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The warmth of the summer heat wrapped around them, with the thick smell of typical festival food – takoyaki, candied apples and yakisoba – wrapped around them. Lanterns swayed over their heads, lighting the too crowded path with a light orange tint.
Mafuyu tugged at the sleeve of her simple, light blue yukata, her stomach fluttering with nerves. She wasn’t used to festivals – the last one she attended was years ago, with her mother. The overwhelming colors, the smells and the endless chatter from people around them was almost too much.
“You have to try a ramune” Ena said, hands gently tugging Mafuyu’s from stretching the edge of her sleeves. Her own yukata was a beautiful shade of brown, matching her eyes and hair, with her sash tied neatly into a bow.
“I won’t even taste it.” Mafuyu complained, eyeing the fizzy drink in front of her.
Ena laughed, the noise making Mafuyu’s heart flutter softly. “Trust me! I wouldn’t make you drink anything nasty.” She shook one of the bottles before handing it over.
Mafuyu sighed, surrendering and mimicked the way Ena opened her own drink. The unexpected noise of the marble popping made her wince slightly. She took a sip of the allegedly lemon-flavored drink, not tasting anything but feeling refreshed all the same.
“You see? It wasn’t that bad!” Ena said, eyes sparkling at her.
They maneuvered around the crowd, expertly led by Ena, until they reached a goldfish-scooping stall. Ena went first, her paper net quickly disintegrating in the water. She pouted up at Mafuyu before stepping away.
To the absolute surprise of no one Mafuyu actually caught one on the first try, her net looking impeccable, before dropping it into the small paper cup. The vendor put the small fish into a plastic bag, handing it over to Mafuyu.
“Of course you’re good at this.” Ena rolled her eyes, though the smile on her lips gave her away.
They continued through the festival path, passing the food stalls that Mafuyu smelled earlier. Ena insisted on trying everything, splitting the servings in half. Mafuyu found herself enjoying them, without even feeling the flavors – the coldness of the shaved ice, the crispiness of the apple and the gooey texture of the takoyaki.
As they wandered around the festival, Ena’s eyes caught a small photo booth. Without a word she dragged Mafuyu inside and with a few awkward poses a strip of photos emerged. Ena held it in her hands, smiling down faintly at it before guiding Mafuyu’s arm around her shoulders and putting another coin into the machine. The second set of photos come out much better, less stiff.
As the sky darkened, they found a small, open space to watch the fireworks, just enough for the two of them to sit down comfortably, setting down the goldfish between them carefully. The space around wasn’t too crowded, giving them a small sense of privacy.
Then the first burst of firework exploded, the sky turning a gorgeous shade of golden. Mafuyu’s breath hitched, her eyes lighting up along with the streaks of color.
“Pretty, huh?” Ena nudged her gently.
Mafuyu could only nod, her eyes not leaving the next set of explosions. They painted the sky red, blue, green, every color imaginable and each burst made her heart leap a tiny bit. As the last bit of lights came over the skies Mafuyu turned slightly towards Ena, the soft glow making her eyes gleam. For a moment, nothing else existed – not the noise, not the heat and not the smell of food – just her and Ena.
As if feeling her heavy gaze, Ena glanced at Mafuyu, her smile almost shy.
“We should come again next year.” her voice was low, as if speaking too loudly might break the moment.
Mafuyu nodded. “Do you visit every year?”
“Not anymore. I used to come with Akito and Airi, back before everything. I almost forgot how nice it can be.” Ena answered, eyes looking up towards the sky again.
Still looking at her, Mafuyu made a noncommittal noise. She always thought of these festivals as something that’s not for her – her mother always said so, pushing her towards studying. But here, with Ena, something warm spread through her chest that wanted her to agree with her.
The night felt different this time around. While the smell of food still hit Mafuyu’s nose, it wasn’t as sharp, making her feel almost nostalgic. Instead of the glowing lanterns colorful streamers were hung up all over the place. The festival was different and somehow everything felt softer, less intimidating.
Her hands didn’t fidget with her yukata anymore, now already firmly clasped in Ena’s warm ones. She has the same light blue one from last year, but Ena has a new one decorated with small flowers. It suits her even more than the last one, and Mafuyu is hit with how pretty she is.
“Did you bring enough money for all the food we’re gonna eat again?” Ena asked, grinning as she already approached one of the yakitori stalls.
“Enough for me, at least” She deadpanned. Contrary to her words she bought two servings, giving one to Ena.
“Rude.” Ena bumped their shoulders, then wrapped her hands around Mafuyu’s arm.
They wandered down the familiar path comfortably, laughter spilling from the nearby stalls. Mafuyu felt a small thrill at how effortless it was to be here with Ena now — not just as friends, but as something more.
They came around a goldfish stand this year too – not the same one from last year, but Ena, excited, dragged her over again.
“You remember, right?” her voice giddy as she asked, eyes mischievous.
“Of course.” Mafuyu pulled her phone out, showing Ena her lockscreen. “Akari is still alive.”
