105 - Two Figures Overlapping Memories

RAW

The quiet of the night enveloped the residential neighborhood. Under the gentle glow of the moonlight, Haruto and Ayaka walked slowly, hand in hand.

“The fireworks were so beautiful tonight,” Ayaka said with a smile.

“Yeah, they were amazing. Were they always this spectacular? I kind of regret not paying attention to them before,” Haruto replied.

Ayaka’s face lit up as she talked about the fireworks they had seen earlier. Haruto, too, seemed impressed, until Ayaka turned to him with a bright smile.

“Let’s make sure to watch them together every year from now on... and forever after.”

“Yeah, let’s do that,” Haruto nodded, his tone soft as he looked at Ayaka’s bashful expression. She beamed happily in response, and Haruto found himself muttering, “I see.”

He realized the fireworks had seemed so breathtaking because he had watched them with her. The sight of the light-filled sky and Ayaka’s shining eyes had made the event truly memorable.

“It was the same for me,” Ayaka said warmly. “Seeing the fireworks with you made it so much more special.”

Her cheerful voice made Haruto smile as well.

They continued their leisurely conversation about the evening’s events as they made their way to the Tōjō residence.

Haruto was wearing a yukata that belonged to Ayaka’s father, Shūichi. The condition for borrowing it had been to escort Ayaka home, and Haruto held her hand firmly as they walked.

“By the way, wasn’t Shūichi’s condition for lending me this yukata kind of random?”

Haruto tilted his head, puzzled. Even without such a condition, escorting Ayaka home safely was a given, in his eyes.

“Hmm... Maybe Dad just wanted you to come by the house after the fireworks festival,” Ayaka suggested.

“Maybe... but why?”

“Who knows?”

Both of them tilted their heads in unison, unable to guess Shūichi’s reasoning.

Haruto glanced at Ayaka’s feet. “Hey, Ayaka, are your feet okay? Do they hurt?”

She was wearing geta sandals with her yukata. Without experience, such sandals could cause discomfort, sometimes even injury.

Ayaka smiled. “I’m fine. Mom loosened the straps beforehand so they wouldn’t hurt.”

“That’s thoughtful of Ikue-san,” Haruto said, relieved.

Just then, Ayaka let out a small sound.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“Actually... my feet might hurt after all...”

“What?! Are you okay?”

Startled, Haruto looked back at her feet.

“Y-yeah... I mean, maybe they hurt too much to walk anymore...”

“Alright, I’ll give you a piggyback ri—”

“Yes!” Ayaka eagerly interrupted, her face lighting up with excitement.

Haruto squinted at her. Her expression was brimming with anticipation, and she avoided his gaze.

“Ayaka, seriously?”

“Well... my feet really hurt... I can’t walk anymore...” Ayaka said, turning her face away dramatically.

Haruto stared at her for a moment before chuckling. “Fine, I’ll carry you.”

He crouched down and offered his back. Ayaka hesitated for a moment, then climbed on, lightly wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“Thank you, Haruto. Um... am I heavy?”

“Not at all,” Haruto replied as he adjusted her comfortably and started walking again.

As they moved, Ayaka seemed to relax, settling fully against his back.

“Haruto, your back is so warm,” she murmured. “And the way you walk is so soothing... I feel like I could fall asleep.”

“You can nap until we get to your house if you want.”

Ayaka shook her head firmly. “No way. If I fall asleep, I’ll miss out on enjoying your piggyback ride. I want to savor it.”

“Savor it? It’s not that big of a deal.”

“It is to me,” Ayaka insisted, hugging him tighter.

“Um, Ayaka? If you cling like that, I can feel... uh... certain things. Could you loosen up a bit?” Haruto stammered, his face reddening.

“Nope. I don’t want to let go,” she replied, pressing her cheek against his back.

Haruto sighed. “Fine.”

The couple arrived near the Tōjō residence a few minutes later, where Haruto gently let Ayaka down.

“Thanks, Haruto. That was amazing,” she said with a grin.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Haruto replied, feeling a twinge of loss as her warmth left his back.

“You’ll come inside, right?” Ayaka asked, holding the door open.

“Sure, just for a bit,” Haruto replied.

Inside, they found Ikue and Shūichi sharing a light drink at the dining table. Spotting them, Shūichi set his wineglass down and exclaimed, “Welcome back! Haruto-kun, that yukata suits you perfectly! Just as I thought!”

Ikue turned with a smile. “Welcome home, both of you. Look at this, dear—the yukata and Ayaka’s outfit look just like the ones we wore when we were young.”

“Exactly! It’s like we’ve traveled back in time!” Shūichi added enthusiastically.

Haruto quickly realized the significance. Ayaka’s yukata and Shūichi’s old yukata now worn by Haruto must have reminded the Tōjō couple of their younger days.

“Haruto-kun, thank you for escorting Ayaka. That yukata really suits you,” Shūichi said, reaching for his phone. “Mind if I take a photo?”

“Go ahead,” Haruto agreed.

As Shūichi snapped away, Ayaka sighed. “Dad, you’re taking too many pictures.”

“You’ll understand one day when you have kids,” Shūichi quipped, earning a gasp from Ayaka, who turned bright red.

“Thank you, Haruto-kun. And if you like that yukata, consider it yours,” Shūichi offered, smiling broadly.

Haruto politely declined, but deep down, he appreciated the warmth of this family moment.