Ride the Wild Surf

by Adri Mars

AU:: In a small beachside town of Nijibe, here is a story of a girl named Lucia, a boy named Kaito, and a surfboard... and everything else in between. #16 up--- NEED REVIEWS, THANKS!

16. Summer Festival

RIDE THE WILD SURF
a Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Fanfiction

by Adrimarie

Summer Festival

SATURDAY – 8/22

(The day before Day 1 of the Regional Surf Scenes Tournament)

The entire Pearl Waters staff were already up and ready and currently enjoying their breakfast. The clock stroke at seven o'clock, just an hour before the Tournament Preview Day Press Conference. Among the entire staff, the young Hippo Nanami will be the first to arrive early at the press conference. He also had an appointment with some important representatives from Surfer Styles magazine regarding his artistic abilities in surf photography. He was already assigned to be the official photographer of all the Nijibe surfers, most particularly Kaito Doumoto. The advantage Hippo had with his photographs was that magazines such as Surfer Styles or other major magazines around the world such as Surfing and Surfer magazines will have to pay him in order to publish his photos in their magazine issues.

Though Hippo was on his way to Nijibe Central Beach, a few of the staff did plan to go to the press conference, not just to listen to the interviews, but to also scope their competitors and the challenges they may face once tournament began. For Lucia, she decided to watch the press conference on TV until it ended. She planned to make a whole lunch course for him after the press conference was finished. She already gave herself a head start at the kitchen while the others discussed about the tournament.

"Smells good, Lucia!" Rina called out at the kitchen while she was just finishing her honey waffles. "So I take you don't plan to watch the press conference at the Central Beach today?"

"Nope!" Lucia called out as she appeared herself at the kitchen counter. "I'm cooking a special lunch basket for Kaito later today after the press conference. But we're leaving the big TV on so I'd still able to watch it while I'm busy at the kitchen."

"Do you need some help, Lucia? I don't mind staying behind."

Hanon stood up from her seat and turned to Rina. "Are you crazy, Rina? I thought you made a promise to Masahiro that you'll be meeting him at the press conference later today? He'll be so mad if he finds out you're standing him up!"

"Rina? Standing up her man? I don't think so, Hanon." From Hanon's left side, the shortboard surfer Coco joined in the conversation. "She's not required to be at the press conference since the media's only interested in the big-named surfers there. Obviously Nijibe hasn't had any competitive surfer girls for the past seven years until today, but none of the sisters or myself are big-named surfers, so we're not getting interviewed."

"Besides," Caren spoke right after Coco ended her statement, "we're not just there to listen to the interviews but we're there to check out the competition. Noel, Coco, and I are somewhat new names in the surfing world, though Coco was already somewhat mentioned in the surfing world seven years ago when she competed along with the boss, Cole Seahart."

"That's kinda wrong though." Noel joined in the conversation. "I think the media should also focus on all the female surfers, not just the popular ones. I happen to know that Seiyo Valley has two prominent surfer girls who already won a lot of meets and invitationals--- the Kuromi Sisters."

"Kuromi Sisters?" Coco and Caren gasped curiously.

"I've heard of them," Hippo joined the conversation as he was preparing his camera gear in his backpack. "Mimi and SheShe Kuromi. They've won two major surf meets last year. SheShe won the shortboard competition while the younger sister Mimi won the longboard competition. Even if they already won two majors, they're not as seasoned as their own fellow Seiyo Valley surfer dudes. They're currently the favorites to win the female surfing contest this week, but as far as I'm concerned the female individual surfing competition is still an open game."

"It better be." Coco nodded in agreement. "I really hate it when I enter a surf meet that has a lot of favoritism in there. It's really discouraging to all potential competitors, you know? It should all be open and fair game."

Nicola stood up from her seat and gazed at the surfer girls. "The media will only mess with your minds. Don't believe a thing that they say about your competitors. Your mission out there is paddle out to the breakers and capture your wave. Coco, I know you've been in a surf meet before so you should be familiar with how the judges are going to judge you at. I've taken some time to read the regulations of the tournament and the entire surf scenes team's mission is to gain as many points as they can. Whether you may end up in first place in that particular contest or last place, you'll still gain points. This is a team tournament, not an individual one, so you've got your teammate to count on if you fail to place yourself in the top ten--- it's advisable you get to at least the top three."

"There is a famous saying, Nicola." Hippo responded, looking slightly confident but still had the usual sarcastic look on his face. "Know thy enemy as thou enter the battle."

"You're making it sound like we're in a war than a friendly sport competition, Hippo." Rina made her comment. "I'm not familiar with my own... enemy... since there's a lot of candidates for the beauty contest, but with the surf bands contest, I think we know who our enemy is."

"Well, whatever. I'm ready to go." Hippo lifted his backpack on to his back just as Taro stood up from his seat, wiping his mouth with his napkin gently. "You ready, Taro?"

"Shouldn't we wait for the girls?" Taro asked curiously. Right then, Hanon, Rina, Coco, Noel, and Caren stood up, finishing up their breakfast. "Oh, then never mind."

"Let's go, Mr. M!" Hanon cheered happily and stood next to him. "I got the shotgun!"

"Right, Hanon..." Taro answered with a slight grin on his face when he heard his cellphone ring. "Just a sec." He reached for his cellphone in his pocket and gazed at the caller ID at the outside screen. He opened it and answered. "What's up, Rite-O?"

From the other line, Rihito answered. "Are you guys coming over here now or what?"

"Hold your horses, dude. Yeah, we're on our way. Where are you right now?"

"That's the thing. I'm at the press conference!"

Taro raised an eyebrow of suspicion. "Why are you there? I thought you'll be here at Pearl Waters?"

"I wish... but I had to be here. Michal is present..."

"Why would Michal be at the press confe--- oh." Taro sighed deeply and clered his throat. "Michal is a big girl. I'm sure she's old enough to take care of herself---"

"That's not the reason why I'm here. I'm just keeping an eye on her. She only came to the press conference to see Kaito, you know."

"Hm..." Taro sighed once more, then answered. "Well, if you're hoping, Lucia won't be coming with us. She's busy at the kitchen making lunch for him."

"Well, you better let Lucia know to call Kaito before he leaves home. In that way he doesn't end up having lunch with Michal when given a chance."

Taro exited the restaurant quickly so he can have more privacy in this conversation. "Man... You really don't want Michal to pursue Kaito, don't you?"

"I just don't think Michal is right for Kaito anyway. What she feels for him isn't love, Taro. As a part-time surfer myself, I wouldn't want a girl who always complains about the hobbies that identify who I really am or the people I hang out with. Michal is lonely, I know. Our parents are barely at home just to spend some time with us, plus my conducting tours all year round too. How would Kaito feel if Michal demanded him that if he wants to show his worth to her that he had to give up surfing?"

Taro rubbed his forehead gently and sighed. "Well, what are you gonna do if Michal doesn't get things her way with Kaito?"

"What am I going to do? She never listens to me or my opinions anyway... and you're asking me what I'm going to do about it? Hell, she never listened to Kaito anyway. If she really loves him that much then she'll have to accept the fact that surfing to Kaito is life. You know Michal wasn't very much of a beach girl anyway."

"Well, what exactly do you want me to do, Rihito? The only thing I can tell you is that Kaito shouldn't let your sister get to him. Just by observing those two Kaito had no other form of reaction other than being a friend and a substitute big brother to her. And yet Michal wants more from him." Taro then shook his head and quickly changed the subject. "Dude, why are we talking about this right now? We're about to head off now."

"Ah, sorry. Alright then. I'll see you guys here."

The two friends hung up as Taro called for everyone to hop in to the Pearl Waters van. Once again, Taro designated himself as the official driver of the group, knowing he was the only one who had a valid driver's license.

Many minutes later, Lucia was still in the kitchen preparing a variety of finger sandwiches while cooking her signature curry stew on the stove top. She was filling up her rice cooker with uncooked rice, washed it, and re-poured more fresh water before she placed it in the cooker when her cellphone in her pocket rang. Quickly she reached for it and found Kaito's name on her caller ID screen. She opened her cellphone and answered.

"Good morning, Kaito! I'm in the kitchen right now, doing some light cooking!"

"Aw... I take you won't be at the press conference then?" Kaito answered with a rather sad tone. "I was hoping you'd be there so I can see you whenever I get nervous at the press conference."

Lucia softly chuckled and continued. "Well, you see, I'm making you lunch after the press conference. I was hoping that after the press conference that we could meet at the usual rocky spot we always hang out at and have some kind of picnic and stuff. I'm gonna watch the press conference on TV though. Nicola just turned on the TV at the dining area."

"You know, Lucia, I've been waiting for the day when you'd actually make me lunch. I've always enjoyed the dishes you'd cook for me whenever I dine in at Pearl Waters. Of course, I'm not rushing you or anything---"

"Not at all, Kaito. I... actually... really wanted to make you lunch for awhile now but rumors told me that you don't normally accept lunches made by other girls or something. I even heard that you don't eat the chocolates girls give you during Valentine's Day and you'd just pass those chocolates out to the dudes so I figured..."

"Lucia, as a surfing enthusiast, you should know the real reason why I don't normally eat whatever girls give me. It's not because I don't like them or not interested in them..."

"Ah, of course..." Lucia nodded in agreement, knowing what Kaito was trying to point. "Surfers always have a more restrictive diet, most especially before surfing. Fruits, yogurt, very light snacking are always a typical surfer's diet--- unless if they weren't surfing, which in that case they would have to work out and get in shape."

Kaito laughed softly on the other end. "But I am looking forward to lunch, Lucia. What's in it?"

"Ah! Secret, Kaito! That's a secret! You'll have to find out once we meet up!"

"Ooh... surprise, huh? I love surprises. Are there any more surprises do you have in store for me?"

"Well... no... maybe at our festival date, Kaito."

"Really? Dang girl, you really do know how to make me smile. I like that."

"Well, I... I didn't really do anything... but if you insist, then you'll have your lunch courtesy of me!"

"That's the best part... the lunch is from you."

Lucia blushed heavily and sat down on the kitchen floor, cuddling herself together with excitement in her mind. "Oh Kaito... you're so sweet..."

"What can I say? Because you're you, Lucia."

"Now you're just teasing me." Lucia softly giggled like a young girl truly in love. "Well, I better let you go now. I can hear the TV announcing the press conference just started."

"I don't mind... they're interviewing the sponsor officials right now. The big-named surfers will be interviewed in about an hour or two."

"Oh!" Lucia stood up and headed back to cooking her rice, putting on a bluetooth headset on her ear and closed her cellphone. "Well, I guess we'll be spending an hour talking then?"

"Can you talk while you're cooking?"

"I'm on bluetooth... heh... heh..." Lucia chuckled softly as she finished setting up the rice cooker. She headed back to the stove to check on the stew in the pot. "So, I got a question. Do you think the media is gonna ask you personal questions and what not?"

"That depends on who's interviewing, Lucia. I'm just praying it's strictly surfing magazines who's going to interview me and not one of those celebrity magazines where you get sick of seeing good-looking people in those pages, but sadly we can't control the media."

"Well... it's just that... what if they ask you about me? When it comes to tandem surfing that is..."

"Don't think about that. I don't think the media knows about me competing in tandem surfing, but then again those weird DJ people from that Nijibe Youth Talk Corner morning show are going to be there, broadcasting all of this live. I wouldn't be surprised if they pop that same question again."

"Well... whatever you answer to them, I have faith in you. I don't really care if people learn about your mysterious tandem surfing partner."

"But you know I like surprises, right? They'll find out later on the day of the actual competition anyway."

"Well... it's up to you. Whatever you may answer them, I won't be angry. I'm sure you'd have a reason why you would respond like that."

"That depends on the question asked. Again, let's just pray the questions would be about surfing and the tournament and nothing about my personal life."

"I'll be praying with you once it's your turn to have your interview---"

Just as the two were about the continue with their phone call, Nicola arrived at the kitchen bar. "Lucia, looks like it's the surfers' turn to interview. Are you finished there yet?"

"Kaito's on the phone right now, Nicola!" Lucia cheered and returned to her current phone conversation. "You hear that? Nicola said it's you dudes' turn now!"

"Yeah. I just heard Gaito calling me. You can never get enough free time to chat with all your favorite friends these days, don't you?"

"What can I say, Kaito? You're a surf celebrity after all."

"Ha ha..." Kaito burst in to laughter, then faded, changing to a new tone. "Okay then. I'll see you at lunch then. I'll call you later once the press conference is over, just to be sure that you and I are on the same page. Okay?"

"Not a problem. Call me when you need to. My cellphone's always on!" The two exchanged their byes to each other and hung up their cellphones. Lucia turned to the stove and called out to Nicola. "Nicola, can you turn up the volume? I'll just listen from the kitchen."

"You got it." Nicola used the TV's remote control to adjust the volume up.

A few hours arrived and Lucia was now packing the lunch she just prepared for Kaito in small yet hefty plastic containers right in a very thermal picnic basket. Though she looked very confident at this moment, she could not help but to think about the press conference earlier on TV. She could not help but to both giggle and worry at Kaito's way of handling tricky questions that the media just asked him. One of them happened to be a question that had nothing to do with surfing or the tournament.

"Okay, here's the latest buzz within the small percentage of surfing fans--- as of last year, due to your numerous victories at past international competitions, many of the female fans already dubbed you as a 'surf sex symbol'. Have you heard about all this, Mr. Doumoto?"

"Wait... which one are you talking to? Me or my brother?"

"Oh, I'm speaking to Mr. Kaito Doumoto. I'm sorry about that!"

"Well, then that's your question, little bro!"

"Huh... okay... 'sex symbol', huh? I'm only fourteen-going-on-fifteen. I'm too young to have that title. I'd like to ask these fangirls a question though--- how is the sport of surfing would make a dude like me become a 'sex symbol'?"

"Well, I have another non-surfing-related question for you, Mr. Kaito Doumoto. Rumors have been spreading around Nijibe that your mysterious tandem surfing partner is also your new girlfriend. Could you clarify to those who are curious if this is true or not?"

