Kumori regarded himself in the mirror, looking this way and that. As preposterous as it was for someone like him-fully Japanese and born and raised in the country on top of it-he'd never worn traditional clothes before. No, it had always been a suit, or school uniform, or things along those lines. Not a neat, charcoal black yukata with rough stripes in different dark-grey shades, held in with a sash of dark purple. If it wasn't for the fact that he'd kept his hair the way he always did, and that his face looked like it always had, he wouldn't have believed that the person in the mirror was him.

"Really, you should have a new hair ribbon."

Kumori turned to look at Hoshiko whom, sitting at the desk, could not be seen in the reflection. Technically, she wasn't supposed to be there, but her and their other sisters had struck a deal-if they didn't tell their mother when she went to see Kumori, she wouldn't tell when they snuck off to see their bad-news boyfriends. It probably was not the healthiest way of managing life, but it worked. And it meant that Kumori got to see Hoshiko more often.

"I like this hair ribbon though." He said. "You gave it to me."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, but it sort of takes the edge of your debonair-ness, it's falling apart. And you wanna look your best for your girl, right?"

"S-she isn't my girl." Kumori protested.

"Yeeeah, but if you play your cards right, she might be."

Kumori blushed hotly at this, and Hoshiko just laughed and laughed, which didn't help matters. But soon, she calmed down, and once she did, she looked at Kumori properly.

"I mean, on a serious note, if she isn't completely bowled over by your suaveness I am seriously going to question her taste. Like, there is no better catch than my brother and I will fight anyone who says otherwise."

"Thanks, Hoshiko."

"No probs. Now, are you going to get a move on?"

"Yeah…."

Kumori nodded, but though he stepped away from the mirror, he did not make a real move. He wasn't sure what was stopping him.

"Kumori, look at me."

Kumori obliged.

"I know exactly what you are thinking and-honestly, stop. You deserve to be happy, especially after what this year has thrown at you already."

Do I? Do I really?

"Not that I'm gonna convince you that easily, I can see. But hey, at least give yourself a break. Besides, you can't back up now. Yorokobi-san is probably looking forward to this, as much as you are-and I know you are."

That was enough to snap Kumori out of it, at least for a moment. He could hardly let Yuna down, that would have been incredibly rude, and he certainly didn't want her to be upset. She didn't deserve that, because this year so far had been hard for her, too. And all things considered, he could see it getting harder, especially if they were going to take more drastic measures. Which, frankly, after Riko, he hoped they would. Yet at the same time….he sighed, shaking his head and earning another concerned look from Hoshiko.

"Kumori?"

"It's alright, Hoshiko-Onee-sama." He said. "Let me just get my things."

…

Kumori arrived about twenty minutes early, but managed to persuade Hoshiko that it was fine for her to leave. She was starting to look a little tired and he didn't want her to stretch herself too much. But of course, that didn't leave him much to do, so he took out his phone and opened up 'Shh!'

Kaneda-sempai: So, anyone hitting up any festivals tonight?

Emiko ;): Sadly I have a dreary family party to go too. Sooooo boring

Shino: Yeah, I'm hanging out at one with some theatre buddies.

Flower: I'm going to one with…a friend.

Shino: Oooooh, a friend!

Flower: Hi-Hisakawa-san…!

Emiko ;): Ooooh are you blushing?

Emiko;): But seriously, enjoy yourself, you deserve it!

Mihoko: Yes, you do.

Flower: T-thanks

Keiko Usui: I'm taking my two younger brothers.

Kaneda-sempai: And I'm escorting my lovely little sister!

Minah Kang: That's nice. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again when the new term starts.

Sho: yeah saaaaaame. this summer's been too quiet apart from this meeting

Shino: Well don't you worry, things are sure to get more eventful

Shino: It is Hope's Peak, after all

Minah Kang: I hope that nothing will happen though, but I know that's probably unrealistic. Still, at least we can help.

Keiko Usui: Yes, it isn't all hopeless.

