Chapter 4
A month have passed since the hanami festival, still she couldnt forget the kiss the two shared. Hinamori and her two friends decided to take a ride home earlier on that particular evening before the Hitsugaya family. The family, including Fumina were going to enjoy the hanafubuki later in the evening. Anko-san had coaxed them to stay longer though, but Hinamori excused herself, stating that the restaurant needed her for some urgent matter. Anko-san believed her words, a look of disappointment prominent on her face, however,her two friends knew the real reason better.
She still remembered the pained expression on her friends' face when she hesistantly confessed the real reason she cant stay longer. She confessed that she couldnt watch them dancing so joyfully under the falling pink petals with the paper lantern surrounding the couple. Just simply imagining them dancing together was enough to make invisible hole in her heart.
"Okay class! Brace yourself for this year cultural festival! This is going to be your last year high school cultural festival, so be enthusiastic!", greeted the homeroom teacher, Izumi Haru.
The teacher was petite with a shoulder length red hair, she was nearing her 30, but nobody could figure out how she could manage to look at least 4 years younger that her actual age. Izumi-sensei was Economics teacher, she may look cheerful but she was what you call a killer teacher.
"Any idea of what we're going to do? Performance? Café? Takoyaki stand?", she clasped her hands together as she waiting her students' response.
"Sensei! How about coffee shop, an exclusive one!" ,stated one of the student.
His idea was somewhat agreed by half of the class population.
"Kenta-kun, if i may ask you, what is your reason?"
"Isn't the coffee shop popular these day? The last time i visit Shibuya street, the people were crowding a particular coffee shop. Sensei, I think we should try this, instead of the café!"
"Well, your idea was great, maybe we'll try this one this year, any other idea class?"
Nobody raised their hands for objection, instead murmur of agreement was heard amongst the student. It was decided then, the class would do the coffee shop this year.
Xxx
"So, Kira-kun, what your class going to do for the festival?", asked the petite girl as they once again meet up at the school rooftop.
"Hmm, we are in charge for the stage performance"
"Well that's cool, a play? Or a musical show?"
"A classic play actually about Romeo and Juliet. What about you guys?"
"A coffee shop! Thats cool, isnt it? It was all Kenta-kun brilliant idea!", stated the busty girl.
"Well, that was great for the lazy Matsumoto-san to be enthusiastic sometimes"
"Great one, Kira-kun!",Hinamori nodded comically in agreement.
"Sometimes its good to do something fun rather than goofing around aimlessly~~"
"Ya, you even admit it yourself...", said the blue eyed boy as he eyed her.
"That... Is our Matsumoto Rangiku", teased the petite girl amusingly,"By the way, are you guys coming to the summer festival this sunday evening?"
"Hn.. I think so, I love festivals! Maybe this year too, you guys gonna have to accompany me, the great Matsumoto Rangiku!"
"Drop it Ran-san, it just us here, dont act so tough", as she said that, Hinamori started to get up from her sitting position, then walked her way to the guard rail, feeling fresh
air hitting her face lightly, as soon as she did that, her friend followed her suit, so the three friends now stand next to each other, staring blankly at the scenery of the school from above.
"Your parents, no news from them Matsumoto-san?"
"Nope the last time I called them, we only talked for less than 10 minutes, maybe their daughter named business was way cuter than me." Matsumoto sarcastically comment, "Nah, enough 'bout me, what about you Kira-kun? You are taking your mom with Mamoru-kun to the festival?"
"Yes, since my mom was taking her day off from the night shift at the hospital to spend some time with us, especially for that little brat of mine..."
"Pfft.. You cant blame Mamoru-kun for being stubborn, you know, he still a kid, he still need a guidance" added the petite girl.
"I know, but I'm just not good with kids like you, Hinamori-kun. You can attract those little brats without much effort, heck you even doesn't need one. Like when we went to pick Mamoru-kun..."
