The Festival
The Cultural Festival of Haku's School, was one of the most anticipated events by students during the school year. Family, friends and visitors strolled around the school enjoying the different activities performed by the students, plays, musicals, exhibitions, art presentations, games, competitions, as well as the different food and beverage stands placed in the courtyard. Balloons, party banderillas, hanging lamps and other decorations abounded in the corridors and the courtyard, making the place more colorful.
During the last week, the students had been working together with their assigned teachers in the project organized by Hijikata. Each group wore a T-shirt of different colors representing a city. Trouser and black skirt, some groups decided to add a personal touch, such as Shinpachi's group who printed their names on their dark blue T-shirt, and Harada's group with the name of the kyoto city on the right side of their orange T-shirt. At the end of the day, the groups would make a brief exposition of the city and their culture. However, the written work would be delivered in teams of two and three as planned from the beginning.
The students worked together in the different activities. Some freshmen decided to set up a food stall for the festival. The money collected would be turned over to the school fund.
"You see, I told you that it would be a good idea to place a food stall for the festival, people do not stop coming."Akari spoke animatedly as she handed two girls in the line a lunch of what they were selling.
"Well, nice girls, desserts and delicious food are always a good combination." Osen smiled ... "Besides …..Chizuru–Chan's dessert has been much sought after."
"I'm glad they liked it." Chizuru was entertained by placing the different desserts in nice boxes prepared for the occasion and placed them on the display tray.
"Although dessert is not the only thing, the boys are always delighted to see Chizuru- Chan," Akari pointed out with a smirk.
"Why do you think they come to see me? There are a lot of girls here." The chestnut girl asked without looking up from her work.
"Do not be modest, Chizuru– Chan, You're very popular with guys, especially on the Kendo's team. "Osen smirked, watching the large number of guys on the line, many of them from the Kendo's team.
"W-what things do you say?" Chizuru whispered timidly. Her friends always said things like that. She looked to the side where Souji and Heisuke were, they were laughing and they seemed to have a good time. Her heart filled with joy as she to see her friends.
"Chizuru– Chan!" Heisuke approached with an almost empty dessert box. "The dessert is delicious."
"It's good that you like it, Heisuke–Kun." The chestnut girl smiled sweetly, taking another dessert from the counter and handing it over to the young man who cheerfully accepted it.
"Wow! There is no doubt that first–year girls are always the most enthusiastic. "Akari and Osen turned quickly at the soft voice of Souji, the young chestnut had also approached, his naughty smile always on his lips.
"We want to do a good job." Chizuru replied with a small smile as she handed a dessert box to another boy in the line.
"I see." Souji smiled, leaning back on the counter, staring at the pretty young girl for a moment.
"What about your presentation?" She asked curiously. She had planned to escape for a while to go and see them. In truth, she never missed a presentation of the boys. The Kendo's team would make a special presentation, and as always when they faced the captain and sub-captain of the team, it was very exciting.
"It will be in a while. Hajime-Kun is busy keeping order, that's very boring. . ... I'd rather be here for a while. There are very nice companies." He turned around giving a soft smile to the other girls who seemed quite distracted by his presence and that amused him.
Akari blushed, making the young man chestnut smile wider. He always had that effect on the girls. Osen tried to hide it, but also felt her cheeks warm. Souji knew how to attract a girl's attention.
"You really have no remedy." Heisuke made a small grimace, taking both hands behind his head as he always did.
"Do not bother me Heisuke," he said, softly exhaling.
Chizuru smiled, she really loved these guys. They always made her smile.
"Hi!" Takeshi suddenly appeared with a cheerful smile. Souji glanced sideways at the slender boy with a raised eyebrow.
"Takeshi-Kun" Heisuke called.
"Hi, Heisuke-Kun" The young man smiled excitedly.
"Wow! You've been very busy today, have not you?" Heisuke exclaimed to see the young man's clothes all dirty with paint of different colors, as if he had been in a paint war.
"Yes, I've been all morning in the paint room."
"it looks like you've been having fun, huh?" Souji spoke in a bored tone.
"The young man looked hesitantly at Souji before answering, adjusting his apron and part of his orange T-shirt." I was helping some children's paint a painting."
