Epilogue: What I Want to Convey to You at the End of Summer

                                    

                                          
A few days before before summer vacation ended.
                          
They were invited by Tsuyako to a fireworks festival at the riverbank near the school.
                          
It was convenient when everyone brought their sparklers and rocket fireworks, enjoying themselves. Speaking of fireworks, it certainly was an exciting plan to Koremitsu, who normally planned sparklers by himself at his own house.
                          
"It is the first time I am playing with fireworks by the riverbank too. So fireworks are not just played at private beaches, huh? Watching fireworks from pleasure boat or the top floor of a hotel does have their own charms, but the river does give a flowing vibe."
                          
Hikaru too was delighted.
                          
It will be great if you can bring your little sister along. Tsuyako said, and so, Koremitsu brought Shioriko along to play. Including the members of the Japanese dance club, Honoka and Michiru, there was also a sullen looking Tōjō and an overly chirpy Hiina Oumi.
                          
"Why are you two here?"
                          
Koremitsu asked as he stared at them, and while Tōjō's frown intensified, Hiina beside him poked her head out, speaking with clarity,
                          
"Well well, isn't this a good thing? It's good for us to be able to improve the closeness between upperclassmen and underclassmen."
                          
"I do not intend to improve my relationship with all of you, but rather, I am concerned that when Aoi comes here, if she gets hurt by the fire from the light or such, or if she gets hurt by the sparkers and rocket fireworks, so I came to have a look."
                          
Koremitsu was about to retort that Tōjō was being too overprotective, but in contrast,
                          
"Wait, Aoi will be coming?"
                          
"...Ah, yes, Aoi...and Asai."
                          
"Asa too?"
                          
And just when both Koremitsu and Hikaru were looking extremely stunned.
                          
"Welcome, Miss Aoi, Miss Asai. It is good that both of you are able to make it as promised."
                          
Standing in front of the grinning Tsuyako was the frozen face Aoi and the stern looking Asai.
                          
"I-I just want to play with some fireworks."
                          
Aoi looked back and forth between Tsuyako and Asai, meeting them in the eyes before she answered, this, and Asai shot Tsuyako a frigid stare, answering brusquely,
                          
"I am just here to supervise all of you so that you do not get into trouble."
                          
Tsuyako gave a bewitching smile, saying,
                          
"Is that so? But I am glad both of you are willing to accept my invitation. Please enjoy yourselves however you want."
                          
Asai's eyes still seemed cold, and Aoi too turned her head aside, looking perturbed and annoyed, her eyebrows frowning.
                          
Both of them left the scene without looking at each other
                          
But after that, the candle used for lighting fireworks was blown out due to the wind, and Aoi tried using the lighter to light the candle again, only to no avail. At this moment, Asai approached her.
                          
"If you are going to cover the candle from the wind using just your fingers, 10 years will be insufficient for you to light it. Please lend me that."
                          
Aoi turned her head around in shock, and upon seeing Asai, immediately straightened her back as she showed a feisty glint in her eyes.
                          
"I can do this myself. Please hand me that lighter."
                          
And after she said this with a convicted voice, she reached her hand out.