Chapter 1 | The Long Autumn Night

To start with the conclusion, I’m going to the fireworks festival. Of course, not alone with Nitta-san, but for now, with our usual group of five. I tried inviting Nakamura-san and Takizawa-kun too, but they politely declined, saying they already had plans to go as a couple.

The fireworks festival feels like a way to put a cap on the hot summer, and on the day, there’ll be more than just fireworks—apparently, a special stage will host all sorts of events, so I’m personally looking forward to this weekend’s plans quite a bit.

…If it weren’t for the thing with Nitta-san, that is.

“—The fireworks festival? With everyone? Yup, I’m in! Totally in! Now that you mention it, it got canceled last year because of heavy rain, didn’t it? Ehehe, I’m so excited to go to a festival with everyone since starting high school~”

Having partially given in to Nitta-san’s request, I explain the weekend plans to Amami-san, who arrived late to school.

Amami-san had messaged Nitta-san about oversleeping and barely making it on time, but when she breezed in five minutes before homeroom, she looked cool as a cucumber, not a drop of sweat on her.

…It really makes you wonder what kind of stamina she’s got.

“What about Nagisa-chan and Yama-chan? Since we’re all going, why don’t they come with us?”

“…Why the heck do I have to go with you guys? Also, not interested.”

“Sorry~ I already promised to go with some other friends. Oh, and Arae-san isn’t ‘not interested’—she’s going with some kids from another class, just like me.”

“Oh, got it. Sorry, Nagisa-chan?”

“…I’m seriously gonna punch you one of these days.”

Just like Arae-san and Yamashita-san, it seems a ton of other students are planning to go watch the fireworks too. Who knows, maybe we’ll run into someone unexpected at the venue…

“Well then, I’ve gotta go all out and prep a yukata for the day! My mom’s got a bunch of them, so I’ll dress up Umi and Nina-chi too. …Huh, Maehara-kun, something wrong? You don’t seem very hyped.”

“Nah, it’s just… from what I’m hearing, it sounds like it’s gonna be super crowded, so I’m kinda worried. I get motion sickness, sure, but I’m also not great with crowds.”

There’s the health concern, yeah, but the real worry, naturally, lies elsewhere.

Should I come clean to Amami-san about the conversation I had with Nitta-san earlier?

As for Nitta-san, her stance on the matter is, “It’s not something to hide, so it’s fine if you tell her.”

So, it’s up to me and Umi to decide what to do…

(Maehara) Umi, what should we do?

(Asanagi) Ugh, what the heck is Nina even thinking?

(Asanagi) And she was weirdly stubborn about it this time too.

(Asanagi) Well, anyway. What do you wanna do, Maki?

(Maehara) Me… Hmm, I guess…

(Maehara) We’re friends, so it feels kinda wrong to keep it a secret just from Amami-san, right?

(Maehara) Nitta-san didn’t seem to care either way too.

(Asanagi) That girl’s always so bold about stuff like this. She was the same with Takizawa-kun.

(Asanagi) For now, though, I’m leaning toward keeping it on the down-low.

(Maehara) So, you think we shouldn’t tell her?

(Asanagi) Just for now. I don’t have any specific reason, but…

(Asanagi) I just have a bad feeling about it, y’know?

(Asanagi) Like, during the beach trip, Yuu seemed super serious about her views on love.

(Maehara) Yeah… you’re not wrong.

(Asanagi) Right? I mean, I’m not exactly one to talk, but…

Before Amami-san showed up at school, Umi and I had this kind of back-and-forth. And as Umi pointed out, Amami-san seemed to have a rare sense of disgust toward Nitta-san’s behavior back then.

If someone’s already in a relationship—or even if they’re not, but it’s clear they’re mutually in love—she doesn’t want anyone stirring up trouble in that relationship.

That’s not a wrong way to think, and honestly, I’d bet most people would agree with her stance.

I get that when you can only choose one person as your partner, you might do whatever it takes to make them choose you. That’s a valid perspective too.

“They already have a partner.” “They’re in love with someone else.”

But if you could give up that easily, you probably didn’t love them in the first place.