"Really? " chuckled the girl,"I think I'm going to be a kindergarten teacher someday..."
Xxx
The day towards the summer festival had gone by very quickly and in an instant, the people were enveloped with a nice, warm summer breeze.
Beautiful paper lanterns were hanging along the festival venue pathways. It was indeed, a hot evening, not a wind blowing the decorative chimes hanging in most of the stalls.
Girls were wearing pretty yukata and the clapping sound of their geta was heard everywhere. Many groups of teenagers were seen crowding the venue, with some crowding particular stalls.
It was pretty amusing to watch those teenage trying to catch a goldfish with such fragile net and yet none of them succeeded. Sure, the man running the stall will be of so much fortune, as he won't lose any of his goldfish.
Hinamori Momo and her group chose the south gate as their rendezvous, and she was the earliest of the three. Usually, It would be Kira-kun, but that year he brought Mamoru-kun and his mother along to the festival.
She wore her usual attire, a simple, printed tee with a light blue jeans with a cuffed end and her favorite pair of sneaker. The attire she wore was a bit oversized which made her looked a lot thinner. She looked around the crowded arena to ensure that she won't miss her long-awaited friends in the sea of people there. She then caught a glimpse of a strawberry-orange hair swarming her way amongst the citizen, her lips then curved upward forming a small smile upon seeing her dear friend.
"Ran-sannnn! Yaaa! Over here!" , the girl enthusiastically waved her hands in the air.
"Hinamori!", the tall girl then moved towards her petite friend and pushing some of the people in the process,"Do you know, how happy I am to meet you in this festival?"
Hinamori giggled at her friend,"Hehe, me too... I'm standing here for the last 10 minutes without you guys..."
"Ehehe.. Sorry, I was so absorbed in my make up , who knows I would find myself a cool guy here...", said the busty girl clad in her kitsune-patterned yukata dreamily,"ya! Where's your yukata?! How can you move on my dear girl"
"Ran-san you know that i hate spending money for something seasonal like yukata, and wearing one is not necessary Rannnnn. And dont pair me up with some boy i hardly knew!", Hinamori defended herself.
"Blehhh.. You even wont spend money for buying new clothes...", the busty girl sarcastically added, earning a pout fom the girl next to her.
"Hey, isn't that Kira-kun?, the busty girl pointed out among the people.
Yes, indeed, it was him, his blonde hair was pretty stood out among those dark haired. He was holding his little Mamoru's hand and standing beside him was his mother of mid 50s with delicate facial expression grazed over her features. Anyone who saw her, would immediately conclude that she smile often.
"Oi, Kira-kun! Over here!", Matsumoto yelled.
"Ran-sannnnnn your voice us way too loud!" , said the girl as she cover her ears from the assaulting high-pitched voice.
"Ya! If i'm not doing this, he wont notice us!"
They then felt a hand tapped each of their shoulders.
"Hai.. Hai you two stop it, and yes, Matsumoto-san, you're too loud..."
"Kira-kun!", greeted the two girls almost simultaneously, hence doing the traditional 90 degree bow to greet Kira-kun's mother, "Konbanwa, Miwa-san and Mamoru-chan!"
"Hai..hai.. Konbanwa", the woman greeted back with a welcoming warm smile,"Ara, Ran-chan is very pretty in yukata~ Momo-chan why are you not wearing one?"
"I'm not having one, Miwa-san... Ehehe..", the petite girl admitted quite sheepishly scratching her head which is obviously not at all itchy.
"Ara.. You could just borrow mine, I haven't thrown away the yukata I wore when I'm your age..",Miwa-san kindly offered with the same warm smile.
"Arigatou na Miwa-san~ i'll make sure to borrow them next year"
Before Miwa-san even had a chance to answer, Mamoru-kun, Kira-kun's younger brother hopped into Momo's arms,"Momo-neeeechaaaaaan! Let's play games here in the festival!"