"As a result the brats left you as a paint palette." souji smiled Takeshi's eyebrows narrowed before the young man chestnut's comment, but he did not say anything.
"I do not think you had been in better condition, Souji." Heisuke stepped in. "Children are very restless."
"I would have made them paint the canvas, not to me. that is sure." He said funny. he looked at the boy that was trying to wipe his apron without success." The boy liked him in a way, he was intelligent and reliable, but his annoying face amused him, he seemed to want to say something to him, but he simply frowned making a little grimace.
"I think you're doing a good job, Takeshi- Kun." Chizuru spoke softly encouraging the boy.
"Thank you, Chizuru- Chan." He smiled. Then he turned to Senhime. "Osen- Chan, Sannan-San is gathering his whole group, and asked me to warn you, Kazama-San is already there. I think he wants to tell you something about the exposition.
"Thank you, Takeshi- Kun. I'll go and see what it's about. "
"The green team meets secretly, eh? Interesting." Souji joked. "By the way, I have not apologized for leaving you alone with Kazama, Osen- Chan." He looked at her. "I'm sorry I left you, but I could not work with him, it would have been a real disaster." He apologized. "
"Do not worry, Okita-San, I think it was the best." "Kazama–San and I work well together ... I'll be right back." Said the girl as she took her belongings, She waved goodbye and waved quickly away.
"I guess it worked out fine." Souji exhaled softly.
"Yes, I do not think you and Kazama could have written a paragraph together without arguing, much less, join in a group." Heisuke smiled mischievously.
"Who knows? Maybe they would have surprised us," Chizuru joked.
"I do not even want to think about it. I just hope, Takeshi-Kun, that you do not ever make the same mistake again. I'm not very patient." He turned to the boy who paled before the words of Souji.
"I told you before, Hijikata–San chose you. It was not my fault."
"Souji just is bothering you, Takeshi- Kun, Just ignore him." Heisuke spoke quietly. He was more interested in the lunch that he had just ordered, than in the jokes of Souji.
Souji laughed, attracting the attention of the young's. "Relax, brat. There's still a lot to do."
"That's mean that you will go to work, Souji?"
The young chestnut looked back to see the director and sub-director behind them.
"Do not say it too loudly, Hijikata–San, you can damage my reputation." He scoffed, watching the deputy director frown slightly. "What? Did you come to taste the desserts too?"
"I'm verifying that everything is in order." Hijikata folded his arms.
"Come on, Toshi. A little rest will do us good." Kondou smiled, approaching the counter. Hijikata sighed softly and approached. Maybe a little rest would not be bad. He thought.
"I'll try one," Kondou said kindly. Chizuru delivered a dessert to the director who immediately began to eat it.
"You should try one too, Hijikata–San. It will sweeten your character." Souji joked.
Hijikata looked at Souji seriously but did not say anything. Rather, he set out to try one of the desserts. After the brief entertainment, the young boys followed Kondou and Hijikata inside. Souji said goodbye to the girls with a wink. Akari let out a sigh as she turned away from the young chestnut. Chizuru smiled before the attitude of her friend, if she spoke a little more with Souji maybe she would not get so nervous. He was a nice guy.
Saito did not like much these kinds of activities, such as festivals or fairs. There were too many people around for his taste. Riots and strife among students abounded in every corner, but it was his duty as chairman of discipline's committee along with the other members to verify the order.
Making his way by the hall, he encountered a problem. Apparently a group of students were disputing which of the two salons could do a better performance in the play in which both would participate. They had a kind of competition, which Saito thought it was silly. . "Really, this is going to be a long day". He thought.
Sighing heavily, he approached the crowd. "You're not going to solve anything with this argument," he said coldly. "Just do what you have to do and stop causing trouble." His voice was so sharp it ended up scaring everyone around. Saito was so imposing as Hijikata was, and it was impossible not to heed his warnings, he was excessively cold and sharp when it came to doing his job.
The students stopped their arguing and returned to their activities. Saito turned to go out to the backyard, he needed fresh air. Upon leaving, two second year's girls blocked his step, they were his classmates, he had seen them in the classroom, but he never paid them much attention.
