The festival had ended, but the buzz in the air lingered like a pleasant aftertaste.
Laughter echoed across the emptying school grounds as students packed up stalls and decorations under the dim glow of streetlights.
Mika and Yui sat together on a bench near the school garden, away from the noise.
Both still wore their café uniforms — Mika in her sleek butler suit, Yui still clinging to her cat-eared maid outfit.
Mika stretched her arms lazily above her head.
"Man... I'm starving."
Yui blinked up at her.
"You didn't eat anything?"
Mika smirked.
"I was too busy staring at someone being cute all day."
Yui's cheeks instantly burned.
"I-I wasn't cute! I was just... doing my best...!"
"Exactly," Mika said simply, making Yui sputter like an overheated kettle.
Mika chuckled, then leaned back on the bench, tilting her head to look at the night sky.
The stars were faint but visible, sprinkled like sugar across the velvet sky.
Yui fidgeted beside her, glancing nervously at their hands resting side-by-side.
So close...
If I just moved my pinky a little... our fingers would touch...
Her heart raced at the thought.
She scolded herself silently for even thinking such embarrassing things.
Meanwhile, Mika seemed completely at ease, eyes half-closed, a small smile on her lips.
How can she be so relaxed? Yui thought, jealous and panicked all at once.
---
Suddenly, a loud grumble shattered the silence.
Both girls froze.
"...Was that your stomach?" Mika asked, turning her head.
Yui, mortified, covered her face with both hands.
"I-I'm sorry! I was too nervous to eat during the festival!"
Mika laughed so hard she nearly fell off the bench.
"You're too precious, Yui."
Still chuckling, Mika stood and offered her hand.
"Come on. Let's go find some food."
Yui hesitated, then placed her small hand in Mika's larger one.
Mika's grip was firm but gentle.
Yui's face turned a deeper shade of red, but she let herself be led away without protest.
---
Fifteen minutes later, they found themselves sitting on the curb outside a convenience store, sharing a bag of hot sandwiches and canned peach soda.
Mika tore open a sandwich and handed it to Yui.
"You need to eat, kitten."
Yui squeaked at the nickname, but obediently took a bite.
They ate quietly for a while, the comfortable silence wrapping around them like a warm blanket.
---
Out of nowhere, Mika said, "Hey, Yui."
Yui looked up mid-bite, cheeks puffed out adorably.
Mika smiled softly.
"Today was fun," Mika said, voice low. "Not because of the festival. Because you were there."
Yui nearly choked on her sandwich.
"I-I'm glad you had fun," she managed to say after gulping down her bite.
Mika stared at her for a long moment, then reached out —
and gently flicked Yui's forehead.
"You're too cute. It's dangerous."
Yui whimpered and covered her head with her hands.
"W-what does that even mean...?"
Mika only laughed.
---
The evening deepened, and the world grew quieter.
The streetlights cast a soft glow around them.
Somewhere in the distance, a train rumbled by.
The air smelled faintly of summer flowers and asphalt.
It felt... strangely romantic.
Yui gathered her courage.
"...Mika?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you. For... staying with me today."
Mika ruffled her hair affectionately.
"I should be thanking you, dummy."
Yui puffed her cheeks in protest, but secretly, her heart bloomed with happiness.
---
After finishing their snacks, Mika stood and stretched.
"Come on. I'll walk you home."
Yui hesitated.
"I-I can go by myself—"
Mika gave her a look.
Yui wilted immediately.
"O-okay..."
---
The walk home was quiet and peaceful.
They didn't talk much, but the comfortable silence said more than words could.
Yui stole glances at Mika from the corner of her eye.
Mika's ash-brown hair was slightly messy from the breeze.
Her butler jacket was slung over one shoulder, revealing a simple white shirt underneath.
She looked... cool. And mature. And a little wild.
Yui's heart squeezed painfully.
How can someone look so good doing nothing...?
She looked away quickly, afraid Mika would catch her staring.
---
They stopped outside Yui's apartment building.
The streetlight buzzed faintly overhead.
Mika shoved her hands into her pockets and rocked back on her heels.
"Well... here we are."
Yui nodded awkwardly.
"Thanks for today," she said softly, clutching the hem of her skirt.
Mika looked at her, eyes warm.
Then, without warning, she leaned down —
and lightly tapped Yui's forehead with her own.
Yui froze, her mind short-circuiting.
"Goodnight, kitten," Mika whispered.
Then she straightened, turned, and casually walked away, whistling.
Yui stood rooted to the spot, face burning, heart pounding so loudly she thought the neighbors would complain.
She touched her forehead with trembling fingers.
"...Mika..." she whispered, a smile breaking across her face.
---
Inside her apartment, Yui collapsed face-first onto her bed, kicking her feet in the air like a giddy schoolgirl.
She hugged her pillow tightly, squealing into it.
Today... today felt different.
Today, something changed.
And though she was still shy, still unsure of so many things...
Yui knew one thing for certain:
She wanted more days like this.
More laughter.
More teasing.
More Mika.
---
Meanwhile, Mika lay sprawled on her own bed, one arm flung over her eyes.
She chuckled quietly to herself.
"That idiot..." she murmured.
But her heart was light, her smile real.
Mika closed her eyes, remembering Yui's flustered face under the streetlight.
She grinned wider.
"...I'm doomed."