- Finally... You sure took a lot of time to get here - Tsumigi greeted them, irritated. She wasn't wearing a yukata this time; instead, she dressed in a more casual outfit just like Tadomeki and Ren. Both of them must have been waiting for quite some time, seeing how Ren was already eating a takoyaki.
- Sorry, the train was running late. Shall we go?
Tsumigi and Ren nodded. They entered a beautiful-looking alleyway with lots of various stalls with food, jewelry, lucky charms and souvenirs. While Ren and Tadomeki were more absorbed by the food, the girls watched the beautiful rings, earrings and other accessories with sparkles in their eyes. One pendant for a necklace made Akari particularly interested. The stone inside of it changed colors depending on the viewing angle.
- It's Opal - Tadomeki told her, suddenly appearing from behind with two caramel apples in his hands, one of which he gave to Akari - Some say that it symbolizes trust and belief.
- Wow, you sure know a lot about them...
- In one timeli... I mean, when I was younger, I got really interested in things like that - he smiled awkwardly after he almost spilled out his secret - Excuse me, how much for that necklace?
___________________________
- I could buy it for myself! - Akari whispered with a blush and a necklace around her neck.
- But I bought it. Take it as a thank-you gift.
- Thank you for what?
- I will tell you some other time - Tadomeki replied with a smile.
-Can you hurry up, guys? We have many other things to check out and the time is running out! - Tsumigi shouted to them.
When they caught up with them, she grabbed one of Tadomeki's hands.
- I'm only doing this so we don't lose ourselves in the crowd, okay? - Tsumigi looked away in the other direction to hide her face.
- Then I will take the other one. You are supposed to take care of me, right? - Akari said with an innocent smile.
- Then what's left for me? - Ren said with disappointment.
- I would let you take my hand, but I'm still mad at you for that "harder" thing you said months ago. Try to not get lost. - Tsumigi answered coldly with a stare that would make anyone scared to death.
As they walked down the alley, they encountered numerous attractions, trying out every one of them. Akari seemed really happy, even happier than Tadomeki remembered. The four of them were really having a lot of fun this day. Even if memories of past events clouded his mind before, now he stopped thinking about them. What mattered now were the people before him. Their smiles were the most precious thing for him. Tadomeki felt like everything was as it should be in that exact moment.
- Tadomeki? Is everything alright?
Akari looked at him worriedly. She then touched his face with a handkerchief. Tadomeki looked at her surprised.
- You had a tear on your face... Did something happen?
- No, it's alright - Tadomeki smiled - I'm just happy, that's all...
"Tear again? Why is it always coming out of my left eye?"
He didn't cry out of happiness; that tear was something else. Before he could wrap his head around this, Akari pulled his arm.
- Look! - she shouted.
Tsumigi's hand left his, but she didn't stop him. She just looked at them with sadness and turned around.
Tadomeki focused on the thing Akari wanted him to see. It was a stall, filled with little pendants that looked exactly like...
- Don't they look like the symbol you use to unlock your phone?
- How do you know my phone code? - Tadomeki asked.
- I-I-I just saw you using it so many times. T-that's why I remembered it...
He giggled and looked at the pendants again. They definitely looked the same. What was weirder was the fact that Tadomeki had used this to unlock his phone for a long time now, but he never truly knew why. When he first made it, he felt like it was familiar to him. While Ren and Tsumigi thought it looked like two arrows, Tadomeki always claimed it resembled a flower. Either way, it was quite unusual that he found this symbol right here.
- Interested in these, eh? - the owner of the stall asked them.
- A little bit. Do you know if this symbol has any meaning?
- From what I know, it's from a popular book amongst young people nowadays. Something about dark powers, demons and satanism... I don't really care about it, but a lot of people buy this; that's what matters - the owner smiled creepily.
- I get it... Thank you - Tadomeki replied and left the stall with Akari. After a moment she giggled.
- I guess the word demon fits you - she said like it was an obvious thing.
- Why is that?
- I can't explain it; I just feel like you are too good of a person. You are just perfect in every way. I feel like you must hide a dark secret from everyone... - she stopped and got all red on her face - Forget I said anything!
Tadomeki started laughing. That was probably the first time she heard him truly laugh since they met each other. After that she saw his warm, genuine smile.
- Who knows? Maybe I am a demon and I'm nice to you just to devour your soul~
- Tadomeki replied with a smug smile.
Her words for sure made him feel better.
- You two run off too often. Don't leave me with this idiot all the time - Tsumigi shouted at them.
- Come on, I didn't do anything to make you mad. I even bought you earrings! - Ren lamented with a sad expression.
- Ehh... I just feel awkward around you, it feels like we are on a date...
- We aren't?
