“Phew~ I ate so much~” Saki said, leaning heavily against the backrest of her folding chair. “Maybe that last banana was a bit heavy.” Next to Saki, Ayaka also said, slightly struggling, while rubbing her stomach with one hand. “Dessert is supposed to be a separate stomach, but I really think I ate too much this time.” Two girls struggling with fullness. Haruto gave a wry smile and looked towards the barbecue grill. On the grill rack, burnt and partially blackened banana peels were scattered. Bananas as dessert after eating plenty of meat, seafood, and vegetables. That was quite a challenge even for Haruto, a high school boy with a hearty appetite. Perhaps the double sweetness from the chocolate sauce was also a factor that promoted the feeling of fullness. So, Haruto only ate one grilled banana. However, the two high school girls next to him had incredibly finished three each. The tenacity of girls when it comes to sweets is something to be feared. While Haruto was thinking such things, his sleeve was suddenly tugged. “Hm? What is it, Ryota-kun?” When Haruto turned his face to Ryota, who was pulling his sleeve, he opened his mouth impatiently. “Hey, hey. Are the fireworks ready yet?” It seemed Ryota couldn’t wait to do the fireworks Haruto had bought. At his words, Haruto looked up at the sky. The sky, which was still evening when they started the barbecue, was now completely covered by the night curtain, and the surroundings had become completely dark. “That’s right, let’s do fireworks. But before that, we need to clean up the barbecue, okay?” Saying that, Haruto looked at the folding table. Scattered there were trays that had held meat, seafood, and other items. As Haruto was about to stand up to clean, Ikue called out to him. “Otsuki-kun, you just need to clear the plates and trays. I’ll do the rest of the washing up.” “Really? But…” For this barbecue, they had prepared a lot of ingredients because Haruto and Saki were participating. As a result, the number of trays and other items to wash was naturally large.

Plus, there was the cleaning of the grill rack and the disposal of the charcoal. Considering these things, Haruto showed a hesitant expression. Seeing him, Shuichi, who was in a good mood with alcohol, said with a full smile on his slightly red face. “Really, don’t worry about it. Leave the cleanup to us adults, and the kids should play to their heart’s content!” Shuichi chuckled happily with a beer in his hand, saying, “Hahaaha.” Haruto looked at Ikue with a slightly worried face at Shuichi, who was starting to show signs of being slightly drunk. Ikue, receiving Haruto’s gaze, smiled sweetly. “You really don’t need to worry about it? More importantly, please play with Ryota.” “Understood. Alright, Ryota-kun. Let’s do fireworks after clearing the dishes, okay?” “Yeah!!” Ryota, nodding with a full smile, and Haruto shared the task, holding plates and trays in both hands. “We should move too.” Seeing the two start cleaning up, Ayaka and Saki, with movements as slow as sloths, joined in the cleanup. After clearing the dishes and leaving the rest of the cleanup to Ikue and Shuichi, Haruto and the others immediately started preparing for the fireworks. “Put the finished fireworks in this bucket, okay?” “Are we lighting them with a lighter? Or a candle?” “Maybe we can just use the one we used for lighting the fire earlier?” Saki asked Ayaka, who was carrying a bucket of water in both hands, how to light the fireworks. Haruto said this while holding the ignition lighter they had used earlier for starting the fire. “The handle is long and easy to light.” Haruto handed the ignition lighter to Saki, then took the bucket from Ayaka’s hands as she carried the heavy water-filled bucket. “Thank you, Haruto-kun. Can you put the bucket in the middle there?” “Got it.” “Brother, can I do this one first?” Ryota ran up to Haruto, who was placing the bucket near the middle of the yard. In his hand, he clutched a colorful handheld firework with gold lines on pink. “Okay. But don’t point it at people because you might get burned, okay?” “Yeah!!” “Ryota, come over here. I’ll light it for you.” Saki beckoned Ryota with the ignition lighter in her hand. Looking excited, Ryota stared intently at Saki as she lit it. “Ryota, don’t shake the tip. Yes, just like that… Okay, it’s lit.”