Shino: =D

Kumori thought of tapping out a reply of his own, but then he heard the words 'Hope's Peak' being spoken and he looked up to see a bunch of girls a similar age to him and wearing casual clothes milling around, possibly waiting for someone the way he was, and chatting.

"Yeah I heard their fireworks were like, amazing! Man I would have liked to see those."

"I know right! Hope's Peak always does super-cool stuff, I wished I could go there-even on the Reserve Course, then at least I'd get a glimpse of the cool."

"Don't they treat them really badly?"

"What, no, I thought that was just rumours?"

"No, no, my cousin's friend's somebody is on the Reserve Course and apparently one day she…."

A flurry of people walking and chatting obscured whatever this girl was about to say, but by the time that crowd had passed, the group were still talking.

"Yeah, well, I don't believe any of it!"

"It does sound fishy to me but oh well. It's not like we know, is it? I just think the place is a cool one to be-much better than our school, right! Oh, she's here!"

Kumori watched as another girl joined them, and the group squealed and hugged before talking about something else and walking away. If it wasn't for the fact it would have been improper to just randomly approach them, Kumori would have been tempted to tell them that actually, Hope's Peak wasn't a good school. It wasn't 'cool' or whatever it was that they thought. It was a school that hurt and even killed.

Still, the truth will come out, eventually, if we have anything to do with it. He had made that promise to Riko at her grave, after all, that she would be the last. He wasn't going to sit and let Hope's Peak continue as it was, and he would have forged on alone, but he was glad, at least, that he didn't have to. That there were others who thought like him, even if they were a little hesitant at the possibility of taking extreme action. Which, honestly, he could understand. But he also knew that they understood his views, too. And that inevitably, they were all on the same side.

Kumori closed his eyes for a moment, and took a breath, and when he opened them, he saw that Yuna was coming up to him. Her hair was twisted into a bun, held into place with floral hair-pins, and her yukata was resplendent-a vivid jewel-like purple with flowers in different shades of pink, a pale pink obi tied with lilac. She looked nervous, but when she spotted him she smiled and her pace quickened.

"Kurogane-kun." She greeted him. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"No, not at all," he said smoothly, putting his phone away. "You look good tonight, Yorokobi-sama."

"Ah…erm…"

Yuna blushed, and fiddled with her little clutch bag before eventually stuttering out a thanks, and her blush eventually faded and she smiled.

"So then," Kumori said. "Where do you want to go first?"

"Hmmm…."

…

"So, Emiko-sama, how have you been enjoying your first term at Hope's Peak?"

Emiko regarded the dreary, smartly-dressed old man who was just another of her father's many, many grovelling associates-wealthy men in their own rights but somehow cowed by the Shishikane name (which made them ridiculous, in her eyes)-and made an effort to try and dredge his name out from her memory. Unfortunately, it didn't come, so she just plastered her best smile on, using it to full effect as she took a sip from her champagne glass and pretended to think.

"Oh, it's been absolutely wonderful. Lots of interesting people to meet and so forth. I'm sure you know how it is."

"Oh, yes, yes, so many industrious and prominent youths in amongst the Main Course classes. Quite a few of them are from good families themselves, though I don't see any of them here tonight."

"I might have met the students, but I'm afraid I don't know any of their parents yet." Emiko said bashfully. "There's just been so many people to meet, you know, I can't waste my time with every single one of them."

This last thing she said in a slightly louder voice, hoping that some of the words would reach through the social-gathering noise and aim for her father, who was very carefully scrutinising their interactions. Probably to make sure that she was still behaving as befitted her status. Or possibly with a view to securing a marriage match. Ughhhh. The thought made her shudder for so many reasons, but she reflected it could have been worse. Most likely, it was that this man had sons (or more likely, considering how decrepit he looked, grandsons) who would be eligible. And even her father would not be so backwards as to marry off a girl child before she'd finished her schooling.

"No, no, naturally. You can't get ahead in life if you don't mix with the right people. And you and your family are most certainly in that category-speaking of which, I must go now, there is someone I need to speak to. I do hope I see you soon, Emiko-sama."

