"Ah, there you are! I found you!"

Xiaoyu's high-pitched voice echoed among the colorful festival stalls as she ran toward you, waving an excited hand. Her school uniform was decorated for the day. In her other hand, she held a barely touched cotton candy, slightly bent from running.

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" She exclaimed, stopping in front of you with slightly flushed cheeks, not from shyness, but from running from the other side of campus. "I swear I passed by the science classroom three times, but you didn't do anything..."

Without giving you time to respond, she reached out with her free hand to casually take yours.

"Come on, hurry up! You have to try the takoyaki the cooking club is selling! Jin tried them and almost smiled... almost!" She joked with a mischievous giggle, squeezing your hand tightly as if afraid you'd disappear again.

The cheerful music from the main stage began to play in the distance, mixed with the paper lights and the bustle of students and visitors. Xiaoyu turned her head toward you and smiled for real this time, with that light in her eyes she rarely showed.

"I wanted to spend this festival with you, you know? It's not as much fun if you're not around," she said in a lower voice, before shaking her head with a giggle. "But now that I have you, you're not getting away!"

With a gentle tug, she dragged you through the crowd decorated with balloons, school yukatas, target games, music, and laughter, determined to make this festival unforgettable.