A week had passed since we'd returned from the class trip to the hot springs, and Tokyo was buzzing with anticipation. The annual fireworks festival near the Sumida River was just around the corner, and the city was already draped in festive decorations.
The thought of vibrant explosions lighting up the night sky over the familiar Tokyo skyline, reflected in the river, was exciting, but an even greater thrill pulsed through me. It was the same feeling I'd experienced at the seaside resort, a place that, for a short time, had felt like a world away.
There, the air was alive with the sound of festival drums and the smell of grilled yakitori. The resort had transformed into a vibrant celebration, with lanterns strung between the trees and colorful stalls lining the pathways. I was excited, not just for the festival near the Sumida, but because Kiyomi had agreed to explore it with me.
We wandered through the bustling crowds, trying our hand at various games and sampling the delicious festival food. Kiyomi, looking stunning in a yukata with a vibrant floral pattern, was laughing and enjoying herself. I couldn't help but stare. She was so beautiful, so full of life.
"Hey, Cid, look!" Kiyomi exclaimed, pointing to a stall with a goldfish scooping game. "Let's try that!"
We joined the queue, and soon it was our turn. Armed with flimsy paper nets, we attempted to scoop the elusive goldfish. Kiyomi, surprisingly, was a natural. She scooped up three goldfish with ease, while I managed to tear a hole in my net and soak myself in the process.
"Here," Kiyomi said, offering me one of her goldfish. "You can have this one."
"Thanks," I said, taking the small plastic bag containing the goldfish. "I'll name him… Lucky."
Kiyomi giggled. "That's a good name for him," she said.
We continued our exploration of the festival, our laughter echoing through the night. As the sun began to set, we found a clear patch of grass slightly away from the main crowd, where other families had laid out their mats for a small picnic. We spread out our own mat and sat down, enjoying the food we'd bought from the various stalls.
"This is perfect," Kiyomi said, contentedly munching on a takoyaki ball. "The fireworks are about to start, and we have the best seats in the house."
I nodded, my gaze fixed on her. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated her face, making her look even more beautiful.
As the first fireworks exploded in the sky, we sat in comfortable silence, sharing our snacks and pointing out the most impressive bursts of color.
"They're beautiful," Kiyomi whispered, her eyes sparkling.
"Yeah," I agreed, my gaze still fixed on her.
The fireworks continued, a dazzling display of light and sound. I wanted to say something to Kiyomi, to tell her how I felt, but the words wouldn't come. I was too afraid of ruining the moment, of breaking the comfortable silence between us.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted us. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here."
We turned to see Aiko standing a few feet away, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Aiko!" Kiyomi exclaimed, her cheeks flushing.
"Don't mind me," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Just enjoying the show."
I felt my own cheeks burn. It was just like the hot springs incident all over again.
"We should probably head back," Kiyomi said, her voice a little shaky.
I nodded, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me. I had been so close…
We walked back towards the main area, the laughter and chatter of the festival filling the air. As I watched Kiyomi laugh and joke with Aiko, I couldn't help but smile. I knew I would have my chance. I just had to be patient.
The fireworks were beautiful, but they weren't the only thing making my heart race. Sitting next to Cid, sharing snacks and watching the explosions of color in the sky, was making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Aiko's sudden appearance, though a bit embarrassing, didn't completely ruin the mood. I was glad she came when she did. I was starting to get nervous with Cid. I wasn't ready for that conversation yet.
As we walked back towards the main area, I couldn't help but think about Cid. He was so sweet, so awkward, so… endearing. I knew I liked him. A lot. But I was still scared. Scared of rejection, scared of ruining our friendship.
"Hey," Aiko said, nudging me playfully. "You okay? You seem a little quiet."
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about how much fun I'm having."
Aiko raised an eyebrow, but didn't press the issue. I was grateful for that.
We rejoined the group, and the rest of the night passed in a blur of laughter, games, and delicious food. As I watched Cid interact with our friends, I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. I wanted to be alone with him again, to talk to him, to tell him how I felt. But I knew I had to wait. I had to be patient. The right moment would come.
The festival eventually wound down, the crowds thinning as everyone prepared to head home. Cid went his separate way, while Aiko and I walked together. I was still buzzing from the evening, replaying the moments with Cid in my head.
"So," Aiko said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "How did it go with Cid?"
I blushed, remembering the stolen moments, the feeling of his hand in mine. "It was… nice," I said, trying to sound casual.
Aiko snorted. "Nice? Is that all you have to say? You two were practically glued to each other all night."
"We were not!" I protested, though I couldn't deny the truth.
"Oh, come on, Kiyomi," Aiko teased. "Everyone can see you're head over heels for him."
My cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. "I am not!" I insisted, even though my heart was pounding in agreement.
Aiko just laughed. "Whatever you say," she said. "But just so you know, I'm rooting for you two."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me.
We walked in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, the streetlights casting long shadows around us. As we reached the corner where our paths diverged, Aiko stopped.
"Well, this is my stop," she said, giving me a playful wink. "Good luck with Cid." Hearing that I felt a feeling of excitement and nervousness.
We said our goodbyes, and I continued walking home, my mind racing. Aiko was right. I was head over heels for Cid. And tonight, I had felt closer to him than ever before.
When I finally reached my house, I let out a long sigh of relief. I quickly changed into my pajamas and collapsed onto my bed, my face buried in my pillow.
And then I screamed, a long, drawn-out gasp filled with pure joy and excitement. I couldn't contain it any longer. I replayed every moment of the evening in my head, from the goldfish scooping game to the stolen glances
during the fireworks. And then, I remembered the way his hand had brushed against mine, the way his eyes had sparkled when he looked at me.
I blushed again, my cheeks burning. I couldn't wait to see him again, to talk to him, to… well, I wasn't sure what. But I knew I wanted to be with him.
I finally drifted off to sleep, my dreams filled with fireworks and a certain clumsy, kind, and utterly adorable boy named Cid.