With the final note still lingering in their hearts, Axel and Emi took a deep breath as they stepped off the stage. The thunderous applause still echoed in the hall, but a sense of relief washed over them—they had done it. Their performance was over, and now, they were finally free to enjoy the festival.
As they reunited with Kiyomi and Ito, the excitement in their eyes mirrored the festival lights illuminating the afternoon. The four of them huddled together, forming a quick plan on what to do next.
"Alright, where to first?" Ito grinned, stretching his arms. "The haunted house? The food stalls? Or should we try winning some prizes?"
Kiyomi playfully elbowed him. "You just want to show off, don't you?"
Emi laughed, feeling a newfound lightness in her chest. "Let's just go and see where the festival takes us!"
As the festival buzzed with excitement, the four friends found themselves standing before the entrance of the haunted house. The eerie glow of dimly lit lanterns flickered over the entrance, and occasional shrieks from inside only added to the unsettling atmosphere.
Kiyomi stood at the front with her arms crossed, trying to look confident. "Pfft, this? This is nothing! I've seen scarier things in my dreams," she declared.
Itou, standing beside her, smirked. "Yeah, yeah, totally. Just a bunch of fake ghosts and cheap jump scares. Nothing to be afraid of."
Emi raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because you're gripping your sleeve kinda tight, Itou."
"I-I'm just adjusting it!" Ito quickly defended, letting go immediately.
Axel chuckled and took the lead. "Alright, let's go."
The moment they stepped inside, a cold gust of air brushed past them, and the dimly flickering lights barely illuminated the narrow, twisting path ahead. The walls were covered in eerie paintings, their eyes seeming to follow their every move.
A sudden loud bang echoed from the darkness, followed by a pale figure lunging out from the shadows.
"GYAHH!" Kiyomi shrieked, instinctively grabbing onto Itou.
Ito, just as terrified, clung to her just as tightly. "I-I totally knew that was coming!" he stammered, refusing to admit his fear.
Behind them, Axel and Emi strolled along calmly, unfazed by the spooky decorations and lurking figures. Emi had been fine—until a cold sensation brushed past her shoulder. Her breath hitched, and without thinking, she reached out, grasping Axel's arm in surprise.
Axel glanced at her, surprised. "You okay?"
Emi, realizing what she'd done, turned slightly red but didn't let go. "I-I'm fine! Just… making sure you don't get lost," she muttered, looking away.
Axel smirked but didn't say anything. They continued walking, with Emi still clinging to his arm, her face burning hotter with each step.
By the time they emerged from the haunted house, Kiyomi and Itou were still pretending they hadn't been scared, while Emi hurriedly let go of Axel's arm, pretending nothing had happened.
Axel stretched and looked around. "I think we deserve a treat after that."
A few minutes later, he returned with two cups of ice cream, handing one to Emi. "Here. Thought you might want this."
Emi took it, stealing a glance at him before murmuring, "Thanks."
Ito, not wanting to be left behind, quickly returned with two ice cream cups as well, presenting one to Kiyomi. "Here, uh… for being super brave in there."
Kiyomi eyed him suspiciously but took it anyway. "Hmph, I was brave," she muttered, poking her spoon into the ice cream.
As they all sat on a nearby bench, enjoying their cold treats under the festival lights, the tension from the haunted house faded, replaced by laughter and teasing. It was just another unforgettable moment in their growing friendship.
With that, the four of them set off into the lively crowd, weaving through the beautifully decorated school grounds. The festival was in full swing—students, teachers, and guests all enjoying the games, food, and performances.
They played games at the stalls, with Ito and Axel competing fiercely in a ring toss game, while Emi and Kiyomi tried to win plushies from a shooting challenge. They shared delicious festival food, from takoyaki to sweet taiyaki, the warm flavors making the eve even cozier.
Laughter, teasing, and shared moments filled the air as they embraced the joy of the festival together. No more nerves, no more pressure—just pure fun with friends.
