Chapter 6

After the audience had settled down, Akito and Tusyoshi ordered a couple of drinks from the bar. As they waited, Aya joined them and sat next to Tsuyoshi.

"Great show,huh?" she asked after ordering a drink for herself.

"It was outstanding." Tsuyoshi replied. "What did you think,Akito?"

Akito downed what was left of his drink,but didn't reply.

Tsuyoshi stood up and pulled out a bouquet of yellow flowers.

"Are those for Sana?" Aya asked.

Tsuyoshi nodded. "It's for such putting on such a great show. But she probably gets hundreds of flowers. Let's go Akito."

Akito stood up to walk with Tsuyoshi. He watched as Tsuyoshi gave one of the yellow flowers to Aya,and him and Akito both started walking.

"This should be it." Tsuyoshi said pointing at a door. Tsuyoshi knocked a few times when Akito had caught up.

It was awfully quiet in the hallway. When Tsuyoshi knocked,the two of them could here a chair being moved across the floor behind the door. They then heard footsteps approaching the door. Akito looked at Tsuyoshi. He was sweating and shaking.

Suddenly, Tsuyoshi said "I can't do it.",shoved the flowers into Akito's hands,and ran off. Akito was left holding the bouquet thinking 'What the-?', when the door opened.

Sana was surprised when she opened her door. Akito was the last person she expected to see holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Akito?" Sana asked. "What are you doing here?"

Akito looked down at the flowers and said "These are for you." as he handed them over.

Sana looked taken aback. Then she smiled and took the flowers. "Thank you Akito."

As Sana grabbed the bouquet,her fingers grazed against Akito's. Strangely, his heart felt as is it had beat an extra beat.

"They're from Tsuyoshi." Akito said.

"They are?" Sana asked. She stuck her head out the door and looked around. Then she stood back up and said "Where is he?"

"I don't know." Akito put plainly.

"Hmm." Sana said simply. "Why don't you come in?" She motioned to the room.

Akito walked inside Sana's dressing room. Sana closed the door behind them. Her dressing room was a medium-sized room. The walls were painted a pink color. On the far wall were several hanging dresses of multiple colors. A pinkish colored make-up cabinet with a vanity mirror was against the right wall. It was cluttered with dozens of make-up products.

"That's a lot of make-up." Akito said. "What do you really look like?"

"What?" Sana asked,sitting down in front of the mirror. "Oh. Not all that's mine. I share the room with four other performers. That's their stuff."

"Alright." Akito said.

A minute of silence passed before Sana spoke up. "What did Tsuyoshi say about him and Aya?"

"He didn't." Akito said,not wanting to explain to her what Tsuyoshi had said.

"Really?" Sana sounded disappointed. "Aya denied it until I told her we saw them."

"'We'?"

"Yeah. I told her you saw,too."

More silence. After a few minutes that Sana spent searching for a vase for her flowers,she spoke again. "How long are you staying in town?"

"Don't know." Akito answered.

"Are you staying for the festival?" Sana asked excitedly.

"Festival?" Akito asked. "What festival?"

Sana's jaw lowered a bit at the question. "You don't know?"

Akito shook his head,waiting for her to tell him.

"'The Town Founding Festival'. It's when the townspeople get together to celebrate our town's birthday." Sana smiled as she spoke. "This year's especially important because the town turns 80."

"80?" Akito raised an eyebrow. "That old huh?"

Sana nodded. "Sure,it's not as old as some other towns around here,but what are you gonna do?"

Sana stood up and walked over to Akito. "There's food and games and dancing! It's always so fun!"

"Sounds interesting." Akito said.

"So," Sana said. "Are you staying for it? Are you?" Sana's face was brightly lit up as she stepped closer to Akito.

"W-when is it?" Akito asked,taking a step back away from Sana,who was standing a little too close.

"Uhm, let me think." Sana said,putting her finger to her chin. Her eyes looked to her left,as people usually do when trying to remember. "Two days from now. Do you think you can make it?"

"Maybe. I'll ask Tsuyoshi. He might want to go." Akito said.

Sana smiled bigger then before and she seemed excited. "It'll be great! You'll see! I bet even you will have fun!"

Akito smirked. "We'll see." Akito turned and walked out of the room. He turned the corner and saw Tsuyoshi talking with Aya. Akito walked over to them. Aya saw him and mentioned him to Tsuyoshi.

"Hey Akito." Tsuyoshi said as he turned to greet him. "How did she like the flow-OWW!"

Akito chopped Tsuyoshi on the head as he walked by him. He wasn't happy at Tsuyoshi for leaving him. "She liked them. I'm going back." And Akito walked toward the saloon door.

"By the way." Akito said,stopping right in front of the door. "We're staying in town for a few extra days. We have a festival to attend." And he left, leaving the door swinging back and forth.