Hmph =(

lol yea, I know. Long ass chapter with hardly anything interesting. I like to do that. Me and my digression- it kills people

"Fine Line"

"No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special and you still have something unique to offer." - Barbara De Angelis

Chapter 10: Atobe's Crystal Palace

Through most of the drive to this Crystal Palace place, I was silent, stuck in my own world in the back of the car, aimlessly staring out the window; watching the country scenery pass by me.

It was a Friday, and I have yet to finish all my work for class. Or rather, I did finish it, but they were all rushed. Nothing that I really liked or wanted to do. The only one that I was actually satisfied with was the painting of the two hosts from Club Sacred.

Given the little amount of time I had to complete my tasks as we left for the festival on Friday morning, I had no choice but to quickly whip up a digital painting and randomly take a photograph of a subject and edit that. I knew I was going to fail those two projects, that's for sure. I might be able to get an A- on the painting though…as long as I come up with a reasonably good paragraph on what I am trying to depict there….also because our art lecturer was weird- he always preaches:

"There is no such thing as perfection. Getting an A+ means perfection. So there is no way that any of you can get an A+."

Can you believe that old man?! We can't get A+'s!! I'd love to know Shiraishi's thoughts on this.

Beside me, Aya was on the phone with Kikumaru, repeatedly reassuring him that she will be fine. Rinko sat on the other side of Aya, and Yura sat at the front seat, keeping an eye on Asuka's driving attitude.

"I'll be fine, okay?!" Aya laughed into the phone. She paused, listening to what Kikumaru was saying, I guessed. "You know I love you, so don't worry." The girl rolled her eyes at me and I could only smile back at Kikumaru's worry over his girlfriend. But then, he has good reason to. His girlfriend visits hosts clubs and is now heading to a host club ran festival. I think he has all the rights to fret.

Hard rock music blared out from Asuka's car stereo, and the fiery headed girl bobbed her head to it whilst driving. Yura kept her eyes trained on Asuka's hands and feet, making sure they never left the wheel and pedal. Rinko, as she usually does, is listening to Aya's conversation with Kikumaru closely, wanting to be up-to-date on the latest news and gossip.

I sat up straight in my seat, as something outside the window caught my attention- A house, located up a fairly tall hill.

A very large house.

"More like a mansion." Aya gaped out. I was startled. Did I say that out loud?

But it did not matter, because as our car got closer and closer to the road leading up to the hill, the view of the mansion got better and clearer.

I pressed my face into the window, trying to get a better look. "Wow…" It was all I could manage, for I was blown away by the size of the place. And this was only the front view!

Asuka seemed to have slowed down the car unconsciously, as I noticed that the landscape outside was passing by much slower than before. Before I could say anything however, Aya had clamped a hand down onto Asuka's shoulders. "Drive faster!!"

And the girl could only oblige.

"Eeee!" I squealed as I was thrown back into my seat from the sudden lurch. My heart was still pounding from the scare and shock when we arrived at the front gates of the mansion.

Maybe palace should be the right term. Because that was what it was called in the letter.

And also because the glaring and glittering words "Atobe Crystal Palace" showered us in its shimmering glory from atop the gates. "Shit...Atobe is loaded." Asuka murmured as the gates opened for us automatically, and Asuka drove in carefully- which was a first.

Rinko asked her about this, but Asuka shot her a small exasperated glare. "Well, I don't want to be paying for any damages here! I'd go broke!"

We laughed, agreeing with her. Everything looked so expensive out here! A huge fountain, seemingly made out of purely marble and crystal was perched in the center of the main courtyard. Crystal clear water –excuse the bad pun- sprung out from the fountain top, where statues of two winged figures stood.

A man in a black suit approached the driver's seat window, and Asuka rolled down the window.

"Your invitations please?" He put out a gloved hand.

Asuka handed him three pieces of paper- the invitations they had received. After confirming that they were legit, he nodded and gestured for Asuka to drive down a lane.

