Suki

The fireworks continued, yet the sound barely compared to the thumping of my heart.

Another minute of this and I’m going to need to take a seat…

I steeled my willpower as I waited for Sato’s response.

“Y-you really do?”

Her question floated around in my mind. How do I put it before my brain shuts down…

I took a step forward. “Sato-san…I love the way you put your all into your projects, how you’re captivated by things, how your energy radiates to the entire group, how you get flustered by little mishaps…” For sure, my brain had short-circuited, but this was coming from the heart.

“And…” I chuckled. “Even when I’m grumpy or siking myself out, you always find a way to put a smile on my face–”

She rushed forward, arms outstretched, as she collided with me. I staggered back from the impact, this time my balance finally dissipating. We tumbled to the ground below, her arms still around my back, the warmth spreading to my cheeks even further.

“Iwasaki-kun… I love you too. I can’t…” Tears flowed down her cheeks as I was stunned in place. “You don’t know how happy this makes me feel…”

Those words sent my heart into overdrive, as I was hanging on by a thread before my brain overheated into mush.

“You do too?”

“Yes, yes,” she managed between breaths. “For a while… head over heels, you could say.”

My cheeks burned at her admission. Her arms tightened around my waist as she buried her face into my shoulder. Sato!?

“Sorry, I’m just…so happy, give me a moment.”

After a few more moments where the only sounds were the fireworks and our breathing, I decided to speak first. “Let’s keep watching the fireworks… a little hard to see from down on the ground.”

She burst out laughing, rubbing her hands on her cheeks. “I may have a solution for that.” She retrieved a small pouch from her purse. “A very compact blanket.”

We sat now on the light but comfortable blanket, viewing the display of wonder above us.

“Iwasaki-kun,” her voice was quiet, a marked difference from her usual volume. “So…we’re…”

“…I think so…”

She looked at me and narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t finish!”

I blinked. “Sorry, I thought you were going to say going out.”

“Yeah…I was…”

“Have you ever...”

“No...”

“Me neither…”

This is the most awkward conversation on the planet right now. Like, should I ask her how the weather is to see how far this goes??

But as we looked at each other and realized how ridiculous this conversation had gotten, our laughs filled the air, and the tension dissipated.

“Anyways, what I said earlier, about your dream,” I continued, taking another deep breath. “I mean it when I say you’ve got what it takes, and I’ll help you get there.”

She smiled, her cheeks as pink as mine. “I’ll take all the help I can get.” She looked up as the next set of fireworks lit the night sky. “And with you here, I feel like I can take it all on.”

Several minutes of blissfully watching the showcase passed when a thought seemed to pop into her mind. “Elise and Chloe…they’re probably wondering what happened to us.”

I nodded. “Yeah, maybe if we grouped back together or at least let them know we’re okay.”

“Sure,” she giggled. “I’ll let them know in the group chat.” With that, she sent our location with a little direction on how to get up to this point. As the others signalled they were on their way, we continued watching above. Suddenly, I felt a warmth radiate around my arm as Sato leaned in and wrapped her arms around it.

“S-Sato-san?”

“Hm?” she asked playfully. “We’re going out now, but I’ll let go right before they get here.”

I sighed. “At this rate, how long until they figure it out?”

“Eventually, but right now this is our little secret,” she grinned, sending a wave of emotional fluff into my soul. Critical hit!

After what seemed like an eternity, yet still felt too short, she released my arm and got up, waving to attract our two floormates to our small enclave.

“Yo,” I waved, as the three of them joined in a picnic where our eyes dined on the delightful bursts of colors from the heavens.

“This is a great viewing spot, glad you two found it!” Watson chirped.

“I’m happy I get to sit,” Lafon nodded, holding up the goldfish. “Isn’t that right, Madeleine?”

“You named your goldfish already?” I asked, turning to her.

“After a dessert, no less,” Watson giggled. Right, madeleines are also desserts.

Fishes and desserts… “That reminds me, we haven’t tried taiyaki yet.”

“Taiyaki?”

“They’re fish-shaped cakes with sweet fillings,” I nodded. “We should get

“Fish-shaped…desserts,” Lafon’s eyes glazed over. “I’m sorry, Madeleine… it’s not you…” What kind of logic is that!?

We laughed as the show continued, eventually reaching a grand finale almost an hour after it started. In those last few moments, I stole a glance at Sato, mesmerized by the sight. She also looked my way at the end, and as she beamed that smile of hers, I couldn’t help but smile back.

***

Walking back to the train station, Sato had bounced ahead to the restroom, with Watson in tow. As Lafon and I stood outside to wait for them, she quickly sighed.

“Iwasaki, how’d you enjoy the night?”

“Good, fireworks were amazing, and the festival overall was great. How about you?”

“The food was excellent, I have Madeline now, and the fireworks were beautiful.” Lafon let out the smallest of giggles. “Serina seemed very happy after the fireworks show. Something happened while we were gone?”

My eyes snapped to hers as her question shocked my system. “The fireworks display, she quite enjoyed it–”

She smirked. “Don’t play coy with me, Iwasaki. I had a feeling something was going on during the show. Plus, I remember Emilia telling me how these events are quite popular for…romantic moments.”

Nothing gets past Lafon… Has it even been an hour since?

“Besides, I've noticed Serina would get flustered around you for a while now." 

“What? Since when?”

She lowered her voice. “Since the live concert.”

That was almost three months ago!

“Her face was red as a tomato then…but you didn’t hear it from me.” She leaned against the wall.

In the face of such embarrassment, my mind kicked into defensive mode. “So, guess it’s your turn then with Wagner-san.”

Her face flushed, a rare appearance. “You’re one to talk all of a sudden.”

“Well, you started it!”

Before the conversation devolved further, Sato and Watson reappeared from the restroom. “We’re back! What’d we miss?”

“How delicious the taiyaki were.” Lafon’s eyes sparkled as she said taiyaki, and I was worried we would make a U-turn back to get more.

But, with our group’s collective exhaustion, we guided Lafon to the station and onto the train with no deviation.

The dorm was once again in our sights, and even on days when the elevator was broken or the laundry room was under repair, it had a sense of home and comfort. But please, elevator, do not break down again. We’ve walked so much already today, and we live on the seventh floor!

“Well, your birthday’s coming up right? July 7th!” Sato grinned as the rest of the group nodded in unison.

My birthday…

“It’s a weekday, so we have classes,” I shrugged.

“You better not have scheduled a shift on that day,” Sato stared at me, a pout forming.

I scoffed. “I’m not that much of a workaholic. Of course I took that day off.” The three of them quietly celebrated this statement.

“Then it’s settled, Mr. Birthday Boy, what’s your plan?”

My thoughts drifted to what a birthday party I’d want. Not a giant party, and for a weekday too…

“Something simple. The four of us get dinner, and…karaoke?”

***

That night, I was finally getting ready for bed. That was…a very, very eventful day.

My phone buzzed and I checked what Sato had messaged me.

Sato: Thanks for today! I was so so so happy!

Me too, btw more festivals are coming up, with bigger fireworks too: Ryuuto

Sato: Even more!? I’m excited! But for now I’m pooped, good night!

Good night: Ryuuto

I placed my phone down for a moment before another text appeared.

Sato: love you <3

Sato!?!? How can I go to sleep after you text this?!?

I stared at the screen for a few moments, my thumbs fidgeting before I replied. Love you too.

A few seconds later, I could make out a soft thud from the other side of the wall, and the faintest of squeals.