"Saito-San" The long black haired's girl began. "In a few minutes will start our dance performance, and ... .. " She hesitated a little to see that the young man remained stoic. "We would like you to be there." She smiled of flirty way.
The young man looked seriously at the two smiling girls in front of him. They wore typical dance suits for their presentation, they were beautiful, he could not deny it, but he was not interested in any invitation. All morning, he remained indifferent to the comments and whispers of the girls behind his back, about his attractiveness and seriousness, and he managed to avoid all kinds of invitations that the girls who dared to approach to him proposed him.
"I'm busy" was his only response passing by her side to continue on his way. Paying no attention to the girls behind him continued his tour of the place. He found that he was much calmer than he thought. The visitors approached the booths and stalls, curious for some entertainment or just to eat something delicious.
He walked around, near of the sport court where a group of people crowded. He remembered that Chizuru and some of her classmates would have a food stall there. Chizuru was good in the kitchen, he knew it very well. He was one of the lucky ones to try the lunches made by her, since they had lunch together every day.
The small store was just across the sport court. Something that caught his attention was the large number of people there were, especially boys. He approached the place and watched as a young man leaned a little over her whispering something in her ear as she nodded with a soft smile. Instantly he felt uncomfortable, a strange feeling to see the scene, something that surprised him. What is this sensation? He asked himself.
He came little closer, seeing that the girl worked hard, taking a paper bag and giving it to the young man in front of her who still kept his smile on his face. He still felt strange, annoying, maybe? He could not name the uncomfortable sensation that instantly disappeared as the young girl looked at him smiling.
She prompted him to come closer until to be right in front of her. She looked very pretty in her orange T-shirt and short black skirt, although, he thought that she always looked pretty with anything. Chizuru looked again the boy With whom she had been talking before.
"I hope Mizuki- Chan likes the desserts. Good luck! Izuki- San."
"Thank you, Chizuru." The young man walked away after taking the paper bag.
Chizuru looked at Saito again. He looked very handsome as ever, dressed in a dark blue T-shirt and black jeans. The black and white band on his right arm identified him as chairman of the discipline's committee. She treated him as usual, with the sweetness that characterized her. She offered him one of the desserts that she had prepared, which he gratefully accepted. It seemed something funny to him the expectant face of the young girl while he tastes the sweet, it was as if she expected his approval or something.
"Do you like it?" She asked smiling.
"It's delicious," he replied softly, as the last traces of the candy melted in his mouth.
"I'm glad." She smiled wider. Saito could not help but smile a little at her joy.
"So! How's the festival going? "She asked.
"Entertaining," he said in his usual tone. He saw her raise her eyebrows a little, then smile again.
"I see ... I heard you have a small exhibition in the training room, thanks to you" the Kendo's team had been able to display some traditional weapons used in ancient times, Katanas, lances, kodashi among others, provided by a museum.
"I did nothing, Tsubasa–San got them. He's a history teacher at the university, so it was not very difficult for him. He meets many people. "
"But it was through you, was not it? So you also deserve some credit. "
Saito kept in silence. He did not care taking the credit. The only important thing is that the festival was successful.
"Tsubasa–San must be a great man, right?"
Saito nodded in affirmation. The ghost of a smile on his face. Tsubasa reminded him Kondou, kind and smiling. Chizuru would really like Tsubasa, just as he would like to meet Chizuru. He was going to say something when a disturbance was heard a few meters from where they were. He exhaled heavily, looking in the direction of the noise, then back to Chizuru.
"Well .. I have work to do, thanks for everything, Chizuru."
Chizuru nodded and watched him drift off amidst the crowd. She was so focused on the young stoic that she did not notice when Akari had approached.
"You know something?" She suddenly whispered, "Saito–San is a very serious boy, but he's still very popular and attracts many girls ... imagine if he smiles more often, it would be a dream, would not it?
Chizuru turned to look at her. Akari had that naughty smile on her face. She smiled shyly, just imagining Saito smiling do her heart skip a little. She had seen him smile before and he was really cute.
