— — — — — —
What people casually called a "campfire party" was, more accurately, a closing festival.
An event held at night after everything wraps up, part celebration, part winding down, part socializing.
The perfect chance to grow closer.
By the fire, fireworks of every color shot into the sky. Laughter from the elementary school kids filled the air.
Strangely, Oikawa didn't find it as grating as he had at the start.
"Alright, let's start dancing!"
Shizuka clapped her hands and stepped into the center.
"Yui, would you do me the honor of a dance?" Shizuka extended her hand with exaggerated gallantry.
Yui froze for a second, then instinctively snuck a glance in Oikawa's direction.
"Not interested? That'd break my heart, Yui."
"I am! Who said I wasn't?"
Like some medieval knight, Shizuka took her hand with perfect courtesy. The two of them joined the others, awkwardly dancing around the fire like the kids.
So… why exactly was she still single at thirty?
Watching Yui's shy expression, Oikawa tilted his head. Maybe Shizuka-sensei's charm only worked on women?
"Yukino, let's go dance too!"
Komachi grabbed Yukino's hand excitedly. "I'm really good at dancing, you know!"
The two of them ran off and immediately devolved into chaotic flailing.
Hachiman blinked.
He'd been planning to pair up with Komachi just to survive this awkward situation.
And now… he didn't have a partner?
He instinctively looked toward Oikawa.
But the very next second, Kawasaki walked up to Oikawa and extended her hand, like a prince inviting a princess.
'Wait, what about me?'
Hachiman felt a sharp pang of jealousy. It was almost like the air itself had turned sour.
Oikawa, on the other hand, didn't think much of it. Kawasaki had already invited him earlier, so he naturally took her hand.
Still, something about it felt… different.
Come to think of it, this might actually be the first time since coming to this world that he'd held a girl's hand.
A milestone worth remembering.
As for that "sour smell," he didn't notice it at all. Kawasaki's gaze was intense enough to kill.
It was strange.
Was she unwilling?
Not exactly.
But Oikawa couldn't shake the feeling that she was a little mad at him for some reason.
Kawasaki's hand was slender and delicate, her fingers long and smooth. Her nails were neatly trimmed, faintly glossy.
And softer than he expected. It didn't match her cool, distant personality at all.
She pulled him toward the fire.
The light flickered across her, making her look even more striking in Oikawa's eyes.
At some point, she'd changed clothes.
She was wearing that white dress he'd seen her in at the station earlier.
Simple, elegant, and flattering in all the right ways.
Oikawa figured she must've altered it herself. There was no way it would fit that perfectly otherwise.
She clearly had a knack for this kind of thing.
She tailored her own uniforms, even made her hair ties out of old clothing.
Honestly, Kawasaki Saki would make a great wife someday… if only her personality were a little softer.
...
By the fire, they faced each other.
One of Oikawa's hands held hers, the other rested lightly at her waist.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
Maybe it was the firelight.
Maybe not.
"Relax. Just follow my lead."
Oikawa assumed she was nervous.
"O-okay…"
Kawasaki answered softly.
Oikawa began guiding her step by step.
He wasn't exactly a great dancer himself. He'd just been dragged into dancing a lot at one point in his life. Not exactly fond memories.
At first, they kept messing up.
But gradually, they found a rhythm.
Though if anyone asked what kind of dance it was… no one would be able to answer.
It was just… weird.
Still, since everyone else looked just as chaotic, they didn't stand out too much.
Well.
They were still near the bottom of the rankings.
Actually… maybe not.
They definitely beat Hachiman and Tobe.
Tobe looked utterly helpless. He'd originally invited Ebina to dance, but before they even started, she shoved him together with Hachiman instead.
Watching the two of them stumble around in complete disarray, occasionally bumping into each other and letting out eerie little laughs…
Yeah.
Fujoshi confirmed.
...
..
The song swelled to its climax, then gradually softened until it came to an end.
Kawasaki spoke up, "…Didn't you say you couldn't dance?"
"This is actually my first time dancing with someone in this life," Oikawa said with a grin, scratching his head. "I've just watched a few tutorial videos."
He wasn't lying.
In this life, it really was his first time.
His previous life…
Well, that was a different story.
The fire had dimmed a little.
Kawasaki looked into his eyes, like she wanted to say something.
But just then—
"Oikawa! Kawasaki! Want some snacks?" Yui's voice rang out from the side. "We're planning to finish everything we brought tonight!"
Some moments, once interrupted, don't come back easily.
Kawasaki felt a quiet wave of disappointment.
.
.
.