The festival was nearing its end.
The once chaotic school grounds had begun to calm, though laughter and music still lingered in the air like a fading echo. The sky above had turned a deep shade of orange, slowly dissolving into twilight.
Inside the classroom café—
"…Last order!" someone called out.
A few remaining customers finished their drinks, chatting lazily. The rush that once overwhelmed everyone had finally settled.
Ren placed a tray down on the counter and exhaled quietly.
"…It's over."
Yuto stretched dramatically.
"WE SURVIVED!"
A few students laughed.
"Barely."
"My legs are dead…"
Ren leaned slightly against the counter, his expression calm—but his body noticeably tired.
Hina noticed.
Of course she did.
"…You look exhausted."
"I'm fine."
"You've said that all day."
"…And I meant it."
"…You're bad at lying."
Ren let out a faint breath.
"…Maybe."
There was a brief silence between them.
Then—
"Alright everyone!" the class rep clapped loudly. "Clean-up time!"
Groans filled the room again.
But this time—
They felt lighter.
Accomplished.
---
The clean-up didn't take long.
Everyone worked together, faster than expected, fueled by the satisfaction of a successful day.
Tables were moved back.
Decorations taken down.
Leftover food packed away.
And slowly—
The classroom returned to normal.
"…It feels empty now," Yuto said.
"…Yeah," someone replied.
"…Kinda sad."
Ren looked around.
The same room.
The same walls.
Yet—
It felt different.
Like something had happened here.
Something real.
---
"Hey, we're all heading to the courtyard!" Yuto said. "There's gonna be a small closing event!"
Cheers followed.
"Let's go!"
"Fireworks, maybe?"
Students rushed out again, excitement returning.
Yuto grabbed Ren's arm.
"Come on!"
Ren hesitated.
Then glanced at Hina.
She was gathering the last few things.
"…You go," she said without looking at him.
"…You're not coming?"
"I'll finish this."
"…I'll help."
"…No."
She finally looked at him.
"…You should enjoy it."
Ren paused.
"…It's not the same without you."
The words slipped out naturally.
Without hesitation.
Hina froze for a second.
Then—
"…Idiot."
But her voice was softer.
"…Go. I'll catch up."
Ren studied her face for a moment.
Then—
"…Alright."
---
The courtyard was glowing.
Lights hung across trees, creating a warm atmosphere. Students gathered in groups, laughter echoing softly.
A small stage had been set up.
Music played.
It felt like the end of something special.
Ren stood slightly away from the crowd.
Watching.
Observing.
"…Not enjoying it?"
He turned.
Yuto.
"…It's nice."
"But?"
"…I think I prefer quieter moments."
Yuto smirked.
"…With Hina?"
Ren didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
"Man… you're gone."
"…What does that mean?"
"You like her."
Silence.
Ren looked toward the entrance.
Still no sign of her.
"…Maybe."
Yuto laughed softly.
"Not 'maybe.' Definitely."
---
Back in the classroom—
Hina finally finished.
She stood still for a moment.
Looking around.
Empty.
Quiet.
"…We did well."
She picked up her bag.
Then walked out.
---
As she approached the courtyard—
She stopped.
From a distance—
She saw him.
Ren.
Surrounded.
Girls laughing.
Talking.
Trying to get his attention.
And him—
Calm.
Polite.
Unbothered.
But still—
There.
In the center.
Hina's grip on her bag tightened slightly.
"…Of course."
She turned away.
Not wanting to go closer.
Not wanting to feel—
Whatever that was.
---
"…Hina!"
She stopped.
Ren.
Running toward her.
"…You didn't come."
"…I was busy."
"…It's over now."
"…I can see that."
A pause.
"…Why didn't you join?"
"…I didn't feel like it."
Ren studied her face.
"…You're lying again."
"…I'm not."
"…You are."
She looked away.
"…Why do you care?"
The question hit harder than expected.
Ren stepped closer.
"…Because I do."
Silence.
Hina's expression shifted.
Slightly.
"…You're popular," she said quietly.
"…That doesn't matter."
"It does."
"…Why?"
She hesitated.
