SK8TEMBER'21 SERIES

Another Hanabi right by your side.

Kojiro was nervous. He was more nervous than he had been in his whole life.

And why was Kojiro so nervous?

You see, since he and Kaoru were kids, they had gone every year to the Hanabi to see the fireworks together; and every year, something new happened between them. It was like some sort of tradition.

And he was nervous because he was planning on doing something new; something big; something that would change their lives.

Kojiro had everything planned for that night, it was supposed to be perfect... until Shadow and the kids decided to tag along with them at the last minute.

Well, on the bright side, he was glad they weren't alone for now, because Kojiro knew Kaoru would notice very quickly that something was up with him.

He'd only have to improvise and pray for everything to go as smoothly as it could be.

As soon as they arrived at the Hanabi, the kids went crazy wanting to go to every food stand like they hadn't eaten in ages. Kojiro laughed, feeling grateful for the little distraction.

After everyone got what they wanted to eat, they all settled on the best spot on the grass they could find to enjoy the music of the festival while they ate.

There wasn't much time left until the fireworks would start.

His heart beat faster, faster and faster with each passing second, feeling the tick tock of the grand moment near and near to them. Kojiro tried to hide his shaking hands, making everyone laugh so no one could notice it.

Kojiro looked at Kaoru, and he seemed engrossed in a conversation with Miya and Langa. Apparently, he hadn't noticed anything yet. Or that's what he hoped so.

He knew Kaoru was a very perceptive man; he was analytical, and somehow, always knew what's going on all the time.

But Kojiro was hopeful that this time, the kids had managed to distract him as much as they could. Even if they didn't know that they now were a big part of his plan.

Kojiro looked at the hour on his phone and his heart leapt. Only ten minutes left.

He tapped Kaoru's leg, and looked at him trying to communicate telepathically in hopes of his boyfriend to understand what he was trying to say.

"Kaoru, want to grab a drink with me before the fireworks start?" he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Reki cocked his head.

"Why does Cherry have to go with you? Couldn't you bring the drinks here instead?" Reki innocently asked.

Crap. Damn kids and their inopportune innocent questions.

"No, don't worry." Kaoru said to Reki, and he finally gazed at Kojiro with a knowing look. "My legs are starting to feel numb, so I appreciate a little walk now."

Shadow looked at him and for some reason, Kojiro felt like his friend suspected that he was planning something.

"Yeah, yeah, don't take too long." Shadow said dismissing them, directing an encouraging smile at Kojiro.

Kojiro smiled back at him.

"Come on, let's go." he said to Kaoru, offering his hand to him. Karou took his hand with a little smile.

As soon as they lost sight of their friends, they turned aside from the main road of the festival, giggling like teenagers that had just sneaked out from their parents.

Kojiro tugged Kaoru by his hand and led them to their secret spot; the place they'd found so many years ago and proclaimed as theirs and only theirs; the place that had seen them grow to the couple they're now.