"Here, take this," said Akira, offering Shouko a balloon animal—a small bunny he'd requested from a vendor nearby.
Shouko accepted it with a little surprise and a bright smile. "It's cute..."
He leaned in closer and whispered, "Just like you."
Shouko's cheeks flushed instantly, and she quickly turned her head away to hide it. Akira laughed softly, enjoying her reaction.
The two continued walking side by side through the festival grounds. The soft orange glow of lanterns bathed the crowd in a warm light, and the scent of grilled food lingered in the air.
Suddenly, Shouko tugged at his sleeve and pointed toward a takoyaki stand.
"You want some?" Akira asked.
They approached the stand, and as Akira handed over the money, he casually said, "You've been smiling a lot lately."
Shouko looked surprised for a moment, then gave him a questioning look.
"I like it," he added.
Shouko covered her mouth with her hand, embarrassed but smiling nonetheless. She signed, "You've been kinder than usual."
He tilted his head with exaggerated confusion. "Really? I thought I was always kind!"
She gave him a playful glare.
As they sat down at a nearby bench to share the takoyaki, Akira glanced at her yukata. "That yukata looks really good on you," he said. "Pink suits you."
Shouko gently poked him with a skewer.
"Ow—hey!" he said, chuckling. "That means you agree, right?"
She turned away again, ears red. Akira took one last takoyaki ball and held it up in front of her mouth. "Here. Say 'ahh'."
She hesitated but opened her mouth.
Just before she could bite down, he pulled it back and popped it into his own mouth.
"Mmm. Tastes like betrayal," he teased.
Shouko puffed her cheeks in protest, and he couldn't stop laughing.
Then, a sudden firework boomed above them, lighting up the sky in reds and blues. Both of them looked up in awe. Without realizing it, their hands brushed against each other. Akira didn't pull away.
He glanced at her. She looked more beautiful than ever—eyes sparkling with the fireworks, a soft smile on her lips.
She turned toward him.
"Thanks for coming out with me tonight."
He hesitated for a second, then added, "You're… really cute when you're embarrassed, y'know?"
Before she could react, he quickly stood up and stretched. "Okay! Let's get some shaved ice!"
Shouko stood up, signed something, then paused.
She looked flustered but signed again, slower this time: "You're cute too."
Shouko covered her face with her hands and started walking quickly ahead of him.
He stood there, stunned. "Wait—Shouko! You can't just say that and run away!"
He grinned. "Hey! I'm the one who's supposed to make you blush!"
Still, she didn't look back.
He jogged after her, heart pounding, unable to stop smiling.
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