Here's the second (and last) chapter in the arc. In case anyone was curious, I'll be finishing this up in probably 3-4 more chapters. I hope that you enjoy the remainder of the story!

Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 38: The Cultural Festival – Part II

I arrive at the cafeteria, surprised to see so many students working busily to make the items that they will be selling.  I scan the room, but can't seem to find Mishima.  I weave through the crowd and finally spot her with some of my other classmates. 

When I reach her, I say, "Mishima?"

She looks up and says, "Oh, Kamina-kun!"

I notice that she's wearing an apron over her school uniform and that she has her hair in a ponytail, maybe she decided against wearing her kimono.

"How are things going here?"

"Well, thanks!  I'll be finishing up here soon. A few more people are coming, so I'll be able to go back to the room and help serve, after I change, of course."

I smile and respond, "That's good, Mishima."

I'm glad I'll be able to see her in a kimono after all.

"Mishima-san!"  I hear a girl shout.

"I'm coming, Hanajima-san!  I'm sorry, Kamina-kun, I'll talk to you later?"

"Sure, Mishima, good luck."

"Thanks!"

As I re-enter the classroom, Mamoru runs out the door, nodding his head at me as he passes.  Asahina is taking orders at one of the tables. I notice that there are now sakura branches with flowers in white vases on the white tablecloth covered tables, which I think looks nice. 

I see the class representative and walk over to him. "Honda, I'm back, what can I do?"

"Oh, Kamina, I wondered where you went."

He looks at his notepad and says, "Kamina, you can help clean and prepare tables for new customers with Uchida."

"Ok, Honda."

I wander around the room, and finally see Uchida cleaning some teacups in a basin in the back of the room.

I let him know that I'm helping, and we start working, with me looking intermittently around the classroom to see if Mishima has arrived.

While Uchida and I are cleaning off a tablecloth, I feel a tap on my shoulder and say, "Oh, hold on, I just need to do this."

The person says nothing, and Uchida and I finish.  I then turn around and am surprised to see Mishima standing there.

"Mishima!  I'm sorry I made you wait, I didn't realize it was you."

She smiles as she says, "That's all right, Kamina-kun, I shouldn't have disturbed you."

Smiling, I look more carefully at her, and see that she is wearing a pale pink kimono with a light blue wrap tie around the waist.

She blushes as she says, "It, it's plain isn't it…"

I take hold of her hand and say, "Of course not, it looks lovely on you."

"Thank you."

I hear Uchida clearing his throat and, blushing, I say, "Mishima, I'm guessing you're going to help serving soon, so I'll meet up with you after our shift is over?"

She gives me the thumbs up sign and says, "Sounds good, Kamina-kun!"

As I continue to clean tables and dishes, I pass Mishima sometimes as she seats people, takes orders, and brings the customers their food and drinks. The shift eventually ends and I meet Mishima, Mamoru, and Asahina out in the hallway near our classroom.

"Reika, were you planning on wearing your kimono the whole day?"

"I think it would be nice, don't you, Hiroko?"

Asahina smiles and says, "I think so too, Reika."

The four of us look at a schedule to determine what to do.  Mamoru and Asahina decide to visit a classroom selling onigiri, while Mishima decides she would like to go to a classroom featuring some traditional festival games, so we split off and say good bye, deciding to meet later.

Mishima takes hold of my hand and we head to the classroom.

When we enter the room, she quickens her pace, pointing and commenting. 

After searching, she looks at me with a broad grin and says, "Kamina-kun, I want to try the goldfish game!"

"Sure, Mishima."

While I stand by watching, Mishima gives the money to the person tending the game and carefully tries, but is unsuccessful.

"Ah!  It ripped, Kamina-kun!"

"You should try again, Mishima, it looked pretty close to me."

Before she can get up to pay again, I take money out of my pocket and hand it to the person.

Mishima looks up at me and says, "Thanks so much, Kamina-kun!"

"No problem, Mishima."

Unfortunately, she is unsuccessful the second time as well, but the third time, she catches one, and after it is put in a bag with water for her, she claps and then hugs me as she says, "I did it, Kamina-kun!"

"Great job," I answer.

After she plays some more games, we watch a 1-act play and a magic show, and visit different classrooms serving food.  After getting snacks, we step into the hallway, and Mishima suddenly runs forward waving.  I look where she is going and see Mamoru and Asahina.

"Hiroko!" Mishima shouts.

Asahina turns around surprised, and sees Mishima. "Reika!"

She and Mamoru stop as Mishima and I approach.

"Are you having a nice time so far, Reika?"

"Yep!  Look, I won a fish!"  Mishima lifts up the bag for Asahina to look at.

"How cute!"

I look at my watch and realize that the festival is almost over. 

"Everyone, is there something you want to do before it ends?"

"I heard that there was an origami demonstration going on in 1-4, let's go to that," Asahina volunteers.

"That sounds like fun, Hiroko," Mishima answers.

"Sure," Mamoru and I say.

We walk to the classroom, which is surprisingly full, and watch as first year students fold the paper into animals and other objects.  Later, paper is handed out to everyone in the room, and we are instructed how to fold a crane.  I look over at Mishima, and realize she must be really enjoying herself, as she listens intently and carefully folds.

The class ends, and we walk out, Mishima and Asahina complimenting each other's cranes while Mamoru and I follow.

On the train ride home, Mishima moves next to me, crane in hand, and says, "Kamina-kun, I wanted to give you my crane as a gift."

I smile as I take it and say, "Thank you so much Mishima.  Here, I'd like you to have mine, too."

"Thanks!" she says as she takes mine. We smile, and after she gets off at her stop, I look at the crane, happy to have received this present from Mishima.

Next Chapter

The Approaching Holidays