Under the Festival Lights

The festival street was alive. The yellow lights adorning the stalls and trees created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The aromas of freshly made food wafted through the air, and the sound of laughter and animated chatter filled the space. It was a perfect night for any couple... or almost.

Naomi and Kotaro walked side by side, not saying a word. Both were nervous, though neither dared to look at each other for too long so as not to give each other away. Naomi could feel Kotaro's warmth close to her, but she couldn't find the right words. The silence between them was not awkward, but charged with a gentle tension, an expectation that neither wanted to break.

Just when it seemed that the calm would linger, a friendly vendor approached with a huge smile. He was carrying a plate full of takoyaki and stopped in front of the couple.

- What a beautiful couple we have here tonight! -he exclaimed, looking at them enthusiastically. Miss, you are very beautiful, and young, how fortunate to have such a lovely bride!

Naomi felt the heat of embarrassment rise to her cheeks, her face turning red as she stammered, trying to correct the man.

- No, no! We... are... not... -he tried to say, but his voice broke in confusion. Kotaro also felt uncomfortable, though he tried to maintain his typical composure, merely nodding and averting his gaze.

The salesman, realizing his mistake, quickly apologized and walked away, leaving them plunged into a nervous silence. Naomi and Kotaro then looked at each other and, as if they had shared the same thought, both let out a nervous laugh, breaking the tension.

Kotaro was the first to speak, with his usual tone but softer than usual.

- Would you like to do something special? -he asked, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

Naomi, still blushing, lowered her gaze to the floor, trying to control her nerves. She felt her heart racing, but she didn't want Kotaro to notice.

-Whatever you prefer is fine," she replied, trying to sound relaxed. But before Kotaro could say anything else, she quickly added. Although... I'd like to watch the fireworks with you, if it's no trouble.

Kotaro nodded, barely smiling, and gently took her hand.

-It's settled then. Let's go check out the game booths before the fireworks.

On the other side of the festival, a different couple walked at a slow pace. Akane, with her eyes fixed on the horizon, was barely listening to Makoto, who was trying to start some small talk. She was more interested in keeping track of Kotaro and Naomi, who were too quiet for her liking. Akane noticed something in the way Kotaro was treating Naomi? it was different, and it gave her a sense of frustration that she couldn't hide. 

Makoto gave her a sidelong glance as they walked through the festival together, with a lopsided grin that seemed to amuse him more than a little.

-And what's in it for you to come here with me? - he asked, with a teasing tone.

Akane watched him for a moment before calmly replying, "Sometimes the right company can open doors. Just make sure you don't screw it up. -

Makoto let out a low chuckle, understanding perfectly that, as always, Akane had a plan.

When she finally found them, she saw Kotaro take Naomi's hand. His face tensed. "What's he doing with her?" he thought, as he let go of Makoto and stepped back to get a better look.

- What's wrong? -Makoto asked, somewhat irritated by Akane's behavior.

- Shhhh!" she replied, almost contemptuously. Look!

Makoto smiled mischievously at the sight of them together.

-It looks like the couple is enjoying the festival," he commented, amused. But Akane was in no mood for jokes.

- Shut up and follow them," she ordered, frowning.

Meanwhile, Naomi was starting to feel more comfortable next to Kotaro. The warmth of the atmosphere, the sound of laughter and the bustle around her, all seemed to contribute to the sense of peace that enveloped her. In her mind, all she could think about was how lucky she felt to be there with him.

"I'm so peaceful next to him," she thought as she watched him out of the corner of her eye, not daring to look directly at him for too long.

The night was perfect. Kotaro and Naomi exchanged a few words, feeling more at ease than before, but their moment of peace would not last long.

From the shadows, Makoto watched Naomi and Kotaro as they wandered through the festival booths, with an expression of displeasure that he couldn't hide. Makoto felt resentment for Kotaro's humiliation of her in front of the entire class in previous days. Although the warm lights and laughter of the people filled the atmosphere, his mind was focused on one thing only: ruining their night.

As she passed by a drink stand, her gaze stopped on the manager, an acquaintance of hers who worked in the festival kitchens. Makoto smiled mischievously and approached the man, exchanging a few words in a low voice.

-Do you still have what we use for the juices? The plum extract," Makoto asked in a casual tone, but with a sinister glint in his eyes.

