Hello again! Here's chapter 3 of "Summer Souvenirs" It's the first day of Summer Vacation. Keifuu Academy and Kasegaura seems to planning something huge for this summer. Want to know what it is? Read on to find out!

DISCLAIMER:I THINK I'VE ESTABLISHED THE FACT THAT I WILL NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS OWN THE RIGHTS TO "Kono Oozora..."


IF MY HEART HAD WINGS: SUMMER SOUVENIRS

CHAPTER 3

The Next Day...

"*Yawn*", the morning sunlight bathes the room. I scratched my eyes and muttered to myself, "Today's the day.". Then I realized that Kotori was still sleeping, her head still pressed against my chest. I set her down gently and whispered "I'll see you downstairs." and planted a kiss on her forehead then I got up from the bed and and went to my room to replace my pajamas with a new set of clothes before going to the kitchen.

As I prepared everyone's breakfast, I heard footsteps that seem to be headed for the dining hall.

It was Kotori.

"*Yawn*. Ohayou, Aoi." she said drowsily.

"Ohayou, Kotori-hime." I said as she approached the kitchen table and kissed her hand. "*Giggles* Mou, you're so sweet." she said as I looked up to see that her free hand was on her cheek which began to glow red from the gesture.

"So how are you?" I asked. "Hmm? Oh, just fine" then she leaned closer and whispered "Actually, I'm more than okay." We both stiffled a laugh but little did we notice the footsteps.

"OI,YOU TWO! CUT IT OUT BEFORE YOU START SCREWING EACH OTHER ON THE TABLE!" a female voice rang across the room. Kotori jumped while I felt my insides jolt in surprise. We turned our heads to the doorway and saw a familiar face.

"A simple 'good morning' would have been alot nicer, Ageha!" I said as she came in the room. "But where's the fun in that if I can't scare the hell outta you guys." she said jokingly. "Just kidding!"

Ageha took a seat at the dinning table while Kotori and I went behind the counter. Suddenly, Ageha spoke up. "Hmm... Something's different..." she wondered. "Hey Kotori, where's your cane?". "It's upstairs. I don't need anymore." said Kotori while she was mincing some parsley.

"No way! You can finally walk?" she yelped as her eyes went wide when she saw that the raven-haired girl was standing on her own two feet.

"Yeah, I know it's weird seeing me like this." said the ravenette. "Since when did you try to stand up?" Ageha asked. "Last night." Kotori said plainly. "Actually, ever since I was admitted out of the Hospital, I've been trying to walk little by little in my room." she explained.

Ageha placed her arms on the counter as continued listening.

"Then last night I decided 'This is it. I'm gonna do it'. So I called Aoi to my room because I wanted him to be the first person to see me stand up without crutches for the first time. And also, In the event that I do fall down, he can catch me." then a tear began began to trickle down her cheek.

"I was so happy. I can finally do the things I couldn't do before." she sniffed as I offered her a tissue to wipe away her tears.

"But, what am I doing. I mean, look at me! Today's the big day and here I am, crying like a baby!" she said as she instantly switched from emotional state back to her usual cheerful self.

As I continued to cook breakfast, the other residents of Flying Fish Manor came into the dining hall.

"Ohayou, minna!" Kanako chimed as she came in.

After everyone exchanged greetings, they noticed that Kotori could now stand up and began showering her with questions.

"How does it feel to be able to stand up?"

"Can you run, jump move actively or just walk?"

"Does your feet hurt after a while?"

The room was filled with lively chatting, The disappearance of her crutches turned out to be a quite the shocker. Of course, I can understand where they're coming from. They're all concerned about her safety, especially me.

"Okay ladies, come and get it!" I said as I came to the table and to serve the Omelets Kotori and I made.

As soon I placed it on the table some of them already had thier forks stretched out. "Oi,oi,oi! Chotto matte! Where are your manners, ladies?" I scolded them mockingly. "But Sempai, we're hungry!" Asa whined, the poor girl was drooling on her plate. "Yeah, to hell with manners!" Ageha groaned, eyeing the food like a very hungry and angry cheetah, she looked like she could pounce like one any second. "Well the sooner we do this, the better." I said as I took my seat.

We all put our hands together and said in chorus, "ITADEKIMASU!". But before our chopsticks could even touch the steaming hot breakfast...

*Ding dong*

The doorbell rang.

Everyone groaned and started pointing fingers as to who should get the door.

"I'll get it!" I said to them as I got up from my seat.

I opened the front door and saw a huge group of people. " 'Yo! 'Sup, Aoi!" it was An-chan with Isuka, Amane and Hotaru. "Ohayou, Minase-san." said Akari Kumoi in her trademark calm voice. With him was Ma-bou, "Hey, Aoi! You guys ready yet?" he said.

Hibari, Kotori's sister as well as her Father was here along woman who was around her late 40's. "So you must be Aoi! Kotori told me so much about you." the woman said. "Oh did she, now?" I chuckled slightly due to my own embarrassment, "Well, anything to make her happy.". "Thank God for that. Maybe letting her move out was a good idea after all." she sighed. "See? I told you, dear." said Mr. Habane as placed a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, I'm sorry! I got caught up in all of this and I didn't even properly introduce myself." She bowed in front of me and said, "I'm Kairi Habane, Kotori's mother. Nice to meet you!" and flashed a smile. "Nice to meet you too! Mrs. Habane." I said as I bowed back.

After a that I lifted my head and address everyone. "Alright, everybody please come in!" as I swung the double doors open.

The whole group went into the dinning hall and it was like a huge reunion for everyone. Everyone was chatting and enjoying the food. The whole scene got rid of my drowsiness.

