Firework and Feelings

Ren Nakamura never wanted Yuki to meet him.

Never wanted her to see this side of his life.

But now—it was too late.

Because his father was standing right in front of them, smirking like the past wasn't something Ren had spent years trying to bury.

And Yuki was there, watching, waiting.

And Ren had no idea what to do.

The Confrontation – A Name He Hates to Hear

The man took a slow step forward.

"What's with the look, Ren?" his father said, voice laced with amusement. Like this was funny.

Ren's fists clenched.

"What the hell do you want?" he muttered.

His father sighed dramatically. "Is that any way to talk to your old man?"

"You're not my old man," Ren shot back. His voice was low, sharp. "You lost that right a long time ago."

The smirk didn't fade. "Still got that attitude, huh?"

Ren's blood boiled.

He didn't want to do this here.

Not in front of her.

Not when she was looking at him like that.

Like she was starting to understand.

Like she was seeing a side of him she never had before.

Yuki's voice was soft, hesitant. "Ren… who is this?"

His father chuckled. "She doesn't know? You haven't told her about me?"

Ren's heart pounded.

He didn't want to answer.Didn't want to explain.Didn't want her to know.

But he didn't have a choice.

"...He's my father," Ren muttered.

Yuki froze.

Her eyes widened slightly.

She looked at Ren. Then at his father. Then back at Ren.

And something in her expression shifted.

"...Oh."

That one word—it felt like a punch to the gut.

Because she understood now.

She understood why Ren was the way he was.Why he always kept his distance.Why he never talked about his family.

Why he was so damn afraid of losing the people he loved.

And Ren hated that she knew.

A Past He Can't Escape

His father sighed, stretching his arms like this was just another casual meeting.

"I was just in the area," he said. "Figured I'd check in on my son."

Ren scoffed. "Tch. Like hell you would."

His father smirked. "What? Can't a father be curious?"

"You were never curious before."

Silence.

For a second—just a second—his father's expression flickered.

Then—it was gone.

"I see you're still just as dramatic," he muttered.

Ren's hands tightened into fists.

He could feel the heat rising in his chest, his breathing getting heavier.

He needed to leave. Now.

But before he could move—

A hand gently touched his sleeve.

"Ren."

His breath caught.

He turned.

Yuki was looking at him.

Not with pity. Not with fear.

With understanding.

Her fingers curled around his wrist—a silent anchor.

"Let's go," she whispered.

Ren's body tensed.

He didn't move.

Couldn't.

Because for the first time in his life—he wasn't sure what to do.

His father chuckled.

"She's cute," he said. "Didn't think you'd actually let someone get close to you."

Ren snapped.

His fist moved before he could think.

He grabbed his father's collar, slamming him back against the streetlamp.

Yuki gasped.

His father barely reacted.

"You don't get to talk about her." Ren's voice was low, shaking with anger.

His father raised an eyebrow. "Protective, huh?"

Ren's grip tightened.

"You don't belong here," he muttered. "Get lost."

For the first time—his father's smirk disappeared.

They stared at each other.

The past and present colliding.

Then—slowly—his father sighed, raising his hands in surrender.

"Fine. Whatever."

Ren let go.

His father straightened his collar, shaking his head.

"Guess I was right about one thing," he muttered.

Ren didn't respond.

His father smirked one last time.

"You're just like me, kid."

Then—he walked away.

Leaving Ren standing there.

Frozen.

Breathing hard.

His heart pounding.

Just like him.

Just like him.

No. No.

He wasn't.

He wasn't.

He would never be like him.

Then—a voice.

"Ren."

His body locked up.

Slowly—he turned.

Yuki was still there.

Her eyes wide, searching.

And then—without thinking, without hesitation—

She hugged him.

Ren stopped breathing.

Her arms wrapped around him, small and warm and real.

Her fingers clutched at the fabric of his jacket.

"You're not him, Ren."

His chest ached.

"You'll never be him."

Ren's hands hovered in the air, unsure, shaking.

Then—slowly, carefully—

He hugged her back.

Later That Night – The Fireworks Festival

They didn't talk much on the way there.

But Yuki never let go of his sleeve.

And Ren didn't pull away.

The festival was bright, loud, alive.

But Ren barely noticed it.

Because Yuki was standing beside him, looking up at the fireworks with wonder in her eyes.

Like nothing had happened.

Like the world hadn't just shaken around them.

Ren exhaled, tilting his head back.

The fireworks exploded above them, casting everything in color.

Yuki laughed softly. "Aren't they beautiful?"

Ren didn't respond.

He wasn't looking at the fireworks.

He was looking at her.

And suddenly—he understood.

Why people feared losing things.

Why time felt like it was always running out.

Because standing there, with her beside him, her fingers still loosely curled around his sleeve—

Ren realized.

He wanted this.

Wanted her.

Wanted to protect this moment forever.

But deep down—he knew.

Fireworks don't last.

They burn the brightest, then fade into the night.

And Ren was terrified that this was the same.

That she was the same.

So before he could stop himself—before he could lose his chance—

He whispered, just loud enough for her to hear—

"Stay with me, Yuki."

Yuki froze.

The fireworks crackled in the sky.

Slowly—**so slowly—**she turned to face him.

Their eyes met.

And in that moment—

Everything changed.