Chapter 36: Under the Moonlight

8/16/09

NAGANAKI SHRINE

The Shrine was crowded with people, young and old. Children ran around the grounds, playing with wooden swords and colourful masks. The shrine management had put in extra effort into this year's festival with shiny lights hanging from the trees and the store vendors happily chatting away with the older costumers.

If only tonight was a normal night, where Yukari Takeba hadn't seen Chihiro Fushimi come right up to the dorm to find Minato Arisato ; Where Takeba never got mad at Arisato because she never harboured such strong feelings for him ; A normal night where Yakushima never happened and he never got the chance to invade the forbidden realms of her fragile heart.

Minato had just arrived at the shrine with Chihiro. The younger girl didn't wear a yukata, instead she had come in her regular clothes, though she felt that she should've worn it as she watched other girls stroll by in their own seasonal yukatas.

Chihiro glanced up at Minato, his face was flawless and he felt like a dream. If you're a dream, Minato-kun, I don't want it to end.

But of course, she knew that it's impossible for her to dream on forever.

Minato was dazed; his usually bright blue eyes had become dulled. His body was here but his soul seemed to be somewhere else.

He's here... and yet his heart is far.

Chihiro was devastated, but as long as she could be with him, it was fine with her, even if he would never love her as she loved him. They strolled around the large shrine compound together, an awkward silence hung between the two.

She tried to crack a joke or two once in a while, but all she got were feeble laughs, as if he was trying so hard to smile and not just ignore her completely. Being together with her was tormenting him. She clutched at her chest as her heart throbbed painfully.

Chihiro thought about the first time she met him. He had just entered the council and she was introduced to him, she could remember his smile as he introduced himself. I'm Minato Arisato. Nice to meet you.

She always saw him around, mainly because she always found herself loitering outside the student council room which was conveniently located right outside HIS classroom. Ah, Chihiro-san, was it?

Do you want to go out?

It was an innocent question. 'Do you want to go out and grab lunch together?' He asked again, his head tilted to the side and his face had 'confused' written all over it.

Chihiro started to cry.

The two of them had just walked past a candy apple stall when Minato thought he heard Chihiro sob. He quickly swung around, his hands ready comfort her, his lips already parted, just about to ask her what's wrong.

"M-Minato-kun..." She sobbed, despite the curious stares, Chihiro continued, "I... I can't keep this in anymore..."

He furrowed his eyebrows and begun to frown, "Why? What's wrong...?"

The stares from the passer bys were beginning to irritate him. Minato sighed and with a finger, rubbed a tear that was rolling down her cheek, and he smiled, "Whatever's wrong, just forget about. It's only once a year that we get to enjoy a festival like this, so don't worry about it."

Yukari was at the shrine with Etou Takumi. Not the best scenario that she could've imagined. For one, she disliked the boy. Not that he isn't good looking...

Etou was one of the most popular boys in school, with his bad boy look; he never had any trouble with girls. Yukari had heard rumours of him dating three girls at the same time and eventually dumping all three girls the day before Valentine's. Yukari never had much respect for him to start with.

"You look stunning tonight, Yuka-chan," Etou smiled, he flashed his perfectly straight teeth, "The yukata looks great on you."

Yukari murmured a thank you, not wanting to continue the conversation. Why did I go out with him...? Tsk... Stupid impulsive temper of mine!

"You're welcome," He nodded, the flashy smile still on his face. Etou shot her a sideway glance, "Say, Yukari-chan. I happened to have an extra ticket for the Rise Kujikawa secret concert. Care to join me?"

Yukari's eyes widened as Etou reached into his pockets and produced two, extremely valuable, extremely exclusive tickets for pop Idol Rise Kujikawa's show.

"I didn't know she was holding a concert here...!" Yukari blabbered. She was a fan of Jpop, and Rise Kujikawa was a really big teen Idol. To get seats for Rise's regular concerts were ridiculously hard, and to get TWO tickets is just insanity.

No, it's more than insanity, Yukari! IT'S A RISE KUJIKAWA CONCERT! R.I.S.E .K.U.J.I.K.A.W.A !