Saki, confirming the tip where the paper was fluttering had caught fire, backed away slightly, creating distance from Ryota. The firework Ryota held, once the fire reached the gunpowder part, began to emit small sparks with a ‘chi-chi-chi’ sound at first. Then, immediately after, it spewed out vivid sparks forward like a fountain. “Wow!! Look, look!!” “It’s pretty~ I’ll do one too.” Saki also picked up the same kind of firework as Ryota and lit it herself. Making a ‘shuu’ sound similar to Ryota’s, a waterfall of sparks flowed from Saki’s firework. “It’s fun doing this after a long time! You two hurry up and do it too!” She, who was as excited as Ryota, urged Haruto and Ayaka. “Yeah, Haruto-kun, let’s do it together?” “Okay.” Ayaka picked up two fireworks and handed one to Haruto. Ayaka, receiving the ignition lighter from Saki, immediately lit her handheld firework. “Wow! Beautiful!” Ayaka’s firework, unlike Ryota’s which spewed out sparks like a fountain, opened up with fine sparks like snowflakes that popped and burst. Seeing that, Ayaka innocently squealed and looked at Haruto. “Look, look, Haruto-kun! It’s so beautiful!” Seeing her excited figure, which somehow resembled Ryota’s, and realizing they were indeed siblings, Haruto also took his own firework and approached Ayaka. “Can you lower your firework a little bit?” “Is this good?” “Yeah, thanks.” Haruto brought his own firework close to the tip of Ayaka’s firework. His handheld firework, having borrowed fire from hers, scattered beautiful sparks as if bouncing. On a summer night. In the backyard of the Tojo house, colorful sparks danced. Everyone smiled at each other with fireworks in hand. A faint smell of gunpowder mixed with the soft night breeze, and along with cheerful laughter, it was etched into their memories as a colorful remembrance. “Look, look, Ayaka. Dual-wielding!” “Hehe, Saki, you’re getting too excited.” “Brother! This firework changes color so much!” “Ryota-kun, after you finish that one, let’s try this one next.” Holding their desired fireworks, Haruto and the others enjoyed the display.

Shuichi and Ikue, after finishing the barbecue cleanup, sat side by side on the wood deck and smiled fondly at the sight of the children excitedly enjoying the fireworks. “Yeah, yeah, looks like youth, doesn’t it?” “I envy the young.” “Right. But adults also have their own enjoyment, don’t they?” Saying that, Shuichi poured red wine into the glass he had brought and handed it to Ikue. “That’s true. Thank you, dear.” Ikue received the wine with a smile and raised it slightly. “Cheers.” “Cheers.” The Tojo couple lightly snacked on cheese and smoked salmon while sipping wine and happily watching the fireworks. Haruto, holding a firework that scattered sparks like pampas grass, spoke to Ayaka next to him. “Mr. Shuichi and Ms. Ikue seem like an ideal couple, don’t they?” “Eh? Do they?” Ayaka shifted her gaze from her firework and looked at her parents on the wood deck. “I guess they’re pretty close, but sometimes when they start being lovey-dovey, I’m like, ‘Give me a break!’” “Ahahaha, it’s great that they have a happy marriage.” As Haruto laughed out loud, Ayaka gave a wry smile and said, “From a child’s perspective, it’s a bit awkward.” At that moment, Saki came over with a firework shaped like a gun. “Ryota! Ryota! Let’s do this one together!” “Yeah!! Let’s do it!!” “Alright! Then, let’s go over there and do it!” Saki moved a little distance away from Haruto and Ayaka. At that moment, she quickly glanced at Ayaka and Haruto for just a second. Immediately after, she started playing excitedly with Ryota and the picture-shaped firework. “Hey, Haruto-kun. Shall we do this one together?” Saying that, Ayaka showed Haruto a sparkler. “A sparkler? Sounds good, let’s do it.” Haruto received one sparkler from Ayaka. “Oh, I know. Let’s have a competition to see whose lasts longer.” Ayaka suggested this while crouching down. Haruto also crouched down next to her and showed a fearless smile. “Okay. I accept that challenge.”

