13 – trickery

"Hey, don't pull on that!"

"Sorry, but if I don't," Satsuki spoke through gritted teeth, fierce in her frustration, "It'll just come loose later on."

Ayaka attempted to pull away, tugging at the sleeve of her yukata. Satsuki's grip was firm and unyielding, and she didn't move away until the loose thread had been snapped clean away.

Ayaka quickly crossed her arms over her chest, defensive. "This was my mum's," she reprimanded, "She'd kill me if she was ever home to find out how you treat her things."

"Well, she's not," Satsuki snapped, before realizing just what she had said, "Sorry."

"It's fine, she's only away so much for her business," Ayaka dismissed the issue easily, "Besides, Akio does an alright job of looking after me."

"Oh, please."

"He makes me lunch." The blonde pointed out evenly.

"Does it really make up for what he lacks?" Satsuki retorted, "Wait, I don't mean, um, that."

"What?" Ayaka wondered, having to blink several times before the meaning became clear, "Oh. Satsuki, you're disgusting!"

"I said I didn't mean it that way!"

"But you thought about it meaning something like that! Even I'm not that dirty – we're not animals, you know."

"Well, technically…"

Ayaka fixed her with a pointed glare. "Don't argue with me, Satsuki."

The dark haired girl threw her hands up defensively, "I wasn't!" Her lie came out with surprising ease.

"You so were!"

"Whatever," Satsuki replied quickly, changing the subject, "That's the festival up there."

Ayaka turned to the sight she hadn't notice before now. The glow of strings of lanterns flooded the night air, a clear beacon to any. Already, the street milled with people intent upon enjoying the festival, even if for the simple joy of it rather than any spiritual or religious meaning. Ayaka counted herself among them, as she went if only as an excuse to wear her yukata, while Satsuki accompanied her only to avoid the risk of Haruka not asking her there himself.

"Is that-?" Ayaka had to squint to be certain, "It is!"

"Gou." Satsuki confirmed.

"And Matsuoka."

"You mean Rin?" Satsuki clarified, "Why don't you call him by his first name when you're so close?"

Ayaka shrugged carelessly. "Because I just never have – I mean, he calls me Shibata anyway. I don't really know."

Satsuki chewed her lips thoughtfully, but was distracted from her reply as Gou spotted them and waved the pair over. She was beaming, looking particularly spectacular in her patterned yukata.

"Kou!" Ayaka cried, "You've out done me!"

"But you look so pretty!" the redhead exclaimed in reply, refreshingly honest.

Beside her, dressed as plainly as ever, Rin ran his eyes up and down her figure. "No, you're right, Shibata. Not that anyone would have to try very hard."

"That's rude," Ayaka retorted coolly, "But I know you're joking, so I'll forgive you."

"Wait, why aren't you wearing a yukata, Satsuki?" Gou interjected.

Before she could even respond, Ayaka had used her height to her advantage and thrown an arm around Satsuki's shoulder. "Because she's a sook," the blonde declared, "And-"

"And it's too much hassle." Satsuki concluded.

"If only Haruka had asked her to!" lamented Ayaka in reply, "She would do anything for him!"

"Piss off, Ayaka."

"Good idea." Rin added, earning an approving smile from Satsuki.

Ayaka was suddenly and earnestly defensive, standing with a swift pout and crossed arms. "You can't say that, Matsuoka; you're meant to be on my side."

"Why?" he wondered, so painfully oblivious to her meaning that it startled Ayaka into blushing.

"B-because!" she stuttered, "You're my friend, not Satsuki's."

"Oh? Since when did you get to decide anything about my life?"

"Since now."

"How pretentious."

"Ooh, pulling out the big words are we?"

As they argued, it seemed an invisible thread pulled them together. It didn't help that Satsuki nudged Ayaka forward, edging sideways with Gou. With the expressions they wore individually – Ayaka's glare, Rin's smirk – no one wanted to be caught in the crossfire.

"You're only saying that because I asked for some temporary tutorage. Like I need help from someone like you." Rin claimed, voice swelling with pride.

As his smile widened, Ayaka's expression fell in surprise. She must have been blind to not notice any earlier than she had, as it was so obvious, "You're teasing me again, aren't you?"