I don’t know how Nitta-san truly feels about me right now, but inviting me to hang out one-on-one could easily lead to misunderstandings, no matter how you slice it.

…For now, it’s probably best to go along with Umi’s take.

“Hey, hey, what about meeting times? So, the fireworks start at 7 p.m., right… We’ll want to grab a good spot, so we should probably get there by late afternoon? Which means Umi and Nina-chi should come over to my place around noon…”

Maybe because it’s a once-a-year festival, Amami-san’s already in full planning mode, mapping out the day’s schedule with a spark in her eye.

Watching her like this, I can’t help but think Umi’s gut feeling might be right—maybe we shouldn’t stir up any unnecessary drama.

The one thing that worries me, though, is Nitta-san on the day of.

She’s usually been the balancer in our group of five, keeping things steady, but this time, I’m not so sure what’ll happen.

…I just hope we don’t have a repeat of this morning.

“—kun, Maehara-kun?”

“Huh? …Oh, sorry, I zoned out for a sec. Uh, what’s up?”

“So, I’m super happy you invited me to the fireworks festival, but… are you sure this is okay with you? It’s a special occasion, so you could go with just Umi, y’know?”

“Oh… well, there’ll be plenty of other chances for me and Umi to hang out alone besides the festival. Plus, if anything happens, it’s safer to stick together as a group. And, y’know, I also just wanted to have fun with everyone.”

With tons of out-of-town visitors expected to flood in, it’s probably smarter to have more people together to avoid any random trouble.

I might be overthinking it, but you never know when some creep might try hitting on cute girls like Amami-san or Umi out of nowhere.

“If you say so, Maehara-kun… Oh, but if you ever feel like going with just Umi, don’t hesitate to change plans, okay? It’s almost been a year since you two met, so you’ve gotta celebrate your anniversary properly.”

“No worries there. …Speaking of, I’m kinda surprised you remembered when Umi and I got close.”

“Of course I did! I mean, you’re the first… uh, the first guy friend I could actually talk to properly, Maehara-kun.”

“…Really?”

“Yup. I’ve talked to other guys or hung out with them in groups, but most of them… how do I put it? Their eyes were all intense and kinda scary, like they were sizing me up or something…”

“Oh, I get it.”

Even though Amami-san tends to get close to people easily, she’s got a sharp eye for reading them and a knack for sensing danger.

She’s practically an idol at school, so it’s not hard to see why some guys would want to get closer to her—or even dream of something more. But coming on too strong with obvious ulterior motives is just rude to her.

Even with her stunning looks and athletic talent, she probably deals with more headaches than most people realize.

If guys just took the time to understand that, they’d naturally get closer to her.

“That’s why I’m glad I got to be friends with you, Maehara-kun.”

“Really? Well, that’s good to hear.”

“Yup! Ehehe, I’m just Umi’s sidekick, but let’s keep being friends, okay? Here, a handshake to seal the deal!”

“Huh? Oh, uh, sure. Nice to meet you… again.”

Following her lead, I stick out my right hand, and Amami-san grabs it firmly with both of hers.

It only hits me after the handshake, but this might actually be the first time I’ve ever touched any part of Amami-san’s body, at least that I can recall.

Her pale, soft hands, slightly damp with sweat, feel oddly cool to the touch.

“Your hands are really warm, Maehara-kun… Oh, so this is what Umi’s always…”

“Uh, Amami-san?”

“…Oh, sorry, Maehara-kun! I got carried away again… Anyway, class is about to start, so we’d better get to our seats. Let’s talk more about the fireworks festival during lunch with everyone, okay?”

“Oh, yeah. Got it…”

She reluctantly lets go of my hand, as if she doesn’t want to, and scurries back to join Arae-san and Yamashita-san’s group.

“—Alright, good morning~ Time to take attendance, so everyone, get to your seats quick~ C’mon, Maehara-kun, don’t just stand there spacing out. Oh, and can you lead the greeting while you’re at it?”

“Yes, ma’am. …Alright, everyone, stand and bow!”

As morning homeroom kicks off right on schedule, I steal a glance at Amami-san.

I thought Nitta-san was the only one acting off since this morning, but it looks like something’s up with Amami-san too.

Quietly, I slip my phone out of my pocket.