As the time continued to pass, the four of them knew that this festival would become a cherished memory, a moment frozen in time where nothing else mattered except the bond they shared.
As the evening deepened, the once-bustling school grounds slowly began to quiet. The lively chatter of visitors faded as they departed, leaving behind the echoes of laughter and the remnants of a festival well spent. Stalls that had been filled with delicious food and fun games were gradually dismantled, their decorations carefully packed away. The beautifully adorned halls, which had been alive with performances and activity, were now returning to their usual state, as if preparing to welcome a new day.
With the festival officially coming to an end, a massive bonfire was lit at the center of the school field. The golden flames flickered and crackled, casting a warm glow over the gathered students, teachers, and staff. It wasn't just the participants who had joined in—everyone, even those who had only been spectators, had come together for this final moment of celebration.
Axel, Emi, Kiyomi, and Ito stood among the crowd, their faces illuminated by the firelight. The warmth of the flames was comforting, chasing away the coolness of the autumn night.
"This feels kind of surreal, huh?" Kiyomi mused, hugging her knees as she sat on the grass. "All the excitement, the rush, and now… it's over."
Ito, sitting beside her, stretched his arms behind his head. "Yeah, but it was fun. I mean, aside from some people getting scared in the haunted house."
Kiyomi shot him a glare. "You were clinging onto me just as much, don't even start."
Axel chuckled, watching their usual banter. His gaze then shifted to Emi, who sat quietly, staring at the flames, lost in thought.
He nudged her gently. "What's on your mind?"
Emi blinked and turned to him, a small smile forming on her lips. "Nothing much… just thinking that I'll never forget this day."
Axel smiled back. "Yeah. Me neither."
As the bonfire continued to burn, the students shared stories, laughter, and quiet moments of reflection. Some played soft tunes on guitars, others clapped along or sang in low voices. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of unity, as if the night itself had become a melody—one that carried the essence of their memories, their friendships, and the fleeting beauty of the moment.
No one wanted the night to end, but as the flames dimmed and the last notes of laughter lingered in the air, they knew this was just another step in the journey. A memory that would stay with them, beyond time and distance.
As the bonfire flickered in its final moments, the festival's energy settled into a peaceful warmth. The once-lively school grounds were now bathed in a quiet serenity, only the soft murmur of conversations and the occasional crackle of embers filling the air.
Emi sat beside Ito, resting her chin on her knees as she gazed up at the stars. She had been unusually quiet, but every now and then, she stole a glance toward Axel, her eyes reflecting the fire's glow. Her heart felt full—today had been an unforgettable day, and yet, a strange, lingering emotion tugged at her.
Ito, noticing Emi's subtle distraction, smirked and nudged her lightly. "You keep looking at him, you know."
Emi flinched slightly, turning away. "W-what? No, I'm just… looking at the stars."
Kiyomi, overhearing, grinned as she rested her chin on her hand. "Right, right. The stars just happen to be in Axel's direction, huh?"
Emi huffed, but the warmth creeping up her cheeks betrayed her. She crossed her arms, pouting, while Ito and Kiyomi exchanged amused glances.
Meanwhile, Axel sat a little apart from the group, staring up at the vast sky. The stars shimmered like distant melodies, scattered across the night. As his gaze drifted over his friends, a deep sense of appreciation filled his heart—Kiyomi and Ito bickering as usual, Emi smiling softly despite her flustered expression, and the warmth of everyone gathered around the fire.
It was in that moment, as the embers burned their last, that Axel realized—
This day, this moment, these people… they had become a part of him. A melody in the passing of time.
The wondrous, enjoyable, and most exhausting festival day had finally come to an end, but something lingered in the air—something unspoken yet understood. And as Axel blankly stared at the stars once more he finally realised one the most beautiful day of his life finally coming to an end , he knew that no matter what came next, this night would stay with them forever. His music , that was once cherished by his mother, once again brought him new melody, yet another melody in the autumnus.