Underneath The Bandages, You Are Prettier Than Anyone

resident is scheduled to give the closing speech on stage.
The performers will then take the stage again, so I’ll be waiting here.”

“And I have to return the instruments and equipment I borrowed by the end of the day, and also finish cleaning up asap.
After that, I think we’re all gonna have a congratulatory party.” Akina also had things to do.

“G–Got it.
So it’s one more day of coming back home late…”

Since she has to stay in the waiting room, enjoying the festival with her would be impossible.
I hoped I could have a fun time with her while enjoying our first high school festival.
However, I knew it would be difficult in the first place, I truly knew…

But I still couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed and sad over it.

“President, do we still have some time until the closing speech?” Yuki asked the council president, and she nodded.

“Well, considering the time of each performance, it’ll still be a while until then.”

“Is it fine if I step out for a little bit, then…?”

“Do you need something?”

“Yes.
I have something I was looking forward to all day, and I’d like to do it while I can.”

“Yeah, it’s fine then.
I’ll send you a message when it’s time, so be sure to come back.”

“Thank you!” Yuki bowed to the president, then grabbed my hand.
“Haru-kun, follow me! I want you to come with me.”

“Is that okay? Even if I do—”

“You have to be there.
C’mon!” She lead me along, her hand in mine, and we left the waiting room together.

We walk through the excited students watching the rest of the performances, though not many of them noticed she came out.
It was partly due to the sheer darkness of the place and the fact they were laser-focused on the stage.
Sneakily, we both walk away from there.

After we stepped out of the gym, Yuki smiled tenderly at me.

“Haru-kun, we can’t play for too long, but let’s enjoy the festival together.”

“Yuki… So is the thing you wanted to do…?”

“Yeah, it was walking around with you.
I was wondering if I could somehow do it after my performance, so I’m glad the president allowed it.”

“I see, so I wasn’t the only one.”

We both wanted to enjoy the festival together, and it wasn’t my sole wish to do so.
Yuki also felt the same.
Knowing that, an overpowering bliss filled every crevice in my chest.

“The students should all be at the concert right now, so there aren’t many people lined up at the stalls.
Let’s go around as many places as we can, Yuki.”

“Yeah! Let’s make lots of memories, Haru-kun!”

The diva who shone so brightly for every student at that stage smiled, now shimmering only for me.