That same day.

“Haruki, you go on the fireworks festival with Naruko.” from the kitchen, a voice called out as Haruki sits down the sofa while watching T.V. He turns and sees Naruko wearing a yellow Yukata designed with flowers while standing at the entrance of the living room.

“Big brother! How do I look?” Naruko slightly twirls as she smiles. She’s still five years old, but the way she looks right now is a fine, young lady.

Haruki agape his mouth after seeing his younger sister’s outfit; he can’t believe how pretty she is. “You look perfect, the Yukata looks good on you.” he smiles.

“Tehehe.” Naruko giggles and goes to him. “Shall we go now, big brother?”

“Yeah, sure. Let’s go.” he stands up and goes to the door. “Mom, we’re going now!”

“See you later, mama!”

“Take care, you two. And Haruki.” his mom goes and gives a ¥20,000. “Don’t let Naruko eat too much sweets, okay?”

“Got it. Thanks, mom.” Haruki smiles and wears his shoes, while Naruko wears her geta.

Leaving their apartment, Naruko pitter pattered ahead of Haruki’s side. “Be careful you don’t trip over, okay?”

“Okay~!”

He can’t helped but to smile while seeing Naruko getting excited. This time he can just be himself and nothing else. The past week was been a hectic. Someone confessed to him out of a sudden, and recalling what happened before made him furious.

And from last time, he met the person he doesn’t want to see ever again. What’s with the situation with him right now?

“Big brother?”

Naruko faces Haruki with a quizzical looks on her. “What’s the matter?”

”Uhm, your phone keeps buzzing. Won’t you answer it?” Naruko points her finger on Haruki’s pocket.

Initially, that disturbed him but he doesn’t want to talk with anyone right now. “Don’t be bothered by it, let’s go.” he replied and smiles. Naruko just nods at him and follows.

The good thing is, the fireworks festival locates near their house, since his school is a 35 minute walk to his house. Upon arriving, the people gathered around and the bustle of the place clearly shown.

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“Woah!~ So many people, big brother!” Naruko squeals excitedly as she looks at the stalls.

Haruki giggles while looking at her. “Want to try some games?”

Naruko lifts her head and looks at him, with a vigorous nod. “Please, big brother!”

They both start to walk with each stalls, trying varieties of games. Throughout the whole time, Naruko got some prizes like goldfish wrapped in a clear plastic and some other toys as a conselation.

“You won a lot of prize, Naruko.” Haruki lifts the plastic bag and looks at it while walking with his sister.

“It’s because big brother is truly amazing!” Naruko smiles brightly. The two keeps on walking while exchanging banters. “Haruki…?”

From a near distance, a familiar voice called out.

Catching the voice calling out his attention, he sees the person he didn’t expect. “Senior Sakura?”

Standing in front of him is a girl sparkling at the light of the stalls, holding an apple candy. She’s wearing a black Yukata designed with colorful flowers. Her hair tied up with a braid bun and an flower ornament hanging at the back.

She’s a pretty girl in her uniform, but seeing the outfit she has right now made Haruki stunned out. “Big brother?” Naruko called.

“Ah, uhm… hi?” he replied timidly. He just can’t look at her eye to eye after that day happened. “I was trying to call you, inviting you here… but, seems you’re busy.”

Haruki didn’t answer her calls because due to the awkwardness about last time. Getting all furious because of what happened. But now, he wants to make it for her. “Well, since we’re here… I guess it would be good to take your offer, right?”

Sakura glances at him with sudden surprise. “And also, say hi to my sister. Naruko, this big sister here is my friend.”

Introducing his sister, Naruko glances at Sakura. “Big sister? Big brother, she’s pretty.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty and kind.” Haruki replied, glared at Sakura. The girl suddenly blushed and averts her eyes off of him. All while Naruko watches them together, she has a thought that her big brother seems like the girl.

“Hey, big brother… do you like her?”

A sudden popped question blurt by the child. Haruki and Sakura twitches at the sudden question she asked. Both of them looked at Naruko, who has a quizzical looks on her eyes.

“Well… about that…” Glancing at his sister with a wry smile on his lips, he turn to Sakura. “Yeah, she’s a dear friend. So big brother likes her.”

In a subtle and subliminal manner, he settled the curiosity of the kid towards the girl he likes.

Sakura blushes, but smiles from what he said. She didn’t ponder much on those words; its enough to know that feelings he has for her. She doesn’t need to question it.

“The fireworks will start at 8pm. Everyone, please enjoy the rest of the evening.”

Announcing the main event of the night, Sakura and Haruki glances at each other. “Well, we’re here already, so… want to watch the fireworks together?”

With a smile on his lips, Haruki offered Sakura. “I want to watch the fireworks with big sister, too!” Naruko added.

Sakura didn’t thought this could happened. She tried to invite Haruki here… but those times he didn’t answer, she thought it would be over. But now’s the only time she can be with him.

“All right, if you’re fine with me…?”

“Of course.” Haruki reassured an answer. It’s still has time so they bought some foods at the stall. They immediately find the place to stay to watch fireworks.

About time the main event of the night they found a perfect place. At the dark sky sparks the blooming light, like a flower. Each color gives awe and wonder to everyone. “TAMAYA!!” Naruko shouts.

On the loud sound of the night, Haruki and Sakura sitting each side as their eyes locked on the colorful fireworks.

However, that moment, Sakura took a glance at him. His image filled with the various colors of fireworks illuminates thoroughly on her eyes. And on that moment, she felt her heart thumps fast.

She averts off right away, and turns around. “No… what’s this…? why is my heart thumps fast when I look at him?”

It’s the same time since that day.

Sakura couldn’t understand why she feels happy when Haruki is around. And tonight, she wants to confirm that feeling. If these feelings she has for him is something beyond what she thinks about.