"..." Normal chat

ABC thought


- Would you be willing to love me? -


Chapter 28

In one afternoon

Bone-Eaters well

"Hanabi?" Sesshomaru frowns at the strange word as I nod in excitement "Yes! The people in my time are going to hold a Hanabi Taikai tomorrow night! It will be fun!" (Hanabi Taikai: Firework festival)

*Flash back*

Earlier this noon (Summer break)

As usual, I and my friends would gather up at our favorite ice cream shop for some treats and chit chat...

"Hey, Shiomi-chan! Do you know what day is tomorrow?" Therefore Hana confusing question caused me to tilt my head "Huh? What?"

"Oh come on! Tomorrow is Saturday July 25th! Does that ring you any bell?!" Once again irritated by my lack of social knowledge, Hana slammed her hands onto the table and I flinched in surprise.

While Kasumi just sighed and took another mouthful spoon of ice cream "Stop it, Hana-chan. You do know that Shiomi-chan has been too sick in bed to care about any of that"

Hearing so, Hana pouted "Ehhhh! But it would be such a waste to miss out this big event!"

And I could only smile wryly, feeling totally lost in the conversation "So uhm… Can you tell me what's so special about tomorrow, Hana-chan?"

"What else but the Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai?!" (Sumidagawa: Sumida River)

Hmm…July…Saturday 25th...Hanabi…After spending a short moment to think, I finally be able to catch up with what's going on "Ah! Tomorrow is the firework festival, I almost forgot about that!"

Watching my amusing expression, Hana hit Kasumi's arm and giggled "See! I told you she would still care!"

Figured that my brain was enlightened about the brilliant idea, Hana whispers to my ears "So Shiomi-chan…Have you invited *him*to go with you yet?"

"Him? W-Well not yet" I blushed and shook my head multiple times.

Needless to say that answer instantly earn a shout from her "What?! Then you should do it now before everything's too late! I bet he must have received the invitation from the other girl already!" Hana went on ranting about what I should do in order to make a progress in my relationship and Kasumi snickered "And what if he refuse because he has already agreed to go with *that girl*. Genius?"

The other girl? Oh, she must be talking about Nanase. I blinked once she mentioned about the female Inu youkai since none of them had known what happened to her yet. Thinking that Nanase's still clinging onto Sesshomaru at the moment and Hana frowned in disbelief "Ehh! There's no way, right?"

Although I would be more concerned about whether Sesshomaru interested in firework or not "Well, I guess trying for once is not going to hurt?"

Only waiting for me to say that, Hana gave me a thumb up "Yeah! That's the spirit, Shiomi-chan!"

*End flash back*

"Well, it's quite simple. All we have to do in there is to sit back and relax, enjoying the festival's atmosphere and beautiful fireworks" Sitting on the edge of the well, I describe shortly about the festival's activity to him.

"Tomorrow night…" Sesshomaru's voice suddenly trails off that causes my heart to race in anticipation "Yes, is it okay? Will you be busy?"

"Hn" But then he throws at me the same old confusing answer and swiftly walks off into the forest, leaving me completely dumbfounded behind "Eh?"

Hey! What kind of response is that?! Is it suppose to be a yes or a no?!

July 25th

In the morning

Shiomi's room

Since we're not going to walk on the street nor visiting any food and game stallsShould I wear a Yukata or just normal clothes? I stare at my white Yukata with red hanhaba-obi and sapphire blue butterfly decorations in the mirror, sighing. Besides all that, How do I know if Sesshomaru's going to show up? Should I go back and ask again?

And suddenly, there's a knock on my room's door and cuts me off from my thoughts "W-What is it?"

"Shiomi, you have a call" My sister's voice coming out behind the door and I rush to open it. Picking up the phone to answer, I hear Tatsuya's voice from the other line "Hello? Huh? Tatsuya-kun?"

30 minutes later

At the park nearby

Sitting on one of the benches inside the park, Tatsuya apologizes to me "I'm sorry for calling you out so sudden" and I shake my head "No, it's okay"

Then there's an awkward silence between us and I cough into my hand "Uhm...so why did you call me out here?"

Tatsuya flinches and finally speaks up, scratching the back of his head "Well to be honest, at first I was only thinking about inviting you to the Hanabi Taikai tonight. But that can be easily done through the phone so..."

"There's something else I want to talk to you, which is also equally important. Say, Sogo-san. Do you remember the first time we met?"

"The first time we met?" My head tilts in curiosity and he nods "Yes, it was around 2 years ago…"

*Flash back*

2 years ago

Shiomi's and Kagome's Junior High School

Wah, so heavy! The teenage boy in black Gakuran (Boy's uniform) with big glasses and black messy hair that covered most of his eyes. Cursing at his teacher ridiculous chore while carrying a huge pile of paper in his hands as he walked clumsily out of the teacher's office door. These papers are covering my sight! I can't see a thing!

"Ouch!" Not too long after stepping into the hall, the glasses boy bummed right into someone up ahead and they both fell on their back. At result of the unexpected impact, the white sheets scattered everywhere all over the floor.

