_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

"Oh? (Y/n)... you're dreaming right now, aren't you?"

The mere sentence awakens Mikey as he jolts up with a gasp. A beat followed. He sits up, tears beginning to edge his eyes as they roll down his cheeks surprisingly. He sat there until he registered the droplets on his face. He wiped them dry, seemingly perplexed with furrowed brows. "Tears? Why?" He decided to brush it off and got up from his bed.

He rubbed his neck, making his way to the couch to read the newest entry (Y/n) had written. After he finished reading it, he couldn't help but exclaim. "Huh? I'm going today?" A groan was let out as he placed the journal down. "I'd rather just be home..." The words repeated in his mind as he pursed his lips. He then walked his way out of his room, beginning the day.

"Tomorrow is the Summer Festival, and you will go with Emma and Shinichiro! I was told you don't usually go for some reason, so I told them you'd be dressing up and having fun this time. You better be ready by 3 p.m! And you better tell me if you had fun. I like reading your entries."

In (Y/n)'s home, she sits up on her bed, having just woken up. She stared at her shaded window, the sunlight begging to be freed. A small melancholy smile forms as she plays with her hair. "I hope you have fun."

Later in the day, Mikey was hanging out in Emma's room out of pure boredom, watching her fix her hair and apply some makeup here and there. Mikey had already put his on a green Kimono robe. Pout forms on the boy's face. "Hurry up! You're taking so long." His sister blows a raspberry and returns to what she was doing. "We have plenty of time, and it's not like we're rushing." With the final touch of her adding blush, she's all set.

Emma stood up and turned her body to her brother. "Well, what do you think? Think Draken will notice?" He thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe," He then sat up, unconsciously playing with his bracelet, "you go on a date with him nearly every week. I'm sure he's bound to notice." She beamed at the response and hurried her way out of her room. Mikey followed behind, soon reaching the living room to see his brother sitting on the couch, dressed up too.

When hearing their footsteps, he looks up and smiles. "Took ya long enough, Emma."

"Shush!"

"Fine, fine," Shinichiro says, standing up and heading towards the door. "Let's go."

After changing into her uniform, (Y/n) let out an exhale, approaching the mirror and fixing her hair. She thought back to Mikey. A smile presented itself at the thought of him. "Wish I were him." Envy was laced in her voice, "He must be having fun with his friends..." She abruptly stopped doing her hair, her body freezing, when she realized tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm... Why?"

Once the Sano siblings had reached their destination at the festival, they split up. Shinichiro went to look for his friends while Mikey stuck with Emma and Draken, being the third wheel as always. Maybe if he found Baji or Mitsuya mid-way, he could ditch the two, so they could finally be alone. The three went to many food stands, ordered some sweets, played games, and enjoyed themselves.

Draken, at one point, had won a stuffed animal that Emma was eyeing and gave it to her with a big grin. She blushed tremendously and formed a sheepish smile, hugging the animal against her chest. Mikey smiled at the sight. 'Get together already,' were his thoughts. He decided to tease them a bit, gaining embarrassed yells while laughing. Eventually, after following them for a while, he found Baji. He decided to sneak on him, and once he approached, he placed his hands on his shoulder and surprised the ravenette.

Kazutora, Chifuyu, Takemichi, and his girlfriend, Hina, were all surprised at him with Baji. Baji was quick to start yelling at him and threatened to punch him. Mikey just laughed and gave some retort, resulting in his friend starting to chase him.

"I wanted to go to the festival,"

Mikey would remember the small entry she continued; his mood somewhat lowered as he gradually stopped running.

"but if it so happens that you end up going, just have fun! It would've been selfish if I were to go, anyway."

Baji had finally caught up with him with heavy breaths, the others approaching with laughs and smiles, Kazutora teasing the ravenette only to receive a glare.

"And tell Chifuyu I said hi! I bet he looks handsome right now!"

At a food stand, Mikey stands alone, eating a taiyaki, and lost in his thoughts, while the others go to get their snacks. He puffed his cheeks at that sentence she wrote and took a big bite out of the treat. His friends eventually came back, all munching on their food. Chifuyu talked with Takemichi and Hina until he noticed Mikey staring at him in his peripheral. Looking over at him with a raised brow, Mikey's eyes narrowed before dramatically looking away.