"Eeto.. Mamoru-chan, can we play later? I want to play with Kira-nii and Ran-nee tonight! I'm really sorry~"
"Momo-neechan! Nee-chan always said that, you never play with me again!", the little boy started to sulk.
"Mamoru-chan, don't be a selfish boy! Let they have some fun together, and Mamoru-chan will also having fun with Mama here! Mama will get Mamoru-chan some cool kantam robots too! So don't be sad!",advised Miwa-san.
"Oukay...", disappointment was still apparent on his chubby face.
Hinamori, feeling rather responsible upon this, finally offered him,"Hmm, okay then! At Sunday morning, I will pick you up and we will stroll around the neighbourhood with Pochi-san! Kay? Pinky promise!"
"Okay!"
Mamoru-chan immediately coil his finger with Momo's finger as a sign that they had already made a 'legal' deal.
At last, they parted, with Mamoru-chan and Miwa-san heading the games stalls and the trio walking aimlessly around the festival.
"By the way, Hinamori-chan, who is this Pochi guy? Your new love interest?!", Matsumoto playfully said.
"Ran-san! Pochi-san is the neighbourhood dog, that big golden dog! That guy won't bite you off, it was a friendly type~" , Hinamori said enthusiastically.
"Yaa, this girl even know how to befriend with a doggie", Matsumoto remarked sarcastically,"Anyway,true to what Kira-kun's word, you're good at handling kids huh, Hinamori-chan"
"It's nothing really, i'm just treating Mamoru-chan like one of my friends, really, they're not that difficult to handle as many people assumed.."
"Yeah.. That's your specialty really, I can't face those brats without having my voice raised against them, they always got ways to send my mood into a brilliant catastrophe, gosh", Matsumoto confessed.
"Haha, then I could be a kindergarten teacher~",the petite girl lightly added.
"Suit you well, Hinamori-kun"
"Well.. We gonna see what the future holds, I'm not sure of myself sometimes..."
"It was normal, i suppose. I can't imagine what my life would be after this last year",said Kira-kun as he patted Hinamori-kun back in a friendly gesture.
"Well.. That's my friend, is a poignant state called the growing up"
"Said the wise version of Matsumoto Rangiku.."
"Wow Kira-kun I'm shocked that you actually agree with the great Matsumoto's words",said Rangiku, feigning a shocked expression.
"The Great Matsumoto's words could be true... Sometimes..."
"Ya!"
"Hahaha, good job Kira-kun!", winked the petite girl playfully,"Anyway, do you guys want some takoyaki?"
"Hmm, get me one, hinamori-chan!"
"Me too, Hinamori-kun!"
"So... You guys are basically ordering me to line up the freakish long queue, while you guys wait here?!"
"You are the one who offer the takoyaki, Hi-na-mo-ri-chan~ stop wailing, the queue are getting longer"
"Good luck, Hinamori-kun!"
"Not you too Kira-kun! Could you just accompany me, it would be damn boring without someone to talk to.. Pwetty please Kira-kun?!", showing her doe eyes as she plead him sweetly.
"First, that doe eyes won't work on me, because I'm not Hitsugaya-kun. Second, no, thank you, I rather be here, fight, Hinamori-kun!"
"Yaaaaaaaaaa"
Xxx
It was really a wonder to each Karakura town festivals that the takoyaki stall was always crowded. Parents, kids, couples were all lining up for a taste of a sweet and slightly spicy balls of takoyaki and with the addition of nori sprinkled on top.
All this people, including Hinamori were in the crazy long queue line for the takoyaki. True to what she said earlier that she would be facing boredom from waiting too long. But she cant turn back now, she gotta grab the delicacies now!Until she spotted a unmistakable turf of silvery-white hair amogst the sea of people.
She was about to call him, when she realised that he was not alone. A brown-haired girl with a yellow sunflower-patterned yukata was standing beside him, laughing softly to whatever he told her.
