CH 91

The damp, rainy day ended, the sun was shining all bright and warm outside.

As summer approached, everyone felt strangely uplifted, perhaps because of the long vacation that awaited them.

Mountains and seas, pools and barbecues, festivals were held every day, and oversized fireworks lit up the night sky.

For most students, summer vacation was a dream come true, that was if they could turn their attention away from the large amount of assignments that made them feel like they were in h**l.

You could play with your friends, go back to your grandparents’ house, or just enjoy your own time to the fullest.

In the face of such a joyful future, there was one man who was in a daze.

Had the summer heat gotten the best of him? For that matter, he was in a room with air conditioning.

The dimly lit room was spacious with light arriving in front of him.

‘It’s a nice atmosphere.’ He intuitively thought.

Her jewel-like eyes moistened slightly, and he could see the shame in her cherry-red cheeks.

Her sweet breath touched his skin.

“I love you.”

With those words, their lips met –

As Asahi watched the kissing scene on the screen.

The couple in the movie had overcome many trials and tribulations and were at the peak of their happiness.

The film was only less than two hours long, but in production time, a year has passed.

Objectively speaking, it was a very roundabout and frustrating way to express your affection for someone.

Like the man and woman in the film, real life love may look different for those who were involved and those who were not.

When Asahi looked next to him, he saw Fuyuka quietly shedding tears.

He couldn’t help but admire her beautiful profile.

“That was such a good movie…!”

The credits played, and the lights in the theater all lit up at once.

Fuyuka’s eyes were as bright as her cheerfulness as she happily shared her impressions.

They decided to leave their seats for the time being and moved to a nearby cafe.

“The last part of the movie was particularly good, and I didn’t expect that foreshadowing to be resolved at the ending.”

Fuyuka spoke enthusiastically, and Asahi gave his opinion.

As a matter of fact, he was so engrossed looking at her at the end that he didn’t remember the content, but he couldn’t help but appreciate that it was a good movie in general.

“So this is what you like.”

When Asahi said this, Fuyuka nodded, looking a little embarrassed.

The reason why they came to see a movie together today was because of a certain confession.

Though it was called a confession, nothing romantic related was spoken.

It was the result of exposing each other to their feelings deep within.

They wanted to know more about each other.

Not in a bad way, but it was what they both hoped was best.

“This movie is based on a novel that you’ve read before, right?”

“It was written quite some time ago, but now it’s being made into a movie and it seems to be a big hit.”

“Can I borrow it sometime?”

“Will you read the novel too?”

“Yeah. I’m quite interested.”

More precisely, to what Fuyuka liked.

Fuyuka smiled happily and introduced the recommended works one after another.

With a cup of café au lait sweetened with too much sugar in his hand, Asahi also listened with a relaxed mouth.

It was Asahi who invited her to the movie, and Fuyuka nodded in agreement.

And now Fuyuka had invited him to go to a famous restaurant.

This was the restaurant that Asahi had been talking about going to someday.

In this way, they were able to talk more, understand each other more, and most importantly, spend more time together than before.

They both looked radiant, as if they’d been afloat, and their daily lives continued, largely unchanged despite their awareness of each other.

But they couldn’t stay like this forever.

Asahi began to feel strongly that he didn’t want things to end like this.

“Fuyuka.”

“Yes?”

Fuyuka tilted her head when her name was suddenly called.

“You know there’s gonna be a big festival nearby at the beginning of summer vacation, right?”

Without hesitation, Asahi continued to speak.

“Let’s go together.”

He was already determined.

“…Actually, I was just about to ask you too.”

“Really? Man, what a coincidence.”

“Will you be wearing a yukata, Asahi-kun?”

“Let’s see… Alright, I’ll match with you, Fuyuka.”

Winter had passed, spring had come, and summer was approaching.

In the midst of the changing seasons, their relationship was about to change.