- Neither of us like it, but the time your parents left you is ending, and you must go back. I don't want them to transform me into minced meat because I kidnapped their daughter for a week and don't give her back.
- My parents don't own me.
- I know, it wasn't really the point, you are under their authority while you live under their roof, that's it.
- Am I hallucinationg, or are YOU giving me a speech about authority respect, Gold ?
- Anything can happen Krys. Seriously, even if I loved living with you this week, today we're going home. Even the others left one after the other, we're the only ones who stayed a whole week to squat a room at Platina's. She was more than generous with us, and now we gotta go home, okay ?
Krystal turned her head, pouting, crossed her arms, and ended up nodding grudingly. She loved her family, her room, her previous habits, but she was afraid of sleeping alone. He understood her worries, he himself wasn't really confident about it, but it was important that they went back to their lives before going back to school the next week. She sighed and got up from the bed, slipping the strap of her duffle bag over her head before picking up her schoolbag, followed by Gold who checked they didn't forget anything in the room or in the bathroom. Then, he held out his hand hesitantly, and she took it as she sighed again, before following him outside the room. They crossed the living-room and greeted Diamond who came to see Platina. The young quiet heiress walked and took Krystal into her arms, pulling her in a soft hug.
- We'll see each other real soon, you'll always be welcome here, even if I've got to say the tableware's lifespan will be longer without Gold. Cheer up Krystal, if you need anything at all you just have to call one of us, alright ? Blue should meet up with you at your home, she will help you explain everything to your parents. Everything will be alright.
- Thanks Platina, I... Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
- No need to, any one of us would have done the same for each one of us, that's what friends are for. Gold, I don't have any other choice than trusting you, so I will count on you, if you see them, I don't want any misdemeanour, just run okay ?
- Green has seen them? He asked, nervous.
- No, but it doesn't mean they're not there. Take your usual routes, it will be the best way to know if you have to change them.
- Tina, they're ready, the black haired boy chimed, using a nickname they never heard before.
- I know Dia but...
- You said it yourself, everything will be alright, stop pulling them back. They'll keep us informed, won't they ?
- 'Course we will, replied Gold.
- Then go, don't get late. We'll see each other soon !
- Count on us, we'll tell you when we're home, concluded the golden eyed boy.
Gold and Krystal waved to them before going outside of the gigantic mansion. They walked down the path to the portal, and the girl held his hand with full strengh as the doors opened before them. It was the first time she was going back outside since the incident, and he held on tight on his friend's hand. His grilfriend. Their friends had accepted their couple without saying anything, but Gold was pretty sure that some thought it was because she needed reassuring that she clinged to him. No one said a thing, she prefered that it stayed that way for now. They walked silently in the streets under the afternoon sun, and Gold tried to walk slowly to avoid arriving too soon. Krystal watched their surroundings cautiously, and when she stopped suddenly, Gold thought he'd see the thugs group who attacked her. Instead of that, he saw a poster for a festival in the neighbouhood, on that evening. She said nothing, but he knew she wanted to go.
- You'll have to be fast with your parents in that case, answered Gold to her muted question. But why not. We tell the others ?
- You think it would be possible ? I completely forgot, and I was waiting for weeks to go there, I even had a Yukata ready...
- Only if I go with you then, groweld the boy, I ain't leaving you alone in a Yukata in the middle of this hungry pack.
- I wasn't planning on going alone. At first we wanted to go with just us girls, but I guess we could invite you all.
- Ha, smirked the boy, of course we're coming, just wait 'till I tell them!
Krystal smiled, and they went back towards her home with lighter steps. They got there without any event, and Gold gulped when she pulled him with her past the garden door to the house. She knocked, then entered, shouting she was back home as she took off her shoes. He wasn't moving, and she was on the verge of asking what he was doing when her mother got out of a room, smiling. She held out her arms and pulled her daughter inside a warm hug, then turned to him and smiled friendly, her gaze full of relief that stopped his breathing. He bowed his head and greeted her politely, making Krystal turn her head on his unusually respectful tone. She giggled, then walked back to him without touching him.
- Blue's due to arrive anytime soon, don't worry. I'll send you a text, okay ? See you later.
- See... you later, replied hesitantly Gold, ending up waving to her.