(Maehara) Umi.

(Asanagi) Yo.

(Maehara) …What do we do?

(Asanagi) Let’s save that talk for after school, yeah? Take our time with it.

(Maehara) Thanks, you’re a lifesaver.

Having a girlfriend who gets me right away in moments like this is honestly a blessing.

Ever since the sports festival, Amami-san’s been her usual self, but now with Nitta-san acting up too…

This weekend’s fireworks festival… Is it too much to hope it’ll go off without a hitch?

So, it’s settled—we’re heading to the fireworks festival with everyone this Saturday. But of course, I haven’t forgotten about carving out some alone time with Umi too.

It was around this time of year that Umi and I became friends. On a lonely Friday after school, I was browsing movies at the rental shop, thinking I’d spend the evening by myself, when she struck up a conversation with me. That’s how it all started.

“—A kindred spirit, spotted! I’d love it if we could get along. Just sayin’.”

Exactly one year ago, Umi gave me her “Asanagi Umi” introduction card, which I still keep tucked away safely in my desk drawer.

The memory of meeting her for the first time is like a treasure to me.

Our second autumn together, on a Friday weekend.

What we’re gonna do is pretty much a no-brainer.

“Hey, Maki, which one should we pick? Wanna go back to our roots and grab a B-grade shark flick?”

“Obviously. Let’s see… if I remember right, the first ones we watched together were…”

“Piranha Shark and Kung Fu Shark, right? Hehe, even after a year, Yuu and Nina still can’t keep up with us on this stuff.”

“Yeah, it’s a tough one for them.”

At our usual rental shop, Umi and I lean close, flipping through DVDs with gloriously cheesy titles, laughing over our niche obsession.

Not even Amami-san, Nitta-san, or Nozomu can butt in on this moment.

Our thing. A secret language only the two of us share.

The time we spend cracking dumb jokes and laughing together is pure bliss, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“Looking back, we were both pretty wild, huh? You tried to drag a girl you barely knew from class to your place, and I just went along with it like it was nothing.”

“We had so much fun chilling together, we ended up staying out till morning.”

“Hehe, oh yeah, that happened! When Auntie Masaki woke us up, even I was spooked for once. …We’ve really been through a lot, haven’t we?”

“Yeah. …But it was fun, right?”

“Yup. ’Cause I was with you, Maki.”

“And I had you, Umi.”

In the place where it all began, Umi and I weave our memories together, one by one.

It started with an introduction card I picked up on a whim, slowly getting to know this girl named Asanagi Umi, until I ended up loving her more than anyone else.

The awkward vibe of that first self-introduction in high school still gives me chills to think about, but I don’t regret a single second of it.

…Because I got to become “friends” with someone as adorable as Umi.

“Hey, Maki?”

“Yeah?”

“This might sound kinda random now, but…”

“It’s fine. What’s up?”

“…I kinda wanted to go to the fireworks festival, just the two of us.”

As she says it, Umi squeezes my hand tight.

A fireworks festival date, just the two of us, to celebrate a year of being friends.

It’s cliché, sure, but we’re just like any other high school couple—ordinary lovers, no different from the rest.

We’re usually content lazing around at home, but every now and then, we want to do something cheesy like this too.

“Well, wanna ditch everyone last-minute and go just us? Amami-san said she’d be cool with it.”

“Hehe, she told me the same thing. So Yuu of her, right?”

“Everyone’s got their own plans, and yet… Amami-san would somehow make it work.”

“It’s less ‘make it work’ and more like it just happens naturally with her.”

Canceling plans the day before would probably annoy most people, but when Amami-san’s involved, it somehow all falls into place. It’s almost magical.

If Amami-san says it’s fine, if Yuu-chin begs that hard—somehow, Nozomu and Nitta-san would probably roll with it without a fuss. Even people outside our close circle would too.

Umi and I could never pull that off so easily.

“Thanks for listening, Maki.”

“So, no last-minute ditch after all?”

“Duh, obviously not! Yuu might’ve said that, but she’s the one looking forward to tomorrow the most.”

Umi’s right—Amami-san’s acting considerate for our sake, but if we took her words at face value, she’d probably sulk so obviously it’d be painful to watch.

