181: The Final Whisper

At 6 a.m. Friday morning, Takashi got up to go jogging with Yotsuba.

This was a habit he had formed recently—unless it rained, he rarely skipped a day.

After returning home, Takashi did two sets of dumbbell exercises, followed by a full sequence of Baduanjin stretches before heading to the bathroom for a shower.

Riding his motorcycle to Aoba, the moment he stepped into the clubroom, he saw Otani Shota and Tanaka Kota fanning themselves with books.

It had just rained yesterday, but the temperature hadn't dropped much. In fact, it felt even more humid—reminding Takashi of the rainy season in the south.

Whenever the rainy season hit, it was nearly impossible to get clothes dry at his house.

"Takashi, morning!"

"Morning, Kitahara-san."

After responding to each classmate who greeted him, Takashi headed to his seat. Just as he sat down, Narii came over, placing her hands on his desk and lightly sitting on top of it.

"Takashi, let's go watch the fireworks festival together this weekend."

Every year between July and August, Japan holds summer fireworks festivals.

This traditional event dates back to the Edo period, when two firework manufacturers would compete with their displays. 

Over time, it evolved into one of Japan's quintessential summer festival events.

Nowadays, fireworks festivals are held all across Japan.

The most famous ones—the Edogawa Fireworks Festival, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, and the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival—draw large crowds of tourists and locals alike and have become an indispensable part of Japanese summer culture.

"Eh… I don't really want to go somewhere that crowded."

The moment he heard the words "fireworks festival," Takashi's expression visibly soured.

Even before Narii invited him, he had already received invitations from Yotsuba, Shizuka, and Eriri.

Now with Narii added in, that makes four.

Four might not seem like a lot—but the problem was, this wasn't even the final count.

Takashi made a rough mental estimate of the close female acquaintances around him. 

If he really agreed to every one of them, he'd have to attend at least ten different fireworks festivals.

What kind of situation was that?

It would be like being forced to watch the same movie with ten different girls. Even someone as skilled in time management as Takashi was starting to feel overwhelmed.

He hated holidays the most.

And unfortunately, Japan had way too many of them.

Every summer in Japan, there are hundreds of lively summer festivals and fireworks events, large and small, happening one after another.

"Is it that you don't want to go, or that you already agreed to go with another girl?"

Narii smiled sweetly at Takashi, giving him the distinct feeling that she could see right through him.

"Of course I don't want to go. But since you want to, I'll go with you."

Satisfied, Narii nodded and leapt down from Takashi's desk.

She was satisfied, but Takashi had a headache.

How was he supposed to handle this?

Who the hell invented festivals anyway?

…

Shuchiin Academy, Year 1 Class B.

After the first period ended, Nagisa turned around and said to Maki, "Maki, let's bring our boyfriends and go to the fireworks festival together this year—the four of us."

That's what she said aloud, but what she really thought was, 

While Maki's not paying attention, I'll steal Takashi's first kiss, heehee.

Maki, who was texting Watanabe Takashi, didn't even look up. "I want to go with Takashi, just the two of us. Let's not go together this time."

No way was she going to play third wheel.

"W-Why?"

Maki's response took Nagisa by surprise. Her smile froze on her face, though she quickly recovered.

"Didn't we always go together before?"

I can't just stand still forever and make Takashi keep waiting for me.

That was what Maki thought, but what she said was, "It's our time to be alone together. What's wrong with that?"

"Just the other day, Takashi and I went to an arcade together. It was more fun than I thought. I used to think those places were trashy."

"What!"

Nagisa shot up from her seat.

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

She hadn't known at all that Takashi and Maki had gone on a date two days ago.

Maki looked at her oddly. "Why would I tell you?"

She couldn't understand why Nagisa was reacting so strongly.

It's like she thinks I stole her man.

But in reality, I'm the one whose man got stolen, okay?

"You could've invited me and Tanuma to go with you! Four people hanging out is way more fun than just two."

Nagisa also realized she was overreacting, and sat back down.

"It wasn't two people. It was three. That brat Mikado tagged along without asking."

As soon as her little brother came up, Maki's face twisted in annoyance.

What was supposed to be a date for two, and that idiot had to ruin it.

"Mikado met Takashi already?"

Nagisa's expression darkened considerably.

She didn't get it. Wasn't Maki supposed to like Tanuma Tsubasa?

So why was she suddenly so close to Takashi?

Introducing him to your family... What's next, bringing him to meet your parents?

"Takashi?"

When Nagisa called Watanabe Takashi's name so casually, Maki frowned. "Nagisa, don't you think that's a little too close?"

"Takashi is my boyfriend."

"No matter how close we are, there should still be a boundary between girls and boys."

Nagisa couldn't hold her fake smile any longer.

She said nothing, just stared silently at Maki with unreadable eyes.

A strange chill suddenly ran down Maki's spine.

…

Sakakino Academy, Year 1 Class 4.

The chime signaling the end of the fourth period rang out, and the classroom atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Some students rushed straight to the cafeteria, others rearranged their desks to eat lunch together, and some headed to other classrooms to eat with friends.

Today's lunch break in Class 1-4 was as lively as ever.

Sitting at her desk, Kotonoha alternated between eating a few bites of her lunch and picking up her phone, her lips often curled into a sweet smile. 

She looked exactly like a girl in love.

And that's exactly what she was.

Ever since Takashi agreed to go out with her, Kotonoha had been messaging him nonstop—well, practically every moment of the day.

During class, she texted him to ask which subject he had.

At lunch, she snapped a photo of her bento and asked what he was eating.

On the way home, if she saw a pretty sunset, she took a picture and sent it to him.

Takashi no longer ignored her like before. While he didn't reply instantly, he always answered her messages, and not with half-hearted responses either.

He gave her emotional support that filled her heart completely.

Kotonoha found herself smiling a lot more lately.

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