Early autumn, the weekend, a day off from school.
Mizuki had just finished breakfast when his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen and saw Nakano's name in a new text message. His heart skipped a beat as he read it: "Hey, want to hang out today? There's a festival in Kawashima Town, not too far from school."
Kawashima Town… Mizuki hadn’t been there in a while. The annual Maple Moon Festival was a big deal, known for its glowing lanterns, food stalls, and lively performances. The idea of going there with Nakano made his cheeks warm up. He stared at the message for a moment, his fingers hovering over the screen, trying to figure out how to respond without sounding too eager.
But before he could type anything, his phone rang. Mizuki jolted slightly, surprised by the sudden call. It was Nakano.
Mizuki took a deep breath and answered. “Hello?”
“Mizuki!” Nakano's voice was warm and full of energy, the kind that immediately made Mizuki feel at ease, yet sent a flutter through his chest. There was something about the way Nakano’s voice seemed to carry a smile with it, making everything feel brighter. “Did you see my text? I thought it’d be fun to check out the festival together.”
Mizuki swallowed, feeling his throat tighten with a mix of nervousness and excitement. “Y-Yeah, I saw it,” he managed to say, his voice a little softer than usual.
“Great!” Nakano’s enthusiasm was contagious. “So, how about we meet there around one? It’s supposed to be pretty awesome this year, and I thought it’d be cool to hang out outside of school for a change.” After Nakano's hanging out proposal, they have been spending more time with each other.
Mizuki found himself nodding, even though Nakano couldn’t see him. “Sounds good,” he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’ll be there.”
“Awesome. See you soon!” Nakano’s voice lingered in Mizuki’s mind even after the call ended, leaving him with a fluttering sensation that he couldn’t quite shake.
With a deep breath, Mizuki went to his closet, picking out a casual yet stylish outfit. He wanted to look good but not like he was trying too hard. As he got dressed, he paused in front of the mirror, contemplating his usual hairstyle. It felt too plain for today. After a moment's thought, he decided to brush his bangs to the side, revealing more of his face than usual. It was a small change, but it made him look and feel different—more confident, perhaps.
Mizuki stared at his reflection, feeling a bit exposed without his usual fringe, but also... better. With a nod to himself, he grabbed his bag and headed out, ready to take the train to Kawashima Town.
Nakano stepped off the train, glancing at the clock on his phone. He was ten minutes late. He'd run into the basketball team just before heading out, and the quick catch-up had cost him time. As he walked towards the entrance of the festival, he muttered to himself, "I wonder if Mizuki got here already."
Pulling out his phone to check, he noticed a text from Mizuki: I'm here. Just as he was about to reply, he looked up and spotted Mizuki sitting on the steps across the street, seemingly lost in thought.
Without hesitation, Nakano broke into a light jog, crossing the street and calling out, “Mizuki!” Mizuki looked up at the sound of his name, and Nakano greeted him with a warm smile. “Sorry I’m late,” Nakano said, slightly out of breath.
Mizuki quickly glanced away, trying to hide his nervousness. “It’s okay,” he replied softly, his voice almost drowned out by the noise of the festival in the background.
Nakano paused, his gaze falling on Mizuki’s hair. He reached out and gently brushed his fingers against the strands. “You changed your hair today,” he remarked, noticing the way Mizuki had styled it differently, with his bangs swept to the side.
Mizuki blinked in surprise, his cheeks flushing a soft pink. He hadn’t expected Nakano to notice, let alone mention it. “Y-Yeah,” he stammered, feeling the warmth spread across his face.
Nakano’s smile widened as he tilted his head towards the festival entrance. “It looks good. Let’s head over there.”
As they crossed the street and made their way into the festival, the sounds of laughter and music growing louder, someone in the distance noticed them. Kuroda, who had been on her way to meet her siblings, froze when she saw Nakano and Mizuki together. Nakano was smiling more than she had ever seen him, and Mizuki—was he blushing?
Her eyes widened in shock. It couldn’t be… she thought to herself, unable to tear her gaze away from the pair as they disappeared into the crowd.
As Nakano and Mizuki wandered through the festival, they enjoyed a variety of classic Japanese festival foods and activities. The air was filled with the scent of delicious treats and the sounds of laughter and games. They sampled a range of festival fare, including, Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Yakisoba, Korokke, Kakigori, Mochi, and Yaki Imo.