Krystal blushed for an unknown reason, and he picked up his bags before going oustide. He felt like he was being dissected by powerful eyes as he walked up the path in the garden, and saw a curtain move behind a window on the ground floor. Shrugging, he got out of the garden as he fished out his phone, unlocked it and sent the invitation on the shooting group conversation, extending it to the new kids. He wasn't too sure about them, it was shooting period after all, but it still seemed right to invite them. Right after sending, the new girl refused for both of them as they were shooting from twilight to later in the evening for the fifteenth season of their series. Blue and Krystal confirmed quickly they were in for it, and Yellow followed suit, then Red. Green and Rakutsu read the message without replying as usual, and Silver wrote that he'd rather do nothing at all. Gold smirked and slipped his phone in his pocket, walking quickly to his home. His father wasn't there, but his mother welcomed him with a whole bunch of questions, browsing their photo album of the shooting of the series to find pictures of Krystal. He slouched on the sofa, then, seeing she didn't find anything useful, he showed her his phone wallpaper where she could see Krystal during the party at Ruby's.
- Gold, this... she's gorgeous...
- Dress or girl ?
- Both dear, I'm so proud of you ! When do you see her again ?
- It depends on my parental authority, anwsered the boy with a playful look.
- Why ?
- She wanted to go to the festival tonight...
- Perfect ! Timing's right, I was tidying boxes yesterday and found those old Yukata, you'll get dressed right ?
- Mom, it's usually girls in traditional clothing, boys can go in shorts and t-shirt...
- That's the point, you have to pull focus, she should be able to see you right away in a crowd. Come on, go shower, I'll prepare some for you to choose !
Gold sighed, then agreed. She'd let him sleep out of home for a week without warning, and was doing with all the crap he pulled everyday without complaints, his father came back from his abroad missions once or twice a year, he could let her dress him up once in a while. He looked at his phone as he walked to the bathroom and saw no one else was coming with them. He suspected Platina and Diamond spent time alone together, but didn't understand the absence of reply from Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl and Emerald. He decided he'd see once he got there and undressed as he turned on the water.
His Yukata was dark blue without patterns, it made him think of Krystal's hair in the sunlight, and his mother had sewn a pocket inside so he could keep his phone and money away from wandering hands, he couldn't imagine it better. He slipped his feet in simple flip-flops, there was no way he would put on Geta like an old man, took his skateboard from the entrance and got out as he wished a good evening to his mother, not sure she would still be awake when he came back. He checked his pone and saw that Krystal sent him a text seconds earlier saying she was ready and waiting for him inside her home. He pushed the ground with his foot to speed up his skate forward and rolled into the street, the rare neighbours passing by turning to stare at him as they saw a boy in a Yukata riding a skateboard.
He pushed the doorbell few minutes later, but her father opened the door. He recognized the dissection sensation he felt earlier as the man stared angrily at him, and he stayed silent as the boy greeted him politely.
- Dad ! Leave him alone ! ranted the girl as she arrived behind her father.
- He leaves his contraption here, no way you ride on that.
- Of course Sir, answered Gold as he got off the skateboard to put it inside the garden against the wall.
- At least I know you'll bring her back to me.
- Count on me Sir ! Krystal, you ready ?
- Of course ! See you later dad, answered Krystal as she walked around her father to go out while he was still staring daggers to Gold.
- Have a nice evening, Sir, greeted Gold before following her in the street.
He relaxed as they turned into another street, and she giggled while slipping her hand into the boy's. He stopped to look at her, and she blushed, looking away as he detailed her Yukata. It was the same blue as his, but some sorts of pale blue butterflies were decorating it, assorted to her eyes, and her Obi seemed covered with real gold leaves. He lifted up his eyes to her face, smiled as she avoided his gaze, and moved his hand to brush slightly her hair tied in a bun, ornated by a golden comb with stars on it. He lifted Krystal's hand to his lips and kissed it, making her finally look into his golden eyes.
- You're breathtaking, I'm not sure I wanna share you with other people tonight.
Krystal blushed madly and tried to articulate something before giving up. He let out a small laugh, then began to walk slowly, watching as she advanced with her golden Zori. She smiled as she relaxed a bit, then told him about the discussion she had with Blue and her parents. They had a rough summary of the story, and the girls had forbidden them to do anything that could disturb him because he had been exemplary. Gold gulped, understanding the look he gave him, and decided he would avoid having contacts with him at all costs in the following weeks. They got to the festival's entrance, and he picked up his phone to check their friends' arrival, eyeing the crowd nervously. Krystal didn't let go of his hand, and people tended to not recognize him without his hat and googles, but he still feared they would encounter another student from their school. Blue appeared into the crowd, wearing a water green Yukata with a silver pattern forming like high grass down on the fabric, pulling Green by his hand. He wore a simple bermuda and a dark shirt, still having his sunglasses in his hair. Blue congratulated Krystal about her dress up, sighing she couldn't get Green to wear a Yukata, and he grumbled a curse to her.