"As far as my tandem surfing partner goes, let me explain a bit about tandem surfing because I think a lot of people are having a misconception as to what tandem surfing really is. Tandem surfing is not the motherload of competitive surfing. It's not a popular event compared to the individual contests such as shortboard contests and longboard contests, but it's slowly catching on at other countries including here in Japan. Tandem surfing is just like any other surfing event; nothing to make a big deal of it. And like any other surfing event, the surfers competing in tandem surfing prioritize the sport first and it involves very little personal relationships. If you take the time to watch any tandem surfing event held in Hawaii or California, you'll notice that all tandem surfing couples are lovers. Some are married couples, some are dating, some are brother and sister, some are father and daughter, some are mother and son, some are best friends who have boyfriends or girlfriends outside surfing, each tandem surfing couple have different relationships with each other. Since this question pertains to my personal relationship with whoever I've chosen for my tandem surfing partner, I chose this person because she had the same exact goals as mine in terms of entering the tandem surfing competition of the tournament."

"Which goal would that be?"

"Why, it's a simple answer: to be the best among the rest and win. You and your partner don't enter just to look good and make your fans jealous. You and your partner enter because you want to compete against other worthy opponents and like any other sport, you're out there to win it while having fun with the sport at the same time. My partner and I also represent Nijibe, just like my brother Gaito and his partner, and our grommet junior surfer and his partner. Besides, I think that any person who considers himself or herself a fan who care more about the personal lives of any big-named surfer rather than focusing on the accomplishments of that big-named surfer is not a real surfing fan. In surf talk, we have one term referring to those types of people..."

Lucia nodded in agreement while she recalled this particular interview with the media she saw on TV earlier. That's right, Kaito. You call these people 'kooks'. They go around acting like they're real surfers or think they know everything about surfing when they're really not. Man, Kaito, I love you more as time passes. I wish I was as calm and brave as you should I end up at a press conference like that.

She finished packing up the lunch basket and was ready to go. She also made sure she was dressed for the part: a cherry blossom pink-colored baby tee with a red hibiscus flower on it and denim shorts with a decent height slightly above her knees. I'm not gonna swim today. I have to get ready for the summer festival too.

She exited the kitchen, where she spotted her Aunt Taki watching TV while on another table were Nicola and Maki just chatting. She gave them a thumbs up, signaling that she was ready to go. "I'm all packed up and ready to go!"

"Did you call Kaito yet, Lucia?" Nicola asked her younger sister. "Make sure that you guys are actually going to see each other at that particular spot now, alright?"

"Well," Lucia began her response, "he said he was going to call but I guess it'd be safer if I called." She reached for her cellphone from her shoulder bag when it began to play a favorite ringtone. "Oh! Well what do you know--- deja vu indeed!" Quickly she opened her phone and answered. "Hi, Kaito! I'm about to head out right now!"

"Awesome. I just got to the beach, but I got a bit of bad news..."

"Oh no... please don't say you're going to cancel our lunch meet..." Lucia sighed sadly, looking a lot more worried.

"No, it's not that. These crazy media peeps tailed me and the dudes all the way to Sector 7 Beach. I wanted to have a private, quiet lunch with you so I gotta do a bit of surfing for them so they'd leave me alone."

Lucia found herself blushing and gazed at the basket on her other hand. "You mean... just you and me... alone...?"

"Why? Is there anyone else you're sharing that lunch basket with?"

"N-no! It's just that... you know... You know how it is with us girls making lunch baskets for the dudes, right?" Quickly she placed her phone down and waved at Nicola, Maki, and Taki and quickly exited the door. She leaned herself against the wall and continued the conversation. "Say, I heard you don't normally eat the lunch that the girls would bring you. I gotta say, you're one lucky dude who didn't have to make his own lunch or even have to spend money at the cafeteria..."

"Well, the rumor you heard is true though. I do accept the lunch baskets, but I feed them to the rest of the dudes. Those poor dudes--- it's bad enough they can't cook to save their lives, but no girls making lunches for them? We surfers need our grub too, you know!"

Lucia giggled softly and nodded. "I understand. Truly understand. Maybe next time I should make lunch for all you dudes!"

"I didn't say you can make lunch for all the other dudes. Besides, half of them already got their own chicks to do that thing... that is... if those chicks can actually cook... or if those dudes are like Masahiro, they don't need chicks to make lunch for them since their lunch is being brought to them on a limo."

"Wow! Rich dudes do have everything any other dude would want to have... I mean, lunch delivered by limo? Crazy stuff!"

"Hold on a sec, okay? Be right back." Just as Lucia waited patiently she overheard Kaito from the distance of his phone receiver speaking to the media. Though slightly faint she was able to make up the words he mumbled. "Sorry, this is an important phone call... I got folks from out of town whom I promised to eat lunch with. I hope you people would understand. My folks are very concerned about privacy, so please, I can't continue on with your interviews anymore."

Man, Kaito... you really rule when it comes to handling the media. Lucia sighed deeply, admiring his public relations skills towards the media.

Few seconds later, she heard Kaito speaking to her again. "Lucia, I'm gonna hang up now. I'm at our usual spot by myself. My twin's dragging the media along with him. I'll be waiting for you right here."

"Oh! Uh... that is..." Quickly, Lucia crossed the street and dashed her way to the beach to find their usual rocky spot. Once she spotted the spot, she also spotted Kaito sitting there, waving right towards her. Right then she hung up her phone and began to climb up to the rock. "Sorry about that! I should have made my way here while we were talking..."

"Glad you made it, Lucia." Kaito greeted her with a smile as he reached for the basket to help her up. "Up you go."

"Thanks." She reached the top and sat right on the beach blanket Kaito just spread out. She opened the basket, setting up Kaito's plate and utensils. Afterwards, she brought out the plastic containers with the food she cooked earlier that morning.

"Hey--- just one plate?" Kaito asked curiously.

"Well, this entire lunch basket is for you, especially, you know."

"Well... I figured that but I'd feel really bad that I'm chowing down and you just sit there and watch me eat. I don't get girls sometimes with their lunch baskets, where they'd just watch the boy eating and they just sit there and watch them eat while they drool and blush and giggle at random. I thought we were going to eat together... is all..."

She felt herself blushing at that particular statement, but shook her head, trying to keep cool. "Well, I am kinda hungry and all, but don't worry, Kaito. I've done my own taste testing before I packed them up in these containers, so you've got nothing to worry about."

"Well, how about this. You got a bowl here--- for the rice, I guess. I'll just use this plate and this pair of chopsticks. You can use the spoon and fork here and you can use this rice bowl to get your share."

"Whatever you say, Kaito." The two hungry teens reached for the dishes in the plastic containers and helped themselves. The food was still fresh and hot like it was freshly cooked thanks to the thermal power of the lunch basket. One of the dishes Lucia made was a type of beef stew with a distinctive spice-blended sauce whom Kaito used to eat regularly during childhood.

"No way! Is this...?" Kaito took a sample of the stew along with rice and made his first bite. "It is! Man, I haven't had this since I was little. How'd you know this is the type of stew I love to eat?"

"I had... sources..." Lucia grinned happily. "Well, eat up, dude!"

Kaito snickered as he continued on eating while Lucia gathered her small share of the lunch and feasted along. As they ate, they continued to chat about what happened at the press conference that morning. "So, did you watch the entire press conference or did you only watch the part where the big-named surfers were being interviewed? Or did you only watch me?"

Lucia stuck her tongue after Kaito winked right at her for the latter. "Dude, you're not the main priority of this tournament, you know. Of course I saw the entire press conference!"

"Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought. For some reason the teenybopper surfing magazines had their non-tournament or non-surfing questions towards Sakiya and Kawamoto though. Guess I have competition for this entire sex symbol thing, huh?"

"You surfer dudes are so conceited sometimes, you know? That's the only downfall that majority of the younger male surfers have to the public. Your egos can get a lot more higher-leveled than the waves they're riding on! No wonder a lot of people are having a misconception that dudes in general get in to surfing or talk about surfing as if they're experts in them when they don't even do anything but to sit around trying to look like they're all that..."

Kaito placed his plate down to get some more of the food and continued. "Girl, what are you talking about? Why am I getting stared at, chased at, and being flirted at by so many girls in skimpy bikinis every time I go out to the beach and surf? It's the same with your assumption about dudes in general. You know how it goes--- hot dude with nothing but boardshorts on and a hot chick with nothing but a pair of dang skimpy bikinis getting it on with each other under a very hot and boiling heat of the sun...?"

Lucia sighed and also began to get some more food on her bowl. "Well, you got a point too, Kaito. I'm sorry..."

"Hey, nothing to apologize for. Let's just call it even, alright?" Lucia nodded and began to feast on her second serving.

As Lucia ate, Kaito turned his head behind to make sure there was no one else approaching to their spot to disturb them. Once he did, he spotted one small thing he did not notice earlier when Lucia arrived. It was the same guitar backpack that had her acoustic guitar in it. He reached for it and opened her case.

"Well, what do we have here... you brought your guitar again." Kaito smiled as he took the guitar out from the case.

Lucia swallowed her current bite and answered. "Oh, I thought of giving you free entertainment while you're enjoying your lunch, so I brought it along with me."

"Free entertainment, huh? You're gonna end up drawing attention from everybody else in this beach including the media. Whatever happened to just you and me alone, Lucia?"

"You and me alone"...? Lucia's eyes opened wide in shock to hear the latter. She gulped and placed her bowl down. She reached for the guitar from Kaito and sighed. "It's just that... I want to give you the song I promised I'd sing you last month... is all. If I don't sing it now I might forget about it, you know?"

Kaito reached for the guitar again and took it from Lucia. "Well, save it for tonight--- at our date."

"Our date...?" Lucia's heart began to thump rapidly once more and quickly placed her hand on her chest. "Oh that's right! Our date... yes, of course!"

"There's a night before meeting of the entire Rainbowside and the tournament competitors at the S-Cube right after the summer festival. You can sing your song to me over there. It's a lot more private, a lot secluded, and I'm okay with you singing your song to me in front of everyone. It's also the final night PJ Party camp night, so all of us get to sleep on sleeping bags around the bonfire."

"Oh...? You mean... there's camping tonight too? How come I didn't know about that? I don't think Nicola would approve---"

"Erm... actually... this was all Nicola's idea... she talked to Gaito about it last night..."

"How come she never told me about it?"

"Well, your sister told Gaito to have me tell you myself. Dunno what the whole point was, so there."

"So, do I need to bring any camp stuff?" Lucia gently rubbed her chin with her fingers, thinking of what she needed to bring.

"Not really. Just a change of clothes--- bring your sleepwear and all that too--- and a sleeping bag. You can bring your guitar too if you want. After the festival we'll gather up at Pearl Waters, get our stuff ready, because the bus converters are gonna be picking us up."

Lucia gasped happily with stars in her eyes. "Tonight is going to be so cool! First this lunch, then our summer festival date, and a PJ Party at the S-Cube? Tomorrow is first day of the tournament, even if it's just the opening ceremony and what not, so we got plenty of time to prepare and all that!"

"Yup. I seriously look forward to it. It'll be a lot of fun, Lucia. I promise you that."

"Thanks, Kaito!" Gosh... he's so incredibly nice today... then again... lately he's been incredibly nice even if he was sarcastic here and there ever since we paired up for the tandem surfing contest later this week. Oh man... he's so happy right now... really happy... I wonder if... if...

Lucia blushed once more and turned her head around so Kaito would not notice. She continued to eat her lunch as she began to contemplate. Okay, Lucia, calm down. Don't get all jumpy and everything. Just keep on eating. Right then she continued to eat continuously, noticing that Kaito also went back to eating his own share of the lunch. As she continued to eat, she continued to think once more.

Oh man... tonight has gotta be the night. Could it be that... could it be that... Kaito likes me too? Wait a minute... of course he likes me. He already told me that weeks ago. What I mean to say was...

As she ate, her mind began to provide her visions of what might happen tonight. She found herself engrossed in this vision as she witnessed it in her own dream world.

*****

Lucia and Kaito had been enjoying their night at the summer festival, eating different types of desserts and snacks, playing games at the booths, and winning prizes at each booth contest being provided. One of the major events that they had was a pair karaoke contest, where she and Kaito showed off their singing skills to the audience that many talent scouts from the industry even discovered them and offered them a contract to record songs as a duo, but sadly both Lucia and Kaito declined due to their loyalty to the local surf band known as the OC-5 (even if Kaito was not a member of the OC-5 himself).

At that point, just as Kaito began to hold Lucia's hand as they walked through the festival, they were spotted by both the media and the Kaito Doumoto fangirls and began to chase them. Lucia panicked as Kaito took her hand once more, leading her away from the fanatics until they reached the coast. Just like in the beginning, they both jumped over the bordering fence to reach the beach and continued to run all the way until Kaito found a secret trail that led them all the way to the S-Cube.

Once they reached the S-Cube, they were greeted by the rest of the Rainbowside and everyone else involved with tournament preparation. Nicola happened to be there, but everyone addressed her as Cole Seahart. She gave a tip to Lucia that she must always remain with Kaito at all times because something special may happen. Lucia was curious to see what Nicola meant but she did plan to stay with Kaito as much as she can anyway. During the meeting, discussing about the tournament and their opponents, Kaito asked Lucia to provide some entertainment by singing and playing the guitar, in which everyone began to dance their usual beach bum dance with each other around the bonfire.

A few hours passed and everyone were heading to their bus converters and their sleeping bags to sleep. For Lucia, she was about to change to her sleepwear when Kaito visited the bus converter where she was located. He asked her if she would like to walk around the beach with him for a little bit. As always, Lucia accepted his invitation and with her usual clothes, the two strolled along the shore, not caring where they may end up.

