Unknowingly, the sun had set in the west.
The bright orb slowly sank into the distant dark orange sea. Thin clouds were dyed golden yellow, resembling layers of freshly baked crispy crepes.
At Sobu High, the fires blazing all day didn't cool or extinguish with the darkening sky.
In the central courtyard, the bonfire gradually ignited, and the opening of the Night Party (Kon-yasai) slowly began.
Class members, reflecting on the day's experiences, cleaned booths and accumulated trash. Everywhere showed fatigue and satisfaction after fun, with peer cohesion far stronger. Laughter and banter didn't diminish under the twilight outside the windows.
On a large table made from several classroom desks in the center, high-calorie dishes like pizza and fried chicken were served as Hiratsuka's reward to her students. Meanwhile, she sat by the window with a plate of food and a bottle of Ichiban Shibori beer, drinking alone like an office worker hitting an izakaya post-work to drown sorrows, successfully creating a vacuum circle around her no student dared approach.
"Hey, you guys joining the dance soon?"
"Of course! Who skips a once-a-year bonfire party?"
"Talking like you can find a dance partner..."
"Try folk dancing—last year some couples held hands that way..."
Many discussed the upcoming Night Party and bonfire dance. Who'd invite whom, who secretly planned confessions, and so on.
Yuu didn't join, nor planned to stay for dinner. After helping tidy, he prepared to head to the Service Club to meet his sister.
But stepping out the classroom door, he ran into Totsuka, who'd just changed out of his maiden costume after the toilet.
"Yuu, not joining the Night Party?" Totsuka asked curiously, seeing him with his school bag.
"Can't—my little sister's waiting." Yuu shrugged. He wasn't interested in circling the bonfire or public affection. He planned dinner with his sister and girlfriends at the Service Club, then escorting them home.
"I won't return to class. If anyone looks for me, cover for me."
"Sure... but with Yuigahama-san's personality, she'd probably want to dance the bonfire with you."
Saying so, Totsuka glanced inside the classroom.
At the back desks and chairs, Yuigahama still chatted with Yumiko and others. Her tidying movements slow, as if no intent to leave with Yuu.
Yuu shrugged: "If she wants, I can always accompany. The Night Party lasts till nine PM—no rush."
"Well, true."
Totsuka nodded agreement, waving goodbye to Yuu before turning into the classroom.
Yuu pulled out his phone, messaging Yuigahama he'd head to the club room first. Then he walked alone along the colorful, bustling second-floor corridor toward the Special Building.
The small forest was shrouded in cold night darkness. Only a few streetlights like candle flames lined orderly, drawing a quiet path growing ever silent.
His phone received an OK from Yuigahama. The suddenly lit screen was glaring in the dark.
Though a recognized class couple, at school he actually spent more time with friends. Occasional chats, lunch together, walking home. They didn't even look like a couple—more like opposite-sex friends with good relations.
Very different from other class couples. Yuigahama was often asked if they were fake-dating, platonic, or if Yuu had gynophobia.
...So no one could imagine her pulling him into stair shadows, passionately kissing for minutes.
Touching his lips, Yuu suddenly recalled Mana Yuigahama.
...No, of course he didn't mean Mama Yuigahama did something to his lips.
Rather, Mama Yuigahama's words resurfaced.
"If you truly love her, you can only make her cry at most three times in her life... Otherwise, responsibly leave her—don't face the future with pity."
Yuu understood the meaning, feeling her care and love for her daughter. He naturally agreed wholeheartedly then, wanting her secure in entrusting Yuigahama to him.
But walking alone on the quiet cold path, Yuu unconsciously questioned his heart again, pondering why Mama Yuigahama specifically said this.
Did she see something in him, or purely protect her daughter?
Warning, or plea?
"If counting—just for this task, I've made Yui cry twice..."
First: confessing in the alley he'd cheat in the future. Second: after asking Yukino to be his girlfriend, Yuigahama went home depressed, crying all day.
