Chapter 1 (140): "X equals the plus 5 to the variant of a cultural festival."

In the town of Ichinose, during a day in March, with the sunset, the young Nariyuki Yuiga was walking wiping his tears with a handkerchief after having an emotional talk with his world history teacher, Mafuyu Kirisu. The boy was walking with a smile drawn on his mouth, thinking about the words his teacher had said to them.

"You worked so hard! All this time... You really gave it everything! You're all amazing! I'm so proud of you!"

- Wow - said Yuiga to himself - Sensei had only shown us that part of her when she was drunk... in the end, she's really like that. -

"I love you!"

Remembering those words, Nariyuki stopped, looking at the ground remembering something.

-Those words of Sensei's...- Nariyuki thought as a slight blush ran down both of his cheeks. - Somehow... they made me think... of that thing that happened at the cultural festival...".

(Flashback)

"Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"

People around Ichinose Elementary excitedly shouted the countdown for the launching of the fireworks. As the people yelled excitedly, Fumino, Rizu and Uruka were being pushed by their friends in the direction of Nariyuki, all with the intention of making the legend come true for them. However, as the three of them bumped into Nariyuki, he fell right on top of Mafuyu and Asumi, who were distracted looking up at the sky, intending to enjoy the show.

As Nariyuki inadvertently pushed them, the whole five of them were left on the ground, with the three students being on top of Yuiga and the two veterans underneath.

"We apologize for this. We'll fic it right away, so please wait a moment."

-Are you all right?!" shouted Yuiga worriedly, still trapped between the girls.

All five of them, at that moment, stood completely paralyzed with embarrassment and blushing.

-Is something wrong? - said Nariyuki confused.

-No! Not at all! - said the girls at the same time as they tried to move to get up.

However, without any of them being able to get up in time, five fireworks lit up the night sky above the school, perplexing all of them.

Slowly, they all looked at Nariyuki, who was being touched by each of the five girls, and he was a bit confused.

-What's wrong?" asked Nariyuki innocently as they all started to turn totally red, proceeding to scream the next second, scaring and worrying the boy.

(End of Flashback)

Nariyuki came back to reality, shaking his head repeatedly.

- Nah - he thought - It's just a legend... without any foundation.

Looking ahead, he saw a few meters away from him was Uruka, who was leaning against the wall separating the roadway where they were with a park. She was looking down with a smile.

- Oh... Uruka - said the boy cheerfully calling her attention.

-Hi! - said the ebony girl without losing her smile.

They both started to walk while Nariyuki told him what had happened with Mafuyu.

- Wow, what a story! - said Uruka as she walked along the edge of the roadway as if it was a tightrope - I'm so happy for Rizurin and Fuminocchi! -

- Yes. - Yuiga said wiping away a small tear. - Just remembering it makes me tear up again! -

- You too Nariyuki! - said the girl closing her eyes and smiling - I'm so happy for you! -

-All of us! - said the boy looking at her smiling - You too Uruka! -

- Heh heh Victory! - said the girl excitedly - Now we finally done with cramming all the time! We're free! -

- I knew you'd say that. - said Nariyuki excited to see her happy.

The young girl, then, looked at the ground a little bit nervous.

- It's now or never Uruka - she thought nervously and gave herself a boost. - Tell him, tell him how you feel about him. You promised yourself. Once the exams are over, you will tell him how you feel. One simple word. I love you. I'm crazy about you. But I'm so ashamed! No, this is no time to chicken out. Come on! -

Takemoto stopped and sighed heavily, intending to confess.

- Everything will be different now, won't it? - said Nariyuki somewhat saddened before the girl could say anything, who looked at him confused. - I mean, everyone will go their own way. You will go overseas, Furahashi and Ogata to university, Kominami-senpai entered medical school.... Even Kirisu-sensei, we won't see her again... feels sad... -

Uruka looked at Nariyuki with glassy eyes as Nariyuki continued saying.

- That's why... I'd like that, this short time we all have left together, while the next term starts, we all have a great time and be happy. Don't you think so? - said the boy looking at her with a sad, but at the same time happy smile.

For a few seconds, for Uruka, time stopped.

-God... Nariyuki, you idiot... - Uruka thought on the verge of tears - How can you make my heart feel this way? With those words... How can I tell you how I feel? You're right, we have very short time left together... I don't want anything to change. That interviewer, he also asked me if I wanted to go overseas earlier to start training... but, I said no, so that I could enjoy more time together with you.... together with the girls... I can't. Right now, I can't afford for anything to change between us. So... I'll just wait... a little bit longer.

-Yes. - said the girl with a smile - Let's enjoy it to the fullest Nariyuki.

They both smiled with happiness.

-Hey... How about we all go on a graduation trip together? - said Uruka tenderly. - Rizurin, Fuminocchi and I have been talking about it and we think it's a good idea, what do you think? -

- Really? - said the boy excited about the idea - I think it's fantastic! Let's have an unforgettable trip Uruka!

- Yes! - said the girl enthusiastically - Let's have an unforgettable trip!

They both started walking again, not knowing that, in truth, it would be an unforgettable trip, especially for Yuiga Nariyuki.

Chapter end