- RUA -

Finally! I've been waiting forever for this festival, and it's here at last!

But ahh! The lights here are so bright they hurt my eyes sometimes, but there's so much to see! I like how the festival, from up above, is in the shape of a dragon; its tail even wraps around the lake like a semicircle— is that what it's called? And there are a lot of people here dressed in some of the most detailed yukata I've ever seen, though I'm still mad about that guy who dirtied mine...

Oh, look! There's the advertisement of Supreme Lego Dragon I saw on TV the other day! And there… that's Lego Lizard Master! Wow, I think I might even get a wall-sized poster of that!

Right before we came to the festival tonight, I had made the list of what to look for because of the advertisements I saw on TV. They featured all the cool action figures, new cards, and everything else that I thought were super cool! Even action figures made out of real gold metal, or so that's what they said. Ruka says I'm too gullible and told me it was only faux gold. But, I thought I should still add those to my cool collection! Everything, or most of it, was going to be sold at the festival for those who first-come, first-serve.

And then I forgot to bring the list! What the heck, right? I'm usually very well-prepared, even though my sister says otherwise! Okay, well, fine. I'm not always that well-prepared, but I have never, ever forgotten anything that concerns me! Especially not cool, new toys!

Until now, that is. Bummer!

We, as in Yūsei, Aki-neesan, and my sister, moved along the stalls, hoping to find something that would be interesting. Crow and Jack had already gone off on their own while we're still here trying to decide what to do and where to go. For a long time, there was nothing good to see! Come on! Where were all the cool toys and stuff for sale? All I really saw were girls' socks… blegh! Maybe I would have better luck down that lane…

"Yūsei, Aki-neesan!" I called out. "I'm going with Ruka to check out the stands over there. Let's meet up back here in an hour or so and maybe have a late snack afterwards!"

"Who made you leader, Rua?" Aki-neesan giggled.

I pouted. "Aww, but it's a good idea! Someday I'll be wise and powerful enough to be new leader of this group! You just wait and see. Right, Yuusei?" I asked, turning to him.

"Sure you will," he said. He didn't seem very enthusiastic, but I didn't take it to heart because he barely ever shows any kind of encouraging emotion. It's rather a bummer, actually, but I'm confident in my own ability!

I know it. I know I'm good enough to become a true leader someday!

But Yūsei might have seen me look a little sad, for he crouched down to my level and looked me straight in the eye. I swear he looks like he is scolding me sometimes as if I did something wrong; it's a little creepy!

"Don't let that get you down, Rua," he stated. "I know you'll make a great leader one day. For now, just focus on having fun." He patted me on the shoulder and got up, leaving me to sink in every word he just said. Sometimes my sister calls me 'slow', but hey, it's just my way of listening to an older, wiser person who knows better because they have more experience. That's what Ruka told me, anyways, but I knew that, too! And as my big brother figure, my sister and I can't hide anything from him because he is just that smart.

I looked over at my sister, wondering what she thought about the festival so far. We tell each other pretty much everything, but lately she's been a bit closed off. Even from me, her own twin brother! But not when it comes to him… so… sometimes I wonder if she's starting to become interested in— No! He's too old for her…

"What are you going to do now?" my sister spoke up. She's very quiet, I tell you, which leaves me guessing at what she is truly thinking at times. But we always have each other's backs! "Crow and Jack have already left, so I think we should get moving, too…"

"What about you?" I asked Yūsei. My sister and Aki-neesan also turned to face him.

"I'm going for a tour around the lake," he said. "I'm interested in what might be on the other side."

- RUKA -

My ears perked up when I heard that Yūsei was going for a tour around the lake. Since the events of the festival didn't seem very interesting to me, maybe I could use this opportunity to learn more about him. Just when I was about to call out and offer to walk with him, someone else beat me there.

There goes my chance. Any confidence I had in asking him disappeared amongst the chatter of the crowd.

"I'll come with you, Yūsei," Aki-san said. Her voice was gentle and smoothing to the soul, liquid like honey off a dipper. She didn't even seem nervous; her voice only exerted a bold and commanding presence.

I greatly admired her for she was everything I wished to become someday, but then...

I saw the way Aki-san and Yūsei looked at each other, the glow of nearby lanterns illuminating their faces. The faint glimpse of romance hovered in the air and I felt my throat tighten up, mouth dry. I wanted to look away, but at the same time, what intrigued me was how the yellow light shone down on them. The gleam in their eyes, their skin glowing… it made them seem like…

Like they were in love.

Nothing quite hurt more then. The pain of watching the one you love love someone else… what could possibly be worse than that?

They're in love… but then, was that ever a surprise to anyone? To you, especially? a voice in my head sneered. At last, I managed to look in the other direction, away from the scene that made my heart beat furiously.

If you're really as innocent and naïve as they think you are, you would pretend that nothing just happened. Yet, somewhere deep inside, there was a desire —it was a little malicious, even— to just go over there and tear them apart. But then, my heart still felt pure; surely I was not yet capable of pulling off something so cruel.

As the two walked away, I couldn't help but turn and look back at them. You must be jealous. It looks like that girl took him away tonight… and you wish you were in her place instead, a voice in her head whispered. It made me shiver slightly, despite the warm atmosphere of the festival's merriness.

"I'm not jealous," I unwittingly said aloud.

"Not jealous of what?" Rua turned to look at me and I blushed in embarrassment.

"Ahh, nothing!" I sweatdropped and sheepishly waved my hands in dismissal. My brother usually wasn't oblivious to my feelings, but I was lucky that this time he was distracted or my face would have grown even redder. "It's nothing, really. Ooh, look!" I pulled away from him and quickly hurried over to a stand where colourfully decorated paper lanterns were hung up and also where they were being sold. It wasn't everyday that paper lanterns were being sold, especially those with unique floral designs.

"Uwaaah… They're so pretty!" I reached out to gently caress the elaborate designs, letting the warmth of the candle inside seep in and between my fingers. There was one design that instantly caught my eye, a round beige one adorned with small pink sakura flowers. It would look nice with my yukata, especially if I stand under it, I decided. Perhaps then, maybe I would actually stand out for once. Maybe… he would actually…

As I moved towards it, I noticed Rua leaning over some action figures made of faux gold metal in excitement several tables away. He was holding one up and inquiring about the price with the sales vendor. He already had many figurines at home, why would he need more? Then again, my brother was an avid collector of them and there was no stopping his passion. Since he was always supportive of me, I will always support him, too. Smiling, I turned back to the floral lantern.

It was gone.

But it was just here a moment ago! My heart skipped a beat as I looked around to see who had taken it. Up ahead, a young couple was just paying for an item. The woman's hand held onto that floral lantern. It was only after the two had disappeared out of sight that the obvious hit me upside the head.

I was too late… again.

It was at that moment that my brother grabbed my arm. "What's wrong, Ruka?" he inquired. "Hey, check this out…" I didn't hear what he said afterwards; I was too busy staring into the distance.

It's a place that's become much too far away to reach.

For Ruka, I gave her my own headcanon twist so she may seem a little OOC to you.
It was fun writing in Rua's childish perspective, though! & Thank you for your support, once again! ^_^