Meaning—if Yuu made Yuigahama cry once more, he'd responsibly break up?
"What nonsense..." Yuu shrugged, muttering uncaringly. "Forget from now—I've no reason to make her cry anymore... Even if there is, it's not pity—but because I love her."
Because of love, he'd hurt.
Pity would distance; responsibility would leave. That's what he did before... Now different.
He loved Yuigahama; he loved Yukino.
That's why he dared—though hurting them—to extend such happiness to the future.
If he loved Yukinoshita Haruno, he might confess again, though the task ahead unfinished.
If he loved Yuuki Asuna, he might be moved to uncontrollable tears seeing her pursue.
If he loved Natsukawa Masuzu, he might pity her persistence, protecting the outwardly strong but inwardly weak girl, even through a thousand obstacles.
If... no ifs—this was reality.
At least, facing those two, that's how it was.
"Because I don't like, there's pity and responsibility."
Standing before the Service Club door, seeing the warm light inside.
Yuu slightly bowed his head. Slowly tying his chaotic thoughts into one thread, tightening, calming.
"Because I like, I must protect well—until the end."
Giving up was impossible.
He smiled, opening the classroom door, raising a hand to greet his most beloved girlfriends and sister.
"How? Everyone escorted?"
Neatly placing fragrant takeout on the table, Yukino turned, smiling softly at him: "All escorted. Just waiting for you and Yui."
Yuu closed the door, tilting his head, loosening his tie—like a husband home and immediately disheveled.
Yukino rolled eyes helplessly, then pursed lips smiling small, continuing to set utensils happily.
In Yuu's old chair, Sora swung small legs, eating Yukino-bought potato chips. Her indifferent gaze glanced outside.
"Outside's noisy—what're they celebrating?"
"Bonfire party."
Sora clearly surprised: "Bonfire party? I saw flames in the central courtyard—thought it was a special ritual sacrificing evil gods, throwing couples into the fire to burn to death."
Hearing this standard riajuu-hating rhetoric, Yuu couldn't help laughing, rubbing her small head: "Why—wanna go see? You probably haven't seen the Night Party and bonfire dance live, right?"
"Very crowded?"
"Yeah, very."
"Then I won't." Sora answered firmly. "Watch in anime—real experience leave to me. I can't dance anyway."
"The bonfire party's point was never dancing... fine, as long as you're happy."
Yuu pulled another chair to sit, asking Yukino: "You? Wanna dance?"
Yukino shook head: "I don't like crowds either. Without you all, I'd have gone home."
Night Party and cultural festival activities weren't handled by the same person. As committee chair, she'd perfectly completed duties—no more worries. Free to go home rest or stay.
First-year Cultural Festival, Yukino was first to leave after class tidying.
"Many ways to make memories—not following mainstream, seeking trouble in packed places. Right?"
She showed a refreshing smile—but content surprisingly grim.
"Essentially, folk dancing alone means held by many ill-intentioned guys. Just standing invites unknown or unseen guys to dance. Refuse or not—you'll be hated by more girls—what's the point of bonfire parties? I wanted to reject it at meetings—this stupid activity producing massive trash and air pollution for a few's momentary fun should be removed from Sobu traditions."
"Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah—I know." Yuu hurriedly stopped her hateful grumbling. "Conclusion—you really hate bonfire parties?"
Yukino sighed, pursing lips turning away: "Well—could say that."
"Then what if I invite you to dance?"
Her movements froze; Yukino turned gaze slightly despairingly: "...Idiot—isn't that an exception?"
True.
With Yuu, no guy disturbances or girl enmities. Yukino could peacefully enjoy dancing flames and festival atmosphere.
Most importantly—every second with her boyfriend was priceless treasure. How could she hate it?
"I thought so too." Yuu smiled—not really intending to invite her down to dance.
Anyway, their relationship couldn't be announced. Even hand-holding needed care—let alone dancing.
While waiting for Yuigahama, the three set up the small club night party, casually chatting to pass time.
