Chapter 57: Beautiful Girl at the Fireworks Festival (Part 3)

The fireworks marking the end of the festival shoot up into the night sky.

A quiet sense of melancholy settles in—so this is really the end, huh…

The sky that had been so dazzling just moments ago is now veiled in smoke, and darkness returns to the riverside.

The crowds who came to watch the fireworks begin drifting toward the station. With that many people on the move, getting home is going to be a real ordeal.

For a little while after the finale, I chatted with Sakurako-chan and the others about what we thought of the show. Then, my smartphone buzzed softly in my hand.

“I’m waiting in front of the convenience store. Come by if you have a moment.”

It’s a message from Aoi-kun. There’s only one convenience store around here—the same one where we bought snacks earlier.

"Then, I’ll just step out for a bit," I tell everyone.

"Okay."
"…Yeah."

Sakurako-chan nods, while Togo’s tone sounds a little sulky. I guess leaving while everyone’s still chatting feels like throwing cold water on the fun.

"Where are you going? It’s totally packed right now, you know!"

"I’m just going to say hi to Aoi-kun."

"Eh—!? He’s here!?"

Moeka-chan looks genuinely surprised. And behind her, Ryoji looks equally shocked.

Come to think of it, the fireworks started right after we got back here, so I never told Moeka-chan or Ryoji about him. I give them a quick rundown.

"Ayumi, are you sure about this? You’re not uncomfortable or anything? You’re not just going because he asked, right?"

Ryoji’s warning catches me off guard. His tone is a little sharper than usual, and it startles me.

"Uh, n-no… It’s fine, really."

"I—I see. Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound harsh."

"It’s okay. Don’t worry about it."

Ryoji knows I’ve been struggling with whether to keep living as a girl. Since I just made peace with that, I think he’s just worried seeing me invited out like this. His tone was scary for a second, but… I can tell he means well.

"I’ll be fine, Ryoji. I’m just going to say hi to a friend."

When I say that, he only replies, "Got it." His face is still serious, but he seems to accept it for now.

"Then we’ll stay around here until you get back, Ayumi-chan!"

"Thanks. Sorry to keep you waiting."

Since they’re waiting, I need to hurry back soon.

I leave the group and head toward the meeting spot as quickly as I can.

The convenience store is in the opposite direction of the crowds heading home, so the path is quiet. The clack-clack of my wooden sandals echoes softly as I trot along.

When I reach the store, I’m breathing a little heavily. A faint sheen of sweat glistens on my forehead, and I dab it with my handkerchief. I need to look at least a little put-together.

Looking around, I spot Aoi-kun standing beside the parking lot. He’s already there, waiting. Seeing that he’s alone, I guess he must’ve left his friends for a bit too.

"Sorry! Did I keep you waiting?"

When I call out, he notices me and raises a hand in greeting.

"No, I should be the one apologizing. I kind of called you out of nowhere."

He scratches the back of his head and gives a small, apologetic bow.

"It’s fine! But my friends are waiting, so I can only stay a little while, okay?"

I smile brightly, and his cheeks turn slightly red.

"Your yukata really suits you."

"Thanks."

He always compliments me so straightforwardly. It used to fluster me or make me blush uncontrollably, but I think I’ve gotten a little better at handling it now… maybe. At least enough not to trip over my words—though my heart’s still pounding like crazy.

"Did you come with your club friends today?"

"Yeah, that’s right."

"You’re all pretty close, huh?"

He smiles a little. Maybe it’s just the lighting, but that smile seems tinged with loneliness.

"Yeah. They’re all great people—my proudest friends, really."

I beam as I say it. Honestly, spending time with those four is always the most fun. Sure, I’ve had my share of embarrassing moments this semester, but still.

"To be honest, I’m kind of jealous of your clubmates for getting to hang out with you, Sakura-san."

He mutters it so quietly I almost miss it—but I do hear it. I just… pretend I didn’t. I wouldn’t even know how to respond.

"Did you come with your club, too, Aoi-kun?"

"Me? Yeah. Just a bunch of sweaty guys though."

