Author's Note: This chapter is set during the summer festival (Episode 12).

"When your wheels stop turning, and you feel let down, and it seems like troubles have come all around.
I can hear your heart beating; I can hear that sound.
But I can't help thinking, and I won't look now..."

- From "Gravity" by Coldplay

The fireworks have begun to light up the night sky, symbolizing the culmination of the summer festival.

After getting distracted by games from booths to my left and right, I decided to look for the gang. I left my phone at home, so the only way I can search for them is to wade through this huge crowd.

That's when I saw her small figure running away from the area. There's no mistake; it's Sakura. What could she be after, though? Thinking that it's dangerous to be alone this late, I chased her down the road.

I ended up following her all the way to a dark alley near the school. I was surprised at how she fast she ran that her crying was lost to me. Needless say, I became more intrigued.

Sakura never seems to be the type who'll be cross with someone for no reason at all. She wasn't also considered famous in the school, so I don't think she'll have enemies or bullies to deal with.

Come on, Mikoshiba...You're old enough to guess this by yourself. What commonly happens in summer festivals in the games I've played? Cute girls in yukatas, delicious food, friends having a good time. Where's the drama in that!?

"Mikorin...?" I heard Sakura's cracking voice from behind. I became stone cold.

I turned to her like a robot losing its locomotive functions. "S-s-sakura?"

"What are you doing here?" She asked with a scowl.

This is not good.

I did find a way to dodge her question, though.

"How about you? It's not safe to be walking here all by yourself, though."

Hearing this only made Sakura more teary-eyed than ever. It's like she already managed to stop herself crying, but thanks to what I said, she seems to be on the brink of tears again.

"Hey, hey, I'm just concerned!" I quickly reassured her with a smile.

"Thanks," Sakura curtly replied.

I can't just leave her like this. She's my friend. Probably more than that, but my feelings aren't the biggest issue right now. I looked around and saw the park nearby.

"Sakura, look." I pointed to the swings which were visible from where we both stood. "I'm not sure what's troubling you, but maybe we can have a talk there by the swings."

She looked at me as if my face was completely contorted. "You don't mind?"

I shook my head.

No words were exchanged as we walked to the park and sat on the swings. Only the sound of rusty chains and the distant noise of the fireworks disturbed the silence. Glancing at Sakura, I could still see the fireworks in the sky through the reflections in her tear-filled eyes.

I also noticed how uneasy she felt with the way she rustled her yukata. Seeing her like this urged me to reach out to her hand.

It was scary. She might think I'd be taking advantage of her in this situation. She may also think of me as a wacko.

Could I let all these thoughts stop me from caring for her, though?

Gulping all my fears down, my hand cautiously took in Sakura's and held it firmly. I was both surprised and relieved that she didn't protest.

"Just talk when you feel like it," I told her in a calm tone. I can tell how I failed at trying to seem cool at the moment.

"I..." Sakura tried to begin. I didn't expect she'd be able to tell everything right away. "I made a fool out of myself tonight, Mikorin."

"What now?" Curiosity got quite a hold on me. I'm certain that this was about her and Nozaki.

"Well, uh..." Her grip on my hand tightened. "I don't really know if I should say this. Things might get awkward."

Great. She's talking to the King of Awkwardness right now.

"What happened? Trust me, I may be the most popular guy in the school, but your secrets are safe with me," I joked.

Her glare almost consumed my frightened soul, but her look swiftly changed because she couldn't help but chuckle. "Ah, Mikorin..."

"I was kidding, so I'm sorry for the timing," I said with a wink, "Go on."

Sakura chewed her lip as if trying to hold her words back. "Guess there's no turning back," she sighed. "You see, there's someone I've liked in our school. At first, I never thought I'd have a chance because I was shy, and we never met after the beginning of this school year."

After observing that I was engaged in her story, Sakura held her breath deeply and continued: "But an interesting string of events brought us closer to each other. I was even able to enjoy this festival with him tonight! Things were going great until the fireworks started..."

"That explains it."

"Explain what?"

"Uh...I mean, it's similar to what happens in dating sims! Hehehe..." I explained to Sakura, attempting trying to cover my slip-up.

"I see."

"So, what did you do?"

"Both of us were alone, sitting next to each other as we watched the night sky. I thought about my feelings for him, and I whispered how I loved him under my breath. The thing is, I blurted it out just as when the fireworks stopped!"

"Oh."

"What I did was ridiculous! While my first attempt to talk to him before was to confess to him, I wasn't planning to do it now! Anyway, he had this sorry look on his face when he turned to me."

I could feel her body tense. Perhaps this was how anxious she felt earlier.

"He may not look like it, but he's a kind person. I actually felt guilty of having to put him in that situation. In the most gentle way possible, he told me that he didn't have any feelings in return."

Sakura's shoulders visibly dropped. She let go of my hand and started to grab on to herself.

"It's okay," she said and tried her best to crack a smile. "I didn't expect that he likes me back. He did tell me that having a girlfriend was the least of his priorities."

"He's still a jerk." I asserted. Sakura squinted at me, but I continued. "He's lucky to have a cute girl confess to him."

"Now's not the time for compliments!" Sakura exclaimed. She almost pushed me out of the swing. I flailed my arms out, but I still fell on the ground. Sakura guffawed upon seeing me fall clumsily.

"For a tiny girl, you pack quite a force there," I remarked.

When she was done laughing, Sakura stood up and held her hand out to me. When she helped me get up, she almost lost her balance that I had to hold her back. She was so close to me that I realized how small she was. Her breath felt hot on my shoulder, and my hand covered much of her back already.

Once again, everything was quiet.

My heart raced; the unknown force that pushed me to grab her hand earlier has returned. This time, it was making me want to run my hands through her hair. What's going on? In the end, though, I didn't want Sakura to feel bad for herself. I wanted to comfort her, but I'm not the man she liked. I'm not sure that making her open up here had helped her at all.

The tears that fell onto my feet brought me back to reality. Sakura quietly sobbed in front of me.

With her hands covering her face, I gently drew Sakura into my arms.

"Never be sorry for your feelings," I whispered. Burying her face into my chest, her hands tugged on the sleeves of my yukata. "By the way, I know you were referring to. Sakura, it isn't your loss."

"Mikoshiba-kun," I heard her address me, "T-thank you."

I put my hands on her lip and looked into her eyes. She couldn't control her tears again, and she continued crying in my embrace.

Do I know if I'm doing this right? Certainly not. With only scenarios with fictional women as references, I have no clue on what to do next.

But in that moment, what's wrong or right never had a place in my mind. I couldn't care less about what she would think tomorrow either. I didn't mind that she had feelings for Nozaki. And I don't give a damn if she becomes distant to me in return.

None of those things matter, at least for now. Holding her like this, I just wanted to take Sakura's sorrow away from her heart.

Who knows, maybe she'll let me help her pick up the pieces one day.