After their slightly long stroll, they stumbled upon a cave. Kaito took her by the hand and dashed right inside that cave. With a flashlight on his other hand, they proceeded inside. He had a box of matches then and began to light up the candles that surrounded the cave. Once there was light, Lucia gasped in surprise that the cave they ended up was none other than the S-Cube Cave. It was the same cave where the two, as Leolani and Kaikane seven years ago, ended up when they saved themselves from the huge Dainami-Oni wave attack. It was also the same cave where she and Hippo happened to discover, which also provided them with some facts and answers regarding their family's legacy and their connection to the Rainbowside.

"This cave... I can't believe that I would ever see this cave again..." Lucia reacted as Kaito finished lighting up the candles. "This was where... where I met... my first love... my only love..."

Kaito walked behind Lucia and slowly placed his arms around her waist. Then, he slowly cuddled himself against her, with his lips close to her ear. He whispered to her: "I know. This is where my first love and I ended up after that Dainami-Oni attack... my only love..."

Right then, Lucia began to shiver. It was not because she was nervous, but the very chilly breeze began to blow through the entrance of the cave. "I'm... I'm cold..."

In response, Kaito turned her around to him and both sat down on the sand against the rocky wall of the cave. There, he held her tighter to him. He whispered on her ear: "Hold on to me... we'll both be warm like this..."

As Lucia rested her head against his chest, she felt her eyes becoming wet with tears again. This time, she knew she could not hide her knowledge that the one she had been crushing on for the longest time happened to be the boy she rescued from the nighttime Dainami-Oni wave seven years ago. Because of this scenery and this moment, she began to finally open herself.

"I love you, Kaito..." She softly murmured her simple confession to him.

"What was that, Lucia?" Slowly they withdrew from each other. Kaito found Lucia crying again.

"I love you so much, Kaito. I know I'm going crazy right now and this is probably something you'd never want to hear from me, but I can't help myself. I can't help the fact that my heart kept reminding me that you're the boy I've rescued those seven years ago. It kept reminding me that it was you who I first sang an original song together. It kept reminding me... that you're Kaikane..."

"Lucia..." Kaito's expression was stunned to hear what Lucia was babbling right now, but continued to listen.

"I know what you're going to say. I know you'll say that I've became delusional because we've been hanging out with each other for the longest time--- the fact that we're even partners in tandem surfing... the fact that we always talked to each other in person, on the phone, heck, even through emails too... the fact that we always have our nighttime beach walks... our nighttime beach hangouts at our own spot... and ever since we started talking for the first time you have been to Pearl Waters more frequently on Fridays because it's OC-5 night... and how you're there just because you wanted to see me... I can't deny my feelings anymore, Kaikane! Everything that you do really reminded me so much of the boy who touched my heart those seven years ago that I was convinced that you and that boy had to be the same person." Quickly she wiped off her tears and continued. "Oh Kaito, I know you're completely weirded out by me now. I know you may not have the same feelings for me as I do with you, but as a friend I just can't lie to you anymore. I'm deeply in love with you and I just can't help it. If I pretend, then I would be just lying. I don't know what else to say anymore except that I don't want this summer to end with us being apart and as strangers again. Kaikane or not, Kaito... either way... I can't stand ending this summer becoming apart from you and then live the rest of my school year not being with you... I may probably just end up killing myself rather than knowing the fact that the one I've loved all my life doesn't feel the same way and just don't have a care for me at all..."

At that scene, Lucia wept as if she had just lost a loved one to death. Moments later, she felt gentle fingers on her face, wiping those tears out. At the same time the boy hushed the teary-eyed girl. As the tears continued to fall, the boy took her closer to him and at an instant, he began to kiss her on her cheeks, kissing those tears away.

"Kaito..."

The surfer boy whispered his answer to her. "Lucia... you don't need to cry like this. It's just that... I've been lying to you too..."

Lucia's eyes opened wide in shock and answered. "What... do you mean...?"

Right at that moment, Kaito leaned closer to her slowly, up until he felt his lips touching hers. Afterwards, he closed his eyes and kissed her slowly, tenderly, gently. Lucia felt the pure warmth of his lips on hers and surrendered herself to him. She wrapped her arms around him, as the two continued their first kiss (seven years later, that is...).

Kaito withdrew slowly from her and she found him giving a small smile to her. While he caressed her cheeks, wiping those tears away, he said to her: "I had a major feeling that you were Leolani--- all the way back a few years ago when you and I ended up in the same homeroom class for the first time. I knew all along that it was you..."

"But... if you knew then..."

Kaito closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "I'm sorry I made you wait like that and I'm sorry I didn't act right away... I wanted to talk to you again the first time I saw you at our first homeroom class but I was doubtful. I was doubtful that you'd be interested in me... and I was doubtful that you're truly Leolani... I was going crazy every time I see you entering the classroom. I thought that if I dated other girls that I would get over my feelings for you... but as you can see with all these one-week girlfriend stuff... I never got over you."

"Oh Kaikane...Kaito..."

At that point, he placed his arms around her again, gently pulling her to him, and with only inches away, he placed his forehead against hers and said in a soft voice: "I've never stopped loving you, Leolani. When we were separated the day after the accident I never stopped thinking about you. Before the beginning of the summer this year I vowed to myself that I would finally open myself to you and that first day of summer when I saw you alone and trailing behind... I knew that was my chance of finally getting close to you. I took your hand... and we jumped together. But most of all, what really confirmed that you have been the girl I've been missing for so long was when you first sang a song in public with Rina Touin--- even if it was a crazy surfing song. I guess I can say that you have a singing voice that helped me truly identify that it was really you. Sure, your voice is a lot more mature now, but it still had that fresh, young voice that was still music to my ears."

"Kaito... I'm so sorry I wasn't brave enough to come up to you and speak to you... I feel so bad that all this time that you were also waiting for me... like how I was waiting for you..."

"Well... we're not so shy anymore, are we, Leolani?" Lucia slowly shook her head, flashing a shy smile to her. "It means... I can love you freely... anytime, anyhow..."

"I love you so much, Kaikane..."

"I love you too, Leolani..." Once again, the two found their lips once more. This time, the kiss was more prolonged that lead the two lying down on the sand with Kaito above Lucia. Once they withdrew from each other again after a long moment, he whispered one single word right at his new found love.

"Yo..."

*****

"Yo!" Kaito called out to Lucia, which he noticed that she found herself daydreaming with a piece of her food still remaining on her spoon and never moved directly in to her mouth.

"Eek!" Lucia shrieked, snapping back to reality once more. "Um... uh..."

Kaito snickered, shaking his head, and made his remark. "You haven't lifted your spoon to your mouth for the last five minutes, girl. I thought you choked to death in peace or something. It's like one of those highly-concentrated yoga meditation stuff and stuff like that..."

"Nooo...." Lucia sighed sadly and deeply and quickly ate the food from the spoon. "It was such a beautiful moment too..."

"'Beautiful moment'?" Kaito attempted to keep himself from chortling but the rather strange scene was a lot stronger in amusement than his own attempt. "Right... that sure must be a really beautiful daydream you've had if it made you all silent and quiet and all frozen for five minutes---"

"Now you're making fun of me..." Lucia frowned. "It was such a beautiful--- and important--- moment to me!"

"Now I'm curious what the hell you were daydreaming about..." Kaito relaxed himself against the beach blanket, lying down and with his arms behind his head. "Indulge me."

"Well... it's just that..." Lucia gritted her teeth, thinking of a good vision in place of what she actually daydreamed about. "It's... it's embarrassing..."

"Embarrassing? Now I'm really interested." Kaito continued to grin while gazing directly at Lucia. "Let me guess... I'm in there... am I right...?"

"Oh God..." Lucia lowered her head, feeling a lot more embarrassed about. "Okay... yeah.. you were in it..."

"Hell yeah!" Kaito got up quickly and pumped his fist high. "I wonder what makes a daydream that has me in it so special and important?"

"I... uh..." The two fell silent, with Lucia completely lost in her own words while Kaito began to contemplate.

Few minutes later, Kaito flashed a bigger grin and said to her: "We hung out at the beach where no one was around... and we found a hot spot... and we hooked up, right? And uhh... things got really hot and heavy between us that we ended up doing somethin' somethin' this and that, right?"

"Are you crazy, Kaito? What kind of girl do you think I am? Why would I... do that with you?"

"Aw... you mean we didn't do it in your daydream?" Kaito pouted and sighed sadly in a teasing manner. "I guess you were daydreaming about the tournament then..."

"Uh... right! That's it! It was so blissful--- we won first place at the tandem surfing contest and Nijibe became the overall champion! Yeah!"

"Oh, that's a shame..." Kaito sighed, still in a teasing manner. "It's just a daydream, after all."

"You're so mean, Kaito..." Lucia sighed sadly as she began to clean up the dishes back in to the picnic basket. If only you'd understand why... Then again... maybe tonight isn't the right time... "I mean... you'll never understand how important that moment was to me... so important that it brings tears to my eyes, you know?"

Kaito gave a blank stare at the now teary-eyed girl and gave a slight frown. "Okay, Lucia. Now you're just being weird."

Lucia remained silent, not saying anything else, leaving Kaito baffled with what just happened. Without question, he proceeded to help her clean up the area. Just as Lucia reached for the last plastic container, Kaito aimed for the same item, but instead he ended up holding her hand which already reached the container first. Without realizing it, both teens felt their cheeks flushing red.

"Um... I got it..." Lucia broke her silence, then followed with a soft chortle.

"Uh, right..." Kaito quickly removed his hand from hers as she packed the final item in the basket. Once she was finished, the surfer boy broke the silence after he waited for her to finish. "I'm... sorry... about earlier."

Lucia gasped in surprise to hear Kaito apologizing for his behavior earlier. "Kaito..."

"Uh... yeah... I didn't mean to make fun of you, Lucia." The boy sighed and lowered his head at the same time. "I guess after months of dating girls for a week that... I still can't understand why girls take the smallest of things so seriously sometimes... I guess I'm just one of those guys who'll never understand..."

"No... I'm sorry..." Lucia sighed deeply and lowered her head. "You must probably think that I'm a total airhead for daydreaming like that from out of nowhere, huh..."

Kaito began to scratch his head gently, thinking of a response. "Uh... well, everybody daydreams. Surfers too, you know. Uh... how to describe it... it's like... when a surfer enters his alchemy hour once during or after his most amazing surf he ever rode in his surfing life, you know...?"

"Alchemy hour, huh..." Lucia murmured that particular surfer term she continued to hear from Kaito and his fellow surfers in the Rainbowside. Somehow with that term, she began to change the subject. "I can't wait for the tournament to come, Kaito. I mean... I know I just daydreamed from out of nowhere but... uh... can't you feel how... totally amped I am? I mean, it's not even first day of the tournament and I can feel this... spirit taking over me... like I'd just grab someone's board and get out there and tame the waves with the wildest ride in my entire life! And not just that--- it gets a lot more... gnarly... when I'm riding that board with a special someone with me... you know, that kinda thing..."

"I know." Kaito gave a gentle smile at her. "I feel the same way." He lied down on his beach blanket with his arms behind his head, closing his eyes .

Lucia returned the same smile and then bowed her head to him as her way of appreciation. "Thank you... for giving me a chance to serve you lunch... even if it's just for this day..."

Kaito opened one eye and gazed at the girl who was facing him right then. "No... thank you for making me the best lunch I've ever had." Slowly he stood up and slowly bent to her, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Kaito..." Lucia could not help but to blush and her heart began to thump rapidly. I guess... that would be a first kiss... even if it's not a real lover's kiss...

The boy cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Oh... aside from getting ready for the festival tonight... doing anything right now?"

"Oh!" Lucia shrieked and softly chuckled, still blushing from that kiss on the cheek. "Well... yeah. I'm gonna rehearse some more with OC-5 at Pearl Waters... usual place. You?"

Kaito shrugged his arms. "I dunno... hang out with the dudes, I guess."

"Well, since you seem a little nervous about the media tailing you and all, why not you and the dudes come over Pearl Waters and watch us rehearse? Maybe we can even use this time to rehearse our little performance routine for the final song of the surf bands contest."

"Heh... I guess we can use the extra time to practice something that's non-surfing related. Luckily for you and me, we don't have to dance to that stupid routine."

"It's too bad, Kaito. So many people who knew you well kept saying that you're really good--- and sexy--- at dancing. I haven't seen you dance, Kaito..." Lucia gave a slight pout on her expression.

"Yeah? Well, I haven't seen you dance either, so we're even. I ain't dancing unless you dance, babe!"

"Aw..." Lucia pouted again as the two stood up from their spot and climbed down to the sand. Once they got there, they spotted a group of beach bums dancing to a rather mellow beach tune that got many of the younger beach kids' attention and gathered around in a circle to see others dance to various beach pop tunes. "Hey--- look at that!"

Kaito knew what was going on at that moment and began to back away from the crowd. "Uh... I just remembered... I need to meet up with my twin and talk about our surf gear for the tournament---"

"Hey! You're not going anywhere, Kaito--- let's go see! Come on!" Quickly she dragged Kaito by the wrist as they came closer to the crowd. Once they got there, they spotted the rest of the Rainbowside and those involved in the tournament right there.

Hanon, who was bobbing her head along with the music being played on the radio, spotted Lucia and Kaito nearby and waved at them. "Hey, you two! Get over here!"

"Dammit--- I don't wanna be here!" Kaito continued with his complaints but it was too late. They already reached Hanon, with the short-haired girl giggling.

"You guys are not gonna believe this! Right now, there's these people from the movie industry who are doing open auditions for an upcoming beach and surf-related movie! They're looking for real surfers and beach bums and everything to be in the movie, so they're having this dance contest for that movie! Nagisa and I are gonna audition---"

"Oooh!" Lucia exclaimed happily and giggled along with Hanon. "Really? They're looking for real surfers and beachsters? I wanna try out!" She turned to Kaito immediately and gently shook his arm. "We should try out and be in the movie, Kaito!"

"Uh... no..." Kaito lowered his eyes, looking suspicious at this entire scene. "I ain't dancin'!"

"But we have to if we're gonna be in the movie!"

"Hell no! Who says I wanna be in a movie?"