Panicked, he sat up immediately and apologized while fixing his glasses "I-I'm sorry! I didn't see you there! A-Are you okay?!

And in front of him was a short black haired girl, who seems to be around his age, in a green sailor uniform and sat on her knees "Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about it"

Wow! So cute! Instantly charmed by the girl's appearance, the boy kept staring at her that completely forgot the situation he was in and she started to get confused "Uhm… Are you okay?"

Her question eventually snapped him back into reality and he flustered "H-Huh? Y-Yeah! Totally" then noticed the pile of papers just now had turned into the floor covering and his face turned pale within a second "Oh no!"

"Yeah… Probably not" The girl sweat-dropped, watching him turned panic like a headless chicken as he's trying to collect them back as fast as possible and she suggested "Here. Let me help"

Soon, all the paper was collected and she handed him half of it "Alright. This should be all of it"

"T-Thank you!" The glasses boy bowed his head to her in appreciation and she giggled "You're welcome. Though I must get back to my class now, it's almost time for the next period"

Therefore the girl stood up and left in a hurry "Be careful next time, okay?"

No! Don't leave yet! I need to know your name at least! The boy quickly got onto his feet then called out for her "Wait!" as she shifted her head back and he asked "M-May I know your name? Please?"

"Shiomi" She answered, smiling at him "Sogo Shiomi"

"Shiomi…" Tatsuya repeated the girl's name in awed as he watched her disappeared into the crowd in the hallway. Still dazed about what just happened and it's not until the bell rings that he finally snapped back to reality. Crap! I forgot to give her my own name!

And I don't even know which class or year she's in! He looked around to find her but the girl's already gone out of sight...

"Miyamoto! Have you brought the papers to our class yet?!" The teacher yelled out from the office's door and he flinched in terror, having no choice but to put that aside and got back to his duty "Ah! Y-Yes! I'm on it, Sensei!"

*End flash back*

"That boy from before was you?!" I point at him in disbelief and Tatsuya laughs shyly "Ha ha, surprise isn't it?"

"Of course! you've changed so much that I barely recognize you!"

"Well, yes. You didn't"

"Didn't?" I raise my eyebrow at the word and he sighs "You see, I was really happy when I found you again back at our high school entrance ceremony.."

*Another flashback*

1 year ago

High School Entrance Ceremony (April)

At the school yard

While making his way to the school's gym, Tatsuya saw the short black haired girl from back then was now in high school uniform. Walking in front of him up ahead and he dashed right over to her spot to ask "E-Excuse me! Are you perhaps, Sogo Shiomi?"

The girl blinked in surprise and nodded "Yes. And who might you be?"

Found Shiomi at long last, Tatsuya jumped in joy and pointed at his face to remind her "It's me! I was the boy in glasses who you helped back in junior high school! At the teacher's office!"

However after spending a short moment recalling to the past, the girl shook her head "I'm sorry but I don't remember doing that before. Did you mistake to someone else by any chance?"

"H-Huh?" Tatsuya's immediately taken aback by her answer and she looked at her watch "Oh! the ceremony is going to start soon so I have to get going now. Good luck on finding the person you're looking for" The girl bid him goodbye and hurried to the gym, leaving the poor guy behind alone by himself.

"W-Wait!" He tried to call out for her but she had already gone out of sight "Sogo-san…"

*End Flashback*

Finally remember everything, my face's darkened "I-I'm sorry. I totally forgot about what happened back in junior high"

And Tatsuya shakes his head to ensure me that he doesn't mind about my forgetfulness much "It's alright. What important to me right now is that I can finally be able to sit and talk with you, even going out to places to have fun…"

"… I love you, Shiomi. Ever since then and now" Tatsuya turns to me and looks straight into my eyes "Will you be my girlfriend?" He asks sincerely and causes to me to gasp in surprise "Tatsuya-kun…"

In a relationship? Me and Tatsuya-kun? But…I…

"Shiomi?" My train of thoughts are cut off by Tatsuya's call and I quickly bows my head to him in apologize "…I'm sorry Tatsuya-kun, but I cannot return your feeling"

"Why?" He asks, a great disappointment show both in his face and voice as I tell him how I truly feel "That is because…I've already have someone I like"

Miyamoto Tatsuya, whom I have always respected as a good friend from the start. And then there is Sesshomaru, who has already taken a special place inside my heart long before I can even realize what affection really is...

"I…I see..Even so, I will not give up on you. Not even a slightest chance" Tatsuya scratches the back of his head then stands up from his seat "And I'll wait until you accept me, no matter how long it will take"

Therefore his confident declare instantly causes me to lost for words "Uh..." And before I can say anything else, he adds "It's alright, you don't need to feel bad. Don't worry, I'm fine"

Somehow I have a good feeling that things between us three are going to get even more complicated from now on…

At night

Back to Shiomi's room

Standing in the middle of my room after having put on the Yukata, I stare at the clock on the wall then back to the Blue Butterfly Uchiwa. Getting more and more nervous for each minute passes by. It's almost time alreadyI wonder if he will come. (Uchiwa: Fan)

Can it be that I'm rejected? Maybe he is busy after all? Or he doesn't like watching firework with me?

