Tamaki Shintaro and Tsukinoki Koto naturally sat next to them and began distributing snacks and drinks.
Shioyaki Lemon glanced at the remaining space on the picnic mat and realized that the large mat was still a bit small for six people, making it inevitably crowded.
So Shioyaki Lemon didn't hesitate any longer and walked over to Imaizumi Keita, sitting down right next to him.
After choosing her spot, Shioyaki Lemon patted the empty space beside her and called out to Komari Chika: "Komari, come sit next to me."
"Oh, okay..."
Komari Chika hesitated for a moment but still chose to sit next to Shioyaki Lemon.
Imaizumi Keita was sandwiched between two girls in yukatas, one on his left, one on his right.
On his left was Yanami Anna's soft arm and tightly pressed arm, and on his right was Shioyaki Lemon's shoulder, radiating the unique warmth of an athletic girl.
Two distinctly different sensations were clearly transmitted through the thin yukata fabric.
Boom—!
A bright burst of fire shot into the sky and exploded, transforming into a dazzling golden chrysanthemum.
"Wow! It's starting!"
Shioyaki Lemon was the first to let out an excited cheer, and the other people on the lawn followed suit.
Everyone's gaze, without prior arrangement, turned towards the night sky illuminated by the fireworks.
Yanamami Anna also subconsciously looked up, watching the slowly dissipating golden fireworks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Yanamami Anna gently leaned her head on his shoulder, enjoying this summer night romance with him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
One after another, fireworks burst in the sky, red, green, purple...
The colorful lights transformed the entire night sky into a brilliant canvas.
Exclamations and cheers erupted from the crowd from time to time.
Shioyaki Lemon also looked up at the sky full of fireworks.
A smile was on her face, but a hint of loneliness was in that smile.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Anna lean her head on Kin-chan's shoulder, and saw Kin-chan lean down and whisper something in her ear.
A pang of sourness rose in Shioyaki Lemon's heart.
So... this is the privilege of a "girlfriend."
To be able to lean by his side so naturally, to enjoy the sweetness that belongs only to the two of them so unrestrainedly.
Even though she liked him too, she could only sit beside them like this, playing the role of a "friend."
This feeling was similar to when she watched Mitsuki and Asagumo-san together, but completely different.
Back then, it was pure disappointment.
But now, this disappointment was also filled with unwillingness.
Shioyaki Lemon deeply suppressed the sour emotions.
She recalled what she had said to Imaizumi Keita in front of the station.
—In front of Anna, I will continue to act as if we are just good friends.
These were the rules she had set.
Since it was a competition, she couldn't lose her composure just because her opponent was temporarily ahead.
She refocused her gaze on the night sky, her eyes becoming resolute.
Imaizumi Keita felt Lemon's energy field, which had carried a hint of disappointment, become full of fighting spirit again after a brief fluctuation.
Lemon really can adjust her mindset so quickly, no matter the situation.
He looked at Shioyaki Lemon beside him, who was looking up at the fireworks, and felt that her profile looked exceptionally cool.
Yanamami Anna, leaning on his shoulder, stirred and poked Imaizumi Keita's shoulder.
She leaned close to his ear and said with a hint of playful complaint, "Keita, stop looking at Lemon so much."
"Your girlfriend is right here."
Imaizumi Keita turned his head to meet her eyes, which held a touch of resentment.
He raised his hand and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, then leaned his head closer to hers.
Another round of dense fireworks exploded in the sky with a huge roar.
"Ah!"
Komari Chika, sitting next to Shioyaki Lemon, was startled by the sudden loud noise and instinctively recoiled towards Shioyaki Lemon.
Shioyaki Lemon naturally extended her arm, pulled Komari Chika's small body into her embrace, and gently patted her back to comfort her.
"It's okay, it's okay, don't be scared. It was just a little loud."
Her voice was gentle yet firm, full of a reassuring feeling.
Komari Chika stiffened in her arms for a moment, but soon relaxed, resting her cheek on her shoulder.
This scene surprised both Imaizumi Keita and Yanami Anna.
"Lemon-chan... she's quite good at taking care of people, isn't she?"
Yanamami Anna murmured with a hint of surprise in her tone.
The fireworks display continued, with clusters of even more dazzling sparks blooming in the sky.
Accompanied by a roar even more intense than before, a giant heart-shaped firework slowly formed in the night sky, drawing excited screams from the surrounding couples.
Yanamami Anna was mesmerized, her entire body almost pressed against Imaizumi Keita, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his arm.
In this romantic, almost unreal atmosphere, Imaizumi Keita suddenly felt something lightly poke his back.
He subconsciously turned his head but saw nothing.
Shioyaki Lemon was still holding Komari Chika, looking up at the sky, her profile appearing exceptionally soft in the firelight.
Was it a delusion?
Just as he was thinking this, his back was poked again.
This time.
He clearly felt the touch of a finger.
It was gently tracing something on his back through the thin yukata fabric.
Once, twice...
As if writing something.
Imaizumi Keita understood at once.
He didn't turn back, but focused his attention on his back, carefully discerning the path of that finger.
Su...ki...
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