The lane we drove down was lined on one side by ornate bushes, decorated with silver orbs which I suspected would light up at night. Colorful and various papers streamers also hung about these bushes, a neatly folded paper crane placed at regular intervals along them. On the other side of the lane, a small canal ran back towards the mansion.

We arrived at various steel and concrete shelters, also strung with streamers and banners on the sides. The words "Prisma Festival" were painted across each banner in a brilliant gold against a white background.

"I…guess we're supposed to park the car here." Yura mumbled, looking around at the small collection, but expensive cars at some of the shelters. "They must be for the guests attending. I bet this place will be full by tonight!" Rinko commented.

Selecting a spot, Asuka parked and we all got off, taking our luggage with us.

Several men in black suits similar to the one at the front gate quickly approached us and took our bags.

"Welcome to Atobe's Crystal Palace." One of them bowed to us. He had a mock of smooth blonde hair and brilliant green eyes. "My name is Remey. Please, allow us to handle your baggage." He gently removed the duffel Rinko held in her hand and handed it to another man waiting behind him, who took it away.

"May I please have your names?" He asked. And we quickly gave him our names, and he wrote them down on a clipboard. "Thank you. We shall have all your bags delivered to your assigned rooms."

"We get our own rooms?" Asuka muttered, quite gleefully to herself. Yura nudged her in the side.

Remey smiled at Asuka. "Yes, Chiyoko-san. All guests will be assigned their own rooms for the course of their stay here. You are also free to request to be paired up with a companion in a single room."

"We're good with a whole room for ourselves!" Rinko clapped her hands together in joy, but I frowned at her, finding that slightly rude.

"Very well then. But please, follow me this way~" He gestured out towards another small pathway at the side of the parking area. Obediently, we followed him, just as we heard another car rumbling up the lane to the parking area.

Every single inch of the place that we passed by seemed to have been planned ahead of time and then placed there- everything was so beautiful! And they all fell into place together to create a wondrous outdoor area.

I was so absorbed in the surroundings that I failed to notice that Aya had came to a stop in front of me, and I rammed right into her. "S-sorry…" I apologized, rubbing my bruised nose. Aya rolled her eyes at me, before looking back in front.

We had come to a stop….by a canal? I was quite confused. There wasn't any place else for us to go, as it was all forest areas (the trees were decorated with fairy dolls, decked in geisha clothing) on the sides. It looked like it was the same canal that we saw while driving down the lane just now, judging from the polished cherry wood that it was made from. The water filling the canal flowed down in one direction- the direction of the mansion- calmly.

All five of us were clearly confused as to why we were here. Isn't the festival taking place at the mansion?

But our confusions were settled and questions answered when we saw floating down from in between the forest areas, a moderately large canoe, made of mahogany wood.

"Awesome! We're going to have a boat ride down back to the mansion!" Aya jumped up and down in cheer.

Remey smiled once again at the antics of our group, before holding out his hand. "Please~" He waited for us patiently to get onboard, good-naturedly helping each one of us in and steadying us.

"The canoe will take you down to the mansion. There, you will find a platform awaiting your arrival and my fellow staff will help you onto land safely. I hope you will enjoy your stay at the Crystal Palace." With that, two other men pushed the canoe forward, and we were set down a slow and steady trail.

The canal wasn't too large, and it wasn't too small either. Probably three canoes can fit side by side in the canal. I hardy noticed the rocking of the canoe, when I usually would have become queasy. We were being taken down a trail that showed us the beauty of the land.

Greens upon greens everywhere, and fresh mountain air permeated our sense. Everything was so well-placed, and beautifully made; the whole place was well-balanced: a perfect balance between nature and human creations.

Not a single tree, bush, hedge or shrub was left unattended. Each and every one of them has been well-trimmed and kept, and decorated with the appropriate banners, streamers, papers, origami's and lights.

Our canoe trip ended all too soon, and I got off it sadly, wishing I could take another round. Asuka saw my glum face and threw an arm around my shoulder. "Aww, come on, cheer up! We'll see more beautiful things inside, and most of them will be live and free to interact with~" She winked at me and I blushed heavily, quickly understanding what she meant.

