Chapter 92: To Aya,fall

After the exams, the school atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed. No one had completely abandoned their studies, but the frantic cramming had subsided, the typical pre-summer break atmosphere of a college prep high school settling in.

“Our band’s YouTube channel got a silver play button!” one classmate announced. “All that filming paid off!” While the Takamari name had probably helped, it was still an impressive accomplishment.

Unlike my classmates, enjoying their pre-vacation freedom, I was still busy with closing ceremony preparations.

I arrived at the student council room, where the second-years were already seated. As Aya, Mizuki, and I took our seats, Hiiragi-senpai began the meeting. “Alright, everyone, closing ceremony is this Friday. Not as much work as the festival, but still…”. He paused, looking at us, his gaze lingering on Tachibana-senpai for a moment, then continued.

“Kamisaka, you’re MC.”

“Roger that~! Leave it to me~!” Kamisaka-senpai, the smooth-talking blond second-year, grinned.

Hiiragi-senpai continued, “Tachibana, you have the highest grades, so you’ll give the address. Shirazuka and Fujimoto, announcements.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, Vice-President.”

He turned to the three first-years. “You three will handle venue prep and materials. The heavy lifting will be outsourced, so focus on the handouts and summer break info packets.”

Our tasks seemed simple, manageable. “I’ll handle overall coordination and teacher consultations, so let me know if you need anything. And keep the announcements concise; it’s going to be hot, and people’s attention spans will be short.” He clapped twice, ending the meeting.

As we left for lunch, Mizuki stretched. “Well, that was easy. We’ll be done in no time~”

He’d given us lighter tasks, probably because of… the meeting room incident… and to minimize contact between Aya and me.

“It shouldn’t be too much work,” Aya agreed, and we nodded. While true, the thought of the closing ceremony, and then summer break… it was exciting.

That evening, we finished preparing for the rehearsal and were walking home when Mizuki stretched and yawned. “This closing ceremony stuff is a breeze! We’re practically done already~”

“It was faster than I expected,” Aya agreed, smiling. I’d also thought the preparations would be more involved, but it had just been speeches and handouts. I remembered Hiiragi-senpai’s earlier words… and then the image of him and Tachibana-senpai in the meeting room… their passionate embrace… and I blushed.

“Rina, you’re red. Everything okay?” Aya asked, concerned. I waved my hand dismissively, looking away.

“It’s nothing! Just… a bit warm…”

“Aha~ Rina-tan, thinking naughty thoughts~?”, Mizuki teased, grinning, her face close to mine.

“No! It wasn’t like that!”

“Hee hee~ you’re so easy to read~”

“Mizuki!”, I grumbled

We reached our usual parting point, and Mizuki waved.

“See you tomorrow at school~!”

“Bye, Rina-tan! See you, Aya-ring!”

The walk home with Aya was quiet, the summer twilight casting long shadows. It would have been dark by now if it were spring. Streetlights flickered on, our shadows merging, separating, merging again.

“Summer break is almost here,” I murmured.

“It is. Exams are over, Mizuki’s situation is resolved…” A peaceful silence settled over us, then Aya suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me against the wall.

“Kyaa!” I gasped, startled, a soft thud as my back hit the wall, the impact surprisingly gentle.

But Aya’s face, so close… our noses almost touching… her blue eyes, intense and unwavering… her warm breath against my cheek… my heart pounded.

I blinked, flustered, and she leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “That was close.”

Her soft voice, her warm breath, sent shivers down my spine. I looked past her. A car had just sped by, a near-miss, and I realized… she hadn’t pushed me against the wall; she’d pulled me out of the way. But… why was she still so close?

“A-Aya…” I started to say, but she didn’t move, her hand still on my shoulder, her gaze sparkling with amusement. ‘…Why are you so close…?’ My face burned, and she smiled, a slow, teasing smile.

“Being this close… reminds me of… that time… with the surprise attack.”

“H-Huh…?”

“When you kissed me.”

“Oh…” The memory of that day after the midterms, when she’d cornered me, teased me, and I, flustered, had kissed her cheek… My face burned at the memory.

“You remember?”

“N-No! I don’t…!” I shook my head, but my denial was unconvincing, and Aya’s smile widened. She gently traced the curve of my cheek with her fingertip, a feather-light touch that sent shivers down my spine.

“You’re a terrible liar, Rina. Your face always gives you away.”

“N-No…!”

“Rina.”

“Y-Yes…” And then, her soft lips brushed against my cheek.

Chu. A quick, light kiss, a ghost of a touch.

“…?”

“Just… returning the favor.” Her voice was a husky whisper, and we stood there, frozen, faces flushed, sharing a secret in the twilight. I touched my cheek, still tingling from her kiss, and stared at her, speechless.

“Aya… why…?”

“Just… because,” she said, her voice slightly breathless, her usual composure shaken, and seeing her flustered like this was… endearing.

“…Rina… were you… surprised?” she asked, her gaze flickering away from mine, and I, my voice barely above a whisper, replied,

“A little… but I… didn’t dislike it…” My last words were so soft, I wasn’t sure she’d heard.

She smiled, then slowly stepped away. “…Should we… go home?”, her voice still slightly unsteady, and I nodded.

“…Yes.”

We walked in silence, our hands brushing occasionally, the warmth of her touch, the unspoken promise in the shared secret of our stolen kisses, a language spoken through intertwined fingers and the gentle pressure of joined hands.

‘…Aya… got me back…’ I couldn’t sleep that night, my mind replaying the feel of her lips on my cheek, the promise of… something more.