Lanterns, Laughter, and Unspoken Words Pt 1

Hiroshi arrived near the festival grounds, the scent of sizzling food filling the air as he passed by various stalls. Before heading in, he stopped by a small stand and picked up some fast food for his mother, knowing she hadn't packed anything to eat. With the bag in hand, he went to the charging station to park his scooter, ensuring it was safely stored away. The festival was already bustling with excitement, and the energy in the air made him quicken his pace.

As he entered the beachside festival, he was met with the sight of vibrant decorations, lanterns swaying gently in the ocean breeze, and the sounds of cheerful chatter mixed with upbeat music. Even though the festival had only just begun, the area was already packed with people. The sheer size of the crowd made him feel slightly nervous; being around so many people wasn't something he was used to. Still, he took a deep breath and focused on finding his mother's stall. Scanning the area, his eyes finally landed on his mother's stand, where she and her colleagues were busy preparing and serving food. Relief washed over him as he walked behind the stand and entered the work area. His mother barely noticed him at first, too focused on the line of customers, but when he called out to her, she turned around, surprised.

"Hey, Mom," Hiroshi said, holding up the bag of food. "I brought you something to eat since you didn't pack anything."

His mother's face softened into a warm smile. She wiped her hands on her apron before pulling him into a brief hug. "You came all this way just for that?" she asked, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, sweetheart." He shrugged, slightly embarrassed. "It's no big deal." She chuckled as she took the food from him. "Are you planning to stay at the festival or heading home?" Hiroshi shook his head. "No, I actually have a friend I'm meeting up with."

His mother raised an eyebrow, her expression turning playful. "Oh? I didn't know you had a new friend." Her teasing tone made him wary. "Is it a girl?" Hiroshi immediately turned red. "It's not like that! We're just hanging out." His mother laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction.

"Alright, alright. I won't pry. Thank you again for bringing me food. I'll be here working, so if you need anything, just come back. I'll be done when the festival wraps up." He exhaled, calming down, and smiled. "Got it. See you later, Mom."

After another quick hug, Hiroshi left the stand and began wandering through the festival. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the sound of laughter and excited voices. He took a quick detour to the restroom before heading toward the beach. As he stepped onto the soft sand, he let out a sigh and sat down, watching the waves roll in. As he sat there, he found himself lost in thought. He realized how much had changed since Mizuki had asked him to hang out that day. He had started dressing better, taking more care of his appearance, and even stepping out of his comfort zone. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but was it a good change? He wasn't sure.

Then, his mother's teasing words echoed in his head. His face heated up again. "It's not like that," he muttered to himself, kicking at the sand in frustration. He shook his head, trying to push the thought away, and got up, dusting the sand off his clothes. Checking his phone, he noticed it was already the afternoon—the peak hour of the festival. The crowd had grown even thicker, making it harder to navigate through the lively streets. As he weaved through the people, he felt his nerves creeping back in. He wasn't used to being in such a social setting, but he pushed forward, searching for a quieter place to wait. He eventually found an empty bench and took a seat, letting himself relax.

As he sat there, he started wondering when Mizuki would arrive. A small worry nagged at him: what if she wasn't coming? He shook his head, dismissing the thought. She wouldn't just ditch him, right? He waited a little longer before deciding to get up and walk around again. Then, finally, he spotted her. Mizuki was walking through the festival with her grandmother beside her. Relief and a hint of nervousness washed over him as he approached them. When he got close enough, he smiled politely and gave a small bow.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm a friend of Mizuki," he greeted Mizuki's grandmother, his tone respectful.

Mizuki's eyes widened slightly, and she stared at him, looking a little flustered. Hiroshi, however, kept his focus on her grandmother, who studied him with a kind, amused expression.

"Oh, so you're a friend of Mizuki's?" her grandmother said, her voice warm. "You must be that boy she talks about all the time."

Mizuki immediately stiffened, her face turning red. "G-Grandma!" she cut in, clearly flustered.

Hiroshi blinked in surprise, glancing at Mizuki. Then, slowly, a small, amused smile appeared on his face. Maybe tonight would be interesting after all.