Chapter 30 – The Festival Begins

At last, the festival had arrived. The school was abuzz with excitement as students rushed here and there making last-minute tweaks to the decorations and double-checking that all was well. Booths crowded the corridors, brightly colored banners streamed from the ceiling, and the aroma of tasty food filled the air.

Haruto Kirigami stood near the entrance of their class café, observing the scene. Crowds had never been his thing, and the noise was starting to get to him. However, unlike before, he didn't feel the usual urge to leave. Instead, he found himself looking for someone.

"Haruto!" Nasaki's cheerful voice rang out. She waved at him, her bright smile making her eyes sparkle. "Come on! We're opening soon!"

Haruto sighed softly but followed her inside. Nasaki was already moving around, checking the tables and giving instructions. Compared to her usual calm and composed self, her excitement was almost contagious.

"You look… different today," Haruto mumbled as he watched her.

"Different?" Nasaki tilted her head, then chuckled. "I guess I'm just in a good mood. Festivals are fun, right?"

Haruto did not say anything but nodded slightly. Perhaps. perhaps this wouldn't be so terrible after all.

Haruto was put to work behind the register, something he wasn't particularly keen on. Taking orders, working with money, and conversing with strangers—none of those things were in his comfort zone. But having volunteered to assist, he couldn't very well turn back now.

"Haruto, you're doing fine," Nasaki said, leaning over the counter to catch a glimpse of his work.

"Easy for you to say," Haruto grumbled, his voice dry as he returned change to a customer.

Nasaki smiled. "Take it easy. You won't die from a little small talk."

Haruto looked at her but didn't say anything. He was concentrating on keeping a neutral face while taking orders, though he was already getting mentally drained.

After roughly an hour, Haruto's movements became slower, and Nasaki caught on. Without a word, she eased beside him and began assisting. She smiled and talked to customers, lightening the mood.

"You didn't have to…" Haruto muttered to himself.

Nasaki raised an eyebrow and flashed him a playful smile. "What are friends for?"

Haruto's gaze lingered on her for a second before he turned away, concealing the faint smile that played at the edges of his mouth.

The crowd finally dispersed, leaving them a moment of quiet. Nasaki seized the chance to sit opposite Haruto, propping her chin on her hands as she gazed at him.

"Still managing?" she teased.

"Barely," Haruto said, his voice lighter than it had been.

Nasaki smiled quietly. "You're doing better than I thought."

They lapsed into an easy silence, and for once, Haruto didn't have the urge to fill it with words. He saw the warmth in Nasaki's eyes as she looked at him, her usual teasing tone softened by something softer.

"Why did you offer to help with the festival?" Nasaki asked abruptly.

Haruto paused. "I… just didn't think it would be so bad."

Nasaki smiled gently. "I'm glad you did."

For an instant, Haruto forgot about the commotion and the crowd. They were alone, and he saw how much he didn't resent it.

Just as the moment of peace fell, mayhem came when one of their classmates accidentally dropped a tray of beverages.

"Ah! I'll get it!" Nasaki said, rushing to assist.

But as she moved forward, her foot slid on the wet floor.

"Watch out—"

Before she could have fallen, Haruto automatically stretched out and caught her wrist, holding her back.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them stood still. Haruto's hold on her wrist was firm but gentle, and Nasaki's eyes went wide with surprise.

"Are you okay?" Haruto asked, his tone softer than normal.

Nasaki blinked, her cheeks slightly flushing with pink. "Y-Yeah… thanks."

Haruto released her hastily, taking a step back as if the moment had never occurred. But the instant heat that still clung between them was not so easy to forget.

After the end of their shift, Nasaki pulled Haruto outside to see the festival.

"Come on, you deserve a break," she said with a smile.

Haruto, initially reluctant, couldn't help himself and trailed along behind her. They strolled around the festival, visiting booths. Nasaki's enthusiasm was infectious as she drew his eye to fascinating games and tasty-sounding food.

"Want a bite of this?" Nasaki offered, brandishing a length of cotton candy.

Haruto lifted an eyebrow but nibbled at it once. It was too sweet, but he refused to complain.

"See? It's not so bad," Nasaki murmured, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Haruto's lips curled into a faint smile. "I guess."

They walked on, their talk going more smoothly than before. Haruto wasn't accustomed to being with someone for so long, but with Nasaki, it seemed. natural.

As the sun reached its peak, lighting up the festival with a golden light, Nasaki slowed her pace.

"Today was fun," she said softly, her eyes reflecting the lights around them.

Haruto looked at her, something stirring in his chest.

"You… actually enjoyed yourself, didn't you?" she teased, her tone playful but her gaze gentle.

Haruto didn't deny it. Instead, he just looked at her, his expression unreadable.

"Maybe," he murmured.

Nasaki's smile widened, but there was a hint of something else in her eyes—something neither of them was ready to acknowledge yet.

The festival continued around them, but for Haruto, the only thing that mattered at that moment was the girl standing beside him.

And for the first time, he didn't mind staying a little longer.