- Red ! Called out Green, relieved.
- Sorry, I had a hard time helping her put it on, it was waaaay too complicated, answered their friend as he pulled Yellow from behind him.
Her Yukata, completely covered with sunflowers, seemed to have been folded a few times to match the petite girl's height, and she couldn't stop fidgeting with the two buns holding her hair with natural flowers piqued in them. Blue offered to go, and led their group as she kept her arm firmly into Green's who sighed again. Red and Yellow were following, the blonde's hand lost into her sleeve that Red pushed up to take it in his, showing her the massive crowd in front of them. She nodded, blushing, and looked away as he smiled. Krystal bent towards Gold with a curious look.
- They're together you think? At last?
- I don't know, but I don't think so, Red's so dense...
- Maybe he wouldn't have used an excuse to take her hand, thought the tall brunette.
- Not nessecessarily, at the beginning, just the thought of extending the hand to take your girlfriend's demands inhuman strength and determination, mumbled Gold.
- It didn't show for you, replied Krystal.
- The first time I was concentrated on something else, like calming you, protecting you, and I put my fear aside, answered the boy while blushing. And the fact that you did it often youself helped a lot, believe me.
- You're blushing.
- Am not.
- Are too, I can assure you it's true, laughed Krystal.
- Anyway it's getting dark, fifteen minutes from here we won't see a thing.
- Is that you confessing?
- Never, retorted Gold with a big smile as they caught up with Red and Yellow.
They stopped at a shooting stand, where Blue and Green made a real demonstration of elite shooters, under giggles from a group of girls festing their eyes on Green, until he gave the giant Jigglypuff to Blue with a half smile, obtaining a kiss on his cheek that made the groupies fly, then Blue gave her real size Pikachu to Yellow with a satisfied smile, slipping back her arm into Green's with pride.
They bought Takoyaki on the way, blowing on the dough balls before eating them, and Gold stole one from Krystal, getting overflowing indignated shouts with a smug look, before challenging her to a ring throwing stand. She accepted it with a really serious look, and they began bickering even before beginning to play, Gold winning over Krystal with a hair's difference, giving her the Pokeball fan he won with the small colored water balloon he attached to her wrist. She pouted without completely preventing her smile to show. They stopped to see Red and Yellow try to catch a goldfish, and ended up getting the smaller one, making her win a Shadow mask from Krystal's favourite game, so the petite girl gave it to her with a laugh and Krystal laughed with her as she put it on the side of her head, opposite from Gold. Who was watching her with an intensity that made her blush. He extended his hand and brushed lightly her cheek, before suddenly pulling back his hand, remembering where they were. Krystal moved her mask so that it hid her face, and Gold checked that no one had seen them.
He heard his name in the crowd, and thought he saw Silver but he disappeared right when he spotted Pearl behind a sweets stand with his mother, waving happily to them, both wearing aprons and hats with the shop's colours. The group walked to them, and Yellow bought a gigantic cotton candy while Blue got a candy apple. Gold turned to Krystal, but she shook her head and he shrugged, buying two red striped sugar canes, opening one right away to put it in his mouth with visible joy. Red and Pearl were talking happily when a group of university students bumped into Krystal, pushing her a meter away from Gold on the ground. He rushed to help her stand, stomping purposefully on the students' feet. One of them walked to them as if to get in a fight, then Green and Red got in their way, and they grumbled before leaving. Gold was balling his fists, controling himself to not go after them, and Krystal was dusting out her Yukata. Pearl's mother, feeling sorry for her, gave her traditionnal sweets she didn't refuse, and they waved to their friend before walking away towards the lake. Gold thought he saw Silver again, next to Pearl, and began to call out to him when he caught Blue's stare. Alright, don't call him then. They began looking for a good spot to watch the fireworks, and ended up sitting in the space where the elderly usually was, with benches and napkins on the grass. The girls sat on an empty bench, Yellow taking off her sandals that were hurting her feet, and the boys just stood behind them, as the bench was too small for them to fit. When the fireworks began, Krystal extended her hand over her shoulder and Gold took it so naturally it looked like they were dating for their whole life, and not just a week. The first rocket set off with a whistling sound, and he concentrated on the fireworks, the sounds and lights filling him calmly.
