She looked at him, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something.
"Uh... eh... th-that..."
In the end, Koma Chihana could only return her gaze to the burnt-out firework in her hand and nodded.
Seeing her like this, Imaizumi Keita nodded with satisfaction.
It was worth the time spent providing emotional value to you, Koma...
Imaizumi Keita said nothing more and took a Firework Stick out of the bag that was significantly larger than the previous ones.
The packaging of the Firework Stick had a brilliant pattern printed on it; it looked like it would spray very beautiful sparks.
He stood up from the ground and held the Firework Stick out in front of Koma Chihana.
"Want to light this one together?"
His voice sounded exceptionally gentle in the night, "This firework looks like it'll be very pretty. Besides, I think things like this look even better when two people light them together."
Koma Chihana looked at the firework in his hand, then at his face which seemed remarkably soft under the moonlight, and the last bit of awkwardness in her heart quietly dissipated.
She stood up from the ground, took the lighter he handed her, and moved closer to the firework's fuse.
*Sizzle—*
The fuse was lit, making a faint sound.
The next second, a brilliant fountain-like spray of sparks erupted from the tip of the Firework Stick!
Silver-white, golden-yellow, and emerald-green sparks intertwined, blooming with a brief yet dazzling brilliance in the air.
Koma Chihana tilted her head back, staring blankly at the splendor blooming above her.
The light of the sparks was reflected in her eyes and on her face, which was filled with a hint of wonder.
The President and Senior Tsukinoki must have set off fireworks together like this before.
Did they also, just like her and Classmate Imaizumi, light a larger and more beautiful firework together?
How nice...
A familiar emotion called "disappointment" surged uncontrollably from her heart once again.
But for some reason, this sense of loss didn't seem to make her feel as suffocated or sad as before.
Instead, like these brilliant fireworks, though brief, it left behind a beautiful enough impression.
She watched the firelight gradually dim and suddenly understood.
"Thank you, Classmate Imaizumi."
The last trace of light from the firework vanished into the night.
Koma Chihana turned her head and gave Imaizumi Keita a faintly shy smile.
"Th-thank you for the comfort and the reminder. I-I feel... much better. It's n-not as painful as I imagined it would be."
After saying that, as if gathering immense courage, she spoke again.
Those eyes that always shied away were now staring at him without blinking.
"U-um... Classmate Imaizumi."
"Hmm?"
"C-could I... a-ask a favor of you?"
"What is it?"
Koma Chihana took a deep breath; though her voice was still very soft, every word was exceptionally clear.
"C-could you... m-maybe pat my head for a bit?"
Having said it, she immediately closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly from nervousness, looking like she was waiting for a verdict.
Seeing her like this, Imaizumi Keita reached out without hesitation.
His broad and warm palm lightly landed on her smooth, reddish-brown short hair, and then he gave it a gentle rub.
The texture of her hair was very soft, like some kind of fluffy little animal.
Koma Chihana's body gave an uncontrollable slight shudder the moment his palm landed.
A warm current mixed with relief and a hint of throbbing excitement traveled from the top of her head, causing her body, which had been tense from nervousness, to slowly relax.
She closed her eyes, quietly feeling this pure tenderness from another person.
This feeling...
So, this kind of thing really depends on the person...
The President's gentle smiling face appeared in Koma Chihana's mind, along with the occasional encouraging pats he would give her.
That feeling was warm and reassuring, like an older brother.
But now, the sensation coming from Classmate Imaizumi's palm...
...was completely different.
Even though his movements were so gentle, there was a slightly assertive undertone.
His palm was so warm that it made her heart feel all warm and fuzzy too.
This feeling was unfamiliar and very... dangerous.
But right now, she didn't really want to push him away.
Since extracting the sense of happiness the President brought her wasn't going to be easy anyway...
Koma Chihana seized this rare opportunity, using such a reason to convince herself.
Imaizumi Keita quietly rubbed her hair, feeling a steady stream of emotional energy—a mix of "relief," "trust," and "a bit of happiness"—coming from her.
Although it wasn't as massive and sweet as what he obtained from Yanami, it still had a refreshing quality.
He could feel that Koma Chihana's tightly closed heart was opening a tiny crack for him.
In that case, I'll give you another hand.
With a thought, he quietly activated his Ability, slightly heightening her perception of "happiness."
"Mnh..."
An uncontrollable soft hum of satisfaction escaped Koma Chihana's throat.
A surge of happiness quickly rose up, causing her body to relax involuntarily.
It felt so good... that she couldn't help but want to stay like this forever.
I got too carried away playing games and only left enough time to update two chapters; I'll reflect on my actions.
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