Soul: Hey, hey, hey~! I've been getting some inspirations lately so I was able to finish the next chapter right away! Joining me today is the ever so gloomy 11th Vongola Mist Guardian; Tatsuya.
Tatsuya: That is not how you introduce someone, Miss I'm-Freaking-Out-Cause-I'm-Writing-Nothing-But-Random-Stuff.
Soul: *Gasps* How do you know that? And it's not completely random, per say. I'm highlighting the festival best moments!
Tatsuya: You're an easy person to read. Quite frankly, I'm amazed you managed to make it this far.
Soul: The fact that you're insulting me with such a straight face seriously creeps me out.
Tatsuya: *Shrugs* SoulSpirit9440 does not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Read and review.
Val sat on her bed, the moonlight shining in through the open curtains of the balcony in her room. Although everything else had been turned off, Val couldn't stop her mind from ticking away.
After she had made an excuse of being sick to Rei, she immediately retired to her room. Fortunately, she was well enough to take a shower and change into her nightgown, but she was still as she sat on her bed. She didn't want to sleep; no, not yet.
Her mind was still a blur. What were these memories she keeps seeing of her past in the Chamber? Was it because it was so long ago that she had forgotten? No…
Val bit her lip, standing up. She walked over to her balcony and opened the doors, letting a rush of cold wind engulfed her. Shivering a little, Val grabbed a cardigan and placed it on her shoulders as she walked outside.
She placed her hands on the white marble edge, taking in deep breaths of fresh air. The night was cool, but it wasn't frightening. The moon shone brightly tonight, and sprayed across the blue and purple were tiny dots of lights.
Leaning her cheek against one palm as she propped her elbow on the rail, Val sighed. Surely, she would remember if she had met a boy in her Chamber. The only people allowed to see her when she was there was Reborn, her family and the maid.
It was foggy, but Val knew the boy had black hair. Was it possible that Rei was that boy? She couldn't remember his face. What was the color of his eyes? Did he often climb trees to reach her room?
Val blinked, remembering her succession test. Her younger self had mentioned a boy. How the boy didn't keep his promise. What promise? Did Val meet with this boy more than once for them to make a promise? If so, how did her parents and Reborn not find out?
Or… were they keeping secrets from her?
Frowning, Val gave up. She could worry about this later. Tomorrow was the festival and she needed to be well rested if she wanted to help out the class.
The girl made her way back into her room, closing the windows to the balcony and locking it before she pulled down the curtains. She wandered over to her bedside and was about to head to bed when a knock was heard on her door.
Curious, she opened her lights and went to the door. Opening it, she was surprised to see a boy with a soft smile on his face.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so late." He apologized, offering her a small bow.
Val shook her head. "Mhm, it's alright. What do you need me for?"
"Tomorrow, would you like to go on a date with me?"
"…Eh?"
"In just a few short minutes, the gates will open and the customers will come in! Let's aim for number one class event!" Aria shouted, pumping her fist into the air.
"Yeah!" The class cheered.
The bell rang, signaling the start of the culture festival. Eager, the class went to their assigned posts and prepared for customers. Those who were advertising immediately ran off to greet the customers coming from the gates. Those who were the genies first went to their "hiding place" with bag of bells in hand. The ones who stayed behind to explain rules and do the genie and lamp exchange went to their seats behind the large tables.
"We'll be going then." Aoi grinned cheerfully as he waved a hand. He, along with Rei, Karen, Glace and Yukino were part of the group who were going to be genies first.
Everybody was dressed in genie costumes to promote the event. There were several different designs to choose from, as well as a variety of colors. They could already hear chatter as people started to make it into their building and on their floor level.
"We'll head out too." Val said, grabbing one of their promotion signs. Hiro did the same and together the two left the classroom.
Aria, Kohaku, Rein and Yukine were left to stay in the classroom and help out there. While the girls went to the information station, the guys stood by the door and greeted the flowing customers walking in.
"When does the Promotion concert start?" Rein asked just as she handed a bag to a small child.
Aria smiled at a young couple as she gave them their bags. When they left, she turned to Rein. "Around the afternoon. They split the classes throughout these three days. Our class will be performing this afternoon."
"I haven't seen Pop Star today. Is she going to make it?" Yukine asked, walking to the table as the other class members greeted the customers.
Rein's eye twitched at the nickname but she said nothing of it.