As the hour progressed, the atmosphere became more lively and noisy. The screams and murmurs of people were heard all over the place, apart from the music played by the school orchestra. Chizuru, after taking a tour of the theater hall, went to look at the training room. She was surprised to see how many people there were in the place.
The presentation of the boys had not yet begun, so she dedicated to inspecting the place. As she had heard, a part of the room was selected for the display of traditional weapons. She was surprised with the different kinds of weapons. They looked rather heavy for someone to handle easily.
She imagined for a moment, if the boys had lived at that time, they would have been skilful samurais, that simple thought made her smile. The young girl surprised when Saito approached. She had not noticed his presence until he spoke. Now he was dressed in his Kendo's uniform. The young man gave her a brief review of each weapon placed on the display. He knew a lot of history. actually, He was good at everything he did.
"You really like the story, do not you, Saito–San?"
"Yes, I find it fascinating, as everything changes over time."
"I also like the story. In fact, I've read several books from the ancient history. It's exciting, although, I have read many other books as well. "
"It's good to know that we share a taste for reading," he said softly.
"Yes, right now I'm finishing a book titled behind your gaze." Have you read it?
Saito denied softly.
" "I can lend it to you when I'm done.. I think you'll like it. Is from the ancient time, It contains adventure, romance, and a little of mystery." She smiled. "Although, is only the first volume, I have to get the second. "
Saito smiled back. He liked that part of Chizuru, she was a dreamer. Her eyes shone like a child girl when she received a candy. He was not very fond of such genres in the reading, but he was going to read it anyway.
"So here you are, Chizuru."
The chestnut girl turned around to hear her name. She was surprised that she had not seen the young man all morning. She did not expect to see him there either, although Kazama was part of the Kendo's team, this time he would not participate in the activities. Student's committee had a lot of work organizing the students in their work assignments and verifying that everything were done correctly.
"Kazama–San," she said gently. "Do you need something?"
"I went to the backyard and I did not see you, I assumed you would be around here." He glanced at Saito who was in silence.
"I wanted to see the boys' participation."
"Surely yes" Kazama exhaled something irritated and turned to look at Saito. "Hey!" He called, annoyed. "I advise you to keep your subordinates at bay. I do not like that simple students wants to give me orders."
"Something happened, so they did, right?" Saito asked quietly.
"I am the chairman of student's committee. I do not accept orders from anyone."
"Kazama–San, the boys just do their job." Chizuru spoke softly trying to slow down the mood.
"I didn't do anything, they have nothing to accuse me of," he said, crossing his arms and frowning.
"According to the report I have, you and your friends obstructed the students' passage to the theater room, and that caused conflicts." Saito barely raised his voice, but his tone was serious and sharp.
"They were interfering in my way, I do not know why Hijikata opened a passageway to the theater room through my meeting room, that's my place," he said arrogantly.
"That's not my problem, talk to Hijikata–San about it. My job is to maintain the order. "
"Even so," Kazama rolled his eyes. "I do not get orders from brats."
Chizuru kept in silence watching the interaction of the boys. This was not good at all. Kazama was too arrogant and proud. Saito however, remained stoic and calm at the situation, but the serious look he was giving Kazama could frighten anyone.
"Good," he said in a cold voice. "Next time I'll take care of the situation personally, I do not like undisciplined people."
Kazama frowned upset. He was going to open his mouth to speak when Amagari suddenly appeared on the scene, Chizuru thanked internally for the intervention of the young man. The student's committee and the discipline's committee did not get along at all, they always kept their distance from each other, but sometimes such a confrontation was inevitable.
"Kazama, what are you doing here? We are waiting for you in the Meeting room."
Kazama snorted irritably turning around. He looked both boys over his shoulder and walked away quickly next to Amagari.
"I think he got angry," Chizuru commented softly.
"That seems" the stoic young man spoke quietly. Kazama seemed to him a very haughty boy with whom he did not want to have many treatments, only the necessary one. He had dealt with that kind people in the past and was not much to his liking.
The girl followed Saito until where were the other members of the team, watching enthusiastically that one of the most anticipated meetings began, Heisuke was facing Souji. Both seemed very funny. Although they argued from time to time, they complemented each other very well. They were family after all. The match turned out to be very interesting. After the small demonstration of skills on the part of the two, some visitors dared to challenge the Young boys, something that of course they accepted. It was a challenge after all, Combat that eventually they ended up winning easily.