“Then, the loser has to grant the winner one wish in our next boyfriend/girlfriend practice, okay?” Ayaka lowered her voice slightly so that the surroundings couldn’t hear and whispered into Haruto’s ear. That proximity made Haruto’s heart skip a beat. “Anything… I’m not sure about ‘anything’.” Haruto felt it might be a bit dangerous to allow ‘anything’ to Ayaka, who had already suggested saying ‘I love you’ and lap pillows. To him, Ayaka smiled slightly provocatively. “Haruto-kun, don’t you have confidence you’ll win?” “…No, I’ll definitely win.” His competitive spirit was expertly tickled, and Haruto reflexively declared victory. “Then there’s no problem, right?” Haruto nodded to Ayaka, who was smiling sweetly, thinking he had been outplayed. “Alright. Then, let’s light them at the same time.” “Okay.” As Haruto took the ignition lighter, Ayaka crouched down and came closer. To light them simultaneously, they had to hold the sparklers to the same flame, so their distance naturally became closer. His heart rate couldn’t help but accelerate at the proximity where their shoulders were almost touching. Hiding his pounding heart, Haruto lit the tip of the lighter. Then, both of them held their sparklers to the flame at the same time. “Ah, it lit.” Ayaka softly murmured happily. At the tips of their two sparklers, a red sphere like a bud began to swell. Eventually, that bud grew larger, trembling finely, and occasionally scattered small sparks. Ayaka gazed dreamily at the ball of fire, which looked like a peony flower. Gradually, the ball of fire popped and crackled, becoming more intense, scattering sparks like pine needles. At that sight, Ayaka’s expression also brightened. “It’s beautiful, Haruto-kun.” “Yeah──!! Right?” Haruto, who had nodded and raised his head, lost his words for a moment. In front of Haruto was Ayaka’s profile, intently watching the sparkler. Her face was brightly and fantastically illuminated by the bursting sparkler, though with some shadows. And more than anything, what captivated Haruto’s gaze were Ayaka’s eyes. In those eyes, the beautifully bursting sparks were reflected. “It’s truly… beautiful.”

A sparkler reflected in the eyes of the person he had feelings for. He hadn’t known it could be so beautiful and captivating. Haruto wished. He wished it would continue to illuminate her so brightly. However, such a wish could not be granted, and the intense sparkler gradually weakened, becoming thin and soft like a willow. At the same time, Ayaka’s profile was also illuminated more faintly. “Ah… it’s ending.” At Ayaka’s sad voice, the sparkler trembled slightly. The sparks had lost their intensity, and small sparks quietly danced. “…Ah.” The sparkler in Haruto’s hand popped a single spark, and finally, like a chrysanthemum scattering its petals, the ball of fire fell to the ground and vanished. “It ended, didn’t it?” Ayaka’s sparkler also went out just a moment after Haruto’s. With the sparklers finished, illuminated by the moonlight, she smiled softly and looked at Haruto. “I won the bet, didn’t I?” “…Yeah. Please go easy on me.” “Hehe, I wonder what I should ask for~” Haruto gave a wry smile at Ayaka, who was smiling like a child just before playing a trick. Inside, he was slightly looking forward to what she might ask for. ※※※ After enjoying the barbecue and fireworks, Haruto-kun went home, and Saki stayed over in my room. I said, opening the closet door. “Saki, do you need a comforter?” “Nah, a single towel blanket is enough for me.” “Okay, then use this.” “Alright, thanks.” I handed Saki a towel blanket I didn’t usually use. I was so happy that Saki was staying over at my house after a long time that my expression naturally softened. How long has it been since Saki last stayed in my room? I think the last time was when I asked Saki to stay over because I was sad that we would be living further apart due to my move? I was really lonely back then and cried while hugging Saki. “Phew~ Today was fun~” “Yeah, it really was fun.”

