"Geez~ Why aren't you saying anything?!"
Nijika Ijichi's pale cheeks were flushed with a bashful blush as she waved her long yukata sleeves in flustered confusion. The light fabric floated gently with her movement, and even her wooden sandals made a rhythmic clack-clack-clack as she shifted.
Her pouty, embarrassed expression only made her more adorable, and even the golden cowlick atop her head seemed to start twirling on its own.
"Ahaha~ Nijika's just too cute, right? Little Haru from our house must be in a daze~"
Mrs. Ijichi suddenly popped out from behind, giggling softly behind her hand. Her teasing instantly sent Nijika scrambling to hide her face behind her paper parasol in embarrassment.
"…She's not wrong."
"Don't agree with her!!"
Kazami Haru replied with a perfectly serious expression, which only made the already flustered Nijika cover her face even more, her voice squeaking out a playful but indignant protest.
Still, the smile forming on her lips betrayed just how happy she really felt.
Standing in the middle of the bustling food stalls, Nijika stole quiet glances at Haru.
He was only wearing a simple black-blue yukata, his usual tied-up ponytail now let down over his shoulders in relaxed waves. That effortless look only added a calm elegance to his already handsome features.
Even after all these years, she still thought he was really, really handsome.
Haru, noticing how Nijika seemed lost in thought, suddenly got the urge to tease her a little.
He quietly reached out and gently poked her soft, pale cheek.
"Wah! Haru, what are you doing all of a sudden?!"
Nijika jumped slightly at the sudden touch but didn't actually mind it.
After all, the two had grown up inseparable, walking to and from school together, sleeping over at each other's houses to cram for tests. Their closeness had already surpassed that of most couples.
So something like this? Just another everyday moment between them.
"I'm going to meet up with some band friends later," Seika Ijichi announced, waving them off dismissively. "Dragging you two kids around is a hassle, go explore on your own or something."
Even Mrs. Ijichi saw through Seika's half-hearted acting and, catching on quickly, gave Haru a wink before making up an excuse to leave with her.
In the blink of an eye, it was just Haru and Nijika.
"Mom and sis, seriously…"
Nijika puffed out her cheeks cutely, a nervous flutter rising in her chest.
"Looks like we've been ditched. Wanna go wander around, just the two of us?"
"Hehe~ Then it's time to finally use the New Year money I've been saving up!"
Nijika grinned, her voice filled with excitement.
"Whatever you want to eat, just say the word!"
"Well then, guess I'll be living off you today."
Haru casually held out his right hand, and for a moment, Nijika froze.
It was just a simple hand-holding gesture. As childhood friends, they'd done it who knows how many times before. But today, her cheeks turned pink, her gaze started to dart away.
Even so, she didn't hesitate. Without a word, she placed her hand in his.
If she acted shy now, wouldn't that immediately give away what was on her mind?
"There's gonna be a huge crowd later. If we get separated, it'll be a pain."
"So until our 'date' ends, let's hold hands the whole time."
The word "date" visibly struck her. Nijika's face went bright red as she nodded lightly.
Of course, Haru knew exactly what Nijika's little brain was probably thinking. A smug grin tugged at his lips as he deliberately tightened his hold on her soft, drummer-calloused fingers.
But even that faint resistance and warmth made him inhale sharply.
Damn… just barely holding it together here.
[You and Nijika Ijichi happily wandered the festival together.]
[She happened to buy a shiny red candied apple. After one bite, she shyly offered it to you. When you took a bite from the same spot, her ears instantly turned the same color as the candy.]
[She noticed how much more forward you were being tonight. Though flustered, she didn't resist. In fact, midway through, she boldly slipped her fingers between yours, intertwining your hands.]
[Nijika walked slightly ahead of you, light on her feet, full of youthful energy. Her smile was like a tiny sun in the sky, spreading warmth to everything around her.]
[The two of you decided to find a quiet, elevated spot to watch the fireworks. You suggested climbing up near a local temple for the best view. With a cheerful grin, she agreed.]
[In that moment, you decided to finally confess your feelings to her—]
Though the sky was pitch black, her heart felt as bright and open as a cloudless summer day.
Never in her life had Nijika thought this day would actually come.
Fingers intertwined with the boy she'd known since childhood—this was just like something real couples did. She hadn't expected that she would be the one to initiate it.
Her already pale neck had turned a lovely shade of crimson.
"The fireworks… haven't started yet."
She tried to sound casual, pretending like it was no big deal. Her single ponytail swayed gently, the cherry blossom ornament in her hair catching the breeze.
That subtle scent of grapefruit shampoo blended with the natural fragrance of her skin, drifting toward Haru through her swaying hair.
Tonight's air felt different somehow.
A cool, pleasant breeze brushed past their cheeks, carrying with it a quiet, almost intimate tension.
Nijika's fingers tightened slightly around the parasol. Just being alone with Haru made her heart race, fast and erratic, as if set off by a drumbeat. Even with her eyes shut, she could feel how rapid her breathing had become.
Even the wind blowing across them felt nervous.
"By the way~ A lot of pretty girls at school really like you, huh."
"It's been a while… Don't you think it's about time you started dating someone?"
Her tone was light and playful, but if you listened closely, you'd hear the delicate caution behind her words.
"Yeah… I think it's about time."
