Nikei Yomiuri Shipping Collection

Setsukei - Starstruck

The car pulled up to a stop at the curb, and the doors opened. "Christ, you're a crazy driver!" Nikei exclaimed. "Why the hell are you driving?!"

"Because I'm still more responsible with it than you. Also, I actually have a license," the billiards player chuckled, joining him as they got onto the sidewalk. "So, shall we go?"

As the two of them walked down the sidewalk to find where the event was being held downtown, Nikei began to recall why they were both here. A few hours ago, Setsuka had interrupted him working on an article to tell him about a firework festival that would be happening later that night.

She ended up finding her kimono and his haori, and she somehow managed to persuade him to go with her to the festival without turning it into a news story. This 'persuasion' involved bribing him with the promise that she would pay for their food, and he finally agreed to her suggestion.

After they got dressed in their traditional Japanese outfits, they went into Setsuka's car and headed downtown to where the festival was supposed to take place. And that's where they were now, entering the area where the festival was taking place after three minutes of walking.

Lanterns were strung up along the streets to light them up, and vendor stands lined the empty roads. The roads were blocked off from cars so those wanting to participate could walk safely, including those like Setsuka and Nikei.

"It won't be a little while until the actual fireworks go up, so why don't we get some food?" Setsuka suggested, grabbing Nikei's arm and beginning to pull him towards one of the stands. "Come on, Nik!"

"Hey, don't pull! You'll rip the sleeve!" the journalist protested, hurrying to catch up with the billiards player. 

As they ended up at a stand, Setsuka ordered some hanami dangos for them as a treat. Nikei didn't mind the mochi dessert at all, especially since there was no boxer around to lecture him on how eating them was unhealthy. And throughout all of that, Setsuka stayed by his side, laughing and joking about whatever came to her mind.

Finally, as time passed as they went to different vendor stands, the sky became very dark. Only the lanterns kept the area lit up, which made Setsuka very excited. "We should head to the hills beside the road, those will be away from all of the lights! We can see the fireworks better!"

Nikei rolled his eyes, but he obliged and went with her to the green hills away from the lanterns. It was a patch of nature in the otherwise urban city, probably for the mental health of the apartment residents, but it was dark enough that the fireworks would stand out more than among the city lights.

After they finally sat down and relaxed, Setsuka turned her head to him with a smile. "This is a nice place. When's the last time we relaxed like this, Nik?" she asked.

"How would I know that? I have a job that I have to constantly be on my feet for, breaks are pretty rare," Nikei responded dryly. "And even then, I'm working. Journalism is my work, hobby, and specialty."

"But if it really was, it would be really hard to make bonds, hm?" The billiards player started leaning against the journalist with a teasing smile. "But you seem to have no trouble with that, right?"

Nikei leaned away from her slightly as his face heated up, unable to find the words to refute her. She did help him take more breaks and pace himself, and he ended up dating her after a while of not realizing that his classmates thought they were already dating. But even after this long, her flirts and teasing still could take him by surprise.

As he looked away and leaned back, Setsuka burst out laughing. "Ahaha, your reactions are still so adorable!" She got ahold of herself and leaned more on Nikei as she relaxed. "I'm a lucky girl, I'll admit that. How'd I end up with a cutie like you?"

"Hey, don't say stuff like that..." he quietly protested, though it was clear that his face was red-hot. He didn't know how he always got like this when Setsuka decided to be a little teasing towards him, he didn't think it was possible in the first place when he had just started talking with her more.

A sudden boom from above broke him out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see the sky starting to light up with fireworks as Setsuka gasped beside him. Despite Nikei's reluctance to go to the festival at first, he found himself starting up at the lights as if he were in a trance.

The fireworks blew up above him, Setsuka was leaned against his side, he still had one piece of dango left on his stick, and for the moment, it was like everything was right with his world.