Hinamori, calm down, just act normal.. Normal. You should be happy...
A part of her told her to go away from them as far and fast as possible for her heart's
, a part of her told her to silently watch them from where she stood without them noticing. Hinamori, risked to opt for her second choice.
Nothing bad will happen right..? Of course, She was his best friend, right?! She can't be jealous over her friend's happiness, definitely not, it was silly.
Minutes passed over with her, busy contemplating stuff in her mind, and didn't seem to notice the couple had already given up queueing for the takoyaki, instead heading for the north gate which lead to the river.
As soon as she notice the sudden disapperance of the couple, she soon broke her reverie and decided to follow them and immediately forgetting her actual mission of getting the takoyaki.
His silvery-white hair was not so hard to miss, indeed, the unique color was pretty stood out amongst the crowd. Not missing a beat, she immediately trail them, she's pretty sure that they was heading for the river, as it was the best place for watching the fireworks. Unless...
Unless..
They are heading to the old, abandoned shrine located at the hill nearby the river which was a secret hideout for Hinamori and Hitsugaya.
She can only hope that, her best friend wont bring his girlfriend,to the place they childishly swore not to be revealed to others. They even made a pinky swear.
Yes, definitely not this place... It could not be it...
But reality struck her harder than she could ever handled, she saw with her own eyes that the couple made a sharp turn to a secret tunnel which was a shortcut to the shrine she found a few years ago.
She.. Was just his friend, isnt she? And that was just a kid promise, right? Still, it sting her heart to see that ,did he really forget about her existence, about the memories they made in that place, about every happy and sorrowful events they've beeen sharing together at that very place?
She, again continued to stalk the couple, she even wonder what in the earth had given her guts to do this. Following their trail slowly into the tunnel she knew very well, and there they were, facing the serene river whilst waiting for the fireworks show.
Hitsugaya, then walked to an old and huge oak tree, then motioning his girlfriend to join him. The girl obliged immediately, and when she was near him, he grab her tiny waist and sat her up onto the lowest branch and setting himself near her immediately.
The scene was enough to broke the poor girl's watergate. Warm tears swarming her eye vision before gliding down her reddening cheeks. She bit her own lips hardly to prevent her sorrowful sobs to be heard. Silently, she left the old shrine through the tunnel and walk her way out to the sea of people.
Luck was still on her side, as when she run with tears streaming down profusely, the fireworks began to lit up the night sky, so the people attention was not focusing on the crying girl.
Hinamori continued to run and run, not knowing where she was heading, she just need to be as far as possible from her best friend. It truly broke her, when he sat Fumina down to the tree they once shared together, as a place for them to tell each other their deepest secret. The tree was a very important place to her, an indeed special spot to her. The tree was her place! Her track was abruptly stopped when both of her arms were grabbed by someone.
It was only Rangiku and Kira.
Yet, she hugged both of them tightly as if they haven't met up for years. She relish all her tears to their shoulders and muffled her sobs by bitting her own lips.
"Shhh.. Hinamori-kun, I got this takoyaki for you, lets eat up in somewhere else.."
She can only weakly nodded Kira-kun request and the trio headed for the east gate where it was less crowded, since the fireworks display was not too appealing here.
The trio sat by the edge of the gate wooden porch, their feet dangling free into the river water as they watch the faint fireworks display decorating the summer sky.
"Hinamori-chan, mind telling us what you see there? And FYI, we've been following you too~ a stalker's stalker, isnt it cool?"
"Actually it was only Matsumoto-san who was following you, I am stuck in that queue line, guess it was worth it, you should try the takoyaki too, Hinamori-kun"
"Thank you, guys.. I am deeply sorry to trouble you guys with my rash actions, i should've known that watching them would just making me suffer even more...", she said weakly with traces of tears still prominent in her face.
"Sometimes, you have to risk your feeling to be with your loved one, Hinamori-kun", Kira-kun offered her a smile and patted her shoulder lightly.