-What do you want it for? This is strong, it's not for playing," replied the manager suspiciously, holding up a small transparent bottle.

-Don't worry, it's just for a little joke. Nothing serious," answered Makoto, handing him a couple of coins. The attendant hesitated for a moment, but finally handed him the bottle with a warning.

-Be careful. Just a few drops will do.

Makoto nodded, putting the bottle in his pocket as his mind worked out the plan. He watched as Naomi and Kotaro stopped at another stall, ordering something to drink. With the assurance of the festival crowd, Makoto approached the table where the drinks were being prepared, pretending to be a stall attendant.

With quick, discreet movements, he took out the small flask and poured a few drops into the glasses intended for Naomi and Kotaro. The liquid mixed perfectly with the juice, without altering either the color or the aroma. It was perfect.

-This should be enough to give them a hard time- he thought, with a mischievous smile.

-Enjoy," he said in a sarcastic tone, before losing himself in the crowd again.

Makoto stopped at a safe distance, waiting patiently for the extract to begin to take effect. It wasn't dangerous, but he was sure the upset stomach would ruin any special moment they had that night.

What Makoto didn't expect, however, was that Saori was following him closely. Dressed in stealth, always alert to Makoto's suspicious movements, she slyly approached the stall. Just as Makoto was about to serve the drinks, Saori made a quick and skillful switch, replacing the tainted glasses with normal ones without Makoto or anyone else noticing. 

Naomi and Kotaro took the drinks, completely oblivious to the danger they had avoided, and continued to enjoy their conversation. Saori, watching from a distance, smiled in satisfaction.

-Mission accomplished," she muttered to herself, walking away with a triumphant air. "These two... they really need me to watch their backs."

As Naomi and Kotaro continued to enjoy the festival, unaware of how close they came to having their night ruined, Saori relaxed for a moment, but ever watchful for any further attempts at sabotage.

The festival was in full swing. The warm, golden lights of the event illuminated the streets, creating a festive and nostalgic atmosphere. Naomi was walking next to Kotaro, the bustle of people and the smell of the different street dishes surrounded them, but for Naomi, the only important thing at that moment was the boy walking next to her. Even though her feet were moving, her mind was somewhere else, caught between the present and the thoughts swirling around her feelings.

Naomi: "Why do I feel so nervous? We're enjoying the festival, walking together, but.... Why can't I stop thinking about what I want to say to him? I've rehearsed it so many times in my head. "Kotaro, I like you," it's so simple... but the fear of being rejected is killing me. Every time I'm near him, I feel smaller, more insignificant. I can't help but think: what if he doesn't feel the same? What if all this... is just a dream I'm about to break?"

The gentle evening breeze caressed Naomi's Yukata, making it flutter delicately. The fireworks were about to start, suddenly, a shadow appeared in their path: it was Makoto, who was rapidly approaching. From a distance, Akane watched, her eyes full of envy and frustration. She had ordered the mess, and although the stage was set, Saori, ever alert, tried to catch up with him, but could not stop him in time. Makoto "stumbled" in an exaggerated way and spilled his drink, but before the liquid touched Naomi's yukata, Kotaro reacted without a second thought. He took her in his arms and stood in front of her, taking the hit of the drink directly on her clothes. The warmth of Kotaro's embrace surrounded her completely, feeling his racing heartbeat against her body.

- Are you all right? -he asked, looking at her with the same serenity that always characterized him. Naomi, her eyes wide and her face flushed, could only nod shyly.

Naomi's eyes widened in surprise, her heart beating rapidly as she looked at Kotaro, completely drenched from drinking. Makoto, still pretending it had all been an accident, shrugged, trying to dodge Kotaro's cold stare. Saori arrived just in time to try to catch Makoto, but he was already standing defiantly in front of Kotaro.

-It was an accident," Makoto muttered, though his expression gave him away.

Kotaro, with clenched fists and a palpable coldness, said nothing. His gaze, dark and piercing, drew Makoto back. The atmosphere became so tense that the air seemed to have stopped for a second. But Naomi, worried about what might happen, quickly grabbed Kotaro's hand, gently pulling him away.

-Let's go, Kotaro... please," Naomi whispered nervously.

