Preparing for Heart

The classroom was filled with laughter and chatter, with the excitement of the last day before summer vacation hanging in the air. Naomi was in her seat, deep in thought as she nervously adjusted her glasses, preparing for school dismissal. However, everything changed in a matter of seconds when Makoto, with his usual annoying attitude, decided to play his part.

-Hey, Naomi! -shouted Makoto from the back of the room as she approached. How about a little playtime?

Before Naomi could react, Makoto yanked off her glasses, leaving her eyes blinking, unfocused. A sense of vulnerability came over her instantly.

-Makoto, please give them back to me," she asked in a soft voice, trying to hide her discomfort.

Makoto laughed, raising the glasses above her head and twirling them in her fingers as if they were a simple toy.

-You know, Naomi? I always wonder how you can see with these. You should try without them, maybe you'll learn to see the world differently," he teased, as his companions watched in silence, some with nervous smiles and others with obvious discomfort.

Naomi felt a growing pressure in her chest. Without her glasses, the world around her was a blurry blob, and the weight of her classmates' stares was becoming increasingly unbearable. He swallowed saliva, trying to remain calm.

-Makoto, please! -she repeated, with a slight tremor in her voice.

But Makoto only laughed, raising his glasses even higher, until he placed them on top of the lockers at the back of the room. Her gesture, though seemingly insignificant, echoed like an echo of cruel jokes from the past. Naomi took a step forward, unsure, as a shadow moved swiftly in front of her.

-That's enough! -Kotaro's voice cut through the air like a blade.

Before Makoto could react, Kotaro shoved him hard, slamming him into the lockers. The whole room fell silent. No one dared to move, not even to breathe. Kotaro held Makoto by the shirt, his dark, serious eyes fixed on him.

-Don't do that again," Kotaro said in a low, dangerous, but crystal clear tone.

Makoto, frightened, nodded quickly and with trembling hands took Naomi's glasses and gave them back to him, muttering:

-It was just a joke... it was no big deal.

Naomi, shocked by the scene, didn't know what to do or say. She could only look at Kotaro as he let go of Makoto with a dismissive gesture and, without another word, picked up his backpack and left the room. The silence was still heavy. No one expected that reaction from Kotaro, not even Akane, who watched everything with wide eyes. She could barely react, but finally got up to follow Kotaro out of the classroom.

Akane ran after Kotaro, as the sound of their footsteps echoed down the school hallway. The rain pounded against the windows loudly, as if reflecting the tension she felt in her chest. Finally, he caught up with him at the main entrance, just as Kotaro was about to leave.

-Wait! -she exclaimed, almost out of breath, gripping his arm firmly. Kotaro stopped, though he didn't quite turn to look at her.

The silence between them was thick, but Akane couldn't stand it for long.

-What was that, Kotaro? Didn't you say you were going to stay out of it, that you weren't going to get involved in those things? -His voice trembled slightly, a mixture of frustration and disbelief. And now you go and do that, for her!

Kotaro didn't answer. His gaze was still fixed outside, cold and distant, as always. His silence only increased Akane's anger.

-It's because of Naomi, isn't it? -He continued, narrowing his eyes as his voice grew sharper, "Do you like her or what, that's why you reacted like that? -He spat the words as if they were poison, waiting for an answer.

-I don't have to talk about it with you....

Kotaro didn't even bother to turn to look at her. He simply withdrew his arm from Akane's grip and continued walking towards the exit, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.

Akane stood there, frozen for a few seconds, unable to move as her frustration grew.

-Why...? -she muttered to herself, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her skin. Why are you acting like this for her? She's incompetent! A good-for-nothing who excels at nothing. She doesn't understand anything, and yet....

As his words swirled in his mind, the resentment he felt towards Naomi burned stronger. "What does she have that I don't? Why would Kotaro do something like that for someone like her?" Helplessness choked her, and her wounded pride drove her to reject the idea that Kotaro could be interested in Naomi.

-It's not fair... -she whispered, feeling her anger mingle with a strange sense of loss. "It can't be her..... I won't allow it!

Already outside the school, a heavy rain was starting to fall, tinting the air with a sense of melancholy. Naomi and Saori were walking together under an umbrella. Naomi was still upset about what had happened in the classroom, and decided to tell her friend.

-I can't believe what happened today..... Kotaro reacted so... suddenly. Makoto was just teasing me, as usual. -Naomi's voice still sounded confused.