He gives a wry laugh, and I can’t help but laugh with him.

"So in your club, Sakura-san, it’s all girls, right? Since it’s a cooking club and all?"

"Eh? Oh, no—two guys and two girls."

"There are guys in the cooking club…?"

A look of surprise crosses his face.

Well, I guess it is unusual for boys to join anything cooking-related. Though honestly, Togo and Ryoji only joined on a whim—it’s not like they had a burning passion for cooking or anything. Still, lately they’ve started helping out a little instead of just eating, which has been a nice change. I’m actually kind of happy about that. It’s a lot more fun when everyone’s bustling around together, laughing and cooking side by side.

Aoi-kun looks thoughtful for a moment, as if mulling something over.

I don’t think it’s something that needs that much thinking, though.

After a brief pause, he gives a small shake of his head—as if to say, let’s drop that topic.

"Hey, Sakura-san… You’ve changed a little since we met at the beach, haven’t you?"

The sudden question makes me blink in surprise.

"Ah, sorry, that was kind of random. It’s just—you seemed really troubled back then. But now you feel… different somehow."

I recall that day by the sea.

Back then, I was in turmoil, struggling with whether I was a boy or a girl. That struggle isn’t completely gone, but I think I’ve made peace with it—at least enough to breathe again. I don’t know what he thought of me at the time, but…

"Yeah. I was going through a lot then. Sorry if I made things awkward."

"No, no, not at all. You just looked so miserable, I couldn’t help worrying. I just felt bad that I couldn’t do anything to help."

We’d barely known each other at the time, and yet he cared that much? That realization warms my chest a little.

"Thank you for worrying about me. But thanks to you, I think I’ve finally worked through most of it!"

So I thank him honestly, and to show I really am okay now, I give him a bright, confident smile.

He looks a little embarrassed at first, then smiles back, matching my expression.

"Hey, Sakura-san. Remember that kendo match I mentioned before? It’s coming up soon. Would you come watch?"

A kendo match, huh… Last time, I think I said I’d go if I could bring friends along. That still holds true now.

Going alone to cheer him on would be a bit much—I’d just get too nervous. It’s not like I’d know anyone there either.

Then it hits me.

"Uh… when is it again?"

"Oh! Right, I never told you the date or the place, did I?"

He makes an oops face and laughs sheepishly before giving me the details.

Honestly, we’re both kind of scatterbrained sometimes, and it makes me smile too.

"Okay. I think I’m free that day. I’ll ask my friends if they want to come with me."

It’s my day off from my part-time job anyway, and I don’t have any plans.

I just need to see if the others are available… though now that I think about it, only Moeka-chan and Aika-chan have actually met Aoi-kun before. The rest probably wouldn’t even recognize him. Will they really agree to come cheer for someone they don’t know? I can’t help but feel a little uneasy.

"Thanks. I’d be really happy if you came."

He says that while looking straight into my eyes. I’m not used to making direct eye contact, so I tense up instinctively.

I said I’d bring friends, but honestly, the only people I could even call friends are those four—and maybe the sisters. Yoshino-san and Aika-chan count as friends, right? …I think?

Could I invite Ryoji and Togo? Probably not. I mean, it’s a boys’ kendo tournament. I doubt they’d want to tag along for that. If it were a girls’ kendo match, maybe, but… yeah, no.

And from Aoi-kun’s perspective, he probably wouldn’t be thrilled if I showed up with a bunch of guys either.

Maybe I’ll start by asking Sakurako-chan and Moeka-chan.

"Ah—Sakura-san, is the time okay?"

I check my smartphone. It’s just past nine o’clock.

The fireworks ended around eight-thirty, so we’ve been talking for about half an hour. Yikes—if I don’t get back soon, I’ll be keeping everyone waiting way too long.

"Sorry, I should head back now!"

"Yeah, me too. I’ll message you later, okay?"

I nod, then turn on my heel and leave the convenience store behind.

Man, this yukata is so hard to move in, and yet I’ve been rushing around nonstop tonight.

When I finally return to the group, everyone greets me warmly. Thankfully, no one scolds me for being late, which is a huge relief.

