The following Monday, the final bell rang, and students streamed out of the classrooms like migrating birds, buzzing excitedly about summer plans.
Trips. Beach days. Family vacations. Festivals.
Everyone seemed to have something lined up.
Everyone except... Yui.
She stood awkwardly beside her desk, fiddling with her bag strap.
Should I invite Mika somewhere...?
No, no, no, that's too forward!
But if I don't, we might not see each other at all during break...!
But what if Mika already has plans with someone else—?!
Her brain spiraled into a catastrophic daydream involving Mika jetting off with some cool older girl, leaving Yui weeping alone under a summer fireworks display.
"Yui~?"
A familiar voice pulled her back to reality.
Mika leaned lazily against Yui's desk, grinning.
"You look like you just imagined the end of the world."
Yui squeaked and almost dropped her bag.
"N-no! I was just... thinking!"
Mika raised an eyebrow.
"About what?"
Yui fumbled for an excuse.
"Uh... summer homework...?"
Mika chuckled, clearly not believing a word.
---
As the classroom emptied around them, Mika plopped herself into the chair in front of Yui's.
"So," she said casually, spinning around once.
"Got any plans for break?"
Yui hesitated, feeling her chance slipping away.
"I... not really..." she mumbled, staring at the floor.
Mika stopped spinning.
"Really?" she said, sounding almost surprised.
"I figured someone would've scooped you up already. You're pretty popular, you know."
Yui's face caught fire.
"I-I'm not popular!"
Mika smirked, clearly enjoying herself.
Yui gathered every scrap of courage she had.
"W-what about you, Mika...? Do you... have plans?"
Mika shrugged, resting her chin on her hand.
"Not really. My family's out of town. It's just me and a mountain of instant ramen at home."
Yui's heart thumped hopefully.
Does that mean she's free...?
An idea sparked, reckless and bright.
Before she could chicken out, Yui blurted,
"Th-then! M-maybe we could... hang out... sometimes... if you want...?"
She nearly died of embarrassment the second the words left her mouth.
Mika blinked at her.
Then a slow, warm smile spread across her face.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Yui's breath caught.
---
After school, they stopped at a nearby park, sitting on the swings while tossing around ideas.
"Beach trip?" Mika suggested.
Yui blanched.
"B-b-bathing suits...?"
Mika laughed wickedly.
"Aw, are you shy, kitten?"
Yui covered her red face with both hands.
"Okay, okay," Mika said, still grinning.
"No beach. What about a movie marathon? Horror movies?"
Yui shook her head frantically.
"I-I'll have nightmares for weeks!"
Mika chuckled and leaned back, swinging gently.
"You're adorable."
Yui pouted but couldn't deny the fluttery feeling in her chest.
---
As the evening deepened, they settled on a loose plan:
Visit the summer festival together.
Try out a new café Mika heard about.
Spend a lazy day binge-watching a safe, non-scary anime.
Yui felt lighter than she had in weeks.
I'll get to make summer memories with Mika...!
The thought alone made her heart soar.
---
Later that night, Yui lay in bed, texting Mika back and forth.
[Mika]: Don't stay up too late, kitten.
[Yui]: I-I won't! Goodnight, Mika!
[Mika]: Goodnight, Yui. Sweet dreams.
Yui hugged her phone to her chest, grinning so wide her cheeks hurt.
---
Meanwhile, Mika stared at her own phone, a goofy smile on her face.
She rolled over and buried her face in her pillow.
"Idiot," she mumbled affectionately.
But in truth, Mika couldn't remember the last time she was this excited for summer break.
Not because of trips, or food, or fireworks.
Because of Yui.
Always because of Yui.