Etou grinned, he waved the tickets in front of Yukari's face, "Of course you didn't! It's a secret show! They don't announce it on regular media. It's going to be a publicity stunt by Kujikawa's agency, apparently," He leaned in closer to Yukari, who was still a little shocked, "I had to get through great lengths to get these tickets, Yuka-chan."

Yukari frowned, her brows furrowed, "um... That's really nice of you to ask me, Takumi-kun, but..."

She glanced at the date on the ticket; it was too close to the full moon operation for her to go out all night. She hated Takumi, and the Rise Kujikawa tickets were a little too good to pass up, but...

"I can't make it," She said, "I have plans."

Etou frowned, clearly upset, "Y-Yuka-chan, the concert's still a while away, are you sure you can't change your plans?"

"It's important," Yukari snapped, what's wrong with him?

Etou tried to smile, waving the tickets again, his usually confident voice was cracking, "T-These are really hard to get, Yuka-chan. And it's probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to catch a Rise Kujikawa secret concert!"

You made plans three weeks ahead? What is this? You mocking me, Yukari Takeba? I paid good money for this, GOOD money. If I could, I would slap the fuck out of your pretty little face.

Just as they were walking past the ramen stall, Yukari spotted a familiar blue haired boy a little further up front.

So you did come here with her after all.

Just as she thought that, the girl in question stopped walking, and she started to sob. Yukari was shocked, Did he say something to her?

Etou Takumi watched as Yukari stared at something further up, what do you see now, ya little ungrateful bitch.

He scanned the crowd in front and didn't see anything extraordinary or exciting, just a typical festival crowd. That is until a tall man in front walked away and revealed behind him a young, blue haired boy, comforting a crying girl.

Etou wanted to laugh, so THAT's what's distracting the bimbo?

Yukari was still staring, unable to tear her tearing eyes away. Why was she caught up about this? She wanted to close her eyes, to forget all this ever happened. It was too much to take in, all in one short night. Yukari turned away from the scene.

She started to walk away, towards the path that led to a quiet resting area; Etou didn't want this to end. He grabbed her hand, "Hey, where're you going, Yuka-chan?"

Yukari shot him a feeble glare and snapped angrily, "Let go of me."

She snatched back her hand and walked away. She walked and she walked, then she started to run as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

And you're not here to rub them away.

Minato thought he heard Yukari's voice, he heard her shout at someone but he could find her. He glanced around frantically, searching for the brunette, fighting the urge to start running. But Chihiro was still crying and he can't just leave her here.

Where are you...? Tsk, Damn it, why can't things just go the way I want it to go for once?

Chihiro finally stopped crying, and she spoke so quietly, it was almost a whisper, "... I... Remember when you told me that you had to be with someone else...?"

Minato nodded slowly, unsure of where this was going, Chihiro smiled sadly, "... I know who that person is... Even if you deny it, I know who she is. You... You don't have to hide things from me just to make me feel better, Minato-kun."

"... I know you have to go," Chihiro smiled through her tears, "Thank you, Minato-kun."

He felt a sudden rush of affection for the younger girl and he gave her a quick hug before he ran towards the most likely place where Yukari can be alone, and preferably, Minato thought, not be with Etou Takumi.

Yukari was sitting alone at one of the benches, crying herself out. The resting area was a little dim, only lighted by the Moon. There weren't many people around by then, it was already rather late. An occasional couple walked past and Yukari was given patronizing stares.

A lonely girl in a yukata, crying by herself on the night of the summer festival, how pathetic.

"..."

She glanced up and saw him staring at her. Those beautiful blue eyes of his, concerned, worried and sharing her sadness. He smiled, "Hey stranger."

"What do you want," the words came out more venomously then intended, "I don't want to see you."

He ignored her hostility and sat down next to her, their shoulders touching, "... I'm sorry."

She snickered, "I think this is the first time I heard you apologizing."

"Lies," he laughed. Yukari couldn't help but laugh with him, she loved his musical voice, his blue eyes and his floppy hair and most of all, she loved being around him.

Stop it! You're supposed to be angry at him!

Yukari frowned, ... But what am I getting angry at..? ...

An awkward silence filled the air around them for the longest time.

"... You know..." Yukari said softly, "... I think... I was never mad at you."

"?"