They applauded happily afterwards, then Gold helped Krystal get up, checking thouroughly her hairdo before putting back her mask on her face. She slipped her fingers through his hair, sending butterflies in his stomach. He smiled, then took back her hand and followed their friends to the exit of the festival, Red carrying a blushing Yellow on his back, her shoes in hand, while Blue stayed glued to Green, who planned on taking her home even if he already looked dead tired of her. Gold waved to them, then turned heels to bring Krystal home. They walked silently as they went, and she pulled him to take another street right behind her house, to show him the other side and her room's window. Right between two cypress. He thought that it was really too good when he saw her smile under the mask. She took this route on purpose to show him he could meet her that way. He laughed silently, saying she planned it all, and she shrugged.
- I need to try and manage by myself, it's only in case of emergency. So you don't put your phone in plane mode when you sleep, and if you put it on night mode, put me into your white list.
- Duly noted Prez, replied the boy as he did a military salute, not mentionning he had already done so since the day they exchanged numbers, just in case.
- Argh, that will be something to work on, too, sighed the girl. Well, for now, let's get me home so my dad doesn't decide it's time to try his brand new barbecue on you.
Gold had a defying smile, and walked towards the house with her, impatient to show his potential father-in-law that he brought her back unscathed. Concentrated on his objective, he followed her through the garden gate and she knocked on the door. Kyrstal's father opened as if he'd been camping right behind it (and maybe did so), and his eyes zoomed right to their intertwined fingers. Gold's face turned ashen gray, suddenly nervous as hell, but he didn't let go of her hand, waiting for her to do it herself. She stomped beween him and her father, and shot her dad a furious glare before turning to Gold who gulped.
- Thanks for tonight, you were perfect. Good night Gold, said Krystal as she got close enough to kiss him on the cheek.
Her father shot him a killing glare, as to challenge him to see her again, and he struggled hardly to not tell him he did, in fact, went all the way with his precious daughter. He only blushed stupidly, whispered a good night to Krystal and fetched his skateboard before bowing to her father and litterally running away, throwing his board on the road and jumping on it. He got home out of breath, left his flip-flops in the entrance with his skateoard before going to the traditional wooden floor hovering over the garden, pride of his mother. He let his feet dangle and took off his Yukata, wearing only his boxers in the summer night air. His mother got out of her room in her silk bathrobe, lighting a cigarette before sitting next to him.
- So, this first festival?
- Ain't my first you old hag.
- Your first with a girl. So ?
- ... I don't know how I didn't ever tried it before.
- Kind of magical, eh? She agreed with a smile. Do you know that I did my first with your father ?
- But you told me he wasn't your first love the other day !
- True enough.
- I don't understand.
- I was going out with another boy in my school. But when he was supposed to meet me at the festival, he sent a friend of his to tell me he wasn't coming, he'd rather go with another girl, he didn't want to go out with a gang leader again, my uniform didn't really please him.
- You wore it everytime you went out with him ?
- The only time I didn't wear it for a date, some thugs slowed me down, thinking I was an easy prey to play with. But when I wore it, they all cleared path, it's just that leather gloves, long open gakuran, bandages as a bra and cargo pants with military boots are clearly not what a boy wants his girlfriend to wear when they go on a date. Not that he didn't know who I was, but still.
- So, you wore it to the festival?
- I wore a Yukata. My mother... you can't begin to imagine how proud she was when I asked her to help me put it on. It was an old one, from my grandma, but still the only one I had. I was there, in front of the gate of the temple's entrance holding the festival, with my Yukata, my hair nicely done, Zori on my feet... his friend almost failed to recognize me. Something about the way I looked at him did the trick I think. He was clearly uneasy with my appearance, and didn't like the news he was bringing, clearly, told the woman as she blowed cigarette smoke upwards.
- Was that dad?
- Nah, he was the only boy in my ex's band I didn't utterly destroyed. Your father was just a passerby who saw me, sitting on the ground against a pillar of the gate, red overflowing eyes and runny nose. A perfect example of the word "pitiful".
- And then ? Asked Gold, curious.
