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Hina’s never ever seen a flame so high. The wood crackles under the fire, letting scape tiny and orange sparks, flying like lightning bugs and osmanthus flowers. Even if she and Rei are not that close to the bonfire, the flame surrounds them in a heated embrace – but this is not the cause for the warmth that spreads through her body.
Rei tugs her by the hand, gently.
“Let’s go there.”
He leads them to the staircase where they had been a couple of hours ago, where she had almost fell but Rei got her just in time, and she had cried, I’m glad you here, Rei-chan, I’ve been having so much fun in the school, I’m really happy. Small puddles are still sitting here and there, a reminder of the afternoon rain. They sit down too, side by side.
One can see everything from this place. The school gates, the courtyard where there is the bonfire, the trees’ and students’ shadows stretching out on the floor. But Rei is not looking at any of that; his eyes are set on Hina.
“Hina-chan,” he says, “I’ll say it one more time, okay?”
She looks down, the warmth even worse now, even if they are far away of the bonfire, making her cheeks burn and her palm sweat. It’s no good, it’s sticky, she thinks, embarrassed, but Rei doesn’t seem to mind. He doesn’t let go of her hand. And this, more than anything else, is what gives her courage. Her eyes meet his, and she nods.
His fingers squeeze hers. The orange light of the bonfire doesn’t reach them; only the moonlight. And yet, Rei’s eyes have a shine of their own, and she can’t look away from him. His cheeks are red, too. Like hers.
“I really like you, Hina-chan.”
I really like you, Hina-chan. She repeats it to herself, once, twice, over and over, in her mind. She had heard him, loud and clear, by the first time, surrounded by the bonfire’s glow. But she couldn’t believe it. A dream, a fantasy, a misunderstanding, she certainly had heard wrong. But Rei just said it once more, now. She plays that phrase again, like a favorite song. The words echo inside of her, fill her like a heartbeat.
“Do you believe me now?”
Carrying only Rei’s words, Hina still couldn’t find her own, so she nods. Rei makes a mention of releasing her hand, but her fingers tighten between his. At first, surprise hits his features, but then softens into a smile.
“Hina-chan… you don’t have to answer me right now. Take your time. I’ll wait for your answer.”
He waits for her nod again, certifying that she understands this: he doesn’t want to pressure her. Only then his eyes turn to the bonfire.
“It’s your first cultural festival here, Hina-chan. Did you have fun?”
It’s mysterious. Because of his words, she’s left speechless. But with another few of his words, she finds her voice again.
Her first festival in high school, and his last one. She was glad they got to share it together. The food she sold at her class shop, a youkai cafe. Azuki bean soup, chilled rice flour dumpling syrup, Abekawa mochi. The rain, and how many customers were there. Tsugumi-chan was a kitsune; Anna-chan, a tanuki. She was a bakeneko. They had fun coming up with the clothes.
And how was his work? Shimada-san was there. Until the moment he had left, Hayashida-sensei was still fighting. Sensei’s team had fought against Fujiwara Design, an interesting team, they were strong. Yes, there were many people there. Yes, he got caught in the rain when he had left work, but the rain stopped in the moment he arrived at the school.
And how was her foot now? A little sore, but okay. He doesn’t have to worry about it. Thank you, Rei-chan.
The flame’s smaller. People are starting to leave. The moon is high in the jet-black sky. It’s getting late. Let’s go home, they both agree, a smile upon their lips.
Rei gets up, and stretches out a hand to her. The wind blows some of his hair. For a moment, she thinks she sees a firefly, an osmanthus flower. Rei-chan’s words are now her own words, she realizes, they fill the air, they fill everything.
She starts to cry.
Panic and worry cross Rei’s face. His hands wander in the air, lost. Should he hold her? Dry her tears? Why is she crying?
Hina shakes her head, trying to smile. She takes his hand.
“I really,” she begins, swallowing some tears, “really like you, Rei-chan. I’m so happy.”
What do I have to do to stay with everyone like I have all this time?
Will you leave me one day, like my Dad?
She asks:
“Will you stay with me, Rei-chan?”
His fingers close around her hand. The expression on Rei’s face is the most determined, and the most tender, she’s ever seen. He’s the boy who taught her about the sun insect. Who took a train to Kyoto only to meet her, and made that river familiar to her. Who stood up against her Dad. Who ate meals together with them. Who was simply there, for them all, for the good and the bad.
“Always, Hina-chan. For as long as you’ll have me.”
They walk together, holding hands. Slowly, because of her injured foot. “Lean on me,” Rei says. And Hina thinks, how many times I did that? How could I not fallen in love with you? So they walk side by side, slowly, because Hina wants to be with him. Just a bit little longer.
Please, let this night never end. Let the road home be longer. Let me remember this night forever.
“Now that I think about it,” Rei says, serious, “Hina-chan, wouldn’t be better for your foot if I pigback you the rest of the way?”
Hina blushes, and protests. “No, Rei-chan! It’s embarrassing!”
Rei laughs. “I see.”
Please, let me never let go of this hand.