Chapter 16: Fireworks!
The festival ground was loud and crowded, filled with laughter, the scent of food stalls, and bright lanterns. In the middle of it all, Yasmine found herself swallowed by the crowd, her breaths quickening as her hands trembled slightly.
"....Guys? Where... are you... all?" Her voice wavered, barely audible against the festive noise. "Why... is it... so crowded.... here?"
Just as her panic began to rise, a familiar voice called out.
"Yasmine, is that you?"
She turned and saw Aijin pushing through the crowd, worry in his eyes.
"Aijin..." Yasmine's voice cracked, and tears almost formed as relief washed over her.
He let out a small chuckle. "You could have just called me, you know."
"Oh... yeah... I forgot about that," she admitted, embarrassed, lowering her gaze.
"The fireworks are about to start," Aijin said calmly. "The others are already waiting."
"...Yeah... we should go."
But Aijin shook his head. "Nope. We're going somewhere else."
"Eh?"
Without explaining further, he gently guided her away from the crowd and toward the quiet temple stairs.
"Would you be alright walking upstairs in those sandals?" he asked, glancing at her worriedly.
"I... I'll be okay," Yasmine replied softly.
But before she could protest further, Aijin crouched down and lifted her onto his back.
"W-what are you doing!?" Yasmine gasped, her cheeks flaring red.
"I don't want you to hurt your feet," Aijin said matter-of-factly.
"But... I'm heavy," she stammered, embarrassed beyond measure.
"Heavy or not, I can't let you hurt yourself," he replied firmly, his tone steady and kind.
Yasmine froze, stunned by his words. Her heart pounded in rhythm with his steps as he carried her up the long staircase.
When they finally reached the top, Aijin gently set her down.
"So... why did we come here?" Yasmine asked, still flustered.
"I don't like crowded places," Aijin admitted. "It gives me a headache. And I couldn't leave you alone, so I brought you along."
Yasmine blinked, warmth filling her chest. "Oh..."
Aijin smiled faintly. "But I also wanted to show you the fireworks from here. I think you'll enjoy them more this way."
Her cheeks burned, and she could only nod, unable to meet his eyes.
---
Meanwhile, the others had gathered in the field.
"Did you get any info?" Kei asked, fidgeting anxiously.
"Yeah," Mui replied. "Aijin found Yasmine."
"Thank goodness! So are they coming here?" Kei pressed.
"Not exactly," Mui said. "Aijin said they're going somewhere else to see the fireworks."
"Eh? Wait, does that mean—" Kei's eyes widened.
"No," Mui interrupted flatly. "I know Aijin. He just doesn't like crowded places."
Jirou sighed, trying to calm them both. "Guys, the fireworks are about to start."
---
Back at the temple hill, Aijin leaned on the railing, glancing at Yasmine.
"Here it comes."
He began the countdown.
"Three..."
On the field, Jirou's voice echoed at the same time. "Two..."
Aijin: "One."
And with that, the first firework exploded into the sky, painting it in dazzling colors.
"Whoa, it's so beautiful!!" Kei exclaimed.
"It really is," Mui agreed, watching the sky light up.
"Yeah... incredible," Jirou said, smiling at their awestruck faces.
But on the temple hill, Yasmine and Aijin were much closer to the lights, their view more intimate and breathtaking.
Yasmine's eyes widened, completely entranced. She didn't even blink, afraid to miss a single sparkle.
"It's beautiful, right?" Aijin asked, his voice softer than usual.
Yasmine didn't answer. She was too absorbed in the sight, her heart pounding like a drum.
Aijin chuckled quietly to himself. (Maybe I should stay silent too... and just enjoy this moment.)
---
Yasmine's thoughts swirled as she stared at the sky.
(What is this feeling? When I'm with him, I feel relieved, like the noise of the world disappears... But why? I don't understand this at all... My heart—it feels like it's exploding, just like those fireworks.)
"Yasmine?" Aijin's voice pulled her back.
"Y-yes?" she stammered.
"The fireworks are beautiful, right?"
"...Yeah," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I... can't stop looking at them... They're so beautiful."
Suddenly, a giant firework burst directly above them with a deafening sound.
"Kyaah!" Yasmine flinched, instinctively throwing her arms around Aijin in fear.
"Don't worry," Aijin soothed, steadying her. "It's just a big one."
Realizing what she'd done, Yasmine shot back, face crimson. "I-I'm so sorry, Aijin!!"
"It's fine," he said with a faint smile. But just then, he pressed a hand to his temple, wincing.
"Aijin, are you okay?" Yasmine asked quickly, worry etched on her face.
"Yeah, just... a little tired. And the headache's acting up," he muttered.
---
When the fireworks ended, the group reunited at a nearby park.
"YASMINE, ARE YOU OKAY!?" Kei rushed to her.
"Y-yeah... I'm fine," Yasmine assured her softly.
"She's fine, you're just overreacting," Mui scoffed.
"I care about my friend, Mister!" Kei snapped back.
"Can you two stop fighting?" Jirou interrupted.
Aijin stretched a little and smiled faintly. "We really enjoyed the fireworks."
"Yeah..." Yasmine admitted, her eyes shining. "But... I kinda wanted to see more."
Jirou smirked knowingly. "I guessed as much." He pulled out a hidden pack of sparklers.
"Wait, seriously?" Aijin blinked.
"Of course," Jirou grinned. "Let's enjoy them."
Soon, the group stood together, each holding a sparkling stick.
"It's so beautiful," Kei whispered, mesmerized.
Jirou laughed, waving two sparklers around like swords.
Mui smiled quietly as his sparkler burned bright.
Yasmine's eyes sparkled as she stared at the gentle flame in her hand.
And Aijin... found himself smiling as he watched her.
They lit crackers, spinning fireworks, and even small fountains. Laughter and light filled the air until the last flame flickered out.
"Alright, see you guys later," Jirou waved.
"See ya," Mui said.
"Goodbye, everyone!" Kei added cheerfully.
"Bye, guys," Aijin and Yasmine said together.
---
As the others left, Aijin walked Yasmine home.
"See you soon, Yasmine," he said with a small smile.
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. "...Bye," she whispered, before slipping inside.
"Welcome back," her mother greeted warmly.
"Mom... I want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
Yasmine hesitated, her voice trembling. "I don't know... but sometimes my heart pounds like those fireworks, and sometimes it calms... like the ocean."
"Oh?" Her mother's eyes softened knowingly. "It's for a person, isn't it?"
"...Yes."
Her mother chuckled. "I won't ask who it is, but I'll tell you this—you've fallen in love."
Yasmine froze, her entire face burning red. "S-stop saying that!"
Her mother smirked. "I can see it written all over your face."
"Huh!?" Yasmine ran to her room, covering her cheeks. "I-I'm going to bed!"
Her mother watched her go, smiling. "This girl..."
---
In her room, Yasmine collapsed onto her bed, hugging her pillow.
(Am I... really in love?)
Aijin's smile, his voice, his words—all of his moments with her—flashed through her mind, one after another.
Her face grew hotter. (No, no, no! I can't think like that! But... even if I do like him... would he ever like me back?)
Outside her window, the night air was still filled with the scent of fireworks.
In the garden below, the jasmine plant slowly began to unfurl its last bud—an almost-bloomed flower opening its petals.
The flower was almost in full bloom.
---
[ End of Chapter 16 ]