BOOM!

"Ahh...!"

One would think their smiles couldn't get any bigger, the way Shindou and Kirino stared at the fireworks show, happy that it'd finally began. The best part of the festival! They tightened their grip, fingers intertwined, as if their excitement was just too much to handle.

Takuto almost smiled at the sight, it was a bit interesting. After doing nothing but floating around each other all night, blushing at even the tiniest brush of hands, at this moment, they couldn't be closer. They were very childish, but he liked how they still had that in them.

Thinking of childish wonder, Takuto looked over at Ranmaru, who wore looks like that all the time, especially whenever dabbling in an unfamiliar custom of Japan.

Holding the other's hand rather gently, Ranmaru stared up at the night sky wearing the calmest smile, as if he could get lost in it. Takuto kinda hoped he would a little but, as peaceful and content he looked, he wanted that feeling, that moment to last forever...

Although...

BOOM!

Ranmaru tightened his hold on Takuto's hand, just a tiny bit, before the firework exploded into wonderful colors. Perhaps the emotion of the event was getting to him as well. He really was just like the other two, wasn't he? Getting all worked up over such events. It was one of the things Takuto liked about him....

BOOM!

...

This time he saw Ranmaru's shoulders begin to shake.

For a moment, Kirino turned to look back at their two companions. Their entire night together had been filled with exploring their differences, it was fun. How, despite them having completely different lives, they were still comfortingly, amazingly, lovingly alike.

He wondered how they enjoyed the fireworks show, they had the same ones back then right? Kirino had hoped that the familiarity of a traditional festival would help them feel at home.

Instead, he watched as the two whispered to each other, quietly. Their expressions weren't the ones of fun he'd pictured... they looked a tiny bit concerned.

Ranmaru shook his head, "No, I'll be fine." He was still smiling but....

BOOM!

Even Kirino could see how Ranmaru's shoulders would shake.

...

...

"It's ok."

Ranmaru perked up when he felt Kirino wrap his arms around his waist, and rest his cheek on his shoulder. He nestled himself closer, wearing a reassuring look.

"You know when I was little, I used to get scared by the loud noise too, so Shindou would always cover my ears."

Shindou smiled at both of them, before sitting and resting against Kirino again, looking like he could fall asleep at any moment.

"I guess you're the same, right?" Kirino grinned at the both of them.

...

Ranmaru just stared at Kirino for a moment, as if lost in thought. Then, he relaxed and smiled sweetly, as if those simple words meant the world to him.

Ranmaru gently rubbed Kirino's hands, a gentle gesture of thanks...

Fwump.

Takuto sighed as all three others leaned against him, settling in to watch the rest of the show, or even sleep early.

They really were childish, just like he thought... but in the moment, he was a little thankful they still had that in them.