(N.T. Odekakeshimashou, "Let's Go Out")
The decorations of the stalls caught Miyu's attention as she observed every detail. She was so focused that she didn't notice Adonis approaching.
— Hey, shorty!
Hearing his voice, she startled slightly. Miyu turned to him, already blushing, eyes wide.
— Ah, Adonis!
— But today you're not that short — he said, looking her up and down.
— Ah… I bought platform shoes…
— Isn't it uncomfortable?
— No… and it's actually interesting to see the world from above…
The boy found those words amusing and tried to hold back his laughter, bringing a hand to his mouth. Even so, the girl noticed and clenched her hands, annoyed.
— Hey, stop laughing, you're tall!
— Hey, calm down, I just thought it was cute…
Taking a deep breath, he managed to compose himself. He called Miyu by name and brought his mouth close to her ear, whispering something that made her face turn even redder.
The girl's immediate reaction was to cover her face, making him curious about what she would do next. She turned her back to him, which made him anxious, that wasn't what he expected. But soon he was surprised when she turned her face back toward him.
— So, shall we go? — Miyu asked.
The situation had flipped, and now it was Adonis who was blushing. The two didn't say anything else. They walked together quickly toward the school exit. They were so nervous that they didn't notice when they passed right by Yukino, who had just arrived at the festival.
Yukino noticed the two together and felt awkward.
— YUKINO!
She had barely arrived when she heard Akiko's voice calling her from afar. She quickly spotted her friend and was impressed by her radar for finding her.
As lively as ever, Akiko had her arm raised, waving. She weaved through the crowd to reach her friend. Yukino, still shy, slowly raised her hand to greet her.
— Hi, Aki…
— Yukino, you're here! — called a male voice.
The boy grabbed Yukino's hand, and she immediately looked to see who it was.
— I've been looking for you everywhere — said the boy, who was about her height and seemed around her age.
— I… just got here.
Also surprised by the gesture, Akiko stopped in her tracks. She found it strange how casually he had taken Yukino's hand and stood there, watching from a distance. Meanwhile, the boy continued talking:
— I told my mom we're dating.
Yukino heard that with wide eyes, but soon put on a cynical expression.
— But we're not.
— I asked some friends, and they said if a couple stays together for more than a month, it's dating. It's been three for us.
— And since when do your friends decide that? You can't decide on your own what we are.
Her seemingly controlled, serious expression hid the anger building inside her as she listened. She had decided not to make a scene in the middle of the courtyard, but she would respond to each statement the way she thought he deserved.
— Alright, alright… That's just a detail, pay attention to me first… — the boy continued.
Detail?, Yukino thought.
— So today I was getting dressed, and inside my drawer there was a pack of condoms. I even asked, "Mom, what's this?" and she said, "Use it, okay!" So I thought… we could go by my place today.
As the boy kept talking, Yukino's eyes widened more and more, and she had to keep her anger in check. His invitation didn't stop there.
— Since you said we're not dating, we could start. And you look really good. Only makes it better.
Yukino's face hardened at his last remarks. Her expression became severe, as did her voice. Now it was his turn to hear her answer, and she was ready to give it:
— Your mother has never seen me. She's never even spoken to me. And she's already decided what kind of person I am? On her own?
— But I told her you were older, it's normal to think that, right? — the boy said, startled, sweating nervously as he tried to justify himself.
— I'm only one year older. That doesn't even make sense.
— But… something could happen between us, right?
— Us!? I already told you there is no us. Put yourself in your place and have your mother do the same — Yukino snapped, pointing a finger angrily at him.
With a shrug, she continued walking into the courtyard while he tried calling her back. She got farther and farther away, and he noticed some people staring at him, which made him embarrassed.
— Yukino? — Akiko asked, seeing her walk past.
The girl kept walking despite the call, but Akiko insisted.
— Girl, what just happened?
Yukino stopped, her expression still severe. For a moment she glanced at Akiko from the corner of her eye, then looked forward again. Her low voice carried neither shyness nor embarrassment, only contained anger and indignation.
— Sorry, Akiko. I don't want to talk right now.
But her moment alone wouldn't be respected. Ahead, the same boy pointed at her while talking to an older student.
— The one with dark hair? — the senior asked.
— Yeah, next to the purple-haired one.
The older boy went up to Yukino, who tried to escape, but the crowd didn't allow her to move quickly. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward the other side of the courtyard.
— Look, I got paid, so I'm locking you up, that's the rule!
— What!? Wait! What do you mean? Lock him up instead of me.
— Got money to switch?
— No.
— Then I'm locking you up.
And just like that, Yukino was dragged to the festival's jail.