We both agree to prioritize our alone time as a couple whenever possible, but that doesn’t mean we can just brush off our time with Amami-san and the others.

The three of them are always looking out for us lovebirds with such kindness, and that’s why we can flirt so peacefully right now.

“Alright then, let’s rest up today to get ready for tomorrow.”

“Hehe, sounds good. I’m ignoring any ‘that’s what we always do’ jabs.”

“Thank you very much. …Heh.”

“Ehehe!”

We laugh at our little banter and pick out two movies from the stack of options. Both are sequels that were (in certain circles) wildly popular, their covers practically screaming the creators’ (questionable) passion.

After checking out, we leave our favorite rental shop and head to our usual supermarket. Normally, we’d order delivery from my part-time job, but according to Emi-senpai, the shop’s running on a skeleton crew today due to the manager’s scheduling screw-up, so they’d appreciate it if we held off.

Do we grab some ready-made food or cook something ourselves? Tough call.

“Hmm… Oh, look, this sushi pack’s got a half-off sticker! We’ve been eating junk food nonstop, so maybe some sushi and miso soup for a change… Huh? Umi, what’s up?”

“Maki, look over there, at those kids.”

“Huh? Where?”

“Over there, by the store’s parking lot. The girls in yukata. Elementary schoolers, maybe?”

Umi tugs at my sleeve, pointing, and I follow her gaze to see a group of kids chatting excitedly, probably waiting for someone.

The boys are in casual clothes, but like Umi said, a few of the girls are dressed in adorable yukata.

It’s that time of evening transitioning into night, with cute girls all dolled up in yukata.

It’s not hard to guess where they’re headed.

“…Hey, Maki?”

“Umi, you’re not thinking something weird, are you?”

“Rude! Just a little bit, okay? I was just thinking we could follow them and see where they’re going.”

“…Pretty sure the world calls that ‘weird.’”

Umi’s probably already pieced it together, but those kids are likely headed to some kind of festival. Maybe a small, locals-only event run by the neighborhood association, or a modestly sized public festival that happens regularly.

I’ve lived in this town for a while, but there are still plenty of local events I wouldn’t know about unless I went looking.

It could be a bust, but it might be fun to check out.

…Especially since Umi’s weirdly fired up about this.

“But instead of tailing them, why don’t we just ask? You might be fine, but if a guy with my face is lurking behind them, they’ll probably call the cops.”

“I don’t think you’re that bad-looking… but yeah, you’re probably right. Alright, Maki, you’re up.”

“Huh?”

As if it’s the most natural thing in the world, Umi pats my back, nudging me toward the kids.

“…I’m the one asking?”

“Well, yeah? You’re the one who said we should ask.”

“I mean, sure, but… am I getting played here?”

“C’mon, c’mon, they’re gonna leave if you keep dawdling!”

So, we pause our shopping for a moment, and I head toward the group of elementary schoolers.

I’m half-worried they’ll set off a panic alarm the second I open my mouth, but Umi’s right behind me, so she’ll probably back me up.

“Uh, hey, kids, can I talk to you for a sec?”

“““!”””

The moment I speak, the kids all turn to me with wary looks, sizing me up.

They’re probably upper elementary school age. I must’ve spooked them, coming out of nowhere like this.

“—What’s up, mister? You got business with us?”

“Oh, sorry for startling you. I’m not here to scold you or tattle to an adult or anything like that.”

“““…?”””

Maybe my tone came off too defensive, because their expressions only get more suspicious.

…I tried my best, but clearly, I’m nowhere near Amami-san or Umi’s level of communication skills.

“Uh, Umi-san, I—”

“Good effort. Leave the rest to me.”

Noticing things going south, Umi swoops in beside me.

“Sorry for scaring you guys! We’re students at the high school near the mountain, but we don’t know much about this area. …I saw some kids in yukata, so is there something going on nearby?”

“Oh… yeah, there is. I mean, yes, there is.”

The boy who’d been glaring at me softens instantly when Umi flashes her gentle smile, shrinking back like a shy kitten, his face turning red.

He doesn’t seem to mind being talked to by a pretty older girl, but too bad for him—this one’s been spoken for a long time.

