As the evening wore on, the group eventually made their way to a quieter spot near the riverbank, where the fireworks would soon begin. The sky was darkening, and the air was filled with anticipation.
They sat on a blanket together, with Yuto stretching out comfortably while the girls settled around Ryo. The atmosphere was relaxed now, the earlier tension having faded as they enjoyed the festival together.
"Hey, Ryo," Yuto said, nudging him with his elbow. "How's it feel to be surrounded by beautiful girls at a festival?"
Ryo shot him a look. "I'm trying not to think about it."
Yuto laughed. "You really are hopeless."
Just as Yuto's teasing was about to get out of hand, the first firework shot into the sky, exploding in a burst of vibrant colors. The entire crowd ooh-ed and ahh-ed, and Ryo found himself momentarily distracted by the dazzling display.
Hana leaned closer to Ryo, her eyes wide with awe. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"Yeah," Ryo muttered, still unsure if she meant the fireworks or something else.
Saki, ever the tease, leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Enjoying the show?"
Ryo nearly jumped out of his skin, causing Saki to laugh quietly to herself. Mei, on the other hand, remained as composed as ever, simply watching the fireworks in silence.
As the grand finale approached, the sky lit up with a brilliant cascade of colors, and for a moment, Ryo forgot all about the rumors, the teasing, and the complicated feelings swirling around him.
In that moment, it was just him and his friends, enjoying the beauty of the festival.