Then—
"…Because people like you don't stay."
Ren frowned.
"…You said that before."
"…And I meant it."
She looked at him.
For once—
Her guard wasn't fully up.
"…You'll leave," she continued softly.
"…You'll go back to wherever you came from."
"…And everything here will just be…"
She stopped.
Unable to finish.
Ren's chest tightened.
"…That's not decided yet."
"…It is."
"…You don't know that."
"…I do."
Silence stretched between them.
The sounds of the festival felt distant now.
Like they didn't belong in this moment.
---
"…Then tell me not to leave."
Hina froze.
"…What?"
Ren stepped closer.
Close enough that his voice lowered.
"…Tell me to stay."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"…I can't."
"…Why?"
"…Because—"
She looked down.
Her hands clenched slightly.
"…I don't have the right to."
Ren's voice softened.
"…Who said that?"
"…I did."
"…Then you're wrong."
She looked up.
Their eyes met.
And this time—
Neither looked away.
---
The world around them faded again.
Just like before.
But stronger.
Deeper.
"…Hina."
Her name felt different when he said it.
"…What?" she whispered.
"…If I stay…"
He paused.
Choosing his words.
"…Will you be there?"
Her breath caught.
"…That's not fair."
"…Why?"
"…Because you're making it sound like it's my choice."
"…It is."
Silence.
Her heart was racing now.
Faster.
Louder.
"…You're selfish," she said softly.
"…Maybe."
"…And annoying."
"…You've said that too."
"…And…"
She hesitated.
Her voice dropped even further.
"…I don't hate it."
Ren's expression softened.
"…Good."
---
A sudden burst of light filled the sky.
Fireworks.
The crowd cheered.
"WOAH!"
"Look at that!"
Colors exploded above them.
Bright.
Beautiful.
For a moment—
Neither of them looked up.
They were too focused—
On each other.
---
"…Ren."
"…Yeah?"
"…Why me?"
The question was quiet.
Honest.
Real.
"…You could talk to anyone."
"…Be with anyone."
"…So why…"
She couldn't finish again.
Ren didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He took a small step closer.
Closing the distance.
"…Because you don't look at me the same way others do."
Hina's eyes widened slightly.
"…You argue with me."
"…You ignore me."
"…You treat me normally."
A faint smile appeared.
"…It's refreshing."
Her heart skipped.
"…That's a weird reason."
"…Maybe."
"…But…"
She looked at him.
Really looked this time.
"…I understand."
---
The fireworks continued above them.
Lighting up the night.
But neither noticed.
Not anymore.
---
"…Ren."
"…Yeah?"
"…If you leave…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"…Don't disappear without saying anything."
He felt that.
Deeply.
"…I won't."
"…Promise?"
"…Promise."
A small silence followed.
Then—
"…Good."
---
For a moment—
Everything felt still.
Perfect.
Like time had paused just for them.
---
Ren slowly raised his hand.
Almost instinctively.
As if—
He wanted to reach for her.
To close the final distance.
To say something more.
Something real.
Something dangerous.
Hina didn't move.
Didn't step back.
Didn't stop him.
Her eyes stayed on his.
Waiting.
---
But—
A voice interrupted.
"REN!"
They both turned.
Yuto.
Running toward them.
"…You disappeared!" he said, slightly out of breath.
The moment—
Shattered.
Just like that.
---
Ren lowered his hand.
Hina looked away.
The distance returned.
But the feeling—
Didn't.
---
"…They're starting the final event," Yuto said. "Come on!"
Ren nodded slightly.
"…We're coming."
Yuto ran ahead again.
Leaving them alone—
One last time.
---
"…We should go," Hina said quietly.
"…Yeah."
They walked side by side.
Not speaking.
But not distant either.
Something had changed.
Something neither of them could deny anymore.
---
As they reached the crowd—
Hina glanced at him.
"…Ren."
"…Yeah?"
"…Stay."
Just one word.
But it meant everything.
Ren smiled softly.
"…I will."
---
And under the fading fireworks—
For the first time—
It didn't feel like a lie.
---
End of Chapter 8
---