!"
"Got it."
Following Hashimoto's helpful advice, we sprayed each other with the bug spray we had brought and were finally ready.
Waving back at our friends, we stepped into the woods at a quickened pace.
After walking along the running course for a few minutes, the cheers of the festival faded, replaced by the rustle of trees and the chirping of insects. Then, we stopped.
There, standing quietly in the shadows, was an old gazebo.
Under the weathered wooden roof sat a single bench, just large enough for a few adults.
"Oh... It’s certainly got an atmosphere."
"It really does... Would it be an exaggeration to say it feels like a different world here?"
"I know the feeling."
Sharing a smile, we walked toward the bench. I lightly brushed the dust off the seat and spread a handkerchief where Haruka would sit so her yukata wouldn't get dirty, then we sat down side by side.
Checking the time on my phone, there were only a few moments left until the launch. I let out a sigh of relief that we'd made it in time, and immediately after—
Whoooooooosh—BOOM!
From behind us, a roar that shook my very core rang out, and the surroundings suddenly brightened.
"...It was the other way."
"We missed the first one... I wonder what it was like. Let's ask everyone later."
"Let's do that."
With a wry smile, we sat back down on the opposite bench and looked up at the night sky.
The trees weren't that tall, so we had an unobstructed view of the fireworks vividly coloring the summer night.
Spherical fireworks that bloomed like flowers, patterns of hearts and planets, and fireworks that fell in arcs like weeping willows.
Fireworks that scattered bands of light irregularly, and several small fireworks bursting all at once—fireworks of all colors and shapes were blooming on the vast black canvas.
The explosions, which I had found a bit noisy at first, became familiar as I heard them over and over.
Immersed in the beautiful scenery and the grand music shaking my eardrums, I felt a tugging at my sleeve.
When I shifted my gaze, Haruka, wearing a mischievous smile, slowly moved her lips.
"I love you, Tatsumi-kun. I love you so much♪"
"...I love you too, Haruka."
"Ah, you heard me!?"
Why was she so surprised when she was the one who initiated it?
"Isn't it a common thing in love comedies? Where someone gathers their courage to confess, but it's drowned out by the fireworks. I thought I'd try it since I'm here with my boyfriend, but..."
"At this distance, of course I'd hear you. You're supposed to do that from further away."
...I recognized it as a trope, but when I tried to think of specific examples, not many came to mind.
When I asked if she wanted to try again, Haruka shook her head with a grin and snuggled up close to me instead.
"That's for a guy and girl who aren't dating yet, right? We're already together, so it's much better to flirt like this!"
"If you're okay with that, Haruka... but isn't it hot?"
"It's a little hot, but I have this handheld fan... Ah, do I maybe... smell like sweat...?"
"No, no, I'm the one worried about that."
"Hmm? I like your scent, Tatsumi-kun."
"...You aren't going to deny the 'sweaty' part?"
I wanted her to let me move away for a moment so I could use a deodorant sheet, but she wouldn't budge. I guess it couldn't be helped.
Even as we exchanged such lighthearted remarks, our eyes remained glued to the sky.
How many years had it been since I'd watched fireworks like this in person? The summer festival itself might have been the last time I went with my family, back when my mother was still around.
As I was immersed in memories, Haruka let out a small laugh.
"Fufu, today was fun. It's my first time coming to a festival with so many friends. How about you, Tatsumi-kun?"
"It's my first time coming to a festival with friends in the first place... Well, it was fun. It was so fun that I feel like I might have gotten a bit too carried away..."
A pleasant exhaustion wrapped around my whole body, and I couldn't help but let out a sigh.
As I settled into the familiar environment of being alone with Haruka, I felt my tension draining away.
...A familiar environment, huh. I let out a laugh at my own thoughts, which would have been impossible just a short while ago.
"What's wrong?"
"No... I just realized that this kind of time has become completely natural to me. I should be more excited or nervous to be alone with the girl I like watching fireworks."
"...That's true. I feel really calm right now, too. Even though not long ago, my heart would race just being near you."
"I guess that's what happens after living under one roof for nearly a month."
I might need to have more confidence in my own reason or self-control. Or maybe my senses were just numbed.
...Honestly, it really was strange when I said it out loud.