'Did I do something?'

Takemichi just glanced at the two, his eyes lingering on Mikey, then back to talking to them. They eventually started moving again to see if there was anything that'll catch their attention. Mikey walked behind them surprisingly, eyes glued on the pavement. Takemichi noticed this yet again and decided to walk at his pace. "Mikey-kun," The light blond looked up and replied with a hum. The bleached-blond boy hesitated but finally stated, "you're like a different person today. Something wrong?"

"Eh? You think so?" He muttered, feeling a cold sweat on his cheek. Suddenly, a significant drop of water hits the top of their heads, making them look up at the sky to see it begin to pour. "Ah, shit!" Baji cursed, protecting his food, while Kazutora glanced around the area and spotted a bench between the stands, "Over there!" They didn't hesitate to run over, holding their hands over their head to form some protection.

They arrived, and all leaned against the empty stands. The rain poured, and a calming sensation surrounded them. Hina sighed, looking up at the sky. "Guess that's the end of the festival, huh?" Chifuyu huffed, biting the last piece of his treat. "It hasn't even been three hours! They should've canceled it."

"Wonder what Emma and Draken are doing now." Hina pondered, a finger on her chin. "I bet it's something romantic, though!"

"Maybe, but Draken is too much of a pussy to ask her out," Baji smirked, with Kazutora laughing and agreeing. The group decided to pass the time by just sharing some jokes and stories here and there, except for Mikey. Sure he would intervene and say a few things, but he'll keep to himself and stare off into space. Hina had finished her laughter with the boys and couldn't help but glance at the commander.

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

"Oh? The rain is lighting up." Kazutora mentioned. He stuck his hand out, feeling the heavy downpour now become drizzling. "Guess it's time to go." Hina still held her look at Mikey, words etching to pour out. Takemichi smiled as the group began making their way to the exit. They arrived at the entrance, Baji, Kazutora, and Chifuyu waving goodbye, then went on their way.

Takemichi held Hina's hand, turned to his friend, and smiled at him. "See you, Mikey-kun!" The light blond gave him a closed-eyed smile and waved back. "Stay safe, you two." The couple then turned around and began walking off, leaving Mikey alone to wait for his siblings. Hina glanced at him again, abruptly stopping and catching Takemichi surprised. "Hina?" She turns to him and smiles. "I'll be back!"

She lets go of his hand and paces back to Mikey, her getas clicking against the concrete and alerting Mikey. He glanced at her with confusion. Did she forget something? But that wasn't the case as she had made her way to him and offered a gentle smile. "Sorry! I couldn't help but notice how occupied you were with your thoughts throughout the festival, and I just wanted to make sure you're okay." His eyes widen at the sincere concern. He blinked, then smiled. "Ah, I'm fine, don't worry!"

But she didn't seem convinced. She stared dead into his eyes, making the boy form a sweat. "Mikey," She backed off, "you... sorry if I'm wrong, but were you thinking about your crush?" He slightly jumped at that sudden accusation. "Huh? What are you talking about." He tried denying it, but his cheeks said otherwise. She just giggled. "Sorry if that came out of the blue, but I had a feeling those eyes were longing for someone. I know a thing or two about it myself." Her cheeks turned red at the thought of her boyfriend, but she quickly shook it off and turned around.

"That's all I wanted to say; take care!" She then hurries back to her boyfriend, interlocking their hands together, and walks off.

The sun had officially set as the sky began to darken. Mikey was waiting for Shinichiro to arrive. Emma had texted him saying that Draken walked her home and apologized for not telling sooner. Eh, it was alright, though. He couldn't escape his thoughts about her entries. Whenever his mind drifted away from something else, it eventually returned to her. "By the time the festival is over, the comet will be visible in the sky." He recalled. That sentence always stuck out for him. It wasn't reported on the news a comet would be approaching. "What is she talking about?" He muttered, rubbing his neck as he gazed at the sky.

