The sun was setting over the city, casting an orange glow over the streets. Ayato and his friends sat at a cafe, sipping coffee and enjoying the cool evening breeze. It had been a few weeks since the Phoenix Festival, and they were all getting back into their routine.

"Hey Ayato, have you decided on your next move yet?" Julis asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

Ayato shook his head. "Not yet. I'm still weighing my options."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Claudia said, patting Ayato's hand. "You always do."

Suddenly, Ayato's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was Saya calling.

"Hey Saya, what's up?" Ayato answered.

"Hey Ayato, I wanted to ask if you and the others would like to come over for dinner tonight," Saya said. "My mom's cooking and there's plenty to go around."

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Ayato glanced at his friends, who nodded in agreement.

"Sure, we'd love to," Ayato replied. "What time should we come over?"

"7 pm sound good?" Saya asked.

Ayato agreed, and they hung up. They finished their coffee and headed over to Saya's house.

When they arrived, Saya's mother greeted them at the door and led them to the dining room. The table was set with a feast of Japanese dishes, including sushi, tempura, and ramen.

As they ate, they chatted about their recent activities and caught up on each other's lives. They talked about the Phoenix Festival, Ayato's decision on his next move, and even Miku's recent singing performance.

After dinner, they all gathered in the living room and watched a movie. Ayato sat next to Julis, and Saya snuggled up with Kirin. Claudia sat in a nearby armchair, sipping tea.

As the night wore on, Ayato realized how much he valued these moments with his friends. They had been through so much together, and their bonds had only grown stronger.

As the credits rolled, they said their goodbyes and headed home. Ayato walked Julis to her apartment and they said goodnight.

As he walked home, Ayato reflected on the night's events. He realized that no matter where his path may take him, he would always have his friends by his side.

And with that thought in mind, Ayato walked into his apartment, feeling grateful for the bonds he had forged with his friends.