The area near the fireworks venue is still packed—no surprise there, since it’ll take time for all those people to clear out.

I’d love to hang out and chat a bit more, but it’s getting late, and staying out too long probably isn’t smart. In the end, we decide to head home.

Ugh, kind of a shame, honestly. But better that than getting stopped by the police for being out too late.

"Ayumi-chan, you look so disappointed," Moeka-chan teases, giggling as we walk toward the station.

There she goes again, reading me like an open book. My expressions must be way too easy to read—it’s like my thoughts are just written across my face.

"Y-yeah. I just wanted to talk with everyone a little longer, that’s all."

"Oh? That’s what you’re sad about? I thought for sure you meant…"

Before she can finish, Ryoji cuts in.

"If that’s the case, how about we hang out tomorrow? Arcade, karaoke—whatever you want."

"Tomorrow’s no good for me—I’ve got a part-time shift."

It’s still during my training period at the job. Little by little, I’ve been getting used to customer service, and I think I’m starting to grow into the role of a waitress. Once you get the hang of wearing all kinds of uniforms, it actually becomes kind of fun. Most of the customers are really nice too, so I can work with peace of mind.

"Oh, at Tamago Ginza, right? Then why don’t we all go see her tomorrow?"

"I'm in!" "Sounds good!" "Count me in too!"

"Eh!? W-wait, wait! You don’t have to come!"

Caught completely off guard, I panic. Ugh, I shouldn’t have said anything!

"But the pudding there’s really good, right?"

"Yeah! Super good!"

I remember the taste of the very first pudding I had there—it was so delicious. Sometimes, when I’m working, the manager gives me one, and it always makes me ridiculously happy. Honestly, it might even make me happier than getting paid.

I used to love mizu-yōkan, but I might have betrayed it just a little. The way that silky egg and caramel sauce melt together... just thinking about it makes me dreamy. And without realizing it, my face softens into a goofy smile.

"Whoa! I’ve never seen Ayumi-chan look so happy! Gotta take a picture of this!"

Click! goes the sound of Moeka-chan’s phone camera, snapping me back to reality.

"H-hey, no pictures! Delete it, delete it!"

"Too late! I already synced it to my computer~"

Grrr... she’s using some kind of advanced technique I can’t even begin to understand. Moeka-chan is a dangerous opponent indeed!

"So it’s really that good, huh? Now I’m curious," Togo says, sounding even more interested.

"It was featured in a magazine, after all. And after seeing Ayumi-chan’s face, I kind of want to go too," someone else adds.

Ugh, everyone’s totally set on coming now. There’s no way I can tell them not to at this point.

I glare at Ryoji, who avoids my eyes and starts pretending to whistle. Like he even knows how!

"The uniforms at that café are super cute, right?"

"N-no, I don’t think they’re that special..."

That’s a lie. Honestly, I do think they’re pretty cute, and I’ve grown kind of fond of mine. If I’m going to wear something every shift, it might as well be cute, right? That’s what I’ve been thinking lately. But if I admit that here, they’ll just tease me even more…

"Ah—this one, this one! It would look so cute on Ayumi-chan!"

Moeka-chan turns her phone around for everyone to see.

Wait—what?! That’s my workplace’s website! Oh no, there’s a photo of the café interior—with one of the staff in uniform! That’s Yazaki-san! How did she even agree to that picture!?

Seriously, how can it be this easy for people to find stuff online nowadays!? As I grind my teeth in frustration, everyone gathers around Moeka-chan’s phone.

"Aww, that’s adorable!"

"Yeah, really cute."

"Then we have to go now!"

Fine, whatever. Do as you please. I give up resisting. At this point, I feel like I’ve lost from start to finish without even putting up a fight.

"You can come... but make sure it’s during a slow time, okay?"

Everyone choruses back with a cheerful "Okaaay!" Ugh, they’re only good at answering in unison... Well, I doubt they’ll actually bother me while I’m working.

As for Aoi-kun’s kendo match, I’ll just ask Moeka-chan and the others about it tomorrow—maybe over messages or something.