The school was buzzing with energy. Colorful stalls lined the courtyard, students ran around in costumes, and loud music echoed through the grounds. It was the day of the annual school festival—and Ren hated every second of it.
He tugged on the collar of his slightly wrinkled uniform and sighed. "Why do I have to be here again?"
"You promised," Lilia beamed beside him, her face glowing with excitement. She wore a white blouse and a frilly pink skirt the class had picked out for her. "Also... you said you'd protect me, remember?"
Ren clicked his tongue and looked away, but a hint of red brushed his cheeks. "I never said I'd enjoy it."
Kaito popped out from behind a stall, waving a taiyaki in each hand. "Oi! Lovebirds, over here!"
Ren's eye twitched. "Stop calling us that."
Lilia, without skipping a beat, latched onto Ren's arm. "But I am your adorable little sister, right?"
Ren groaned internally. Kaito still believed they were siblings, and Lilia played along way too well. He couldn't deny the closeness they'd developed since living together—but pretending they were siblings? That just made everything more complicated.
"Come on!" Kaito grinned. "We're entering the Couple's Booth Challenge."
"I'm out," Ren said flatly.
"You can win a trip to the hot springs!" Lilia whispered. "You know… alone time... just us…"
Ren froze.
"Fine. But I'm not enjoying it."
---
The first challenge was a balloon-popping game. The rules were simple: one partner had to pop balloons by hugging their partner tightly—very tightly.
"Come on, Ren," Lilia said, eyes gleaming mischievously. "You have to press harder!"
"Don't say it like that," Ren muttered, cheeks blazing red.
"Here, let me show you how it's done!" she squealed, flinging herself onto him. The balloon between them popped loudly, sending colorful confetti into the air.
From the crowd, a certain someone glared daggers. Sayaka, the student council secretary, stood silently, arms crossed and lips pursed.
She had watched Ren since middle school. He never opened up to anyone. Never talked to girls. Until she appeared. A mysterious blonde "sister" who clung to him like a kitten and made him flustered at every turn.
Sayaka's eyes narrowed as Lilia giggled and wrapped both arms around Ren's neck for the next round.
"I'm not buying that sister act," she muttered under her breath.
---
Next was the "Truth or Dare Roulette." Ren spun the wheel. It landed on Truth.
Kaito, of course, was the host. "Alright, Ren. If you had to choose one person in this festival to kiss—who would it be?"
Ren looked ready to punch someone.
Lilia leaned forward, eyes twinkling. "It has to be me, right?"
Sayaka, from behind the crowd, stomped off in silence.
"I'm skipping this one," Ren muttered.
"Disqualified!" Kaito laughed. "Alright, Lilia's turn!"
Lilia spun. Dare.
"Feed Ren a sweet treat… with your mouth."
The crowd gasped. Lilia blushed, looking surprised for the first time. "W-Wait, that's too—!"
"Rules are rules," Kaito grinned.
The next moment was a blur. Lilia bit the end of a pocky stick and leaned toward Ren. He didn't move. Their faces got closer. The crowd held its breath. Even Sayaka, now hiding behind a pillar, peeked out.
Their lips nearly brushed when Ren turned his head at the last second.
The crowd groaned.
"Flustered idiot," Lilia whispered, face beet red.
---
As the day wore on, Ren and Lilia strolled through the food stalls. She dragged him to try crepes, takoyaki, and some mystery drink that made Ren cough for five minutes straight. But he noticed something odd: Sayaka kept showing up. Every. Single. Time.
At the ring toss, she "coincidentally" joined Ren's team. At the haunted house, she somehow ended up holding onto his arm instead of Lilia. And when the three of them sat for a short break under a sakura tree, Sayaka finally made her move.
"You know, Ren," she said, brushing hair behind her ear, "we never talk much anymore. Remember when we used to work together for the student council?"
Ren nodded awkwardly. "...Yeah."
Lilia stared at her, eyes narrowed.
"Oh, and remember that time I caught you sleeping in the library?" Sayaka giggled. "You drooled on the books."
"That was one time," Ren muttered.
Lilia stood up and grabbed his hand. "Come on, big brother. We still have games to play."
Ren blinked. "Uh—yeah, right."
Sayaka's eye twitched.
"Brother, huh?" she whispered.
---
As evening settled and lanterns lit the grounds, Lilia and Ren found themselves at the photo booth.
"Just one picture," she said. "For memories."
He sighed. "Fine."
They stood side by side, but at the last second, Lilia reached up and held his hand. The flash went off.
Their hands stayed locked a bit too long.
Later that night, Kaito stared at that photo, his smirk growing wider.
"'Siblings,' huh?"
---
Back at Ren's apartment, he collapsed on the floor.
"I hate festivals."
Lilia laughed, kicking off her shoes. "But we made memories, right? Oh! And don't forget the prize!"
She held out a coupon. "Free hot spring trip for two!"
Ren stared at it.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
She grinned. "Unless... you want me to invite Sayaka instead?"
Ren groaned.
From the doorway, Lilia peeked at him. "Hey... thanks for staying with me. Even if it's all annoying and awkward."
He looked up, surprised by her soft voice.
"…I don't hate it," he muttered.
She smiled.
The lights dimmed, and the sounds of the festival faded behind them. But something else was brewing—beneath the laughter, beyond the games.
Suspicion.
Jealousy.
And feelings that neither of them wanted to admit.