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“You sure you have everything, Ken?”
“Yeah! I’ve got my wallet here.”
“Phone?”
“The other side!”
Despite saying that, Ryota keeps staring at him, fixing the clothes and his hair.
He can tell that he’s probably focusing on him instead of on himself to avoid his nervousness -no idea why, Koki was happy to join them, and he’d surely compliment him, even Kensuke could tell Ryota looked extra pretty today- while waiting for their respective companions.
“Ryo-senpai. Calm down, it’s fine! And the yukata you made is great!”
“I know that already.”
“…”
After a few more moments of fixing his clothes, Ryota sighs, and he’s sure that he can see a bit of red on his face before he turns, getting his small pouch out to check himself on the mirror.
“Sorry. It’s just… It’s Kou’s first festival. I want this to be perfect for him.”
“Eh? The first one? Didn’t you guys hang out together last year too?”
“No… We weren’t that close, yet. I didn’t invite him.”
“I see. Then, we have to do a bunch of things with Kou-senpai too!”
“You focus on you. You’re going to do that after all, aren’t you?”
“That’s… Yes. I want to make it perfect, too. Let’s do our best, Ryo-senpai!”
“Yeah.” A small smile is all he gets, before Ryota composes himself back, perking up as he notices something. “That’s Kou’s ride, come on, let’s go get him. And check at what time Mamoru will come to meet us.”
“Yes~”
—o—
Well, he didn't specify when inviting Mamoru out to the festival -he didn’t have the guts to ask him on a date- So technically, it was his fault. Still, he’s surprised as Mamoru appears with a bunch of kids, holding one even, as he walks with two adult women.
“Ken-kun, Ryo-kun, Kou-kun! Thanks for inviting me!”
“Indeed, thank you for inviting him. I’m Kaede.”
“I’m Shion. Thank you for taking care of our Mamoru.”
“No, it’s nothing. We enjoy passing time with Mamoru-senpai. A pleasure meeting you. I’m Koki.”
“I’m Ryota. Pleased to meet you.”
“Kensuke! A pleasure!”
They definitely remind him of Mamoru- They look kind, even at first glance. The smaller woman reminds him directly of Mamoru, even having a messy bun with a purple ribbon like Mamoru’s favorite color. The other one at first glance reminds him more of Koki or Ryota, looking more elegant, even her hair is tied nicely in a ponytail with some braids, and she has a small hair ornament as well.
The younger kids have a bunch of colorful yukatas, and they’re definitely more excited than all the rest.
“Mamoru, did you have any problem with the yukata?”
“Nope! It was perfect, Ryo-kun!”
“Ah, Ryota-kun! Thank you for making this beautiful yukata for our Mamoru-kun~ He got taller since last summer, so his older one didn’t fit properly anymore.”
It is cute, watching as the smaller woman still manages to ruffle his hair, making Mamoru blush.
“Kae-san!”
“Well, I guess we’re going to entrust you with him again.”
“Eh?”
It’s also quite cute, watching Mamoru’s confused face, as they take the kid in his arms, giving him a small push towards them.
“What? Did you think you’d stay chained to us? Go with your friends, come on.”
“We’ll meet at the door at curfew, yes?”
“...Yes! Thank you!”
“Have fun, boys!”
“Thank you.”
With some waves, they eventually leave, letting them look around.
“What should we do?”
“Kou-kun, why don’t you choose something that calls your attention for your first festival-related activity?”
“Yes, Kou. Games? Or maybe something to eat?”
“Then… How about we start with some games? What are the games we have?”
—o—
Kensuke thought that he’d never see Ryota as focused as he looked whenever he was making some clothes, or looking up the theater club, but he was proven wrong at that moment, because Ryota was like a lion with eyes on his prey- Though, the prey were simple balloons that he was aiming for with the cork gun.
It doesn’t take long for him to finish all the shots, getting enough to get a reward of his choosing.
They’ve already played some scooping games, and now had different balloons that Koki had gifted them, and he had managed to get some candies from tossing rings.
Ryota’s prize -a small bracelet- is of course directly given to Koki, who smiles with a small blush.
“Then, what should we do now?”
After that, they rearrange their stuff as they get out of the line to let others play as well, and while he replies to a text from his sister, he hears the others talking.
"Why don't we separate now? Ken-kun and I can go check the food, and you two can give another round!"
It's clear that Ryota appreciates the offer, looking at the blond instead. "That's fine by me. What do you think, Kou?"
"It's fine. Let's do that if you're okay with it too, Ken."
"Of course! I'm actually starving a little!"
"Despite already eating sweets?"
"Sweets were just a snack, Ryo-senpai. Mamoru-senpai, let's go?"
"Yes!”
With that, he pulls from Mamoru’s hand as they run into the different food stalls, making the other laugh as he panted.
“Ken-kun, were you that hungry?”
“Eh, I’m not! But we have to make up the best out of the time we have, right? Or it’ll get crowded and we’ll run out of time to try!”
Mamoru laughs at that, nodding. And with that, they set to look around different stalls, until they found one they wanted to eat from.
“Do you always come with them, Mamoru-senpai?”
“You mean with the rest of the orphanage? Yeah! It’s a trip outside we can do all together, so it’s fun! It’s easy to keep the younger ones entertained, too, so it’s always refreshing for all of us. And you, Ken-kun? Do you come to festivals often?”
“Yeah! I always come with my parents and my sis. This is the first year they’ve actually let me come alone without sis, though.”
