August 4

It's the Matsumoto Summer Festival today, the MatsuBon. Don't you think that would it be a good day for a date for Kakeru and Naho? I guess you know what to do.

Somehow, he got roped into this weird "arrange a date for Naho and Kakeru" thing. Partly, it was the letter telling him to create opportunities for Naho and Kakeru because they were both so dense. The other half was probably the enthusiasm of Azusa and Takako which ended up dragging both him and Hagita into their plan.

Hagita was probably the most reluctant of them four. He told them his theory about how Kakeru isn't in love with Naho, which was summarily dismissed by Azusa. In the end, they decided to go forward with this plan, though.

Now, four of them are secretly stalking Naho and Kakeru, who were wondering where they were.

"It's time for Step 1. Suwa, please contact Kakeru, and tell him that you and Hagita are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances. I will tell Naho that I and Takako are going to be late and that everyone else should go enjoy themselves first. Pretend that you don't know that we are going to be late and I will do the same too." said Azusa. Somehow, she was assuming the position of the leader of this plan.

"Roger, Captain Murasaka." Suwa answered.

He guessed he would send a text message. Lying over a phone call wasn't wise, he was after all, not the best liar, and he feared that Kakeru would uncover his lie.

He sent Kakeru a quick message, while Azusa was blatantly lying about how Takako couldn't decide whether or not to wear a yukata and they were stuck in her house. He was glad that Naho wasn't the brightest in detecting lies and that she was very trusting.

"That's weird, why are they not exploring the festival together but just waiting there? At this rate, the plan wouldn't work. Hmm…" said Azusa.

Indeed, Kakeru and Naho were standing there looking around. "Could it be they are suspecting that we are lying? Maybe we shouldn't be standing out here, we might get spotted."

"But, Suwa, then we wouldn't have the fun of stalking them. What if they leave while we hide?" said Azusa. Leave it to Azusa to get her priorities upside down. Suwa thought it might be better to hide still. He had a feeling that Kakeru would spot them soon.

"Stop being so stubborn Azusa. They are going to spot us soon. Come, let us go further away." said Hagita. He had been sulking since he was dragged into this plan which he thinks is a dumb idea, so it was surprising to see him speak all of a sudden.

"Oh wait, guys. It seems that the target has decided to go Nawate street." said Takako suddenly.

"Follow!" said Azusa the captain.

Nawate street was less crowded since you had to pay to walk there. However, that also meant that there was a higher chance of being spotted though.

"When did two of them go so close? Are they holding hands?" said Azusa suddenly. Suwa looked at them, sure enough, both of them are holding hands. Unexpectedly, he felt a little jealous at the sight. Didn't he already expel that sense the last time?

Naho and Kakeru were laughing animatedly. It seems they were sharing some really funny joke. Damn, he was really jealous. He wished he was there with them sharing the stupid jokes. Ah… So that was what he was jealous about. He was jealous he wasn't spending time talking to each other, instead of this weird stalking group. After all, in this group of six, those two were the people that he was closest too. Not that he isn't close with the others. But, Hagita was sulking here. Whereas Azusa and Takako are more of Naho's friend than his, to tell the truth.

It was a weird feeling. He wasn't having fun in this stalking session. And Naho and Kakeru looked like they were having the most fun time in their life. Kakeru and Naho bought and ate different kinds of food from the stalls. They ate the food at the bridge. They went to a shrine together.

"I messaged Naho, saying that we should meet at Agata Forest." said Takako.

"I'll be going to McDonalds. This is just stupid." said Hagita suddenly. Saying that, he immediately left.

"Hah? Why he is so rude?" said Azusa.

"He didn't agree with this plan in the first plan after all, Azu. Try to understand from his perspective. He still stayed with us until now though." said Takako

"Ok. As you say, Taka-chan."

"The plan was a success though. Look at how close they are." said Azusa.

They stalked both of them until they reached Agata Forest. After waiting for a while, it was time for the 'big reveal'.

"Naho, did you enjoy yourself?" said Azusa and Takako simultaneously.

"Err… Yeah? Where is Hagita though?" said Naho.

"Oh, he went to McDonald's." said Azusa.

