The boy dancing on the stage was so breathtakingly beautiful that it felt like he was driving everything else from my consciousness.
When the boy, having completed the entire performance lasting over two hours, gave a gentle bow, thunderous applause erupted.
Without even showing the gesture of wiping sweat, he descended from the stage, only then brushing aside the hair clinging to his cheeks.
The audience surged toward him. Immediately, security guards and performers surrounded the boy, keeping the crowd at bay.
It was a scene I’d witnessed last year as well, but this time, perhaps due to the density of the crowd, the guards seemed to be struggling, and I let out a wry smile.
“So many troublesome fans…”
“It was such a mystical and powerful dance, wasn’t it? I can understand why people want to get closer.”
“It’s hard not to get emotional, but when you think about it calmly, having a fireworks show after this is almost too perfect.”
“It really feels like the grand finale of summer vacation, doesn’t it?”
Amidst the murmurs of our impressions, our gazes remained fixed on that dancing boy.
Though still in the public eye, his costume was slightly disheveled, and he was always leaning on someone’s shoulder as he walked.
I was only watching from a distance, but there was a familiar allure in his slightly weakened appearance.
A tight sensation gripped my chest, the same feeling I always got when I was with him.
Though I thought it couldn’t be, I murmured aloud.
“He looks like Himura-kun.”
“Huh?”
While Kaori let out a strange squeak, Sandra and Sakuna widened their eyes.
“You think so too?”
“Now that you mention it, he does kind of look like him.”
“It’s not just that he looks like him—I’m pretty sure it’s him.”
Sandra seemed almost certain. As our gazes gathered on her, she turned her eyes toward the dancer.
“First, their eyes are exactly the same, right? And he said it was ‘work,’ not just helping out, but I didn’t see him among the festival staff. Even the backstage crew came out, but he wasn’t there.”
“…You’re right.”
“Miyajima-san, you’re really observant.”
While Sakuna and I were impressed, Kaori’s face twitched beside us.
“Wait, Nanami-san, did you already know?”
“Huh? Oh, um… kinda?”
“You could’ve told us… oh, wait, you can’t, right?”
Even if it’s a matter of personal confidentiality, it must be tough not being able to reveal his identity even to friends.
But, more importantly—
“Wait, is it really Himura?”
Yes, that’s the important part. Sakuna seemed to have reached the same conclusion as me.
“Um… yeah. It’s Ao-kun.”
“How does someone in his position have such low self-esteem?”
“That’s not the point! I mean, it’s a little concerning, but still!”
Since Kaori confirmed it, it seems the boy who was dancing on that stage really was Himura-kun.
Wait, so… what does this mean?
Did I just fall for the same person twice?
No, wait, including today, that’s three times. Falling in love at first sight every year is kind of ridiculous…
Sakuna, perhaps losing the urge to tease further, scratched her cheek with a finger.
“I’m suddenly having trouble processing this.”
“Really? I think it’s great to see a new side of Aoi-san…”
“Sure, maybe for you, Miyajima-san, but for those of us who’ve been watching every year… it’s, like, you know?”
Sakuna looked at me, seeking agreement.
I get what she’s trying to say, but since this is my second year, it’s a bit complicated for me too.
“More than that, I’m just overwhelmed because the guy I like keeps getting more amazing, and I don’t know what to do…”
“Oh, I see. Meanwhile, I’m conflicted because I’m starting to catch feelings for my best friend.”
“Isn’t that fine? I like Aoi-san too.”
Sandra said it so matter-of-factly.
I wasn’t sure how far her “like” went, but to me, it sounded like she was expressing sympathy for the romantic feelings.
When I glanced at Kaori, who had been silent for a while, she was staring intently toward the shrine, as if something was still bothering her.
“Nanami-san, what’s wrong? You’ve been quiet.”
“Oh, no, it’s just… I was wondering what Ao-kun’s going to do after this.”
“Doesn’t he usually rest or go home? He probably won’t come to see the fireworks, right?”
“That’s how it usually is, but… this morning, he said he was going to watch the fireworks.”
Maybe because she’d accepted that he was the dancer, Kaori spoke openly about it.
“Wait, why? Is he okay?”
“I don’t know if he’s okay, but… as for why, well…”
Kaori looked at me and said, “Right?” seeking agreement. As I wondered what she meant, I heard footsteps nearby.
Turning toward the sound, there stood Himura-kun, looking not the least bit tired.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Kaori.”
“Oh, uh? You okay?”
“Yeah.”
Himura-kun’s nonchalant expression made even Kaori show some surprise.
Honestly, seeing him up close like this, the resemblance was striking. Of course, it’s because they’re the same person.
“Good work, Aoi-san.”
“Thanks. Honestly, I’d love a break sometimes.”
To an outsider, it just sounded like comforting a tired classmate who’d been helping out.
But after what we just talked about, even though it meant the same thing, I couldn’t help but worry if it was okay for others to overhear.
“Where’s Toki-chan?”
“Hm? …She got dragged off by Suzume.”
Himura-kun gave Kaori a look that clearly said, Why’d you ask that?
Naturally, he had no idea we’d figured out his identity.
Sakuna, for some reason, smirked and leaned closer to him.
“Hey, Himura, where were you and what were you doing? I didn’t see you anywhere.”
Kaori and Sandra exchanged wry smiles, thinking how mean that question was.
And Himura-kun gave a small smile in return.
“I was watching the whole time.”
“Huh? You were… watching?”
“Even when Tomiya smiled at you, you didn’t make a face like that.”
In an instant, Sakuna’s face turned red up to her ears, and she hid behind me. Muttering softly, “What an idiot… why was he watching…,” she started grumbling, leaving me with no choice but to laugh.
She’d been completely outdone.
More than that, judging by Sakuna’s reaction, it seemed her earlier comment about “catching feelings for her best friend” was genuine.
“Anyway, Kaori, where are we watching the fireworks? You know a good spot, right?”
“Oh, right! People might show up, and the fireworks are about to start, so we’d better hurry.”
“Hey, don’t run in a yukata!”
Pushed along by Sakuna, I found it a bit hard to walk.
Behind us, Himura-kun and Sandra followed, chatting casually. From his demeanor, it didn’t seem like they were talking about the kagura dance.
As we circled around to the back of the shrine and started climbing a bit, the sound of fireworks began to echo.
Kaori led us to a hill behind the shrine.
There was a small bench with a roof, and since there were no lights around, no one else was there.
“Wow, they’re really going all out, huh?”
“This is when you’re supposed to yell ‘Tamaya!’ right?”
“I don’t think people say that anymore.”
“Himura, why don’t you shout it? You don’t usually watch fireworks, so go for it. No one’s around to hear you.”
Does Sakuna want to get outdone again?
Himura-kun just gave a faint smile and didn’t say anything this time.
“I’m not that into fireworks, but watching them together like this isn’t bad… I’m glad I could see them with you, Kaori.”
“Th-that’s, well… let’s watch them together next year too.”
“Yeah, if I’ve got the time.”
Oh, I get it.
So Himura-kun went out of his way to watch the fireworks with us because Kaori’s moving away?
Though I understood the situation and should’ve felt relieved, I couldn’t help but watch the fireworks with a vague sense of unease lingering in my chest.
