Our Reflection (Part. 1)

Friday.

February 14th.

"I love you! Would you go to the festival with me?!"
In front of me stood an upperclassman, holding out a small bouquet of flowers. His face was flushed red as he bowed, arms extended, clearly nervous. I stood frozen in shock.

It wasn’t exactly a romantic setting, just the school hallway. Kira and Oberon stood off to the side, originally just as shocked as I was...before they nearly burst into laughter.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I like someone else."

He slowly raised his head, disappointment etched across his face. Before I could really get a good look, he wiped his eyes.

"I understand. Thank you for hearing me out," he said, staring down at the floor. "Here, at least take these. Maybe...give them to the one you like."

Before I could respond, he pressed the flowers into my hands, turned, and walked off, his friends moving in to console him.

I feel like a villain.

Of course, I wasn’t. I’m sure he knew rejection was a possibility, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Honestly, I have to admire his courage, especially doing it in public.

"The festival’s got people acting all romantic," Kira said as we started walking down the hall.

"Valentine’s Day has everyone in a chokehold. I doubt anyone's learning anything today," I replied, shrugging.

"Which means the festival’s going to be even dreamier," Oberon added cheerfully.

"You two going together?" I asked.

"Probably. It’s not like we have dates, so we might as well hang out," Kira replied. "Did you tell Anon about the festival yet, or…?"

I paused to think. Parallel universes tend to reverse things. Does that mean there's no festival in his world? Or is that too mundane to matter?

"Somehow...I feel like he already knows."

"Girl, you're always so cryptic," Oberon said with a laugh.

I chuckled, glancing down at the bouquet.

"It feels rude to toss these, but I don’t know what to do with them."

"And it’s not like you can carry them around all day," Kira added. "Just stash them somewhere for now. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get the chance to use them like he wanted."

I was still staring at the flowers when Oberon plucked one from the bunch.

"I need something to gnaw on," he said, sticking the stem in his mouth like a cigar.

"You’re lucky they’re clean," Kira muttered with a grimace.

We passed by the teachers’ lounge, where I handed the flowers off to my dad. I gave him a quick explanation, too quick, probably, and slipped out before he could process it.

Later, in homeroom, Kira and Oberon were already waiting. Oberon still had the flower in his mouth like some smug anime villain. As I suspected, the rest of the day was a mix of idle chatter and whispers about the festival.

Excitement buzzed in the air. Couples were everywhere. Even the teachers had dialed things back, letting the vibe drift until the final bell rang.

"When are you guys coming back to school grounds?" Kira asked.

"Probably right when it starts. It’s a short walk," I answered.

"Same here. I’ll squeeze in a nap before I check on you," she said.

"‘Check on me’?" I echoed.

"I’m staying to help set up some last-minute stuff. Don’t worry about me, though, I expect you to show up looking your best."

She grinned, giving me a playful shove before waving goodbye. Oberon and I parted ways with her at the gate.

"You have a yukata?" Oberon asked.

"Not mine, but I think my mom’s got a few tucked away. I just hope it fits, I’ve gotten taller."

"What about you? Guys don’t usually wear them, but hey, it’s the 20th century."

He thought for a moment, then smirked. "I’ve got one. Black and red. I might just rock it tonight."

"Then it sounds like we’re in for a night of fun."

"I’ll start getting ready ten minutes before. I’m already beautiful," he joked.

"Boys," I scoffed, laughing.

We went our separate ways.

The moment I hit my bed, I passed out for half an hour. When I woke, I started prepping.

Well, that’s a lie. I got ready quickly, there’s not much to apply, and ended up doom-scrolling on my phone until it was time to go.

I headed back to the school.

It sounds weird to say I was excited to return to school, but something about the idea of a magical night unfolding therefelt oddly perfect.

By the time I arrived, the sky was dimming, shadows stretching longer. I spotted Oberon in his yukata and Kira... still in her school uniform.

"You didn’t change?" I asked.

She scratched her head sheepishly. "Never got the chance."

"You don’t have a yukata at all?"

She shook her head. Before I could think of a solution, Oberon pulled a folded yukata from...his own.

"How did y—"

"Don’t ask questions. I got Kira one. Now we’re all snazzy."

Deciding not to question it, I took it from him and dragged Kira to the girls' locker room. I waited outside the stalls, checking myself out in the bathroom mirror.

"Don’t I look cute?" I murmured, smiling to myself.

Kira stepped out in a white and gold yukata.

"How do I look?" she asked nervously.

I stared for a moment, then squealed.

"You look adorable!" I hugged her tightly, her face turning redder with every second as she darted her eyes around the bustling bathroom.

"I-I get it!" she stammered, cheeks burning.

We met up with Oberon again, who gave an approving nod.

"You know, we helped set all this up," he said as we headed outside, "but I still don’t really know what we built."

"Same," I admitted. "We worked on decorations more than anything."

When we stepped onto the field, we were met with a sight straight out of a dream.

It was clearly running on a school budget,just the soccer field, but the lighting, the small booths, the handmade touches...it all came together beautifully.

Food stalls, games, laughter,it felt like a real festival.

"What do we do first?" I asked, grabbing both their hands.

We wandered from booth to booth, trying everything we could. I spent most of my money on food but had zero regrets.

"It was worth it," I said between bites.

Even if we didn’t buy anything at some stalls, we still stopped by them all. Later in the night, we found a bench a little ways from the crowd. Still within view, but quieter.

"I’m so full," I groaned, laying my head in Kira’s lap while Oberon perched on the backrest.

"That’s what you get for eating everything," she said.

"But it was so good..."

"She’s got a point," Oberon added, chewing something grilled.

As the breeze washed over us, my stomach let out a traitorous gurgle.

"Oh no." I jumped to my feet. "Be right back!"

They got the idea. I made a dash for the restroom.

After finishing up, I stepped out, only to find her waiting.

Viveka.

A heavy silence fell.

I tried to walk past her.

"I’ve made my decision," she said quietly, staring at the floor.

"What is it?"

"One of us can’t be here anymore."

Her voice was soft, but it struck like a whip in the wind.

"Two devils whisper in your ear, and this is what you decide? Am I that hard to bear?" I asked.

"I know they’re watching from the sidelines. I don’t know their plan, or why they picked me, but there’s one thing I do know..."

She stepped forward. I stepped back, until my back hit the wall.

"My mind isn’t my own. And I don’t care what happens anymore."

Her arms hung limp, eyes dull.

"I know I said we’d end this last time...but it looks like we’re due for one final talk. Just us girls."

Our eyes locked.

"I almost thought the universe would bend in the name of love," I murmured, relaxing my shoulders. "But I don’t mind ending my Valentine’s night with you."

She paused. Just briefly.

"Do you see what I see?" I asked.

She tilted her head slightly.

"Our reflection."

The moonlight hit the window just right, casting our shadows side by side on the floor.

"Back when we were friends."