The tension around Sakura High had grown so thick you could almost hear it crackle in the hallways. Posters for the upcoming festival fluttered against classroom walls, and the energy that once felt exciting now carried a sharp edge. Everyone wanted to win. Everyone wanted to stand out.
And at the center of that invisible storm were two clubs — the Science and Technology Club and the Cosmic S.T.A.R. Club — their rivalry no longer just school gossip, but a real, pulsing competition.
It started that morning. Haruto and Beru were walking to school together, the golden sunlight painting the streets in a peaceful glow that couldn't quite hide Beru's unease.
"Haruto," she began quietly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, "I heard something from one of my classmates…"
He looked at her, a bit puzzled. "What is it?"
"They said Saya joined the Science and Technology Club last week."
Haruto stopped mid-step. "Saya? Are you sure?"
Beru nodded, biting her lip. "Apparently she's helping with the design of the robots' interface… She's good with programming."
He fell silent, a faint shadow crossing his face. The wind tugged at his hair as he stared ahead thoughtfully.
Beru's voice softened. "You didn't know?"
"No," he admitted after a moment. "But it makes sense. She's always liked science."
Beru gave a small nod, pretending not to feel the faint sting inside her chest. It wasn't jealousy anymore — it was the fear of old wounds reopening.
By the time they reached the clubroom, the atmosphere was already buzzing. Luna and Souta were arguing over the layout of the café's entrance, and Tadao was adjusting the projector cables.
But when Beru mentioned Saya's name, the room went dead silent.
Luna's brows knitted together. "Saya? As in the Saya Morizono? Haruto's ex?"
Souta whistled low. "Oh boy. That's… spicy."
"Not helping," Haruto muttered under his breath.
Tadao looked thoughtful. "If she's in their club, that changes things. She's sharp. Their visual design might be even better than we expected."
"Exactly why we can't afford mistakes," Luna said firmly, flipping open her sketchbook. "We need to finalize our concept today — and that includes the costumes."
Souta blinked. "Costumes?"
"Yes." Beru's eyes sparkled a little, her earlier worry momentarily replaced by excitement. "Our café theme needs charm — something cosmic but elegant. We can't just wear normal uniforms!"
Haruto tilted his head, intrigued. "So, what are we going for?"
Luna smirked. "You'll see. Beru's been sketching ideas all morning."
Beru shyly opened her notebook and spread it on the table. The pages revealed beautifully detailed sketches — elegant maid-style outfits for the girls and sleek barista uniforms for the boys, all in black and white with subtle star-patterned accents.
The girls' outfits had short puffed sleeves, frilled aprons, and cosmic embroidery that shimmered faintly — a perfect mix of cute and mystical. The boys' outfits were tailored vests with silver-trimmed collars, galaxy-themed ties, and dark slacks that matched the girls' palette.
"It's adorable," Luna said with a grin. "It feels like a café from the stars."
Souta nodded in awe. "And also like the perfect excuse to look way too cool."
Beru giggled. "The embroidery will glow faintly in dim light, like constellations."
Haruto smiled, his voice soft with admiration. "You really thought of everything, Beru."
Her cheeks flushed faintly. "I… wanted it to feel special."
Luna leaned over the sketches, excited. "We'll divide the work — I'll help Beru with the sewing patterns, Tadao can handle the glowing fiber threads, and Souta…"
"Can model," Souta interrupted immediately, posing dramatically.
Everyone groaned.
The next few days became a blur of fabric, thread, and late-night laughter. The clubroom turned into a workshop of chaos — measuring tapes draped over chairs, ribbons scattered across desks, and Haruto occasionally stepping on pins while helping to carry rolls of cloth.
"Watch your step!" Beru yelped one afternoon as he nearly tripped over a basket of fabric.
"I swear this room's a trap," Haruto muttered, steadying himself.
Beru giggled, her eyes sparkling. "You're the one who keeps walking into things."
"I'm just distracted," he said with a teasing smile. "Probably by someone."
Her face turned crimson, and Luna's voice cut in from across the room, "Flirting won't get these hems finished faster, you two."
Souta burst out laughing. "Luna, are you jealous?"
Luna gave him a glare sharp enough to make him immediately return to sewing. "No. Just practical."
By the end of the week, the costumes were finally ready — and it was time to try them on.
The girls went first. Luna stepped out of the changing room in her black-and-white maid dress, her blue hairs tied back with a cosmic-blue ribbon. The glowing embroidery along her apron shimmered like tiny stars.
Souta's jaw practically hit the floor. "Luna… you look like… like an angel who works part-time at the Milky Way!"
Luna's cheeks turned faint pink, though she tried to hide it behind her usual composure. "You're ridiculous."
"I'm honest," Souta said, still staring.
Meanwhile, Beru stepped out next. Her version of the outfit had a soft white frill around the collar and faint purple hues blending into the skirt, her cosmic embroidery glowing like a cluster of nebulae.
Haruto froze completely.
She looked radiant — her gentle smile, her hair brushing her shoulders, the starlight glinting on her dress. For a second, he forgot how to breathe.
"Does it… look strange?" Beru asked shyly, fidgeting with her apron ribbon.
Haruto blinked, finally finding his voice. "No… you look perfect."
Her blush deepened, and she looked away quickly, trying to hide her smile. "T-thank you…"
Then it was the boys' turn. Souta came out first, striking a dramatic pose in his barista outfit. "Ladies, your drinks are ready — and so are your hearts!"
Beru burst out laughing. "Souta! You look amazing, but please don't say that during the festival!"
Tadao followed next, looking effortlessly cool as always, his vest perfectly fitted. Luna couldn't help but glance twice, earning a sly grin from Souta who whispered, "Someone's impressed."
Finally, Haruto stepped out. His black vest shimmered faintly under the room light, the silver thread forming constellations along his collar. His usual calm expression paired with the uniform's sharp design made him look striking — effortlessly magnetic.
Beru couldn't stop staring. "You… you really suit it, Haruto."
He smiled, stepping closer until their eyes met. "You think so?"
Beru nodded, her voice soft. "Yeah. You look like… the hero from a fairy tale café."
For a moment, the world seemed to fade — just the two of them, standing close, hearts fluttering like trapped butterflies.
"Then I'll make sure to serve only you," he said quietly, his tone teasing but warm.
Her cheeks went crimson again, and Luna immediately cleared her throat loudly. "Alright, lovebirds. Back to work."
Everyone burst into laughter.
The rest of the afternoon was pure chaos — Souta practicing "café greetings" in an exaggerated tone, Luna throwing a napkin at him for spilling juice on her apron, and Tadao calmly stitching last-minute adjustments while pretending not to notice any of it.
Even Haruto and Beru got into the fun — playfully competing to make latte art with cocoa powder and failing spectacularly. The room filled with laughter, the kind that melted tension and left warmth in its place.
By evening, as the golden sunset spilled through the window, the club members gathered to admire their finished work. The costumes gleamed softly in the fading light — a perfect blend of starlight and heart.
"They're perfect," Beru said with a soft smile. "It really feels like ours."
Luna nodded. "We might not have robots, but we have charm, creativity, and teamwork."
"And cosmic aprons," Souta added proudly.
Everyone laughed again. Even Haruto — usually composed — couldn't hold back a grin.
Outside, the sunset deepened into twilight, the first stars flickering to life. For that moment, the rivalry, the tension, even the presence of Saya in the opposing club all seemed far away.
They were just friends — dreamers — bound by the same spark that had created something beautiful together.
As the laughter echoed into the night, the stars above Sakura High shimmered faintly, as if watching over them — two constellations still destined to collide, but tonight, glowing side by side.
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To be continued...