As the group began descending from the rooftop, the lingering excitement of their evening out under the stars followed them. The city below was alight, every streetlamp casting a warm glow, every shop window reflecting the energy of the weekend crowd. Hana, who had led the way with her usual enthusiasm, paused just outside the building and spun around.
"So, who's up for exploring more of the city before we call it a night?" she asked, her eyes shining as she scanned the group.
Most of them chuckled. Mei, calm as ever, merely shook her head with a soft smile, and Saki looked up at the sky as if gauging how late it was.
"Some of us still have homework, Hana," Saki said, though there was a playful look in her eyes.
"You sound like Ryo's mother," Hana teased, laughing.
Saki blushed slightly but shrugged it off. "Someone has to keep you two in check."
Alice looked at Ryo, her gaze soft. "Ryo, what about you? Do you need to get back?"
Ryo glanced around at his friends. He could sense the night was winding down, yet it felt as if none of them wanted to leave just yet. They'd all enjoyed the simplicity of being together, away from the usual pressures of school or responsibilities.
"Actually, I think I'll stick around a bit more," he replied, surprising even himself. He was rarely one to prolong outings, but tonight felt different.
The group lingered, eventually deciding to take a slow walk toward a nearby park. The late evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of the freshly watered greenery. They wandered along a quiet path lined with cherry blossom trees, the gentle rustle of leaves filling the air. It was peaceful, a sharp contrast to the bustling city just beyond the park's edge.
As they walked, the conversation continued in comfortable waves, sometimes lively and sometimes falling into companionable silence. Amelia walked beside Ryo, sharing little anecdotes about her life back in the U.S., each story sparking laughter from the group and widening their perspectives on her as a person. She was open, funny, and seemed to fit into the group naturally, her vibrant energy balancing well with the quieter members.
At one point, Alice hesitated before quietly inviting everyone to her family's place for a little gathering next weekend. She blushed as she spoke, fidgeting slightly. "My mom… she likes to meet my friends. And since you're all close to me… I thought, maybe, if you're free… you could come?"
The others agreed immediately, especially Hana, who was practically bouncing with excitement. "Your mom wants to meet us? That's so cool, Alice!" she said, making Alice turn an even deeper shade of red.
"Y-yeah… she's always curious about my friends," Alice replied, a shy smile forming.
Eventually, they all found a cluster of benches under the shadow of a large oak tree and settled down. Mei pulled out her phone, taking a few candid photos of the group as they laughed and teased one another, the night's memories captured in those snapshots.
Ryo observed his friends, feeling a deep appreciation for these moments. Here, outside the pressures of their roles at school and the intensity of upcoming events, they could simply enjoy each other's company. It was different from the thrill of festivals and the excitement of crowded school halls; it was calm and steady, a rare kind of magic.
It was Amelia who broke the silence this time, her tone thoughtful. "So, Ryo, do you think you'd ever want to live in the city after graduation?"
Ryo considered the question, gazing around at the sprawling city lights in the distance. "Maybe. There's something… exciting about it. But I think I'd want somewhere quieter, too. Somewhere like this park."
Mei nodded. "There's balance here. It's… calming," she murmured, her usual quiet demeanor softening even further.
As they continued to chat about their hopes and dreams, the night grew deeper. Eventually, Saki noticed the time, and reluctantly, they decided to start heading back home. Each of them left with a sense of warmth, knowing these moments would be part of the memories that kept their bonds strong.
---
The next week at school, preparations for the cultural festival steadily ramped up, and Ryo, true to his earlier commitment, found himself helping the council more frequently. Although he hadn't officially joined, he'd become an integral part of the planning team, assisting Takashi and Rina with various logistics.
One afternoon, as they gathered to go over the festival events, Takashi mentioned an idea that caught everyone's attention. "We could add a haunted house. It's been a few years since we've done one, and I think it'd be a hit," he suggested.
Ryo's eyebrows shot up. "A haunted house? That sounds like a lot of work…"
Rina chuckled. "You mean it sounds like a lot of fun, right? Don't worry; the council has connections. We can borrow props, and I know a few classmates who are pretty good at special effects."
Hana, who'd joined in on the meeting with Alice, practically leaped out of her seat. "Yes! I'll volunteer to be a ghost!"
Everyone laughed, but the excitement was infectious. They began brainstorming ideas for the haunted house, discussing everything from costumes and makeup to sound effects and lighting. Saki and Mei, though a little hesitant at first, quickly got pulled into the planning, and even Alice offered to help with creating the atmosphere, her artistic skills coming in handy.
Amelia, having been invited to lend a hand, joined in as well, her energy keeping the group motivated. The council meetings grew into lively sessions, with everyone sharing ideas and discussing plans. Each member brought their own strengths, turning what could have been a simple event into something they all felt passionate about.
Over the next few days, they devoted their free time to rehearsing scenes and arranging props for the haunted house, gradually transforming an empty classroom into a truly spine-chilling setup. Hana, true to her word, went all out on her ghost character, practicing creepy moves that had the others half-terrified and half-amused.
As they neared the big day, the excitement continued to build, and Ryo found himself even more drawn to his friends, appreciating how everyone was giving their best effort. It was chaotic, a bit overwhelming, but also incredibly fun. And for once, he didn't mind being in the center of it all.
The night before the festival, the group stayed late in the classroom, setting up the final decorations. Strings of eerie lights cast flickering shadows across the walls, and fake cobwebs dangled from every corner. Takashi had managed to borrow a fog machine, and as they tested it, a thin mist began to creep along the floor, adding to the chilling atmosphere.
Finally, they stepped back to admire their work, and Hana clapped her hands in delight. "This is going to be amazing!"
Ryo, though slightly apprehensive about the spooky setup, couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Let's hope everyone else thinks so too."
As they wrapped up for the night, Saki caught Ryo's eye. "You're really part of this team now, you know? I can't imagine the council without you," she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips.
Ryo shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm just… helping out."
"Still," she added, her gaze lingering on him. "It's nice having you here."
The others echoed similar sentiments as they left the classroom, their laughter and chatter filling the hallways as they headed home, excitement for the festival filling the air. And as they parted ways, Ryo couldn't help but feel grateful, knowing these friendships and shared experiences would stay with him, shaping his memories and deepening his bonds with each of them.