The road to Seaside Park was more crowded than expected.
"Wow... there are too many people!"
Yanami Anna tightly held Imaizumi Keita's arm, her whole body almost pressed against him, barely managing not to be swept away by the surging crowd.
Her steps in wooden clogs were a bit unsteady, and she walked cautiously with each step.
"Everyone, stick close!"
Tamaki Shintaro, walking at the very front, turned back and shouted loudly. He used his tall stature to clear a path.
Tsukinoki Koto followed closely behind him, occasionally turning back to check on the juniors' positions.
Imaizumi Keita clasped Yanami Anna's hand tighter and protected her shoulder, bringing her into his protective embrace.
Shioyaki Lemon and Komari Chika followed behind them.
Imaizumi Keita turned to check on Shioyaki Lemon's condition and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her give him a reassuring smile.
Shioyaki Lemon was clearly adept at handling such crowded environments; she moved with the flow of people while also skillfully protecting Komari Chika beside her.
"Komari, hold onto me, don't get separated!"
"Mm, mm..."
Once they finally escaped the dense crowd, the members of the Literature Club breathed a sigh of relief, walking and chatting casually.
Yanami Anna excitedly talked about what they would do when watching the fireworks, holding onto Imaizumi Keita's arm.
Shioyaki Lemon didn't come closer; instead, she quietly discussed with Komari Chika what name they should give the black goldfish they had just caught.
Although it was a quiet discussion, the sound was just loud enough for Imaizumi Keita to hear.
Even more outrageous was that Shioyaki Lemon kept trying to give that black goldfish a nickname related to his name...
Lemon, your hint is too obvious...
Just as Imaizumi Keita was secretly having a headache, Tsukinoki Koto finished chatting with Tamaki Shintaro and turned to explain the precautions.
As soon as she turned her head, she saw Shioyaki Lemon occasionally glancing at Imaizumi Keita's arm, which Yanami Anna was holding.
Noticing that her actions had been discovered by Tsukinoki Koto, Shioyaki Lemon didn't panic. Instead, she smiled frankly and apologized.
Tsukinoki Koto was a little stunned and turned her head in confusion to ask her childhood sweetheart.
"Shintaro," Tsukinoki Koto lowered her voice and nudged Tamaki Shintaro with her elbow, "Why do I feel... the atmosphere over there with Imaizumi-kun and them is a bit strange?"
"Is it?" Tamaki Shintaro scratched his head, looking bewildered. "Isn't it just normal friends hanging out? I think Yanami-san and Imaizumi have a great relationship."
"The problem is that it's *too* good..."
Tsukinoki Koto sighed helplessly, giving up on discussing this topic further with this dense person.
She had already experienced a time when her good intentions backfired and she said the wrong thing...
She didn't want to get involved in such matters again...
A while later.
Shioyaki Lemon, who had arranged to exercise with Komari Chika, suddenly remembered their morning run and reached out to poke Imaizumi Keita's shoulder.
"By the way, Kin-chan," Shioyaki Lemon asked with some confusion, "Are we still going for a morning run tomorrow? I feel like we'll be out late tonight, so we might not be able to wake up."
Yanamami Anna's hand, linked with Imaizumi Keita's arm, tightened a few more points uncontrollably.
She didn't really want Keita to go for a morning run with Lemon anymore...
A morning run with her would be much happier than one with Lemon...
"Tomorrow morning, huh..."
Imaizumi Keita pondered for a moment, glanced at Yanami Anna beside him, who was clearly starting to emit a low-pressure aura, then looked at the composed Shioyaki Lemon, and gave an ambiguous answer.
"We'll see how we feel then. If I can get up, I'll go."
"Okay!" Shioyaki Lemon nodded cheerfully. "Then I'll message you tomorrow morning to confirm! If you don't reply, I'll just go wait for you downstairs at your house!"
Yanamami Anna's lips couldn't help but turn down.
Shioyaki Lemon naturally turned her gaze to Yanami Anna, who was next to Imaizumi Keita, and enthusiastically extended an invitation.
"By the way, Anna! Do you want to come along too? Running in the morning is great for your skin! We can go together!"
"Me, I'll pass..."
Yanamami Anna shook her head. "I can't get up in the morning; I prefer to sleep in."
She definitely didn't want to join their "two-person world"...
More importantly, exercise was Lemon's forte; wouldn't she just be asking for trouble if she went?
After passing through the last crowded path, the open seaside lawn finally appeared before their eyes.
The lawn was already covered with various picnic mats.
People sat in groups of twos and threes, eating and waiting for the fireworks to begin.
"Wow, so many people! Let's quickly find a spot!"
Tsukinoki Koto led the group to a slightly sloped area near the sea and found a relatively spacious empty spot.
Tamaki Shintaro took out the large picnic mat he had prepared from his backpack, and together with Imaizumi Keita, they spread it out.
"Alright, everyone, please sit down."
Yanamami Anna pulled Imaizumi Keita and sat down near the edge of the picnic mat.
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