They played various festival games such as Goldfish Scooping, Ring Toss, and Target Shooting, winning small prizes and laughing at each other’s attempts.
Mizuki felt a sense of ease that he hadn’t experienced in a while, especially after indulging in the delicious food. Nakano’s enthusiasm was infectious; he tried every new food item he could find and insisted on sharing each one with Mizuki. Their shared experience and playful banter created a light-hearted atmosphere.
They eventually found a quiet spot to sit and rest, taking a break from the bustling festival. Nakano had just recounted a funny story about a clumsy attempt to catch a goldfish at one of the stalls. Mizuki, despite trying to hold it in, couldn’t contain his laughter. The way Nakano had described it, combined with the image of him splashing around, was too much for Mizuki. He let out a genuine laugh, one that was both loud and unexpectedly heartfelt.
Nakano noticed the change in Mizuki’s demeanor. Until now, Mizuki had always been shy and reserved, his face often hidden behind his bangs. Seeing him relaxed and laughing so freely was a revelation. Nakano watched with a soft smile, his gaze fixed on Mizuki. The sight of Mizuki’s unguarded laughter made Nakano’s heart skip a beat.
As Mizuki finally caught his breath and composed himself, Nakano decided to break the silence. With a warm, affectionate tone, he said, “You’re really cute when you’re smiling.”
Mizuki, taken aback, blinked in surprise. “What?” he asked, his cheeks flushing slightly as he looked up at Nakano.
“I mean,” Nakano continued, his voice gentle and sincere, “you should try laughing and smiling more around others. I think people at school would find you cool if you showed them this side of you. You’re so much more fun when you’re like this.”
Mizuki’s heart fluttered at Nakano’s words. He felt a mix of embarrassment and elation. The compliment was unexpected, and the way Nakano said it—so affectionately—made Mizuki’s stomach do somersaults. He was used to being quiet and reserved, and hearing Nakano’s praise made him feel seen in a way he hadn’t anticipated.
“Really?” Mizuki asked softly, trying to process the warmth of Nakano’s words.
“Yeah,” Nakano replied with a soft chuckle. “Really. I’m glad we came out here today. I like seeing you like this.”
Mizuki smiled shyly, his gaze dropping to his lap. He was touched by Nakano’s genuine encouragement.
As the festival wound down, the crispness of early autumn began to settle in. Mizuki and Nakano strolled side by side towards the train station, their breaths visible in the chilly air. Mizuki, feeling the cold, rubbed his hands together and stuffed them into his pockets, trying to warm up.
Nakano, ever observant, noticed Mizuki’s subtle shivering. As they reached a quieter corner near the train station, Nakano paused and gently took Mizuki’s hands in his own. Mizuki’s eyes widened in surprise as Nakano began to blow warm breath on his cold fingers.
The warmth from Nakano’s breath was comforting, but Mizuki found himself blushing fiercely. He couldn’t move, his body frozen in both surprise and a deepening blush. Nakano, oblivious to Mizuki’s intense reaction, focused on warming his hands.
When he was done, he looked up at Mizuki with a sincere expression. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, “I noticed you were cold, and I just wanted to try to warm your hands.”
Mizuki, still flustered, glanced away and mumbled, “T-thanks.”
Nakano couldn’t help but continue to gaze at Mizuki, feeling an unfamiliar but pleasant sensation in his chest. There was something about Mizuki’s flushed cheeks and the way he looked so vulnerable that drew Nakano in. He found himself mesmerized by Mizuki’s face, unable to look away.
Without really thinking, Nakano blurted out, “I meant what I said earlier. You’re really cute.”
Mizuki’s eyes met Nakano’s, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. The sincerity in Nakano’s voice and the warmth of his gaze made Mizuki’s heart race. A flutter of emotion overwhelmed him, and he thought, Why do I feel like I want to kiss him? Their eyes locked in a shared moment of quiet intimacy.
Just as they were about to speak again, Kuroda’s voice cut through the silence. “Nakano, is that you?”
Both Nakano and Mizuki turned to see Sayaka approaching from the end of the street. Her surprised expression and the sudden intrusion broke the spell between them. Mizuki quickly averted his gaze, his heart still pounding from the charged moment they had just shared.
Nakano cleared his throat and took a step back, trying to compose himself. “Uh, yeah, it’s me,” he said, attempting to sound casual.
Kuroda looked between Nakano and Mizuki, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. “I didn’t expect to see you two here together. Were you here for the Maple Moon Festival too?”
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