A few days into summer break, I was walking through the Sumida River Fireworks Festival venue. Not alone, of course.
“When was the last time the four of us did fireworks together?”
“I was in middle school and you three were in elementary — so about five years ago?”
“That long ago, huh.”
Kano and my brother responded to Suzuno. Yes — the four of us — Kano, Suzuno, my brother, and me — were here for the festival.
My brother and I were in casual clothes; Suzuno and Kano were in yukata. Kano’s blue, Suzuno’s pink.
“I’d assumed we’d never do this combo again.”
“Same — if Suzuno hadn’t said let’s all four go, it wouldn’t have happened.”
She agreed. As kids sure, but for the four of us to do fireworks in high school — never expected.
“I figured going with all four of us would be more fun than just me and Ayato-kun.”
“That’s why I agreed.”
Suzuno and my brother said it in turn. Suzuno had genuinely wanted all four, I was sure; my brother almost certainly not.
He had probably agreed because he wanted to come with Kano. Since we met up, he’d been ignoring Suzuno and trying to claim Kano’s attention — not exactly subtle.
Kano was deflecting him casually; he wasn’t noticing. He loves her too much; his filters are heavy.
Love is blind — the perfect example. Higher-spec than me, more handsome, and somehow looking pathetic. Mirror, don’t be him — my private vow.
I was thinking that when Kano, who’d quietly come up beside me, tugged my T-shirt sleeve.
“By the way, Yuito — isn’t there something you should be saying to me?”
“Something I should be…?”
“I haven’t heard your impression of my yukata yet.”
Drawing a blank, I’d hesitated — and she was giving me a flat stare.
“Ah — um. Suits you really well.”
“Felt unconvincing, but I’ll let it slide this time.”
(I will say it properly next time.) Then my brother chimed in from beside.
“Yuito’s as oblivious as ever. With that style you’ll be girlfriend-less forever.”
“Shut up. Mind your own business.”
“Hey, hey, stop fighting.”
Kano cut in. Her playing referee on Ayato-vs-Yuito fights was a classic — first one in a while.
“You’re at a fireworks festival — Ayato, Yuito, play nice. Make up.”
“Sorry, Yuito.”
“Yeah, my bad too.”
(Suzuno getting us to make up — also a classic of childhood. We’re high schoolers now, I’d thought, but apparently not too high schooler for this.)
“Now that you’ve made up — let’s hit a stand for fun?”
“Yo-yo fishing!”
“Yeah, agreed.”
“Sure, I’m in if you two are.”
We headed for the yo-yo stand. The festival draws ~1 million attendees a year — packed.
Some sections were one-way. We had to bunch up. We found the yo-yo stand and got in line. Kano had an idea.
“Let’s compete at this.”
“Aw — Sis and Ayato-kun are too strong, no chance.”
Suzuno had a point. The two of them would dominate.
“So: me with Yuito, Suzuno with Ayato. Teams.”
“That’s a fair matchup.”
“Two of you good?”
“I’m in.”
”…Got it.”
My brother agreed, but visibly displeased — jealous that Kano and I were paired. (Pairing with Kano would just kill the contest, though, so he couldn’t object.)
“Settled — loser team buys for the winners.”
“Sorry, Kano-san — we’re winning.”
“We are.”
“Stop fighting immediately.”
“Yeah, that’s Ayato-kun and Yuito-kun for you.”
Suzuno and Kano gave us flat looks while we glared at each other.