The school festival had officially begun, and the courtyard was alive with laughter, music, and the sweet scent of festival treats. Aiko arrived, her eyes sparkling with excitement, carrying a small bag for souvenirs.
Ren was already there, casually leaning against a post, scanning the crowd. When he saw her, his face lit up with a soft, warm smile.
"Hey," he said, offering his hand. "Ready for our evening stroll?"
Aiko's cheeks warmed as she took his hand. "Definitely."
They wandered through the festival stalls, stopping first at the food corner. Aiko insisted on sharing a taiyaki, feeding Ren a bite and giggling when he playfully smudged a little cream on her nose.
"Hey! That's cheating!" she laughed, brushing it off.
Ren chuckled softly, leaning closer. "You'll forgive me, won't you?"
Aiko blushed, nodding shyly. "I guess…"
Next, they tried the ring toss together. Aiko missed several times, but Ren's encouraging smiles and gentle guidance made her heart flutter. When she finally landed a ring on the bottle, Ren cheered softly, and they high-fived, their hands lingering just a moment too long.
As the evening deepened, lanterns were lit, casting a warm, golden glow across the festival. They walked slowly, hand in hand, their shoulders brushing occasionally, enjoying the calm after the playful chaos.
At a quiet corner of the festival, Aiko stopped to look at the lanterns. "It's… beautiful," she whispered.
Ren nodded, eyes meeting hers. "Yeah… but not as beautiful as you."
Aiko's heart leapt, cheeks flushing. She looked down, unable to meet his gaze immediately, before softly whispering, "You… always say the sweetest things."
Ren smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I mean every word."
For a few quiet moments, they simply walked together, hands entwined, hearts quietly racing. It wasn't dramatic, it wasn't over-the-top—it was simple, warm, and perfect.
Aiko realized, with a fluttering heart, that these little festival moments—filled with laughter, gentle touches, and quiet smiles—were slowly building a tapestry of memories she wanted to cherish forever.