A few months later, our town held its annual summer festival. Andrea and I didn't plan to go together, but we ended up running into each other near the food stalls.
"Rest!" she called out, waving. She was wearing a casual yukata, her usual ponytail slightly messier than usual. "I didn't think I'd see you here!"
"My parents made me come," I admitted. "You?"
"My sister dragged me along, but she's with her friends now." She tugged at her sleeve. "I feel kinda weird dressing like this. It's different, huh?"
I looked at her for a moment. The bright paper lanterns reflected in her eyes, and the cool night air made her seem softer, less chaotic than usual.
"It suits you," I said simply.
Andrea's eyes widened. "Huh?"
"You always wear the same thing. It's a nice change."
For some reason, she turned away slightly, fidgeting with the edge of her yukata. "Oh… thanks, I guess."
Before I could ask what was wrong, she suddenly grabbed my wrist. "Come on! Let's play something!"
She pulled me toward a ring toss game. Andrea's competitive side kicked in, and she refused to leave until she won something.
"One more try!" she insisted after her third failure.
"You've said that twice already," I pointed out.
"But I feel lucky this time!"
She took the last ring and focused. Her ponytail swayed as she tossed it, and by some miracle, it landed perfectly on the prize pole.
"Yes!" Andrea cheered. "See? I told you!"
She was given a small stuffed bear as a prize. She stared at it for a moment, then turned to me with a grin.
"Here," she said, shoving it into my hands.
I frowned. "Why are you giving it to me?"
"Because you were my good luck charm!" she said, laughing. "Besides, I don't need another stuffed animal."
I stared at the bear in my hands. It was small, soft, and a little lopsided.
For some reason, I didn't give it back.