The school festival had ended, leaving the campus filled with scattered decorations, stray confetti, and the faint smell of leftover festival food. Most students had gone home, but Aiko and Ren stayed behind to help clean up.
"Why do we always get stuck with the aftermath?" Aiko groaned, picking up a stack of paper lanterns.
Ren grinned, grabbing a box of leftover decorations. "Because we make a great team," he said, winking.
Aiko rolled her eyes playfully, but she couldn't suppress a smile. "Sure, sure… you're just saying that because you want to boss me around."
"Maybe," he admitted, laughing softly. "But admit it—you secretly enjoy it."
"Maybe a little," she confessed, trying to sound nonchalant while her cheeks warmed.
They moved around the courtyard together, working side by side. Ren was surprisingly careful with the fragile decorations, while Aiko tried to match his efficiency. At one point, she accidentally dropped a string of paper stars, and they scattered across the floor.
"Uh-oh," she muttered, bending to pick them up.
Ren immediately crouched beside her, gathering stars into her hands. Their knees brushed, and Aiko froze for a second, feeling a warm flutter in her chest.
"You okay?" he asked softly, eyes meeting hers.
Aiko nodded, heart racing. "Yeah… just clumsy, as usual."
Ren chuckled, giving her a gentle nudge with his shoulder. "I like that about you. Makes you… human."
They continued cleaning, laughing quietly whenever something minor went wrong—a lantern tipped over, a stray balloon floated away, or a ribbon got tangled. Each small mishap became a reason for gentle teasing and shared laughter.
At one point, Aiko tried to lift a large bundle of decorations, struggling under its weight. Ren immediately stepped forward, taking part of the load.
"You don't have to do everything yourself," he said gently.
"I just wanted to help," she murmured, feeling flustered.
"You're helping me too," he said softly, his hand brushing hers as they adjusted the bundle together. The simple contact made her heart flutter.
By the time they finished, the courtyard was tidy, the festival lights dimmed, and the campus quiet. Aiko and Ren sat on a low wall, catching their breath, sharing a quiet moment together.
"You know," Ren said, leaning back on his hands, "I had more fun cleaning up with you than I thought I would."
Aiko laughed softly. "I had fun too. I guess… it's not the activity, but who you're with."
Ren turned toward her, smiling warmly. "Exactly. Being with you makes even chores feel like an adventure."
Aiko's cheeks flushed, and she leaned slightly toward him, letting herself bask in the quiet warmth of his presence. "I like adventures… especially with you," she admitted softly.
Ren's smile deepened, and he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Me too," he said, voice low and tender.
They stayed on the wall a few moments longer, simply enjoying the comfortable silence, the soft evening air, and each other's company. No words were needed—every glance, every small touch, every shared laugh had already said everything.
Finally, they stood, walking home side by side. Their hands brushed occasionally, eventually intertwining naturally. Aiko realized that it wasn't big gestures that mattered in a relationship—it was the shared laughter, small touches, and quiet moments that made her feel the closest to Ren.
And as they disappeared into the soft glow of the evening streets, Aiko knew that no matter how mundane the task, as long as she was with him, even cleaning up after a festival could be a memory she would cherish forever.