Author's Note

Thanks to the people who reviewed Chapter Seventeen: black cat girl 2006, winglessfairy25, chammel, sdf, cutegabrielle16, tomboy ninja13, Sweet Melancholy, michiy0, rocketandroll, Llamas are Sexy, enrevolemina, me, amaYachii, anitsirhc and SasuNaru-Love. And thanks to the people also who reviewed the past chapters but I was to lazy to acknowledge the people in some chapters. Hope you enjoy Chapter 18

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Chapter Eighteen

Of Fireflies and Constellations

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-WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL-

Ah, the wonderful Spring Festival. A festival that devotes itself to the welcoming of the spring season – the trees were decorated in pink, violet and green lights and so were the flowers. There were stalls selling cotton candy and other fun things. There would be fire works later on so I was extremely excited.

When I came home, grandpa wasn't there. The house was empty and smelled of dried fish. Where was he? But I ignored the fact and went to my room. The homey smell of my room blew on my face as I opened my door. I hugged my pillows but I stared strangely at my Ruka blanket. Good thing Ruka wasn't in my house or I'd embarrass myself to the bone.

I took my kimono from my wardrobe. It was a beautiful kimono and the last time I wore it was during New Year. It was pink with the cherry blossom design. I went to the bathroom and undressed, I took a shower and then blow dried it. I fixed my hair into two buns and put a flower in my hair. I put on my kimono, some lip gloss and put on some slippers. I stared at the mirror with vanity. "Not bad, not bad at all"

Hotaru (who was wearing a dark blue kimono with the designs of marigold flowers), Ruka and Natsume were waiting outside. Natsume seemed to glance every so often but avoided my eyes every time I turned to him.

"I might now join you the whole festival" Hotaru said softly, as we walked towards the festival.

"WHAT? WHY?!" Ruka yelled. And he put his hands on his mouth and then inserted them in his pocket once more.

"I'm going to meet up with Yuu and Kokoroyomi" Hotaru responded.

"B-but it's a festival…we have to be together, right?" Ruka said, turning to Hotaru.

"I have to be with Yuu and Kokoroyomi because it's important" Hotaru said, her voice was kind of pissed-off already. She was getting extremely impatient with Ruka's pushiness.

With that, we turned to the festival. It looked more beautiful as I saw it awhile ago. I pranced around the place excitedly. Hotaru disappeared and met up with Yuu and Kokoroyomi.

"Hey Mikan…" Ruka said, tapping my shoulder.

"Huh? Oh…what?"

"Why does Hotaru always hang with Yuu and Kokoroyomi? I mean… is she in love with them or something?"

"WHAT? Yuu, Kokoroyomi and Hotaru? Gawd, you must be joking!! If she falls in love with any of them it would be the time when earth would lose its gravity"

"In other words, never" Natsume continued.

"Are you sure?"

"Why are you so concerned anyway?"

Ruka turned slightly pink. "Nothing"

At that moment, I saw Tsubasa and Misaki. They were such a good couple!! It would be sad if they ever broke up.

"ONII-CHAN!!!" I squealed and ran to Tsubasa for a hug, Tsubasa opened his arms but then Natsume extended his foot and I tripped, dirtying my kimono and hurting my knee.

"Hey! What did you do that for?!" I yelled. Natsume just grunted and started glaring at onii-chan.

"Hey, it's the overprotective boy again!" Tsubasa smiled, helping me up.

"You shouldn't do that to a girl you like or they'll never like you" Misaki told him, ruffling his head.

"I don't like that Strawberries girl" Natsume said glaring at the two of them.

"Then why do you keep on stopping her from coming to us? I mean, we won't do anything to her" Tsubasa said, raising his eyebrow with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!" Natsume shouted and stomped off to where the lake was.

"Onii-chan, nee-san – why do guys and Natsume bully each other?" I asked, turning to Misaki and Tsubasa.

"Because it's too obvious already" Misaki told me, with a smile.

"What do you mean, obvious?"

"Ah…don't tell her – Misaki. Let her find out herself"

"But…" I stammered, as I watched Tsubasa and Misaki walk off.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, OBVIOUS?!!?!?!"

