Compared to the food stalls in the courtyard, the class projects inside the school building were much more diverse. There were haunted houses, film exhibitions, planetariums, and even literary showcases. During their break, Hayato took the chance to accompany Kiyoko, and together they explored almost every stall that caught their interest.
"The planetarium was amazing. I didn't want to leave," Kiyoko said as they stepped into the third-floor corridor. The starry projection still lingered in her mind, the illusion of a vast night sky enveloping her completely.
Hayato nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it really felt like we were floating in space."
After visiting the stalls their teammates had helped run, Hayato finally escorted Kiyoko back to her classroom. The seniors teased him again, of course, but he only laughed it off before heading back to his own class.
"Yo, Hayato, welcome back!"
"Thanks for holding down the fort. Is it my turn now?"
His classmates at the door handed him flyers and the signboard for their haunted house. "That's right! Go show your salesman skills."
With a nod, Hayato set off, distributing flyers along the way. Whenever someone looked curious, he'd explain where the haunted house was, and slowly the stack in his hands began to shrink. By afternoon, though, it grew harder—most visitors had already seen the stalls or weren't interested anymore.
Deciding to try his luck in the courtyard, he ran into none other than Nishinoya and Tanaka.
"Perfect timing, Ryu! Let's head to Kiyoko-senpai's class. It's a maid café!" Nishinoya announced.
Tanaka's eyes gleamed. "Yeah! Maybe we'll even get to—"
He froze as Hayato's hand landed on his shoulder.
"Kiyoko-nee's helping in the kitchen," Hayato cut in flatly. "So you won't see her in a maid outfit."
Both of them deflated instantly, their dreams crushed, though Nishinoya quickly rallied. "Fine! Then we'll at least taste her cooking!"
Laughing, the duo ran off while Hayato continued his task. By the time he finished handing out flyers—despite deflecting more than a few bold girls from other schools asking for his LINE ID—he felt accomplished and returned to help his class dismantle everything after closing.
When the announcement for the after-party came, bonfires lit up the courtyard, painting the night with orange flames. Boys invited girls to dance; some succeeded, others were rejected, but laughter filled the air either way.
Hayato sat on the steps with a soda in hand, watching the fire crackle. I never thought I'd be living like this again… a normal high school life. Classes, volleyball, and even school festivals.
"It's a lot of fun," he murmured, stretching.
"Hayato!" Tanaka's voice broke his thoughts. "What are you doing brooding over here? Come dance!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."
After tossing his empty bottle away, Hayato joined the circle, moving with the rhythm. They all danced in groups, laughing at each other's clumsy steps. It wasn't about skill—it was about being together.
After one round, Hayato stepped aside to catch his breath. Tanaka followed, leaning in with a sly grin.
"So? Aren't you going to invite Kiyoko-senpai? This is her last year at Karasuno, you know."
Hayato tilted his head innocently. "Why ask me that?"
"Don't play dumb." Tanaka hooked an arm around his neck. "Even I can see the way you two look at each other. Who do you think you're fooling?"
"…That obvious?" Hayato asked after a pause.
"More obvious than Nishinoya screaming 'Rolling Thunder!' Trust me, everyone's figured it out."
Hayato sighed, then patted his cheeks with both hands as if to steel himself. "You're right. I'm going."
"Go get her!" Tanaka waved him off, watching him disappear into the crowd before turning back to his own classmates with a small smile.
Each class had gathered in their designated spots, making it easy for Hayato to find Class 3-2. As soon as he approached, Kiyoko's friend Chinatsu elbowed her.
"Hey, Kiyoko, your childhood friend is heading this way. He's gonna ask you to dance!"
Kiyoko stiffened. They had agreed not to draw attention tonight. The plan was to just blend in—no dances, no rumors. Yet here he was, walking straight toward her.
Hayato stopped in front of her, his voice steady as he extended his hand.
"Kiyoko-nee, may I have this dance?"
And to top it off, he winked.
The entire class erupted with an "Ooooh~!" Gossip always spread fast, but this was better than anyone had expected. Not only was Kiyoko's mysterious childhood friend handsome, but now he was publicly asking her to dance under the bonfire's glow.
Kiyoko's cheeks warmed—whether from embarrassment or firelight, no one could tell. After a moment of hesitation, she placed her hand in his.
Cheers burst from her classmates as Hayato guided her toward the circle of dancers.
With the bonfire blazing behind them, they moved together in rhythm—Hayato behind, Kiyoko in front, their hands linked.
"Why now?" she asked softly, her voice carrying both surprise and shyness. "We agreed not to…"
"Tanaka told me something," Hayato replied. "He said everyone's already figured it out."
Kiyoko glanced back, eyes widening. "Really? Is it that obvious?"
Hayato nodded. "Guess neither of us are good at hiding things."
Kiyoko let out a helpless laugh, shaking her head.
"And besides…" Hayato's voice lowered. "This is your last year, isn't it? I couldn't let you graduate with regrets."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "…Mm."
They didn't need to say more. The flames crackled, music played, and for those few moments, the rest of the world faded away.
When the final song ended and the bonfire slowly died down, so too did the festival—leaving behind a memory that would stay with them both forever.
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