Chapter 6: The Spring Festival

The sun hung low in the sky, not close to a sunset just yet as Momo and Chibiusa walked down the road they traveled everyday to school. They both adorned Yukata's. Momo's was a beautiful crimson red that made her lavender hair pop and her purple eyes look like amethyst. Her's had a Chinese twist on it to represent her families restaurant with embroidered golden dragons and flowers on it. Her obi was a matte golden color that ombréd to black with red geta sandles. Chibiusa had one that reminded her of home. In a stunning matte silver Yukata with milky pink and pastel yellow crescent moons all over it, her obi was the same milky pink as the moons and also matched her hair. She wore pastel yellow geta with hers. The color accentuated her porcelain skin giving her a mystical glow under the sun. They girls felt very beautiful and it showed. The special dressing made them both feel so elegant.

Upon arriving to the festival they made their way to their class's obstacle course where Kyuusuke greeted them in a way that he never had before. He was dressed in a black on black pinstripe yukata with a brown obi and matching black geta.

"Good evening ladies."

Kyuusuke hugged Chibiusa then hugged Momo but took Momo's hand and softly kissed the top of it and smiled warmly at her. Momo cocked an eyebrow and giggled. Chibiusa's eyes grew big and jaw opened. No way, was he going to start trying to show her his real feelings? She was in shock.

"We're running an obstacle course, not a host club weirdo."

"You just look very beautiful Momo, like, breathe taking actually."

Momo scrunched her forehead and opened her mouth but nothing would come out. Nervously Kyuusuke started laughing and playfully punched her arm

Momo flicked his forehead, "you're being weird...stop it."

Momo walked on as Chibiusa gave Kyuusuke a pitiful look.

"See! I need to just keep it buried."

Chibiusa hooked arms with him and dragged his poor shot down heart to catch up with Momo.

"Don't bury, keep trying!" She whispered.

Chibiusa and her friends were able to enjoy the festivities tonight and tomorrow until their shift at the class obstacle course on the last day of the festival. They walked around to all the stalls seeing the cute items for sale, mini games, home made crafts, and her favorite part. The food. Stuffing her face with all the delicious treats it soon grew dark and the string lights really made it look like a wonderland. The smell of the Sakura blossoms wafted in the air, cool breezes snuck in between the hustle and bustle of everybody there, and sounds of joy and laughter was all around. Chibiusa found some peace in her days of homesick. This was all worth it. She knew she'd be home soon but wouldn't trade this moment for the world.

Kyuusuke was needed to go help repair something on the obstacle course and Momo had to help Mr. And Mrs. Momohara with their food stall. Unfortunately the stall was much too small to have just one more body in there so Momo insisted that Chibiusa go walk around more and enjoy herself. She would text her to catch up with her in a bit.

Chibiusa walked along the rows of stalls remembering the times of doing this with her mom and dad many years ago. She saw the excitement and wonderment in the eyes of children as they had fun playing games with their parents and winning prizes. The couples that walked past hand in hand had a soft romantic glow because of the lights. Chibiusa was about to enter the nature trail when some children stopped her.

"Wow lady, you look like a princess!" One girl said loudly. The others nodded in agreement and started to giggle.

Chibiusa had soft trundles of powder pink curls framing her face. The light of the bright spring full moon and dim glow of the string lights made her Yukata glow. She looked like a princess from a story book for sure.

"Oh well I only see one Small Lady here." Chibiusa said with a wink and a smile as she adjusted the little girls toy tiara and provided her with an elegant bow.

The children collectively giggled more running off waving good bye. She waved with a smile on her face and watched them disappear along the path with trails of pedals behind them. It seemed the trails had been cleared out a good amount. The fireworks display was going to start in a couple hours and everyone was finding spots and getting food. She enjoyed this. Just some faint laughter and playful yelling from people up a ways. The gentle breeze ruffled the flowers enough to cause a raining of pedals. Chibiusa smiled to herself and her mind whisked away to the garden back home. Quite, serene, and blissful. She would often spend her time in the royal gardens. Her favorite spot was the fountain that displayed her childhood dream keeper, Helios. The Pegasus was reared on his hind legs, wings spread, head aimed high. It was was a beautiful fountain whose waters reflected like crystal and with only a single touch it's ripples shimmered like gold. The fresh air that flowed in that garden was something magical. The smells and feelings it gave hearing the willows dance gracefully in the wind, the many petals floating in the wind, and the angelic light the fire flies made everything look like a fantasy.

A vibration from her chest pulled her back to the now as she pulled out her phone. Momo had text her letting her know she'd be done soon and to not worry she hadn't forgot about her. Chibiusa chuckled to herself and sent a quick text back then put her phone away. It had gotten pretty silent not realizing she had walked the trail longer than she thought. She continued slowly walking taking in the beauty when she faintly heard a flute. Her ears perked up and she turned to what looked like a small enclosure off the trail her eyes widened and a rush of goosebumps covered her body. It was like déjà vu. She took a deep breath holding it in, slowly tiptoed to an opening and the music got louder as she approached. She peeked inside and gasped at what she saw. There stood a young man with his back to where she was. He was tall and slender. His hair long in a loose ponytail just under his crown, a silvery white glistening like the moon on the water. She saw the flute he was playing a beautiful Crystal like one iridescent with flicks of yellow, pink, blue, green and purple. His fingers so gentle changing the notes. He adored a Yukata in a midnight blue with what looked like wings embroidered on the back. The obi was white and his geta were a deep blood red. It was then she noticed the Sakura petals dancing to the sweet melody he was playing. The young man turned to face her, her gasp didn't seem to startle him, rather he had been waiting for her. With a blink of an eye his flute turned in to a shimmer in the wind. He cocked his head, taking his hand to remove a piece of lavender hair he had in his bangs aside and smiled with his emerald eyes warmly looking at her.

"PERLÉ!"