Then Kotori nudge me in the side with her elbow.

"Nee, we should tell them now." she whispered then took a swig of her orange juice. I cleared my throat and gently tapped my glass with a spoon. The clanking resonated throughout the dinning hall and everyone looked at me.

"OK, uhh..." I said shyly. I not one to make speeches in front of a crowd. That role was usually allotted to either Kotori, Amane or Ageha. "First of all,..." I began. "I'd like to thank Kotori's parents for coming here from all way from Tokyo. Amane-sempai and An-chan for sticking with us through everything from the beginning to the end. And most especially, to Isuka-sempai. It's because of you that everyone is here." and at that everyone applauded.

"Arigatou, minna. I never knew that a promise that I kept to Amane would have such profound effect on the lives of so many people." she said a hint of embarrassment.

"Ok, then. Down to business. Asa-chan, Yoru-chan I'm gonna need your help explaining this."

"Hai." the twins said in unison.

"As you all know, our flight towards the Morning Glory last summer was a huge success. We might not be able to experience such a phenomenon in twenty or so years."

"When our grandfather, who is actually the chairman of the board of our school heard that this feat was done by students of his school, he told us that such an achievement deserved a yearly celebration." Yoru continued.

"So he mobilized the entire school and with the help of the local government here in Kasegaura, the result is the "Soaring Festival"." Asa finished.

"It's primarily a showcase of all the clubs of Keifuu Academy and all their work and activities. But there will also be an inter-school sports tournament as well a music festival featuring school bands and even some famous artists, video game tournaments, basically, all of Kasegaura will be a huge playground for young people." I explained.

"The opening ceremony is today at around 11. After this, we have to go to the secret base and dismantle the glider, load it to An-chan's truck and head for the airport and we'd like you..." I shifted my gaze to Hibari and Kotori's parents, "Mr. & Mrs. Habane to come join us." I said to them.

"Of course we'll go. We wouldn't miss it for the world!" said Kotori's mother.

"Thank you. Now, I propose a toast!" I raised my glass. "To a successful first ever 'Soaring Festival'. And many more to come!" I proclaimed with pride.

As Kotori raised her glass when she joined the group, she turned her head towards her parents, "Mom, dad, Hibari-nee. Join in!" she said cheerfully.

After breakfast me and the other residents took a bath, got dressed and left the dorm.

"Is everybody outside? Where's Hat?" I asked as I shut the front door. "We're good. I got Hat with me." said Ageha. "Quack Quack!" Hat said as he flew up to Ageha's lap. Then I locked the door and thrust the keys into my pocket.

Four cars were lined up outside the gate of the Flying Fish Manor. A station wagon owned by the Habane's. Kotori's parents and Hibari will be riding in it. A flatbed truck driven by An-chan will transport the the dismantled glider from the hangar in Windy Hill to the newly built Kasegaura Airport. Isuka will join him while everyone else will be riding on my truck. As for Akari, she'll be riding with Ma-bou in his shiny new Nissan GT-R.

An-chan each gave us a walkie-talkie in case something goes wrong while everyone got into their designated vehicles.

I climbed into the truck while Kotori got into the passenger seat on her own while everyone else got into the open cargo hold in the back after loading it with various coolers and containers.

"All set?" I asked Kotori. "Yup!" the brunette replied. I opened the window behind us and asked, "Everybody ready?". The passengers all cheered to signal me to get going. "Alright, Let's roll!" I said as I shut the window then pressed the call button on the walkie-talkie and placed the microphone near my mouth. "This is Aoi. Let's get going. I'll take the front, over." "Roger." I heard a voice from its speakers. I fished the keys from my pocket then turned the ignition key. The engine sprang to life and after a bit, I put it on first gear and moved slowly.

"Nee, I almost forgot! Let me just get something from your bag." said Kotori as she reached for my messenger bag. "Aha, gotcha!" she exclaimed a few moments later while pulling out my MP3 player and a pair of aviator sunglasses. "I've been looking for those all over the house!" I cried out as I snatched the eyewear from her hands while she plugged in my MP3 player into the stereo pressed the play button. "Hey is that?" I asked while driving. "Coastal Tempo." answered as she looked at the screen.

It's an up tempo house track from DJMax that I've grown fond of. And I felt that It was the perfect song for this situation. "Nee, help me open this." I said while using my right hand to open the rear window. "Hmm? What are you doing?" she wondered. "The girls need to hear this!" I said with excitement. She used both her hands to split open the windows. When the others at the back heard the music, they began to get excited and started raising their hands and began dancing.

Then Kotori got up and opened the sunroof. "Hora! Be careful!" I warned her as she used her seat as footing. "I've been wanting to do this for a VERY long time!" she said as she stuck her head out. "Hey, girls!" I heard her call and the girls cheered. "Careful, Kotori! We don't want anything bad to you!" warned Ageha. "You obviously don't know me before I lost my legs, Ageha. Watch this!" she exclaimed as the turned away from them and faced the direction the truck was going.

"I'M THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD!" she yelled at the top of her lungs with her eyes closed and arms stretched wide as if she was embracing the sky.

I let out a chuckle and smiled. Normally I would have told her to sit down but I didn't want to spoil the fun. And besides, this is the first summer where she can finally move freely. She has missed out on so much and I want her to taste the fullness of life and being young.

I put my glasses on and savored the sight of the coast and the beautiful music blasting out of the stereo.

"This is gonna be the best time of our lives..." I muttered as our convoy cruised along the crystal clear waters.

A/N:That gonna be it for this Saturday (or Friday depending on where you are in the time I uploaded this). Also I'm thinking of uploading a LukaXGakupo oneshot that I wrote a few weeks ago.