One hour. It was just one hour before the festival began, but to Miku it felt almost as long as year. Why did time have to drag on? It never had before, at least not like this, so why? Perhaps it was because she was sitting on a chair next to the entrance of her house, holding a box of string, and doing nothing. She could only listen to the hurried sounds of everyone in the village bustling around, panicked to get everything done on time. She could wait, though, if only because she had a job-one very important, she was assured-of providing string whenever needed.

"Miku, I need your help!" a voice called, Miriam, right on cue. Miku's face lit up brilliantly as she stood up to follow, but stopped before walking. She didn't exactly know where the girl was, much to her dismay.

Her ears picked up a soft sigh and then a shuffling of feet which stopped right before her. Miku's smile remained in place as she turned her head to where she assumed Miriam was. "How much do you need?"

"Only about half a meter."

"Okay, no problem!" she enthusiastically replied. It was a small enough measurement that she could feel out from memory. She sat down and stuck her hands into the box only to have her fingers met with a conflicting knot. To be more precise, a know made out of many many other knots. Her smile turning into a twist of concentration, Miku dug her unguided fingers into the ball of feisty string and began to toy with it, hoping to find an answer. Her lips pursed with concentration as she fiddled until her pinkie got stuck.

"Ah, just a minute!" she answered to Miriam's sigh. "I've almost got it." Her hands continued to try and untangle the string, but still to no avail.

"Look, Miku I-"

She cut the girl off. "No, I can do it!" she nearly cried as she continued to work. This was her important job! Her own significant role!

"Who needs some string!" a feminine voice called loudly. It was Gumi, the girl who was oblivious to everything except her own thoughts.

A dainty, but calloused hand was place on Miku's fumbling hands. "It's okay, I'll just get some from Gumi." Miriam's footsteps then started away from her, leaving Miku in her chair with just a box of string. Miku's tiny fingers curled to make fists within the box. She was so frustrated! Why couldn't she do this simple task? Wasn't she of use? Stop; she needed to stop. It was unlike her to think like that; of course she was needed. Everyone was needed to prepare for the festival.

With a small nod of self reassurance, Miku went back to patiently waiting with a content smile on her face. It wouldn't be much longer now till everyone was bustling with happiness: talking, dancing, and simply listening to the music. She couldn't wait, especially for the music. It was always the highlight of her year, and even more so now that Kaito would be there. Perhaps he would play that wonderful song of his again, and this time allow her to listen to it; not just the notes, what they meant. What his heart truly sang in that song. That was all one silly notion, however. Maybe it was just the excitement and long wait that was getting to her.

Everything was amounting to this point; to this event. It was so close now that she only hoped Kaito was as excited as she was.

Miku stood up, placed the box in the chair, and then walked into her house. Perhaps Meiko would need her assistance with something. "Meiko, are you here?" she called out. She received no answer. "Meiko?" she called again, louder this time. She heard some shuffling from the bedroom at the back, the sliding of a door, and then the sound of bare feet moving across the unpolished floors. "Meiko?" Miku asked as the steps approached her. The person's strides were too short to be the woman she was looking for.

"Oh! Miku, there you are!" came the young voice of Rin. "I was just- uh, getting something for Meiko."

Miku turned her head a little. Why couldn't Meiko have gotten it? Or even, "Why couldn't she ask me?"

"Um, she," Rin trailed off before finding her place and quickly saying, "She thought you might be busy. Anyway, I gotta go and get this thing back to Meiko, okay?" She pushed by Miku, quickly putting on her sandals.

The blind girl stood there after Rin and thought about what had happened. Meiko knew that she had all the free time in the world and never hesitated to give Miku something to do. Was she hiding something? What was Rin asked to get, anyway? She would have to ask about it the next time they were together. Perhaps for now she could try to make a lantern? It could pass the time and maybe be donebefore the festival started. Miku then thought about Kaito again. Maybe, if she made it, she could give it to him?

A lantern to help light his way.

BAM. And that's how you finish a chapter!

I'm so happy I finished this one like I wanted to. I even like the ending of it.

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