Souji's mood didn't improve in days. It was fleeting, sometimes he could be cheerful and sometimes, completely depressed. He attempted to hide it to Haruhi but she knew him all too well. She didn't push him into talking to her though. She offered to listen already, now she had to wait for him to be ready to open his heart and mind to her but with a man like Souji, it could take a while.
In the middle of August was held one of the most important festivals of Edo, now Tokyo, in the Fukugawa district, the Hachiman Matsuri. Souji decided to go with his students, which surprised Haruhi.
« Why are you going with all of them ? » she asked him, puzzled.
« Hachiman is the kami of the war and the bushi. » he stated with a smile « It's important for these boys to honor this god if they want to follow a warrior's way so he can bless their path. »
« Didn't know you could be that spiritual... » she said, suspicious « Isn't it more because of the water fight ? »
Souji grinned and showed her his water gun made with an empty bamboo rod. All his students also had some. Haruhi smiled. That was more like it. The Fukugawa Hachiman Matsuri was well known for its water fights, spectators throwing water and sometimes even full buckets on the volunteers carrying the mikoshi, the idols, while they were marching through the streets of the district.
« Are you gonna come, Haru-chan ? » asked Souji « there's a gun for you too and you could keep company to Tama. »
« Tama-chan's coming ? » asked Haruhi, surprised.
« Yeah » nodded Souji « Tsune-san asked me to take her. Dunno if she'll enjoy throwing water but there're lots of dancers and taiko drums performances and even martial arts. She might enjoy that. »
Haruhi nodded. Tama would probably prefer displays of arts rather than water fight, considering her shyness and strict education, and Haruhi herself would love to see all this, especially the part with martial arts. She would be enchanted to keep company to Tama.
« Okay ! » she said with a smile « I'll go ! »
« I'm glad the both of you are so good friends.» said Souji with a faint smile « can you go and fetch her ? We're gonna go all together. »
« Sure. » she nodded again and she headed to the Kondou family house to get her friend.
« Kondou-san ? » she asked in the entrance.
« Come in, Haruhi-san. » answered Tsune.
She entered to find Tsune finishing doing Tama's hair. She had a cute bun with a comb and hairpins and a pale beige yukata. She really was super pretty.
« What do you think, Haru-chan ? » she asked with a smile.
« It's super cute, Tama-chan ! » she smiled « but... If I may, you should probably change your yukata... »
« Why ? » she asked, confused « it's not pretty ? »
« It is ! It's a beautiful yukata ! » she reassured her « but Souji's students are pretty excited about the water fight and with a yukata that pale, it might become see-through if wet... »
« Okaasan ? » asked Tama, blushing.
« I haven't thought of that... It's true that boys will be boys... Go change for a darker one. »
Tama nodded and went to her room. She came back in a black one covered in a multitude of different color flowers. This one was even cuter than the other.
« Perfect ! » grinned Haruhi « You'll be the cutest at the festival ! »
« I hope so... » smiled Tsune, probably hoping for her to catch the eye of men since she wanted to marry her this year.
« Don't say that Haru-chan ! » blushed Tama « Your yukata is beautiful. »
Haruhi was happy to get a compliment. Since she didn't have accessories, she just tied her long black hair in a side braid but she was very proud of her burgundy yukata, a color that always suited her well.
« Have fun, girls. » said Tsune with a smile « and Tama, don't be a bother to Souji-kun. »
« Alright, Okaasan » she bowed.
« Have a nice day, Kondou-san. » bowed Haruhi and the two girls went back to the Shieikan so that they could all depart for the festival.
There, the ambiance was lively and joyful. There were demonstrations everywhere of different dances and music. The taiko drums were impressive, all playing together, and their beat were resonating deep into Haruhi's chest, adding to the euphoria.
« Hey, Tama-chan ! There's dancers there ! » she pointed « you wanna come and see ?! »
« Okaasan said I should stay by Souji's side. » she replied with a regretful expression since Souji and his students didn't show any intentions to go and see the dancers.
« Oh... » said Haruhi before serving her friend a conspirator smile « but we don't need to tell her. »
« I still must listen to her. » she shook her head « She's my mother. »
« It's fine Tama-chan » said Souji with a soft smile. He visibly overheard the conversation « I won't tell Tsune-san. Go with Haruhi and we'll meet back later. »
« But Souji... » she protested.
« It's fine. » he cut her « go. »
Souji gave some coins to the both of them for anything they'd like to drink or eat and he turned to his students, preparing their water guns.
« Let's go, Tama-chan. » said Haruhi with a big smile, taking her friend's hand.
« O... Okay... » she stuttered, following.
The dancers were incredible, so graceful and talented ! Haruhi loved the show and Tama said she enjoyed it a lot too. They took some iced tea to quench their thirst, the heat unbearable. Haruhi was silently praying for Souji or one of his students to throw water at her...
