The next few days passed without much incident, but Ryo couldn't shake the feeling that Kazaki's antics weren't entirely over. At school, Kazaki was quieter than usual—no bold stunts or attention-seeking schemes. It was unsettling, as if he were lying in wait for something bigger. Still, Ryo had to admit that the lack of chaos was a relief.
The rumors about Ryo joining the student council had begun to die down, much to his relief. Hana, Saki, and Mei, along with Yuto, kept him grounded, making sure that he wasn't drowning in too much attention. The days began to feel somewhat normal again, or as normal as they could be with the ever-growing group of friends he was unintentionally gathering.
One afternoon, as Ryo packed up his things to head home, he was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Ryo!"
He turned to see Hana bounding toward him, her energy boundless as always. Saki followed at a more leisurely pace, while Mei trailed behind, her quiet demeanor unchanged.
"What's up?" Ryo asked, shouldering his bag.
Hana grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "There's a little festival happening nearby this weekend! I was thinking we should all go! You, me, Saki, Mei, Yuto—everyone!"
Ryo paused. The last festival they had attended, the one Hana had invited him to a while back, had been fun, but it had also been chaotic. Not to mention, it had been one of the first moments he realized that his group of friends was beginning to develop... feelings. Not just friendship, but something more complicated.
Saki seemed to notice his hesitation and smirked. "What's wrong, Ryo? Afraid you'll have to fend off more admirers at the festival?"
Ryo shot her a glare, knowing full well she was teasing him. "Very funny. No, I'm just... thinking about it."
Hana pouted slightly, her excitement dimming just a fraction. "Oh, come on, Ryo. It'll be fun! Besides, we didn't get to do everything at the last festival."
Mei, standing quietly beside Hana, offered a soft smile. "It's okay if you don't want to go, Ryo. But... I think it would be nice to go together again."
Ryo felt a pang of guilt at Mei's gentle words. She rarely spoke up like this, and when she did, it was hard to say no. He sighed in defeat.
"Alright, fine. I'll go."
Hana's face lit up like a thousand fireworks, and she practically leaped at him, grabbing his arm in excitement. "Yes! It's going to be so much fun!"
Saki chuckled, clearly enjoying the show. "You always know how to make an entrance, Hana."
Mei simply smiled, her quiet happiness visible in the soft curve of her lips.
Ryo, on the other hand, was already beginning to dread the chaos that would inevitably follow.
---
The weekend came quickly, and before Ryo knew it, he found himself standing at the entrance of the festival with his friends. The bright lights, colorful stalls, and cheerful crowds reminded him of the last festival, though this one felt a little more intimate, less crowded.
Hana was practically bouncing with excitement, dragging Ryo from one stall to the next. Saki followed closely, throwing in her usual teasing comments, while Mei stayed close by, her quiet presence grounding the group.
As they wandered through the festival, Ryo couldn't help but notice how much had changed since the last time they'd all been together like this. The group dynamic was different—closer, more connected. It wasn't just the friendships that had deepened; there was an unspoken tension in the air, one that Ryo was becoming more aware of with each passing day.
They passed a stall selling small trinkets, and Ryo paused, his eyes drawn to a simple charm in the shape of a tiny silver fox. It reminded him of something, though he couldn't quite place it.
"Looking for a gift for someone special?" Saki's teasing voice broke his thoughts.
Ryo shot her a sideways glance. "It's not like that."
Saki smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, sure."
Hana, noticing the exchange, rushed over. "What is it? Ooh, a fox charm! It's cute!"
Ryo quickly dropped the charm back onto the display. "It's nothing. Let's keep moving."
But as they continued through the festival, Ryo's thoughts kept drifting back to the charm and the strange feeling it had stirred in him.
---
Later in the evening, they found a spot near a small park area, where the sound of laughter and chatter faded into the background. The sun had set, and the festival lights sparkled in the distance, casting a soft glow over everything.
Hana, ever the bundle of energy, suggested they play a game of truth or dare. Ryo groaned inwardly—he hated games like this. They always led to uncomfortable questions or ridiculous dares that he had no interest in participating in. But, as usual, Hana's enthusiasm was infectious, and before he knew it, they were all sitting in a circle, ready to play.
"Alright, I'll go first!" Hana declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She looked around the group before landing on Saki. "Saki, truth or dare?"
Saki, always up for a challenge, grinned. "Dare."
Hana's eyes lit up, and she leaned in conspiratorially. "I dare you to... go buy a candy apple and eat it in one bite!"
Saki raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "That's it? Easy."
She stood up and made her way to the nearest food stall, returning moments later with a bright red candy apple. With a dramatic flourish, she took a huge bite, though it was clear she was struggling to finish it in one go. The group burst into laughter as Saki tried and failed to eat the entire thing in one bite.
Once the laughter had died down, it was Saki's turn. She looked around the group, her eyes narrowing playfully as she scanned each person. Finally, her gaze landed on Ryo.
"Ryo," she said with a smirk. "Truth or dare?"
Ryo groaned, already regretting his decision to play. "Truth."
Saki's grin widened. "Alright. Tell us... do you have a crush on anyone in this group?"
Ryo felt the blood rush to his face, his mind racing. Why did she always have to ask the most awkward questions? He opened his mouth to deny it, to brush it off as nothing, but the words stuck in his throat.
Hana and Mei both looked at him expectantly, though their expressions were different. Hana's was curious, excited even, while Mei's was softer, more reserved. The silence stretched on, and Ryo knew he had to say something before the tension became unbearable.
"I... I don't," Ryo finally muttered, though even he wasn't sure if he believed it.
Saki seemed to sense his hesitation and smirked knowingly. "Sure, Ryo. Whatever you say."
The game continued, but Ryo couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. The truth was, he didn't know how he felt anymore. His friendships with Hana, Saki, and Mei had grown deeper, and with that had come the confusing, tangled feelings he was trying so hard to ignore.
As the night went on, the group eventually dispersed, each heading home after a day filled with laughter, teasing, and just a hint of awkwardness. Ryo walked home in silence, his thoughts swirling with everything that had happened. He had been avoiding his feelings for so long, but now, he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep it up.
Maybe it was time to face the truth—whatever that was.
---
The following week, things only became more complicated. Takashi, the student council president, seemed more determined than ever to involve Ryo in the council's affairs. Despite Ryo's best efforts to stay under the radar, it was becoming increasingly difficult to avoid Takashi's attention.
"Ryo," Takashi called out one afternoon, cornering him in the hallway. "We really could use someone like you on the council."
Ryo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've told you, I'm not interested. I've got enough on my plate as it is."
Takashi, undeterred, smiled that charming smile of his. "Think about it. You've already got a good reputation with the other students. Joining the council would give you the opportunity to make an even bigger impact."
"That's exactly the problem," Ryo muttered under his breath. He didn't want to make a bigger impact. He wanted to fade into the background, not stand in the spotlight.
But as much as he wanted to avoid it, Ryo knew that things were only going to get more complicated from here on out. With Kazaki still lurking, the student council breathing down his neck, and his growing feelings for his friends, it felt like his quiet, uneventful life was slipping further and further away.
And for the first time, Ryo wasn't sure if that was such a bad thing after all.