Chapter 8
Later in the night, the girls all go outside, planning to set off fireworks and have as much fun as possible until the next day. They stand some fireworks up in the sand as yukari takes out a box of matches to light them.
Yukari: "Ok, everyone ready?"
She crouches down and lights the fireworks, then runs back to where everyone else is so she's a safe distance from them. While the fireworks shoot off in the sky, Kaori cant help but shake how she felt earlier, about how amazing it felt, and about how lucky she is. She can't stop staring at Sakaki, no matter how many bright lights and loud sounds go off on the outside world. Meanwhile in Sakaki's mind, she's dealing with some other conflicting emotions, namely what the feeling was when she and Kaori kissed. It was at the least just a little game, and at the most a kind gesture to make Kaori feel better, yet she felt something more. Something real. She looked down at her shorthaired companion, who quickly looked back at the fireworks, still blushing and shaking just a bit. She realised just how much more the kiss meant to Kaori. It explains a lot about some stuff in the past, like whenever she stared in class or zoned out while looking in Sakaki's direction, or even why she wanted to ride in Yukari's car despite the carsickness and why she failed to ask her to come to astronomy club. She finally got it. Kaori didnt just look up to her, Kaori loved her. Hell, it wasn't even just love, it's an obsession. So much was becoming clear now. As she continues to think, she decides to make her night just a little more special and holds her hand softly, interlocking fingers as they both look into the sparkly sky of wonders. Kaori starts to tear up softly and leans her head against Sakaki's shoulder, praying it's not all just a dream about to end. Osaka looks back at the two, seemingly the only one to do so, and notices what's going on, but doesn't really say anything and just 180's back around to the fireworks with one of her trademark stiff turns.
Kaori: "D-do you think even someone like me can find true love...?"
Sakaki: She looks down at Kaori, taken a bit aback. "S-someone like you...? What's that supposed to mean...?"
She notices that Kaori sighs a bit pathetically, probably feeling like a burden on her, so she decides it's time for a bit more goodwill.
Sakaki: She leans down and whispers in Kaori's ear. "Do you think the bottle stopped on you by chance?"
Kaori: Already blushing due to the closeness of the taller girl's face, she gets a bit startled. "Wh-what do you... Mean...? Wasn't it...?"
Sakaki: She takes the magnet out of her back pocket, showing it to her clearly. "Not exactly. I realised how much it must've meant to you, so I decided to help out. Although, I guess I didnt realise JUST how much it meant..."
Kaori: Upon seeing the magnet and hearing these words, her emotions get totally muddled somewhere between ecstacy, confusion and hopefulness. "Y-you stopped the bottle... On yourself...? And- on purpose too...?"
Sakaki: "I always thought it was a bit weird how you acted around me, but I think I get it now. And I actually..." the girl starts to blush softly and puts her hand to her chest, looking comfortingly in Kaori's eyes. "... I think I might feel the same way..."
As if by magic, a massive star-shaped firework goes off in the background as the two girls look in eachother's eyes, wondering who should say something next. As they continue to gaze at eachother, they each decide it's time to stop waiting, and start leaning in to eachother. This time, they're both equally as antsy and nervous, but as they finally get close enough to only see eachother, it turns from nervousness to hopefulness, for just a few seconds, until finally, after two years of Kaori not knowing what to do about her crush and feeling powerless, they kiss, and for the first time, Kaori doesn't feel powerless or hopeless anymore. Instead, she feels free.