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“Ready to get out of here?” Yoimiya asks, nudging gently against her side. It’s quieter and more subdued than she usually is, and Ayaka almost wonders if the vibrant festival atmosphere and unending throngs of people to talk to has tired her out, but she knows better. She’s being gentle for Ayaka’s sake, conscientious of the fact that she still isn’t used to attending these events. So Ayaka smiles and summons up the bravery to lace their fingers together, confident that no one will take notice in the lantern-lit night.
“I am starting to get a little tired,” she admits sheepishly. They’ve been walking around the festival for hours, visiting the stalls, trying countless snacks, and chatting with other festival goers. “I don’t mind staying longer if you’re not ready to leave though. Unless...do you have to get back to help your father with the fireworks display?”
Yoimiya just laughs, eyes twinkling with delight, and denies it with a shake of her head. “Nope, Pops got someone else to help out so that I could enjoy the night with you. But the Shirasagi Himegimi deserves the best possible spot to watch them from, right? I know just the place.”
“Well, in that case, lead the way.” As they make their way down the crowded street in the direction of whatever vantage point Yoimiya has in mind, Ayaka feels pleasantly warm, noticeable even in the mild summer air. It’s as if Yoimiya’s pyro vision is gently radiating energy outward even without being called upon. An unfamiliar sensation, but not one that Ayaka would object to getting more accustomed to. Not at all.
They reach their destination in time, a quiet, grassy hill overlooking the field Mr Naganohara would be setting off the fireworks from. Humming a cheerful tune, Yoimiya takes a seat on the ground, gently pulling Ayaka down beside her. They just sit there for a moment, side by side, and Ayaka takes a fortifying breath. She still isn’t used to having many friends, let alone anyone who wants to take her on dates, but that’s what tonight is, right? A date? So she inches closer, hesitantly wrapping an arm around Yoimiya’s waist.
“Is this okay?” she asks, not wanting to assume. But even in the darkness, Yoimiya’s smile is blinding.
“Yeah,” she says. “It’s great. You just keep getting cuter and cuter, I didn’t even realize it was possible.” It looks a bit like she’s gearing up for a tangent or three, but she catches herself before she begins, pointing up at the starry sky. “They should be starting any moment now. I had you in mind while I was picking some of them out, so I hope you enjoy it.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I will.”
Just as Yoimiya says, the fireworks display starts shortly after that. It starts out relatively modestly, though still with the color and flair that everyone expects from Naganohara Fireworks. Ayaka is charmed, watching intently as the fireworks grow in size and complexity. Beautiful flowers, stars, hearts...as bright shapes and colors explode across the sky, she wonders which Yoimiya chose for her.
“Those ones,” Yoimiya whispers as if reading her mind, pointing up at overlapping orange and blue hearts, fire and ice. Mouth agape, Ayaka watches until the show is over and then some. No one’s done something like this for her before.
“Did you like it?” Yoimiya asks some time later, when Ayaka is still gazing up at the dark, star-laced sky.
“I loved it,” she breathes. “It was amazing. All of it. But especially...” She trails off, chuckling sheepishly.
“Good. I usually don’t like talking while watching fireworks, but I couldn’t resist making a little exception to that. I really wanted you to know.” Yoimiya chuckles too. It’s hard to tell in the dark, but Ayaka thinks she might be blushing. “I really enjoyed spending the festival together. Would it be too forward of me to ask if I can walk you home?”
Ayaka’s smile grows, making her cheeks ache. “Not too forward at all.”