[Delusion 02] Don't you want to meet up?

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The meeting place is in front of the station ticket gate. The time is Saturday evening. As usual, he is already there waiting. Today he is wearing a navy blue samue and zori sandals. I am late again. The reason is that I am wearing a yukata and geta sandals, which makes it hard to walk. Today is the fireworks festival. I finished grooming my unwanted hair perfectly the night before. My nails are also done up glamorously with glitter and stones to match the fireworks festival.

Sorry, have you been waiting? I say as I always do, and he replies with his usual gentle smile, I just got here. You look cute, he says. His eyes are sparkling. Those are the eyes of someone in love with me, right? That's right. Walking side by side through the shopping street in front of the station. The thong of my geta sandals is digging into the space between my toes and it hurts. It hurts, but I smile. When I can't keep up with his walking pace, he turns around. He reaches out his hand. Wait, what is this? Is this finally the moment we hold hands? Are we going to do that lover's hold, with our fingers interlaced?

He and I hold hands for the first time. His fingers are much rougher and harder than I imagined. They are so warm. Even though we were chatting away until we held hands, after we started holding hands, we both fell silent. Even when crossing the crosswalk, even when letting bicycles pass by. Who is going to speak first? Is neither of us going to speak? I can't stop grinning. My heart in love won't stop either.

When we arrived at the riverbed, food stalls were lined up, and it was overflowing with many people. The sunset, which had been orange until just a moment ago, melted into the darkness of the night, and it became completely dark all around. My mind is filled with pink.

Even when he enters the crowd, he holds my hand tightly and doesn't let go. When I stumble after being pushed by someone passing by, he instinctively pulls my body toward him. Wait, what is this? Right in front of my face is his chest. His samue is slightly open, and there is a slightly sweaty scent. My heart is beating like a drum and won't stop. What should I do? I love him. I love this scent. He doesn't say anything. I don't say anything either.

Let's sit here, he finally opens his mouth. On the slightly sloped embankment, he found an empty space that no one had claimed. From there, the fireworks are clearly visible.

I sat on the grass next to him. Then, immediately, the fireworks were launched. First red. Next blue. Colorful fireworks went up one after another. My heart soared too.

He only ever says things like, Oh, or Wow. I only ever say things like, Whoa, or Beautiful. Occasionally our eyes meet. I wish he would kiss me. I wonder if he can tell.

Even after the fireworks ended, he kept holding my hand. Is it just holding hands today? He is teasing me. How cruel. What about my feelings?

The station is too crowded to get through the ticket gate. Then let's walk home, he says. I nod, but halfway across the bridge, the thong of my geta sandals is finally hurting where it digs in. Plus, my obi sash has come loose. What should I do? I can't fix it in a place like this. Not knowing what to do, I stood still. Then he crouched down in front of me.

Come on, I'll give you a piggyback ride.

What. Whaaaat. That's embarrassing. But I'm happy. I want to cry. Can I cry? He gave me a piggyback ride. The warmth of his back was transmitted directly to me.

I love you

I traced his back with my finger. What are you doing, that tickles, he says, turning around looking troubled. I laugh, Hee hee, it's a secret, and bury my face in his back. I want to stay like this forever. I hope we never reach home, ever.