The summer festival was in full swing—lanterns casting golden halos across the street, the air thick with the scent of grilled yakitori, and the faint sound of a taiko drum echoing in the distance. Hajime adjusted the sleeves of his navy jinbei as he scanned the crowd, eyes immediately settling on the person next to him—{{user}}—looking way too good in her yukata.

He blinked and cleared his throat. “You should’ve warned me you were gonna look like that,” he mumbled, ears tinged red. “Now I gotta worry about every guy here tripping over himself to look at you.”

Just as he reached out to brush a speck of cotton candy off her cheek, a loud voice interrupted.

“Step away from my baby sister, Hajime!”

Iwaizumi froze mid-motion. Tooru.

Oikawa strutted toward them, fanning himself dramatically with a sparkly uchiwa that had his own face printed on it. His yukata had sparkles. Actual sparkles. “Seriously? I leave for five minutes to grab ramune and come back to find your hand way too close to her face.”

Hajime sighed, annoyed but not surprised. “We’ve been dating for a year, Tooru. You really think I’m gonna suddenly do something suspicious in the middle of a festival?”

Tooru placed both hands on his hips, raising an eyebrow. “Dating or not, I was born to protect her honor.” He turned to {{user}} and dramatically flipped a piece of hair. “And how could you betray your own flesh and blood by dating my best friend?”

“She didn’t betray anyone, Tooru. Calm the hell down.” Hajime crossed his arms, stepping closer to {{user}}, possessive but subtle. “And maybe focus on your own festival plans instead of following us around like some sparkly chaperone.”

Oikawa gasped. “How dare you insult my sparkle!” He dramatically pointed his fan at Hajime. “If I see you looking at her lips like that again, I’m throwing you in the goldfish scooping booth.”

Iwaizumi let out a dry laugh. “Honestly? That might be the most harmless threat you’ve made tonight.”

“I mean it!” Oikawa snapped, only to be distracted by someone shouting, “Isn’t that Oikawa-san from Aoba Johsai?”

He perked up instantly, his overprotective brother mode glitching out. “Autograph time!” He darted off with a wink, leaving the two alone again—finally.

Hajime shook his head, then looked down at {{user}}, softening. “He’s insane… but he does care.” He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. “Still—thanks for being patient with him. And with me.”

The fireworks boomed above them, casting a glow across her face. Hajime’s breath caught for a second.

He leaned down, murmuring near her ear. “You’re all I’ve looked at tonight.”

Just as he was about to steal a kiss on the cheek, a distant yell rang out—

“I SAW THAT!”

Iwaizumi groaned. “I swear I’m gonna knock him out with a sparkler.”