— Yukino, what kind of bad luck is this? — Akiko asked, stunned.
At the back of the school, outside the walls, Adonis and Miyu walked together. The place was quiet, a complete contrast to the commotion inside. They stopped in front of each other, their eyes meeting but also avoiding. There was no tension between them, just shyness, as if each needed to say something.
— I think this is good, what do you think? — Adonis said, taking the lead.
— Yeah… There's no one around.
— Shorty… First… can we talk?
— Yes, we can.
— So… Sorry for kissing you on impulse… But I meant it seriously… So I wanted to know…
Adonis' eyes met Miyu's. Serious and steady, without even stuttering, he asked:
— Will you date me?
Miyu stayed silent, looking at him. A few seconds passed and she remained like that. Then suddenly she spoke, harshly, different from what he expected. What had been romantic turned into an argument in seconds.
— Adonis, you don't start things from the end!
— What do you mean from the end?
— You said we'd talk, but you started with the question! I thought you were going to tell me why you took so long to talk about this.
— But… there were so many times you avoided me! We talked more before the kiss, I got confused!
— But we talk on the phone.
— Of course, I bought it for that!
Adonis tilted his head back slightly and ran both hands over his face and through his hair. As he did, he took a deep breath, frustrated that things weren't going as planned. That's why Aiden doesn't date seriously, he thought.
— Whatever! I like you. What do you want me to say? I've never liked anyone! I never even thought I would! I want to seriously date you… And I want to know if you want the same.
This time Miyu blushed. Her heart raced, and she looked at him differently. It felt like they understood each other just by looking.
— I do, Adonis!
A smile appeared on her face. Adonis' heart raced too, but despite his flushed cheeks, he wasn't shy. Gently, he lifted Miyu's chin, and their lips drew close. They stayed there, together, embraced among the trees along the sidewalk.
Inside the school walls, the party continued lively, and everyone walked around enjoying the stalls. But for Yukino it was different, she remained inside the jail in the middle of the courtyard, annoyed. Her arms crossed and eyes closed, she tried at least to use that moment to rest. But even that wasn't possible, the loud music, the people talking, and what had just happened kept irritating her.
Seki, responsible for guarding the jail, had been watching her for about twenty minutes and began to feel bothered.
— Yukino, you've been there a while. You really don't have money?
— I do, but I'm not spending it on this.
— Seriously, you'd rather stay locked up than spend?
— Yes! But if you want to let me out as a friend…
— Rules are rules, no pay, you stay locked.
— Good guard, that's right! — Yukino gave a provocative little smile.
— WERE YOU TESTING ME?
— …YES. But if it worked, I wouldn't have complained…
— Ugh… Okay, but how did you end up here? Got into trouble with someone?
— No. It's because I didn't want to sleep with the guy who locked me up.
— WHAT!? HOW DID IT GET TO THAT!?
Seki's question went unanswered. Yukino just lowered her head, staring into nothing. He realized she was uncomfortable with the subject and chose not to push further. Instead, he asked something else.
— But you didn't even let Akiko pay for you.
— She doesn't have to spend on this.
— But then she got upset. It's obvious you're punishing yourself.
Again Yukino stayed quiet, but this time it was a reflective silence.
— You're still here?
This time it was the boy who had locked her up. Immediately, Yukino lifted her head and faced him, his foolish smile directed at her.
— So, you're not coming out?
— No, I'm not spending money on your nonsense.
— But I don't want to pay for you to get out.
— Did I ask you to?
— Are you mad? It was just a joke.
— Wow, I'm having so much fun, haha.
Yukino's look no longer hid her irritation. Her sarcasm was heavy and unsettling for the boy. His smile faded, and he tried to hide that he felt intimidated.
— Fine, I'll pay then…
The boy handed two reais to Seki, who thanked him and put it in the senior class box. With that, the gate was opened and Yukino walked out in a straight line, without looking back.
— Hey, hey, that's it? I let you out. — the boy complained.
— Are you crazy!? Not even my dogs act for rewards like that.
— Alright, I get it. But if we're ending things, maybe we could have one last kiss.
A hand pressed against the boy's chest, stopping him. He looked up, confused, seeing Seki blocking him.
— Hey, leave the girl alone. You've gone too far.
— Hey man, stay out of it! — the boy said, taking an aggressive stance.
— Go wash your face, get some water…
Seki was holding back his temper, bothered that a kid like that was challenging him.
The lights of the entire school suddenly went out. The confrontation was interrupted. It was late and dark. Yukino thought about taking the chance to leave.
Everyone found it strange, but no one moved to leave the school. They thought it was just a temporary overload issue.