Tsumigi lightly punched his arm this time. Ren was a bit shocked that she let him off so easily this time, but he wasn't complaining.
- Oh, by the way, Tadomeki! - he leaned closer to his ear - Everything's ready for you-know-what. I'll show you the way when it's time.
- Thank you - Tadomeki replied with a grin.
- What are you two whispering about? - Tsumigi asked them.
- Nothing important, don't worry.
They began heading towards their usual firework-watching spot. Tadomeki started to feel butterflies in his stomach. He never felt them whenever he confessed to Akari, so he was quite surprised he was that nervous.
"It's okay, she's going to say yes like always. I don't need to worry so much..."
- Tadomeki! That's the place - Ren whispered to him, pointing to a not-so-tall building on their right - My friend inside will show you the way. Good luck!
- Thank you, Ren. You're the best!
Tadomeki waved to him before his friend disappeared into the crowd with Tsumigi. Akari looked quite puzzled why they went in a different direction.
- You know... I actually wanted to watch the fireworks only with you this time around. Would you like to come with me? - he reached out his hand towards her.
Akari blushed, her heart beating extremely fast.
"This is perfect. I can confess to him, but will I be able to...?"
Without words, she quietly took his hand. They went inside the building where a young man opened the roof for them. Colorful decorations were everywhere. Ren also must have placed light reflectors, because it was really bright there. He even prepared them snacks and a blanket for them to sit on.
- Did you prepare all of this? - she asked with admiration, looking around.
- Actually, Ren did. I can't thank him enough. The place looks amazing.
They both sat on the blanket and awkwardly stayed silent. She was still blushing, thinking, why did he go to such lengths to stage something like this? Finally, he spoke up.
- I didn't know I was going to feel so nervous. I've been like this since morning... It just goes to show that I truly care about you.
Akari didn't know how to react. She tried to look away to hide her embarrassment, but she couldn't take her eyes off of him. As he stood up, she followed his lead.
- I honestly don't know how to even repay Ren after he prepared this perfect stage for us. Since the first day we met, I knew we were going to be friends. I just saw a familiar spirit in you. But when the time passed, I stopped looking at you as a friend...
While he talked to Akari, he never once looked at her. It seemed more as if he was talking to the sky above them. But his smile was genuine; it was warm, and he seemed truly happy in that moment.
- Time and time again I grew more and more attached to you. I wanted to help you, to be a part of your life. It just felt like something I needed to do. Like it was my destiny.
His gaze drifted towards the ground as if he tried to hide his expression from her.
- Again and again I tried to save you, but it was just too hard doing it all by myself... Maybe that should change.
He stopped and turned over to face Akari. His blue eyes that always looked empty were now filled with a lively spark.
- Maybe I should try to depend on others this time - he smiled warmly, taking her hands in his - By the way, I wanted to say something else to you as well.
The sound of the alarm clock hidden by Ren reached their ears.
- I love you, Hinari.
As he stated those three words, fireworks started to go off. The night sky filled up with beautiful colors and shapes. Despite the loud sounds, both of them felt like they could hear their heartbeats. Fireworks were flying as they looked at each other in silence. He was smiling, while she...
"Did I do something wrong? Was that too fast? She's blushing, but it doesn't look like she's smiling... I must have confused her with the other part of my speech...".
When it finally got quiet, Tadomeki began to get more nervous with every passing second. Finally, she broke the stillness of the moment by breaking their eye contact.
- That's not fair...
- Eh...?
Akari looked back at him and shouted:
- I'm saying that's not fair! I was supposed to confess to you today! And the worst part is that I didn't prepare as much as you did! I didn't even prepare my heart for this! That's why it's not fair!
Tadomeki looked at her shocked, his nervousness turning into relief.
- I'm so sorry... - she continued - I want to say it back, but I don't feel like I deserve it... Could you wait some time for my confession, Tadomeki? I promise it's going to be as perfect as yours, so please wait a bit longer, okay?
Tadomeki stood silent, trying to process what she had just told him. When he finally gathered his thoughts, he just started laughing loudly.
- Of course I'll wait, Akari. I'll wait no matter how much time will pass.
- It's not going to be that long... I think... Anyway, for now let's just say that I accept your feelings...
Akari leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Even though he did more embarrassing things with her in the past, he blushed heavily at her act. She smiled and sat down again, staring at the panorama of the city.
- I promise I will protect you no matter what - Tadomeki exclaimed with determination.
- And I promise I will help you in any way I can. Also, I'll make you smile more...
They both were now looking at the stars in the night sky, their promises still lingering in the air.
___________________________
"Now there is just one more confession I need to make." Tadomeki thought to himself, pulling Akari closer to him.