…Not that I’d say something that petty out loud.

“There’s a small shrine about ten minutes by bus from here, and they’re holding a festival. They’ve got takoyaki, yakisoba, and tons of food stalls, so we’re all going together… Oh, and our homeroom teacher’s gonna be there too, so there’ll be adults around.”

“Got it, got it. You’re super responsible for an elementary schooler. That’s awesome!”

“Ehehe… it’s not that big a deal…”

“…”

Don’t be jealous. Don’t be jealous. Don’t be jealous.

I keep telling myself that, but watching Umi gently pat the boy’s head with that warm smile makes my possessiveness bubble up uncontrollably.

Getting side-eyed by kids and then feeling petty jealousy? If we’re talking actions, I’m not sure who’s the real elementary schooler here.

“Maki, sorry for the wait. Looks like we’re good to join them. What do you think?”

“…I’m fine either way.”

“Hehe, Maki, are you maybe a little jealous?”

“…”

“Aw, c’mon, don’t pout like that. You’re the only one I love, now and forever, okay? So cheer up?”

“…Sorry for being such a pain.”

“It’s fine. I got to see jealous, adorable Maki for the first time in a while, so we’re even.”

With some juicy info in hand, we head back into the store to regroup, grabbing just some tea and juice for hydration before making our way to a bus stop we rarely use.

Dinner tonight might be a bit improper, but we’ll just snack on food from the festival stalls.

We hop on the bus headed toward the shrine, but it’s rush hour, and every seat is taken.

“Umi, it’s gonna be bumpy, so hold on to me tight.”

“Okay. Ehehe, you’re getting pretty smooth at saying cool stuff like that, Maki. Good boy.”

Instead of grabbing the strap, Umi happily leans into me, clinging to my side.

By the way, we’re on the same bus as those elementary school kids, and I can feel their stares burning into my back, which is a tad embarrassing.

After about ten minutes of swaying in the crowded bus, we get off at the stop in front of the shrine, where soft lantern lights line the path, welcoming visitors.

The sweet, savory aroma of food stalls drifts from the gentle slope leading up to the main hall.

It’s that time of evening when hunger starts to kick in. The festival’s gonna be fun, but first, we need to eat.

“Mmm, smells so good… I know we shouldn’t overspend, but at times like this, I always end up buying too much. Then I eat too much and regret it so bad when I step on the scale the next day.”

“Well, tomorrow’s probably gonna be the same vibe, so maybe we pace ourselves today? There’s a lot to choose from—what do you want, Umi?”

“Takoyaki, yakisoba, and grilled squid are must-haves for the classics. Oh, and some beef skewers and fried chicken… Wait, it’s a festival, so maybe chocolate bananas or candied apples too. It’s still warm out, so shaved ice for dessert.”

“Didn’t we just say we’d pace ourselves? …Eh, we’ll just be careful tomorrow.”

We make some flimsy excuse about dealing with tomorrow when it comes, deciding to eat whatever we want without a budget until we’re satisfied. The prices are steep, but the festive vibe gets to us, and money flies out of our wallets like it’s got wings.

“Maki, here, takoyaki. Say ‘ahh’!”

“Okay. Ahh… nom.”

“Hehe, good?”

“It’s… normal, I guess? But why does it taste so much better than eating at home?”

“Totally get it. The vibe and atmosphere of a place are huge for enjoying food.”

Eating pizza or fried chicken alone is tasty in its own way, but who you’re with and where you are can make a meal even better.

I don’t like thinking about it, but there was a time when nothing I ate tasted like anything. Not literally—I could taste salt or umami fine—but it just didn’t feel delicious.

Now, with Umi by my side, I can enjoy any meal. Sure, sometimes we try something new and it’s a miss, but we laugh it off together, turning it into a good memory.

The lively festival atmosphere, with my favorite girl right next to me.

With that, even the most ordinary food feels like a treat.

I savor the tangy sauce of the takoyaki, letting it fill my mouth.

Carrying armfuls of snacks, we slowly make our way into the shrine grounds, spotting a yagura stage set up in the center of the wide area. It’s still being prepped, but from what people around us are saying, it sounds like some kind of dance is about to start.

