Aiko’s Exhibition (115)

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city as Haruto walked toward the art exhibition hall. Aiko had been preparing for this moment for months, pouring her heart and soul into her artwork. Tonight was the night it would finally be displayed for the world—or at least their school—to see.

Haruto adjusted the strap of his bag, feeling an odd mix of excitement and nervousness. He knew how much this meant to Aiko. She had spent late nights working on her piece, often getting lost in the details, and he had seen firsthand how much effort she had put into it.

When he arrived at the exhibition hall, the place was already filled with students, teachers, and parents. The walls were lined with vibrant paintings, intricate sketches, and sculptures that reflected the talent of their school's art students. A soft hum of conversation filled the space as people admired the work on display.

Haruto's eyes immediately scanned the room for Aiko. It didn't take long to spot her—she stood near her painting, speaking with one of the teachers, her eyes sparkling with nervous excitement.

She looked beautiful, dressed in a simple yet elegant white blouse and a navy-blue skirt. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, a few strands framing her face.

Haruto felt a warm sense of pride swell in his chest. This was her moment.

As if sensing his gaze, Aiko turned and met his eyes. A bright smile spread across her face, and she excused herself from the conversation to rush over to him.

"You made it!" she said, slightly breathless.

"Of course I did," Haruto replied with a smile. "I wouldn't miss this for anything."

Aiko's face flushed with happiness. "Come on, I want to show you my painting!"

She grabbed his hand and led him toward her display. Haruto's breath hitched when he saw it.

The painting was breathtaking.

It depicted a serene evening under a cherry blossom tree, where two figures—clearly meant to represent them—sat side by side. The colors blended seamlessly, creating a dreamy atmosphere. The night sky above was filled with soft, glowing stars, giving the piece a magical touch.

Haruto stared at it, speechless.

"It's…" he started but couldn't find the right words.

Aiko bit her lip. "Do you like it?"

Haruto turned to her, his eyes filled with admiration. "Like it? Aiko, it's incredible. It feels so… real. Like I can step into it."

Aiko let out a small laugh, a mixture of relief and happiness washing over her. "I was inspired by that night—the night we watched the meteor shower together."

Haruto felt a wave of emotions hit him. He remembered that night vividly. It was when they had held hands for the first time, when their feelings had finally started to take shape in an unspoken way.

"You remembered," he said softly.

Aiko nodded. "How could I forget?"

Haruto looked at the painting again, then back at Aiko. "You're amazing."

Aiko giggled, nudging him lightly. "You're just biased."

"Maybe," he admitted, "but I mean it."

They stood there for a moment, taking in the painting together.

Just then, a couple of students from their class walked by.

"Wow, Aiko! This is seriously beautiful," one of them said.

Another nodded. "You're definitely going to get into art school with talent like this."

Aiko blushed at the praise. "Thank you."

Haruto could see how much their words meant to her. She had always been modest about her skills, but tonight, she was finally getting the recognition she deserved.

The teacher who had been speaking with Aiko earlier approached them. "Aiko, your work has been one of the most talked-about pieces tonight. The judges are quite impressed."

Aiko's eyes widened. "R-Really?"

The teacher nodded with a warm smile. "If you keep this up, you'll have a bright future ahead of you in the art world."

Aiko turned to Haruto, her expression a mix of excitement and disbelief. He smiled at her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "See? I told you."

She smiled back, squeezing his hand in return.

As the exhibition continued, Aiko introduced Haruto to a few of her fellow art students. He could see how much she belonged in this world, surrounded by people who shared her passion.

After a while, they stepped outside for some fresh air. The evening breeze was cool against their skin as they sat on a bench near the exhibition hall.

Aiko let out a deep breath, leaning back. "Tonight was… amazing."

Haruto nodded. "It really was."

She turned to him, her expression soft. "Thank you for being here."

Haruto chuckled. "I told you, I wouldn't miss it."

Aiko hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You know… when I was working on that painting, I kept thinking about us. About how much things have changed since we met."

Haruto listened intently.

"I used to think that dreams were something far away, something uncertain," she continued. "But being with you… it makes me believe that they're possible. That I can actually reach them."

Haruto felt his heart tighten.

"Aiko…"

She smiled at him, her eyes shining. "So, let's keep chasing our dreams together, okay?"

Haruto smiled back, warmth filling his chest. "Yeah. Let's do that."

As they sat there under the stars, Haruto knew one thing for certain—no matter where the future took them, he would always be her biggest supporter, just like she was his.