From behind, Kaito heard a very familiar voice calling for him. "Yo, Kaito! What the hell do you mean by 'no'?"

Kaito turned to see Gaito and Sara staring directly at him. "What the hell--- you mean the two of you are gonna be doing this stupid dance thing and be in that movie?"

"Well yeah!" Sara exclaimed with a wink on her face. "See, we figured that if majority of the extras at the beach scenes are all from Nijibe, our town will certainly at the map!"

Kaito shook his head and shrugged his arms. "Dude, why wasn't I told this?"

"Uh, let's see..." From their side, Masahiro and Rina appeared, with Masahiro interrupting them. "Right after the press conference, there were two agents from the Tokyo movie industry who wanted to talk to you, but what did you do? You ignored them!"

"Uh, dudes, we don't have time to audition and be in the movie--- I was hoping we'd head back to Pearl Waters so we can see OC-5 rehearse. Don't tell me you two are in it too!"

Rina nodded with a smile on her face. "Well, it looks fun. I know I'm not really in to this stuff but this is one of those once in a lifetime things, so I figured... oh what the hell... why not?"

"Damn, you dudes are total sellouts, man..." Kaito shook his head with his arms crossed while Lucia sighed sadly, knowing Kaito was not interested in auditioning as a movie extra for an upcoming major movie.

"Kaito, you're no fun." Hanon frowned with her arms crossed. "I mean, this is our chance to actually become more famous way before the tournament that all the people coming to the tournament is gonna be rooting for us!"

"Well that's the thing, Houshou. I'm already famous!" Kaito snickered as he turned to Lucia. "You got OC-5 rehearsals now. Let's go."

"Aw..." Lucia sighed sadly even more and turned to the rest of their tournament teammates. "Sorry, guys. I'll see you guys later."

As Kaito and Lucia headed back to the street, the rest of the tribe turned to each other with confused faces. Nagisa was the first to break the silence. "Whoa... since when did Kaito become all bossy with Lucia? It's like he's one of those overprotective boyfriends who don't want their girlfriends to get involved with happenings they're not comfortable with...?"

"Hee hee..." Hanon giggled softly and winked at Nagisa. "I think Kaito is already portraying as Lucia's new boyfriend!"

"Uh, Hanon, I don't think that's the case with Kaito." Rina contradicted Hanon's theory. "Kaito just despises dancing..."

"Noo..." Hanon quickly stuck her tongue out at Rina. "Maybe Kaito hasn't confessed to her yet verbally and all, but I think he's hinting to Lucia that he's falling in L-O-V-E! I mean, think about it! If a dude has a sweet, nice girl like Lucia for a girlfriend he'd worry that some other perverted dudes around would be staring at her if she ever danced here, which also means that the boy has no plans on sharing his girl to other dudes. That translates as Kaito wants Lucia all to himself!"

"Jeez... you and your little theories, Hanon." Rina shook her head. "I just think he doesn't like to dance! After all, it'd look rather uncool to see such a stud surfer dude like Kaito make a fool of himself if he ever danced with a crowd like this---"

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that, Rina." Masahiro joined the conversation, clearing his throat at the same time. "According to the chicks who used to flirt with us Rainbowside dudes in the past, they all think that Kaito's dancing was pretty sexy. You should have seen their group dances with him being the only guy."

Rina glinted her eyes towards Masahiro with suspicion in her mind. "So, you dudes think that Kaito's a sexy dancer?"

"Hey!" Nagisa exclaimed in defiance. "We're dudes--- we don't look at other dudes that way!"

"Heh... I rest my case." Rina crossed her arms with a snicker on her face when an adult male voice called out for two names.

"Let's see... Rina and Masahiro... it's your turn to dance!" Rina quickly placed her arm around Masahiro's and the two gave thumbs up to the rest of the tribe.

Moments later, Kaito and Lucia arrived at the dining area of Pearl Waters. Because the beachside dining hangout was closed due to the festival, they found Nicola at the table with two adult men, having a meeting. They did not have time to say hello to her and did not want to disturb the meeting, therefore they headed to the stairs behind the juice and coffee bar to reach the rehearsal room. Once they reached the door, they peeked through the soundproof window, where they spotted Hippo, Taro, Rihito, Maki, Taki, and Michal inside. The three band members were having their meeting while the audience were also chatting themselves.

Lucia knocked on the door to let the people inside know that they have arrived. She turned to Kaito and asked: "So, now that your dudes want to be in that movie, what are you gonna do?"

"I guess I'll hang out in the rehearsal room for awhile... if you don't mind." Kaito gave a slight grin, which made Lucia smile at the same time.

"Glad to have you watch us! We could use some musical critique after all!"

"Well, since your keyboardist friend Rina is trying to get in to that movie thing with Masahiro, I don't mind substituting for her."

Ah, that's right! Kaito is musically inclined. He can play any instrument including the piano! Lucia nodded in agreement. "I'm sure we'd be happy to have you substitute for Rina for the time being."

"Cool!" Lucia proceeded and opened the door once Taro and Rihito waved at her. "Hey guys! We're here!"

"Good!" Rihito grinned once he spotted Kaito next to her. "Since Rina's busy doing that dance audition thing for some movie, we could use a keyboardist for the time being. Nice timing, Kaito!"

"I figured you'd need a fifth member, Rihito." Kaito crossed his arms with a grin on his face. Right at that moment, Michal sneaked behind him and embraced him to her. "Hey!"

"Nice to see you again, Kaito. I was going to ask you to sit with me while we watch my brother and the band play, but I guess they need your musical skills since the fifth member isn't present."

"Oh... uh... sure thing." Kaito nervously grinned as Lucia headed at the center where her slick and new ice blue Fender Jaguar was waiting at its stand. "Not today, Michal. Sorry."

"I know." Michal released him and placed her arms behind her, giving her the most innocent smile ever. "Well, have fun, Kaito! I'll be watching you right here!"

"Uh, thanks." Kaito shrugged his arms and headed to the center where Rina's keyboard was all set up.

Hours passed and it was only an hour left for everyone to get ready for the Nijibe Summer Festival. The festival itself already begun at five-thirty in the afternoon, but many of the festival booths were not opened at that time and very few people were present. It was five forty-five in the afternoon and the plan was that the entire Rainbowside will be taking Masahiro's bus converter (with Taro being the driver again) and drive at the downtown area, where the festival was taking place.

Hanon made her way to dress herself up as the typical sexy beach babe, with a sea blue bikini top with crossed straps around her neck and a light blue denim shorts freshly ripped from one of her old pair of jeans. She also placed a red hibiscus flower on her right, indicating that she was single and definitely looking. Rina appeared on a spaghetti-strapped green and white-striped top and dark green short boardshorts with a lei of purple plumeria flowers. She also had a pink plumeria on her left ear, indicating that her heart already belonged to Masahiro.

The rest of the gang were already at the dining room, waiting for the ladies to get ready. Hanon checked her watch, waiting for Lucia to come out of her room. "Lucia--- the dudes are here! Hurry up!"

"I'm coming! Just... hold on!" Lucia's voice was heard through the door as Hanon continued to tap her foot.

"Jeez... you don't want Kaito to get all mad and everything, Lucia. I mean that guy is very punctual and he has very little patience when it comes to dates!"

"Hanon, just chill." Rina hushed her impatient friend. "This is Lucia's first date with Kaito. Of course she would do everything she can to make herself very presentable. After all, she still has her heart set on winning Kaito's love, right?"

"Well... I suppose..." Hanon sighed and crossed her arms. "I worry about Lucia a lot, you know. I mean... she's like... the most naïve person I have ever met when it comes to boys and dating! And of all the first dates in her life--- it had to be with a total stud muffin surfer named Kaito Doumoto."

"That's because she never actually dated before, Hanon?" Rina answered with a slight sarcastic question. "You and Kaito are pretty experienced with dating already. Tonight would actually be my second official date with Masahiro. But Lucia? This is her debut, you know. So let's all cheer her on, alright?"

Right at that moment, Lucia's door opened, with Lucia slowly stepping out shyly. She donned out a cherry blossom pink-colored spaghetti-strapped muumuu dress that was just above her knees, with red hibiscus flower prints all over her dress' fabric. She also wore a white puka shell necklace around her neck and red flower barrette clips on her hair. Hanon wanted her to wear a plumeria flower on her ear so the three of them would match, but Lucia refused to wear any.

"Oh come on, Lucia! Where's the flower on the ear?"

Lucia shook her head. "It's wrong to wear a flower on your ear when you're not even sure which ear you're going to put it on. I mean, if I wear it on my right, it's only drawing guys to flirt with me... and I'm not interested in other guys. If I wear it on my left, Kaito may get the wrong idea."

"Lucia, you're in Japan, not in Hawaii. No idiot Japanese dude would know that the flowers on the ear indicate your marital status." Hanon made her statement, still insisting for her to wear a flower.

"Uh, Hanon, you forget that Kaito was born and raised in Hawaii. He'd know exactly what those flowers on the ears mean." Rina reminded Hanon of Kaito's knowledge about Hawaii and its culture as a defense to Lucia's excuse to not wear a flower on her ear.

"Agh! You're right, Rina! I forgot about that!" Hanon sighed deeply then gazed towards Lucia. "Well, I guess you're right. You still look pretty without it."

"And I gotta say--- you do look beautiful in that dress, Lucia." Rina gave her personal compliment at her close friend's attire. "Kaito's really going to fall head over heels for you once he sees you in that getup."

"Heck yeah!" Hanon cheered happily with a wink on her eye. "Kaito is so going to flip over you big time! He'd even get on his knees, begging for your love! He's going to soooo confess his serious, undying love for you, Lucia!"

Lucia slightly blushed, but shook her head afterwards. "No... I don't think he's that type of guy who would just drop on his knees and confess his love, simply because she was wearing a dress."

"What?" Hanon shrieked with a frown on her face. "Lucia, stop thinking negative like that! Okay, so maybe there may not be any sweet, romantic moments that's going to happen with Kaito tonight, but even so, the word date has so many meanings! Guys just don't ask girls on a date if the guy isn't even interested in her, okay? It'd be just plain hanging out! But Kaito asked you on a date that night. Everyone heard you two... and you've been looking forward to this particular night too!"

"Well..." Lucia swallowed her nervousness and then nodded her head. "Okay. Well, whatever may happen tonight, I just hope nothing embarrassing happens between us."

"Now that's the spirit, Lucia!" Hanon nudged her on the side.

"Alright, girls. Let's head downstairs now." Rina lead the two down the stairs, where everyone else had been waiting.

Once they reached downstairs, they greeted the others who had been waiting. Right at that time, the same two men whom Nicola was having a conversation with earlier came out from her office. When they got outside, Nicola followed them from behind. The three had smiles on their faces as they shook hands.

"Thank you for your consideration!" One of the men said. "We're looking forward to working with you once we get the concept completed."

"Thank you for stopping by!" Nicola returned the thanks with a humble smile.

"You have a very beautiful establishment here, Miss Nanami. It's absolutely perfect. Like my colleague here, we'll be in touch."

"Looking forward to it." The three adults waved at each other as the two men exited the restaurant. Nicola gazed at the others, who were all ready to go. "Well then. Shall we go?"

Lucia approached Nicola with a worried look on her face. "Nicola, who were those men?"

Hippo interrupted the conversation and answered for Nicola. "Relax, Sis. They're screenwriters."

"Screen... writers?" Lucia stared blankly at Hippo, filled with question marks all over her mind. "What would they be writing on the screen? And what screen are they talking about? TV screen? Computer screen?"

From behind, Kaito laughed and joined in the conversation. "You really are naïve, Lucia! I can't believe it! 'What would they be writing on the screen?'... what the heck kind of a question is that?"

"What are you laughing about, Kaito? Let me remind you that not everyone knows what a screenwriter is, you know!" Lucia frowned at her date, glaring at him at the same time.

"Hey, chill, Lucia!" Kaito stuck his tongue in return. "I'll just assume you're not very much of a movie person... or a TV person as a matter of fact."

"A screenwriter is a person who writes scripts for TV, the movies, video, stuff like that. That person is responsible for writing the entire plot and then extend it to include dialogues for all the actors and instructions for the film crew or the TV crew." Hippo freely explained to Lucia the definition of a screenwriter. "Those two guys are one of the famous screenwriters in the Tokyo movie industry and they plan to write a musical movie about the surfing scene and beach life. They're searching around places and establishments to see which location they can use where they set the movie on. They got tipped by some dude at the press conference or something about Pearl Waters, so they took a visit here."

Lucia gasped with excitement, hands on her cheeks. "Oh wow--- you mean Pearl Waters is gonna be part of a movie? Is it connected to that dance rehearsal at the beach earlier today where everybody here tried out or something?"

"Oh hell no..." Kaito sighed and lowered his head. "Not this stupid movie thing again. I should have known..."

"You got that right, Lucia!" Hanon answered right away, nudging her on the side. "See, you and Kaito missed out! You could have had a chance to be in this upcoming movie!" She then turned to the rest of the OC-5 band. "See, you dudes missed out earlier! What the heck were you doing at that time?"

"They were rehearsing for the tournament, what else?" Rina answered with a sigh. She then turned to Kaito and smiled. "Thanks for covering up for me during the rehearsal. I never figured you know how to play the keyboards too."

"We're a musically inclined family, Touin," Gaito answered from behind. "Kaito and I—- we were future musical virtuosos when we were little. Surfing back then was just a side hobby for us. We were specially trained in different types of classical instruments from the piano to the violin to a bit of woodwinds."

"Yeah, whatever." Kaito shrugged his arms. "Hey, glad I can help a bit, Rina. You dudes got some awesome gigs for the surf bands contest. You'll win for sure."

"Well then!" Nicola interrupted everyone, clearing her throat. "Time's a-wastin'! Let's head out!"

About fifteen minutes later, the official tournament team's bus converter parked at the parking area designated for trucks, trailers, and buses. Once they found their parking spot, Nicola stood up from the front passenger seat and walked at the back to get everyone's attention. "Alright, listen up, people! You know what to do, right? Be back here at ten-thirty sharp, and when I say sharp, I mean sharp!"