Haru's deep black eyes gazed up at the sky as he spoke, calm and serious.
There wasn't even a trace of joking in his voice.
At those words, Nijika's heart—just moments ago fluttering with excitement, cooled down like water thrown over a flame. Her gaze dropped, and she opened her mouth, trying to say something to break the mood—
But nothing came out.
Her fingers gripped the parasol handle like it was a drumstick. Meanwhile, the hand still entwined with Haru's trembled slightly, no matter how hard she tried to control it.
She tried again to force a smile, to act like her usual self.
"Y-you're right! I mean, after all, Haru—"
As she spoke, the air around them seemed to ripple… like the surface of still water beginning to stir.
"Go out with me, Nijika."
Her ears felt like they were engulfed in flames. Years of growing feelings erupted all at once, as naturally as breathing.
Nijika Ijichi stared at him wide-eyed, her beautiful crimson eyes filled with disbelief.
And in the next instant—
BOOM!!!
Light burst into the sky. Fireworks bloomed before their eyes.
Brilliant colors flooded the dark earth, and for a split second, the whole world was illuminated by a swirling vortex of radiance. Fireworks of every hue exploded in succession, painting the sky like a breathtaking masterpiece that pulled you in.
She was living in that moment.
The girl tightened her grip on their interlocked fingers, her eyes shimmering softly with tears. She bit her lip gently, doing her best to stay calm—but the way her heart surged with emotion, it was like fireworks erupting inside her chest.
The roaring fireworks drowned out all sound.
But the way she rose on her toes, said everything.
This summer would not end.
...
[On this day, you confessed to Nijika Ijichi.]
[Years of being childhood friends had worn away all but the thinnest veil between you. The only question was, who would finally break through it? Your confession, in this natural progression of love, was clearly a resounding success.]
[You and Nijika Ijichi became a couple.]
"…I actually pulled it off."
Kazami Haru let out a deep breath, feeling an odd sense of wistful relief.
Honestly, he hadn't expected Nijika's simulation to go this smoothly. From beginning to end, nothing had gone wrong. It was so perfect, it almost felt like he'd unlocked some kind of legendary speedrun route.
This wasn't just about a successful confession.
This run had shattered the "inevitable confession failure" curse, and even set the new record for fastest relationship start in all his simulations.
As Nijika's childhood friend, their journey from familiarity to affection to dating was smoother than silk, like the whole path had been paved with pure Dove chocolate.
Even ten years of emotional trauma felt healed in an instant.
[Because you two had just started dating, even the usually bright and social angel Nijika was extremely shy. After claiming your first kiss, she clung to your hand and didn't say much the whole way back. When you asked her questions, she just nodded with a beet-red face.]
[Maybe she thought you were too far out of her league. Nijika had never really believed someone like you would want to be with someone like her, but now that she knew your feelings, she was determined not to let anyone else take you. She clenched her tiny fists and made a silent vow.]
[Of course, there was no way to keep your relationship a secret.]
[Her sister Seika, your confession's "sponsor," noticed the change instantly. Mrs. Ijichi also seemed pleased, giving the two of you a knowing once-over before joking, "Looks like we're having red bean rice tonight~"]
[Your relationship with Nijika Ijichi continued to grow steadily.]
[Every now and then, you two would sneak kisses in hidden corners. Nijika always laughed it off like it was no big deal, but her trembling eyelashes during each kiss betrayed her nervous excitement.]
Too cute, Nijika~
Haru suddenly felt like using that [Infantuation Card] had been the best decision ever.
Without it, he would've never unlocked this [Nijika Pure Love IF Route Card]. Honestly, he was now seriously considering making "Nijika Mama" a permanent simulation character.
That's it, once this simulation ended, he'd go find Nijika immediately.
[Maybe she was just really shy, but the two of you hadn't taken that step yet. Still, you'd "experimented" with everything else. Every time you were alone together, Seika would shoot you a sour look.]
[As the "youngest Impressionist genius," you'd gone quiet in the art world during your love-struck period. Naturally, people began to forget your name.]
[But maybe your relationship with Nijika had sparked something inside you. You picked up the brush again and began to create.]
[By the time you entered Shimokitazawa High, your new piece, "Hanabi" (Fireworks), was complete.]
[The masterpiece you'd poured your time and heart into instantly hit trending charts across major media. Art critics dissected its genius. Within two weeks, it had won the Plastov Prize (Silver) and topped multiple smaller awards.]
[Your vivid use of color and masterful lighting techniques created stunning visual impact. Through bold, expressive brushwork, the themes of "youth" and "love" radiated from the canvas.]
[The name of the long-silent genius began to stir the art world again. You were once more hailed as one of the brightest talents of your generation.]
[Speculation soared, what kind of experience could have inspired such deep emotional resonance? Your auction earnings alone were enough to settle down for life, but as an artist, your journey would never stop there.]
[Nijika Ijichi began dreaming of starting a new band in high school, to fulfill her sister's dream of reaching Budokan, but she soon realized she was still lacking in skill, and feeling troubled, came to you for advice.]
[In response, you decided—]
[1. Comfort and praise her like always.]
[2. Honestly tell her she's still not good enough—this level won't cut it.]
[3. Let her do her thing. Don't interfere.]
[4. Virtual reality: simulate it yourself.]
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