The day of the summer festival arrived faster than Yui could mentally prepare.
When Mika had casually mentioned it ("We should hit the festival this weekend, kitten. It'll be fun."), Yui had agreed before fully realizing what she was signing up for.
And now... she was standing in front of her mirror, struggling with the sash of her yukata.
The pale pink fabric, sprinkled with tiny white flowers, made her look more delicate than ever — a thought that only made her face heat up.
She fumbled with the obi until her mother knocked on the door.
"Yui, Mika-chan is here!"
Yui nearly jumped out of her skin.
"M-Mika's already here?!"
She scrambled to fix her hair one last time, grabbing her tiny floral purse and rushing out.
---
At the entrance, Mika leaned casually against the wall, scrolling on her phone.
But the moment she looked up and saw Yui—
She froze.
Yui came to a skidding stop a few feet away, cheeks flaming.
Mika straightened slowly, slipping her phone into her pocket.
"...Wow," she breathed.
Yui fidgeted with the hem of her yukata, peeking up shyly.
"You look... beautiful, kitten," Mika said, her voice unusually soft.
Yui almost melted on the spot.
And then she realized—Mika wasn't wearing her usual lazy clothes either.
She wore a dark blue yukata with a simple white pattern — understated but incredibly fitting. Her short hair was slightly tousled, a thin necklace peeking out from her collar.
How is she always so effortlessly cool?!
Yui had to clutch her purse tightly to keep herself from fainting.
Mika grinned and held out her hand.
"Shall we?"
Heart hammering, Yui placed her hand in Mika's — their fingers naturally lacing together, just like last time.
---
The festival was in full swing by the time they arrived.
Colorful stalls lined the streets, selling everything from cotton candy to goldfish scooping. Lanterns floated overhead, painting the night in soft, golden hues.
Children in yukatas ran past, their laughter mixing with the music drifting from the main square.
Yui's eyes widened with wonder.
"It's so pretty...!"
Mika chuckled.
"First time coming to this festival?"
Yui nodded shyly.
"Yeah... I usually just stayed home..."
"Well, that won't do," Mika said, squeezing her hand.
"We're gonna make some memories tonight, kitten."
Yui's heart fluttered uncontrollably.
She says stuff like that so easily...!
---
They wandered through the stalls, trying all sorts of festival foods — takoyaki, yakisoba, shaved ice.
Yui's face lit up when she won a tiny stuffed bunny at a shooting game.
Mika teased her relentlessly.
"You're basically a Disney princess now, carrying that thing around."
"S-stop it...!" Yui whined, hugging the bunny to her chest.
Mika laughed and ruffled her hair affectionately.
---
As the night deepened, the crowd grew denser near the riverbank — where the fireworks show would be held.
Mika tugged Yui gently through the crowd until they found a quieter spot beneath a large willow tree.
They sat on the grass, Yui smoothing out her yukata carefully.
The air was thick with anticipation.
Mika leaned back on her elbows, looking up at the dark sky.
"You excited?"
Yui nodded, hugging her knees to her chest.
A beat of comfortable silence passed between them.
And then—
The first firework exploded, a brilliant blossom of red and gold.
Yui gasped softly, eyes shining.
Mika turned to look at her — and found herself unable to tear her gaze away.
The fireworks lit up Yui's face, painting her in shifting colors.
In that moment, Mika thought she looked more breathtaking than anything in the sky.
---
Without thinking, Mika murmured:
"...Beautiful."
Yui turned, startled.
"W-what?"
Mika blinked, realizing she'd said it aloud.
She scratched the back of her neck, looking away.
"Nothing. Just... the fireworks."
Yui stared at her, heart racing.
But she said nothing, simply smiling softly and turning back to the sky.
---
More fireworks bloomed overhead — pink, gold, blue, silver.
Yui found herself inching closer to Mika without realizing it.
Their shoulders brushed lightly.
Neither of them moved away.
Mika's heart pounded, but she stayed casual, her fingers brushing the grass near Yui's hand.
Yui hesitated... then, gathering all her courage, let her hand drift toward Mika's.
Their fingers brushed.
Paused.
And then Mika's hand closed around Yui's gently.
No words were needed.
The world around them blurred into color and sound, but all Yui could focus on was the warmth of Mika's hand around hers.
---
When the final, grand firework exploded in a deafening crescendo, Yui squeezed Mika's hand tightly.
Mika squeezed back, grounding her.
And for a heartbeat — just one — Mika wondered what would happen if she leaned over and kissed Yui right now.
The thought was so sudden, so strong, that it made her breath hitch.
But she held back.
Not yet.
Not tonight.
One step at a time.
For now, she was content just sitting here, holding Yui's hand under the summer stars.
---
As the crowd slowly dispersed, Yui and Mika stayed behind, reluctant to let go of the moment.
Mika finally stood, brushing grass from her yukata.
"C'mon, kitten. I'll walk you home."
Yui nodded, cheeks flushed but happy.
They walked side by side through the quiet streets, hands still linked.
No teasing. No jokes.
Just the warm, easy silence between two people slowly — but surely — falling for each other.