After letting Nitta-san pull me round for ten minutes, the environment turned acquainted to me.

Effectively, that was an exaggeration for the reason that place wasn’t precisely a maze or something. The aid I felt once I noticed everybody’s faces have been real although.

“Ah, there you might be! Maki! Nitta! Over right here!”

Nozomu, who seen us earlier than the others may, known as out to us whereas waving his hand. At that second, everybody turned their eyes on us.

“Maki…”

I managed to return earlier than they set off the fireworks. A worried-looking Umi rushed over to my aspect, touching my cheeks, as if attempting to substantiate my existence or one thing. After some time, she let loose a sigh of aid.

Nitta-san additionally let go of my sleeve at that second, all whereas pretending as if nothing occurred.

“Dummy! I used to be so fearful!”

“Sorry… I promise I’ll be extra cautious…”

“…Keep beside me for the remainder of the day, obtained it?”

“However, what if I need to go to the bathroom?”

“Did I stutter?”

“…High quality.”

It was my carelessness that led to me getting misplaced, however that didn’t cease Umi from going into her overprotective mode and clung to my hand tightly.

This example wouldn’t change anytime quickly. Hell, she would possibly hold doing this each time we exit to any extent further. Everybody’s heat gazes already made me really feel embarrassed, however it wasn’t like I may simply push her away. I had no selection however to simply accept my destiny for now.

Additionally, whereas I used to be misplaced, the individuals who have been going to hitch us later had already joined the remainder of the group. They waited till Umi calmed down earlier than greeting me.

“Heya, Maki-kun~ Your first fireworks competition has turned a bit of messy, hasn’t it? Are you okay?”

“Sorry for inflicting this mess, Amami-san. Additionally, glad that you just made it in time for the competition… And, I assume that that is your father? I don’t imagine we have now met but…”

“Ah, proper. Once you got here to my party, he was busy at work. Anyway, um, that is Maehara and that is…”

“I’m Amami Hayato. I’ve heard about you from my daughter. She mentioned that you just’re an excellent pal of hers. Thanks very a lot for befriending my daughter. You may name me ‘Oji-san’ or check with me by my first title, I don’t thoughts.”

“…Okay, Hayato-san…”

I knew that Umi and Nitta-san referred to him as ‘Oji-san’, however I wasn’t comfy doing the identical. So, I made a decision to check with him like how I referred to Eri-san, through the use of his first title.

This was the primary time I had ever met him in particular person and he appeared slimmer than within the footage. He was as tall as Eri-san, round 170 cm. For somebody that tall, he appeared extra ‘match’ than ‘cumbersome.’

From my father, Riku-san, Daichi-san and Nozomu, all of the males that I knew have been within the ‘cumbersome’ class, so I felt a sure affinity with Hayato-san.

He had a brief and neat coiffure. His look actually prompt that he labored as a civil servant.

In fact, I didn’t imply that in a foul method.noVe-1B-In

“Anyway, Dad, are you going residence already? We’ve come all this manner collectively, why not keep and watch the fireworks with the remainder of us?”

“I’d like to, however Eri is ready for me again at residence. What about you? Are you certain you don’t need me to choose you up after that is throughout, Yuu?”

“Sure. I need to have enjoyable with everybody for a bit of longer! I’ll notify you after we’re performed although, so please inform Mother about it too!”

“Okay… Sorry for the inconvenience everybody, however please handle my daughter for some time.”

After bowing politely to all of us, Hayato-san shortly left the venue. Contemplating how bubbly and cheerful Amami-san and Eri-san have been, I had thought that Hayato-san would have an analogous character to them, however he was truly a severe particular person.

Since he was Amami-san’s father, he was clearly a handsome man, however from the outlines of his face, it was apparent that he couldn’t be thought of ‘youthful’ anymore. There have been faint wrinkles on his face that clearly mirrored his age.

“So, how is it, Maki? What do you consider him?”

“I don’t know… He appears extra easygoing in his footage, however he’s truly extra uptight than I assumed. Although, I may inform that he’s sort. He even handled us politely too— Ah, sorry, Amami-san, I simply babbled on, didn’t I?”

“No, it’s wonderful! My dad is extra easygoing at residence, he’s joking so much too! However, each time he meets somebody for the primary time, he’s at all times like this. Not as a result of he’s attempting to be distant although, he’s simply shy!”

“He’s similar to you.”

“I’m not that shy anymore round strangers! Cease teasing me, Umi!”

That mentioned, I used to be glad to seek out out that I used to be mistaken about Hayato-san. It turned out that he was similar to me, somebody who felt reserved when there have been strangers round.

Each male grownup in my life have been completely different varieties of individuals, together with Hayato-san, however I may relate to him the very best in comparison with the others.

We have been related to one another, save for our faces. It felt like I used to be seeing a grown-up model of myself.

“We’ve secured sufficient seats for everybody, so come over right here~ You too, Yuu-chan, don’t be shy~”

“Okay~! C’mon, Shizuku-san had known as us already~! I’m so hungry proper now! I could not eat a lot for lunch due to Rocky!”

“Proper. For now, let’s overlook concerning the matter of you getting misplaced, Maki. As an alternative, we’ll have enjoyable collectively, how about that? Don’t fear, you’ll overlook it simply over all of the meals and drinks we purchased! There’s additionally the fireworks!”

“…Thanks, Umi.”

“Hehe, you’re welcome!”

Though we have been a bit of off schedule, we managed to benefit from the competition whereas consuming the meals we had purchased.

Because of Shizuku-san, we may safe a spot to take a seat and I may sit subsequent to Umi. Along with everybody, we watched the identical evening sky.

The sky was cloudy, so we couldn’t see many stars in it, however that wouldn’t cease them from beginning the fireworks.

It was at the moment 7 pm. Everybody within the venue was ready for the primary shot in pleasure.

“…It’s beginning, Maki.”

“…Mm.”

We secretly intertwined our fingers, having fun with our first fireworks competition collectively whereas flirting beneath everybody’s noses.