"She said she had work in the morning. Her manager was supposed to have no jobs on festival days, but the offer came suddenly and they couldn't turn it down," Aria informed him. "I'm sure she'll make it in time. We only need an hour to do her make-up and dress. The stage will be set by the stage crew."
Yukine nodded. "As long as nothing happens, anyway."
"I was surprised."
Val and Hiro were walking side by side as they wandered through the hallways, promoting their event with their brightly decorated signs. There were students as well as visitors busying around, the noise level above the standard but everybody was having a fun time regardless. Shops and events were set up in unique ways to attract people, and people stood outside to advertise.
Hiro simply smiled as he always did. "By what? My invitation?"
Val nodded, glancing at the white haired boy beside her. "Why so sudden?" She asked, curious. The boy never strikes her as the advancement type.
"Since the other two are getting a lead, I might as well join in." Hiro said, stopping his feet and turning to her. He held up his hand, smiling. "Should we go to various events together?"
"What about the promotion?"
"Mhm, we can do it as we visit other classes in the building." Hiro mused.
Val stared at his hand, before glancing up to his warm smile. Returning the smile, she took his hand. "Alright."
As they visited interesting classes along the way, Val found out more things about Hiro than she had known before. Unlike the other two, Hiro was patient and much more calm. He didn't have a mischievous air like his father, but often his smile erased any hidden motives. Val wondered if he took more after his mother, Yuni-sama, than his father.
They passed by a small child as they exited another class. Hiro had stopped, bending down to reach eye level with the crying girl. "Hello there. What's the matter?"
Eyes full of tears, the child removed her hands away. Sniffing, "I…lost my mommy!"
"Is that so?" Hiro smiled warmly, pulling out a handkerchief and drying the child's face. "I'll help you find your mommy." He stood up, and placed a hand on Val's shoulder. "This nice girl over here will help you too."
"A-Ah, yes." Val offered the child, who had stopped crying, a smile. "What does your mommy look like?"
"She has brown hair and she's wearing a pink dress!" The child said, starting to feel better now that she was getting help.
"Okay. Let's go find your mommy." Hiro gently took one of the child's hands, motioning for Val to take the other. The three began to walk through the hallway, keeping an eye out for any woman that matched the description.
It wasn't long before they approached a frantic woman, who had cried out in relief when the child ran towards her. The mother thanked the two and they walked away with the child waving goodbye.
Hiro waved back until they disappeared into the crowd. "Sorry our date got a little interrupted."
Val shook her head. "It's alright. I'm glad we found her mother."
"Me too." Hiro said as they turned the corner. He smiled and pointed forward to an event nearby. "Should we go in there?"
The two came up to the darkly lit classroom with walls build within to create a maze. Ghosts and monsters made out of cardboard were hung from the ceiling and low music was heard in the background. There were fans on to give the room a chilly feeling.
"A haunted house?" Val said.
"Yes." Hiro took her hand, leading her in. The girl dressed like a vampire welcomed them into the classroom, and they started into the Haunted house.
A ghost puppet fell in front of their faces when they turned the first corner, but neither screamed. Rather, Val poked the puppet since it had the most unique face. More and more monsters jumped to scare them as they walked on, but the couple simply smiled and continued on their way. Once, several hands sticking out from a wall had grabbed Val, but she simply pried off their grip.
Hiro chuckled. "It seems you aren't afraid of ghosts."
Val smiled sheepishly. "I've never been one to be scared of supernatural things. Ghosts were once human with regrets. Monsters are mutated animals. There seems to be an explanation to a lot of things that people tend to look over."
"I suppose you're right." Hiro mused. "I might have misjudged you."
Val laughed. "Kohaku implied the same thing the other day."
Hiro smiled. "You shouldn't say things about other boys when you're on a date, Val. It's rude."
"I'm sorry," Val apologized, "but Hiro, you're not interested in me, are you?"
The same innocent smile remained on the boy's face. "What makes you think that?"
"Well," Val paused, stopping her feet, "rather than a lover, your eyes tell me you see me more of a classmate, a friend. You're kind to everybody, and since this date has started, you don't try to flirt with me like say, Kohaku did on our date."
The boy let out an airy laugh, causing Val to blink in confusion. He had let go of her hand and began to walk forward again, making her run a little to catch up. "You don't seem to want suitors, do you?" His eyes soften, his lips curving into a slow smile. "Love isn't something that happens overnight. While I don't seem interested now, I might get serious in the future, you know?"