Saori, with her usual energy, interrupted her without hesitation.

-But of course he did! What Makoto did wasn't a joke, it was stupid! Kotaro defended you, that's the important thing. -She smiled as she gave him a gentle punch on the arm with her elbow. Come on, Naomi, that means something. Kotaro's not the type to react for just anyone. He defended you because he cares about you!

-You think so? -Naomi frowned, not entirely convinced. But... I don't know. Maybe he only did it because he was upset with Makoto.

Saori rolled her eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh.

-Please! Don't be so naive. What happened today is a clear sign that he cares about you. And more importantly... -Saori turned to Naomi, with an excited smile, "It's the perfect sign to go ahead with the operation declaration!

Naomi, somewhat puzzled, tried to follow the thread.

-Operation Declaration! -Saori repeated as if it were obvious. Look, you've already invited him to the festival, and the best part is that he accepted! -Saori's eyes sparkled with excitement. That means you have a new opportunity to confess your feelings to him.

Naomi blushed just thinking about it.

-I don't know, Saori... I feel like it's not the right time. Whenever I try to tell her something, I end up losing my courage.

Saori looked at her with determination.

-Look, I'm going to tell you how that day is going to be. You're going to go to the festival together, you're going to walk among the stalls, eat something delicious, chat, and then..." she paused dramatically. -she paused dramatically. When the night comes, the two of you will sit somewhere quiet, watching the fireworks. He'll turn to you, you'll confess your feelings to him, and then you'll kiss under the lights in the sky!

Naomi put her hands to her face, clearly overwhelmed.

-Saori, that sounds like a movie! -she muttered, though a small smile formed on her lips.

Saori let out a cry of excitement, raising her umbrella to the sky.

-Because it is! It's going to be a perfect romantic movie! -she exclaimed, causing some passersby to look at them curiously.

Naomi couldn't help but laugh. As nervous as she felt, Saori's energy always managed to calm her down. Although the fear was still in her chest, the idea of living that moment at the festival made her feel a mixture of anxiety and hope.

-Well... I hope it won't rain that day like today," said Naomi, looking at the gray sky that seemed to reflect her mixed emotions.

-Don't worry," said Saori with a confident smile. Even if it rains, I assure you that everything will be perfect. Trust me!

And, as they walked in the rain towards their homes, Naomi couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, Saori was right.

The days leading up to the festival were a mixture of laughter and nerves for Naomi. Saori spent the afternoons at home, helping her plan the "date" with Kotaro, as excitement grew by leaps and bounds. Despite her nerves, Naomi couldn't help but smile at her friend's infectious energy. Saori was like a hurricane of ideas and enthusiasm, while Eiko, always more restrained, watched with a touch of complicity.

Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. The sun began to descend, leaving the sky tinged with warm colors, while the festival promised lights and joy. Saori, always cheerful, was ready to make Naomi feel amazing. Eiko entered Naomi's room with a package wrapped in fine cloth and a serious, but sweet expression.

-"This was your mother's Yukata, Naomi," she said in a soft voice, extending the package to her. She wore it the last time she went to a festival with your father.

Naomi's heart skipped a beat as she received it. Her fingers trembled as she slid over the soft fabric. The yukata was a pink embellished with delicate white and red flowers that seemed to dance on the fabric. As Eiko spoke, Naomi lost herself in memories of her parents, a knot of nostalgia forming in her chest, but mixed with the anticipation of the evening.

Eiko bowed carefully as she adjusted the obi, the belt that secured Naomi's yukata in place. Her expression was calm, almost motherly, as she slid her hands with precision and firmness, making sure each fold was in the right place.

-The obi should be tight enough to hold, but not make you uncomfortable when you move, - Eiko explained, with a soft smile, as she tied the bow at the back. The fabric of the yukata, reflected the evening light coming through the window, creating a soft glow.

Naomi looked down, her hands clasped in front of her, as she felt each adjustment to the garment envelop her deeper into the memory of her mother.

-You look so beautiful, my Nao- Eiko said, pulling back a little to look at her finished work. Her gaze was warm, but also seemed charged with a shared nostalgia. -And today, they will be with you in some way.

Naomi nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat as her aunt's words echoed in her heart. She felt a mixture of sadness and happiness, as if the weight of memories and the presence of her mother and father were with her at that moment.

As she adjusted her yukata, a burst of energy filled the room as Saori rushed in, with her characteristic enthusiasm.

