Chapter 11 – Beneath the Lantern Lights

[- Kei -]

The night air was crisp as I leaned against the railing outside our apartment complex, watching the street below. The occasional headlights of passing cars illuminated the quiet road, but my attention remained elsewhere.

Miya was late.

I checked my phone. Her shift should have ended a while ago.

I could text her. I didn't.

Instead, I waited, listening to the distant sounds of the city. A soft wind rustled the leaves, and I exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of my neck.

Then, finally—

The familiar sound of footsteps.

I turned my head just in time to see Susuki-san running toward the entrance, sweating but still carrying that quiet grace of hers.

*Did she run to get here?*

When she saw me, she is catching her breath for a brief moment.

"I'm Sorry Kizaki-kun did you wait long?" she asked, shifting her bag higher on her shoulder.

"You're late," I replied.

She sighed. "My manager made me stay a little longer."

I didn't respond, just glanced at the time again. "The festival's still going on. We can make it if we leave now."

She blinked. "You still want to go?"

"You're the one who suggested it," I reminded her.

Miya stared at me for a moment before exhaling softly. "Alright."

I turned toward the bus stop. She followed.

---

[-Miya-]

The bus was nearly full when we boarded, filled with festival-goers in colorful yukatas and casual summer outfits. Conversations buzzed around us, blending with the occasional laughter of children.

Kei took a seat by the window, and without a word, I sat beside him. The hum of the engine beneath us was steady, and the lights from passing buildings flickered against the glass.

Then, out of nowhere, Kei handed me one side of his headset.

I blinked at him. "What's this?"

"Music," he said simply.

I hesitated, then took it, slipping the earbud into my ear.

A soft, familiar melody played. A song we used to listen to on quiet nights back when things felt simpler. Nostalgic, bittersweet.

I turned my gaze to the window, watching the city blur past.

Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the music. Or maybe it was simply the fact that Kei's presence was too comforting.

But before I knew it—

My eyes drifted shut.

---

[-Keizuke-]

Miya fell asleep.

Her head rested against my shoulder, her soft hair brushing against my arm.

I should have woken her up.

But I didn't.

Instead, I sat there, listening to the quiet rhythm of her breathing. The steady warmth of her against me felt… strangely natural.

The music continued playing in my ear, but I wasn't paying attention to it anymore. My gaze shifted toward the window, where festival lights in the distance reflected off the river, painting golden patterns on the water's surface.

The bus slowed. Our stop.

I hesitated before gently nudging her shoulder.

"Miya-san."

She stirred slightly, her eyelashes fluttering before she opened her eyes.

For a second, she looked at me, disoriented.

Then, realizing she had fallen asleep, she quickly straightened, rubbing her eyes.

"…You should've woken me earlier," she murmured.

I shrugged. "Didn't want to."

She blinked at me. "Why?"

I didn't answer.

Instead, I stood up and stepped off the bus. She followed.

---

[-Miya-]

The lantern festival was even more beautiful than I had imagined.

Paper lanterns glowed softly against the night sky, their lights reflecting on the river's surface like scattered stars. The air carried the scent of roasted chestnuts and grilled skewers, mixing with the laughter and chatter of festival-goers.

I looked around, taking in the lively atmosphere.

Kei and I walked through the crowded streets, passing by food stalls and game booths. A child ran past us, waving a sparkler in her hands. Lanterns drifted lazily in the air, carried by the wind.

I exhaled softly.

Everything felt surreal. Almost dreamlike.

"Do you come to festivals often?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Kei glanced at me. "Not really."

I figured as much. He didn't seem like the type.

But tonight, he was here.

And for some reason, that thought stayed with me.

As we reached the riverbank where people were writing wishes on lanterns, I picked up one of the delicate paper lanterns and sat down on a nearby bench. A small brush and ink bottle sat beside it, meant for writing wishes before releasing the lantern into the water.

Kei stood beside me, watching.

After a moment of hesitation, I dipped the brush into the ink and carefully wrote my wish.

Just a few words. Nothing complicated.

But as soon as I finished, I felt his gaze on me.

"What did you wish for?" he asked.

I glanced at him, then back at my lantern.

"…It's a secret."

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Figures."

I smiled faintly before carrying my lantern to the water's edge. The river reflected the glow of the floating lanterns, rippling gently as the wishes drifted further downstream.

I released mine, watching as it joined the others.

For a moment, I simply watched.

Then, when I turned back—

Kei wasn't looking at the lanterns.

He was looking at me.

Then, I felt it. A light touch against my hand.

I blinked,The warmth of his skin sent a faint tremor through me

The festival noise around us seemed distant, muffled beneath the steady rhythm of my heartbeat.

Loud. Uncertain.

The space between us felt impossibly small. Too small.

I swallowed.

Kei was looking at me.

His gaze, calm yet unreadable, lingered as if searching for something in my expression. I couldn't move. Couldn't look away.

Then, his eyes flickered downward.

To my lips.

My breath hitched.

Did he…?

A quiet tension settled between us, fragile and unspoken. He leaned in slightly—not enough to close the distance, but enough for me to notice.

For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

He was close. So close.

I should step away. Say something. Anything.

But I didn't.

Because—

"Suzuki-Oneesan?"

The voice shattered the moment like glass.

I flinched, stepping back as my heart lurched in my chest.

Kei exhaled sharply beside me. His jaw tensed.

We turned toward the sound.

Standing a few feet away was a familiar figure in a light pink yukata—Miku.

Ryo and Hayato's younger sister.

Her curious gaze flickered between me and Kei before she tilted her head.

"…Did I interrupt something?"

I quickly shook my head, forcing a smile. "N-No. You didn't."

Miku didn't look convinced.

A brief silence stretched between the three of us before she suddenly brightened, clasping her hands together.

"Well, since we ran into each other, do you guys want to check out the food stalls together? Hayato is here too!"

I hesitated, my mind still tangled in what almost happened.

Then, cautiously, I glanced at Kei.

He didn't say anything. His hands were shoved into his pockets, his usual indifferent mask back in place.

Something inside me sank.

"…Sure," I finally answered.

Miku beamed. "Great! Let's go, then! By the way, Suzuki-Oneesan, who is he?"

Kei scratched the back of his neck before responding. "Keizuke Kizaki."

Miku's eyes lit up. "Nice to meet you, Kizaki-Oniisan!, My name Is Higashi Miku."

Kei gave her a small nod.

As we followed her through the festival crowd, I kept my gaze ahead, pretending to be interested in the lively stalls around us.

But no matter how hard I tried to focus, one thought wouldn't leave my mind—

The way Kei had looked at me.

The way he almost…

I swallowed, shaking the thought away.

It didn't happen.

And yet—

Even as we walked, even as Miku chattered about which food stall to try first, I could still feel it.

The warmth of Kei's hand against mine.

Lingering.

Unspoken.

Undeniable.

For now… it was enough.