"I see. Azusa. Takako. I have something important to say. And Kakeru has something to say to you, Suwa. Don't be too harsh on him, Kakeru, ok?"

Kakeru didn't reply but started dragging Suwa's hand.

"Ouch, Kakeru. Let go. You're hurting me."

"Hah? Hurting? Painful? How about me? Is this your idea of letting me have fun? By leaving me alone with Naho?" said Kakeru.

Suwa gulped. He knew, didn't he?

"Yeah. Like it isn't painfully obvious that you all were trying to create some alone time with Naho, time that I don't actually want or need."

"You didn't want? Like it was so obvious that you were enjoying yourselves. Laughing and talking with each other?" Maybe it was just him being defensive, but the spiteful words came out before he could stop it.

"Haha." It was a laugh that lacked a laughter. "So, you were jealous hah? If you knew you were going to be jealous, then you should have think about yourself too. Do you think you could honestly care about the welfare of others before you think of your own? Seriously, Suwa. Put yourself first too. At least sometimes. Don't try to sacrifice for someone else."

"Eh. Eh. Suwa. Are you crying? Eh?"

"No! I'm not." The denial was ineffective though, slight tears were rolling down from his cheeks. It might be the heat of the argument just now that had stimulated his tear ducts. Or the fact that Kakeru was able to realise that he didn't always want to be sacrificed for others benefit, that he was jealous.

"Urgh. What have I done? This is the second person that I have caused crying."

"Second?" Suwa wiped his tears and asked the question.

"Yeah. So, I told Naho that I didn't like her romantically, and probably will never when we watched fireworks together during the cultural festival. And yes. The main message that I was supposed to convey to you is actually this. Please don't try to create weird opportunities for us to be alone or stuff like that. Like trying to pair us up."

"And… just now at MatsuBon, we were just acting as if we were close, because…"

"Because?"

"I wanted to…"

"Want to what?"

"Make you…" Kakeru muttered the last word, and Suwa was unable to hear."

"What are you muttering?"

"Already said. Not saying it again."

"What… Tell me tell me."

"Nope."

"Ok then." Suwa started to feign walking away.

"Oi! You left me alone just now and now you are going to leave me alone again?"

"You're not planning to say it, no?"

"Fine fine. I'll say it. I wanted to make you jealous."

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Your face is completely red. HAHAHAHAHAHA. What are you? A maiden in love?"

"Well, if I am, then you're my boyfriend."

They both ended up laughing non-stop.

"Oh yes. Take this."

"What is it?"

"Food from the festival. You're so busy stalking that you probably didn't have anything. I've saved some for you."

"Thanks." He didn't really expect that.

"Come, let's go."

"Go? Where?"

"To enjoy the festival together. Or whatever that's remained for it. You forget that you invited me to the festival, no?"

As the cool night breeze blows through Kakeru's jet black hair and traditional looking blue yukata, for a moment, he thought that Kakeru was the coolest person on Earth.

"I thought you went to the shrine with Naho just now."

"Well, I was so angry and frustrated just now that I didn't actually do anything. It was just Naho. Anyways, you haven't visited the shrine, no?"

"Who visits the shrine during the summer festival? It's not New Year Day, you know?"

"Haha. You're right. But since we are here anyway, we might just as well pray or wish for something."

Suwa wondered what he should wish for. He didn't have anything in particular that he wanted, actually.

"I don't know what to wish for…"

"Well, if you don't have anything to wish for, then you can double the power of my wish. Just say I wish that Kakeru's wish comes true."

"Not funny, Kakeru." They arrived in front of the main shrine. It was rather quiet, since it was getting late.

"Hahaha. Ok, I am going to make my wish now. Try to think of yours too."

That laugh, he wonders if he can still see this ten years in the future? He observes Kakeru. Somehow, that laugh just now has disappeared, replaced by a serious face. Or was it a sad face? Suwa wasn't sure. That sad face of Kakeru that he first saw at Agata Park months ago. It reminded him. Being with Kakeru has always been so fun, that he has almost forgotten the warning from his future self. He couldn't imagine Kakeru killing himself.

But, now, he knows what to wish for.

He wished that Kakeru will live.