How did a high school couple who just started dating end up suddenly living together like this? On top of that, having already finished greetings with each other's families so soon... the development was clearly too fast.
But I didn't dislike it. I was happy that Haruka's parents accepted me and that Haruka got along with my family, and the time we spent living together, though brief, was undoubtedly enjoyable.
—And that tumultuous summer vacation was almost over.
"Summer vacation is almost over. It felt long yet short... In a way, it's been the most intense summer vacation of my life."
"Ahaha, I was thinking the same thing! Sigh... My time living with Tatsumi-kun is over now, too. I'm going to be so lonely~"
"Semi-cohabitation. Well, it's not like we won't be able to see each other anymore."
At my casual reply, Haruka puffed out her cheeks.
"That's true, but... aren't you being a bit cold? Aren't you lonely, Tatsumi-kun? Can you even sleep soundly without me!?"
"Please stop saying things that sound so misleading!"
"Hmph."
...It was also true that I had been thinking about how to prevent exactly that.
Haruka turned away abruptly, her cheeks obviously puffed out.
While my face softened at her childish behavior, I spoke in a slightly lower tone to soothe the sulking girl's mood.
"...My bad. I'll be lonely too, thinking that you won't be there when I go home starting tomorrow. Are you satisfied now?"
"Words alone aren't enough, you know? My loneliness meter is still completely full."
"What even is a loneliness meter... Well then, what can I do to make you feel better?"
When I asked, Haruka let out a grin, as if she had been waiting for that moment.
Then, she tapped her own lips with her index finger.
"Give me one that'll make the loneliness fly away, please♪"
"You..."
While I smiled wryly at her provocative attitude, I had no reason to refuse.
There was no one around. The giant blossoms of light blooming in the night sky beautifully overlapped our two shadows inside the gazebo.
As I slowly brought my face closer, Haruka's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she slowly closed her eyelids.
As my fingers slid over her cheeks, which were stained with expectation and bashfulness, her shoulders twitched... and the moment her thin lips trembled slightly, I gently pressed mine against hers.
Riding on the slight breeze from the fan, her sweet scent tickled my nostrils. There wasn't a hint of sweatiness.
"Ngh..."
Only a few seconds passed. However, after a period that felt somehow eternal, we pulled apart, and Haruka's face was dyed redder than the light of the fireworks.
"...It smells like sauce."
"That was the yakisoba we ate earlier. It's a special summer festival version... Are you satisfied?"
"Yes....I might have been charged up a little too much."
Where had her boldness from a moment ago gone? Perhaps she had suddenly become embarrassed, as she buried her face in my chest and became quiet.
Well... thanks to that, it seemed I didn't have to show her my face, which had turned just as red.
While I was gently stroking her hair, being careful not to mess up her styled look... the roar that had been echoing incessantly suddenly stopped.
Looking up, only the faint white smoke drifting in the summer sky remained.
It seemed that while I was preoccupied with the kiss, I hadn't even noticed the grand finale of rapid-fire fireworks.
"It looks like the fireworks are over."
"...You're right. Somehow, it felt like it went by in a flash."
Haruka lifted her face from my chest and gazed at the night sky regretfully.
A bit of sadness flickered in my heart at the silence that signaled the end of the fun, but strangely, I didn't feel lonely.
"...The fireworks are over, so let's head back to the others."
"Yeah♪ Let's do that!"
"You're in a good mood, aren't you?"
"Because... kissing the person I love with fireworks in the background... that sort of thing was something I admired... Thank you, Tatsumi-kun. I'm so glad I could come with you!"
"You're welcome. I'm really glad I could come with you too, Haruka."
I nodded firmly, captivated by Haruka's smile, which shone brighter than the best fireworks of the day.
The fact that she was with me... that she had met me.
Every time I felt that joy, my love and gratitude for Haruka deepened... and I'm sure I'll keep repeating that from now on.
We stood up from the bench simultaneously and squeezed our firmly joined hands once.
"Let's come again. And let's watch next year's fireworks with everyone."
"That sounds good!...Maybe next year, another couple will be using this gazebo?"
"That'll depend on the effort of the person in question..."
The tumultuous summer vacation—the most special one of my life—was ending.
Regretting its end, we slowly began walking along the night forest path, where the lingering atmosphere of the festival remained.