Saki, after diving onto the futon laid next to the bed, looked around my room. “As always, it’s a nice room~” Saki said, kicking her legs on the futon. Saki glanced over the bookshelf along the wall and said, “Oh, the new volume of this is out,” picking up the romance manga that I love to read. “Hey, can I read it for a bit?” “Yeah, sure. Then I’ll read the volume before that.” This manga is really interesting, and I read it over and over again. For a while, Saki and I read the manga in silence. The story about two childhood friends who have mutual feelings, misunderstand each other, yet gradually close the distance between them, makes my heart flutter no matter how many times I reread it. As I was flipping through the pages, skimming the manga, my hand suddenly stopped at a certain scene. It was a scene where the two childhood friends were doing sparklers in a park at night. As they watched the sparklers, they suddenly looked up at the same moment, their eyes met, and they both blushed at the closeness. I lightly groaned at the innocent and frustrating relationship between the two. At the same time, I realized something. This, it’s like me and Haruto-kun from earlier, isn’t it? The scene of the sparklers with Haruto-kun vividly appeared in my mind. Haruto-kun’s profile illuminated by the sparkler. Actually, I wanted to turn my face and look at him head-on. But I was too shy to look into each other’s eyes at that distance, so I could only sneak glances from the side. But, if at that time, we had looked into each other’s eyes… Leaning our faces together under the faint, bursting light… Ugh, just imagining it makes my face hot. But, it might be very romantic and nice. Just like in this manga, maybe we actually have mutual feelings, and we’re starting to vaguely realize it. …Huh? Uh, I like Haruto-kun. And, since Haruto-kun asked me to be his fake girlfriend, maybe he likes me too? …Meaning mutual feelings! Could it be that I was in almost the exact same situation as this manga scene?! I looked at the sparkler scene in the manga again. The two, conscious of each other and shy. The two crouching side by side, so close their shoulders were almost touching. Hahahaha, that was us just now! At that time, weren’t we actually in a really good mood?! If only I could have pushed a little more there, maybe I could have captured Haruto-kun’s heart.

But, but it’s a little embarrassing to be proactive there… but I have to try hard to get Haruto-kun to confess… As I buried my face in the pillow and groaned, Saki, who had finished reading the manga, said with satisfaction, “That was interesting~” “No kidding~ This manga makes you too curious about what happens next. I wish these two would just start dating already.” Saki, putting the manga back on the shelf, looked at me who was still burying my face in the pillow and said in an exasperated voice, “What are you doing?” “Speaking of just dating already, Ayaka, you should hurry up and date Otsuki-kun.” “Eh! But I need Haruto-kun to confess…” “Well, yeah, that’s true. But, you know, seeing you with Otsuki-kun for the first time today…” Saki said bluntly to me, crossing her arms. “The atmosphere between you two is already exactly like a couple! Seriously, why aren’t you dating yet?!” “Th-That’s… If Haruto-kun doesn’t confess, my true feelings will be held back by the guilt of the lie…” “That’s it! Why would Otsuki-kun tell such a useless lie in the first place? That lie is messing everything up!” Saki was pouting and looking angry with her arms crossed. “Haruto-kun didn’t want to make his grandmother sad…” “I heard that, but if he’s really thinking about his grandmother, instead of telling a useless lie, he should properly confess to Ayaka and make her his real girlfriend! Ayaka is already head over heels for Otsuki-kun.” “Head over heels… Do I look like that?” I don’t think I’ve completely hidden my feelings for Haruto-kun myself, but when it’s said so clearly, my body heats up with embarrassment. “Because Ayaka, you were following Otsuki-kun with your eyes all the time, right?” “Was I…?” “And you had a full smile on your face whenever you talked to Otsuki-kun.” “W-Well, you know. Recently, when I see Haruto-kun’s face, my mouth naturally curves upwards. I can’t control it…” Just seeing Haruto-kun in my line of sight makes my expression naturally soften and my heart pound. Also, it feels like only the area around Haruto-kun is more vivid in color, or something, I can’t explain it well, but I feel like he’s sparkling. “That’s completely a girl in love, isn’t it?” “U-Uh…” Since I realized my feelings for Haruto-kun, I feel like my feelings for him have been getting stronger day by day.

