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The school festival was alive with color, voices, and the smell of fried food and candied treats. Lanterns swayed gently above the courtyard as students bustled around in costumes and uniforms. It was the kind of evening that made everything feel a little more magical, even if only for a while.
Harukoo, in a casual black jacket and fitted shirt, walked through the crowd with confidence. His once-awkward steps were now composed and sure, his eyes calm but observant. He received smiles and waves from classmates he barely knew just a month ago. People noticed him now. They laughed with him, invited him to things. He belonged.
At the goldfish booth, Rina waved excitedly. "Harukoo! Over here!"
He smiled and walked over.
"You're helping at the booth, right? Try not to scare the goldfish with your cool stare," she teased.
He laughed, crouched down beside her, and playfully splashed a little water at her hand. "Guess I'll try to look less intimidating."
As they worked together, the chemistry between them became impossible to ignore. Harukoo noticed the warmth in Rina's gaze, the subtle way she leaned closer when he spoke. He didn't pull away. For the first time in his life, someone wanted to be near him without expecting anything in return.
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Elsewhere: Mika's Growing Unease
Mika sat on the school balcony with Kaito, who was too busy checking his phone to really talk to her. She had dressed nicely for the festival—maybe even hoping Harukoo would notice—but Kaito hadn't commented.
"Hey," she said softly, "do you want to go walk around together?"
Kaito shrugged. "Later. I told some guys I'd meet them near the food stalls."
He stood, barely glancing at her, and walked off, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
She leaned against the railing and looked down at the crowd.
That's when she saw him—Harukoo—laughing with a girl at the goldfish booth. The way he smiled, the way the girl leaned on him... it was natural. Warm.
Her stomach twisted.
When did he start smiling like that? she thought. And why does it hurt to see it?
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An Unexpected Encounter
Later that evening, Mika finally found Harukoo again. He was walking near the lantern-lit garden path, chatting quietly with Rina.
Something pulled at her chest. Without thinking, she stepped in front of them.
"Harukoo," she said, trying to sound casual. "Can we talk?"
He looked surprised but nodded. "Sure."
Rina glanced at him. "I'll wait by the bench."
Mika led Harukoo a little away from the path. "You've changed," she said quietly.
He tilted his head. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It's not." She hesitated. "You just... feel so far now."
He let the silence hang between them. "Maybe that's because I had to walk alone for too long."
She looked down. "I'm sorry... if I ever made you feel that way."
His eyes softened, but his voice was steady. "You didn't just make me feel that way, Mika. You lived your life like I didn't exist. Even now... only when I'm noticed by others do you remember me."
She bit her lip. "That's not true."
"Then why now?" he asked gently. "Why only after I changed?"
Mika didn't know how to answer. She felt exposed, her emotions unraveling under the weight of her own guilt.
He turned to leave. "Take care, Mika."
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From Afar: Yuki Watching
Yuki had seen the exchange from the shadows of a nearby tree. Her heart thudded against her chest. Seeing Harukoo walk away from Mika made her feel strangely relieved—but also reminded her of her own silence.
She had been hiding her feelings far longer than anyone.
And as Harukoo's figure disappeared into the lantern light, Yuki whispered to herself, "Don't leave me too…"
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