"You heard the boss!" Hanon immediately raised her fist, confirming what Nicola reminded them. "Back here at the bus converter at ten-thirty sharp or else!"

"Hanon..." Nicola called out Hanon as the teen girl quickly fall silent and grinned at her boss. "Now, before you step out this bus, make sure you got your stuff with you because Taro will be locking this bus converter and none of you would be able to get in unless you find Taro. Check to make sure your cellphones are charged and in your pockets and purses and make sure you call me, Maki, Aunt Taki here, Taro, or Rihito and let us know your status, alright? In that way no one gets lost once we head to the S-Cube."

Everyone confirmed of Nicola's assignment to them as they make their way outside the bus converter. Once they were outside and Taro locked the doors with the key, the group split from each other in to pairs and in groups (for those who did not have a date). Kaito and Lucia quickly left the scene immediately, with Kaito taking Lucia by the hand. The official couples, Gaito and Sara, as well as Masahiro and Rina, went to two different directions before they ever get distracted by unwanted parties. Nagisa hoped he would hang out with Hanon alone, but due to Hanon's request, decided to have a double date. As a result, Seira and Hippo were dragged along with them. The others left divided in to two groups--- the single teens and the adults.

At this time, Kaito quickly went through the crowd hurriedly, with Lucia being dragged along. Once they found an open area where there was no one they knew around, Lucia breathed heavily to catch her breath. "Okay... now we're alone."

Lucia coughed for air and lifted her head. "What's the rush, Kaito?"

Kaito faced Lucia, now holding both her hands to his. He whispered his words to her: "I'm sorry... I didn't get a chance to say this to you before we left, but..."

Lucia chuckled softly, trying to keep her heart thumping at a calmer, normal rate. "What is it, Kaito?"

"You look really beautiful tonight."

"Well, I... thank you..." Lucia smiled happily with slight blushing on her cheeks. "Nicola gave it to me from my 13th birthday. I'm surprised it still fits. But Kaito... you're always as handsome as you'll ever be. Even the rest of your fan girls say so too!"

"Ugh..." Kaito frowned immediately after hearing the latter, then changed the subject. "Never mind me. I'm worried about you. With that beautiful getup you've got there's bound to have some idiot goons drooling at you as we pass by, so..."

Lucia decided to be brace and placed both her arms around his right arm. "I promise I'll stay with you always, Kaito."

"You'd better." Kaito chuckled as the two walked through the festival scene side by side. Though they seemed to be just two best friends hanging out and having fun, to Lucia, it was definitely something more.

Gosh... Mom... Dad... maybe you two are right... maybe Kaito--- Kaikane--- and I really are meant to be together... I mean... he didn't even get mad when I have my arms around his. It's like... it's like... he really wants me to cling on to him. She could feel her cheeks blushing again and her heart beating rapidly once again. Oh man--- we're like boyfriend and girlfriend already even without confessing to each other...

"Yo! Check it!" Kaito suddenly broke the silence with an excited expression, which startled Lucia from her inner thoughts.

"Oh! Um... what is it?" Lucia answered quickly, swallowing her nervousness at the same time.

"You see that? They got one of those thrill rides and the wheel and all that!"

Lucia smiled happily, even though she was slightly horrified by majority of the thrill rides, most especially the ones that roll upside down. On the other hand, if they do end up riding one of those thrill rides, it would still be blissful for her. After all, the boy of her dreams was standing next to her.

"Yeah! Let's go! You pick which ride!" Lucia nervously made her suggestion while trying to keep her teeth still from gritting in fear.

"Hm, you sure, Lucia? I'm up to anything but I dunno about you."

"Oh... I'm fine! I'll go wherever you go, Kaito!" Oh man, Lucia... why on earth are you lying to him? Why won't you just tell him that you're sorta horrified with thrill rides that go up and down and upside down...? Oh man... I'd feel like a total loser if I tell him that...

"Are you really sure?" Kaito showed a concerned look at her. "I mean, I'm not going to ride something you don't feel comfortable riding..."

Good idea, Kaito! Let's go ride the carousel over there! "Yup, I'm very sure! Let's ride one of those inverted roller coasters!" Lucia immediately shook her head for giving him the wrong response. Dangit, why can't I just admit it to him... oh man...

Kaito gave a slight suspicion at his date and shrugged his arms. "Alright then. Your call." The two teens walked through the long lines until they found the one with shorter lines. Once Lucia spotted the sign, she shrieked in horror right when she read what the sign said.

"Dainami... Oni... Free Fall?!" Lucia read the ride's name slowly, which even made her become more afraid than ever. "Oh no..."

"Ha ha... don't say I didn't warn you, Lucia!" Kaito chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand to prevent himself from laughing some more.

Lucia began to defend herself, knowing she would get irritated every time Kaito would laugh at her. "Hey--- the name's intimidating but I can take on any thrill ride you would throw at me!"

"That's what I want to hear." Kaito snickered and took her by the hand as they fall in line from behind. "This ride's gonna help us survive the Dainami-Oni in case it attacks us during competition."

"Oh no!" Lucia shrieked in horror, placing her hands on her face. "I forgot about the possibility of the Dainami-Oni wave phenomenon coming at our beach during the tournament..."

Kaito patted Lucia on the shoulder and whispered. "Lucia, just think about this ride as our tandem ride. Just close your eyes and imagine yourself on our tandem board with me holding on to you. The only thing we need to worry during that wild ride is we make it forward back to the shore while the swell chases us, pulling us back. You're on the race against the waves."

"Um... okay... I think I can do that..." Lucia quickly closed her eyes, trying to imagine everything Kaito murmured to her. Though she could still remember his words, she seemed to be having trouble visualizing the imaginary wild scene. "Um... I don't know, Kaito... I can't seem to visualize us riding the Dainami-Oni for some reason."

"Moron..." Kaito stuck his tongue at her. "I said for you to close your eyes when we get to the ride, not close your eyes while waiting for the ride!"

"Oh! Um... I knew that!" Lucia chuckled nervously, then lowered her head and sighed in worry. Oh no... I think I'm going to die before I can even face the real thing later next week... Dang, what on earth have I gotten myself in to...?

Moments later it was their turn to have their thrill ride at this rather extreme-leveled Dainami-Oni Free Fall roller coaster ride. What made things worse for Lucia was that Kaito decided to sit at the front row. Lucia reluctantly followed Kaito from behind.

"W-why are we sitting at the front row, Kaito...?" Lucia's voice reached in to a small high-pitch, knowing of her terrifying roller coaster fears.

"Why?" Kaito snickered. "You're the front-seat driver of the tandem surfing team, girl. Of course we take the front row."

"But... you wouldn't be behind me..." Lucia gulped, and as the operator adjusted their belts and their security mechanism so none of them would fall to their deaths, she quickly grabbed on to the metal bar and quickly closed her eyes.

"But I'll be next to you, Lucia. You got nothing to worry about." Kaito winked, trying to make sure that regardless of what may happen in this crazy ride that things will be fine at the end.

Okay... so... you're in this nightmare roller coaster ride with the surfing world's hottest champion surfer... and as a temporary surfer of sorts, this should be nothing... right? Right?

Immediately, the cabin carrying twenty riders began to nudge slightly and then moved forward to the wildest roller coaster ride this summer festival has ever seen. Right as the cabin slowly and gently climbed up the rail, Lucia immediately screamed.

"Lucia--- we're not even dropping down yet! Calm down!" Kaito hushed her. "Screaming already? Jeez..."

Right when they reached the top, Kaito whispered quickly before they even drop down. "Now... close your eyes and imagine yourself riding the wildest surf you've ever ridden in your life..."

Lucia quickly shut her eyes tight as the cabin was released, dropping right down the rails and then some more.

A few minutes later, the ride was over and Lucia passed out after that rather thrilling ride. Her passing out made the personnel panic, but Kaito assured them that she was going to be alright. With the help of the personnel, Kaito carried Lucia from the cabin and placed her arm around his neck, standing her up. Slowly they headed out from the ride and once they reached the surface, Kaito slowly carried her all the way past the waiting line. Just as they were about to reach the end of the line, they were spotted immediately by familiar faces.

"Yo! Kaito!" Kaito turned and spotted Hanon, Nagisa, Kaito, and Seira right at the end. "How was the ride, dude?" Nagisa asked curiously.

"Totally... uhh... gnarly, Nagisa..." Kaito answered, looking rather confused.

"Eek!" Hanon shrieked with worry. "What happened to Lucia?!" She dashed to where Kaito was standing and gazed at the passed out Lucia.

"Relax, Houshou, she just passed out." Kaito answered briefly. "The ride must be too intense for her to even keep her conscience awake, I guess."

Hippo sighed and shook his head. "Let me guess, Kaito... she said she can brave any thrill ride just so she can impress you, right?"

"Well, I sorta had a hunch that she's scared at thrill rides that I even opted to ride a safer ride, but..."

"Thought so." Hippo shook his head. "Just to remind you, Kaito, Lucia's a major chicken when it comes to thrill rides. The family knows it too. She likes the simpler thrill rides, but the ones that roll upside down at eighty kilometers an hour? Her passing out only shows defeat."

"Oh no! Poor Lucia!" Seira gasped in shock. "Is she gonna be okay? I mean... this is no good... you guys are like on your first date--- and she passes out on her first date! That's just bad!"

"Bad? That's like the worst beyond imagination, Seira!" Hanon exclaimed with worry. "Stupid Lucia--- how could you be so stupid!"

"Hey, hey, lay off!" Kaito quickly defended Lucia with his own reaction. "Why don't you peeps have your ride? I'll take care of Lucia, alright?"

"Uh, how are you gonna wake Lucia up, Kaito?" Nagisa asked curiously. "Are you gonna kiss her like Sleeping Beauty?" The younger surfer winked at his mentor quickly while both Hanon and Seira began to giggle.

"You'd wish, shrimp! I'm out!" Right then, Kaito, with Lucia on his arms, walked out from the crowd, heading towards the restroom building.

"Aw man... are you telling me Kaito's not gonna kiss Lucia?" Hanon sighed deeply. "He's so mean..."

Hippo shrugged his arms. "Hanon, there's several ways to wake up a passed-out person aside from kissing, you know."

"Bah! You're no fun, Hippo!" Hanon stuck her tongue towards Lucia's younger brother.

"Fun? I'm just being real, yo." Hippo shook his head, ignoring Hanon until they reached their turn to the ride.

A few minutes passed and Kaito found an empty bench not too far from the restrooms, where he sat down and laid Lucia's head on to his lap so he can provide her a bit of comfort until she wakes up. He thought of having Lucia sip a bit of the Orange Rooibos Iced Tea in his thermal water bottle but decided to examine her first just to be sure that it was safe for him to make her drink so she can wake up.

Right when he laid her head on his lap, he gazed directly at her sleeping face. Just with that gaze he found his mind contemplating about seven years ago when he first met Leolani, which made him begin to caress her cheek with the tip of his thumb. The soft, velvet feel of her cheek somehow turned the young surfer dude on that he was tempted to feel more of her skin.

Oh man... your skin is so soft... I can't help myself but to feel you... He closed his eyes, trying to keep himself cool about this rather awkward situation. Part of him wanted to feel more of her, but the other part warned him to stay cool. Okay, man... calm down... it's only Lucia... don't get tempted...

Before things became worse, he reacted quickly by reaching for his backpack. He opened it and reached a water bottle containing fresh iced water and a small face towel. Using the water he poured it on the face towel, wrung it to excrete excess water on to the floor, folded it, and began to wipe Lucia's face with it. Though the dark sky made the summer day seemed cooler, the humidity was still unbearable. Without making things awkward, this was the only solution he could think of. Hopefully with the icy cold cloth, she would finally regain her consciousness.

A few minutes later, Lucia came about, squirming and slowly shaking her head. Slowly she opened her eyes and found Kaito gazing towards her. At first, she felt blissful to see the face she loved to see everyday. "Oh Kaito..."

"Welcome back to the real world, Lucia!" Kaito snickered. Right at that point, Lucia shrieked in panic and got up.

"Oh my god.... Oh my god... what on earth just happened?!" Lucia turned around to see that they were no longer on the ride. "Oh no... this is bad! This is bad!"

Kaito chuckled softly and answered. "You know, Lucia, you should keep in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect human---"

Lucia stood in panic and turned towards Kaito with hands on the sides of her face. "Oh God---- I fainted, didn't I? Please say I didn't faint!"

Kaito shrugged his arms and said. "Sure. You didn't faint. You just happened to fall asleep while we were dropping down in full speed..."

"Oh noooo..." Lucia dropped her head immediately with a lot of guilt within her. This is embarrassing... and right in front of Kaito too... he's surely gonna hate me for being such a chicken...

Kaito stood up from his seat and carried his backpack. "Well, the night is still early and we just begun. You ready to go?"

Lucia slowly stood up from the bench, still feeling nervous, while wiping her face with the wet face towel. "You mean... you still wanna hang out here even after my embarrassing moment of passing out?"

"Well... yeah.. it's only six-thirty. We got until ten-thirty to be here. Why waste all that time by going home just because you passed out?"

The nervous girl sighed in relief and smiled. "Thanks for putting up with me, Kaito. I just don't want to ruin our date and all..."

"What? Just because you're scared of thrill rides and you passed out? That's nothing! Anyway, let's go do something else. We can go for a safer ride... or maybe go to those game booths... or if you're hungry we can stop by the food booths and grab something to eat. Take your pick this time."

"Well... I'm not hungry yet... maybe we can go to those game booths and play some games!"

"Let's go then!" Kaito waited until Lucia approached next to him. Together, they headed back to the booths, where the game booths were waiting for them.

As they looked through the booths, Kaito began to break the brief silence. "Lucia... to be honest with you, I got worried when you passed out."

Lucia dropped her head low and sighed. "I'm sorry I fainted, Kaito... I really am..."

