Night had fully fallen over the campus.
But instead of becoming quiet, the institute had become even more alive.
Colorful lights hung across the walkways.
Music from the main stage echoed across the courtyard.
Students moved between food stalls and game booths, laughing and shouting over the noise.
The festival atmosphere was at its peak.
Ren stretched his arms dramatically as he walked with the group.
"This is it."
"The perfect festival night."
Nanami rolled her eyes.
"You say that about every event."
Yuuto pointed toward another food stall.
"I'm getting grilled corn."
Rina was still holding her camera.
"This lighting is incredible."
Meanwhile, Akira walked beside Aiko quietly.
She looked around at the glowing lights and decorations.
"…This place looks beautiful at night."
Akira nodded.
"Yeah."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Aiko glanced at him.
"You're unusually quiet."
Akira looked confused.
"…I'm always quiet."
She laughed.
"Fair point."
The Crowd
The group moved toward the central plaza where a large crowd had gathered.
A stage performance was happening.
Students were cheering and waving glow sticks.
Ren pushed forward immediately.
"Best view!"
Nanami grabbed his collar.
"You're not dragging us into that crowd."
Yuuto sighed.
"Too late."
Soon the entire group was squeezed between excited students.
Music blasted from the speakers.
Rina lifted her camera again.
"Festival documentary continues."
Aiko leaned closer to Akira so they could hear each other.
"It's so loud."
Akira nodded.
"Yeah."
She smiled.
"But it's fun."
A Small Escape
After a while, the crowd became overwhelming.
Aiko tapped Akira's shoulder.
"Want to get some air?"
He nodded.
"…Yeah."
They quietly slipped out of the crowd while the others were distracted.
The noise faded slightly as they walked toward a quieter path near the trees.
Soft lantern lights lined the walkway.
The festival music still echoed faintly from the distance.
Aiko stretched her arms.
"Much better."
Akira nodded.
"…Definitely."
For a moment they just walked side by side.
The night breeze moved gently through the trees.
Then Aiko spoke again.
"You know…"
Akira looked at her.
"…Hmm?"
She smiled softly.
"I'm glad we became friends."
He blinked slightly.
"…Me too."
She laughed.
"That sounded very formal."
Akira shrugged.
"I'm not good with emotional speeches."
Aiko grinned.
"I noticed."
Fireworks Announcement
Suddenly a loud announcement echoed across the campus.
"Attention everyone! Fireworks will begin in five minutes!"
Students immediately began rushing toward the open field near the main stage.
Aiko's eyes widened.
"Fireworks?"
Akira looked surprised too.
"…I didn't know they had that."
Aiko grabbed his wrist instinctively.
"Come on!"
Before he could react, she pulled him toward the field.
The Fireworks Begin
The field was filled with students sitting on the grass.
The sky above was dark and clear.
Aiko and Akira found a small open spot near the back.
They sat down quietly.
The crowd slowly grew silent.
Then—
BOOM
The first firework exploded across the sky.
Bright colors filled the darkness.
Red.
Blue.
Gold.
The crowd cheered.
Aiko watched the sky in awe.
"…Wow."
Akira glanced at her instead of the fireworks.
The colorful lights reflected in her eyes.
She noticed him looking and tilted her head.
"…What?"
Akira quickly looked back at the sky.
"…Nothing."
Aiko smirked slightly.
"You're weird."
Another firework exploded above them.
For a moment they both watched silently.
The night felt strangely peaceful.
Mizuko Searching
Meanwhile, on the other side of the festival grounds—
Mizuko walked quickly through the crowd.
Her eyes scanned everywhere.
Where is he…?
She had decided.
Tonight.
She would confess.
But she couldn't find Akira anywhere.
Ren suddenly appeared behind her.
"Oh, Mizuko!"
She turned.
"…Ren?"
"Have you seen Akira?"
Mizuko hesitated.
"…No."
Ren scratched his head.
"He disappeared with Aiko earlier."
For a brief moment, Mizuko's expression froze.
"…Oh."
Ren didn't notice.
"Probably watching fireworks somewhere."
He waved casually before walking away.
But Mizuko stood still.
A strange feeling spread through her chest.
Under the Fireworks
Back at the field—
The fireworks show continued.
Bright explosions illuminated the sky again and again.
Aiko hugged her knees while watching.
"This is the best part of the festival."
Akira nodded.
"…Yeah."
Then she glanced at him again.
"…Hey."
He looked at her.
"What?"
She smiled.
"Thanks for coming today."
Akira blinked.
"…You invited me."
Aiko laughed.
"Still counts."
Another firework burst across the sky.
For a moment their shoulders lightly touched.
Neither of them moved away.
The moment felt small.
But warm.
Mizuko Watching
As the fireworks reached their final sequence—
Mizuko finally arrived near the field.
Her eyes searched through the crowd.
And then she saw them.
Akira and Aiko sitting together.
Watching the fireworks.
Their shoulders almost touching.
Laughing quietly.
The final firework exploded across the sky.
A massive burst of golden light.
The crowd cheered loudly.
But Mizuko stood silently at the edge of the field.
Her hand slowly clenched.
"…I see."
For the first time that night—
Her confidence about the confession wavered.
The End of the Night
The fireworks ended.
Students began leaving the field slowly.