“You named it?” Ena blinked as she stared at the photo of the same goldfish. “Wait, it’s still alive? Aren’t these festival fishes supposed to die in like, a week tops?”
“I guess not.” Mafuyu shrugged.
Ena grinned, taking Mafuyu’s hand as she dragged her along the path again. “Can’t believe you actually kept it. You’re so sentimental.”
Mafuyu frowned, fingers tightening around Ena’s “I didn’t want to forget last year. And Akari keeps me great company.”
“Relax, I’m just teasing you. It’s sweet, actually.” she paused. “And I get it. Makes me wish I had something from last year.”
Mafuyu’s chest tightened at her words. She didn’t answer not with words, but her grip on Ena’s hand tightened again, trying to give the smallest bit of comfort. They wandered a little further, past stalls selling small trinkets and toys, stopping at each one on behalf of Ena.
“Wanna do one last thing before the fireworks start?” Ena asked, holding a small plastic bag filled with only God knows what.
“What is it?” Mafuyu let herself be led again.
Ena led her to a big bamboo tree decorated with hundreds of small, colorful papers. She pulled out two pieces of colored paper and pen, passing it one set to Mafuyu.
“I thought we could take part in the celebration. You’re supposed to write wishes on the tanzaku and then hang it up onto the tree.”
Mafuyu turned the paper over in her hands, her head going blank for a moment. What did she wish for? There were many things she could write on that piece of paper, but as her eyes flickered to Ena, who was already scribbling away quickly.
A short pause, and Mafuyu felt slightly heavy as she wrote down the one thing truly wanted right now.
The summer sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time Mafuyu arrived at the festival. She scanned the crowded grounds, searching for someone familiar. This was the first year she and Ena hadn’t come together, Mafuyu having to stop by a get-together with some university friends she couldn’t skip. Then she saw her, laughing with a friend near a stall selling grilled food, her presence making Mafuyu’s breath catch.
Her yukata was brown this year again – decorated with small, golden cranes. She took a moment, just looking at Ena and how pretty she was.
Just as Mafuyu was about to take a step towards her girlfriend, Ena caught her gaze and waved at her, her grin widening before saying bye to her friend. “Took you long enough! I thought you weren’t going to show up.”
Mafuyu jogged the short distance between them. “We’ve kept up the tradition this long already. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“I know, I know.” Ena teased her, bringing Mafuyu’s arm around her, burrowing herself into Mafuyu’s taller frame. “Come on, I’ve scoped out the best spot.”
As usual, Ena led her through the crowded space. They moved along the path, past stalls with spinning wheels and small games. Mafuyu caught Ena’s eyes lingering on a photobooth, and a familiar thrill ran through her. “Want to take some photos?” she asked.
Without an answer Ena dragged her inside. Unlike all those years ago their poses weren’t stiff nor awkward. Ena made silly poses with Mafuyu begrudgingly going along with her. Before the last flash could go off, Ena cupped her face and pressed a sweet kiss onto her lips. The photo strip came out and they put it away into Ena’s bag.
After a short walk, they finally reached the spot Ena talked about, away from the other festival goers. It was on the edge of the festival grounds, a quiet place where they could be alone. Mafuyu leaned against Ena, feeling the familiar weight of her shoulder and the comfort of their closeness.
As the first firework soared into the sky, bursting into fiery red sparks Mafuyu began to fidget with her pockets. Her fingers tightened around the small velvet box hidden in them, her heart thudding against her ribs.
Ena glanced at her, perhaps feeling her unease. “What’s up with you?”
Mafuyu’s cheeks warmed, the question catching her completely off guard. She hesitated, pretending to adjust her position. “Nothing.” she murmured.
Ena’s brow arched, clearly not believing her.
Mafuyu took a steadying breath, letting her racing pulse calm slightly. Slowly, she pulled the box free, letting Ena’s gaze fall on it. Her eyes widened slightly, a gasp leaving her. “Is this what I think it is?” she asked, eyes already watering with unshed tears.
Mafuyu swallowed, her voice barely coming out. “I never told you what I wished for all those years ago. I wished for us to stay together.” She let out a breath, eyes flickering towards the firework. “And I think it can come true. Ena… Will you stay with me?”
Ena froze for a heartbeat, then smile broke out on her face, slowly getting bigger and brighter, her tears spilling freely. She reached out, hands trembling as she took Mafuyu’s face in her hands, forcing her blue eyes back onto Ena. “You think I could say no to you?” she whispered, taking the box out of Mafuyu’s cold hand and opening it carefully.
“It’s beautiful” Ena whispered as she looked at the gold ring. “I’ll stay with you for as long as you’ll let me”
Mafuyu let out a soft laugh full of relief as she leaned forward, letting their foreheads touch. Around them the last of the fireworks exploded, a beautiful shade of gold painting the skies. Neither of them moved for a while. They didn’t need to. Under the fading glow of the festival lights, they stayed there, hands intertwined, hearts steady, as another summer quietly became a memory they’d never let go of.