Arata along with the girls of the gardening club made their way to where all spectators for the fireworks show were standing. A quick scan around, and they were able to find the rest of his friends.
"Hey guys." Arata greeted them, though he noted that Erina was missing. A shame, considering how it was when they had separated.
"Great to see you again." Yogi returned his greeting. "That just means we're missing Erina, I haven't been able to contact her though." That worried Arata, was she really that upset?
"Hey Yuki." He noticed Yogi's cousin. "How are you?"
"I'm… Fine." That was all she had to say to him. Things had gotten a little rough between the two. Ever since she found out he was her online friend, she had gotten more distance from him. She didn't even respond to his messages anymore. That was kind of sad for him.
"It's nice to see you." Akaki took Arata away from his thoughts. "It's too bad we couldn't see each other before the fireworks show."
"I guess things just happen." For a friend group, they sure did a poor job at sticking together. "So how's it been for you two." He noted that Akaki and Akiba were probably together for most of these events. At least, that would make the most sense for him.
"We had a lot of fun." She told him. Her smile was all he needed to confirm the truth. If they had spent that much time together, then he thought that Akaki might be finally pursuing his feelings. If that was the case, then Arata was going to support him wholeheartedly.
"So, are you two excited for the fireworks show?" He asked again, his question filled with another implication.
"Of course, I think it'll look pretty dazzling." Akaki answered, clueless.
"I think that…" Akiba knew exactly what he was getting at. "I'll do something that surprises all of you."
"What do you mean?" Akaki asked.
"You don't know?" Seeing as that boy was her supporter, he figured that he'd be aware of this tradition. "About the whole kissing deal during the fireworks?"
"That's a thing?"
"Yeah." Arata explained to him about the boys closing their eyes, followed by some girls choosing to kiss them. "Think of it as a way to confess, without actually confessing."
"I see." He understood now, but it sounded really embarrassing to do.
"Hey…" Arata leaned to whisper to him. Luckily, Akiba respected that he wanted some privacy. "I bet if it was the other way around. You'd kiss her, wouldn't you?"
"…" He wasn't sure if he wanted to answer that. Arata took that as confirmation.
"Don't worry, I can tell that you've changed a little." If that boy was really serious as a supporter, than his actions were on the weak side. He might've been trying to help in earnest, but lately. He had been wanting to spend time with her, more and more. As if he understood that time wouldn't last for long. Especially if she got with Yogi.
"I guess that… Your attempts weren't that bad." Akaki responded modestly. So when Arata was trying to pair these two up, that wasn't completely a waste.
"If that's the case, then I'm on your side. 100 percent." They ended their private conversation, and Arata returned to the gardening club. Ever since he decided to become more sociable, he had too many people to bounce between now.
"Say Arata." Hanaka grabbed his attention. "Do you have a moment to talk... Alone?" She pulled him away from both groups. Whatever she had to say, he figured was going to be important. Still on his mind, he quickly looked around while they were getting some distance. Erina nowhere in sight.
"What do you need?" They weren't standing far from everyone else, but with how many people were here. There was no way someone could intrude on them easily.
"Do you plan on participating?" She was referring to the kissing event.
"I still haven't decided." He told her. Though he knew exactly what she was getting at. "And you don't have to hide it. I'm aware of how Matsu feels about me."
"Really? She told you?"
"I just figured it out on my own." Technically not on his own, but it would be better to leave that out. So those other girls knew all along. Probably were helping her as well. "And I don't know how I feel about her yet, just before you ask." He intercepted the expected question.
"Then you already know that if you close your eyes. She'll kiss you." Hanaka wanted to be a supportive friend. But with the way he was apprehensive, she could tell that this might not have the best ending for Matsu.
"Yep…" He gave no indication of what his choice would be. Maybe tonight wasn't the best time to be certain on how he felt. Especially with a constant reminder in his head.
He couldn't get her out of his mind. The look on her face when she ran away from him. It looked as though she was about to cry tears. That was something he really hated to see, especially if he was the cause of it.
With all those thoughts running through his head, that was why Arata felt like there was something missing. He looked around between the crowd of people growing. Where was Erina? Shouldn't she want to be here?
"Have you guys seen Erina?" He asked Yogi and the others. They all had the same answer. No. Something felt wrong to him. Maybe it was because of how they last saw each other, or something else within him. But it didn't feel right that she wasn't with him right now.
He grabbed out his phone. Rushing to her contact, and give her a call. Sending a simple message just wasn't enough for him. It rang. Then kept ringing. No matter how long he waited, the ringing never stopped.
"Please pick up." He muttered to himself. The wait was just adding to his anxiety. He didn't understand, why was he feeling like this. It was just so she could be with Yogi, right?
Wrong. No, this was something different. As the sounds of the phone sent him to voicemail. That was what tipped over the edge. He couldn't deny it, the truth was that he wanted her to be there. For him.
He grabbed the cloth of his yukata at the chest. Arata remembered all those times they had together. Those big events of his life. The May dance, the play, that picture they took together… She was always there with him, why wasn't she here for him now?
"Arata?" His sister touched over his shoulder. Making him jump a little. "Are you okay?" Ayami was concerned for him. She could clearly tell that something was wrong with him. "You're crying."
"I am?" He touched his cheek. He felt the wetness of tears falling down. "I mean, I'm fine." He quickly turned away from her, wiping himself.
"You don't look like it. Please, you can tell me what's wrong."
"It's just aller-"
"Hey everyone." Before Arata could explain. Yogi was about to give him the answer he was searching for. "Erina just messaged me. She said she isn't feeling well, and that she won't be able to make it to the fireworks show."
"She'll be going home? That's a shame." The way that Misao said it. He could tell that was a genuine tone of concern from her. It appeared that she didn't put this competition above her friendships.
"Going home?" Arata repeated to himself. He knew for certain, that she wasn't sick. Not after what he saw from her.
"It's too bad she won't be here." Yogi told everyone. "I'm sure she would've loved to see the fireworks."
"Hey." Arata made himself presentable to them, wiping away his tears. "I'm gonna go stop by the bathroom before it starts."
"Sure. I think you've got enough time before it starts." Akaki informed him.
"Thanks." He walked away, though he got some worried looks by his sister and Matsu. Who could tell there was more to his excuse.
Walking away from them, those feelings of anxiety built up even more. This was even worse than when he was getting blackmailed. Even more than when he told everyone the truth about being an otaku. Out of view, he stopped by a post with a lantern set atop.
Under the light, he lean on the pole. Trying to control his breathing. Arata didn't want anyone seeing him like this, his hands were shaking uncontrollably. Why was he feeling this way? Was one girl being gone affecting him that much?
One girl… No, it was more than just one girl. Erina… That was more than just a girl to him. She was basically his best friend at this point.
"Damn it!" He slammed the pole in frustration, causing it to shake and nearly drop the lantern above. Arata couldn't explain why he was overreacting to this. Why should he care if she wasn't with them. She she would've done was kiss Yogi…
His body burned at the thought of seeing that. He shook that thought out of his head. No, even if that was the case. It didn't matter, all he wanted. Was to watch the fireworks with her. As friends, nothing more.
"Yeah, that's what I want." He said to himself, trying to convince his mind that statement was the truth. But the image of when she pulled her hand away from his, the look of fear on her face. That hurt.
Then, he knew why he was so concerned right now. Because, she's hurt… She's scared for some reason and he couldn't simply enjoy some fireworks show while that was happening.
"I have to find her… Then we'll all enjoy the show together." He steeled his resolve. About ready to leave to look for her, then he noticed the public bathrooms right beside him. "I should probably use the bathroom first."