Already away from the hustle and bustle and chaos, they sat on a bench under a small booth, away from the lights of the festival. Naomi, her heart still racing, pulled out a handkerchief and began to dry Kotaro's shirt carefully. She leaned toward him, grateful and, at the same time, nervous.

-Thank you... for everything, Kotaro," Naomi murmured, blushing. Her hands trembled slightly as she continued to dry her clothes. Tonight has been very special for me, I don't want anything to ruin it.

Feeling close to him and wrapped up in her thoughts that were pushing her to tell him what she has wanted to tell him all this time, Naomi paused with nerves to the tips of her hair.

-Kotaro... me. I want to tell you something important - armed with courage she said the first words - this time you me...- her words were interrupted when she heard a crowd shouting that the fireworks were about to start.

But the rumor of an approaching rain filled the air. Kotaro took Naomi's hand and led her to a place where they could see better. But before the lights burst into the sky, a sudden, gentle rain began to fall, drenching everyone present. Amidst the laughter and shouts of the fleeing people, Naomi and Kotaro ran to take shelter under a small wooden hut.

Under the roof of the hut, with the rain pounding on the ground, Naomi felt overwhelmed. "Why does everything seem to be against me today? Everything goes wrong... I can't do it. I can't confess..." But then she remembered Saori's words, "Don't give up! Sometimes rain can be romantic too."

Kotaro's gaze was fixed on the horizon. The rain was falling non-stop, and he seemed to be lost in thought. Naomi glanced sideways at him, her heart pounding so hard she feared he would hear it. "Why am I so nervous, why do I feel this way?" Saori's words echoed in her mind, giving her the final push she needed. 

Naomi: "It's now. It's the perfect time. I'm so close to him... I want to tell him. I want him to know how I feel, even if it terrifies me. Why can't I do it? Why do I feel like something is holding me back? No, I mustn't give up. The rain, the silence, this moment... maybe it's what I needed. I must be brave..."

-Kotaro...I.... -Naomi stammered, lowering her gaze to the ground. She felt as if the weight of the world was falling on her shoulders. I want to tell you something important...

Kotaro, with his usual countenance, raised his head when he heard her, but said nothing. Naomi took a deep breath, trying to find the words.

- Ever since we met, I've felt something... something I can't ignore anymore. Every time you're around, I feel like everything is okay. That I don't need anything else. And today, at this moment, in this rain, I can't shut it up anymore....

Naomi took a deep breath, and with her eyes closed continued:

- I like you, Kotaro. I like you more than I can explain.

The silence deepened. Naomi felt as if time had stopped. Only the sound of raindrops accompanied her confession. She waited for an answer, anything that would release her from the tension in her chest.

Kotaro, with a serious expression, averted his gaze for a second, before releasing Naomi's hand that he had been clutching so gently. The warmth of his touch vanished in an instant, leaving Naomi with an empty feeling in her palm. Her fingers, which had once been intertwined, now hung cold and alone.

-Naomi... -Kotaro spoke, but his voice was barely a whisper. I'm sorry.

Naomi felt the ground open up beneath her feet. Her eyes instantly filled with tears, and though she tried to hold them back, one slid down her cheek.

-I... I can't reciprocate in the way you'd like," Kotaro continued, his voice seeming more distant than ever. You're an important friend to me, but....

Kotaro's voice faded away as Naomi, without thinking, stood up quickly. The pain in her chest was unbearable, and tears were falling freely now. Before she could say anything else, before she could face the reality of her rejection, she spun on her heels and fled.

She ran in the rain, not caring about the soaked yukata or the gaze of the people around her. All she wanted at that moment was to escape. To get away from that pain, from that humiliation, and from the boy who, though she didn't know it, had broken her heart.

Kotaro, still under the hut, did not follow her. He remained silent, watching Naomi's figure fade into the shadows and the rain, while his own heart felt heavier than ever. But in her cold, distant gaze, there was a sadness that only he could understand. "I'm sorry..." he murmured in the loneliness of the night, but it was too late. Naomi was gone, and with her, perhaps, the possibility of something more.

Naomi: "Why... why did I do it, I knew this could happen. I knew that... maybe he didn't feel the same. Why am I such a fool? ..."

And so, Naomi ran in the rain, leaving behind not only the festival, but also the fragment of her heart that she had given to Kotaro.