"Oy, Mikan…where's Hotaru?" Ruka said, running up to me – panting.

"Hey, where have you been?"

"Running all over the festival"

"Why?"

"Uh…"

"Oh, you're probably looking for Hotaru. Um, she's probably over there!!" I said, pointing to the field.

Then, Ruka ran off.

I spent most of my time in the festival eating cotton candy. I love cotton candy. But it wasn't as much fun without your friends. Sumire, Nonoko and Anna were no where to be found and I don't know where the hell grandpa is and it would be too much of a bore to go back home and watch TV or something.

I walked off to where the lake was. It was a still lake. The smell of fresh water was enticing. The moon's reflection was on the lake. It was a beautiful view. Sometimes, when I'm pissed-off I would go there and clear my thoughts, or simply roll up my pants or carry my skirt and dip my legs in the cold water and let the fish tickle my toes.

It was quite dark, the sound of the crickets could hardly be heard because the music of the festival was so loud. I removed my slippers and felt the nice, cold feeling of the stones and the way the grass would tickle your feet and legs and make it feel itchy.

The only light that was there was the moon, and there was someone sitting by the lake – removing petals of a flower.

It was Natsume.

"Hey" I said, sitting beside him. He grunted as he removed the last petal of the flower and tore the stem. He threw the petals into the lake and looked up.

"What was that? Some kind of ritual?"

"None of your business" he replied.

"Hey, how's Kaito?" I asked him.

"He's having this kind of therapy to get rid off his stupid obsession"

"Oh, you mean the defrosted chicken, thing?"

"What else? He's the only person I know who sleeps beside a defrosted chicken stuffed toy. He's crazy"

"Yeah… I can't believe he's my boyfriend" I laughed. Natsume seemed to twitch when I said 'my boyfriend'. I don't know why.

All of a sudden, the sound of the crickets completely silenced. Then there were several glowing things that started flying slowly from the other side. It was a group of fireflies. Their glow was so soothing, it was as if they were telling you that in the depth of extreme darkness, there will still be light – no matter how small it is. The light is in you.

"Look, Natsume" I said, tapping Natsume's shoulder.

"Hn?"

"My grandpa used to tell me that when there are lots of fireflies, the gods are giving an opportunity to the people to make themselves EACH a wish. So close your eyes Natsume, and wish for something"

"Ugh. I don't believe in wishing for stupid stuff" Natsume responded icily.

"Oh come on, Natsume you're so corny" I said, and I stood up and cupped a firefly. It buzzed inside my two palms. I laughed because it tickled and returned to Natsume.

I slightly opened my palm and the glow escaped out of my hands. Natsume's face was lit up – I could see his face. He was quite handsome in the light.

I cant be falling for him because that's not possible for a person like me to fall in love with some self-centered moron.

"Why don't you wish for something?" Natsume said, looking at me. I let go off the firefly and it flew away.

"Why should I?"

"You were the stupid one who said about that thing with wishes"

"Oh, I wished for things when I was younger. But then, right now why should I?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Everything, everyone – I need, want and care for have already come into my life!"

Natsume just stared at me.

"The gods have blessed me. I'm happy for what I have. My glass is neither half empty or half full. I'm satisfied"

"You know," Natsume said – looking at the fireflies.

"What?"

He looked at me for a second and stared at me. He went close to me and hit my head.

"That's the most stupid thing I heard"

"You're so corny Natsume!!" I said, hitting him back but he dodged my hit skillfully.

"Dumb fireflies" he said, stretching his arms.

"What's so dumb about fireflies? They have done nothing wrong to you!!!"

"Ah…whatever" Natsume said.

"But…."

Natsume put his hand on my lips. "Shut up" he said.

"I'm watching the fireflies"

He removed his hand and just stared at the fireflies. Yes, Natsume. Although you don't want to admit it, you're happy for what you have too, aren't you? And you appreciate nature even though you're so rotten.

I wonder…

Are you happy that you met me?

