Chapter 9: Awkward

Momo and Chibiusa hurried down the street toward the festival. This time the Yukatas stayed home and they were dressed more comfortably. Momo had a pair of red jersey knit shorts on that rocked a 70s dolphin style with the 3 infamous Adidas stripes down the side, a white cotton tank top and light jersey zip up hoodie that matched her shorts. Happily she skipped along the sidewalk in some old school off white canvas chucks. Chibiusa followed right along giggling in a pair of black athletic capri pants with see through mesh cutouts on the thighs and calves, a baby pink crop top under her light grey pull over hoodie with some white Adidas all stars with 3 baby pink stripes. The closer they got the more they could hear the laughter of people enjoying the festivities. The smells of the fresh food being prepared and music filled the air.

The hustle and bustle of everyone gave Chibiusa a surge of energy. Excitement grew the closer they got. Momo was in a hurry to leave. They had even got out the door before her parents were ready. Hastily she had gotten Chibiusa to change and out the door. Momo had told her she would buy them some breakfast at the festival. They walked up to the vendors to see what they could get to start their day. One stall was pretty busy offering traditional breakfasts with white rice, eggs, miso soup, natto, coffee, and juices. Chibiusa shuddered at the thought of natto. Fermented soy beans was not her idea of food. Haruka was alway with her on that. She looked across the way at another stall. A lot of her peers were lined up there. That must be a good spot! Momo must have thought the same cause quickly she hooked her arm in Chibiusa's and dragged her over.

"Crêpes!" Momo shouted with glee.

As they got closer to the front of the line they were overwhelmed with the options they had this early in the morning. Sweet or savory. Fruits or breakfast meats. Fresh made sweet creams, jellies, and jams. Chibiusa watched mesmerized by the cooks fluidity making the delicate circular treats. The batter spread so evenly across the hot surface. So many different flavors to choose from: chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, coffee, almond, lemon, the list seemed endless! Finally it was their turn, Chibiusa's mouth already watering. Chibiusa chose the banana crêpe with fresh cut strawberries and a drizzle of chocolate with some fresh sweet cream whipped topping. Momo went savory, choosing a plain batter crêpe with chopped sausage, onion, and hash browns with a drizzle of maple syrup. Fluffy rolled scrambled egg on the side. They each grabbed a milk from the trough filled with ice and drinks next to the register. They found a spot to sit and enjoy their breakfast. The sun was high in the sky casting beams through the Sakura trees creating halos of light. The wind was gentle and crisp. Sakura petals cascading lazily across the ground.

The girls traded bites of food and giggled talking about the fun had the day before of course avoiding any talk of Kyuusuke or Chibiusa's ditziness. Chibiusa used her finger to wipe up the last of the whip cream off her plate and then opened her milk. She kind of slumped back using her hands to grip the bench to not fall back and let out a very satisfied sigh.

"Was it good?" Momo laughed.

Chibiusa grinned from ear to ear that slowly crept to an awkward smile. Kyuusuke was walking up behind Momo. Why did she feel so weird? It's not like she was in Momo's position and then again she didn't want things to be weird between any of them. Her apprehension made her panic a bit inside and when he sat down Chibiusa grabbed her milk again to make sure she had a mouth full as an excuse to not say anything. Kyuusuke plopped down next to Momo and greeted the girls. He wasn't too close to Momo yet not too far. Momo said good morning and smiled. Chibiusa still gulping down her milk closed mouthed and puffy cheeked smiled at her friends. Seems she was the one making it awkward she thought to herself.

"So my eyes were too big for my stomach, have you ate? You can finish this off if you want." Momo offered more than half her crêpe to Kyuusuke and nudged the plate to him.

"Don't mind if I do!" His eyes lit up and basically inhaled the food. "I have to go help set up for the obstacle course, some guys really into the competition of it broke the ropes across the water pool trying to knock each other off. All for the heart of a girl." He rolled his eyes and chuckled taking the empty plates and drinks to the trash and waved to the girls as he ran off.

Momo's eyes narrowed and glared are Chibiusa. Chibiusa sat up straight as chills ran up her back from her friends focused look on her.

"I'm not making it awkward! Why are you?!" She exclaimed.

"I'm sorry! I just didn't know how it was going to go down! We barely talked about it and I had no idea what to expect from either of you today. We left really early like you wanted to avoid him from having to walk here together." Chibiusa accused.

Momo took a deep breath in, held it, and then let it out slowly as if she was really thinking about what she said to her.

"You're right. I'm sorry Chibiusa. I guess I should have thought about how you would take all this too. I was trying to avoid Kyuusuke this morning but after that I think I need to be more relaxed about it all too. He definitely didn't make me feel awkward...maybe you..." She laughed. "But it's prolly just as weird for him and I guess acting as normal as we can will help."