Love Settled at the Fireworks Festival (Romance)

After that first meeting, Nakayama Takuya and Nakagawa Eri naturally exchanged contact information.

Takuya thought that this blind date had given his mother a perfect explanation, and that he could go back to work and let their relationship develop naturally.

However, he clearly underestimated his mother Nakayama Miyuki's determination to have a grandson.

Nakayama Takuya returned to his apartment, his mother, Nakayama Miyuki, called.

"Miss Eri, how is it?"

The voice on the other end of the phone was unreadable, but Nakayama Takuya knew that a single wrong word could get him in trouble.

"A very—very good girl." Nakayama Takuya carefully chose his words. "She's well-educated, reasonable, and has her own ideas."

This is the truth, and it's the highest praise he could think of.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Is that all?

We had a very pleasant conversation.

"Enjoyed?" Nakayama Miyuki's tone finally softened. "Then what about contact information? What about the next date? You kid, you're not just going to leave me hanging after dinner, are you? Let me tell you, you're on vacation! Your mission is to go on dates! I've already spoken to your father; if you dare show your face at the company this week, he'll personally drag you back!"

The barrage of questions left Nakayama Takuya amused and exasperated.

"Yes, yes, everything's arranged. Mom, could you please stop acting like a supervisor?"

"I'm not the foreman, I'm your mother!" Nakayama Miyuki's tone left no room for argument. "You must give me a clear answer by the end of this month!"

The call ended.

Nakayama Takuya rubbed his temples. He was being forced into a blind date, and there was even a progress check. So, under his mother's "forced requirement" and his own lack of resistance, Takuya's dates with Eri were scheduled one after another.

In late July, Sumida River Fireworks Festival.

As night fell, Takuya Nakayama, dressed in a navy blue Nakayama Takuya, and Nakagawa Eri, wearing a light purple yukata with hydrangea patterns, walked side by side through the bustling crowd.

The wooden clogs clicked and clacked on the stone pavement, their sound mingling with the surrounding noise and the cries of vendors.

It composes a symphony unique to summer nights.

"I never expected that Nakayama Sang would sit for so long at that concert."

Eri had a delicate pearl flower tucked into her hair. When she turned her head to the side, a few strands of hair fell beside her ears. Her eyes sparkled in the warm light of the roadside lanterns, carrying a hint of mischievous smile.

She was referring to her date a few days prior, a long and solemn classical music concert.

Upon hearing this, Nakayama Takuya smiled helplessly, took a steaming bowl of takoyaki from the stall, and carefully handed it to her.

"Do you think that for someone like me who deals with circuit boards and code all day, listening to symphonies is like listening to a lullaby?"

"Hmm." Eri nodded without hesitation, picked up a round dumpling with a bamboo skewer, and gently blew on it to cool it down.

"Then you're mistaken."

Nakayama Takuya looked towards the brightly lit riverbank in the distance, and his tone became serious.

"The soul of a game lies in its visuals and gameplay, but it also includes the art of sound."

"Excellent game soundtracks can instantly draw players into that world. You wouldn't believe how much I practically lived in Hisaishi Joe Hisaishi's recording studio to create the most healing feel for Harvest Moon."

He paused, then changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat smug.

"Besides, don't forget, I designed the hottest collaboration between Sony Music and Sega right now, <DanceDanceRevolution>, that dance machine. How could you make a game like that without some musical talent?"

Eri burst out laughing. This girl always managed to show off her great achievements without even realizing it, yet she was somehow impossible to dislike.

How many amazing secrets does this man still hold?

The string of curiosity in her heart was gently plucked once again.

When talking about her trip to Disneyland a few days ago, Eri still remembers what Nakayama Takuya said when he stood in front of the castle and watched the parade floats.

At the time, he said to Eri, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "One day, Sega will build its own amusement park."

"I want to move Phantasy Star, Golden Sun, and all those Pokémon inside."

"To allow players to not just sit in front of the screen, but to truly step into the world they love."

Eri slowed her pace and turned to look at him.

Bathed in the glow of the colored lights, the man's profile was clearly defined, and his eyes were filled with vision and confidence for the future.

She suddenly realized that he was not only an excellent game producer, but also an ambitious dream weaver.

Eri looked at him, she suddenly realized that this man's charm went far beyond the business miracles he had created.

What's even more remarkable is his courage and sincerity in turning his dreams into reality.

Just then—"Bang!"

A deafening explosion ripped through the night sky.

The first firework, like a giant golden chrysanthemum, bloomed brilliantly against the inky sky.

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

Then, a second and a third countless points of light rose into the sky, emitting a dazzling array of colors that illuminated the entire Sumida River as if it were daytime.

The two stopped and looked up at the magnificent visual feast.

The flickering light of the fireworks outlined a soft and exquisite profile on Eri's face.

Her eyes reflected the dazzling fireworks, more captivating than the fireworks themselves.

Nakayama Takuya's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

These past few days together, from the initial politeness and courtesy to the later ease and comfort, and now to the sudden flutter of my heart, everything has happened so naturally.

The mother's wishes, the family's arranged marriage—all those initial external factors became blurred at this moment.

All he knew was that he enjoyed being with the girl in front of him.

I like her intelligent and understanding conversation, I like the occasional girlish innocence she shows, and I especially like the way she looks at me.

Those clear eyes, filled with appreciation and curiosity.

The deafening cheers seemed to be shut out, and the world shrank to just the two of them and the fireworks.

He suddenly felt that he had to do something.

It would be such a shame if we didn't do something soon, before this summer festival ends.

Nakayama Takuya took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

He turned his head and looked at Eri intently.

"Eri."

He didn't use honorifics for the first time.

Eri's heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head to meet his focused gaze.

"My mother ordered me to take a vacation and spend the entire holiday with you."

A self-deprecating yet gentle smile appeared on Nakayama Takuya's lips.

"Now, I'm so glad I didn't disobey her orders this time, otherwise I might have missed out on you."

He didn't use many fancy words; he simply reached out slowly, yet with unwavering determination, and gently took her hand, which was resting at her side.

Her hands were slightly cool, but very soft.

It trembled slightly the moment it was grasped, but did not break free.

"Boom!!!"

The largest and most dazzling firework burst open suddenly in the highest sky, turning into a silvery rain of light that cascaded down like a waterfall, coloring the whole world with a Mew hue.

At the moment when the light was at its brightest, Eri turned around and tightly grasped his hand as well.

She didn't say anything, but a smile brighter than fireworks bloomed on her face.

All the answers lie in that gentle smile and those tightly clasped hands.

Neither of them spoke; they simply stood side by side, looking up at the night sky ignited by fireworks.

The temperature of my palm rose little by little, along with the light and heat that continued to bloom in the night sky.