"You could have told me that you're terrified of thrill rides. Reason why I got worried because of what may happen during the competition, Lucia. When we were riding that scary-ass ride--- I admit I was freaked out too at the end--- it made me feel that this must be how it feels like to ride the deadly Dainami-Oni wave. If we do get the Dainami-Oni once we go out there during the contest, I want you awake and active. I don't want you passing out while we're riding because I can assure you--- the actual wave would be a lot more horrifying than that thrill ride. If you pass out, we've got more than ninety-percent chance that we'll get wiped out before we can even begin the lifts... and worse..."

"I promise--- no--- I swear under oath in the name of my parents that I will never pass out when I ride the wildest surf during competition!" Lucia announced her oath in a loud voice, which made some of the people on the scene stare at her in confusion.

Kaito shook his head, giving a slight smile, then sighed with worry on his face again. "It's not just about preventing from wiping out, Lucia. I'm quite surprised you even mentioned your parents in that little oath of yours. I started thinking about my parents too... and knowing in spirit they don't want the two of us to meet the same fate as they did that day, so we seriously have to be best prepared."

Lucia sighed with worry, but instead, shook her head afterwards. "No--- I shouldn't be worried. It's important that we have to survive this ride if that Dainami-Oni thing does come for us... even if we win or not."

"Well, if that becomes the case, then yes, Lucia. Survival is priority." Kaito patted Lucia on her shoulder and grinned. "Forget about the Dainami-Oni wave tonight. Let's have fun, right?"

"Right!"

With the booths they picked, the two played games, which so far they only won one prize: two free festival-themed hats for the both of them at the shooting range contest. Even if they did not win as much games so far, both were still having fun. They decided to take a rest at the eatery area when a strange old man appeared before them, facing Kaito with an enthusiastic smile.

"Well--- you look like a very exceptional young man," the strange old man complimented the fourteen-year-old boy.

"Who? Me?" Kaito asked curiously with suspicion in his eyes.

"Yup. I'm talking to you, boy. You don't plan on leaving the festival yet, are you?"

"We just got here, so no!" Lucia quickly responded with a smile on her face, which Kaito glare at her for answering the truth.

The strange old man gazed at Lucia, then smiled kindly. "Well, kid, you sure got a sweet, pretty young girl here. Let me tell you--- no man leaves the festival without winning the grandest prize for their girl at the Nijibe High Striker Challenge. And since you do have a solid, athletic build with the eyes only for the girl next to you, here's your chance to make special memories! Just follow me and I'll show you your challenge."

"Wow! Sounds like fun!" Lucia grinned happily. "Come on, Kaito, let's go and see what this challenge is about!"

"I don't know..." Kaito had a hesitant feeling and remained still as Lucia gently dragged him. "High Striker, huh? Is that what I think it is...?"

"Come on, Kaito--- please? I wanna see what this challenge is!"

Kaito sighed and surrendered. "Fine, fine... let's go."

The two teenagers followed the strange old man as they reached a particular game stall shaped like a giant bell scale. The name of the challenge as stated on the sign as The Nijibe High Striker Challenge. Lucia stared at the top of the tower, where she spotted a chrome-colored bell at the top with numbered measurements right below. Kaito immediately knew what this challenge was about.

"Whoa... there's no way you can climb up the tower and ring that bell..." Lucia murmured in amazement.

"Lucia, you don't climb up the tower and ring the bell. You hit the rubber stump at the bottom with a mallet as hard as you can and make the rock rise up and hit the bell at the top." Kaito chuckled while shaking his head at the same time. He turned to the strange old man and asked: "So... you are challenging me to ring the bell on top and if I do, there is a prize, right?"

"You got it, kid! A four-feet stuffed panda bear for your girl!"

While Kaito and the old man were talking about the challenge, Lucia witnessed all the other players taking the challenge with the males flexing whatever muscles they have and draw their powers to hit the rubber stump and hit the bell at the top. So far, none had succeeded, which some couples end up in arguments or the girl dumping the guy for someone who had more strength and muscle. Lucia frowned at the girls who treated their current dates for not succeeding in winning the giant stuffed panda, learning that today's girls in general were indeed shallow.

"Kaito," Lucia called for her date. "If you don't want to do this... what they call it... High Striker challenge thing, that's okay. No matter how strong or how weak you are physically, it makes no difference to me because you'll always be the same, no matter what. If you want, I'll try and hit that bell with the mallet! Then you can have the panda bear!"

Kaito chuckled at her response. "Oh man... you never fail to amuse me, Lucia. Why would I want that panda bear?"

"Well, because it's adorable--- and they're a part of the endangered species too! Maybe part of the money goes to the endangered species fund or something!"

The old man gasped and turned to Lucia. "Young lady, do you have an idea how heavy that mallet is? You'll break your arm before you can even hit the stump!"

Kaito approached Lucia and lifted her head up by the chin to face him. "I'd like to win you that giant stuffed panda. Just wait here and watch me win it for you..."

"Eh?" Lucia's cheeks flushed immediately, but because she also had some pride herself, she decided to protest. "But Kaito--- you'll hurt your arm before you can even hit the stump--- well, that's what that old guy said..."

"Lucia, what makes you think I'm weak? You got no faith in me or something?"

"Well, no.. it's just that..."

The old man interrupted with a grin on his face. "Now, isn't that sweet? You two are the first couple I've ever met who actually have support for each other. The past couples we had here were rather rude to each other. Where is the love there?"

"Uh--- we're not really a couple... Sir..." Lucia blushed heavily and murmured. "We're just---"

"Uh, thanks. Maybe we feel lucky today!" Kaito grinned and began to do some warm-ups by stretching his arms and shoulders. He knew he was going to take on this challenge and ring the bell at the top of the tower.

"Alright! All you boys out there, especially the ones with a cute date with them--- step right up and test your strength! Win your girl a four-feet stuffed panda!" The old man began to advertise the High Striker Challenge as Kaito finished his warm up with his shoulders and arms. At that point, several people, mostly males and couples, arrived. Once the females spotted Kaito, many of them began to swoon at Kaito's deadly attractive looks and form. Even if that was the case, many of them were out of towners and had no clue of Kaito's identity at first sight.

"Okay, I'm ready." Kaito reminded the old man as he began to unbutton his dark blue Hawaiian print shirt. Lucia shrieked once he began to unbutton his shirt.

"Wait--- why are you unbuttoning your---"

Kaito turned to Lucia with a confident smile on his face. "The sleeves are on the way. I gotta hit it with all my might, right?" He winked right at her as he removed his shirt and passed it to Lucia. "Hold it for me, would you?"

Oh man... this is embarrassing... I mean... he can't just... Lucia's face became as red as a plump tomato as she grabbed his shirt from him. Okay... concentrate... concentrate... and uh... back him up and pretend he's wearing a shirt... She cleared her throat immediately and began to cheer.

"Good luck, Kaito! You always rule at everything! You totally rock!" Lucia lifted her fist up high to show her support to the surfer boy she wished to be her boyfriend.

The old man stood next to Kaito and said to him: "You've got three chances here. As long as you pass the six feet mark, you are guaranteed a prize. Get the puck to hit the bell and the giant stuffed panda is yours."

"Alright! Here we go!" Kaito picked up the mallet, which to him was not as heavy as he thought. He stood right at the front of the tower, and with all the strength he possessed, he gave it all as he swung the mallet right down the rubber stump of the tower, striking it down with all his might. The puck rose up but only reached up to the six-feet mark as it dropped down at the bottom again.

"Ah, six-feet! You're guaranteed a prize, that's for sure! You got two more chances! Use them for a bigger prize, son!"

"Almost there! Almost there, Kaito! Good job!" Lucia continued to cheer while the rest of the crowd watching around the high striker area also cheered for the young surfer boy's attempts. Kaito turned his eyes towards Lucia, despite that he noticed the rest of the ladies swooning on him as always, and winked right at her. Again, Lucia blushed.

"Almost there..." Kaito mumbled to himself as he lifted the mallet again, striking the rubber stump with more strength once more. This time, the puck passed the six-feet mark, reaching up to eight feet, and dropped down again.

"Whoa--- that's the first time that someone had reached eight feet as of tonight!" The old man exclaimed excitedly. "You had just set a record--- and a bigger prize! Now you've gone one more final attempt! Now, if you don't make it to the bell, you get the prize equivalent to your highest height."

"I'm good with that prize!" Lucia called out with two thumbs up towards Kaito. The boy turned to his closest supporter and smiled confidently, nodding at the same time. "You got nothing to worry about, Kaito!"

"I know," Kaito answered her in a low, gentle voice. "But I gotta make my last chance count."

"Well, make it count no matter what! Maybe this third one would be a better prize than the eight feet prize!"

Kaito responded with another smile and faced the high striker tower again. "Okay... last chance..." He could hear the rest of the females cheering and the males pumping him up with some support. Though generally the males would be jealous, but knowing that Kaito already had someone, they had no worries. He gazed at the bell at the ten-feet mark and closed his eyes briefly.

Give me strength and make this final chance count... This is for you, Lucia. Right then, he raised up the mallet and with more strength putting in than before, he struck the rubber stump and the puck quickly rushed right up to the top, and because of the overwhelming speed, the puck immediately hit the bell and landed right back down to the surface. The bell sound rang loudly, announcing to the audience that this youthful and handsome surfer boy had mastered the high striker challenge, which gave such an overwhelming excitement among those who just witnessed this record-breaking moment.

"WE'VE GOT A WINNER!" The old man shouted in glee as he even gave an embrace to Kaito.

"Yeah! You won! You won!" Lucia clapped hurriedly and rushed to Kaito to embrace him. "I knew you totally rule, Kaito!"

"Ha ha..." Kaito chuckled humbly and placed his arms around him. "Well, the giant panda is yours."

The old man appeared before them as the two withdrew from each other. She gave Kaito his shirt back as he wore it back one and buttoned it. The old man carried the giant stuffed panda to them. "And here is your prize for your girl, kid!"

Kaito accepted the stuffed animal and handed it to Lucia. "And here you go, Lucia."

"Thanks, Kaito!" Lucia smiled happily and sneaked a quick kiss on his right cheek. Afterwards she turned to the old man. "Sir, it's my turn now, right?"

The old man stared oddly at the young teenager. "Miss... your man just won you a stuffed panda..."

"I know." Lucia answered with her usual humble smile. "I wanna try the challenge so I can win another stuffed panda--- for him this time!"

"Uh... I don't think that's a good idea, Lucia..." Kaito chuckled nervously as he placed his arm around her waist. "We gotta get going now..."

"But... Kaito, it's unfair that I get the stuffed panda and you don't. At least what I could do is try to do that high striker challenge thing so at least you get something---"

"Now, Lucia... save your energy for this week, okay? I don't want a frail and weak partner who'd faint at the end of that wild ride, okay?" Kaito still insisted as he thanked the old man. Before Lucia end up doing something crazy again that may cost her pain, he lead her away from the high striker tower.

The old man at the high striker gazed at Kaito and Lucia as they walked away. Right then he smiled to himself and turned back to those who were waiting and willing to try to ring the bell. Ah, young love. Those two sure do know how to support each other...

After a few more game booths and after a few more safer, family-oriented rides, both Kaito and Lucia felt hunger pains in their stomachs. They proceeded to the eatery area where they found a table to rest at. There were a huge variety of food booths in a circle, giving every hunger festival goer a variety of choices for dinner. Aside from the usual local food, there were also different types of cuisines around the world. One particular booth caught Kaito's eye.

"Well, what do you know... Hawaiian Barbecue..." Kaito chuckled, reading the sign at the top of the booth. "Haven't had some of that in a long time..."

Lucia found the particular booth Kaito was staring at. "Oh? I've never had Hawaiian Barbecue before. How is it different from the usual barbecue we normally eat?"

"That's the best part, especially for you," Kaito smiled. "It's a fusion of Asian and American barbecue and other stuff. They're all rice plates with a side of macaroni salad, and in addition to the side, there's poi."

"Poi? What's that?"

"It's Taro paste. It's a staple food for the Polynesian islanders. It's like rice to us."

Lucia grinned excitedly. "Sounds good! I'll buy us dinner this time. You've already won so many prizes for me at the game booths already. Let me return the favor!"

Kaito knew he couldn't argue at Lucia's voluntary generosity. "Alright. Why not? Get me a Loco Moco rice plate and a bowl of saimin... and a pina colada drink."

"What's that?" Lucia asked curiously.

"Why don't you go to the booth and find out?"

"Well, okay. Sounds good! I'll just have what you're having! I'll be back!" Lucia stood up from her seat and made her way to the booth and stood at the end of the line.

Kaito relaxed at his seat, stretching his arms to ease the pain he earned from the high striker challenge and other game booths they participated. But regardless, he had no regrets and no complaints so far. He knew to himself that this particular night would help transition his relationship with Lucia to something a lot more than just a summer friendship. He even thought that this coming tournament week was even going to make things a lot more special between the two, most especially during the tandem surfing contest. But most of all, he was very certain for sure that all this time that Lucia Nanami, all this time, was indeed the Leolani he met seven years ago. The only thing now was to determine the right time he would voluntarily reveal himself to her--- or the other way around.

As he contemplated these things, his train of thought was interrupted when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. "Hi, Kaito! I didn't expect you to see here!"

Kaito opened his eyes from his thoughts and turned to his left. "Oh, Michal. Didn't see you there. You having dinner too?"

Michal quickly invited herself to the table, sitting on the seat where Lucia was sitting earlier. "Oh, I just had dinner. Didn't eat much though. They don't have very edible food here..."

Kaito raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "You mean that they didn't have any gourmet edible food here. Well, this is the local summer festival, you know. They serve local dishes and some foreign cuisines that aren't exactly on the gourmet level, you know. What did you have for dinner then?"

"Oh... I just had a salad. That Hawaiian Barbecue place sure served really good salad!" Michal giggled softly, trying to act cute as always in front of the dashing surfer boy.