A waiter pointed us to the direction of the mansion, and we were left to wander there at our own pace. If I had kept a diary, the whole book itself will not be enough to contain my writings on this place.

"I'm going to have to take some pictures of this place later…I hope Atobe-san won't mind…" A sigh escape me, when the thought of him not allowing me to take pictures emerged. This place was too ornate and gorgeous for me to not have at least a picture of it to keep as a memory.

But man, if I thought outside was beautiful, clearly I was a nutcase.

Because the inside completely left me stoned.

--

Several guests were already here, most of them women although some had male companions with them. I could tell those males were not hosts for they did not compare in aesthetics- as mean as that sounded, it was the truth.

"Oh…OH!O-o-oohhh!! The have a WINE fountain!!" Asuka squealed in absolute ecstasy, dashing to the fountain where red liquid was freely flowing. The girl took a deep breath at the edge of the fountain, releasing it in pure bliss.

Without wasting a moment any longer, she grabbed a glass from the table beside the fountain, and quickly filled it to the brim.

Aya and Rinko, and even Yura each got a glass of wine for themselves. I did not however. They did not force me to drink any this time either, thank the lords. I still wasn't a very strong drinker.

A very familiar figure approached us, after his entrance into the reception hall.

"Ah~ Atobe-san!!" Aya and Asuka waved him down, and the man smirked his ever heart-stealing smirk.

"Yunami-hime, Chiyoko-hime, Hisae-hime, Okuda-hime…" As he greeted each of them, he kissed each of their knuckles in turn. And finally, it was my turn. "And Ishimaru-hime…" I had hid my hands behind me when I saw him greeting the others; he only raised an amused eyebrow at this. But I was appalled and taken off guard when he bent over and placed a kiss on my cheek.

On my cheek!!

I flared red instantly. I could hear Asuka snickering into her palms and Aya pulling out a low whistle.

"It is custom for Club Prism hosts to greet all guests with a kiss~ Be it on the hands, cheeks, or lips." Atobe told me, smirking down at my red face. Was he serious?! If he could not get my hand, he'd get my cheeks?! His expression though, just screamed that he was out to get me or something however, rather than it being a custom.

A glass of fresh apple juice suddenly appeared in front of me, and I shyly took it from Atobe, making sure not to let our hands touch. "T-thank you…" He must have hailed it down from one of the many waiters moving around…

He whipped a lock of his glossy hair from his eyes, an air of superiority and power radiating off him.

"So Atobe-san, just what will we do at this festival?" Aya hopped up to him and ask, briefly patting me on the shoulder- She was probably telling me to calm down and quell the red on my face.

Atobe smirked again, eyes closing as he straightened up. "Different activities will be held during this festival, and you are free to go to whichever activity you want. A timetable and map has been provided at each of your rooms. You can also access a timetable and map at any of our computers and HD televisions located throughout the palace."

Now only did I notice that large 60" HD television embedded into the wall at one end of the reception hall…where more and more people seem to be entering now.

"The festival will officially commence at 12pm sharp, after the opening ceremony which shall take place in the backyard." He pointed to a large arch behind him, which lead into another room which probably will lead us to the backyard…

"After that, you can go and take part in any of the activities you want. There will also be group events and competitions of course~ all are listed in your timetable, along with their locations. There are also events which, when it's about to begin, all other activities will be stopped since all staff hands, and hosts are required… or most of them at least-such as the Inuyama parade."

"You'll be having parades?!"Both Aya and Rinko asked together in astonishment. Parades were no joke, and usually took a lot of money, time and effort to pull out.

I quirked an eyebrow. Inuyama parade? Didn't that only occur in the Aichi prefecture…?

Atobe nodded at them, before noticing my dubious gaze on him. "With me as the head, we can recreate any activity, event and festivity you want, Ishimaru-hime." He smirked as I merely smiled back at him- fully believing him. After seeing this Crystal Palace, it almost feels like anything can happen when Atobe runs it. "Of course, it won't be like the real Inuyama parade. It'll be done in a fashion that represents our host clubs of course~" He added with a proud swing of his head.

