The warm sunlight bathed the school grounds as banners fluttered in the gentle breeze.
Today was the long-awaited School Festival — and for once, Yui was excited.
It wasn't just the food stalls or the costumes... It was because Mika had personally dragged her into volunteering together.
Yui adjusted the fluffy cat ears on her head, cheeks flushed.
"I-I don't think I can do this, Mika..." she whimpered.
Mika leaned down, her ash-brown hair catching the light. A teasing smile played on her lips.
"You look adorable, Yui. Everyone's going to love you."
Yui fidgeted with the hem of her maid dress, which felt far too short for comfort.
She gave Mika a pleading look — but Mika, in her own butler uniform, looked completely at ease, hands in her pockets like a cool delinquent straight out of a manga.
"You promised," Mika added, smirking.
"I... I did, but..."
Yui's voice became smaller than a mouse.
"Too late!" Mika grabbed Yui's hand and marched toward the Maid Café they were working at.
Inside, the classroom had been transformed into a cozy little cafe. Paper lanterns hung from the ceiling. The smell of pancakes and tea filled the air.
The line outside the door was already terrifyingly long.
At the counter, Luna popped up, twirling around in a bunny girl outfit that she clearly chose herself.
"Yui-chaaaaan! You're here!!"
She zoomed over and squeezed Yui into a bear hug.
"Lu-Luna! Too tight!" Yui squeaked.
Mika casually peeled Luna off Yui like she was removing a sticker.
"Hands off, wild animal," Mika muttered under her breath.
Ayaka, wearing a neat black dress and frilly apron, adjusted her glasses nearby.
"Please maintain proper conduct," she said sternly, though her cheeks were a bit pink.
Clearly even Ayaka wasn't immune to the chaos today.
Sora, meanwhile, was outside, loudly advertising the café.
"Come meet the cutest maids and coolest butlers of First Year Class B! Limited seats! Limited smiles! Limited brain cells!"
He ended with a dramatic fall onto the pavement, making passing students giggle.
---
Hours later, the cafe buzzed like a beehive.
Yui clumsily served drinks, bowing shyly to customers.
She caught Mika staring at her across the room — not the usual teasing look, but something softer.
Their eyes met.
Yui quickly looked away, her heart hammering in her chest.
What... what was that look...?
Mika chuckled under her breath, clearly enjoying Yui's flustered state.
---
Later during break time, Mika pulled Yui onto the rooftop.
The air was crisp and the festival noise faded into a soft hum below.
"You survived," Mika teased, leaning casually against the fence.
"B-barely," Yui muttered, cheeks still pink.
Mika stepped closer.
"So... do I get a reward?"
Yui blinked, confused.
"A reward...?"
"For making you the star of the café," Mika said with a mock serious face.
Yui hesitated, then shyly tugged Mika's sleeve.
"...T-thank you."
Mika laughed and ruffled Yui's hair, making the cat ears flop sideways.
Yui didn't know why,
but her heart ached warmly when Mika smiled like that.
---
Meanwhile, downstairs, disaster was brewing.
Luna had somehow convinced Ayaka and Sora to join a "Best Costume Contest," and they were now arguing loudly about choreography moves.
By the time Mika and Yui returned, they found Luna spinning in circles in her bunny suit, Sora trying (and failing) to moonwalk, and Ayaka shouting about "upholding dignity."
Mika facepalmed.
"I leave you alone for five minutes..."
Yui giggled behind her hand.
---
Evening fell, and the festival reached its grand finale: the Lantern Ceremony.
Students wrote wishes on paper lanterns and released them into the sky.
Mika and Yui stood together, lanterns in hand.
Yui hesitated before writing.
She sneaked a glance at Mika, who scribbled casually.
"What did you wish for?" Yui asked shyly.
Mika tapped her nose.
"Secret."
Yui pouted but smiled anyway.
She wrote her own wish carefully:
"I hope... I can stay with Mika forever."
She blushed so hard she nearly burst into flames.
Before she could chicken out, they let the lanterns float into the starry sky.
Side by side, standing close enough that their hands brushed, they watched the lights rise higher, carrying their wishes into the night.
---
Somewhere in the crowd, Luna shouted,
"WHO WANTS TO DANCE WITH ME?!"
And immediately tripped over Sora's foot.
Ayaka sighed heavily, muttering something about "class reputation."
Mika chuckled.
Yui laughed softly.
And just like that, another chaotic, beautiful day ended — with warm hearts, tangled feelings, and a sky full of dreams.