"These brats were not supposed to turn the demonstration into a competition." Harada complained crossing his arms. Chizuru softly denied and looked at Saito, he looked relaxed.
"It was an unexpected twist." The young Indigo calmly said looking ahead.
"They're going to listen to me." Harada walked away muttering under his breath, heading toward the group in the center of the room. Chizuru looked at him worriedly. Souji and Heisuke seemed to be in trouble.
"Do you think they will be ok?" She asked the stoic young man next to her, who was still staring to the front without knowing what he was thinking, his face showing no emotion. It was very difficult to read him.
"Souji and Heisuke have an innate ability to get out of troubles," he said coldly. "Do not worry too much."
Chizuru nodded in response, but she was still worried. Saito to realize of it, posed something in his mind, after all it was something that maybe himself would not have been able to avoid either, although, he was more patient and quiet than those two.
"Do you want to help a little, Chizuru?" He asked finally looking at the girl.
Seeing the girl's statement and her smile, he knew that he had no choice. They walked in the direction toward the three involved, because Harada had separated them from the crowd. After a brief but effective explanation to Harada of how to accept a challenge in some circumstances, it could be beneficial when that could propel the boys to practice the sport, the moods calmed down. Harada seemed to understand the situation when he nodded slightly. Souji smiled at his friend's cunning, if he knew how to use the words in his favor.
Chizuru looked at him impressed. Saito was skilful. He had saved the boys from a good reprimand or even a punishment and was grateful for it. She liked how he expressed himself, his firmness and confidence in his words. He was a really incredible guy.
"So you finally decided to rebel against power, Hajime-Kun?" Souji asked with a mocking smile on his lips as he stood beside him. Harada had already retired and Chizuru and Heisuke have an entertaining conversation when some of their companions approached. He was curious. His friend was strict with the rules of the school. More if that involved the indiscipline.
"Nothing of that," he said coldly. "Let's just say that you were lucky today." He said that in part by Chizuru, the boys would might have dealt with their decision, but the girl's worried face made him intrude, something unusual about him. However, when the girl gave him that sweet smile, thanking him, he felt good, only that simple gesture was enough for him.
"And what does that mean?" The young chestnut asked even more curious than before.
Saito looked at him. "You had a good point, and I just decided to show it, that's all. I sometimes guess it's difficult to avoid a challenge. Besides ... " He paused, watching his friend's reaction. "I was afraid that would affect your mood and not give the maximum in the combat. I cannot allow it. "He knew that it would not affect Souji at all, but he had to have a justified reason.
"I see ... .. Cold and calculating." Souji smirked. "But don't worry, Hajime-Kun, my mood does not affect my abilities at all."
"We'll see that." He said without flinching.
Thirty Minutes later the most anticipated fight began. Saito and Souji gave a great demonstration of their skills in Kendo. Both boys had fun in the fight. Souji for being more extroverted showed more his euphoria and enthusiasm while Saito remained with his serene face. This time the fight was carried out without any inconvenience. In the end the boys shook hands in complicity. The atmosphere was so lively, that Harada went out a little of the routine and allowed some visitors to show their skills.
Group presentations began in the afternoon. The first group to introduce was the Harada's group where they were, Heisuke, Chizuru, Akari, Takeshi and many more students. They talked about Kyoto, followed by the Sanna–San's group who chose Tokyo, and then the Shinpachi's group with Osaka, making an excellent presentation about this beautiful city. As time went by, all the remaining groups were presented until they finished. Hijikata was pleased by the excellent work done by the students praising them on the spot.
The hours passed quickly and soon the visitors began to withdraw from the place. Only the students and teachers stayed to order and clean the whole place, although, they were tired, they worked quickly. The boys removed all the tables and dismantled the stalls and the other heavy tasks, while the girls were in charge to clean the whole place. In the end it was a great work in equipment.
It has been long time. I have had some complications with the computer and I have not been able to update as fast as I expected. Guest thanks for your comments, and to all of you who follow this story. Enjoy a new Chapter.