"I guess with the amount of space he has here, he can have two parades going on at the same time…" Yura whispered to me. I nodded in agreement.

"Mah~ it'll take forever for me to explain every single thing that we will be doing here. It's best if you explored the festival at your own pace and leisure." A brilliant smile from him and I heard several girls nearby swoon.

Asuka laughed, downing her wine in a shot. "You're absolutely right! Let's go find our rooms and take a look around so we don't have to search later!"

"You can find the rooms directory over there." Atobe pointed at several computer panels on the left side of the hall. "I'll see you ladies later~" He smirked and bow, before leaving. He didn't get too far before he was ambushed by another group of women though.

Finding out what our rooms number were, we quickly made our way up; although if not for the helpful staffs, we would have gotten lost on the first floor already.

"Heeh! Kumiko-chan, I'm next to you!!" Aya pulled me into a headlock, and I grimaced. Not that I didn't like to have a room nearby her, but I disliked how she keeps pulling me into these locks. They hurt my neck.

I turned the knob of my room door- a pristine deep red color- and peeked my head into my room for the next few days. My mouth fell open at the size and beauty of it.

"Wow…." I whispered, fearing that if I spoke too loud, I might shatter some piece of ornate glass with my voice. "I can get used to this…."

"I know right?!" Rinko came into my room, her face glowing with pure happiness. "And the bed is so SOFT too!!" She jumped onto my mattress, bouncing up and down from the impact before snuggling into the fluffy pillows.

I walked over to the bed and fell backwards onto it. I blinked at the exquisitely soft bed that met my back, and my eyes closed instinctively from the heavenly feeling. A faint smell of azaleas shrouded my senses, and I could feel myself nodding off to sleep. Ahhh~ the pillows are so soft…

"Hmmm~" Rinko murmured from beside me. "I can smell azaleas…awesome….I got chamomile scents on mine…" She too, was nodding off to sleep.

"WAKE UPPP!"

My eyes snapped open and I flew straight up from shock. Asuka stood at the edge of the bed, eyes twisted into a glare. "The hell?! We came all the way here and you two are falling as-" She stopped, momentarily sniffing the air. "Is that azaleas I smell?" She asked us, raising an eyebrow.

We nodded back at her and she rubbed her chin. "Hm. I got wild crab…"

"Wild crab?" Rinko echoed, face scrunched in disgust.

"It's a type of flower known for its fragrance." Yura spoke from my doorway.

"Oh…I thought it was the crabs from the ocean." She giggled and Asuka glared at her.

"Well, it doesn't matter what or where they are from!! Let's check this place!!" Aya exclaimed, speed walking over to me and pulling me off the bed.

"W-wait! I need to unpack-" I stammered but she had me out of the door already. "Doesn't matter! Unpack later!!"

As she pulled me down the hall, I saw a antique looking grandfather clock, but it was made out glass…or is it crystal? I'm starting to blur crystals and glass together, after seeing so many here in this fairytale palace.

It was only 10am.

"We have a full 1 hour and 40 minutes to look at this place." Aya told me, as she looked down at a laminated timetable in her hand, and a map was held in her other. "The opening ceremony starts at 11:40am." She looked up and around, then to me. "So what do you want to check out first?"

"Umm…" I glanced at the timetable. After a few seconds, I decided there was too many to look at. "You decide."

"Great! I wanted to check out the visual room---"

We spent the next hour and 40 minutes exploring the palace, and successfully got lost for 3 times. But that was when the map was in the hands of Aya and Rinko. Once Yura took hold of the map, we were pretty much lost-free.

I don't know how many of those hosts I saw. Hordes and hordes of male eye candy were scattered throughout the whole place, and Rinko nearly had a hemorrhage from it. The girl fanned her red face. "Is it just me or is it really hot in here?" She grinned, winking at me.

I deadpanned. "I think it's just you…"

"Oh really? Because I swear I'm not the only one on fire here…" She eyed a host that walked by as she said this. I slapped my forehead at her straightforward and flirty attitude. That was what is bad but also good about Rinko. Although other girls might disagree when she comes upon their boyfriends.

