The school festival buzzed with life. Stalls lined the courtyard, filled with food, trinkets, and bright handmade decorations. Lanterns swayed in the wind, casting warm glows across wet pavement from the afternoon rain.
Lestari clutched her sketchbook tightly, weaving through the crowd. She'd promised herself she'd stay calm, stay invisible, and avoid drawing attention to herself. But her eyes kept finding Ubi.
Ubi was busy at the cosplay café stall, handing out drinks with effortless charm. Her cosplay wig bounced with every movement, perfectly styled. She laughed at a joke from a friend, tilting her head back.
Lestari's chest tightened. She wanted to run. She wanted to hide. She wanted… to step closer.
Arka and Bayu waited near the festival entrance, pretending to be bored while scanning the crowd.
"I'm telling you," Arka whispered, eyes tracking Lestari and Ubi. "This is the perfect time. Look at her. She's literally melting."
Bayu didn't look impressed. "She's not melting. She's nervous, like always. You just notice it because you're an idiot who is a disaster magnet."
"Exactly!" Arka said. "Disaster magnet. That's me. Which means I can push her closer, and it'll be adorable."
Bayu pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're insane."
Arka grinned, leaning slightly toward him. "Come on, help me. Little nudge here, a tiny push there. We're artists."
Bayu exhaled sharply but didn't move away. "Fine. But if she trips because of you, you're cleaning up the mess AND paying me lunch…"
Arka smirked. "Deal."
Meanwhile, Lestari hovered near the mural booth. She had volunteered to help with decorations, using it as an excuse to be near Ubi. Her hands shook as she unrolled a roll of paint, trying not to draw attention.
Ubi noticed, of course. "Hey, you're here! I didn't know you signed up."
Lestari's throat went dry. "I… I wanted to… help," she mumbled, eyes darting to the floor.
Ubi tilted her head. "You know, it's cute how you act all serious, but your hands are shaking."
Lestari swallowed. "I… I'm fine," she said, too quickly. Her blush deepened.
"Here, let me show you something." Ubi crouched next to her, pointing at a spot on the mural that could use some detail. Their hands brushed as Lestari reached for the brush.
Lestari froze, heart hammering. Ubi didn't pull back. She just smiled softly, letting Lestari catch her breath.
Arka and Bayu were quietly coordinating from the sidelines.
"Okay," Arka whispered. "She needs a moment to… You know, not to be a puddle of nerves."
Bayu rolled his eyes. "You mean she's already a puddle. Stop talking. Let her work."
Arka leaned close, nudging Bayu lightly. "See that look she gave when Ubi smiled? That's the jackpot."
Bayu sighed but didn't argue further, just kept scanning the festival. "You're impossible," he muttered.
The sun dipped low, fireworks lighting the sky above the festival. Lestari and Ubi stepped away from the booth to admire them. Lestari's fingers brushed against Ubi's accidentally, or maybe not.
Ubi glanced down, teasing, "You're blushing again."
"I… I'm not!" Lestari said, fumbling to cover her face.
"You totally are," Ubi whispered, smiling. Her tone was soft, not mocking. Inviting.
Lestari's chest tightened. She wanted to say something, OR ANYTHING, but the words tangled in her throat. She only nodded, feeling the warmth of Ubi's hand grazing hers, lingering longer than necessary.
Arka, watching from a distance, whispered to Bayu, "Phase one successful! Last phase now!"
Bayu shook his head. "You're such an idiot."
Lestari didn't notice. She only noticed the way Ubi's eyes glimmered in the firelight, and the small, electric thrill of feeling seen.
"I… I want to be braver. For her," Lestari thought, heart hammering, fingers still twitching near Ubi's.
The fireworks exploded overhead, colors bursting across the sky, and for a brief moment, the world felt impossibly wide, impossibly bright, and entirely hers and Ubi's.