Following the room number in the email, Hayasaka Ai found the correct room.
The door wasn't locked, but she still knocked lightly twice before pushing it open—and took in the scene inside.
It wasn't the kind of ultra-luxurious room with multiple suites, but it was still high-end and spacious enough.
From the window, one could see the full spectacle of the fireworks.
Thanks to the high floor, the visual effect was even better than below—it was, without question, one of the best places to view them.
And in this large room, there was only one figure sitting on a sofa chair by the window, back facing the door.
Even though the sky outside was ablaze with fireworks, that figure gave Hayasaka Ai a sense of coldness and solitude.
The more splendid and lively the fireworks, the stronger that quiet, lonely aura seemed to become.
With a trace of disbelief in her heart, Hayasaka Ai tentatively called out, "Ogiwara-san?"
"Mm, come in."
Akira didn't move much; he simply responded.
Hayasaka Ai closed the door and walked over. Only then did she notice a few cans of beer next to the chair—one of them already empty.
"Are you feeling down?"
Having grown up serving in the Shinomiya family—surviving in the cracks as someone of lower status—Hayasaka Ai had developed a sharp instinct for reading people.
After seeing this scene, she no longer felt that her earlier impression was just an illusion.
"Hmm, I wouldn't say down exactly."
Akira shrugged, his gaze never leaving the fireworks outside.
"It's just... a misunderstanding. I thought the person I wanted to watch fireworks with wouldn't come, so I invited you instead.
And once I realized I couldn't exactly cancel on you either, I waited.
But in the time you didn't show up, I realized fireworks really shouldn't be watched alone. So I took the opportunity to embrace a bit of loneliness."
Hayasaka Ai bowed lightly. "I'm sorry I came late."
"You're not really late," Akira replied nonchalantly. "Since you're here, stay and watch the fireworks with me."
"Yes."
Hayasaka Ai stepped forward and stood quietly to the side and slightly behind the chair.
From this position, he could see her clearly with just a slight turn of his head—enough to remind him someone was beside him.
Any closer would feel presumptuous, while standing farther would feel too distant, as if he were still alone.
Akira slightly turned his head and seemed to grasp the meaning behind her choice of position.
He chuckled.
"You don't need to be so formal. You're not my maid, and you're not standing here as a subordinate. And if it were little Nanami, I definitely wouldn't let her just stand like that."
"My apologies."
Hayasaka Ai offered a slight bow and was about to go get a chair, when Akira opened one arm.
"Want to try getting used to a bit of physical contact first?"
It took her a second or two to process what that gesture meant. Though her expression stayed composed, her brain buzzed like a struck gong, going slightly dizzy.
Akira couldn't read her thoughts, but the subtle change in her pupils told him she had a big internal reaction.
He grinned. "Regretting it already?"
"No, it's not that." Hayasaka Ai stepped forward, then suddenly recoiled as if shocked.
"I... just exercised earlier. I'm sweaty."
"Oh, then never mind." Akira lowered his arm.
Some people might like the idea of a sweat-soaked embrace, but Akira wasn't one of them.
He preferred someone clean, fragrant, and soft in his arms. Hugging a girl who just finished a workout in the summer? Torture for both sides.
Of course, if it were the result of physical activity in bed, he wouldn't mind.
Hayasaka Ai hadn't been looking for an excuse—she had genuinely realized she was sweaty.
But being able to de-escalate the tension helped, and she let out an unconscious sigh of relief.
Just as she was about to get a chair, Akira added, "Then go take a quick shower. The fireworks will be on for a while."
This time, Hayasaka Ai didn't say anything. She silently entered the bathroom.
She understood what Akira meant. So she quickly rinsed off the sweat, used the hotel's body wash, dried herself thoroughly, and put on the yukata provided by the hotel.
In just a few minutes, she stepped out again.
Confirming that her hair wasn't wet, she walked up to Akira and softly said, "Pardon me."
Akira opened his arm, and Hayasaka Ai sat down in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her.
Because of her consistent training and moderate activity level, Hayasaka Ai's figure could be described as top-tier for her age.
The elasticity and vitality of her body gave off a healthy allure—distinct from the softness of Utaha, but still a different kind of supreme indulgence.
With the scent of her body wash in his nose, the softness filling his arms, and the sight of dazzling fireworks outside, Akira narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and let out a long, contented sigh.
This was what watching fireworks should feel like…
Immersed in that thought, Akira let himself enjoy the triple delight of sight, touch, and smell.
This wasn't some pretense of restraint.
Though he had partially intended to let Hayasaka Ai get used to his presence, the real reason was to savor this rare moment of enjoyment, only possible at a fireworks festival.
Even in such a tense state, Hayasaka Ai noticed that with his satisfied sigh, the earlier cold and lonely aura around Akira completely vanished—replaced by contentment.
That change—brought about by her—sparked a feeling she couldn't name.
Happiness? Relief?
Whatever it was, it helped ease her tension slightly.
"Yes, like that. Relax a bit," Akira said gently. "Don't overthink it. At least for now, just enjoy the fireworks with me."
"I understand."
Hayasaka Ai took slow, steady breaths to calm herself. Her body gradually relaxed, finally leaning fully into Akira's broad chest.
But it was impossible not to feel nervous. Her heart was pounding so hard she could almost hear it—and there was no way she could focus on the beauty of the fireworks.
It wasn't like she'd never been held before—her father had, once. But that was so long ago, she could barely remember.
And the embrace of a father figure was nothing like that of a man close to her age.
Surrounded by his warmth, the solid feel of his body, and the subtle yet unmistakable masculine scent, Hayasaka Ai could no longer maintain her usual calm and composure.
Her gaze grew distant, slightly hazy.
It felt kind of like soaking in a hot bath...
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