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-9-

『July 15th』

It's the last day of the A fest. I don't have much to say, even in my timeline Maria couldn't go so I was by myself, it kinda sucked but whatever.

Even if nothing can change I my world, I want you never to experience the pain I did. By you being with Kakeru is the only way to save everyone. And if I could fall for him, I'm sure your halfway there.

After all, I am you.

"Why do you keep trading posts with Naho? If you need to be with her?" I asked Suwa as he threw away the empty snow cones in the brown trash beside me.

"Everyone's rooting for Naho and Kakeru, I told them that I'm on their team too," he took his bottle from the table. "Though considering he gave you that necklace I'm mostly on your team."

He drank from the black water bottle, his parents got us he same bottle just one in white and black so we can tell the difference. It keeps our drinks cold while we're working out here.

"Shut up, he's not even into me."

Suwa wiped his lips, closed the bottle and placed it back beside me. He rolled his eyes and said whatever before going back to work.

"Now if you had to pick between the three of us who would it be?" I could hear Azusa from my post, she was standing on the right of Naho and Takako was on the left.

Kakeru shook his head as he glanced at all three girls. "I'm not saying."

Azusa laughed and teased him, Suwa watching the whole situation go down.

When the sun set, I changed into something comfortable. I wore a black tank with one or two large lilacs decorating it along with matching shorts. I had on black sandals, besides me Azusa was the only one out of uniform.

The entire gang and I went to watch the outdoor stage, Azusa who had been eating practically everything had been dubbed "food drunk" by Takako.

At some point a float had to pass through, and Kakeru had to stay back with Naho while we continued.

We saw the Miss and Mr. A contest, Ueda and Hagita winning the crown. Hagita came back only to argue with Azusa as Kakeru looked towards me.

"You wanna head to the pool now?"

"Sure." I replied, Suwa looking at the both of us. Kakeru asked to meet me there. I looked at Suwa who smiled innocently before I spoke up.

"Okay, don't be to late." I warned, walking off in the direction of the pool.

It was quiet on the campus, I clutched onto my phone in case of anything. Though it's mid-July I wasn't expecting it to get cold after the sun went down. It wasn't majorly cold but I knew I was gonna freeze sooner or later.

"Well look who it is."

Ueda and her crew of two were leaning on the wall, the dark hair one saying hello while the blonde remained silent.

"Didn't I tell you to back off?" I sighed, my hands on my hips.

"I need you to get these boxes to 3-2 room." She gestured to the boxes on the floor, the brunette adding to her comment.

"We have other stuff to do." She picked at her nails, barely sparing a glance.

"Well I'm busy so figure it out."

The blonde finally spoke up, still filing her nails. "You better get moving sweetie the teacher is waiting. She needs it done."

"Don't call me sweetie, I don't time for this."

Finally walking away Ueda spoke up again.

"Well if that's the case let me have your necklace."

I stopped, turning back with my arms crossed. "You must be outta your mind."

She took a step forward, her eyes looked on to mine. "Give it to me."

I sighed. "Fine." I walked over to the box beside her, it was surprisingly heavily. "I'll hand it to you!" I threw the box at her as she screamed, it landed in her midsection and she fell.

The blonde ran over to her asking if she was alright as the other yelled out to me who was running away.

The didn't bother to stop me, and I stopped at the entrance of the pool. Suwa and Hagita waiting at the gate.

"You're late." Hagita commented, pushing up his glasses.

I kept panting, trying to regain composure. "I.. Threw a box at Ueda and.. Ran here."

They both were surprised as I caught my breath and stood up straight. "I'll tell you about it later, the fireworks are about to start." I was walking past them before I realized something. "Suwa!"

He turned and yelled, "what?"

"Why aren't you with Naho! You idiot! Go find her!"

He smiled as I gave him a thumbs up, Hagita looked at both of us completely lost on the situation. My brother left to go find her as I ran to the pool.

"Kakeru! Sorry I'm late!"

He was standing on the other side of the pool, me walking over to him.

"I thought you stood me up for a minute." He chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"I would never, I was really happy when agreed to go with me." I bumped his shoulder as he blushed. "I had to throw a box, don't ask." I told him him turning to me.

"What?" He laughed, us facing each other. "Are you alright?"

He reached for my hands and looked at my palms, I chuckled and shook my head. "I'm fine Kakeru." I didn't pull away, he met my eyes and nodded.

The fireworks began, the bright colors reflecting on the water. I let my left hand fall to my side and tighten my grip onto Kakeru's hand. It fell in between our bodies as we watched the fireworks in silence.

"[Name]."

I hummed in response, he licked his lips and continued to face towards the multicolored fireworks display.

"Earlier I was asked between Naho, Azusa and Takako who would I date."

I nodded. "Yeah I kinda overheard.."

He let out a breath, "well then you know I said I couldn't say." I gave him an affirmed nod. "Well it's because I wouldn't choose any of them, I would choose you."

My [eye color] eyes widen. My breath hitched.

Me?

I didn't want to question him, in fact I think I feel the same way. Naho was lucky, to find someone as nice as Kakeru, well in the last timeline.

In a small whisper, I looked at the pool where you could see the reflection of fireworks. "Same."

Was that really the best I could do?