….
[-Continuation-]
.
[-Hachiman's POV-]
I watched them both for a moment, Yuigahama, with her usual bright and innocent smile, and Yukino, composed as always, with a touch of understanding in her gaze.
Their friendship had its quirks, no doubt.
I couldn't help but admire their friendship, even if it was a bit of a mess sometimes.
I just …really hoped that it would stay like this, for as long as possible.
…
The moment shatters like glass when Miura's voice cuts through the ambient chatter.
"Hey... Tobe. Where is Hayama? Have you seen him?"
She searches through the crowd, eyes keenly scanning for Hayama's familiar blond head.
But it's not just him that's missing - Isshiki's absence stands out, almost like a neon sign spelling 'SUSPICIOUS.'
We had been through nearly every ride in the park by now, the kind anyone would hit up on a day like this.
Also… additional information, but the Ferris wheel was our last ride.
Around us, the open space was buzzing with people, couples, families, kids running around, and even the odd lone visitor wandering through the night-lit attractions.
It was expected.
After all, it was a holiday evening, the perfect time for crowds to flood an amusement park.
But in this sea of people, trying to pick out Hayama was like searching for a needle in a haystack, unless you had an unbelievable streak of luck.
Tobe shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his head with a nervous smile as he glanced around for a way to dodge the question.
You could almost see him scrambling for any excuse, any random thing to get Miura off this particular train of thought.
Then, in a desperate stroke of inspiration, he pointed ahead to a brightly lit corner of the park. "Oh, uh… Miura! Look, over there, 'Sassy Cat Marie' cosplay!"
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed her arm and began to pull her away.
Miura's eyes widened with excitement as she followed his gaze.
"Sassy Cat Marie? Really?" Her enthusiasm was palpable, clearly successful in drawing her attention away from Hayama's whereabouts.
The Sassy Cat Marie was one of the many Destiny characters popular with the girls.
Adorned in vibrant pink fur and oversized cat ears, the cosplay was both adorable and eye-catching.
For her to choose a more girlish character, Miss Totally was quite sly!
I guess she really did like the color pink, huh?
I, too, 'liked' the color pink as well.
"Where is it?" She asked, her tone betraying a hint of excitement.
Tobe gestured off in a vague direction. "Over there, just past the crowd."
With that, he managed to gently guide her toward the other side of the park, putting some distance between her and Hayama.
It was just as Isshiki had suggested in her not-so-subtle plan to carve out some alone time with him for her 'confession'.
Behind them, Ebina tagged along, casting a curious glance his way.
Honestly, I had half-expected Tobe to object, just for a moment.
I mean, he had to know about Miura's 'thing' for Hayama by now, anyone in their circle would have picked up on it.
You would think a close friend might hesitate or try to steer clear of something this sensitive.
But then again, that was just a slim chance…
…and besides, Tobe might have his reasons, just like Yuigahama did.
Meanwhile, Yukino's voice broke through my thoughts, sounding a touch annoyed.
"What's so special about… this 'Sassy Cat Marie' character anyway?" She muttered, almost under her breath.
Yuigahama let out a laugh at that, clearly amused at seeing her usually composed friend visibly irked by something so trivial.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked, grinning a little. "Don't get all contemplative over weird stuff."
But, really, I guess it is just her way.
I mean, come to think of it, we are all standing here now thanks to her contemplative streak.
After all, it's why she agreed on that bet with Ms. Hiratsuka.
You know, the one where the winner, based on their 'contributions,' gets to make a wish from the other.
Now that I think about it… it's about time for the final showdown, isn't it? Whatever judgment our club advisor has in mind, it's bound to be interesting.
"Anyway... I think I will go look for Isshiki too." Yuigahama said, glancing off in the direction Tobe and Miura had gone, looking a little worried.
Yukino gave her a reassuring nod. "Alright, Yui. Call me if you need anything."
Yuigahama smiled, the worry in her eyes softening just a bit. "Thanks, Yukinon. I will."
And with that, she headed off, disappearing into the crowd.
For a moment, there was just silence between us as we watched her leave.
It felt like the calm before some sort of storm, the quiet anticipation hanging in the air.
"Today wasn't much of a date, was it?" I asked, glancing at Yukino.
She looked thoughtful for a moment, then shrugged lightly. "It wasn't one to begin with. But... I had fun."
"Yeah?" I raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised.
"Yes, actually. I was a little excited about today…" She paused, a hint of nostalgia crossing her expression. "It's been a long time since I visited an amusement park."
She hesitated, then continued with a small, almost playful smile. "And, honestly, it might have been one of the best times I have had in an amusement park."
She followed it up with a faint chuckle. "But then again, the bar was never set very high, my past experiences here were… rather horrifying."
"Oh?" I asked, curious.
I think I remember something about this being mentioned….
Yukino sighed, her expression shifting as she recalled a memory. "Haruno used to… do all sorts of things. Always in the middle of everything. She managed to make any amusement park trip something of a nightmare."
Now it all makes sense why she looked so disturbed when I mentioned I wanted to invite Haruno today.
I could almost picture it, the quiet Yukino trying to enjoy herself only to be repeatedly sabotaged by her sister's antics.
I chuckled. "Sounds… memorable."
She shook her head, though a tiny smile lingered. "Yes. Unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons."
She looked at me thoughtfully for a moment. "Thought, I wanted to ask - why did you want to invite her today?"
It was obvious who she meant by 'her'.
But before answering, another question crossed my mind.
"Before I get into that." I started. "How close was Hayama to Haruno?"
Yukino seemed a bit taken aback by my question, her eyes widening just slightly, but she answered nonetheless.
"I don't know exactly how close they are… They have known each other for years. She was always someone he looked up to, admired, even. But… Haruno never made it easy on him. Or on anyone, really."
"...and since both his and my parents were often busy, they would sometimes leave Hayama and me in Haruno's care." She explained, her tone laced with a hint of reluctance. "That's when I actually visited the amusement park with her."
"Talk about leaving the house in the care of a thief." I muttered with a smirk.
Yukino's lips curved into a small, knowing smile.
"Yes… something like that." She let out a soft sigh, looking off into the distance, perhaps recalling one of those less-than-pleasant trips.
"...Yukino, I think Hayama might like Haruno." I said, testing the waters.
Yukino's eyes shifted back to me, calm but analytical.
"Did he say that himself?" She asked, her tone cool and direct.
That wasn't quite the reaction I was expecting, but it is what it is…
I shook my head.
"I wouldn't be saying 'think' if that were the case." I replied, giving her a faint, knowing smirk.
Just then, the dark sky above us erupted in a burst of color, the first firework cutting through the night like a spark in the void.
It was time.
I stared up at the sky, watching the colors explode and ripple in the air.
But my thoughts didn't quite follow the spectacle.
My eyes scanned the crowd in front of me, but I didn't find what I was looking for.
So, I let it go and focused on the moment instead, the sound of the fireworks booming in my ears and the soft presence of Yukino beside me.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
[Author Reminder : 2+chapters advance in Patreon]