“Haha, they must believe Ken-kun is old enough to be able to handle himself.”
“Well, Ryo-senpai being around did help.”
“Ah, that’s right. Ryota-kun and Ken-kun live in the same neighborhood, right?”
“Yeah. And- Ah! Mamoru, they’ve got dango! Let’s go get some!”
“Ah, dango! Yes!”
And like that, he keeps pulling from Mamoru and getting pulled by him as well, making the time pass in a blink.
—o—
They’re done eating the last of their snacks when they hear someone calling out to them, seeing Koki and Ryota walking towards them. They’ve both got some bags with a bunch of things and as well they’re using some masks.
“Ken, Mamoru.”
“There you are. Did you get to try a lot of food?”
“Ryo-senpai, Kou-senpai! Welcome back!”
“We did! Ryo-kun, we got a lot of snacks! What about you two?”
“We also got to eat a bit after playing games. It was fun.”
“It was fun indeed.”
“We also tried some more games!”
Kensuke smiles as they engage in a simple talk, showing off the different foods and pictures they’ve taken, as well as the different prizes that they’ve gathered across the night.
Until eventually, someone else calls their attention, people getting all ready to look at the last main attraction of the night.
“Ah, the fireworks will be starting soon. We should go closer to get a good view.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
“We’ll be with you two in a second! Ken-kun. Come with me? I want to check something really quick!”
“Don’t get lost, Mamoru, Ken.”
“We won’t! We’ll meet you two soon enough!”
He is surprised as Mamoru pulls him across the festival, only to end… Well, close to the fireworks, too.
“Mamoru-senpai?”
“Ah, sorry, Ken-kun. I just wanted to give Kou-kun and Ryo-kun some more privacy. I know Ryo-kun might get extra shy if he’s aware of us being close.”
Mamoru laughs as he scratches his cheek, making him let out a laugh as well, as he nods. Then, they both sit, waiting for the moment where the fireworks will illuminate the sky.
“We have such a clear night. The sky will look beautiful!”
“I can’t wait. Mamoru-senpai, have you come to this festival before?”
“Yeah! Mh… Two years ago? When I started high school! We came here with Hajime-kun and Shiki-kun. Hajime-kun was busy last year, and the kids wanted to go to another one, so we went there instead.”
“I see. I’m glad you came this time too, then!”
“Me too! Thank you for inviting me, Ken-kun!”
Well, he had invited him there with a motive.
And talking of that motive…
Surely after the fireworks everyone would disperse. Koki had someone waiting to pick him up as soon as it ended, and surely Mamoru had to go back soon, too. He would go back with Ryota, who lived close to him, too, so there weren’t really many more moments to do what he was mentally prepared for.
Sparing a glance to the older boy, he can’t help but feel the heat taking over his face.
Mamoru’s smile is blinding. He’s always so kind and sweet, and he’s able to cheer him up in seconds with that smile. Even when he’s having some days feeling off, Mamoru understands and knows when to offer his ear, and when to help him forget about stuff to better his mood.
Sure, he’s always happy to see his friends, but there’s a different feeling when he gets to see Mamoru, when they get to talk in the mornings, when the gardening club is outside tending to their plants and the football club is preparing for practice.
He enjoys being able to spend time with him during lunch, and getting to share different foods with him. And not only at school- Even when they’re back home, exchanging texts is always interesting, too. They talk about many different things, from games, mangas, music-
Mamoru was always in his mind.
It didn’t take long for Kensuke to be able to define his feelings for him, and now that he knew them, he wanted to tell him about them as soon as possible.
So, taking a deep breath, he looked at the other man, who dedicated a smile full of warmth to him. "Mamoru-senpai. I-” He can feel his face heating up, so he closes his eyes, forcing the words out of his mouth. “Mamoru-senpai, I really like you!"
"Uwah! Ken-kun, look, the fireworks make a flower!"
"...Eh?"
When he opens his eyes again, Mamoru is not at all watching him, instead his head is tilted up, looking at the sky. Just then his body registers the new sound, looking up as well.
The fireworks were indeed beautiful, and as he watched them, he let out the air he didn’t know he was holding back, finally getting Mamoru’s attention.
"S-Sorry, Ken-kun! Did you say anything? I didn’t hear you!"
But maybe… a little more waiting wouldn’t be bad, either.
So, shaking his head, he smiles at him.
"No, it’s nothing important. I was just wondering if you wanted to get some shaved ice before we go back.”
“Ah, sure! Ken-kun, which flavor do you like?”
“I’m fine with anything! So you pick!”
“Okay!”
—o—
It’s a little cold already, when Mamoru is gone with his tutors, and Koki is in a car back home, when Ryota talks, as they walk to the meeting point with Kensuke’s sister, who’ll take them back home.
“...I take it you didn’t say anything?”
“No, I said it.”
“Then, did Mamoru-” He is a little relieved to see Ryota’s surprised face, thinking he might’ve been rejected.
“He didn’t hear me.”
“Eh?”
“The fireworks interrupted us. So cliche, right?”
Kensuke can’t help but laugh out loud at his own words, under Ryota’s confused stare. Then, he keeps walking, hands moving to the back of his head, smiling as he looks to the sky.
No flowers there now, and yet, it was beautiful, with the stars shining.
“Ken…”
“It’s okay. I’ll plan something else! I’m totally going to tell him soon, Ryo-senpai! So please, bear with me a little longer!”
“...I guess I can do that. Kou said he had fun, so I owe you one for inviting them with us."
“Haha, that’s great! Thank you!”