Me: I finally made it! I had to make changes to my rough draft because of the last chapter, but, in all, this will by far be the most loved chapter everyone will enjoy!
Lee: (Finishes reading the script with a blush and a nose bleed) Oh, my, god... I really do that?
Me: Yes you do.
Hiroyuki: Wow. That is seriously awesome! Kinda wish that's how it went for me.
Me: Well, I'm sorry for you. I do not own Morenatsu! But I'm totally jealous of Lee here!
Lee: D-Don't say that!
August 22 part 1
Starlight Confessions
I blush, holding onto the railing of the stairs as I descend, careful of my ankle, which luckily isn't as bad as it had been yesterday. Keisuke managed to help get me ready for tonight over the course of all of yesterday, with a break for lunch and dinner. This will be the first I've seen anyone except for the horse since I got the note from Kouya. I can hear Torahiko speaking with Hiroyuki as I slowly enter the lobby, watching so I don't slip in the thin green slippers I have on.
I don't make a noise as I get off the bottom step, but the couple turns to me with a pair of equally large grins, which are quickly removed when their jaws basically fall off at the sight of me. But, I know precisely why they are acting like this. I am, after all, wearing the Longevity Yukata I bought from Kazumi-san the day after I arrived.
"Is it that bad," I ask, brushing some wrinkles away from the nearly skin-tight material that, embarrassingly enough, gives me gentle curves, similar to a young woman.
"No way," Hiroyuki states firmly, stepping forward. He trails a hand along the large dangling sleeve, getting a feel for the dark green silk. I have to say, Kazumi out did herself on this one. Compared to mine, at least." He is in a red yukata with a cherry blossom design on the light blue obi around his waist.
"Lee, if you plan to be the center of attention at the festival, I think you've got that covered," Torahiko puts in, wearing his typical attire. I blush lightly, but I don't, or should I say, can't hide it. Hiroyuki has grabbed my chin and is studying my face very closely.
"You're meeting someone, aren't you?" My blush intensifies as he backs up, and he laughs heartily. "I should have known. I mean, you shaved, and I can smell something sweet. Who is it?"
"I- I'm not saying." With that, I walk past them both and out the front door.
The Bon Festival has really brought out quite an amazing side of the town. All around, the locals and even people from other nearby towns are chattering away as they follow the candle and lantern lit streets towards the park. The sun is resting on the mountainous horizon, casting a brilliant array of color onto the setting, the sky a breath-taking orange. This is beauty that very few people can ever experience in their life time.
As I walk with the crowds, several people take notice of me and start to whisper excitedly. I manage to catch parts, and I'm surprised that they actually all know my name, despite me never even seeing many of these people before. Torahiko was right, though; I'm the center of attention at the moment.
Two arms cross my shoulders, and I look up to see the drunk smiles of both Tatsuki and his father, Tappei. They both where navy blue vests that go to just above the knees, with parts of their fundoshi showing. "What is a cute thing like you doing alone," Tappei laughs, keeping us moving towards the park.
"Aw, c'mon pops, don't embarrass the guy," Tatsuki states with a slur to his voice. "Besides, I don't think you should be flirting with anyone when I could easily tell mom."
His father glares daggers at the younger dragon. "You wouldn't dare, you little shit."
"I would, fat man." I laugh a little, not bothering to hide it from anyone. This is one night I don't care about being embarrassed. This night is going to be interesting, no matter what happens.
The three of us arrive at the park at 7:55, according to a clock hanging at one of many stands. The rest of the crew is here, and approaches us, with the exception of Hiroyuki, Torahiko, and Kouya. They all where something at least fitting for the festival, and smile at the sight of me.
Shun is the first to make a comment. "You look amazing, Lee-san!"
I smile, giving him a hug. "Thank you for that. I wanted to make tonight something I'll always remember, so I went all out. With, a little help." I don't go further into my details, because the happy couple arrives with their grins back in place. They get swarmed rather quickly, leaving me be, so I decide to wander around for the next five minutes, checking out various stands and what they have to offer.