« Oh look, Tama-chan ! » yelled Haruhi to cover the sound of the joyful crowd « there's a demonstration of Soujutsu ! »
She pulled Tama's hand to take her to the warriors, proudly wielding their spears, the yari. It was like a dance, a deadly one. Their mastery was impressive and Haruhi turned to Tama, excited.
« Harada used to wieild a spear like these ones ! He was very skilled at it and a lot better than with a sword. » she explained with enthusiasm.
« I remember. » smiled Tama « Harada-san used to be both graceful and efficient in his practice. I feel that yari and naginata are beautiful to watch contrarily to swords. »
« Really ?! » asked Haruhi with wide eyes.
« Hai. » she nodded « the way it turns around in the air as if it was flying is a gorgeous sight. »
« You may be right. » chuckled Haruhi « although I prefer swords and I'm pretty sure Souji does too. My father wanted me to learn the spear at first. I think he was picturing me with a naginata, an honorable weapon for a woman. But at that moment, I was feeling like my woman condition was a curse and I wanted to learn how to fight like a man. That's how I started practicing with Souji. He had a lot of time on his hands back then and he was spending most of it with me. »
Tama's eyes darkened and she looked at the floor with a pained expression.
« Souji doesn't really like me very much... » she said softly.
« Why do you think that ? » asked Haruhi « Souji never spoke ill of you. »
« He looks sad and avoids me. » explained Tama.
« Don't worry » smiled Haruhi, holding her friend by the shoulders « Souji's on edges lately but I know he likes you. You're the daughter of Kondou-san ! He couldn't have anyone else in higher esteem ! »
« You think so ? » she smiled « so... his mood has nothing to do with me ? »
« Not a chance. » confirmed Haruhi, shaking her head « he's just an idiot. He probably haven't even noticed he made you sad. »
« What do you think of Souji, Haru-chan ? » she asked « you seem to know him well... I sometimes can't understand his jokes and if they really are hum... jokes... »
« Most of the time, he puts a bit of truth in his jokes » muttered Haruhi « he's teasing and annoying and he's an idiot. Yet, he's very kind and considerate. He only teases me when he knows I can take it. When I'm sad or homesick, he supports me and raises my spirit. He's very sensitive to the ones around him, loyal and dedicated, even if he wouldn't admit it. He's a good man. »
« You really like him a lot, Haru-chan. » smiled Tama.
« I... Yeah... » blushed Haruhi « I guess I do... »
« Hey girls ! »
Speaking of the devil, Souji was back at their side with his students just in time for the passage of the mikoshi. He handed Haruhi a water bamboo gun and she took it with a smile. The idols were beautiful, golden with even diamonds and other stones on it, and they seemed really heavy. The people carrying them were singing as if they didn't weight more than paper and as if their task was effortless. Everywhere, kids and even adults were joyfully throwing water at them, a welcomed gesture with the unbearable heat. Haruhi wasn't sure who was the biggest child here, Souji or his students. If she were to have a child with him one day, she would have to take care of two immatures infants instead of one. Tama was also laughing, letting a bit go of her strict discipline. Haruhi gave her her bamboo pistol and Tama also played to splash on the mikoshi holders.
When they were gone, the heated students starting splashing at each others and at the girls who valiantly defended themselves gun in hand. They played, ate the festival food and looked at all the stands before they went back to Hino, soaked and happy. By the time they got there, fortunately, they were all dry.
« Thanks Souji ! »
« Seeya Souji ! »
« Thank you sensei ! »
The boys all went back to their families under Souji's grin who really looked like he had a good time.
« Haruhi » he asked « can you make some tea please ? I'm gonna walk Tama-chan back home. »
« As you wish, Souji. » nodded Haruhi.
« Thank you very much, Souji. » bowed Tama, polite.
Haruhi went to prepare the tea for Souji and waited for his return. It really had been a nice afternoon and she had been enchanted to spend it with Tama. Souji seemed to have enjoyed himself a lot too, and she hoped it could have driven away the darkness in his mind for a little while. Unfortunately, when he returned, the somber expression was already back. As if it could suffice for him to be alone to be eaten by troublesome thoughts. Haruhi was feeling more and more worried about that sinister look. There was no reason she could fathom for him to be sad or worried. Except... Except if maybe he knew death was approaching... But how could he know ? She didn't tell him...
Souji took the cup and thanked her with a smile.
« Do you want me to fetch you some sweets, Souji ? » she asked, concerned.
« No. » he shook his head « I'm fine. I don't want any. Just tea is perfect. »
He sipped it in a heavy silence, the weight of unspoken words pressing more and more on Haruhi's shoulders. She couldn't take it any longer.
« Souji... » she eventually said « you mood... is it because of me ? »
Souji chuckled and sighed with a smile before he answered her question, avoiding her gaze.
« More or less. »
« Please tell me what weight so heavy on your mind, Souji ! » she said with force « I can maybe change what displeases you ! »
Souji escaped another bark of laughter but it was far from joyfull. He put his tea down and looked at her lengthily before he opened his mouth again.
« Can't be helped... » he muttered « I guess you and I need to talk. »