The city was alive with lights as the spring festival began. People gathered along the riverbank, preparing for the evening fireworks. Ren arrived with Sora, his best friend and the only person who knew about his feelings for Aiko.
"Look who's here," Sora nudged him, gesturing to Aiko among a group of friends.
Aiko's eyes met Ren's, and she beckoned him over, her smile lighting up more brightly than the lanterns around them. Beside her were her friends Mei and Kenta, each absorbed in their own worlds yet close enough to hear the conversation.
As they waited for the fireworks, Mei, ever the curious one, leaned toward Aiko. "So, Aiko, who's the mysterious poet by your side?"
Aiko blushed slightly, nudging Mei playfully. "Just a friend, Mei. His poems are beautiful, though. You should hear them sometime."
Sora leaned in to Ren and whispered, "Just a friend, huh?"
Ren, a flush rising to his cheeks, tried to ignore Sora's teasing. As the fireworks exploded overhead, he snuck a glance at Aiko, who was watching the colors with wonder. For a moment, he wished he could freeze this scene—their laughter, the lights, the brief escape from reality.