Her courage inflated as of late, Akari had gone to see the Wizard several times, talking with him about many things despite his reluctance to open up to her.
"You are... funny... You come here often... But that's fine... I like talking to you..." he told her.
"What can I say?" Akari blushed, scratching the back of her head, "I enjoy your company."
"I...Enjoy your company as well." He said, his cheeks a little pink.
"So, what exactly do you like to do?"
"I enjoy stargazing... I'm busy at night. I'm tired in the morning but I don't mind... I can't see stars during the day." The Wizard told her, glancing at the enormous telescope.
"You know..." Akari began, trailing off as her courage deflated.
"Yes?"
"Well, the Starry Night Festival is tomorrow, and since you like stargazing, I was wondering if you'd like to… Well, uh…" She struggled, but the Wizard seemed to not understand her intent. A deep breath later, she attempted once again, "Would you like to go with me to the Starry Night Festival?"
A furious blush crept up the Wizard's face. "Stargazing with another person…? That is interesting… I have never done that before. But I suppose… That I would enjoy that. I will meet you at 20:00 tomorrow…"
Heart bouncing around her chest, Akari took her leave, sprinting to the clothing store to seek out Candace. She found her sitting in her usual place: at the sewing machine. Candace gave her a shaky half smile.
"Oh, Akari, how are you doing?"
"I'm wonderful Candace, thank you for asking." Akari smiled. "Candance," she lowered her voice conspiratorially, "I have a DATE for tomorrow."
Candace clapped her hands to her mouth, smiling cutely. "That IS wonderful. With whom?"
"The Wizard."
"What? That's incredible, I've never even seen him leave his house!"
"I know! It'll be interesting, won't it?" Akari giggled.
"Indeed. Congratulations. Perhaps you should go tell Kathy? I know that you two are close."
"Yeah, you're right. Will I see you at the festival tomorrow?"
"Most likely. I am meeting J-Julius there as well."
"Good for you." Akari smiled, waving goodbye and exiting the store. She found Kathy chatting with Selena outside of the bar, smiling widely.
"Anyway, that's what I use." Selena was saying, "It works for me, but everyone's skin is different."
"Thanks, I'll keep your recommendations in mind next time I'm shopping. Oh, hey Akari, what's put you in such a good mood?"
"Hey girls." Akari smiled. She had come to very much like Selena, and despite Kathy's earlier skepticism, so had she. "Guess what?"
"You got laid?" Kathy suggested.
"You learned the tango?" Selena asked, smiling.
"No!" Akari said, putting on an offended face even while laughing, "I have a date for tomorrow."
"What? Oh, that's great Akari!" Selena told her, smiling prettily.
"Wow, congrats." Kathy said, grinning slyly. "So you finally warmed up to each other, eh?"
"I suppose. Say, are you girls going to be there tomorrow?"
"I don't see the point." Selena said, somewhat exasperated, "I don't have a date, and it's friggin' cold here in the winter, especially at night."
"I might be there, circumstances depending on, er, certain factors."
"You mean whether or not he asks you?" Akari said dryly.
"More or less. I might come just to see you out with your new beau though."
"Creeper."
"You chose to tell me."
"Anyway, we should get you dolled up, shouldn't we?" Selena said, nodding her head. Akari had the feeling that Selena's mind was already made up.
"Uh, within reason." Akari said, holding up her hands in front of her.
"Don't worry, I won't make you look like a clown." Selena laughed. "Just meet me here before nightfall tomorrow, and we'll get your spruced up."
"Thanks. I've gotten out of the habit. When you work on a farm all day, looking decent isn't that important."
Akari went to bed excited that night, the first night in a very long time. Her dreams, usually bizarre and meaningless, were wild and passionate. She awoke the next morning, flying through her chores and arriving at the bar far earlier than Selena had anticipated. Shrugging as she let Akari inside, Selena gave her a look up and down before saying anything.
"Are you planning on wearing that?" she aksed, pointing at the black and white dress that Akari wore.
"I was planning on it. I think that he likes neutral colors."
"Alright, so let's plan around this then." Selena dug through her vanity drawers, producing a plethora of cosmetics. After some testing, a few mishaps, and much laughter, the two of them had found a balance that they both agreed on.
"Wow, this looks great, Selena. Thanks a lot. Do I owe you anything?" she asked, digging through her pockets.
"Nah, just go have fun tonight. You work hard, you deserve it." Selena beamed.
"I should probably head out, the festival's going to start fairly soon. I'll let you know how it goes."
Akari began the long walk to Flute Fields, her trepidation mounting. He would show up, wouldn't he? He didn't seem like the kind to go back on his word. But what if he wasn't thinking about this as a date? The possibility hit Akari hard, and she felt utterly embarrassed. Had she been too presumptuous? By the time that she had reached the fields, she had worked herself into quite the state of anxiety.
"Akari! It's good to see you." Hamilton said, smiling, his arms spread wide.
"Hello." She said, looking around. She saw Mira, as well as some of the other parents. A little ways away, she saw Kathy standing with a smiling Owen. She decided to pay them her regards.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Oh, well hi there." Owen said, smiling politely at her. "It's good to see you."
"You're looking pretty. Where's your man?" Kathy asked, scouting out the area behind Akari.
"Uh, he's not here yet. He told me he'd be here soon though."
"I'm sure he's just punctual." Kathy said, waving her hand lightheartedly.
"Yeah, I'm sure you're right. Well, I'll come find you guys again later."
"Sure thing."
Akari waited near the gate, unsure of what else to do. She turned to look at the sky, in awe of the brilliant display that the night sky had put up.
"Did you start… Without me?" came a voice from behind her.
"Oh! No, no. Certainly not."
The Wizard smiled, offering his hand to her. Hesitantly, Akari took it. "Let's go."
They sat in the field, despite the earlier hand-holding, both seemed overly cautious to not touch the other.
"It's cold outside." The Wizard observed.
"Yeah, it is." Akari shivered. Her clothing choice suddenly seemed less than smart.
"Would you… Like my coat?" The Wizard asked, shrugging the cloak off of his shoulders and draping it over her.
"Oh, thank you." Akari blushed.
"Stargazing is best in the winter…" the Wizard said, looking into the sky, "I would explain why, but it's not important…"
Akari laughed, snuggling into the cloak. It smelled fresh, like soil and rain.
"Viewing the stars with the naked eye is different than viewing them with a telescope." A small flush blazed upon his cheeks. "…Perhaps it's because you're here."
Akari also flushed, looking away, embarrassed.
"Oh!" She looked up into the sky to see a shooting star. Akari closed her eyes momentarily, wishing for romance in the coming year. The night seemed to last only moments, and before Akari knew it, it was time to leave. She stood up, handing the Wizard's cloak back to him. He smiled, swinging it back over his shoulders.
"I had fun today. I always enjoy watching the stars… Let's come again next year…"
"I'd like that." Akari said, smiling sweetly at him.