Episode 96: Bonus - The Fireworks Festival with My Senior

The senior sitting next to me has been eating something the whole time.

Ever since that day when Mai-senpai said she’d make me happy, nothing much has happened. It’s not as if I’m expecting anything, but as things stand, we’re just a senior and a junior.

Does Mai-senpai really like me…? Even though we’re together, I still can’t help feeling anxious like this.

　Hoshizora-sensei and Hina-senpai, who were behind us just a moment ago, have gone off to buy some food.

‘Miumi, there’s somewhere I want to go, so come with me.’

　The tone of her voice was different from when the four of us were together; it had a slightly intimidating quality to it.

‘Are you sure we don’t need to wait for the others?’
‘I want to be alone with you, Miumi.’

　Mai-senpai, who had been completely absorbed in the food and joking around just a moment ago, suddenly took on a serious expression, and my heartbeat suddenly became serious too.

　As I walked, absorbed in the sound of my own heartbeat, the fireworks began to go off. Whilst we stood side by side watching the fireworks, Mai-senpai didn’t look at me and wouldn’t let go of my hand.

“The fireworks are beautiful, aren’t they…”

　I spoke of the fireworks in front of me, as if to hide my embarrassment. I felt as though my heart would burst if I didn’t say something.

“――You’re prettier than the fireworks.”

　Before my mind could register the surprise of those words, my heart did, and when I looked at Mai-senpai, she was looking straight at me. I just wish she’d stay the playful senpai she always is…

　My chest feels as though it’s being squeezed tight.
　I’m the only one who’s so preoccupied with Mai-senpai, making my heart race and my chest ache.
　I want to make Mai-senpai feel the same way, too.

“Mai… is cute, too…”

　I was strangely nervous and my speech became stilted; my face turned as red as cherries in a bumper crop. The next moment, Mai-senpai pulled me into a hug.

“Hehe, you’re so cute.”

　She strokes my head as if soothing a child. Annoyed at being treated like a child, I try to pull away from Mai-senpai, but she wraps her arms around my waist and cups my face in her hands.

Just that alone sends a jolt of tension through my body, making my heart feel like it’s about to burst, yet Mai-senpai doesn’t stop.

Her hot lips press against mine.

Fireworks were going off all over my body, so loudly that I could no longer hear the sound of the fireworks in front of me. Even though there were people around us, Mai-senpai paid no heed.

When she pulled away, her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke to me.

“Miumi, you look even cuter than usual today. The yukata suits you.”
“……Is that just for today?”

Although those words alone made me happy, I felt it was unfair that I was the only one feeling this way, so I asked the question deliberately.

“I think you’re always cute, and I like you.”

　Those words echoed in my head, making my cheeks flush even more vividly than before. Senpai Mai only ever expresses her feelings so earnestly when she’s with me.

　It’s embarrassing and makes me feel all tingly.
　When I looked at Senpai Mai’s face, I noticed that her cheeks, which had been slightly flushed just a moment ago, were now even redder than mine.

‘Mai-senpai, your face is red…’
‘Who do you think is to blame for that?’

　Perhaps unable to bear the embarrassment any longer, she looked away.

　Wanting to see that face even more, I moved closer.

　—Our eyes met.

‘Mai-senpai, I like you.’

　Having said that, this time I was the one who pressed my lips against hers.