"Heeeh~ Kumiko-chan isn't it? I didn't expect to see you here."

I froze at that really familiar voice. It was that annoying dude again…

The five of us turned to see Marui, fitted in a maroon suit that matched his hair and complemented his eyes. Besides him, was the hosts Akutagawa Jirou, if I remember correctly, and Niou.

I don't know why is it that I am always frustrated at Marui. He was a good guy, that I know. But I just tend to find him really annoying…

Jirou bounded up to me, and pulled me into a tight hug. "Kumiko-chaaaan!" His ever hyper voice rang. "It's been so long!!"

Despite my body stiffening and reddening face, I tentatively raised a hand and hugged him back. "H-hi Akutagawa-san…" I managed to get out, feeling the beginnings of air loss from his tight hold.

Jirou was hyper, and yet, I didn't find him annoying. This was thoroughly weird. Perhaps it's because I find this man so adorably cute? He was so innocent and just lovable~!

Marui…I don't know…he was friendly, and can be just as hyper when he wants to be. But he has a certain atmosphere of maturity around him sometimes somehow…and perhaps that's what's throwing me off about him. He can be intrusive, but so are Aya and Asuka. But perhaps what makes him different from them in my disposition against him is that Aya and Asuka are girls, and he was a guy.

In the end, I will probably have to admit that it was my insecurities around guys that caused my negative thoughts towards him. I don't hate him. I just find him quite aggravating- not to mention he tends to stay in my head for a long while after each meeting. And that was really annoying.

"Oi, Jirou." Niou placed a hand onto Jirou's shoulders. "Don't kill her before the festival even starts." The silver haired man snickered, and Jirou instantly released me, a heavy blush on his face from embarrassment. "A-ah! Sorry, Kumiko-chan!"

I smiled, shaking my head at him. "It's alright, Akutagawa-san."

My eyes caught Niou's smirk on me, and I nervously looked at him. "W-what?"

He shrugged, eyes turning over to Marui, that smirk still plastered on his face. That same devious smirk was on Marui's as well. "Well, I don't know….perhaps its just the fact you're here?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

A pop sound from beside me, and I looked to see Marui leaning over my shoulder. "He means that, it is quite an unusual sight to see you here."

"Yunami-hime, Chiyoko-hime and Okuda-hime maybe…but you, Ishimaru-hime? And Hisae-hime?" Niou shook his head, amusement scrawled across his handsome features. "Especially you, Ishimaru-hime." He laughed and I could only glare down at the ground.

Great. This is all Aya's fault. Now I'm being looked down on. I knew I wasn't wanted anywhere anyway. I could hear Aya and Asuka trying to calm down a already calm Yura. She did not even seem to care or mind that Niou said that, probably because it was true anyways. Yura was the type that didn't mind what others said about her, as long as it was the truth.

A warm hand on my shoulder made me look up, into Marui's now smiling face."Hey, don't feel bad about it. It's just that we all thought you won't attend an event like this; but doesn't mean it's a bad thing that you attended. In fact, it's great you attended!"

I felt slight gratefulness for him for saying that. It made me feel less unwanted. But I wasn't sure why it was great that I attended…

"What do you mean…great?" I made quote marks with my fingers.

He grinned down at me. "We're having a art contest of sorts later on in the festival! You have to be on my team!!" He clamped both hands down on my shoulders, staring me down with his eyes and daring me to say no.

I gulped. "Err…o-okay?"

"What?! No fair, Marui-san!! I want Kumiko-chan on my team!!" Jirou cried, flailing his hands around.

"Don't worry, Jirou-chan!" Rinko slid up to him. "I'll be on your team!!"

"Hmm? I didn't know that Okuda-hime is artistic?" Niou said in mock muse.

"Of course I am~" Said girl flipped her hair over her shoulders.

Asuka rolled her eyes. "Yea, and I'm the Queen of England." That earned her a glare from Rinko but Yura stepped in between them before they can start arguing.

"Isnt it time for the opening ceremony?" Yura asked in fake cluelessness- just to get Asuka's and Rinko's attention away from each other.