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The stars were wonderful this evening. They sparkled so beautifully. Hotaru guessed that she had been in Tokyo for so long, and the city lights during the evening of clubs, department stores, restaurants and even Tokyo Media Industries would blind her and the rest of the wonderful beauty of the stars that awaited them during the night sky.

Hotaru sat down on the field, with a camera telescope in her hands. You see, her telescope had a small camera installed in it already for taking photos of the stars. Yuu and Kokoroyomi were beside her, taking down notes.

Ruka watched the three of them behind a tree. I don't know why I'm doing this

"Hey, Hotaru – Yuu and I will just get some drinks there. Do you want some?"

"No, thank you" Hotaru responded as she glanced at them and returned to taking photos of the sky.

Yuu and Kokoroyomi went back to the festival. Ruka walked up to Hotaru and kicked the chair she was sitting on.

"What was that for?" Hotaru asked, not turning around.

"I don't know. How are your boyfriends?"

"They're not my boyfriends, Ruka" Hotaru responded, with a tone of annoyance in her voice.

"Ah…whatever" Ruka said, grabbing the chair what Yuu was sitting on and sat beside Hotaru.

"Why do you always hang out with them anyway? Not that I care it's just that…"

Hotaru smirked. "I'm getting the sudden impression that you're jealous" she said.

"Me? Jealous?!?! You've got to be kidding me!"

"Then why do you keep on asking these questions?"

"Well it's not my fault that so many guys just fall in love with you just like that!!! I mean…you've got three guys in love with you and you're not even giving them a chance"

"Three guys?" Hotaru muttered.

"Yeah!! Yuu…Kokoroyomi and…"

Hotaru turned to Ruka. "And who? Yuu and Kokoroyomi are just two people"

"NEVER MIND!!!" Ruka yelled and ruffled his hair so much that it hurt his head.

"But answer my question" he continued.

"Oh, alright" Hotaru said, turning to Ruka.

"I'm the president of the Photography Club and I take photos and stuff. I don't like being disturbed because I have to concentrate on the angle, to measure whether the light in the area is enough or very little. I cannot afford to humiliate myself by presenting to other people – ugly and amateur photographs" she said and turned back to the telescope.

"The rest of the club members are enjoying themselves in the festival. I don't like festivals. My only passion is photography" she continued.

"Then who are Yuu and Kokoroyomi?"

"They are very good in astronomy. They know the constellations which is sort of our club project now"

"B-but…I know the constellations too!!" Ruka said, his jealous bone triggering once more.

"See? That's Aries" Ruka said, pointing to the sky.

"Where?" Hotaru said, moving her telescope towards the direction Ruka was pointing.

Ruka took Hotaru's hand and pointed it to the sky.

"Aries" he told her.

Then he realized that he was holding Hotaru's hand.

"Uh…sorry" he said, letting go.

Hotaru just continued taking photographs – to conceal her blushing.

"Hotaru?"

"Hmm?"

"You want me to tell you more constellations?

"Yeah – that would be fine"

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"Natsume, you can talk now. The fireflies have flown away for some time now and you're still quiet" Mikan said, losing her patience.

"Keep quiet, polka-dots" he replied.

"Ugh. You're nothing but a pervert!!!!" Mikan yelled and attempted to hit him, but again – he skillfully dodged the hit.

Before Natsume could say anything, fireworks started shooting up in the sky.

"Do you remember, Natsume?" Mikan asked – tapping the arm of Natsume.

"Remember what, stupid?"

"A few days after we met, I got kidnapped and we watched the fireworks together"

"Oh yeah. You were so stupid…and until now you are" Natsume responded.

"You know, when I was smaller I saw fireflies and I wished that one day, when I'm sixteen – I would watch the fireworks in Nagoya with someone I cared about – so I'm enjoying it now better than the fireworks we watched in Tokyo" Mikan smiled.

Natsume just turned away.

"Wishes do come true, ne – Natsume?"

Natsume didn't say anything.

After all,

He couldn't agree more.

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To be continued…

Btw, some of my recommended authors are in my 'dedications' in my profile. Better read their stories!!!