The Lie and What Follows

On the last day of July, Riko-san and I were at a fireworks festival.

“Wow, look at these stalls! Kenta, which one should we go to first?”

Even though there was still time before the fireworks, the festival was already crowded with people.

“I want to eat yakisoba, how about you, Tamura?”

It felt like I might get lost in the crowd, and I was starting to feel a bit dizzy from all the people.

“Uh-huh.”

“Hey, if Tamura-kun is going, I’m coming too!”

Even though I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the crowd, it was still a rare experience for me to walk among the festival music. Maybe I was just getting carried away by the festive atmosphere.

“Ah, if Kenta-kun is going, I’ll stay here. Oh, shaved ice. Tooru, want to buy some?”

Shaved ice… sounds good.

“Yeah, let’s go get some.”

…And the whole attractive girls group was here too.

How did this happen? It’s simple. We originally came to the summer festival as a couple. We bumped into them on the way to the festival site. Riko-san had told them she was coming with me, but we couldn’t just say goodbye and leave, so we ended up hanging out with everyone.

Well, it can’t be helped. It’s their last summer festival as a group, and I could tell they were trying to be considerate of Riko-san, but they obviously wanted to enjoy it together.

…Yeah. I want them to enjoy it fully, even though I’m an outsider.

While the others went to buy yakisoba, Riko-san and I ate shaved ice at the spot we had reserved for watching the fireworks. Ah, ran out of syrup…

“Isn’t it a bit too obvious?”

Riko-san said with a wry smile as we ate our shaved ice.
Well, yes. The others were clearly trying to give us some space.

“Yeah. It’s nice of them, though.”
We shared a small laugh.
I think being able to enjoy this bustling festival is a sign of my growth. In the past, I’m sure I would have just gone home.

“Hey, you’re pretty much just eating ice, Tooru.”

After looking into my cup, she commented on its white contents.

“The ice is good quality. Tastes nice.”
Even just eating ice at a festival feels special.

“Silly. No way. Here.”
Riko-san, with a look of disbelief, scooped some of her ice with syrup onto my spoon.

“Ah, sorry. But then you’ll have less.”
Indeed, her cup was almost out of syrup.

“It’s fine. The ice is sweet enough.”

…Aren’t you saying the same thing as me?
To avoid going in circles, I quietly started eating the rest.

“Um, Riko-san.”

“Hm?”

I nervously offered her a spoonful of my ice with syrup.

“!?”

She looked surprised. It was incredibly embarrassing. I can’t believe I’m doing something like this.

“…Sorry.”

Maybe I got a bit carried away.
Just as I was about to lower my hand, Riko-san hurriedly ate the ice from my spoon.

“Why are you putting it down?”

She looked at me with puppy eyes.

“I was embarrassed…”

“Do it more.”

“Eh?”
More? MOTTO?

“More.”

“Okay.”

I scooped up more ice with a little syrup and brought it to Riko-san’s mouth.

“Mm. Tasty.”

Cute.

Such a happy atmosphere. Wait, isn’t the festival great?

“Aw, you two are so lovey-dovey! Gross!”

…Damn you, playboy.

“Endo, don’t show off too much.”

“Uh-huh.”

Two of the guys teased me with grins on their faces. They caught me at a bad moment.

“I’ve never seen Riko make such a mushy face…”

“Neither have I.”

Imamura-san and Kiryu-san looked at Riko-san in disbelief. Riko-san herself was…

“Hehe.”

…smiling at me. Cute.

As we waited for the fireworks with the seven of us, it was almost time for the show to start, so I decided to take a bathroom break.

“Hey, Tooru! I’ll come too!”

The playboy decided to join me.
Walking together, I pondered how to interact with him, knowing he used to like Riko-san.

“You know, I think I might be falling for someone again.”

His calm voice surprised me.

“Eh?”

Realizing my shock, he explained.

“Ah, the tension? I act normal when it’s just us.”

Wait, he was putting on an act all this time? Not a born playboy? Seriously?

“Are you always like that?”

I was too shocked not to ask.

“Nah, that’s also part of me.”