"Oh yea! Its almost time!!" Aya checked her watch, seeing that we have 5 minutes to get to the backyard.

"Just in case you ladies get lost, we'll take you all there." Marui stated, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"That'll be nice." Yura smiled at him in thanks, and I raised a mental eyebrow. Hm, I thought Yura didn't like him? Or maybe she didn't dislike him, just didn't like…ah never mind. I'm confusing myself.

The queer trio- no, not because they were gay or anything; but because they were such an odd team up- lead us to the backyard, taking us through shortcuts which we would have completely missed.

"You guys must be really familiar with this place…" Aya told them.

"Atobe likes to treat us once in awhile, so we come here often." Niou informed us with a casual shrug.

"IT'S SOOO SUPER COOL WHENEVER HE TAKES US HERE!! HE HAS THE BEST SWEETS SERVED EVER!!" Jirou exclaimed excitedly, and I could imagine little heart bubbles emanating off him.

"I have to agree with that!" Marui instantly piped up. "His chefs makes some of the best strawberry shortcakes I have ever tasted!"

Oh yea…Marui likes sweets, doesn't he? The day I met him suddenly flashed back into my head and I blushed. I said some pretty lame words to him back then…I hope he has forgotten.

"I still remember you bought me that whole bag of sweets~" The red haired man propped a hand on my shoulder. "Gift from an angel indeed~"

Sigh. Guess he didn't forget.

But I was lucky, because I knew Rinko and Aya was about to question me about that; however we had already arrived at the backyard and I took the chance to change the topic. "Where should we sit?"

The backyard, was huge as usual, had a large stage set up at the end of it. It was fully decorated as well with modern and traditional ornaments. Cushioned seats were lined up in rows all the way up to the stage, and waiters were walking around providing drinks and snacks. One came by us and Aya instantly grabbed a handful of hors d'œuvre.

"Did you know? They call these things 'Whore Divers' in Springfield MO." We all turned to find Shiraishi, and a man I had never seen before beside him.

Aya blinked multiple times. "Seriously?" She choked.

"Yes, quite seriously." Shiraishi laughed. And I could not help but laugh too. That was just too much.

"Ahahaha! That's brilliant!" Asuka chortled.

"Great to see you again, Ishimaru-san." Shiraishi greeted, lifting my hand for a kiss. Hey, he actually kissed it this time!

He turned to the other three with me, Asuka not included. "I believe we have not met. My name is Shiraishi Kuranosuke." He gave each of them the customary greeting that hosts seem to have.

I could see the telltales of a heavy blush on Rinko's face as she ogled Shiraishi.

"You're the one that came to Club Sacred the other night with Chiyoko-san, aren't you?" A deep voice unfamiliar to me spoke, and I came to face with the guy Shiraishi came with. He sported light copper eyes, and light brown ash hair, although it was darker than Shiraishi's.

He smiled at me and I could feel my heart thump a little. Too much gorgeous people…mayday….

"Oshitari Kenya~ pleased to meet you." As he kissed my knuckle, I blinked in thought and realization at the familiar name. Oshitari? Could he be…

"Are you Oshitari Yuushi's cousin?" I asked, as he straightened back up. He nodded. "Yes. You know Yuushi?"

"I met him once at Club Prism..." I answered, shyly scratching my cheeks. I didn't tell him that his cousin scared me somewhat with his straightforward ways.

"I see. Kajimoto told me about you. He said that you were an amazing artist." A light smile graced his handsome features, and if it wasn't so out of character for me, I probably would have fainted.

Hard clapping sounds brought us out of our conversation, and we all looked at Marui."Alright, alright~! Let's break up this flirt fest! The ceremony is about to start-" He was cut off.

"As hosts, aren't we supposed to flirt anyw-" Niou started to jibe at him but Marui cut him off in turn.

"Unless we want to spend the whole ceremony, we should get seats." A fine eyebrow rose, challenging Niou.

The other just sighed in fake surrender. "Okay, okay~ We'll get seats."

