Chapter 28. Preparations for the Culture Fest.
Everyone returned from the trip not too long after, but occasionally I would look at Kyo and re-think of all those things I had dredged up at Kazuma's house. I always had to shove them aside though, otherwise I began thinking of darker things like life and death, and that sort of topic always reminded me of my past. After a while longer the school began to prepare for the festival, which was now just a few weeks away. It's scary how fast things fly by if you are preoccupied with anything else.
Our class was chosen to do a play, and I bet you'll never guess what play it ended up being... Yeah... It was Cinderella. That wasn't the best part, though. The main roles were also all taken from a class vote, and they ended up like this. Hanajima would be playing Cinderella, Yuki was the fairy "guardian," Tohru was the "evil" step-sister, Uotani was a "prince," and last but not least... Kyo was supposed to be prince charming.
Kyo: " NOW WAIT A SECOND!"
Was Kyo's reaction to it, but he got drafted anyways for the role. I couldn't help but to laugh at it all, which made him feel awkward. I didn't get a big role or anything, I was pretty much just one of the extra's for the ballroom scene. Someone in the background dancing or whatever with people. Still, I wanted to try and help out and do my part in it all. I wasn't the type for being up on a stage in front of lots of people, but for this time... I'd try something new. Who knows, maybe it would help distract me from everything else the day would bring back.
We all began to prepare for it, so several days a week most of the class would stay after to try and practice their lines or anything else that needed doing. Since I didn't have any I just hung around everyone else. And by everyone else I mean Tohru, Hanajima, and Uotani. Kyo was off sulking usually somewhere else, probably embarrassed about having to do this at all. Meanwhile Yuki was busy with student council stuff and usually not around to do much.
One day we were all just hanging around practicing when something unexpected happened. A really tall guy with really long white hair burst into the classroom and said something about lost sheep. Or was it lambs?
Ayame: "Ayame has arrived!"
Well, I suppose that answers the question about his name. But who was he?
Ayame: "Time is money boys and girls, so line up and tell me everything! Especially your measurements."
Yuki: " Wow, nii-san really came."
Everyone: "EH?!"
Th-this guy was... Yuki's older brother?! Wait, hold up, could that mean that he may be a member of the zodiac? Possibly? Probably not. Now that I actually could stop and look at them both, though, they did look rather alike. But Ayame was... very energetic. In some ways that was good, but in others... It was overwhelming. He had brought someone else with him as well, a girl wearing glasses with her hair up and in a maid outfit.
From that point on the day was intriguing. Ayame had us all measured for clothes that, from what I was told by Tohru and the others, he would be making himself. Wasn't that pretty expensive? Eventually it was my turn to talk to him, so I went to the back of the room where his little "station" was located. It was somewhat deserted despite the small room, just so people could have some form of privacy I guess.
Ayame: "Well now, who do we have here?"
Taren: "Uh, um, my name is Taren... Taren Skie."
Ayame: "Hm? Why does that name sound familiar... I feel like I've heard it somewhere... Oh! I remember! Tori-san once mentioned a Taren Skie who had gotten involved with everything in our family. That wouldn't be you, would it?"
"Tori-san?" Could he be talking about Hatori? I had never heard anyone call him that before.
Taren: "We-well... Yeah. That's me."
Ayame: "Oh, I see! Well, welcome aboard the drama! Ah hahaha!"
Yep, he was very high-spirited alright. Casually he took my measurements while relating some "funny" experiences he, Shigure, and Hatori all had as kids. I didn't really understand anything he said though, it all seemed to be terms and mumbo-jumbo that he casually spewed around out of order and very quickly. I couldn't keep up that well.
Ayame: "Ah, yes, those were the good days. Now then, one last things before I cut you lose."
He leaned in close to me, making me lean back a bit.
Ayame: "I'm sure you have been told this, but... The secret that you have found out about a special someone is, to be honest, VERY secretive. A very limited number of people know about it, and I mean VERY. Please do be careful with any information that pertains to said person, yes?"
Taren: "Y-yes sir!"
I said automatically. So, Ayame knew of Akito and the... interesting phenomenon that surrounded her-him! I meant him. I wonder how many other people know, if it's such a well kept secret even among a family as secretive as the Sohma's. Could I be the only one to know outside of the family? I really had gotten involved with everything very fast, so maybe it made a lot of people anxious.
Ayame: "Also, just to let you know, I am the snake!"
Ayame said semi-loudly after letting me go. Some of the class looked over at him like he was weird, while anyone who knew what he spoke off looked a little anxious. It was a wonder how he could be so
"kingly" like this while also being cursed, but how nice to have met another member of the zodiac! How many did that make, now? 7 or so?
After that event the days began to blur a little more again, as we all kept about the same schedule each week. Soon enough, the Culture Fest was only a week away. But, it wasn't the fest that I was most worried about.