- He didn't say a word. He just took my hand to help me stand, wiped my face gently with a tissue, and took me to the festival, putting a stupid mask on me so that people wouldn't stare at my face. He spent the evening with me, laughing at me when I missed out on a game, and I did that a lot, your talent comes from him. The sound of his laugh was strange, but comforting. He kissed me on the forehead during the fireworks, then he walked me home at the end of the festival. Without ever asking for my name, or giving me his.
- Err...
- Ha, I get your problem kid, laughed his mother as she crushed her cigarette butt on the ashtray. In fact, we were going to the same middle school, the famously worst of the city, he was there because his parents didn't had the time to put him somewhere else, it was really close to his home. But of course I couldn't recognize him. The boy at the festival had his long hair half tied, wearing only shorts and a tshirt, he had a sexy aura so strong he could have bring me with him and do me without me caring about it. But of course he didn't do that. I didn't saw him after the festival, and when I got back to school a week later, the only thing I had in mind was revenge, as I didn't go out of my house. I ditched the first three hours to beat up my ex and his band, now THAT was a satisfying activity, then I went to the infirmary to disinfect the cuts I got on my hands, and there was a boy there. It was the strange, geeky nerd with long hair in his face, glasses, always looking on the ground and always going to every lesson. The only good student in school. He was there, with his hair in his eyes, tending to a papercut that made him queasy. The school doctor wasn't there, probably by my fault, so I walked to him and tended his wound. He was afraid of blood, I couldn't believe it. It was the first time I tended someone's wounds instead of hurting them, and I loved doing it. He lifted his head when I finished bandaging his hand, and looked at me through his hair. He was the only one in the whole school, teachers and students included, to ever look at me without fear in the eyes.
- And ?
- When I thought he would say thanks, he asked if I felt better. Not if I felt all right, about my cuts, but better. I didn't understand, and he smiled shyly as he brushed his hair back with his fingers. Then I knew him. He asked if beating them to a pulp felt good.
- You recognized him, and couldn't say a word ? Guessed Gold with a smile.
- I answered "yes" and kissed him. Then I added "way better now". He passed out, and I put him on the infirmary bed, waiting for him to wake up.
- Nah?
- Yes.
- But dad told me...
- Don't believe everything your dad says, he's as much of a sweet talker than you are.
- Yeah right, said Gold with a vexed tone.
- Come on, go to sleep, I'm sure you're impatient to call your lover.
- Yeah, right, repeated the boy as he got up. Good night mom.
- Good night my little man, laughed his mother as she lit up another cigarette.
He returned to his room, picking up his Yukata before throwing it on the laundry bag in his room. He didn't had time to fall on his bed that his phone rang with Kyrstal's picture on it. He picked up without saying anything, just listenning.
- I can't, whispered the girl with panick.
- You want to stay on the phone and talk until you get to sleep? Asked the boy as he looked for earplugs.
- I want you to come and sleep next to me, she answered in a breath.
- That's dangerous, your father's waiting for a mistake on my part...
- Nobody enters my room since I'm ten, absolute law.
- If I get caught...
- They sleep with their door closed and earplugs, I don't have video recording in my garden and I need you.
- I'll be there in a minute.
She hung up and he picked up a shirt and shorts, slipping his phone into his back pocket before putting on socks he fished out from under his bed. He rushed silently through the corridor to the entrance where he put on his trainers and got outside without a sound. His mother propably heard him anyway, but he knew she would let him do whatever he wanted if he had a good reason and explained it later. He ran as fast as he could to Kyrstal's house, and stopped in front of the back wall. He took some steps backwards to gain momentum, and jumped on the wall, his feet scratching the parging as he hauled himself on the wall. He let his feet dangle on the garden side, checking for witnesses before letting go and sliding next to the wall in the grass. With a cat's stealth, he went to the trees around Krystal's window, and put his hand through the branches, getting a few cuts on him even before climbing. It only took him a minute to reach her window, and he jumped on the edge, nearly falling inside as the window was open. She was waiting for him in the dark and hugged him fastly, stabilizing him from his landing. He put his arms around her and she sighed.
Without a sound, he guided her to her bed and pushed her to the wall so they would fit on the bed as he sat next to her. She stole his hand to use it as a pillow, and he felt moisture like she was crying. He noticed a bit late that she was wearing his parka, and he couldn't remember when he gave it to her before deciding he didn't care. He smiled and bent to kiss her hair as she finally fell asleep.
- I'm staying, whispered the boy before letting his back rest on the wall on the bed head, closing his eyes.