The late summer sun cast a golden hue across the dorm windows as the sound of cicadas echoed outside. The dorm felt unusually quiet; most of the others were either out or napping in their rooms after a long, hot day. You were sitting on your bed, scrolling through your cellphone idly, letting the hum of the fan cool your room. That’s when it buzzed with a message.

Yukari: "Hey... um, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the summer festival with me tonight? 😳 I heard it's supposed to be really fun. They’re doing it at the Naganaki Shrine."

You stared at the message for a second, a small smile tugging at your lips. With a tap, you replied:

"Sure. I’ll meet you at the entrance."

Time passed slowly after that. You changed into light festival wear—casual but clean—and headed toward the shrine as twilight settled in. The sky was painted in soft purples and oranges, lanterns already flickering to life along the path.

The Naganaki Shrine was bustling with life. The smells of grilled squid, sweet dango, and cotton candy filled the air as families and couples laughed and explored the stalls. You stood near the entrance under the stone torii gate, the soft glow of festival lanterns illuminating the stone path around you.

Then you saw her.

Yukari approached slowly, wearing a light pink yukata patterned with small white sakura petals. A small fan was tucked into her obi. She looked nervous—her hands fidgeted slightly, eyes glancing around before they locked with yours.

Your gaze lingered for a second longer than you meant to.

“…W-what?” she stammered, cheeks tinting pink to match her outfit. “You’re staring…”

You didn’t respond—just gave her a calm, faint smile.

She turned her head away, arms crossing lightly as she let out a huff. “Jeez… You could at least say something.”

But she smiled too, unable to hide it, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

As you two began walking side by side into the heart of the festival, she glanced at you again.

“I’m… glad you came with me,” she said softly. “It’s kinda silly, but I always wanted to come to one of these with someone… special.”