Summer break arrived at Yamato High School, and the air was thick with heat and the hum of cicadas. Hiroshi Nakamura felt a mix of relief and restlessness. No classes meant freedom, but it also meant less time with his friends and fewer chances to see Emi, the girl from the literature club who lingered in his thoughts. The school festival had been a success—the mural he painted with the art club won praise, and he’d even caught Emi looking at it—but he still hadn’t spoken to her. Now, with six weeks of summer ahead, he wondered what would happen next.
The first week of break, Hiroshi spent time with his friends. Kenji invited him to a soccer game in the park, where they kicked a ball around with Taro and a few others. Aiko joined them one day, bringing a history book to read in the shade while the boys played. Yumi came too, sketching funny cartoons of Kenji tripping over the ball. Hiroshi laughed more than he had in years, feeling like he’d found a place among them. But sometimes, when the group was quiet, his mind drifted to Emi—her soft smile, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear.
One hot afternoon, Hiroshi’s phone buzzed with a message from Sana, the art club leader. “Want to help at the community center? We’re painting a wall for kids!” Hiroshi agreed, happy for something to do. At the center, he found himself working alongside a group of volunteers, including, to his surprise, Emi. She was there with the literature club, reading stories to children. Hiroshi’s heart raced when he saw her, sitting cross-legged with a picture book, her voice gentle and warm.
After the kids left, the volunteers cleaned up. Hiroshi was wiping paint off his hands when Emi approached him. “You’re Hiroshi, right? From the art club?” she asked, smiling. Hiroshi froze, his throat dry. “Y-yeah,” he managed. “You’re Emi?” She nodded. “I saw your mural at the festival. It was beautiful. The way you painted the sky… it felt so real.” Hiroshi’s cheeks burned. “Thanks. I… I like your club’s display too. The book quotes were cool.” Emi laughed. “We spent hours choosing those! Do you like reading?” “A little,” Hiroshi said, nervous but excited to keep talking. “Mostly adventure stories. What about you?” “I love all kinds of books,” Emi said, her eyes bright. “Mysteries, romances, even old poetry. There’s something special about getting lost in a story.” She paused, then added, “You should come to our club sometime. We talk about books, but it’s really fun.” Hiroshi nodded, his heart pounding. “Maybe I will.” They talked a bit more, about favorite stories and the festival, until Sana called him to help move supplies. As he walked away, he couldn’t stop smiling. Emi had noticed him. She’d spoken to him. It felt like a small victory.
But not everything was simple. A few days later, Rika, the second-year from the art club, invited Hiroshi to a summer festival. “It’ll be fun!” she texted. “Fireworks, food stalls, games. Come with me!” Hiroshi wasn’t sure how to respond. Rika was friendly and confident, and her attention made him feel special. But he didn’t feel the same spark he felt with Emi. Still, he didn’t want to be rude, so he agreed to go.
At the festival, Rika wore a colorful yukata, her short hair tied with a ribbon. She dragged Hiroshi to food stalls, laughing as they shared takoyaki and cotton candy. Under the bright lanterns, she seemed to glow. As they watched the fireworks, Rika turned to him, her face serious. “Hiroshi, I really like you,” she said, her voice soft but clear. “You’re kind and talented, and… I want to know you better. Would you go out with me?” Hiroshi’s stomach twisted. He hadn’t expected this. Rika was nice, and he enjoyed her company, but his heart was somewhere else—on Emi, on her quiet smile and love for stories. “Rika, I…” he started, his voice shaking. “You’re great, but I… I don’t think I feel the same way. I’m sorry.” Rika’s smile faded, but she nodded. “It’s okay. I just had to say it. Friends, then?” She held out her hand, and Hiroshi shook it, relieved but guilty. He didn’t want to hurt her.
The rest of the summer passed in a blur. Hiroshi hung out with Kenji, Aiko, and Yumi, went to the beach, and worked on sketches. He saw Emi once more, at a bookstore, and they talked briefly about a mystery novel they both liked. Each moment with her felt like a treasure, but he was too shy to ask for more. He wondered if she even thought about him.
As summer break ended, Hiroshi felt torn. He was happy with his friends and the memories they’d made, but his feelings for Emi confused him. Did she like him? Could he ever be brave enough to tell her how he felt? And had he made the right choice with Rika? He didn’t regret saying no, but he hated seeing her disappointed. Lying in bed the night before school started, Hiroshi stared at the ceiling. High school was harder than he’d expected—not just classes, but feelings, choices, and the weight of wanting to be someone better.
The next day, as he packed his schoolbag, he felt a mix of nerves and hope. Summer had changed him. He wasn’t just the quiet boy anymore. He had friends, dreams, and a growing courage to chase what mattered—even if it scared him.