Recently, there are times when I feel a little scared because I don’t know how far these feelings will go. It feels like there’s someone else inside me. But still, I can clearly recognize that it’s definitely a part of me. Uncontrollable emotions are swirling inside me, and I don’t know how to deal with them. “Ayaka, honestly, how much do you like Otsuki-kun right now?” Saki asked, sitting cross-legged on the futon and looking up at me on the bed. “How much… I don’t know how to say that.” “Look, even when you say ‘like’ in one word, there are various kinds of ‘like’, right? From a light feeling like ‘I’m bored during summer vacation, I want a boyfriend,’ to a heavy feeling like ‘This is my fated person, I’ve found my life partner.’ So, how about you, Ayaka?” “Hmm. I guess I think I like him properly, more than a ‘summer romance’ kind of feeling…” “Then, what if, just hypothetically? The person who came for housekeeping was a boy from a different class than Otsuki-kun, but that boy also had max housekeeping skills and a calm atmosphere, like Otsuki-kun. Would you have liked that person, Ayaka?” “Eh… I wonder?” I’ve formed an image of housekeeping meaning Haruto-kun, so if someone else came, I can’t imagine it at all. “I can’t imagine anyone other than Haruto-kun, but I probably wouldn’t have liked them?” I said that, but honestly, I don’t know. My first love was Haruto-kun, and the person I like now is Haruto-kun. I can’t imagine it being a different boy. “I see, you’re really head over heels for Otsuki-kun after all.” “Being told I’m head over heels… that’s a bit embarrassing…” “But it’s the truth, isn’t it?” “Y-Yeah, but…” After that, Saki and I talked about love late into the night. The next morning. I woke up to the morning sun shining through the gap in the curtains. “Nn… sleepy…” My body still seemed to crave sleep, and I couldn’t quite get out of bed. Actually, when I tried to go to sleep after talking about love with Saki last night, Saki’s words suddenly came to mind.

‘Then, what if, just hypothetically? The person who came for housekeeping was a boy from a different class than Otsuki-kun, but that boy also had max housekeeping skills and a calm atmosphere, like Otsuki-kun. Would you have liked that person, Ayaka?’ Thinking about this question made it hard to fall asleep. The possibility of me falling in love with someone other than Haruto-kun. If the housekeeper had been someone other than Haruto-kun… Thinking about such things, I couldn’t sleep at all. “Fwah~… Maybe I’ll go back to sleep…” While I was thinking that, Saki started stirring on the futon. “Nnya? …Huh?” Saki sat up, blinking sleepily, and looked around my room. “Good morning, Saki.” “…Good morning, Ayaka? …Oh, right, I stayed over.” It seemed the current situation and the recognition in her head matched, and Saki gave a big stretch. “Nnn~! Fwee~ I’m awake~” “Did you sleep well?” “Of course, the rich people’s futons are fluffy and the best to sleep on.” Saki, saying it half-jokingly, gave me a thumbs-up. “That futon is worth more than the price, you know. Are you getting up now, Saki?” “Yeah, I’m awake now. How about you, Ayaka?” “I’m still a little sleepy, but I’m getting hungry, so I guess I’ll get up.” Saki and I washed our faces and brushed our teeth at the sink, then headed to the living room. Mom was already awake there, sitting at the dining table, looking at her computer and drinking milk tea. “Oh, Saki-chan and Ayaka. Good morning.” “Good morning.” “Good morning, Mom.” “Are you two hungry?” Mom asked us, getting up from her chair. “Yeah, I’m hungry. How about you, Saki?” “I’m getting hungry too, maybe.” Mom smiled sweetly at Saki, who was rubbing her stomach, saying that. “Understood. I’ll get it ready right away, so please sit and wait.” “Thank you! I’ll enjoy the meal!” Saki thanked Mom and sat down at the dining table. I also sat down next to Saki and watched Mom standing in the kitchen. “Mom, is it Japanese food today?” “Yes. Is rice okay for Saki-chan in the morning? Or would you prefer bread?”

“No, rice is fine. Thank you, Ikue Mama.” Mom started making breakfast as soon as she heard Saki’s reply. And in just a few minutes, dish after dish of breakfast side dishes was lined up on the table. Saki looked surprised at the breakfast items coming out almost as fast as fast food. That was funny, and I chuckled. “Eh? Eh? Isn’t breakfast ready fast? You can make this many dishes in such a short time? What kind of time-saving technique is this?” Lined up on the table were spinach ohitashi, pickled daikon and carrots, chikuzenni, and nanbanzuke of small horse mackerel. And then, miso soup and freshly cooked rice. Saki seemed dumbfounded by the abundant side dishes coming out from the morning. “This… could this all be meal prep?” Mom smiled and replied, “That’s correct,” when Saki said that. “Actually, you know. Otsuki-kun made these when he came for housekeeping. When I’m busy in the morning, Otsuki-kun’s meal prep is a big help, you know, it really makes things easy for me.” “Wow~ Otsuki-kun’s housekeeping skills are amazing.” “And you know. Haruto-kun’s cooking is all incredibly delicious.” Haruto-kun’s cooking has never been anything less than delicious. It’s all so good, it’s almost dangerous if I don’t watch out for overeating. “Okay, let’s eat.” Saki put her hands together and first reached for the chikuzenni with her chopsticks. “Eh? Delicious!” Saki’s eyes widened slightly, then she reached for the other dishes with her chopsticks. And each time she put it in her mouth, she quietly murmured, “Delicious.” When Haruto-kun’s cooking is praised, it somehow makes me happy too. “See? It’s delicious, right?” “Yeah, it’s amazing. Wow~ I’m a little jealous. Should I ask Otsuki-kun for housekeeping too?” At Saki’s words, a slight sense of panic welled up inside me.

