Under fireworks and superfluous words
Rikka was the first to break the silence, sitting a step below with the bags of food propped between her legs and a shamelessly amused smile on her face. “I’m only going to say this once… you two aren’t even trying to hide it anymore.” Rukia jerked her head around, still stiff, while Akari delicately held the red sleeve of her yukata. “What’s that supposed to mean?!” she snarled, her cheeks flushed and her voice strained. From above, Akira let out a hearty laugh, leaning forward with one elbow on her knee. “It means you’ve been staring at Akari for five minutes like she saved your life by adjusting your sleeve.” Nanami, hiding a small smile behind her hand as she held the black kitsune mask, added calmly, “And Akari hasn’t let go of her arm either.” The comment made them both look down at the same time. Akari was still holding the fabric between her fingers, motionless. Her ears had turned red in the golden glow of the lanterns. She slowly untied her sleeve and looked away. “I was just fixing it… it got caught.” Rikka smiled even wider. “Sure. ‘Just fixing it.’” Rukia pressed her lips together, frustrated and embarrassed, but when she glanced at Akari and saw the awkward calm in her expression, something inside her softened. Fireworks exploded across the night sky, painting the sanctuary steps red and gold. And although the group was still laughing, for a moment, to Akari and Rukia, the noise of the festival seemed to disappear.