"Ohh, likewise." Emiko fluttered her eyelashes.

Unfortunately, she didn't get a chance to pull a face into her drink discreetly once he'd gone, for almost as soon as he had, her father approached.

"It looks like you have managed to charm him."

"Oh, I was just being polite." Emiko said airily.

Her father narrowed his eyes at her for a moment, and Emiko took a breath, waiting. Eventually, he made a grunt which she presumed was approving.

"I suppose your strategy of charming does have its benefits." He said. "Takigawa has grandsons in their final year of high school. Fraternal twins."

"Oh? Have we met them before?" Emiko asked, trying to ignore her thoughts of: Well, charming has its drawbacks, too. Not that you'd know.

"Possibly, when you were a baby." He said dismissively. "But anyway, that isn't something we need to worry about for a while."

Emiko just smiled and waited.

"But anyway, when you do go back to school, do make sure that you're making the right connections. Like the Otsuki girl and the Mori boy. And Teranaga."

"I have been interacting with them frequently, I'm sure that won't change."

"Good, good. As it happens, the Mori boy would be a good match for you, if it came to it. But even if not, you never know when we need someone more adept at the law to do our bidding." Her father continued.

Ewww, stuffy Mori. Emiko stifled a giggle at the moniker that Mihoko had shared with her and Shino and Hana. Oh, how she wished that they'd been here with at least one of them, it would have made things so much easier. But not even Hana's family was here. Even being able to show off her fancy new midnight-blue dress hadn't been enough of a consolation prize.

"If you make yourself known, we'll hopefully be able to find you a Talent of some sort. And you know what that would do for our status."

"Yes, I do." Emiko said, bored by this exchange already. "Don't worry, I'm trying."

"Well, you need to keep trying. And you can continue trying by actually networking with the guests, like you managed to do with Takigawa."

"Of course."

Emiko diligently trotted off and milled amongst the guests, flashing smiles and uttering greetings until another came and made more small talk, and they parted ways, and she repeated the process. It was occasionally broken up by her either topping up her drink or grabbing some nibbles. Because of course nibbles were all that there was. It made Emiko want to scream, but of course, she didn't. Not least because it'd completely blow her cover. It'd be easier for her to escape this life if right up until that time, everyone believed she was truly a part of it.

Which meant enduring pretentious Shishikane gatherings until she could get back to school.

And there, she thought while nodding along to another dreary old rich-man's rambling, I will be making so much more than connections. And none of these people have a clue. It was almost hilarious, how much this group, with their money and connections and various different family names, all revered Hope's Peak, which really was just a drop in the ocean. But clearly it was a big enough drop to infect said ocean. She was fairly sure that analogy butchered a whole lot of metaphors, but that wasn't really her problem. No, her problem was how she would be helping to shake up everything.

And that won't be a problem at all.

So, Emiko continued to smile, and continued milling.

…

After they'd finished watching the dancing on the community stage, they wandered around looking at the different amusement booths. For a little while, they didn't say anything, and Yuna was able to simply enjoy being here with Kumori. She'd missed their TEP sessions over the course of the holidays, but of course, it was more than that, really.

"Do you want to play any of these?" Kumori asked. "It's my treat."

Aaa, what a gentleman, Yuna thought, trying not to blush. She looked around her, seeing all the different games that she'd play when, as a child, she visited the festival either with her older brothers or girls from the church. It was very different, being with Kumori who was…well, what, exactly? She knew what she ultimately hoped for.

"I…erm…."

She looked around her, and then decided that maybe they could leave the games for later.

"How about we get something to eat?" she asked, tentatively.

"Of course, Yorokobi-sama. What would you like?"

"Something sweet, I think?"

"I just saw the perfect place, I am sure that you will love it." Kumori said decisively, and started to advance when he paused suddenly, surveying the milling crowds.

"Erm…." He fidgeted, blushing slightly. "I don't suppose you would like to hold my hand…just because I wouldn't like to get separated from you?" he asked.