"Kira-kun, you never have a date before, what a wise love wisdom you shared~", Matsumoto added humorously.
"Sure, that was the point of befriending Matsumoto Rangiku, I could be an expert in this love advices, thank you Matsumoto-sensei"
"Sure, you're welcome~~", Matsumoto said with a laugh."Why dont you ate those takoyaki while you tell us what exactly happened to you Hina-chan?"
Hinamori, then took the takoyaki and she realised that she had lost her apetite for the takoyaki she once so enthusiastic about. She took the toothpick and began to stick those balls into the stick before plopped the ball into her mouth. As tasty as she imagined it would be before it was all ruined by the sadness she was now feeling.
"Hitsugaya-kun.. ", she started opening her mouth,"He brought Fumina to the place we swore not to be revealed to anyone, yet... He revealed that place and ... And...", her voice started to waver as she rubbed her eyes to wipe the upcoming tears away,"And.. He sat her onto the tree that was special to us... To me..."
Her watergates once again broke and warm tears again streaming freely to her cheeks, her petite nose even turned red from her excessive crying process. Again, she muffled her sobs by biting her lips. The two friend watched the girl with a concerned eyes. Both of them, just couldn't say anything in that moment.
"I'm fine... It was just a silly kid promise... I know... So dont worry too much... I'm crying because.. It was just the... takoyaki taste was really bad that I cannot swallow them... It was not because... Of Hitsugaya-kun... ", she said calmly between her silent sobs,"yea.. It was.. Because of the takoyaki..."
"Then, just threw them away... We could buy the better taste at the next Karakura event... Hinamori-kun.. Lets go home..."
Unable to watch their friend to be broken even more, they decided, it was best to sent her home and let her get some rest. Both physically and mentally. The two of them then hold each of the petite girl's hand, so she was standing in the middle of them. They hold her hand tightly, as if afraid to lose her from the pain that slowly ate her from the inside. And in that moment, they promised themselves to not betray her like what her crush did to her.
Xxx
Fiuhhhh 9 pages long guysss... It was the longest i've been writing, seriously.. Lol
It was also my amends for the absence for God knows how long...!
I'm busy guys with my senior years activities guys, with the school funfair, exams, exams and exams. It was really great during those times, times you felt closer to your friends and spending a lot more times with them before it is ending for real :(
I'm both happy and sad that i'm going for the university after the state exams.. Because the school has been providing a place for me for all these years, and, suddenly it was just going to disappear with all of the memories of it. Dont you think i am weird kid? Hahaha. When all those people wanted to graduated so much?
I think i'm going to cry hard at the school farewell party.. Well party hard and cry hard, what an awesome combination. Lol. By the way guys,I'm just finished rehearsing for my school singing Performance, i'm singing spectrum from zedd! Anyway enough of my stories, tell me about yours!
And super thanks for those who are reviewing! i am terribly sorry that i cant keep my promise to update quickly... And your reviews are my mood booster! And i'm not kidding! XD
Reader-favs - me too.. I wanna her her too :( i bet that after this chapter you wanna her her even more *evil laugh* lol
HitsugayahinamorilovesToshiro - Aww thanks for the heart. Yes I watched them sometimes depending on my mood lol. But i love lee joon from MBLAQ! Lol
Saxophone - haha, it is hurting her.. Ouch! After this chapter, you would want to punch Toshiro straight into his face! Lol
Hailey-shiro - part of the plot again,dear.. Hope you love this chapter as much as you love the previous chapter! *sarcatic grin* thanks for your review!
Snowdreamy - yes and a super long chapters for you! Thank you for the love!
Icypeachdragon - oops not so fast.. It was still a long journey before Toshiro really realised who he truly loved. Ehm spoiler alert. :p
Till later guys~
I will try to update sooner and one thing i assure you guys that i'm going to complete this story because i cant stand momo to be heartbroken forever lol.
Ciaociao~