Chapter 16

The festival…

He relived that memory in his mind constantly.

It had to have been his favorite outing still with the brothers as a family. When the day arrived, Satoru Gojo came to the house just before sunset. He called the brothers to him and explained he was taking them then and now. "We got to make sure you look the part. Quite frankly, a lot of you really stick out." He said bluntly.

Somehow, he had brought yukata for everyone, and even masks to wear to hide… unsightly features.

Junpei opted to go without a mask, Sho on the other hand went with one. Gojo sensei however talked him out of it. "It's a festival, you look like you did yourself up in makeup! Go without it, no one is going to notice. If anything, you're going to be popular"

The yukatas was a perfect fit for everyone. It was light and airy. When everyone was dressed, Gojo began to write in the dirt oddly. "Sir…" asked Noranso.

"Easy, we want to get there quickly right? I was there earlier and now I can bring you to the festival instantly. Just wait for me as I get someone else to help out okay? Ready?" he asked as he laced his fingers. When he snapped his hands down, Junpei felt the world shake, and yet, when it settled, they were hidden in a side street. But the lights, sounds and smells of a festival near by caught his attention.

"I have GOT to learn that," snickered Sanso.

"Did, we just warp here or something?" questioned Kotsuso.

"I think so? I blinked and missed it," said Junpei.

They waited for nearly a half hour, until Gojo appeared again. "Sorry for the delay, my 'helper' was very reluctant." He explained.

"You forced someone to come along?" asked Sanso.

"Yeah, everyone else was busy, come on, you've sort of met him, he's one of my students!"

It was Junpei's introduction to Megumi Fushiguro.

He was a quite and yet brooding type, he could tell by the look on his face that he did NOT want to be here, but at the same time. Junpei was glad to have some time to get to know him.

Throughout the festival, they did everything they wanted to. Gojo insisted that they don't hold back and he would flip the bill for it all. "If you want to play games, let me know, hungry? I'll get food, whatever you guys want to do. We'll do it!" he decreed. "So, with that being said, what does everyone want to do?"

It started off with a feeding frenzy.

They got all sorts of things to eat. Junpei would explain to the brothers what they purchased, how it tasted and the texture. He found that with the older siblings, that was a factor they had trouble with. Texture of food and the strong taste of something wasn't easy to handle. But eventually they grew use to it and began to eat regularly. When they took their fill, it was time for some fun. "Let's play some games!" Junpei called.

"Alright! Let's do it!" Gojo announced.

He would explain to the brothers the concept of playing, if they got the best score they won prizes, if not, no prize. It was a child form of gambling as he put it. However, the brothers were very good at games.

Was this another part of Yuuji that got mixed in? Normally Junpei would suck at them, but there was one prize he was eying.

A new IPod!

There was one at the school that he found, but the songs were old and it hardly held a charge anymore. Perhaps tonight, he will win a new one for himself. The game he had to play was a test of strength. The contest was held among five others who got the top score, then, those five would play against each other, whoever got the best score won the grand prize.

But was he strong enough?

He eyes the game oddly, and thought if he could win it. That was when the snickering was heard. "Look at that puny kid. Thinks he can get in the top five?" one man laughed.

"A string bean like him would break his arm before that happened!" snickered another.

Suddenly, he saw the money put on the table.

Junpei turned and saw Gojo had placed down the money needed to play, he smiled to him and whispered. "They can't see curse energy." Before walking away.

Curse energy…

Ah, hint received!

Granted this was cheating, but how is it fair that the meatheads win all the best stuff? He has seen these guys too going from stall to stall getting the grand prize before anyone else has a change of gaining it. So with that, Junpei smirked. He sent curse energy to his arm as he grabbed the foam mallet. His arm went up as he turned to the two snickering at him still.

Junpei bore a grin of his own, and somehow, it startled them.

He focused, infusing curse energy into his dominate arm, he prepared to take his shot.

One, swift blow came down on the machine…

And… it broke.

Junpei froze as he crushed the game completely. "Oh shit…" he muttered as he looked about. Everyone was staring at him now. The meatheads… went silent and appeared to have gone oddly pale. "Oops! My bad…" Junpei said meekly.

Thankful, Gojo sense came over… after he stopped laughing. He paid for the machine as the IPod was automatically given to Junpei. "Hey kid, do us a favor. If your friend here is THAT loaded, have him buy you one next time!" the stall owner demanded.

#

They took a break, Gojo had gone to every food stall and bought 12 of everything. One extra just in case. The brothers sat and enjoyed the odd and yet delightful food. Eso was already thinking of ways of replicating what was eaten today back at home. "Hey, didn't you enter a dumpling eating contest?" Gojo asked as Sho continued to eat. It was true, Junpei had just got his IPod when they found Sho at the table of a contest. He out ate everyone there and asked for more even when the contest ended!

Sho smirked and nodded. "Yes, but dumplings were not that filling," he explained.

"I have to try making this at home…" Eso said as he raved about the food.

"This has been a wonderful evening." Choso said offhandedly. His smile said it all though. Normally he is very strict and stern, yet, when he has enjoyed himself. Choso smiles.

"I do admit, this is the most fun I have had at a festival in a long time. I didn't go anymore to them when mom got busy and I got older…" Junpei explained.

"I've been trying to get Megumi to one of these things for years, he's such a stick in the mud…" Gojo said aloud.

Fushiguro kept silent but munched away on some snacks.

"Maybe festivals aren't his things?" asked Sanso. "It's understandable, there's a lot of people to deal with, it's nearly overwhelming at time…"

"We will slowly introduce you into the world, I think we will do family trips, three at a time at most to get comfortable in the modern world. Sounds good?" asked Junpei.

"That is a good idea," Gojo said aloud. "Just keep a close eye on your brothers."

They stayed for a few hours more. The brothers even found games for themselves to try out. They all won top prizes of course! Yet there was one place that caught Junpei's eye. "Hey, let's all go over here for a moment." He said.

Curious, the brothers followed him to a small section. There was a stand and a camera with a nice looking background. "What's this?" Noranso asked.

"Photo booth, come on!" Junpei coxed the brothers in, he had the tallest stand in the back and the shorter brothers in the front. The cameraman was stunned. "Let me guess, school mates?" he asked.

"BROTHERS!" they cheered back.

He was a little taken aback by their comment but nodded and took the photo. When it was done, they got a larger picture made and framed.

Junpei smiled at it, since, they really did look like a family.

"It's a nice photo. We should hang this in the living room." Said Sho.

"My thoughts exactly!" chimed Kotsuso.

"Yeah…" Junpei said with admiration. "This was a great night, wasn't it?"

Looking to the brothers, they all stared at him oddly. "What?"

"You had a good time with us today?" asked Shouoso.

He was stunned. "Of course, it felt like a real family day." Suddenly, their eyes began to sparkle.

"It really did, didn't it?" asked Choso.

"We will do it more often!" vowed Satoru Gojo. "This was just to get your feet wet, but there are lots of festivals to go to, I'll be sure to keep you posted on them."

The brothers had a great time. Junpei began to feel the bond between them grow. They really were his brothers now, weren't they?