-Oh please, can you see yourself, you look stunning! - Saori exclaimed, turning Naomi toward the mirror with a gleam of excitement in her eyes.

Naomi looked up, always insecure with her image, she forced her eyes to catch a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror, squinting without her glasses. For a moment, she almost didn't recognize herself. The Yukata made her look like a different person, more mature and elegant. Despite her natural awkwardness, something about her appearance shone through. It fit her perfectly, highlighting her delicate figure and skin tone. Her jet black hair fell softly over her shoulders, framing her face, while the colors of the yukata seemed to give her an aura of serenity.

Saori, with a mischievous smile, took Naomi's glasses and placed them gently on her nose.

-The final touch is missing for you to be the most dazzling Naomi of the night," she said with a comical twinkle in her eye.

Naomi smiled, albeit somewhat uncertainly. She felt that the glasses dulled the image she wanted to project, but the sincerity in Saori's eyes and Eiko's support reassured her.

"Do you really think I look good...?" asked Naomi, sheepishly.

"Are you kidding! You look like a princess out of a fairy tale," said Saori, placing her hands on Naomi's shoulders. "With this, you're not only going to dazzle at the festival, but you're definitely going to steal the heart of a certain mysterious boy."

Eiko let out a soft laugh upon hearing Saori's comment. "Saori is right, Naomi. But the most important thing is that this day is for you. I want you to enjoy it."

Naomi took a deep breath, letting her aunt and friend's words calm the whirlwind of emotions inside her. As she looked at herself once more in the mirror, she felt something inside her grow stronger.

"Thank you...both of you," Naomi said, sketching a smile that, though small, was laden with gratitude. 

-"Really, Naomi, you look beautiful. And I'm not just saying that because you're my friend," Saori added, giving a small dramatic bow, pretending to be blinded by her beauty.

The doorbell rang through the house, interrupting the nervous giggles of the three of them. Eiko and Saori exchanged quick glances, while Naomi felt an electric shock of nervousness run through her body. Kotaro was here.

-It's him! -Saori shouted, as they ran for the door.

Eiko, ever faithful to her role as protective aunt, opened the door with her classic seriousness. In front of her stood Kotaro, dressed in a simple but impeccable suit, his gaze calm as always. Upon seeing Eiko, Kotaro bowed slightly, with much respect, and extended a small gift.

-Good evening, Mrs. Hanazawa. It's a nice gesture for you, for inviting me to your home," said Kotaro politely.

Eiko, who had planned to intimidate the young man, was completely disarmed by his respect and kindness. She took the gift with a small smile and stepped back, giving him space.

-Well, I can't say much in the face of such good behavior? -Eiko muttered, more to herself, with a smile on her lips.

At the entrance to the stairs, Saori, always dramatic and again wearing her sunglasses, raised her hands to the sky as if presenting a queen.

-Ladies and gentlemen! With you, the wonderful, radiant, and beautiful Naomi Hanazawa. I hope you have sunglasses, because her beauty dazzles!

Naomi, nervous and with her face alight, began to descend the stairs with cautious steps, trying not to stumble. As she advanced, the air was filled with a strange tension, a silence that enveloped everything. Kotaro, for once, didn't know what to say. He simply stood watching her, amazed at what he saw. She was beautiful.

Naomi, realizing that everyone was silent, felt her heart race. Why don't they say anything, do I look bad, she thought, beginning to doubt her appearance.

-No words for my niece? -Eiko interrupted, amused by Kotaro's obvious nervousness.

Kotaro snapped out of his astonishment, looking at her more clearly, his voice a little softer than usual.

-You look... very beautiful, Naomi.

Naomi's eyes widened with surprise, and her face turned even redder. Her heart was pounding so hard that she thought everyone could hear it. At that moment, she could only lower her head, unable to hold Kotaro's gaze.

Silence settled in the room again, but this time, the awkwardness quickly vanished, replaced by a warm feeling that hovered between them.

"I can't believe it. He said I look beautiful.... He saw me beautiful. What's going on with me, why do I feel this way? Every time he looks at me, my heart beats so fast I feel like it's going to burst. I don't know if it's nervousness or if this is what it feels like... when you're in love. But... how can I be sure he feels the same way? I can't bear to think of what will happen if he rejects me. Still... I can't stop these feelings. Tonight, I just want to enjoy this moment. Because maybe it's the only one where we can be this close..."

As she walked down the stairs, Naomi couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by her emotions. She was happy, nervous and, for the first time, full of hope.