This time, Yuna blushed. To hold his hand, when they were not even….the thought was ever so forward, possibly even improper. Yet, there had been so many romances that had started in similar ways, also in festivals. And this was almost practically a date anyway. Besides, it was Kumori, who had always been never anything less than a gentleman, and one who sometimes seemed as baffled at the world as she was, as opposed to someone who was trying to be a popular and perfect ladies man. But of course, she wasn't going to think of that slimy ex, her first and mistaken foray into romance. He didn't deserve the brain power.

Even putting that aside, hand-holding was connection. And connection was understanding, which she so badly wanted. So she tried to fight the blush, softly thanked him, and took his hand.

For what it was worth, Kumori seemed a little abashed by the gesture himself, but all the same he confidently gripped her hand, and turned and led her to the stall decorated in pretty pastel colours, which held a delicious looking assortment of sweets, including colourful cups of mixed sweets and various lollies and fruit caramels. There were also chocolate bananas on sticks. She took her time in looking at it all and deciding upon what she wanted, and while she did, she quietly took in Kumori, the profile of him, how regal and resolved he looked (traditional clothes seemed to suit him more than suits, she thought) even despite the weight that he held.

"And you might think I'm just talking about Riko-kun, but I'm not! Look at Hisakawa-sama, look at everyone caught up in the riots, look…look!" Kumori continued, impassionate. "You think Hope's Peak deserves to live?"

Over the course of the evening so far, they had not talked about Hope's Peak at all, which was strange, but Yuna had been relieved. She had not wanted to see the slightly crazed, bright look in Kumori's eyes that she had seen there during that meeting. She knew that he grieved deeply, and she hated that she had ever, ever been jealous of Riko (even if she had sinned in her death). She, too, would be furious to lose a loved one like that. But that…what he had been talking about, what they had all been talking about. It had to be some sort of joke, some sort of something that she did not understand about people these days. Because if she had understood right, well, that was such a horrific thing to do. A sin, even worse than suicide, really.

"What about one of those cups, they look rather…fun."

Yuna startled, and looked at Kumori, who was smiling slightly at her, with a slight undercurrent of bashfulness. Certainly not like someone who would really want to hurt anyone. No, it had to be the grief talking. It had to be all their grief and pain talking.

"They do, don't they?" she said. "I think your choice is a sound one."

Kumori was so clearly pleased by this, it warmed her heart, and she watched as he confidently paid the vendor, and then handed her one of the cups, and then once again, Kumori took her hand, and they started walking through the crowds, until they turned a corner and those crowds thinned. Then, carefully, he let go of her hand.

"No, it's alright." She found herself saying.

"I…I'm sorry?"

"I, you know, my hands. I don't mind if you wanted to keep holding on. I know I can trust you to not be inappropriate. And besides, it was….quite nice."

Oh my goodness, that was so forward! Yuna could not believe that she had just said that. She knew Kumori wasn't bought up in the same traditions as she was, but surely he would disapprove, what with his relatively similar values. Surely he would.

Yuna held her breath for a moment as Kumori blinked and took this in, but after a moment, he nodded, and held his hand out once again.

"If you wish to do so, then I cannot refuse."

Yuna beamed, sunnily, and laced her fingers with his. Only loosely, for she didn't want to be too improper. But all the same, she held on, and they kept on walking.

…

"Do you think that goldfish get traumatised by fireworks?" Kumori asked with some concern.

"No," Yuna said, after thinking about it, studying the little goldfish that she had won and insisted on gifting to Kumori. "I shouldn't think so."

"Oh, that's good, isn't it, Ruth?" he asked, addressing the goldfish by the name that Yuna had come up with.

The fish swirled around in the little bag, seeming pleased. Kumori smiled at it, and then looked around them. They had come up a little hill that was far away from the walkways and viewing areas that most of the other festival-goers were trying to flock to, not wanting to be obscured by too many crowds when the fireworks started. There was something thrilling, almost daring about the seclusion, but from this vantage point, she could see people around her, and there were not even any trees to hide them. There was nothing for her to worry about, in terms of propriety, but all the same, there was a sense of romance in the air from being here.