All of a sudden, strong wind blows into my room and I shift my attention to the window. There I see the person I've been waiting for standing in the mid-air outside "Sesshomaru!"

"Jeeze. I thought you wouldn't show up!" I dash to the windows to greet to the silver haired man. However, Sesshomaru doesn't respond and keeps staring at me. Confused, I ask him "Huh? What's wrong?"

Somehow it takes him a short moment to answer and looks away "Nothing"

Is it because of my outfit? I hide my face behind the Uchiwa, embarrassed "Uhm…Do I look that weird on Yukata?"

"No. It looks good on you" This time he responds in instant and I jump in joy by his praise "Really?! I'm glad!"

Sesshomaru quietly observes the girl's smile for a little while longer before offering his hand to her "Let's go" and they start to fly off "Okay. I'll show you the way"

Sumida River bank

After spending around 15 minutes observing from above, I spot a good spot for us two at one of the empty roofs of the tall buildings around the Sumida River and points to it for him to land "Let's go there"

Once we land onto the floor, I rush over to the fence to check "Hmm…This should be high enough" and completely awed by the sight of people walking on the street, which is decorated with colorful lanterns and stalls that are selling food and game's services "Wow it's so crowded down there"

Somewhat is curious about the human activities in this era, Sesshomaru walks to my side to watch the exciting atmosphere with me. After waiting for a while and still no fireworks, my head tilts in confusion "Nothing happens yet, maybe we're here too early?"

Just then we hear a sound of gunshot along with other smaller explosions and people's loud cheer from below.

"Ah! It begins!" I look up to the night sky, seeing colorful fireworks appearing one after another. Nedless to say, I'm awed by the beautiful sight before me "Wah! So pretty"

"Don't you think so too, Sesshomaru?" I ask him while he keeps staring at the sky, though his face doesn't seem to show much interest to the fireworks like I do.

Figure that watching this kind of stuff isn't really his thing, I begin to feel guilty for having dragged him all the way here and be the only one to enjoy the festival. If I had known that Sesshomaru was going to force himself to come, I wouldn't have invited him and stayed home instead...

In order not to ruin the festive night, I try to come out with other options to do but they're mostly involved with going down the street and be surrounded with lots of human. Something that Sesshomaru definitely is not going to be delighted to be in and I eventually give up.

Having no other choice, I suggest the last resort "Do you want to return?" but for some reasons Sesshomaru refuses, insisting to stay "No. It's fine here"

Surprised by his decision, I ask him "Uhm... Can it be that you are having fun?" and he actually nods in response. Just then I figure that when coming to expressing feelings, Sesshomaru seems to be doing it quite different from the other people.

Once our short conversation ends, we continue watching the firework for a moment until I speak up again "You know…"

"After going through so many things in the past, I've finally realize that besides searching for my own origins. There's something else I'd want to do…" I turn to him, smiling as our eyes meet "I want to venture into that mystery world behind the Bone-Eaters well. Together with you, Sesshomaru!"

"Will you let me continue staying by your side? Even after finding out the real me?"

And a couple of seconds more or less after hearing my request, Sesshomaru relies as his gaze's still fixes into mine "As much as you wish"

Needless to describe how happy I am to receive Sesshomaru's positive answer to the point almost hugging him and squealing out loud. Fortunately, I restrain myself not to take a huge risk just in time and smile to him in appreciation "Thank you" Slowly resting my head onto his arm and we go back enjoying our peaceful summer night, holding each other hand.

The next morning

At a stream within some unknown forest

(Since there's no school, Shiomi wears sleeveless white blouse shirts, short blue jeans and sport shoes with blue backpack)

"That one!" Jaken yells to me from the ground while pointing at one of the fish swimming in the water "I said that one! Why didn't you catch it?!"

"Do you know how hard it is to catch a fish bare-handed?! If you wanted it so badly, why didn't you come down here and catch it yourself?!" I lost my cool after failing countless times and the little youkai scoffs "And why do I have to do that?! It is your job to serve me! Servant!"

"Who are you calling your servant, you arrogant little…!" As I'm about to snap, Rin jumps in to ease us "Onee-chan, Jaken-sama. Rin will catch them for you so don't fight, okay?"

Ah Rin is the best…As always. I nod to her in big appreciation and Jaken huffs "Cheh!" turning away. Just then something appears in the corner of his eye and he frowns "Huh?"

Curious, I shift my head to him while still standing within the stream "What? What is it?"

"Onee-chan, look. Someone's coming!" Rin points behind me and I spin around to check. Coming toward to our direction is a light brown haired young man, tanned skin and about Sesshomaru's height. Wearing armor and black boots while his hair is all tied up into a high pony tail traces down to his thighs. Golden eyes and long thin orange stripe on each upper cheek. But what catches out attention the most is the sight of familiar light brown fur behind his lower back.

Carrying a katana on his waist, the strange man stops before us and Jaken speaks up, pointing the Nintoujou at him "Who are you?!"

"I am known as Hakuseki" He replies coldly "The most trusted and loyal servant of Nanase-hime"