"That's…" Val tilted her head, "…only because you want to see how the others react, isn't it? The reason you're doing this in the first place isn't to be with me, but to make your childhood friends try harder."
"You make me seem so malicious." Hiro said innocently. They were quickly arriving to the exit; the door was shining light into the dark classroom. "How about," Hiro paused before the exit, turning to Val, a smile on his lips, "you can come to me whenever you feel troubled. I'll always be there for you."
Val smiled. "Thank you, Hiro."
"It seems our date has come to an end." Hiro smiled cheerfully. He leaned forward, and Val could feel his lips brushing against her cheek for a split second. Immediately her face heated up, and she started to sputter as her hand flew to her cheek.
Hiro placed a finger to his lips, a rather mischievous smile on his face. "Don't tell the others, okay? It's our little secret."
All Val could do was give a weak nod and squeak.
"Where is she?" Aria paced around the room, anxiously glancing at the clock as the seconds tick away. She bit her lip.
Rein's eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Aria, stop that. She'll be here."
"She was supposed to come twenty minutes ago!" Aria threw her hands up, stopping her feet as she glanced to the table where they had laid out Izumi's performing outfit and make up.
"Maybe something happened with work." Kohaku said as he went behind the curtain to see why the others weren't out greeting and informing customers.
Yukine took out his phone and dialed the number. It only took a few rings before she picked up. "Hey, where are you?"
"I'm so sorry! The meeting ran a little later than usual and we're stuck in traffic right now. I'm not sure if we'll be able to make it in time." Izumi's voice came from the other end. He could clearly hear her stress.
"She's in traffic?" Aria shouted, overhearing the conversation. "Now what are we going to do?"
Kohaku placed a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Aria. Making a fuss now won't solve anything. We just have to get her here, right?" He looked over at Yukine who was still talking on the phone. "Yukine, where is she now?"
"On the bridge." The silver haired male responded, ending the call. "That's not too far by car but none of us can drive, can we?"
Kohaku shook his head. "We don't need to drive." He tossed a small cube to Yukine. "Press the button on the side."
Doing as told, Yukine felt around for the button and applied pressure to it. Immediately, the cube flew from his hands and materialized into a board. It was a long board, much similar to a long skateboard minus the wheels. The board was red with a unique design of white and red lines. The Knights' symbol was placed in the middle, with the Simon and Vongola's symbols off to the side in smaller print. Underneath the board were glowing white spots that seemed to keep the board afloat.
"Someone I know well made it for me." Kohaku explained. "They took the blueprints for the air bikes the Vongola 10th Family used and made a flying longboard."
"H-How does it work?" Yukine was amazed at the fine work the invention was.
"You just hop on it and fuel it with your flames. Summon your dying will flame and the board will absorb it. The more it absorbs, the faster the board will go. To stop, just jump off. With no rider, it will stop. Say 'Deactivate' if you want it to return to a cube." Kohaku explained.
Yukine nodded, jumping on the board. It rose up slowly, and he steadied himself. It wasn't his first time riding a skateboard, or longboard whatever. But it wasn't like he was an expert in riding one either. Oh well. Desperate times call for desperate measures. "Thanks, dude."
Kohaku smirked. "Go bring in the late princess."
With a laugh, Yukine gave them a wave before he jumped out the open window of the classroom. They rushed to see if he landed safely, only to see him fly out of the school gates.
Kohaku let out a low whistle. "Dang, he handles it well for his first try."
"I'm sorry, Kohaku." Aria's voice caused the male to turn his attention to her. Her head was down, and her hands were placed together. "I was being irrational."
"It's fine, it's fine." Kohaku said easily. "You're in charge of the class. Of course you'll be stressed out." He patted her head, smiling. "Don't worry, our class will definitely do well."
Aria slowly felt a smile reach her face, a warm feeling in her chest even as he took his hand away. "Yes."
"I'll go greet the customers." Kohaku said as he walked away.
Aria turned to her friend to speak, but Rein's eyes were focused outside where the silver haired boy had just left. Aria tapped her shoulder, the girl snapping out of her daze and turning to her. "Are you worried?"
Rein shrugged. "Not really. I'm sure he'll get her here in time."
"Not that." Aria shook her head, eyes softening. "Are you scared he won't look at you?"
"I don't know." Rein's bangs brush against her face, her voice growing softer. "Can I even win against an idol?"
Aria leaned against her friend, her arm coming around into a half hug. "You won't know until you try. Regardless of her being an idol, she's still a normal girl. Rather than giving up before you can do anything, give up after you tried everything."
