Crossing Paths, Traumatized, and Yet… - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Summer vacation

Summer vacation is full of events as well as club activities.

Outside of club activities, there were many more opportunities to hang out with the club members.

After club activities, they went out to eat, went to karaoke, and sometimes hung out with friends outside of the club.

Wakaba also got a cell phone, so they keep in touch every day.

Being able to keep in touch with Wakaba every day was a very happy thing for Daiki.

He was happy when he saw her, but he could also talk to her after he went home, so he did not feel bad even when he was at home.

The summer vacation was fulfilling.

In the midst of all this, Wakaba said to him:

Lets go to the summer festival!

She invited him.

Every year, friends from school used to go to this event together.

This year, she invited her friends who went to a different junior high school and they all decided to go together.

Among them was the boy who had confessed his feelings to Wakaba.

Feeling a little bewildered, he decided that it would be all right.

The first festival was held at the end of July.

The friends he hadnt seen in a while hadnt changed that much inside or out, and soon they were having as much fun as they had in elementary school.

The boys were, at first, a bit shy because Wakaba had become even cuter.

They were all having a good time acting together.

Gradually, the boys who went to different junior high schools talked to Wakaba aggressively as if to make up for the advantage of not being able to be with her on a regular basis.

Wakabas attitude toward both boys and girls remained the same as usual.

She spoke so naturally that it was almost as if she had forgotten that she had been confessed to.

The boys, perhaps relieved by her attitude, were actively appealing to her.

They were trying their best to talk about how many places they got in the tests, how they became regulars in the first year, and how girls often confessed their love for them.

Wakaba was also genuinely complimenting them, so the boys misunderstood her.

Soon, the boys surrounded Wakaba and became enthusiastic about the conversation.

Daiki was not one of them and spent his time with other friends, feeling bewildered.

The other friends said

Not again.

He was enjoying the festival without worrying too much about it.

Wakaba is a popular girl, so she often sees this kind of thing.

As the time for the fireworks approached, the boys began to get nervous.

They decided to go to a certain place where they watch the fireworks every year.

The boys were engrossed in talking until the very last minute, so they ran to the spot.

As they were running, one of their friends fell down.

Daiki immediately ran over to him

Are you okay?

He asked him

He looked a little sore, so everyone else ran up to him, but he decided to let them go ahead of him.

Wakaba was about to say she would stay behind, but

The boys said,

Lets go!

and they grabbed her arms and left.

He was feeling a bit sad, but he couldnt leave his friend behind.

His friend had only scraped his knee, so a bandage was put on it and that was it.

I am sorry, Daiki

He looked apologetic, saying

Its fine!

Dont worry about it!

Its already started, but lets walk slowly!

He cheerfully told him.

The fireworks had already started, but he and his friend decided to walk slowly.

When Daiki arrived at his usual spot, he found Wakabas back as she looked up at the fireworks.

There were boys standing on either side of Wakaba.

It was usually Daikis place, but this year he couldnt watch the fireworks next to her.

Jealousy was more prevalent than envy.

While watching the fireworks, he did not go to the others but stayed in the back to watch the fireworks.

To keep his mind calm, he tried not to show it in his facial expression or attitude.

Until the end, he only looked at Wakaba while watching the fireworks.

After the fireworks were over, he joined everyone else.

Everyone was worried about his friend, but was happy to hear that everything seemed to be okay, and they talked about fireworks.

Daiki hid his feelings and was cheerful as usual.

He treated them as usual.

He did not let Wakaba know how he felt.

After the fireworks were over, everyone wanted to stay together, but their parents were worried about them staying too late, so they had no choice but to go home.

He thought he and Wakaba could go home alone, but one of the boys said

Its not safe. Ill take you home.

He said.

Wakaba replied with a

Im with Daiki, so Ill be fine!

But he replied.

It would be safer if we all went home together!

They did not listen.

He probably wanted to show his kindness.

Wakaba also felt bad about refusing him again and again.

Well then, lets all go home together.

Not only Wakaba, but all the girls were given a ride home as well.

Everyone was having a good time on the way home.

One by one, the girls arrived at their houses, and Wakaba was the last one.

Since Daikis house was located before Wakabas house, Daiki was never alone with Wakaba until the end of the festival.

The festival was a blur until the very end.