A few days after the study group session with my friends, the afternoon of the fireworks festival finally arrived.
I sat in the living room of the Akise residence, sipping cold barley tea and wearing the jinbei my father had pushed on me during my last visit home.
Across from me, Haruka’s father, Nobuyuki, was smiling broadly.
“It’s good to see you’re doing well, Tatsumi-kun. So, how has the cohabitation—pardon me, the stayover—with her been going?”
I desperately suppressed the urge to point out that he’d clearly made that slip on purpose. Instead, I let the events of the past month play back in my head.
“How should I put it… I’ve realized that humans are incredibly adaptable creatures.”
I’d been a nervous wreck at the start, but now, it felt more unnatural when she wasn’t around. I couldn't help but wonder how I'd cope once this summer vacation was over.
Nobuyuki let out a boisterous laugh at my conflicted expression.
“Haha, I know the feeling. I was quite the nervous wreck myself when we first moved in together. Well, in our case, we’d been dating for a long time before we started living together, so it didn’t take quite as long to adjust.”
“Is that how it works?”
He finally just came out and said "living together." While I couldn't exactly deny the reality of the situation, I felt a bit hesitant to agree too enthusiastically right in front of her father.
Ignoring my silence, Nobuyuki continued in high spirits.
“What are your plans for winter break? I assume you'll spend Christmas together, but will you be heading back home after that, Tatsumi-kun?”
“We haven't talked about the details yet, but I imagine we’ll spend the New Year’s holidays with our respective families. We’ll spend Christmas Eve together, but everything after that is still up in the air.”
“It is the sacred night for lovers, after all… By the way, staying overnight on Christmas Eve is perfectly fine, you know?”
“…No, let’s not go that far. We're only in our first year of high school.”
“Are you really saying that now, after a month of cohab—I mean, staying over?”
I had no comeback for that. Did I really need to be so overly conscious of the date just because it was the "sacred night"?
As I sat there agonizing, he followed up with a comment that I couldn't quite tell was praise or something else—noting that because I’d lived in the same room as her for a month without ever laying a hand on her, he felt he could trust me.
I cleared my throat loudly.
“W-Well, Christmas is still more than three months away. I think both Haruka and I will have settled down a bit more by then.”
“...Will you, now?”
After a few more months... surely...
While we were occupied with our pointless conversation, it seemed Haruka’s preparations were finally complete. I could hear her and her mother, Kayo, chatting cheerfully in the hallway.
“Hey, Mama, is this really okay? Maybe I should do something else with my hair...”
“You look adorable, so it’s fine! Look, if you don't hurry up, Tatsumi-kun is going to get tired of waiting.”
“Ugh, I know, I know.”
Hearing their exchange, I found myself unable to sit still. My heart rate climbed as my expectations rose.
I watched with bated breath as the living room door slowly slid open. When I saw Haruka standing there, I felt the air leave my lungs.
“Ehehe... H-How do I look?”
Haruka gave a small, shy smile, her cheeks faintly flushed under light makeup.
She wore a vibrant, sky-blue yukata that looked as if a piece of the clear summer sky had been tailored just for her. The white flower patterns embroidered on the sleeves and hem perfectly accentuated her refined, graceful presence.
Her hair, which usually swayed at her shoulders, was pinned up high, and a cute hair ornament sparkled in the light.
“————……”
“...T-Tatsumi-kun?”
I thought I fully understood that Haruka was an incredibly beautiful girl. I really did. But I never imagined she could look like this.
The yukata was vibrantly colored yet elegant rather than gaudy, gracefully enhancing her natural beauty. As she looked at me with a hint of anxiety, her profile appearing a bit more mature than usual, I felt my heart hammer against my ribs.
“O-Oh no, Tatsumi-kun stopped moving...”
“He’s just mesmerized because you’re so beautiful, Haruka. You really are loved, aren't you?”
“...It kind of reminds me of how he was before we started dating. But I’d really like a proper compliment soon.”
Seeing Haruka’s reddened cheeks puff out as I stared blankly, I finally snapped back to reality.
“...Sorry, you were so beautiful I just got lost in the view. The design of the yukata and the hair... they really suit you. Honestly, I almost feel like it’s a waste to let the other guys see you.”
“Fufu, I’m glad you like it! I dressed up just for you, Tatsumi-kun, so please enjoy it to your heart’s content!”
It seemed my honest compliment had hit the mark. When she gave me a radiant smile like that, I truly did feel like keeping her all to myself.
I felt a surge of possessiveness, but at the same time, I felt a wave of pride that such a stunning girl was my girlfriend. Men really are simple creatures.
As I was about to heap on more praise, I caught the adults watching us with warm, knowing eyes and forced myself to stop.
“Oh, is that all?”
“I’ll save the rest for when it’s just the two of us.”
“I see.”
“My, my.”
“Geez, Tatsumi-kun!”
The parents sounded impressed, while Haruka’s face lit up with joy.
In the midst of the slightly embarrassing atmosphere, I stood up and walked over to her. Seeing her nod cheerfully while swinging the drawstring bag in her hand, she seemed ready to go.
Considering we wanted some time to walk around before the fireworks started, we needed to get a move on. I turned back to Nobuyuki and Kayo, and the two of us bowed politely.
“Thank you so much for everything, from the yukata to helping me get dressed. Papa, Mama—I was so happy!”
“I’d like to thank you as well. Thank you very much.”
“Don't be so formal. Dressing our daughter in beautiful clothes is a parent’s duty and a joy!”
“Your mother is right. Both of you, go and enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”
With their warm wishes seeing us off, we left the Akise residence.