"I'm sorry I do not have a jacket or something to lay down on the ground, or we could have sat on that." Kumori said absently.

"No, I think it will be fine." Yuna replied.

"Are you sure, Yorokobi-sama?"

"Yes, I am."

"Oh, good. We have been walking rather a lot, have we not?"

"It has been great fun though-thank you so much for coming with me." Yuna said warmly.

She smoothed down her yukata, then sat down, arranging her own goodies-a teddy-bear and a heart-shaped cushion that Kumori had won for her, both put into a see-through carrier bag-beside her. Kumori hesitated a moment, and then sat down beside her, clearly taking care to make sure that the distance was appropriate. The bag containing Ruth the goldfish was placed carefully in his lap, and he curved his hands around it protectively. The tenderness of the gesture touched her.

"I am glad that you have been able to enjoy yourself with me, Yorokobi-sama. In truth, I was really hoping that you would, that you would not think me…inadequate."

"Kurogane-kun, you are far from inadequate. Why would you think that?"

"I…." Kumori sighed, looking down at Ruth. "I have failed people before. People that I care about, in different capacities."

"What she did was not your fault, you know." Yuna said, trying to fight the sudden, irrational panic. "She chose to do that. I know she was in a lot of pain, I know she was under pressure, but…"

"Yes, but if it wasn't for Hope's Peak, she would never have got to the point she had chosen that. Never."

But she had you. She had you, and yet she still….

"I know." Yuna didn't, but she didn't want Kumori to get upset again. Did not want to see the look in his eyes. "I know. But all the same, it was not your fault. You tried so hard. I've seen it with my own two eyes, and with God as my witness I would swear that you did everything you could to try and help her."

And I sinned, by resenting something which was so truly good to do.

"It's not just that though, is it?" Kumori said, sighing. "There were the riots, too."

"But you were trying to do the right thing, weren't you? And you weren't the one pushing for violence. You do not have a violent bone in your body."

At least, that was what I thought…

"I feel like some of my bones might become violent, if things keep going." Kumori said, grimly.

"You think Hope's Peak deserves to live?"

She was not seeing that same light in his eyes in the here and now, yet in her mind it was so clear, it may as well have been. She tried to push it away, and to focus on the Kumori she saw in front of her. Remorseful, compassionate, refined, beautiful. That was Kumori. Everything else was the grief talking. She knew it. And so, she had to be the sort of friend that could help him out of it, to see the light and make the right choices.

To say nothing of making it up to Izumi-san by fulfilling her request.

"But you care, and you are trying. It is not your fault that things are not going as you intended them. But good does prevail over evil, and you are truly good. More than adequate, in my eyes, Kurogane-kun."

"I…you are truly a special person, Yorokobi-sama." Kumori said, after a moment. "Your opinion truly means a lot to me."

Yuna blushed just a little at that, and opened her mouth to say something, but suddenly the night sky was filled with flower-bursts of colour, soon followed by a cacophony of explosions. Transfixed, she looked to the sky, and simply watched for a few moments. For a moment, the swirling feelings that had been brought up were quelled as she simply enjoyed the beauty of the view. But then, Kumori spoke again.

"I….Yorokobi-sama, I have two confessions to make?"

Yuna gave him a sideways glance, and then turned more fully towards him, startling when her knee touched him slightly. She scrambled backwards slightly, then returned to sitting demurely and in a composed manner.

"Go on."

"Well…the first is, I am scared. I know you believe in me, but all the same. I am scared of what might happen. "

"Kurogane-kun…."

In truth, I am, too.

"What's the second?" she asked briskly after the pause had gone on for too long.

Kumori did not immediately answer. He swallowed, and his hands-still carefully cradling Ruth-trembled. He looked down, and looked up.

"I think I am starting to fall for you, Yorokobi-sama."