I'm at a stand that is selling an assortment of sweets when someone, another drunk based on the smell lingering in his fur, approaches me. This is a horse that I've not met before, and based on his demeanor that isn't even aimed at me, I don't plan to. "Hey, baby, you here alone?"
It takes everything I have not to gag on his breath. "Sorry, but I'm just waiting for someone."
"Aw, come on, baby," he persists, placing a hand next to me so he can attempt to block an escape. If I had something hard right now, I'd smack him upside the head for being so rude. "How about we ditch this place and, get to know one another, if you know what I mean." Oh, that crosses the line on several levels, and I show a rare scowl, tensing up as I prepare myself to knee him where it'll hurt the most. At least, until he arrives.
Kouya grabs the horse's shoulder and forces him away with his own scowl. "Sorry, pal, but he's with me tonight." I can't help but send a look of admiration and, surprisingly enough, lust over the husky, seeing as he actually went so far as to wear a black suit with a tie the same shade of green as my yukata. It's like a fantasy; I'm a helpless damsel and he's the knight in, uh, a shiny fur coat.
The horse scoffs, turning away. "Fine. Who needs a shrimp like that anyways?"
Before Kouya even moves, I step forward, twist the horse around, and do something I haven't done in my entire life time; I punch the horse right in the face, giving him a bloody nose, just before kneeing him where the sun doesn't shine.
He collapses, and I smirk, crossing my arms behind my back in an innocent manner. "Looks like a 'shrimp' just kicked your drunken ass." Kouya laughs as I stand by him, letting the horse recover and scamper off in pain. He gives me a goofy grin that I smile in return for. "What?"
"I don't think I've ever heard you say one bad thing about anyone since you arrived."
"Well, I guess you haven't really gotten to know me completely. Speaking of which, I was wondering, who turned your face pink?"
"Damn you Keisuke!" He starts shouting out a rant about the drummer, and I burst into laughter as he draws attention to us. He takes notice after a few minutes and quiets down finally, turning to me once more. "Sorry about that. You look nice, but don't you think you're a bit overdressed?"
I frown slightly, tilting my head. "You said this was a date, and I'd been planning to wear this anyways." My smile returns as I see a familiar sight over his shoulder, but so does a blush. He takes notice of this and turns, his own blush forming rapidly as the others approach, with his parents of all people beside Tappei.
Kazumi lets out a squeal as she hugs her son, and the crew gawks at us both with utter shock. "I knew you were going to meet someone here! I just knew it!"
"You were meeting with Kouya," Hiroyuki says blandly before he and the others, except for Shun, all groan, pulling out wads of money. "I seriously thought it was going to be Keisuke after yesterday..." Everyone hands Shun the money, the wolf grinning.
"I always knew you liked him, Lee-sama. Ever since you fell on him when you arrived." I smile at the memory, though I'm really only here because of the note mentioning that Kouya wanted to speak with me. But, I don't want to dash his hopes, since I am getting that warm, heavy feeling in my chest again as Kouya holds out his arm, and I grab it with both of mine.
"Well, if you'll excuse us," Kouya mutters, leading me away. I lean my head on his shoulder, since this is actually the closest thing to a date I've ever experienced, and I want to enjoy it before we have to get to talking later. We stop by a stand that has several accessories for sale, and Kouya, with a smile, make a purchase of two matching cloths of firm blue cotton. "At least this way, people will know we're together," he says, tying one around my wrist and the other around his.
"It's nice, Kouya. Thanks." He blushes as I smile up at him, and I can tell I'm really going to enjoy tonight. Looks like revenge will be mine for all the times he made me get embarrassed this summer. I grab his arm with a laugh, pulling him into the crowds. "Since there's nothing better to do at the moment, let's go play some games."
I don't want to get to the discussion Kouya wanted, since that might mean we won't spend the night together. So, for the next several hours, we simply enjoy the games, not really talking except to choose a game and decide who's paying.