§
“Sorry, did we keep you waiting?”
“Sorry we’re late, the train was so crowded...”
“Oh, you’re finally—whoa.”
We reached the meeting spot—the station nearest the festival venue. I spotted Hashimoto standing by the landmark statue, and when I called out, he let out a sound of pure surprise.
“What is it?”
“Man... you guys really stand out.”
I frowned as he scanned us and then the surrounding crowd.
Haruka always drew eyes because of her beauty, but she was even more striking in her vibrant yukata. I had expected her to attract twenty percent more attention than usual, but it seemed I’d vastly underestimated the effect.
I wanted to punch my past self from an hour ago for being so smug about her looking good.
Because I stayed close to her, using my height and somewhat intimidating face as a shield, no one actually tried anything... but I was already exhausted before we’d even reached the food stalls.
“Whatever. Where are the others?”
“They’re already here. I had them wait in the shade, so let’s go join up.”
It seemed we were the last ones to arrive.
Feeling bad for making them wait in the oppressive late-summer heat, I followed Hashimoto through the swarm of people.
Even for a festival, the crowds were immense. People of all ages were everywhere, and quite a few were dressed in yukatas or jinbei like we were. I’d been worried about looking out of place, but it seemed we were fine on that front. Though standing out was still inevitable.
As we approached a row of benches a short distance from the station, the group cooling off in the shade waved us over.
“Ah, Haruka’s here! Over here, over here!”
“Hello. Haruka, Yanagida-kun.”
“Good work, Master!”
Mukai jumped around energetically, Takamiya greeted us with her usual politeness, and Hamasaki gave a sharp, vigorous bow. Moriyama and Shinohara also welcomed us with waves and small nods.
As I apologized for the delay, I found myself surprised by the girls’ outfits.
“Wow...! Haruka, your yukata is gorgeous!”
“Yes, the colors are bright but elegant. It suits you perfectly, Haruka.”
“Thank you! You two and Shiori-chan look amazing in yours, too! I didn't know everyone was wearing yukatas, so it was a surprise.”
“We borrowed these from Karin-san’s house... B-But do they really look okay? I haven't worn one of these since I was a little kid...”
“Of course they do!”
“Shiori-chan, you’re so cute!”
I see—they were Takamiya’s yukatas. I remembered hearing that Takamiya came from a "good family"... do rich people just keep a bunch of spare yukatas lying around?
I shook off the pointless thought and tapped Hashimoto’s shoulder as he was practically worshipping Shinohara with his hands pressed together.
“You should tell her she looks good, too.”
“I’ve said it nearly ten times already! But because I’m always calling everything ‘cute,’ she doesn't half-believe me.”
“Ah...”
“I won't deny I’m biased, but Shio is cute no matter what she wears. She should just own it.”
“That’s some heavy bias, alright.”
It felt like he was casually showing off his relationship, but I realized we probably looked exactly the same to everyone else.
“Sorry to break it to you, but in your case, it’s much worse,” Moriyama interjected.
“...I haven't even said anything yet.”
“You had a look on your face like you were about to say something sappy before you thought better of it. It’s pretty obvious.”
“Being that unaware of your own behavior is practically a sin, Master,” Hamasaki added.
“...My bad.”
I glared at Moriyama and Hamasaki as they shrugged with annoying smirks, but since I couldn't really mount a defense, I settled for a quiet apology.
I cleared my throat and looked around.
“Is this everyone for today?”
“Pretty much. Akasaka and the others are doing that 'Soccer Club Singles Group' thing.”
“That’s a depressing name... Oh, and Minami said he wasn't coming at all.”
“Oka-kun is... well, you can guess,” Moriyama said with a wry, sympathetic smile.
He looked over at Haruka, who was laughing with the other girls. I understood the situation well enough.
“Can’t he just get over it already?”
“He has, in his own way. But it’s still tough to watch the person you liked being all lovey-dovey with another guy.”
“Either way, it’s a good thing he didn’t come. If he saw Akise-san in that yukata, he’d turn into a literal stone statue!”
As Hamasaki laughed, Moriyama and Hashimoto’s flat stares cut him off.
“You’re one to talk about Oka-kun, considering you haven't been able to look Mukai-san in the eye once today.”
“If you actually want to make a move, try giving her a single compliment.”
“Gah!?”
So that was why he’d been looking in a completely different direction while talking. I thought he might have made some progress during the study session, but it seemed he still had a mountain to climb.
I was thinking how nice it would be if they got closer today, when Hashimoto suddenly turned the spotlight on me.
“If you’re the Master, show him how it’s done! Right, Yanagida?”
“I’m not his master. What are you even talking about?”
“Show this coward how it’s done! Hey, Akise-san! Yanagida says he has something to tell you!”
“You—stop—!”
He caught me so off guard that I didn’t have time to block him. I feel like this has happened before.
Haruka turned toward us in response to Hashimoto’s call. When her pure, trusting eyes met mine, I instinctively faltered.
“Uh... that yukata really does suit you. You’re beautiful.”
“...Nfufu, what’s this? You’ve told me that so many times already.”
“I just felt like saying it again. There’s no law against repeating a compliment, is there?”
“Ahaha, I guess not! Thank you, Tatsumi-kun. I’m really happy!”
“Then it was worth saying.”
I smiled back at her radiant expression, then turned to glare at Hashimoto, who was looking strangely smug.
“See that, Hamasaki? That is the level you need to aim for.”
“Give it a rest already.”
After some more banter and back-and-forth, we finally set off toward the festival grounds about ten minutes later.