Teasing, Fireworks, and Unspoken Things
Rikka did not stop talking for the next ten minutes.
“I'm just saying,” she announced dramatically while walking backward through the festival crowd, “if I hadn't interrupted, there would've been a whole romance movie scene happening up there.”
“Shut up.”
Rukia's response came so quickly that Akira immediately burst out laughing again.
“You're making it worse every time you deny it,” Akira said.
“I'M NOT DENYING ANYTHING!”
“That's exactly what someone denying something would say,” Nanami replied calmly.
Rukia looked ready to launch herself into the nearest river.
Meanwhile, Akari remained unusually quiet.
Which somehow made everything worse.
Rikka immediately noticed.
“Oh? Akari isn't denying it either.”
That finally earned a reaction.
Akari glanced at her.
“Because arguing with you is pointless.”
“HAH! That's not a denial!”
“Rikka,” Nanami sighed.
“No, no, let me cook.”
“Please don't.”
Rukia groaned and covered her face with both hands.
Akira looked between the two blondes.
Then smirked.
“She's right about one thing.”
Rukia froze.
“What thing?”
“You two are acting weird.”
Silence.
Akari looked away.
Rukia looked away.
Rikka pointed dramatically.
“SEE?”
“Stop pointing at people!”
Another firework exploded overhead.
Gold and red light washed across the group.
For a brief moment, everyone fell silent to watch.
The festival stretched endlessly before them.
Warm lights.
Laughter.
Summer air.
And without drawing attention to it—
Akari's hand brushed lightly against Rukia's again.
Just for a second.
A tiny gesture.
Easy to miss.
Except Rukia noticed immediately.
Her heart skipped.
And when she looked sideways—
Akari was already looking at the fireworks.
As if nothing had happened.
Which somehow made it impossible for Rukia to stop smiling.