He pulled out his flip phone to text his brother where the hell he was but came halted when he saw her contact. (Y/n)'s number.

'Oh yeah! Here's my number just in case you want to call. Though, I doubt you'll ever do.'

He presses it, her name being presented with a smiley face beside it. A beat of silence passes. He was actually nervous. The invincible Mikey was nervous calling a girl. He bit his inner cheek and pressed the call button, a soft ring played as his phone dialed. He pressed it against his ear, his heart pounding intensely.

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

It's daytime in (Y/n)'s room. Her phone rings as it lays on the floor vibrating. Her hand gently picks it up, flipping it open and pressing it against her ear. She listened to the caller on the other end, beaming when she recognized the voice. "Oh, it's you, Riko... No, we were fine, we just explored, that's all... What? The festival?" She sits on the floor, looking to the side, "Oh yeah, the comet. Today's the brightest it'll get, right?" She then smiled. "Okay, sound good. See you later."

It soon then turned night. Shops are lined up selling food, snacks, and sparklers. Families walk around enjoying the event. Some women wear yukatas. Riko and Sadako wait for (Y/n) on the wooden bench near the vending machine. "Admit it." Riko began, "You just want to see her in a yukata." Sadako nearly chokes on her drink, glaring at her friend. "W-What? No! What gave you that idea, anyway?"

Riko just rose a brow at her while the ravenette rolls her eyes. "Hey," her voice sounded somber, "she sounded kind of down." Riko gives her a sly stare, "Maybe she doesn't want to hear your voice." Sadako started to grow annoyed, clicking her tongue. "Riko, c'mon." The girl just giggled, closing her eyes until a familiar voice intervened. "Sorry, I'm late."

"Oh, finally!"

"Took you long enough."

But once they looked at her, they gasped. Their body freezes and shock spreads across their face. Sadako is speechless as Riko pointed at her.

"Your... your... your..."

"Oh my god! (Y/n), what happened?!"

Finally getting the words out, Sadako screeched. "Your hair!" (Y/n) wore a pretty, (F/c) yukata with her new (H/l) hair. She wraps her finger around her hair, red across her face as the girls noticed her missing bracelet. She smiled, though, it looked sad. "Looks kinda funny, huh." She chuckled to herself. Later, the three walk along a quiet road. Rice fields spread across the land around them with crickets creating music. (Y/n) walks ahead, alone. Riko and Sadako follow a few paces behind.

"You think some guy is the reason? Ditched, maybe?" Riko muttered.

"She rejected Ryuusei-san so I don't see why she's upset. Plus, why do people associate cutting hair with breakups? She said she just felt like it." Sadako whispered.

"Really? She just felt like cutting off that much hair? I have a feeling you did something with her today."

"I didn't do anything! I said we just explored so I don't know why she'll be upset about that! Maybe it's because we left early, that could be it."

"Oh!" The girls stop their babbling when they hear (Y/n) exclaim from afar. She stood on top of the road's cliff, pointing to her right. "Hey! You can see it!" The (H/c)ette takes off and reaches the apex of the road. A small dirt path diverges down the side of the mountain as she jogs excitedly. She manages to reach a vast open field, staring up at the open sky; clouds in the distance. Amongst the sea of stars, is a large comet, blue in color with a turquoise and magenta tail that stretches across the entire sky.

Her hair flows gently against the wind, her friends catching up, all in awe at the sight. "Wow..." Sadako mumbled while Riko grinned and held onto the ravenette's arm.

As pretty as it was, (Y/n)'s eyes stared wide-eyed, body freezing up. A small piece of the comet breaks apart, it diverges from the initial trajectory, growing red as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

The number you are trying to reach is not available, or has been turned--

BEEP!

Mikey hangs up the phone, pulled it away by his ear, and stared at her contact. 'I'll just tell her about this train-wreck of a festival next time we swap.' He thought, snapping out of them though when he finally notices his brother approaching him, apologizing for how long he took. Mikey just narrowed his gaze and puffed his cheeks, slightly hitting his arm as the two began making their way home.

"Well, that was the plan. But... For whatever reason, after that, (Y/n) and I never switched places again."

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