CH 96

As the sun set, the lights of the stalls shined even more dazzlingly.

The people on the street increased, and the bustle became even louder.

“The fireworks will be going off pretty soon. Please proceed to the leisure space along the river to view the display.”

An announcement in a calm voice echoed throughout the summer festival hall.

The men and women in yukata heard it and walked towards the river.

“Let’s get going.”

Looking at his clock, Asahi called out to her.

Then, a slight force was applied to his fingertips.

He looked next to him and saw Fuyuka smiling as she nodded.

Seeing her gentle smile, his heart fluttered even after all the time they spent together.

It was apparent that the body warmth from her left hand connected to him felt soothing.

After all the games they played together, he was feeling over the moon.

His footsteps became lighter and his expression softened, and he began to speak more and more.

“I’m looking forward to the fireworks.”

“Me too. It’s been a while since Niagara after all.”

“Niagara? Isn’t that the waterfall between Canada and the United States?”

“There’s a huge firework that looks just like it.”

Fuyuka’s face lit up each time he told her about the other fireworks he knew about.

Her innocent, pure eyes sparkled as she gazed at the night sky.

“You sure know a lot, Asahi-kun.”

“Do I? You’re a lot smarter than me.”

“I’m not talking about that. It’s more like miscellaneous knowledge. Look, I don’t know anything about fireworks.”

“That’s because…”

Once he took his eyes off Fuyuka, he confessed in a whisper.

“Actually, I’ve been looking into it.”

“…For today?”

“You could say so.”

He didn’t really want to tell her, but he didn’t want to lie either, so he told her honestly.

He wasn’t trying to show off to Fuyuka, but he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed because she might think so.

“Fufu…”

“Don’t laugh.”

As expected, a chuckle escaped from her mouth.

“I mean, It makes me really happy.”

“You are?”

“I am.”

When he asked her back about her unexpected reaction, Fuyuka let out another small laugh.

“Knowing you, you probably did your research to entertain me, didn’t you?”

Asahi’s cheeks heated up as she hit the bullseye.

Even the thin knowledge he had randomly researched on the Internet last night was enough to make Fuyuka smile, it was worth it, he thought.

Fuyuka had a joyful expression, while Asahi tried not to let a grin show on his face.

The venue for the fireworks display was already in front of them.

They kept their hands linked and arrived at their own pace, already overflowing with many people and filled with the sound of voices and footsteps.

“This is amazing.”

“I don’t think we’ll be able to comfortably watch it for long.”

“We can barely hold a conversation after all.”

It was difficult to even exchange a word without consciously shouting loudly to each other.

With so many people gathered, it was going to be a challenge to even find a good spot to watch the fireworks.

“With the way things are going, I’m not sure if we’ll be able to meet up with Hinami-san and Yoshikawa-san.”

Fuyuka suddenly spoke, and that was when Asahi remembered their existence.

It might be rude to say that he had forgotten, but that was how much he enjoyed his time with Fuyuka.

Besides, when he thought about the future, he wanted memories of watching the fireworks with Fuyuka.

Hinami and Chiaki understood that and took the trouble to leave them alone.

“…I got a message.”

The sender was Yoshikawa Chiaki.

The content was that they were going to watch fireworks at Hinami’s house.

And attached to it was a single location.

“Those guys are really…”

Asahi couldn’t help but laugh while Fuyuka tilted her head.

When he told her about the message, she looked a little disappointed, but quickly smiled, “Well, let’s watch it together, shall we?”

“So, where does that location information point to?”

“It’s near here. Well, I have a pretty good idea.”

A gentle breeze pushed them along as they made their way to a tree-lined street away from the riverside.

On the way, he received another message. This time it was from Chiaki and Hinami, respectively.

“Show me that you’re a man, Asahi!”

“Be brave–! I’m rooting for you!!!”

‘I’ve got really great friends.’ He thought as his cheeks relaxed.

Pulling her little hand filled with warmth, Asahi hurried down the path ahead