“Maki, since we’re here, let’s join in for a bit!”

“Sounds good, but I’m kinda hopeless at dancing…”

“No worries! Stuff like this, you just move your body to the vibe and you’re golden. Look, it’s about to start—let’s go!”

“U-Uh, okay!”

We blend into the crowd of locals, and right after, music starts playing from the equipment on the yagura.

Don, don, dodon—the beat of taiko drums fills the air, and people circling the stage begin dancing freely.

“Maki, c’mon over here!”

“Uh… like this?”

“Yup! See, you’re totally pulling it off, Maki!”

Facing each other, we hold hands, bouncing to the rhythm, mimicking the people around us as we move.

There’s no unified choreography like a proper bon odori, but Umi and I—and everyone else—seem to be having fun just going with it, and that’s probably enough.

A chill festival vibe like this is totally fine too.

After about ten minutes of casual dancing, we’re satisfied and slip away from the crowd, retreating to a quieter spot behind a building.

“Following those kids on a whim turned out to be pretty fun, huh? I feel a tiny bit bad for Yuu and the others, though.”

“Yeah, true. How about we invite Amami-san and everyone else next year? We’ll be seniors studying for exams, but a little break should be fine, right?”

“For some fun, yeah. …But, wow, we’re gonna be third-years next year, huh?”

“…Yup. Once we graduate, we’re officially adults.”

It hits me that the adult world I couldn’t even imagine as a kid is creeping closer.

As adults, we’ll be free to do things we couldn’t as kids. Booze and cigarettes are off-limits until twenty, but most other stuff is fair game. We’ll even get voting rights, making us full-fledged adults in society’s eyes.

“Umi, how much have you thought about your future? Like, we’ll go to the same university, but beyond that?”

“Hmm… I’m not uninterested in certain fields, but as long as I can keep spending time with you happily, I’m good. Forever, y’know.”

“Forever… you mean, like, marriage… or something?”

“…Who knows?”

Umi says it teasingly, but knowing her, she’s probably already thinking seriously about our future together.

I haven’t said it out loud yet, but I’m definitely thinking about it too.

“Maki, do you, like, wanna marry me?”

“…Uh, well…”

“Hey, don’t chicken out! Say it properly!”

“Nngh, c’mon, Umi, stop it!”

Umi pinches both my cheeks, squishing them playfully.

It’s just couple stuff, nothing too serious, though her grip’s a bit stronger than usual. Still, it’s within the acceptable range.

“Fine, I’ll say it… Can I be honest?”

“Yup. …Wait, you’re not saying you haven’t thought that far, are you?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then what?”

“…Like, right now, if I could.”

“Huh?”

I know it’s not legally possible, but it’s how I feel.

I’d need to consider Umi’s feelings too, and we’d have to time it right… but if Umi showed up on her eighteenth birthday with a marriage certificate and said, “Sign here,” I’d write my name without a second thought.

Naturally, I’d have my friend Nozomu sign as a witness.

“W-Wow, really? That’s… wow.”

“Yup. That’s how it is.”

“…”

“…”

“C’mon, say something! I put some guts into that one.”

“S-Sorry. I just got super embarrassed all of a sudden.”

Right now.

Meaning, if there were no obstacles and Umi was down, we’d be married by next year.

Married by next year.

The moment that phrase sinks in, my cheeks flare up.

And, of course, so do Umi’s, right next to me.

“Umi, uh…”

“Y-Yes!”

“So, that’s how I feel right now. …Let’s save the rest of this talk for later, okay?”

“Y-Yeah, good call. Yup. I’ll give you a proper answer when the time comes. For sure!”

“…”

“…”

“Uh… maybe we should head back for now?”

“Y-Yeah. We’ve gotta watch those movies we rented, or they’ll feel neglected.”

If we stay here any longer, we might get too caught up in the moment, so we decide to head home to cool off.

The rare, out-of-the-ordinary time together at the festival was a blast, but maybe we should rein it in a bit going forward.

What started as a talk about our future somehow spiraled into marriage and proposals… We might seem put-together, but when it comes to love, Umi and I tend to go full speed ahead—that’s just how we roll.