"You know, Michal, you need to have more meat in you. Sure, having a slim body would make you look attractive, but having a too slim body looked like you're a malnutritioned child from a poverty-stricken third world country, which makes you look very unhealthy."

"Oh Kaito, did you really have to go on that level?" Michal chuckled along, knowing she succeeded in making a conversation with the boy she refused to give up. "Really now. Anyway, I was wondering what you'll be doing right after the tournament week is over."

Kaito shrugged his arms. "Well, we got Sunday, which is our one and only day we prepare to go back to school the next day. Back to non-summer surfing season again, plus there's more surf meets and invitationals that I plan to go during fall and winter. Same hectic life as always."

"Oh, I see." Michal sighed. "I forgot... your school starts a week earlier than ours back in the South. I was wondering if we could like... get together... for old time's sake, you know?"

"Oh? When you mean by get together, you mean to say that I'm the only one invited?"

"Well, it would be lonely at home because while you guys start school the week after the tournament, Rihito is flying out to South Korea for an orchestra performance there and he'll be there for two weeks. Apparently the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra picked him to be the conductor and I don't go back to boarding school in two weeks, I got the entire week free."

Kaito still had a skeptical feeling regarding this invitation. "Wouldn't it be a lot more fun if there's more people? I mean, Coco, Noel, and Caren go to the same boarding school as you do, right? Why not invite your schoolmates too?"

"Are you kidding me?" Michal chuckled softly. "This year is Corina's--- Coco's--- last year of high school. She mentioned something about getting accepted in to a highly prestigious university. She's entering the holistic sports medicine program, you know. She's only got seven months left before she graduates, so she'll use the early week to cram study until she heads back down south that weekend. Noel and Caren will be back in the school swim team training again, as well as their water polo team too, so they're leaving on Monday after the tournament because of those early sports training. Taro is already a full-pledged school teacher hired by your school, so he stays here in Nijibe. Who am I going to hang out with when I go back? Who am I going to hang out with during the extra week? I can't stand being alone all couped up at home."

"Michal, I'm just saying that it'd be a lot better if you'd invite more than just one person for this small gathering. If you want I'll have the dudes and the girls come over too. If you can't stand being alone all couped up at home, then I can't stand being all couped up at a huge mansion with someone else in front of me. And what about your parents?"

Michal stared at Kaito curiously, wondering what he meant. "What about my parents?"

"I don't think they'll be okay with you being alone with a boy all couped up in your house. I know how parents are when it comes to teenage girls. Many of them don't actually trust me when I used to date, most especially that I've spent almost my entire life living alone with my brother with no adult supervision. Our uncles and aunts all live out of town and even out of the country. Gaito and I remained here in Nijibe so we can take care of all the family assets my parents purchased and built. If it weren't for the custody lawyers, we would've moved back to Hawaii and stayed with our grandparents. Rihito wouldn't be happy either if he found out that you're having a gathering with just you and me alone."

Michal sighed sadly, knowing that having Kaito alone to herself for one day would not make her parents or Rihito happy. "Well, what about Lucia? If you're so concerned about the parents of the girls you date, wouldn't you get a sweet girl like Lucia get in trouble with her parents too?"

Kaito gave a slight smirk, but tried not to show it in front of her. "Lucia? She's like me. Her parents died when she was a kid. She has an aunt and her two siblings. She's a lot luckier than I am though when it comes to family."

"Kaito, you still fail to explain to me what that girl Lucia Nanami has that I don't that got you so attracted to her!" Michal raised her voice slightly louder, which gained attention of those at the nearby tables. "Do you have an idea what some people were saying about her? Those Rainbow Pop Girls clique in your school... those crazy fan girls who kept stalking you until the end... and even a few of media reporters too. Her personal antics and even her background and upbringing too is just way out of your league. You deserve better, Kaito--- way better. I mean, you don't want to ruin your reputation by having her hanging around with you, would you? I'm just worried about you, Kaito..."

That moment, Lucia arrived with two styrofoam boxes containing the Hawaiian Barbecue plates on a tray. She overheard majority of the conversation, but had mixed feelings. She wondered how she would react or confront the one who just interrupted their date with something very negative. She always reminded herself to be a strong person on situations such as this and that she had to prove to herself that what other people say should not matter to her. While listening to the conversation, she found a way to face this problem.

"Worried? Which one are you worried about, Michal?" Kaito asked curiously. "Are you worried about me or my reputation? The problem with you and everyone else is that none of you know who I really am. Why do you think I feel reluctant every time you're around me? You're not interested me, Michal. You're only interested with my reputation and my accomplishments. The only media that I worry about when it comes to reputation are those from major publications like Surfer Styles magazine and ocean sports TV news and radio news. All the personality and celebrity-based media types? If you or any one of your little friends have a problem with the things I like to do then---"

"You don't belong in the surfing scene, Michal." Right then, their conversation was interrupted by none other than Kaito's special date. They found Lucia standing right in front of them across the table, dinner trays and two plastic containers of Saimin noodle soups, and all.

"Oh... hi, Lucia! How long have you been standing there?" Michal suddenly turned back in to her nice, sweet self.

"Long enough to hear what people like you think of me," Lucia gave a slight snicker on her face. "I know what you're trying to pull here, Michal, and to be honest with you, it's becoming a lot irritating."

Michal glared towards the blonde and gave a slight warning. "Listen, Lucia Nanami. Don't forget that you're a member of my brother's band. Say something very mean to me and I can get Rihito to kick you out of his band---"

"Okay, that's just extreme, Michal!" Kaito interrupted the two girls. "You seriously think you'd get Rihito to get rid of Lucia out of OC-5 just because his own sister has some hatred on her? You don't have that much experience interacting with other people, don't you?"

"It's not just your brother's band! We have a band name too, you know! We're the Oceanic Crib 5!" Lucia began her defensive response. "I mean with that kind of cheap shot against me, Michal, you don't know your brother very well either! This Friday night band at Pearl Waters was formed by your brother and my cousin, Taro Mitsuki. And as far as I know, not only that they're best friends, but Taro was Rihito's mentor too! Reality doesn't work that way. Just because Rihito has a lot more money than the rest of the band, doesn't mean that the band is his! Reality isn't always fair to everyone and you can't always get things your way. You already have what every girl dreamed of, but boys aren't items to be owned! I know you're in love with Kaito yourself, but with the way you're threatening Kaito with his hard-earned reputation, you need to know what the real meaning of love is."

Michal returned the defensive response with her own. "Just who do you think you are talking to me like that, Lucia Nanami? Just because Kaito gave you all the attention this entire summer... just because he chose you to be his tandem surfing partner... just because he asked you out on a date in this peasant summer festival... doesn't make you any more special!"

Lucia shook her head and sighed. "That's up to Kaito to judge, not me, Michal. To me, it doesn't matter what other people think of me. You can trash talk me however you want and whenever you want, but don't you dare speak ill of our band!" She tightened her fist right then, trying not to fall in to anger.

The younger Amagi fell silent at first, and then burst in to laughter. "You really are something, you know that, Miss Nanami? I have to admit, it puzzles me how my older brother chose the company of you and the rest of your silly band than his sister's own company. My parents? They chose the company of their business colleagues than the company of their own children. I'm just extra baggage to everyone--- including the one I've been in love with since my childhood. But then again, you're just like any other Kaito Doumoto fan girl I know of--- competing with all those girls just to get Kaito to notice you. Isn't that right, Lucia? Your little act of being a surfing expert to get all of the cutest surfer boys in the entire town, more specifically, our very own Kaito Doumoto? That was indeed very smart. You're just like any other kook all around the surfer-spot beaches in the world. Just admit it!"

Kaito, feeling with much chagrin building inside him, shook his head and interrupted. "Alright, Michal, that's enough!"

Lucia suddenly dropped the tray right on the table, not because she was shocked to hear the latter, but more of a feel of insult within her. "I never expected you to stoop this low, Michal Amagi. Me pretending to be a surfing expert? I just happen to be a huge surfing fan. There is a difference. If I were a surfing expert, wouldn't I be a surfer myself? And it's not because of Kaito that I became a surfing fan." She then gazed at Kaito and continued. "He's not the reason why I became a surfing fan. Not at all." Right then, Kaito caught her gaze and nodded in agreement.

She turned back to Michal and continued. "If you only spent some time with my family, you'd get to know us more. If not, you and Rihito should sit down and talk. Have you ever thought why Rihito decided to spend his summer at Pearl Waters ever since he started? It wasn't because he felt sorry for us or it's because Taro is his best friend. It was because he knew the legends of the Rainbowside and he'd like to have close relations as much as he can. Of course, he may have other reasons as to why he preferred staying with us this summer instead of spending his summer with you or the rest of your family back home. But I know for sure that Pearl Waters has a huge connection to the Rainbowside. And just to let you know, I'm not the only one who is a huge surfing fan. I share my surfing fandom with my siblings and Taro too. My sister Nicola was one of the greatest surfer girls in history and Hippo takes the most awesome surfing and ocean pictures the world has ever seen! I may not be a surfer altogether and being Kaito's tandem surfing partner was actually the first time that I have tried surfing. But when you are paired up with a topnotch surfer and form a competitive tandem surfing team, you need to have complete faith with each other in order to win."

Michal raised an eyebrow right at Lucia with her arms crossed. "And your point? What are you trying to point?"

"I'm pointing that no matter what Kaito decides what's best for him, from surfing to school to even having a girlfriend, I have nothing else but respect and friendship for him. Even if he ended up having a permanent girlfriend... even when he's engaged to that someone special... even when he gets married and have children... as long as Kaito is happy with his life and the decisions he's made, I have no regrets." Lucia lowered her head, knowing that tears were forming on her eyes. I don't regret everything we've shared together, Kaito... I hope you believe me when I say this...

"Lucia..." Kaito murmured his name softly and sighed afterwards. I don't have any regrets either, Lucia.

"Michal! There you are!" Just as things were about to be prolonged, the three heard Rihito's voice calling out for his sister.

Michal softly growled to herself and turned to Rihito. "What?"

Rihito approached the table, facing Michal. "Why'd you run off like that? Didn't you realize how worried I'd be if you'd just run off like that?"

"I saw Kaito alone at this table and he needed company!" Michal made her own excuse while Kaito shook his head.

"Yeah--- I was alone at this table because Lucia was buying our dinner. And no, I didn't need company." Kaito clarified the situation.

Rihito frowned and turned to Lucia. "Sorry about all this. You two shouldn't be interrupted like that." He turned to Michal and said: "Why don't you apologize to both Kaito and Lucia for barging in like that on their first date?"

Michal reluctantly turned to the two and spoke: "I'm sorry. That was really rude of me. It won't happen again..."

Lucia slightly bowed to Michal, accepting her apology. "It's forgotten. We'll see you later at ten-thirty, right?"

"Yeah. Well... you two have fun." Michal waved at the two as Lucia returned the wave. The Amagis made their way out of the eatery, leaving Kaito and Lucia alone.

Lucia turned to Kaito and lowered her head. "I'm so sorry about all this---"

"No, it's not your fault, Lucia. You don't deserve all that bashing from Michal. She's not usually like that."

"I know but still... I wouldn't have thought that I'd be a problem to a lot of people who love and admire you, Kaito. But you have to believe me... about what I told her. I really mean what I said about my feelings for you. I treasure everything we have together even from the first time we spoke to each other. I'm not pretending that I'm a surfing fan, Kaito!"

Kaito patted on the empty chair next to him, inviting her to sit down. "I know you're not pretending. You know way too much about surfing to be a poser anyway. Plus your family has a long history with surfing too, just like mine."

Lucia gasped in shock to hear the latter. Wait... does that mean that he knows that I'm... Leolani...? How did he know about my family? About Cole... and Tack and Tish Seahart being my parents...?

"Hey, come on!" Kaito softly chuckled, noticing the slight teary eyes. "Stop thinking about what happened earlier, okay? We better eat or the food will get cold."

Lucia was silent at first, then nodded in agreement. "You're right. Let's eat!" The two placed their palms together with their gesture of Itadakimasu, then proceeded to eat.

An hour and a half was left before they had to meet back at the bus converter. Kaito and Lucia went through more game booths (and won very little prizes, but the latter was not important) and rode in a lot tamer, family-friendly rides as a result of what happened earlier on. As they continued to go through more booths and stations, the two stumbled upon another interesting station. The grand prize was another giant stuffed panda, but this time it had a red ribbon on the left ear.

"Ooh! That panda's so cute!" Lucia cheered happily, pointing at the display.

Kaito stared at the panda and raised an eyebrow. "It looks exactly the same as the panda I won for you at the high striker challenge!"

"Yeah, but it has a red bow with white polka dots on it!" Lucia pointed another fact.

"A panda's a panda whether it has a bow thing on the ear or not." Kaito gave as light frown.

"But I wanna do this new challenge! See, it's Live Oldies Karaoke Challenge!" She held Kaito by the wrist and gently dragged him to the station where there was a moderately long line and a huge stage were the contestants were singing a random oldie song appearing on screen at default. The performance was judged primarily on the notes and rhythm rather than the dynamic presentation of the singer. The rule stated that if it the randomly picked song was a duet that the singer and a friend would have to sing the song together if that person entered the booth with someone.

Kaito became suspicious once more, staring at the popularity of the booth. "Hm... I don't know..."

"Let me do this, Kaito, please!" Lucia exclaimed with a positive attitude in her eyes. "You know my singing abilities, right? And for once, give me a chance to show you that I can win a game and win you a prize too!"

"Well, the line is kind of long and we don't have a lot of time yet. I wanted to ride the ferris wheel and all... Plus, you don't have to win anything for me, Lucia. Let's just say... I got everything I've wished for."

"Kaito..." Lucia found her mind getting in to contemplative bliss mode with thoughts pouring in her mind. Oh man... what did he mean by that? Was he... or is he... is he... going to confess to me tonight? Will he... become my... boyfriend... tonight? Before she ended up jumping in to conclusions, she shook her head immediately. "But... I want to sing for everyone present right now--- just to lift up the festival spirits... and you know..."

