There was a pause, a quiet tension between them. Neither spoke immediately, but their eyes lingered. It wasn't just admiration—it was recognition. Each realized how popular the other was in their own way. Sayaka, the admired student council member, known for her sharpness and poise. Eadlyn, the foreigner who had quickly become the center of attention in his group, drawing curiosity and warmth wherever he went.
Sayaka broke the silence first, her voice softer than usual.
"You… look better in yukata than I expected."
Eadlyn chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his neck.
"Guess my grandpa knew what he was doing. You look amazing too. I think half the festival's going to turn their heads when you walk past."
Her lips curved into a small smile, though inside she felt the weight of his words. She knew her popularity, but hearing it from him made it feel different—more personal. And for Eadlyn, seeing her in this light wasn't just about beauty. Festivals weren't only about roaming hand in hand under the lights; they were about learning how closeness reshapes views, how understanding deepens when you share moments.
Sayaka chuckled again, tilting her head. "Anyways you're late, Eadlyn." , trying to move out of initial tension, but oh boy only would it backfire.
Snapping back to reality, he coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment. Then, with a smirk, he replied, "Well technically I'm early, but you came even earlier. Is there a reason you're waiting for me so long? Or maybe… you were looking forward to it so much that you couldn't wait?"
Sayaka was speechless—the cards had been reversed. She looked away, hiding her flustered expression, and then both of them laughed. They knew the truth: they were equally excited for the festival.
What they didn't know was that they were being observed. From the shadows, Eadlyn's group—Rin, Manami, and Ken—watched. Manami and Rin giggled, whispering mischievous plans to tease Eadlyn later at school. Ken, however, was stunned. His best friend was going to the festival with the school's model student. He knew this would surely stir trouble in the days ahead.
The train arrived, and Eadlyn and Sayaka stood side by side, as all the seats were filled. Just like in a manga scene, the train jerked suddenly, and Sayaka stumbled. Eadlyn's reflexes were sharp—he caught her with ease, holding her hand firmly near him so she wouldn't lose balance again. Sayaka's cheeks flushed red, her composure cracking for just a moment.
When they reached the station, Eadlyn didn't let go. Through the bustling crowd, he guided her forward, his hand steady around hers. Sayaka followed, her eyes fixed on his broad back. She was happy for his kind gesture, but inside she burned with shyness. He had been holding her hand for so long, and she couldn't deny how it made her feel.
The festival spread out before them in a blaze of color and sound. Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, stalls lined the streets with sizzling food and cheerful vendors, and laughter echoed everywhere. The stress of their camping trip seemed to melt away in this atmosphere.
They wandered together, stopping at stalls to try takoyaki and candied apples. Sayaka teased Eadlyn when he burned his tongue on hot food, and he retaliated by winning her a small prize at a shooting game stall. The simple joys of the festival—sharing food, playing games, walking side by side—felt like a release, a reminder that life wasn't only about challenges but also about moments of ease.
As they reached the riverbank, fireworks began to light up the sky. Sayaka's eyes reflected the bursts of color, and Eadlyn found himself watching her more than the fireworks. For him, this wasn't just about romance—it was about understanding how spending time with someone could change perspectives, how closeness revealed sides of people you couldn't see in classrooms or casual chats.
Behind them, Rin and Manami whispered again, plotting playful ways to tease Eadlyn later. Ken remained quiet, his gaze thoughtful. He knew this night would ripple through their school lives, but for now, he let his friend enjoy the moment.
The festival continued, lanterns glowing, laughter rising, and for Eadlyn and Sayaka, the night became a memory they would carry long after the summer ended.