We are in the center of the park, lit completely by electric lights from a stage where people are performing, finishing some rice balls we bought when the mayor, who I met when I met Tatsuki's family and co-workers, takes to the stage at 10:30.
"Hello everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the Bon Festival!" From all across the park, cheers rise, but I don't make a sound; I can see the others waiting by the stage, setting something up. "Now, the fireworks will start by 10:45, but first, I actually have a small surprise."
A light shines in the direction of the others, and they all wave at the crowd. "These young men have brought forward some recordings one of their friends made, and I have listened to them myself. They are definitely something worth hearing! So, let the music begin!" The crowd cheers, and I can see exactly what was being hooked up; my iPod.
"Kouya, please tell me you had nothing to do with this," I mutter as my cover of 'Hey Soul Sister' begins, and those gathered by the stage all begin to dance with the music.
He stands up, but I can see a grin as he turns to me. "No, but I have to say, I do like this song. Care to dance with me?" I sigh, reaching to take his hand, and he pulls me up, leading us in the dance, and soon the song. We start to sing, both of us spinning like the rest of the crowd. It's rather relaxing to be like this, when I'm not being forced.
I lean forward so my head is on his chest and wrap my arms around his neck. His warmth, his breathing, his heartbeat, and his touch are the only things I can register while like this. His scent overwhelms me, making the sensation in my chest heavier than ever before.
The very moment the song ends and the next cover begins, Kouya steps away, taking one of my hands. "Lee, we need to talk."
I sigh. I guess this is the moment my night with the husky comes to an end, so I let him lead me away from the park. We head north, up a set of stone steps, and reach an area I have never been before.
The moon shines down onto the cliff where we stand, and I have to say the lighting make my yukata shimmer like the stars far above our heads. But the most stunning thing here is Kouya, looking back towards the cluster of flickering lights that is the town.
He turns to me, half of his face hidden by darkness, giving an attractive and mysterious look to him. "Lee, the reason I asked you here is because of a question I've been meaning to ask you for several days now, ever since we got back from the camping trip."
I tilt my head to the side, not bothering to hide my curiosity. "What is it?"
He takes a deep breath, as though he was hesitating, before he speaks. "I know you have to go home in a few days, but do you want to stay in Minasoto?"
It isn't the kind of question I was expecting, but I can answer it easily. "Well, yeah. I've made so many friends here in only a month, and it is really beautiful here. But, I need to go home, since I'm all my mother has." Truthfully, I think she would give me her blessing to stay, but I need to follow through and leave so I can go back to my life.
He looks down, as though disappointed by my answer. "Is there a reason you wanted to know about that, Kouya?"
"Yes, actually." He steps closer, a hand on each of my shoulders, staring me dead in the eye. "Lee, you're the most unique person I've ever met. You grew quickly from a shy kid that stayed distant to someone who belongs in our group and makes us whole."
I smile, since the comment is like one my mother would say when I was younger and in need of comforting. My smile is gone though when I notice tears running down his cheeks. His voice cracks slightly as he continues to speak.
"You are one of the few people that can actually make me happy just by being around, but you're the only one that I can think of in a way I doubt you think of me in." He presses our foreheads together, and several of his tears land on my face. Only a centimeter separates us at this point.
"Lee, I- I love you." His lips meet mine, and my mind goes berserk as my heart races, but not with nervousness. Instead, I can tell what I'm feeling, for the sensation is just as my mother described it to mean.
I pull away from the kiss, and Kouya gives me a look between curiosity and betrayal. I smile lightly, reaching up and wiping away one of his tears. "Kouya, there's no need to doubt anything. I've loved you since I met you, even if I didn't realize it yet." It's my turn to initiate the kiss, and this time, we both are for it. Time itself seems to slow down for us, even as fireworks begin to soar into the air and light up the night sky.
Me: YES! I finally made it! I made it to the first kiss!
Lee: OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! Is, it bad to say I actually enjoyed that?
Me: Nope!
Shun: That was cute! And I should know, because a lot of people think I'm cute.
Me: Because you are!