The next morning after the festival, Yui thought she would get a day to recover.
Instead, her phone buzzed aggressively with a message from Mika.
> Mika: "Get ready, kitten. I'm kidnapping you for the day."
Before Yui could even type a response, a second message came.
> Mika: "Swimsuit. Now. No arguments."
Yui stared at her phone, face rapidly heating up.
Swimsuit...?!
---
Forty minutes later, Mika showed up outside Yui's house in casual summer clothes — white shorts, a loose black tank top, sunglasses perched on her head.
Yui shuffled outside in an oversized hoodie, her bag clutched tightly in both hands.
"I-I'm not even sure if I have a proper swimsuit..." she mumbled, cheeks burning.
Mika laughed, tugging her along.
"You'll be fine. Besides," she added with a teasing smirk, "I bet you look cute in anything."
Yui practically combusted on the spot.
---
The destination turned out to be a small, private pool that Mika's cousin owned.
It was quiet, surrounded by trees and high walls, the water glistening invitingly under the summer sun.
Yui stood frozen at the edge, still wrapped in her hoodie like a security blanket.
Mika raised an eyebrow at her.
"You're not seriously planning to swim like that, are you?"
"I-It's embarrassing..." Yui muttered, fingers curling around the hem.
Mika walked up and leaned down slightly, her voice dropping into a mock-whisper.
"Kitten... if you don't take it off, I'll do it for you."
Yui yelped and stumbled backward, hurriedly tugging the hoodie over her head.
---
Underneath, she wore a simple light-blue two-piece swimsuit — nothing flashy, just cute and modest — but Mika felt like she'd been punched in the chest.
Her heart stuttered painfully at the sight of Yui's slender frame, her soft curves, her shy expression as she hugged herself.
"You're... you're adorable," Mika blurted before she could stop herself.
Yui turned scarlet.
"M-Mika!"
Laughing, Mika pulled her own tank top off, revealing a sporty black bikini underneath.
Yui nearly fainted.
Mika looked effortlessly cool, her toned arms catching the sunlight, her confident smirk making Yui's knees weak.
---
Before Yui could fully recover, Mika grabbed her hand.
"C'mon! First one in gets bragging rights!"
"W-wait, I'm not—AHH!"
Mika didn't wait — she scooped Yui up bridal-style and ran straight toward the pool.
Yui screamed, clinging to Mika for dear life.
"Mikaaaa!!"
With a loud splash, they plunged into the cool water together.
---
Yui surfaced spluttering, wiping her face.
"You're the worst!" she shouted, half laughing.
Mika floated nearby, flashing her a mischievous grin.
"You love me."
Yui turned even redder and smacked a small wave of water at her.
Mika retaliated immediately, and soon, a full-blown water war erupted.
---
They chased each other around the pool, Yui squealing and splashing desperately while Mika cornered her easily.
At one point, Yui tried to escape, but her foot slipped on the wet tiles.
"Ah—!"
Mika moved instinctively, catching her before she could fall.
They crashed back into the pool, Yui landing half on top of Mika, faces inches apart underwater.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to freeze.
Yui stared wide-eyed at Mika through the shimmering water, her hands clutching Mika's shoulders.
Mika stared right back, her heart pounding against her ribs.
So close...
They surfaced, coughing and laughing, but the tension lingered between them like a fragile thread.
---
Later, they sprawled side-by-side on large towels in the shade, drying off and eating popsicles Mika had packed.
Yui licked hers quietly, still blushing from earlier.
Mika watched her out of the corner of her eye.
How is she so cute doing literally nothing?
Yui noticed and glared weakly.
"Stop staring."
Mika chuckled and leaned closer.
"Can't help it. My kitten's adorable."
Yui whined softly, hiding her face behind her popsicle.
Mika grinned but let her be, lying back and closing her eyes.
The warm breeze, the scent of chlorine and sunscreen, the distant hum of cicadas... it all blended into a perfect lazy summer afternoon.
---
After a while, Yui spoke up, her voice small.
"Mika... thanks for today."
Mika cracked one eye open lazily.
"For what?"
"For... making memories with me."
Mika's heart squeezed painfully.
She reached out and ruffled Yui's damp hair gently.
"Anytime, kitten."
---
By the time the sun began to set, painting the sky in fiery oranges and soft purples, they packed up and started walking home — Yui with her hoodie draped loosely over her swimsuit, Mika carrying both their bags like it was nothing.
As they strolled, Mika casually slipped her hand into Yui's again.
No teasing this time.
Just simple, quiet warmth.
Yui squeezed back shyly, her heart floating somewhere near the clouds.
---
That night, lying in her bed, Yui hugged her tiny bunny plush tightly and replayed the day in her mind over and over.
Every splash.
Every laugh.
Every almost-too-close moment.
She smiled into her pillow.
Maybe... just maybe...
I'm falling for her.