“H-Haruto-kun is mine… no, he has an exclusive contract with the Tojo family, so if

you want housekeeping, please ask for other staff, okay?” “Ah! You’re selfish for hogging this cooking!” “I-I’m not selfish! It’s a proper contract, a regular exclusive contract!” While we were arguing about being selfish or not, Mom laughed and brought over chawanmushi. “Saki-chan. This was also made by Otsuki-kun, it’s delicious so give it a try.” “I’ll try it!” Saki immediately started eating the chawanmushi she was given. The moment she scooped a spoonful into her mouth, Saki’s face beamed. “Smooth texture and rich egg flavor, gentle dashi broth… Hey, Ayaka. Just a little bit of Otsuki-kun…” “No! Absolutely not!” I interrupted Saki’s words mid-sentence. Haruto-kun is an indispensable presence not just for me, but for the Tojo family! I don’t have any authority to decide where Haruto-kun works part-time at all, but I still want him to remain exclusively for the Tojo family. His cooking was so appealing that it made me feel that possessive. “…I won’t hand Haruto-kun over to anyone…” I muttered softly. It seemed Saki heard me, and she looked at me with a mischievous grin and said, “Hehe, head over heels, greedy Ayaka.” ※※※ The morning after being invited to the Tojo family barbecue. Haruto was diligently doing his daily morning study, bathed in the early morning sunlight streaming through the window. He had been intently looking back and forth between his reference book and notebook for a while, but at a good stopping point, he put down his pen and gave a big stretch on the chair. “Ah~ The barbecue was delicious…” Haruto recalled the meat and seafood he ate yesterday. Just thinking about it made his mouth water. The barbecue yesterday was that delicious. “And everyone seemed happy with the fireworks afterwards too.” Haruto leaned his elbows on the desk and rested his cheek in his hand, a smile on his lips. Ryota, holding a firework, gave him a full smile and said, “Brother, you’re amazing!” Saki, holding fireworks in both hands, seemed to be having a blast and enjoying herself. And Ayaka, sitting next to him, watching the sparkler. “…………She was beautiful.” Those shining eyes.

The light of the fireworks and the light of the moon. Her profile, wrapped in a fantastical beauty, illuminated by both. Haruto narrowed his eyes at the gradually rising morning sun. He realized that summer vacation was already halfway over. The girl he met through his housekeeping part-time job. Thinking of her, Haruto felt a faint sadness in his chest for the summer days that had passed. And at the same time, he felt a feeling of something stuck in his heart, a sense of uneasiness. Boyfriend/Girlfriend practice. His relationship with Ayaka, which began with a lie he told. It couldn’t stay like this. Haruto averted his gaze from the window and shook his head slightly. Although it was a lie told to make his grandmother happy, it was ultimately just creating a false joy. A time would come when he would have to confess the truth. If that happened, he would eventually make his grandmother sad and disappointed. Therefore, someday he had to reveal the truth about him and Ayaka. Every time he practiced being a couple with her, that feeling gradually grew stronger within Haruto. This was due to the guilt of involving her in the lie. However, recently, that was no longer the only reason. When he practiced with her, he couldn’t help but imagine. What if this wasn’t practice, but real interaction as a couple? Changing his relationship with Ayaka. Losing the feeling of guilt and purely conveying the feelings in his heart. For that, resolving the lie he told would be an absolute condition. “…Haa, no work today…” Haruto muttered, staring at the calendar on the wall. Feeling a definite loneliness at not being able to see her…