"You're right." Rein smiled slightly. "Thanks, Aria."
"Anytime."
Izumi was fidgeting in her seat, tapping her fingers on her knee in rhythm. She was already supposed to be at the school, getting dressed and prepared. The class' slot was in thirty minutes. Not only was she not ready, but she wasn't even at the school. After everybody had counted on her to perform, she couldn't let this down now.
Biting her lip, she pulled out her songbook. Flipping it open, she arrived to the song she was supposed to sing today. She had worked between jobs for days on this song. The thought of being unable to perform it, to let her classmates down, was making her choke back tears.
Her manager was beside her, frustrated with the driver who was looking as annoyed as he was. They were supposed to have been finished before the rush hour, but of course the meeting had to go on.
The meeting was about her next live, which was scheduled to happen within the next month. But she was also supposed to model for a top designer's newest fashion line just before. The plan was for the fashion show to happen that evening, featuring her and a couple of other models. To end the night, they were going to have Izumi perform her newest song.
The designer was a beautiful, young woman with an hourglass figure. What memorized Izumi about her was the way she carried herself. The way she talked, walked and even sat listening was completely to her own pace. She, unlike the wretched sponsor, had gotten straight to the main points.
For heaven's sake, the man was nitpicking about everything. Saying the stage needed to be changed, the location needed to be moved, even insisting he be part of the group choosing the set list. Of course her manager had refused, to which Izumi couldn't thank her enough for.
They were moving ever so slowly, much slower than a snail! Izumi glanced down at her watch, watching the seconds ticking away. She shut her eyes closely, it was over. She wouldn't be able to make it.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the car window. Startled, the pink haired girl's head flew up. Her eyes widen at the sight of a silver haired boy grinning as he waved at her. She quickly got out of the car, ignoring her manager's questions.
"W-What… I mean, how did you get here?" She sputtered, her disbelief hanging in the air. Izumi's eyes wandered down, and she gasped as she saw the floating board.
"No time to explain," Yukine grabbed her wrist and before she could protest, picked her up bridal style. They lifted to the sky, far enough to not be noticed by the crowd of traffic below.
Izumi felt a jolt as they rushed through the sky, going against the winds as it flew at her face. She peeked down, swallowing hard when she realized how high up they were. It wasn't as if she had a fear of heights, but being so high in the air on a flying longboard made anybody worried.
"It's okay, just trust me." Izumi was surprised to hear his voice so gentle that she turned to him. He, in turn, gave her a warm smile. "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."
Somehow, his words gave her relief. She felt herself calming down, her heart beat coming to its steady rate. Instead of looking down, she looked ahead. The view was different, but it was amazing at the same time. There was something about seeing the endless sky beyond them and being right in the clouds that made her smile.
"Where did you get this? Actually, how is it working?" Izumi was able to find her voice again, breathlessly asking the questions as they flew across the sky.
"I borrowed it from Kohaku. He got it made by an awesome inventor." Yukine shrugged, answering as truthful as he could without giving anything away.
Izumi wrinkled her nose. "Red doesn't seem to suit you."
A laugh caught in his throat as he turned to her. "That's all you have to say? You're awfully relaxed now."
"You're the one who said to trust you!"
"Touché."
Izumi huffed. Without realizing it, she had pulled herself closer to his chest as the cold wind was starting to cause her to shiver. He simply smirked, and if they weren't in the sky, she would slap it off his face.
"Now, I do hate to cut our sky trip short, but we're here." Yukine gestured with his head at the academy buildings that were becoming visible. Izumi had completely lost track of where they were until he pointed it out.
"Put your head down." He ordered her, and bewildered, she did as told. She couldn't suppress her scream when they flew right into the window of their classroom.
Luckily, they landed all right and even more luckily, they had come in through the window in the back where only their classmates stared at them open mouthed. Well, at least they didn't have total strangers staring at them.
They settled to the ground before Yukine jumped off. He set her down gently and she tried to feel her legs. Yukine deactivated the longboard and threw it at Kohaku, who with Aria and Rein were rushing towards them.
"Thank goodness you made it!" Aria immediately grabbed Izumi's arm, pulling her towards the dressing room. "We only have a short amount of time left but we can make it if we hurry!"
Izumi faintly nodded as she let herself be pulled behind the curtains.
"How was the ride?" Kohaku asked.
Yukine grinned. "It was great. I seriously have to ask the inventor to make me one."
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