Yuna gasped, feeling her eyes widen. She put a fluttering hand on her heart, as she tried to take stock of what he had just said. Falling for me. Falling for ME! This is….Never in her life had she thought she would be so lucky as to receive a confession under the fireworks. And from someone like Kumori….well, that was beyond her wildest dreams. She knew that this time, it would be something that would last, that would mean she'd have the life she had always dreamed of.

"I…well, I happen to also be developing, erm, romantic feelings for you too…" Yuna managed to stutter out. "I…well…"

"You feel the same, basically?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then, would you like to…."

Why, exactly, am I hesitating? Yuna was overjoyed, ecstatic. There weren't exactly wedding bells ringing in her head, but the future that the two of them would have stretched out long and glorious in front of her. But….

But….

No. No, you know it will be fine. You know it.

Besides, she reasoned to herself eventually, when she realised she needed to say something, in this position, I am much better to support him. After all, in true romances, people help each other through everything, and to become better versions of themselves.

"I would," Yes, I would. I would. "But of course, as I always say, things must be conducted appropriately. "

"I wouldn't dream of doing anything differently, Yorokobi-sama."

It will be fine. I know it will be.

…

Onnaji dake yume o miteru koukatsusa ni

Chigau kotoba o ima tada machi tsuzukete iru

Long after the fireworks had finished, Mokomichi sat in his windowsill seat, listening to music, looking out of the window. He wondered if Mizuki had actually gone out to see the fireworks, maybe with that friend of hers he'd met the other day. It might have been nice to go with her, a bit like how it had been to watch the fireworks at the party. But on his own, watching them from the window had been perfectly adequate.

I wonder, what will the next term bring?Of course, there had been the plans that Mizuki had gone through with them, the neat summary lifted off of their meeting minutes and sent around. But the real game-changer, the thing that couldn't really be broken down into a to-do list with strategies and contingencies and whatever the hell else, that was what he really wanted to know about. Mizuki had shut such talk down pretty quickly-and there was a part of him that understood. Yet…

…Yet, at the same time, ever since that conversation (or maybe even before that, come to think of it, for hadn't he started thinking of it even when the idea had just been confined to chat groups?) he had found himself dwelling more and more of that day.

That day, when he'd spotted Shouta Takahata practically sniffing around for a Reserve Course student to pick on, and quietly hiding himself away, only to put another student in the crossfire. That day, when he'd watched Main Course student chase Reserve Course student, and others drift away so as to not get caught up. That day, when Shouta Takahata tripped over a rock, and hit his head on another one, falling at a funny angle so that his leg was almost certainly broken, while his oblivious victim ran on. That day, when, after a moment of disbelief, Mokomichi himself had walked away.

Kawari no kiku kandou o yakimashi no doramachikku o, anata e, anata e….

He had mostly pushed it to the back of his mind-after all, in order to survive; he had to keep his head down. Keep his head down, and keep going. That was all there was to it. But just as Mizuki had made him rethink everything else in his life, he had found himself rethinking this. And for all the different justifications that he had come up with, in the end it came down to two things:

First, that there was a part of him that felt bad.

Second, that there was a part of him that didn't.

Especially not now. The question of whether to aim for the top or aim for the heart-ideally, if it was up to him, he'd go for both. Maybe not to the extent of death, not one like Shouta Takahata's (even if he HAD deserved it). But still. Something, anything.

Douka, motto motto kiratte saigen nanka ubatte

Shoudou nanka mou dou natte mo ii

"But, she wouldn't want that, would she?"

No, Mizuki wouldn't. He knew that even as he asked that question aloud to himself. He couldn't imagine her so easily bending to such an idea. The fact she'd been struck speechless during the conversation was proof of that. But then again, who would have imagined that he'd actually care about her now, when the year had started? Things could change, people could change. Perhaps one day her line of thinking would run across the same tracks as his own was right now.

But, Mokomichi thought to himself as he finally decided to leave the windowsill and go to bed, do I actually want that? Or do I not?

I guess I will just have to wait and see.