"By the way, Tenkiji-kun—about Yuuki-san..."
Yukino suddenly mentioned it, gazing complicatedly.
After escorting Mama Yuigahama who left post-question, they toured the festival again. After Yukino and Sora played enough, they sought resting dizzy Asuna.
But at the infirmary, the health teacher said she left without goodbye—only leaving: "I'm better—thanks for everyone's care. I'll repay your kindness next Sobu visit," no LINE notification.
Honestly, Asuna's actions were somewhat rude. It was a prior promise—she made them come far for her...
But besides Sora, the other three didn't intend to blame.
Let her go—they'd meet again; for talk, actively message... Compared, what Yuu'd say in the club meeting was more important.
"You've probably guessed—but details after dinner. She's not here—I don't know how much I can say." Seeing her not-bright expression, Yuu approached, cupping her soft small face with both palms, gazing seriously and gently.
"It's all past—don't overthink."
"...How not to think."
"No one else—I promise."
"Not what I meant... fine." Slightly closing eyes, Yukino sighed softly, freeing hands from his grasp, gripping firmly in her palms.
Skin warmth flowed like hot springs in both hearts.
"Whatever you say or not—some things won't change." She said softly.
Yuu earnestly: "I say because I love you. Such things shouldn't be hidden from loved ones. Otherwise—if we fight over it someday, won't you regret not saying earlier?"
"You weren't this open initially." Pursing beautiful lips, Yukino freed hands, helpless expression. "Leave to Yuigahama-san to decide. I don't want to say more. If she's angry—you're responsible for calming."
"Of course—watch me." Half-speaking, Sora interrupted their too-close distance flatly, jumping to Yuu's lap, bright eyes staring straight at the black-haired girl ahead.
"Hmph... so lovey-dovey in front of me—you're really losing manners."
"Th-that..." Just realizing, Yukino's face flushed instantly, awkwardly touching long chest hair. "I didn't mean to ignore Sora-chan—just unintentionally..."
Sora suddenly flatly: "Ah—I feel something poking! Phone?"
Yukino immediately retracted all expressions, gazing at Yuu ice-cold.
Yuu's face twitched. He quickly set Sora down, standing authoritatively from the chair, trying to prove innocence.
"You think I'm a beast aroused anytime? See—I don't even have a phone in my pocket!"
Sitting right ahead, Yukino widened eyes staring at his uniform pants several seconds, then turned away red-faced, gritting embarrassed and angry: "I-I saw! I know it's flat—don't pose like that before women! Pervert!"
"Where's the pervert— wasn't even close..."
Again, half-speaking.
"Yahallo! Sorry for the wait~"
Energetic Yuigahama opened the door entering. She grinned about to greet the three by the long table—but saw her sister sitting innocently aside, while her boyfriend stood before his flushed girlfriend hands on hips, looking like a thug ready to drop pants—brain-blankening scene.
"..."
After stunned seconds, she blinked—confirming no missee, wrong class, or sudden weird world line.
Thus, Yuigahama deep-breathed. Her face smile suddenly brighter, whole body radiating shining gentleness aura.
"Yuu~kun~"
Sensing extraordinary killing aura, Yuu slowly retreated maintaining original pose: "Though this dialogue's cliché—please hear my explanation."
"Yuu~kun~"
As if hearing nothing, maintaining cheerful tone. Yuigahama lightly sweetly stepped, swinging heavy school bag into fire wheel, step by step toward Yuu.
"Wait for me~ Why run~"
"Nonsense—who wouldn't run seeing someone swinging a school bag charging!?"
"Hee~ Yuu-kun's smart—yes—then stop quick! Pervert! Lecher! Forcer! Teddy dog! Accept punishment!"
"It's a misunderstanding! I just wanted to prove innocence..."
"Then dare prove to Hiratsuka-sensei too!"
"...Sorry—that's a bit hard."
"Then stop quick!"
The Service Club commotion lasted over ten minutes before gradually calming.
Their special Night Party officially began now.