"Why would I?"

"You are." Ayaka reinstated bluntly, irritated at herself for not realising.

If she paused to consider things, she might have seen the compliment in his actions. He had, their entire acquaintanceship, been so intent upon winning that stupid bet and establishing a hate that there was never a real opportunity for conversation. It had been mostly arguments, up until the point of her tutoring him.

That he was teasing her – this must've been the Rin spoken of so fondly by Ayaka's other friends.

"Well, whatever, it – wait."

Rin must have had the same thought, as he too muttered, "Oh."

Though they spun to face each other, the tension between them had dissolved. Now, there was unity in their epiphany, and in their shared obliviousness.

It was Ayaka who said it best. "Where the hell are Kou and Satsuki?"

Rin glanced around, swaying as he tried to peer over the crowd of the festival. "Shit," he muttered, "Do you think-?"

"I do! They totally ran off on us!"

Ayaka's mind was furiously at work conceiving of a reason as to why. Of all the possibilities, none came to mind that were not her own fault. If only Ayaka had been a little more conservative in where she placed her affections, she might not have been facing this situation. Her conclusion resonated with her original suspicions, as this was most decidedly a plan to get Ayaka and Rin alone together.

"Damn," Rin growled, running a hand through his hair, "And I even escorted Gou here."

"It just goes to show." Ayaka remarked.

"Show what?"

"That we can't trust anyone but each other – wait, you wouldn't run off on me, would you?"

Rin stared at her, deadpan. "No." In fact, the thought had never even crossed his mind.

Ayaka grinned, leaning forward endearingly. "Who knew you could be so sweet."

"It's just being decent, Shibata. I wouldn't leave you alone. But if we found them again, I could."

"Just stick with being sweet, Matsuoka."

Rin didn't dignify her with a response. The silence was prevalent for a few short moments, broken only by Ayaka's easy manner of speaking. "So, what now?"

Rin shrugged lightly. "I can't be bothered looking for them."

"But I came here to enjoy the festival!"

"So go ahead." He advised.

"But it's no fun if you're all alone," Ayaka argued, "Don't you know anything, Matsuoka?"

"I know lots of things." Rin retorted, crossing his arms.

Ayaka's reply, though arrogant, was spoken with a teasing smile. "Only because I taught you."

He shot her a look that was nothing short of satirical. Ayaka tried to suppress her amusement, pressing her lips together despite the attempt being in vain. Though Rin had first arrived without an aim, convincing himself that there was not a single reason why he would want to go to the festival, a purpose unveiled itself.

"We can just enjoy the festival together." Rin suggested at length.

"Oh, like a date?" Ayaka wondered before she could help herself.

Rin turned his face towards the shadows, praying they would offer the secrecy he sought. "Shibata, don't be stupid." He snapped, his tone in sharp contrast to the soft blush which coloured his face.

"I'm just teasing." The blonde assured lightly, nudging him lightly.

"Really?"

"You think I'd lie?" Ayaka mockingly gasped, "Shameful, Matsuoka. Besides, aren't I meant to hate you or something?"

"Huh? What for?"

"That stupid bet."

"Oh, right." Rin hadn't thought about it in some time, feeling as if it had happened so long ago as to be of no consequence now.

"Yeah," Ayaka replied, before bursting into short laughter, "You know-!"

Rin frowned down at her, watching her with critical apprehension. "Is there something wrong with you, Shibata?"

"No, it's just..." she paused to recover herself, clutching his arm for support, "I had a thought."

"About what?"

"About how I sure would hate it if you held my hand."

Rin's eyes grew wide, his lips parting in seamless surprise. She could always say things like that so shamelessly, so prepared for the repercussions of her flirting. It had always led him to believe she meant nothing behind the actions – though the look of her eyes right now told an entirely different story.

It was enough to convince him. "Fine." Rin stated, with all the wretched ease with which he slid their fingers together.

As a bet, it really was stupid. But as an excuse, it really was convenient.

Not very many chapters left now~ Even though this is quite a short story, it feels like I wrote it years ago.

Thanks (as always) for reading!