---
The room fell into a heavy silence.
The pink-haired girl finally spoke, her voice soft but confident.
"My name is Sakuraine Tsukihana… and I need your help to pull off a surprise."
Airi raised an eyebrow. "A surprise?"
Sakuraine nodded. "Today… is Kael's birthday."
Rina's eyes widened. "I—I almost forgot… It is his birthday."
Kota sighed loudly, slumping into his seat.
"How do you forget your own crush's birthday? What kind of love is that?"
Rina gently hit him on the arm and laughed awkwardly. "D-Don't say it like that…"
Sakuraine turned toward her. "Wait… crush?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Rina froze. Her cheeks turned bright red. "It's… nothing! Just forget I said anything."
She laughed awkwardly, waving her hands in front of her face.
"…Okay," Sakuraine said with a forced smile, before turning back to Airi. "So? Can you help?"
Airi closed her book with a sigh. "Do you at least know what he likes?"
"I know!" Rina said quickly. But then she paused, looking hesitant. "Actually… I want to see if she knows."
Sakuraine tilted her head. "Hmm… he really likes Luffy from One Piece. Anything with that character makes him happy. A poster would be perfect!"
She pressed her hands together, hopeful. "Please?"
Rina blinked in surprise.
Kota glanced sideways at her.
"…So you didn't even know that?" he muttered.
Rina frowned. "I—"
Kota continued, voice calm but sharp.
"If you really love someone, you know things about them. You notice the little stuff. If you don't even know his favorite anime character… maybe it's not love. Maybe it's just a feeling."
Rina looked down, saying nothing.
Airi spoke again, her voice more focused. "That's a solid gift. We can help you set up something."
Sakuraine lit up. "Really?"
Emika chimed in, clapping her hands. "Ooh! What about fireworks tomorrow night?"
Airi nodded. "That works. It'll leave an impression."
Sakuraine beamed. "Yes! Why didn't I think of that?! Thank you!"
She gave a polite bow, then ran out of the room. The door clicked shut behind her.
The silence returned.
Then—
BANG!
Rina slammed her hands on the desk. Everyone flinched.
Airi returned to her book without a word.
Emika looked concerned.
"I'm going home," Rina muttered. She grabbed her bag, marched to the door, and slammed it behind her.
Kota exhaled slowly. "Yeah… I should probably go too."
He grabbed his bag and left, the room quiet behind him.
---
🏠 At Rina's House – That Night
Rina lay on her bed, arms over her eyes.
Kota's words echoed in her mind.
> "That's not love. You don't even know anything about him."
She clenched her fists.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
She sat up quickly, throwing her phone to the floor. It landed screen-up, showing saved photos of Kael.
Outside, the first sound of fireworks cracked through the air.
Rina stood up slowly and reached into her closet. She pulled out a red yukata, slipped it on, and walked outside.
---
🎆 At the Festival Grounds
Crowds gathered to watch the night sky light up in bursts of color.
Rina walked alone, arms crossed as she spotted Kael—standing beside Sakuraine. They were laughing. Smiling.
> Maybe they look better together, she thought.
She turned away and walked farther from the crowd, settling under a tree alone.
She hugged herself, biting her lip as the fireworks reflected in her eyes.
Then—
A familiar voice behind her.
"Why are you sitting all the way out here?"
She turned in surprise.
Kota stood there, hands in his pockets.
He walked over and sat beside her.
Rina quickly wiped her eyes. "You… followed me?"
Kota sighed. "This is my spot. Been mine since forever. Quiet. Peaceful."
"…Oh."
More silence.
Kota looked at her. "So. You giving up on making Kael jealous?"
Rina's shoulders dropped. "Yeah… I guess it's impossible now. Sakuraine's already ahead of me. She knows him better than I do."
The sound of soft piano music played from a distant festival booth as the fireworks continued overhead.
"I just… I don't get it," Rina whispered. "Why didn't I know something that simple about him?"
Kota leaned back against the tree.
"You liked him because he was kind. Because he helped people. That's fine. But you didn't know him. You just knew… a version of him in your head."
Rina stayed quiet.
Kota continued, voice softer.
"There's still time to learn who he is. Talk to him. Mess up. Grow. That's real. Not fake love based on one memory."
Rina's mouth fell slightly open. She stared at him.
"You said that kind of stuff and still pretend to be lazy," she mumbled.
Kota stood up and offered his hand.
"Let's go. I think the best firework is coming up."
Rina stared at his hand. Then smiled faintly.
She took it.
They walked closer to the crowd. The final firework launched—
BOOM!
A massive gold flower bloomed in the sky.
Rina looked up, then at Kota.
She leaned in slightly.
Kota glanced at her, surprised.
Next Time: "A Friend... or Something More?"
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