Around me, I can already see guests choosing seats and some were already seated. Most were standing, like us, and talking to hosts. I saw Kenya's cousin, Yuushi, some ways off, with a couple of ladies around him.

"Follow us. We'll get you the best seats there is~" Marui winked, and I saw Kenya and Shiraishi switch secret glances, rolling their eyes. I'm guessing there's a mild rivalry here, seeing as they were from different host clubs.

I walked beside Shiraishi and looked up at him. "Feeling threatened?" A giggle escaped me then and he focused delighted ash eyes on me.

"Not really. Although seeing as we're from different clubs, it's a bit of a natural reaction." He laughed. "But we're all good with one another."

A smile could not help but make its way onto my face again. It still intrigued me to no end that these competitors got along so well together.

Marui lead us to the second row from the stage.

"Is it alright for us to take these seats…?" Yura asked, worry scratched onto her face.

"Why shouldn't it be?" Jirou looked thoroughly confused as to why Yura was as so.

"Well, they are the second row…aren't they reserved for the special guests and people?" I murmured.

Marui and Niou glanced at each other and laughed. Shiraishi and Kenya smiled at me. I blushed heavily this time; not only from the smiles but also cause I did not know what I did that was so funny.

Marui came up to me and flicked me on the forehead lightly. "You must realize, Kumiko-chan~" I winced and rubbed my forehead, but stopped.

His head had fallen beside mine, and I can detect a faint scent of apple coming from him.

"Every single girl here is special; you are special~"

When he leaned back again, that same blush was once again on my face. But it wasn't from being scared, shocked, shy or embarrassed.

It was from happiness.

Special?

I hadn't felt like that for a long time. I don't think I've ever been that.

As the ceremony started with Atobe giving a much charismatic speech on the stage, I sat awed and silent in my seat, two rows from the stage.

The cheers and applauds of the crowd were drones to my ears, and Aya's and Asuka's cheers from either side of me were mere buzzes.

All that I heard in my head was Marui's voice saying that word- the word that has always eluded me, never coming to me, never being me.

"Special."

Is it even possible for me to be special?

But as I looked up at the stage, at Atobe and his proud figure up there, all the wonderful things surrounding us in the yard, all the beautiful things that my eyes has seen in this palace, all my dear friends with me, and all the gracious men that has so kindly opened up to me…

I felt that this palace was a fairytale palace.

Where special and magical things can happen.

I actually wrote this a week ago, after I returned from Hong Kong. But only posted now...cause...well, I wanted to see if I could rake in anymore reviews by delaying :p lol I'm such a review whore and evil.

It didnt work though....sigh. Ah well.

I guess I'll just satisfy myself by writing and imagining myself in Kumiko's spot x_X; Though I'm getting a bit edgy and peachy now from my parents pressuring me about life and college...Losing my temper faster as each day passes by, and I'm losing all inspirations to write something beautiful and fluffy and humourous and worthy of our dear hosts T_T

Thanks for reviewing though you guys =D

Lady Ladington, PhoenixRage92: especially you two :3 Lol you two are probably the ones that keeps me going on this piece of crap xD

ansonozaki- haha glad you enjoy it =] thanks for reviewing!

PhoenixRage92- I hope I can even do fluff haha I maybe a romantist, but I suck at fluff lol D: they usually turn out cheesy,like the end bit of this 8D; I thought it was too freaking cheesy as I wrote it, but I needed my bit of cheesiness in there so it stayed x_X and I like relationships that goes slow haha they mean more than something that occurred overnight, in my opinion.

Lady Ladington- lol you're a winner of that bet, thats for sure D: eh, Kirihara can be a snarky host, and he's amazingly adorable as long as he doesnt go Bloodshot ;3

and sorry about Kumiko's feelings; I'll admit, they are a bit confusing and misleading. But I guess it mainly occurred because she isnt used to guys, and hardly ever got glanced at by any before. So Marui's attention and quite (in her opinion) forward actions towards her ignited those feelings and thoughts. And I'm hoping to have a lot of fun writing the festival~ I got a bucket load of random games for them to be put through XD And yes, I envy my own OC myself T_T I'd die to be in her place D: