Chapter 18: Festival Fireworks

The festival's final night arrived, and Yamato High buzzed with energy. Lanterns strung across the courtyard cast a warm glow, the smell of yakitori and cotton candy wafting through the air. Riku adjusted his knight costume for the umpteenth time, the plastic armor clanking awkwardly as he navigated the crowd. The play had gone off without a hitch—mostly—but now he was free to enjoy the festival. Or so he thought.

Aiko appeared at his side, her princess gown swapped for a yukata, pale blue with cherry blossoms cascading down the fabric. "You're not hiding from your duties, are you, knight?" she teased, nudging him with her elbow. Her hair was pinned up, exposing the nape of her neck, and Riku found himself staring before snapping his gaze away, cheeks warm.

"I'm not hiding," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "Just... taking a break."

"Uh-huh," she said, smirking. "Well, break's over. We're doing the bonfire dance later, and you're my partner."

"Partner?" he echoed, stomach flipping. "Since when?"

"Since now," she said, grabbing his wrist and dragging him toward the food stalls. "But first, takoyaki. You're buying."

Riku sighed, letting her lead, though her grip was gentler than usual. They wove through the crowd, her yukata swishing against his leg, and he tried to ignore how close she was, how her shoulder brushed his arm. At the takoyaki stall, she leaned over the counter to order, and the hem of her yukata rode up slightly, revealing a sliver of her thigh. Riku's eyes flicked there involuntarily, and he yanked his gaze away, face burning.

"Here," Aiko said, thrusting a toothpick-skewered takoyaki at him. "Don't drop it."

"I'm not gonna—" he started, but she popped one into her mouth, chewing with a satisfied hum. A bit of sauce clung to her lip, and she licked it off, her tongue darting out. Riku froze, the takoyaki halfway to his mouth, his brain short-circuiting.

"What?" she said, noticing his stare. "Do I have sauce on my face?"

"N-no!" he stammered, shoving the takoyaki into his mouth to avoid answering. It was scalding, and he yelped, fanning his tongue. Aiko burst out laughing, doubling over.

"Smooth, knight," she said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Real smooth."

"Shut up," he groaned, but her laughter was infectious, and he found himself grinning despite the burn. They wandered toward the game stalls, her arm brushing his again, and he wondered if she noticed—or cared—how much it flustered him.

---

Meanwhile, Yuna Ono was in her element, manning the ring toss booth in a fox-spirit costume, complete with fluffy ears and a tail. She spotted Riku and Aiko and waved, her grin mischievous. "Hey, cutie!" she called, beckoning him over. "Win me a prize, will ya?"

Aiko's smile vanished, her grip on Riku's arm tightening. "We're busy," she said, her tone sharp.

"Aw, don't be jealous, princess," Yuna said, leaning over the counter, her tail swishing. Her costume's neckline dipped low, and Riku's eyes widened before he looked away, ears red. "He's got enough charm for both of us, right, Riku?"

"Uh—I—um—" he stammered, caught between Aiko's glare and Yuna's teasing. Yuna tossed him a ring, winking.

"One shot, cutie. Winner gets a prize *and* a kiss."

"A *what*?" Aiko snapped, stepping in front of him. "He's not playing!"

"Relax, cousin," Yuna said, laughing. "It's just a game. Unless you're scared I'll steal him?"

Aiko huffed, crossing her arms, but Riku, desperate to defuse the tension, picked up the ring. "Fine. One try." He aimed, tossed—and missed spectacularly, the ring bouncing off the booth's edge. Yuna cackled, and Aiko smirked, looking smug.

"Better luck next time, cutie," Yuna said, blowing him a kiss. Aiko dragged him away, muttering under her breath about "flirty foxes" and "stupid games."

---

The bonfire dance loomed, and Riku's nerves spiked as Aiko led him to the circle forming around the fire. Couples linked hands, the drummer starting a steady beat, and Aiko slipped her fingers through his, her palm warm and slightly damp. "Don't mess this up," she said, but her voice was softer, less commanding.

"I'll try," he said, swallowing hard. The dance began, steps simple but rhythmic, and they moved in sync, her yukata brushing his legs, her breath close when they turned. The firelight flickered across her face, highlighting her flushed cheeks, and Riku's heart thudded, louder than the drums.

Midway through, the dance called for a spin, and Aiko twirled under his arm, her yukata flaring. The tie at her waist loosened slightly, revealing a hint of her collarbone and the curve of her shoulder. Riku's grip tightened on her hand, his face burning, and she stumbled, pressing against him to steady herself.

"S-sorry," she mumbled, her cheek brushing his chest. Her breath hitched, and they froze, the dance forgotten, the crowd blurring around them. Her eyes met his, wide and uncertain, and for a moment, the air crackled, charged with something unspoken.

Then the drumbeat surged, and they snapped apart, resuming the steps, but the tension lingered, heavy and undeniable. When the dance ended, Aiko dropped his hand, her face red, and muttered, "Good job, knight," before bolting toward the snack stalls.

Riku stood there, dazed, until Mika appeared, clutching a cup of ramune, her glasses fogged from the fire's heat. "Riku!" she said, shyly offering the drink. "You looked... really good out there."

"T-thanks," he said, accepting the cup, his fingers brushing hers. She blushed, stepping closer, and he noticed her yukata's sleeve had slipped, exposing her shoulder. His eyes flicked there, then away, and she tugged it back, flustered.

"I—I should go," she stammered, but hesitated, her gaze lingering. "Um... Thank you. For everything." She darted off, leaving him with the ramune and a fresh wave of confusion.

---

The fireworks started, bursting overhead in blooms of color, and Riku found himself alone by the courtyard's edge, the ramune cup warm in his hand. Aiko's dance, Yuna's teasing, Mika's shy glances—they swirled in his mind, a chaotic mix of comedy and tension. His quiet festival night? Gone. Again.

But as the fireworks lit up the sky, he couldn't help but smile. Maybe chaos wasn't so bad—especially when it came with cherry blossoms, fox tails, and a dance he'd never forget.