So, he’s

showing me a side he doesn’t show others? Even his side profile seemed more handsome.
If Riko-san weren’t here, I might have been in danger.

“I got over Adachi and now there’s someone I’m interested in.”

Hmm. I assumed the playboy would go for someone good-looking.

“Really? Who?”

“Curious?”

…A bit annoying.

“No, it’s fine if you don’t want to say.”

Honestly, I’m not that interested.

“Eh! Come on, listen!”

Seems he’s the same after all.
I asked to get it over with.

“So, who?”

“I started noticing her during morning assembly.”

He began his story. Do I really have to listen to this?

“I used to watch Adachi, but after you two got together, I tried not to. Then I saw this really beautiful person on stage.”

Hmm. Maybe Rin-san.
She’s indeed beautiful and popular as the student council president.

“She’s super tall and has this quiet aura. Totally fell for her.”

Tall? Wait…

“She’s only a first-year, right? Crazy, huh?”

Definitely Haruka.

“…She’s my sister, though.”

“Yeah. I know. So, it’s fine…””It’s not fine.”

I cut him off.

“Not fine at all.”

“Eh, why not? Your sister might be lonely now that you have a girlfriend.”

Ouch. He hit a sore spot.

“Haruka said she wouldn’t date anyone shorter than her.”

A lie, but…

“Really? I’m 179cm, so probably fine?”

So… The playboy is quite tall. Maybe being tall is a default for handsome guys. Or is it being tall that makes them handsome?
The playboy, meeting the condition (my lie), seemed a bit hopeful.

“…Haruka’s 185cm in platform shoes.”

“…Eh?”

“Good luck.”

I left the playboy a bit deflated.
On the way back, his shoulders were drooping.

I felt a bit bad for being mean. I hope he forgives me since I like him.
But I couldn’t just stand by…

“I won’t approve, but if Haruka’s okay with it, I won’t say anything.”
After all, I know he’s a good guy.

“Tooru…!”

“So, do your best, Kitazawa-kun. But I won’t approve.”

Really, I won’t.

“I’ll do my best! Watch me, Tooru! No, big bro!”

…That sent shivers down my spine.

Returning from the bathroom, we regrouped just as the fireworks began.
The fireworks blossomed in the starless city sky. I watched the fleeting glimmers, while the attractive girls group busily took photos and videos.

Suddenly, my hand was held.

“Good we got to see it. The fireworks.”

Riko-san was looking at me.

“Yeah. I’m glad I got to see them with Riko-san.”

I squeezed her hand back. The warmth felt comforting.
Under the festival lights, it felt like we were in our own world.

We naturally kissed.

“Ah! They’re doing it! Don’t flaunt it!”

…Please stop, it’s embarrassing.

———————————-

As the fireworks festival ended, the lively atmosphere faded to mere noise.
The attractive girls group planned to hang out at a family restaurant. Hopefully, they won’t get in trouble.

“Riko… you’re going with Endo, right?”

Kiryu-san asked Riko-san.

“Yeah. Going home with Tooru. See you.”

After a brief exchange, we parted ways.
The playboy waved at us until the end.

Riko-san and I walked side by side to her house.
Today was my turn to escort her. The short distance from the station to her house felt regretfully brief.

We arrived at her house in just a few minutes.

“We’re here.”

“Yeah.”

…

“Ah, want to come in?”

“No, Haruka is waiting for me at home. Thanks.”

…
I wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
Despite all the times I’ve said I like her, why do I get shy now?

But I made a promise.

Even if some feelings can be understood without words, I decided to express mine to Riko-san.

“Riko-san.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you for today. I had so much fun, I felt giddy.”

“Me too.”

“Let’s go together next time, just the two of us.”

“When’s next time?”

This year, our last as students preparing for exams.
Studying is important, but what about after?

“Next year.”

“Just next year?”

She asked in a slightly longing tone.

“Next year, and the year after, and forever.”

“Hm.”

I’ll keep telling her.

“I love you.”

“I love Tooru too.”

We held hands without letting go, as if to keep the warmth.
Under the streetlight, our shadows overlapped.