Yukari cleared her throat, this was very unlike her, but she felt that she had to do this, "I think... I think I was mad at myself. I mean... I told myself that I hated you because you—"

Because you what? Cheated on me? We're not even dating...!

"You were hurt because I asked Chihiro instead of you." He said suddenly. Yukari looked at him and found him staring straight into her eyes. She turned away, her face becoming beet red.

"Y'know, I was going to ask you, but, Chihiro called me up and asked me before I could see you." He explained.

Yukari kicked the rocked near her feet, "S-so what, you're saying it's my fault?"

He waved his hands dismissively, "No! Not at all!"

She laughed at his reaction. His face was getting red too.

"I mean, you know how she's like. It must've taken all her courage to call me up and ask me out, I..." He trailed off, not liking where this was going.

I'm starting to sound like a self righteous prick.

Yukari suddenly giggled. Minato stared at her. The smile looked great on her, and with her in a yukata and the summer petals falling behind her, this scene was really like something out of a romantic drama.

"I know," She smiled, "You're not the kind of man to reject a girl when you know how much trouble she went through for you."

Her smile became sad, "I know."

The awkward silence came back again.

"...Do you remember when those guys stole my wallet, and you came to help me?" She asked.

Minato nodded. He watched as Yukari struggled to find the right words, "Um... Sorry I got so mad at you..."

"I think this is the first time I ever heard you apologize," Minato laughed.

Yukari blushed heavily and punched his arm playfully, "H-hey..!"

"Look, this is hard for me, okay...!" she pouted.

Minato smiled, "I know."

His smile... It made her heart pound faster, "I-I don't like having to depend on other people. I wanted to be able to take care of it myself..."

"...but I ended up needing your help." She cast her big, milky brown eyes on the ground.

Yukari then glanced at him, "I... I never told you this...but I was really glad you came."

Minato was already blushing, but with that, his face started to burn.

"I don't think I could say this to anyone else, Minato-kun..." Yukari choked, "Thanks for your help back then. I really appreciate it."

He laughed, trying to resist engulfing her in a bear hug, "You're welcome."

Yukari giggled as she looked away from his stare, "Haha, wipe that grin off your face!"

He smiled even wider. As he laughed, Yukari could smell his breath, a cool minty scent. He kept staring into her eyes, knowing full well that she was avoiding it.

She gave him a punch on his should again, "S-stop staring...!"

"... You look beautiful tonight," He said.

It was the same words that Etou said to her, save that it was phrased differently. But the effect those words had on her were poles apart from when Etou said it to her.

Yukari leaned in, and he did the same. His hands went up to touch her cheek while her heart throbbed faster and faster. Minato quickly closed the distance between him and Yukari, his lips capturing hers. The kiss was long and passionate and yet it was gentle and loving. Yukari's arms were wrapped around his neck and he still had his hand on her cheek, caressing her.

"Y'know," Minato breathed, "that should have been our first kiss."

Yukari pouted playfully, "So I got a little impatient, big deal."

Minato laughed, he stood up and held out a hand, "Well. It's getting late. May I escort the lady back?"

Yukari giggled, it was stupid, but she played along, "Yes, please."

They held hands, their fingers interlocked. He escorted her back to her room before he went back into his own. The lover and the fool both leaned against their doors, a blissful smile on their faces.

Author's Note: SO MUCH FLUFF. I hope you guys enjoy this one! And now, this sleep-deprived 16 year old will go catch some Zzzs :D

I know their conflict this chapter isn't very long (the last fight they had lasted for at least two chapters (?)), buuuuut! I have this part allllll planned out. Just you see. I'll make this an entertaining read, no worries! :)

anime-heroine: It must turn out this way! So that I can mess with the minds of the people reading this! MUHAHAHAHA!

Droplet of Sour: Better than your own? That's quite the compliment! My ego is very inflated now. Hahah! Thank you! And about the pacing, that's true. I think I'll take up that suggestion, because at this rate the story will end up with up to a hundred chapters. (Considering that the game plot itself is crazy long) That's alot to write D:

parody 'r' us: It's okay! It's summer! Plus the next full moon arc will have Chidori meet Junpei! YAY! JunpeixChidori! One of my favorite pairings :')