Chapter 24 – The Yukata golden Hour

I sit on the floor of our room, staring at the note like it might explode.

“Let’s take a photo together later, okay?”

I’ve read it so many times it’s now stuck in my eyes like an afterimage.

Across from me, Daiki is trying to get the TV remote to work while also unzipping a bag full of suspicious snacks.

“Dude,” he says without looking. “You’ve been holding that paper for five minutes. Are you writing a reply in your head?”

“Yes.”

He nods like he understands. “Make sure you fold it into a heart. Girls love that.”

“Shut up.”

Kenta bursts into the room like a tornado in sharknado. “OKAY, GUYS. IT’S LOVE CHARM TIME.”

“Nuh uh,” Daiki says instantly.

“Yuh uh,” Kenta says, holding up a map he clearly printed off the internet. “The shop is exactly 350 meters northeast of this very room.”

“You measured?”

“I Google Mapped it.”

Daiki looks at me. “You coming?”

I shake my head. “I think I’ll stay.”

Daiki gives me a look, The kind that says : You better not be planning to daydream about her.

He’s right.

But I'll do it anyway.

I walk the quiet hallway alone, shoes off, the tatami mats soft beneath my feet.

There’s something strange about this place, It smells like old wood and warm tea,
The kind of smell that makes you feel both calm and very, very exposed.

I pass the courtyard windows, and there she is.

Airi.

Sitting outside on the edge of the engawa (an edging strip of non tatami matted flooring)
in her school issued yukata, Hair tied loosely, Phone in her lap.

She looks like a scene out of a film,

She notices me and smiles, gentle and warm.

“There you are,” she says,

“I thought you were out with the others.”

“I was, Then I came back to get something from my room.”

She pats the space beside her.

My legs betray me.

I sit down next to her.

For a while, we don’t say anything.
The sky’s turning soft and gold, Wind brushing through the garden trees.

She looks at me. “Are you having fun?”

“I think so, I’m just… processing.”

“Processing?”

“You’re being very… Usagi?”

She laughs.

“I like being Usagi,” she says. “Especially around you.”

I think, I just forgot how to breathe.

the secret group chat now titled “Dumb, Dumber, and Daiki” for some reason.

Kenta:
I repeat, They are ALONE. OUTSIDE. SITTING. TOGETHER. This is not a drill.

Daiki:
He sat down voluntarily??? Without fleeing????

Mika:
We’ve entered unknown territory.
This is now a romance anime, We’re background characters now.

Kenta:
Do we think they’re holding hands yet?

Daiki:
I bet say she gives him something cute, Like a snack or a charm. Mika?

Mika:
I say she leans on him again, She’s definitely a leaner.

Kenta:
I say BOTH.
This arc is called “Love Confession at Golden Hour.”

Daiki:
Guys…

Daiki:
…what if this is the part where Yuuji finally realizes he’s in love?

Kenta:
He’s going to explode like a broken rice cooker.

Mika:
😭 Our little idiot is growing up…

Back to Yuuji and Airi,
Airi reaches into her sleeve and pulls out a small charm.

It’s red, tied with gold string.

“I bought this,” she says. “It’s for good luck.”

“Oh, For the trip?”

She shakes her head.

“For you.”

“…What?”

She holds it out. “You always act like things surprise you, So here... this one’s on purpose.”

I take it, Her fingers brush mine.

It’s warm.

“I’ll keep it,” I say, voice barely above a whisper.

“You better.”

She looks at the sky and sighs. “It’s almost dinner time.”

“Yeah.”

We don’t move.

She leans her head against my shoulder again.

No jokes.

No teasing.

Just soft silence and warmth.

And I think:
If this is a trap… I don’t want to escape.

Airi Status : Achieved “Peaceful Mode,” Highly Dangerous.
Charm Received : Yes. Panic level rising.
Kenta : Last seen running toward the shop yelling about snacks and destiny.
Daiki : Probably spying on me.
Emotional Status : Fluffy,warm and cozy.
Conclusion : If she gives me one more thoughtful gift, I’m going to legally change my last name to Fujimoto.

Group Chat : Dumb, Dumber, and Daiki
(Kenta, Daiki, Mika)

Kenta:
Operation : Get Yuuji and Airi to Share a Futon is a GO.

Mika:
WHAT?! Nobody said anything about sharing a futon!! That’s way too fast for Chapter 2 of the trip!!!

Daiki:
Calm down, We’re not forcing anything.
We’re just letting the universe work through our subtle manipulations 😌

Kenta:
Subtle = “accidentally” switching room assignments until they land together.

Mika:
You guys are literally evil.
…Also I have notes on what snacks to bribe Airi with if we need her cooperation.

Kenta:
That's S tier supporter right there.
Also, did anyone else see the way she looked at him when he tripped over his own luggage?? 👀👀👀

Daiki:
Love at second concussion.

Mika:
STOP I’M IN PUBLIC I CAN’T BE LAUGHING LIKE THIS