Aiko stood up and stretched.
"That was amazing."
Akira nodded.
"…Yeah."
She looked around.
"We should find the others."
They began walking back toward the main plaza.
Neither of them realized—
That someone had been watching them from afar.
And somewhere deep inside Mizuko's heart—
Doubt had quietly begun to grow.
Because for the first time—
She wondered something she had never considered before.
What if…
I'm already too late?
The final firework burst across the sky like a shower of gold.
The crowd cheered loudly.
Students clapped, shouted, and began slowly leaving the field.
Aiko stretched her arms above her head.
"That was amazing."
Akira nodded quietly.
"…Yeah."
The lights from the festival stalls glowed softly across the campus again as people began moving back toward the courtyard.
Aiko stood up.
"We should find the others."
Akira also got up.
"…Probably near the food stalls."
They began walking back along the lantern-lit path.
But before they reached the main walkway—
Someone called out from behind.
"Akira."
Both of them turned.
It was Mizuko.
She stood a few meters away under the soft glow of a lantern.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes looked serious.
Akira blinked.
"…Mizuko?"
Aiko smiled lightly.
"Oh, there you are. We were about to—"
Mizuko interrupted gently.
"Akira… can you come with me for a minute?"
Her voice was quiet.
But firm.
Aiko looked between them.
"…Oh."
Akira looked confused.
"…Sure?"
Mizuko nodded slightly.
"Just for a moment."
Aiko stepped back.
"I'll go find the others."
She waved casually.
"Don't take too long."
Then she walked toward the festival crowd again.
Akira watched her leave for a second before turning back to Mizuko.
"…What's up?"
Mizuko didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she began walking toward a quieter part of the campus path.
Akira followed.
A Quiet Corner
They stopped near the empty courtyard behind the academic building.
The festival noise sounded distant here.
Only faint music and laughter carried through the night air.
Akira leaned slightly against a railing.
"…You look serious."
Mizuko laughed nervously.
"Do I?"
"…Yeah."
For a moment she didn't speak.
Her hands tightened slightly.
Akira noticed.
"…Mizuko?"
She looked up at him.
The confident expression she usually had was gone.
Instead there was hesitation.
And vulnerability.
"Akira… can I ask you something?"
"…Sure."
Her voice softened.
"…Do you remember when we were kids?"
Akira blinked.
"…Of course."
"You were always the quiet one."
"And I was always the one talking too much."
Akira gave a small smile.
"That hasn't changed."
She laughed softly.
"Yeah… I guess not."
Then her expression slowly became serious again.
"I searched for you for a long time, you know."
Akira frowned slightly.
"…What?"
"I didn't know where you went after middle school."
"So I tried to find out."
She looked down at the ground.
"I eventually learned you joined this institute."
"And that's why I came here."
Akira stared at her.
"…You chose this place because of me?"
She nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
For a moment, Akira didn't know what to say.
The night air felt heavier.
Mizuko took a deep breath.
Her heart was racing.
Just say it.
You've waited years.
She stepped a little closer.
Then she finally said the words she had been holding for so long.
"…Akira."
"I've liked you for a very long time."
The words hung in the air between them.
The distant festival music continued somewhere far away.
But in this small courtyard—
Everything felt quiet.
Akira's eyes widened slightly.
Mizuko continued, her voice trembling just a little.
"Since we were kids."
"I always admired you."
"Even when you ignored everyone else."
"You were kind."
"You helped people quietly."
"And I…"
She forced a small smile.
"I guess I fell for that."
Her eyes met his.
"So…"
She took one final breath.
"…Will you go out with me?"
Silence.
Akira didn't answer immediately.
He looked down for a moment.
His mind was racing.
Memories.
Thoughts.
Confusion.
Mizuko waited.
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
Finally, Akira spoke.
"…Mizuko."
His voice was calm.
But heavy.
"You're important to me."
Her eyes brightened slightly.
"But…"
The word hit her harder than anything else.
Akira looked at her seriously.
"…I can't return those feelings."
For a moment, Mizuko's smile froze.
The night suddenly felt colder.
Akira continued quietly.
"You're one of my closest friends."
"But I've never thought of you that way."
He paused.
"…I'm sorry."
Mizuko didn't say anything.
She simply stood there.
The silence stretched for several seconds.
Then she laughed softly.
"…Wow."
"That hurt more than I expected."
Akira's expression tightened.
"…Mizuko—"
She quickly waved her hands.
"No, no."
"It's okay."
She forced a smile again.
"Confessions are basically gambling, right?"
Her voice sounded lighter.
But her eyes were slightly wet.
"I just lost."
Akira looked troubled.
"…Are you sure you're okay?"
She turned away slightly.
"…Yeah."
Then she looked back at him and smiled again.
"But hey."
"Don't start acting weird around me tomorrow."
Akira blinked.
"…What?"
"You rejected me."
"But we're still friends."
She crossed her arms.
"Got it?"
Akira hesitated.
"…Yeah."
Mizuko nodded once.
"Good."
Then she turned and started walking back toward the festival lights.
But before leaving, she paused for a second.
"…Akira."
"…Yeah?"
She didn't look back.
"…Thanks for being honest."
Then she continued walking.
Leaving Akira alone in the quiet courtyard.
He stared at the ground for a long moment.