Kaito took Lucia gently by the hand and answered: "It's too crowded, Lucia." He then pointed the time on his cellphone to show her the curfew time. "Plus we only got less than two hours left before we head back. Don't worry about winning something for me."

"Aww... well... if you say so..." Lucia sighed sadly as Kaito returned the reaction with a smile.

"Let's go then." Kaito led the way to the giant ferris wheel, holding Lucia's hand continuously on their way.

Once they arrived at the ferris wheel line, they were lucky enough to arrive at a short line. When they stood at the end of the line, they were met by two more couples ahead of them. Gaito was the first to recognize the two. "Well, good to see you two here!"

"Yeah... same with you, Gaito." Kaito responded in return, feeling some uncertainty at his older twin brother's tone. "I'm assuming this ferris wheel ride will be your last ride before we head back to the bus converter."

"I think this is pretty much everybody's last ride. Take a look at the people at the front of the line." Rina mentioned more familiar people at the front of the line. Lucia moved her head ahead to see who it was.

"Hey--- it's Coco, Noel, and Caren... and Daichi and Kengo too..." Lucia murmured. "I guess they're all going to ride on the same cabin? How many people that can fit in one?"

"Six people," Masahiro answered briefly. "By the way, we heard you had a little run-in with Michal earlier at the eatery area. What the heck happened then?"

"Well, you see, I---" Lucia was about to respond when Kaito quickly interrupted.

"I don't want to talk about it..."

Masahiro raised both hands, showing he did not want to go any further. "Alright, Kaito. If you don't want to talk about it, then I'm pretty sure it wasn't very pleasant. I won't ask anymore."

Minutes passed and everyone at the end of the line had their chance to take a cabin per couple. Kaito and Lucia rode in a red-colored cabin with a white full moon and pastel yellow stars decoration on it. They sat across from each other to keep their cabin balanced and not to swing back and forth. As the wheel began to turn and were halfway up the air, Lucia felt a little chill around her bare shoulders.

"Wow... the night is getting chilly... and it's really quiet too..."

Kaito was silent in the beginning, then gazed at the girl across from him, and without realizing it, his cheeks blushed right then. "Are you cold, Lucia?"

"Well..." Lucia found herself blushing again, knowing the chill was beginning to dig deeper on her semi-bare shoulders. "I had no idea this summer night would be this chilly."

Kaito reached for his backpack again and took out a white long-sleeved polo shirt, neatly folded, and handed it to her. "I knew you'd wouldn't be that equipped, heh."

Lucia softly chuckled along. "Thanks, Kaito." She unfolded the shirt and noticed the label tag on the collar. "Wow... you always wear designer brands, don't you?"

"Not really. Relatives always gave me and Gaito designer brand stuff for our birthday. But I gotta admit, it's one of my favorite tops." Lucia slipped her arms through the sleeves, and due to the larger size, she folded the sleeve up to her wrists.

"Wow... this feels nice on my skin! I can see why it's your favorite!" Kaito smiled in response. Right then, Lucia snapped her fingers, remembering what she needed to do before she forgot. "Oh! Before I forget, I have something for you too!"

"Lucia, I told you before, you don't need to give me anything! I'm fine, really!"

"No, give me a chance--- just this once... please? It's very important to me."

"Alright. If it's that important to you, let's see it."

Lucia reached for her purse and took out a small sealed plastic bag. The bag was small enough to fit a collector card, which made Kaito a lot curious regarding the contents. "You know, ever since we partnered up for the tandem surfing contest, I thought it'd be really cool if we've got something that would represent who we are to the entire competition, you know?"

"You're not serious, are you?" Kaito chuckled in delight. "Dang, girl--- we're on a date and you still got the tournament in your mind?"

"Will you let me explain, Kaito?" Lucia frowned right then, which made the surfer boy soften his laughter.

"Sorry. Go ahead."

"Well, you see... during the first days that we started... hanging out with each other, you mentioned about your competition bracelet. I know you plan on wearing that when you go out there and ride the wild surf this week, but you know... it may not be enough for us to bring the best luck when it's our turn to ride out there, so I thought... why not double up the power of luck? And so, would you give me your left wrist, Kaito?"

"My wrist? What for?"

"Just give me your wrist!" Lucia shrieked impatiently while Kaito chuckled in return.

"Jeez, didn't know you could be so demanding..." Kaito stretched out his arm so Lucia would be able to reach his wrist. She opened the small plastic bag and out came one intricately-sewn mix of blue, red, and white friendship bracelet and tied it snugly around his left wrist. "Whoa... what's this?" He lifted his wrist and stared at the new friendship bracelet. There was white text sewn at the center of the bracelet and a bright yellow crescent moon and two small yellow stars around it. "Surfer Moon, huh? Hey, this is pretty cool! Thanks!"

"It's our brand-new competition bracelet, Kaito! See?" Lucia cheered happily as she showed off hers, which was already worn around her left bracelet. Her version was a duplicate of what Kaito had on his wrist at that point with one small difference. "Underneath are your initials if you take a look at it. Like mine right here!" She gently flipped her bracelet to show the L.N. in there.

Kaito slowly flipped his own and found the K.D. sewn in white thread. "That would mean I can't just go to some bracelet maker and make a duplicate because of this..."

"It looks really good on you! Now we're really the official Team Surfer Moon!"

"Haha... yeah!" The two raised their wrists to show each other the bracelets around their wrists, chuckling softly at the same time. "So... you took the time to make these for us? Wow... I don't know what to say but... thank you."

"You know you're always welcome, Kaito." Lucia grinned, slightly squirming on her seat. "You're not required to wear that bracelet everyday--- only during tandem surfing competitions!"

"No way... I'm wearing it everyday!" Kaito winked, still gazing at his new friendship bracelet.

"Well--- that works too... heh... heh..."

"Are you...?"

Lucia stared at Kaito blankly, wondering what he meant. "Am I... what?"

"Are you wearing that bracelet everyday too?"

"Oh!" Lucia blushed once more and gave a quick nod. "Of course! I think it's the best-ever bracelet I've ever had!" As she continued to giggle to keep herself from getting nervous, thoughts began to appear in her mind. I wonder why Kaito asked that question if I'm going to wear this bracelet everyday... I mean, if you think about it, it's like... wedding rings... where both husband and wife must always wear their rings at all times to show to the world that they're married... Oh man... what would people think if they see us with matching competition bracelets? They would seriously think that something special is going on between us... maybe some skeptics would even think that we're engaged to be married! Oh man, I can't believe I'm thinking about this! What if I'm dreaming right now and I wouldn't wake up, just because this moment is just wonderful.

"Yo... are you okay?" Immediately Lucia snapped out of her inner thoughts and faced the boy sitting across from her.

"Uh... yeah! I'm fine..."

"You got all quiet and all that. Something in your mind?"

Lucia almost jumped off to her seat and became weary. "I... well... yeah... but... nothing for you to worry about!" She smiled nervously at the concerned Kaito, knowing the boy would not buying her reaction.

"No need to be shy, Lucia. You can talk to me about it. You can talk to me about anything."

"Well..." Lucia began to ponder on how she was going to answer him. She knew that one of these days that she would have to let him know her true feelings for him. This moment was perfect for that chance, however, there was still something else that was preventing her from confessing. "I... I was thinking about what happened earlier with Michal..." Darnit, Lucia! You're supposed to tell him that you're in love with him!

Kaito sighed deeply and slightly lowered his head. "I already told you... don't think about what happened earlier."

"I'm not jealous or angry, Kaito. I'm actually worried about Michal." The boy slowly lifted his head towards her, letting her know that she was open to talk to him. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Michal has feelings for you too. It's like... an epidemic."

"Well," Kaito slightly chuckled at the thought. "Unfortunately, there's so many girls and there's one of me. I can only love just one, you know."

Lucia nodded, still keeping her cool composure without being too obvious. "I think Michal just needed some company, that's all. I mean, I don't know a lot about her family but..."

"It's one major disadvantage of being one of the wealthiest families in the world. You're so busy maintaining your riches that you end up forgetting the most important things in life. Family is one major important thing in a person's life. I don't know much about his parents either, but I do know they were my parents' friends as well--- in the elite world of Nijibe, that is."

"Maybe... well, maybe what Michal feels for you isn't true love. From the way she reacted at me... it was more of like... infatuation."

"Tell me about it." Kaito turned his head towards the window of the ferris wheel cabin, gazing at the dark starry sky, and continued. "I'm honored Rihito trusted me in keeping Michal company ever since childhood, but then as we grew up... she tried to change me in to someone I'm not. It's like I can never be myself whenever I'm with her--- or with any other girl."

"Any other girl?" Lucia wondered what he meant by that latter statement and swallowed nervously. "What do you mean...?"

"You know... those one-week girlfriends."

She nodded along and answered. "You're a good, kindhearted person, Kaito, when you want to be... that I know. It doesn't matter if you're the most popular boy in school or if you're the biggest loser... You're not afraid to be yourself if you're with someone you actually like. Sometimes it makes me wonder why all these girls who claim that you're their destiny... have expectations of you... aside from being true and always shower them with your love... I thought they declare that they love you because of who you are..."

"Thanks, Lucia." Kaito responded with a small smile on his face. "I really appreciate that."

"You're always welcome, you know!" Lucia gave a huge grin, followed by a soft chuckle. Right at that moment as Kaito gazed at the giggling Lucia, something else struck within him. He felt as if her facial expression was a lot more familiar than he thought. It was not from the first time they were put in the same class two years ago, but it was the type of gesture he remembered seeing and enjoying during his childhood.

"Lucia?"

The blonde girl stopped her giggling and gazed right back at him. "What is it, Kaito?"

"Well, you see... it's just that..." Kaito quickly cleared his throat and continued on. "I know we just started talking to each other for two months... but I've always had this feeling that we've known each other longer than just two months. I feel that we've met--- and spoke--- to each other in the past life or something..."

"Kaito... um... you know... I... feel... the... same way... about you too..."

Kaito quickly turned his head away, knowing that he could feel the slight blushing on his face. "I guess... maybe it didn't work out with the other girls I dated because... I guess... I've been waiting for someone like you to appear in my life."

Lucia also did the same, turning her head the opposite direction, gazing through the window. Well, Kaito... I've been waiting for you my entire life... "Thank you... I'm glad that I was able to come in to your life... I guess it's all fate's doing, you know?"

"Yeah. I guess." The two fell silent again, gazing through the windows with their backs at each other. Both were thinking of other things to talk about, but aside from the usual surfing and the tournament, they ran out of things to say with the exception of one thing.

"Kaito?" Lucia was the first to break the silence, now with her head turned to him.

"Yeah?" Kaito turned his head in response. "What?"

"You know... um... I've been... thinking... about... what's gonna happen after the tournament? I know we go back to school and all... but... with those popular kids that you Rainbowside surfer dudes associate with will be back... and then it'd be the same all over again. Rina and Masahiro are officially a couple now, but will they still be a couple once they're at school now?"

Kaito somehow sighed heavily in relief and answered: "What kind of a question is that? That was like the same question you asked me long time ago... about this stupid summer friendship thing you're babbling about. Masahiro always liked Rina from the beginning. Sure, he's like two years older than Rina, but I gotta admit he'd be the most mature boyfriend around. Why on earth would he just stop dating Rina just because they're back in school? He loves her... and I'm pretty sure she feels the same way for him." There was a pause for a few seconds, then he continued. "Then again, that makes me wonder. I'm wondering if Rina Touin will be showing up in school with the girls' uniform on since she's more of a lover than a fighter now..."

Lucia giggled right away. "You silly! Rina will always be Rina. I always say, Rina has the right to be who she wants to be as long as she stays true to herself! She still is one of my best friends, even if she's in love right now. Same with Hanon--- except she's not in love..."

"Lucia... it'd be really nice if we're in the same homeroom class again, which I'm pretty sure we will be." Kaito answered with a slight smile on his face. "What I'm trying to say is... I hope the seating arrangements change... so I can be closer to you instead of getting annoyed by Hanon sitting in front of me the last time."

"You're so mean, Kaito!" Lucia continued to laugh on. "But Hanon is a really good friend though."

"Lucia, this is coming from the guy who went out with her for a week. Her mouth is a lot more active than her heart. Who would survive life with a girlfriend with a motormouth? Seriously!"

"I can't answer that, Kaito. I'm not a guy, you know. But you know, not everyone is the same no matter how you look at it. The only problem is that every person wants to be someone they're not... just so they can be closer... or to have connections... to someone they've admired for a long time."

Kaito shrugged his arms. "I guess you got a point there."

The two ended the subject with chuckle, followed by another silence. Few moments later, Kaito shook his head and cleared his throat. Then, he began to break the silence again. "Lucia... there's... something I want to tell you."

Lucia's eyes brightened from out of the blue and lent her open ear. "What is it?"

"Look... I've been thinking about this for awhile, but I think... I... we... should..." Just as the surfer boy was to finish his statement, they felt the ferris wheel stopped. Both turned to the windows and saw the face of the ferris wheel operator, opening the cabin door. "Oh man..."

"Well then--- enjoyed the ride?" The operator greeted them as he helped Lucia down first.

"Very much. Thank you!" Lucia answered respectfully as the operator aided Kaito down to the ground afterwards. Kaito thanked the operator as the two walked out to the festival booths.

"Well... that was a waste of time..." Kaito said with a disappointed frown on his face.

"What do you mean? That was an enjoyable, relaxing ride!" Lucia responded with glee on her face.

"Well... that wasn't the reason why I wanted to ride that thing with you. I wanted to talk to you... well... I wanted to tell you what I planned... just before we touched the ground. But... I guess it can wait."

"We talk too much then..." Lucia answered with a soft chuckle. Kaito checked the time of his cellphone again.

"We got fifteen more minutes until ten-thirty. How about we get some souvenirs?"

"Souvenirs? But we don't need them--- all of Nijibe always come to the festival every summer! It's not like we're out of towners or something..."

"I mean--- that souvenir." Kaito pointed his finger at a nearby photo booth where the last couple just exited.

"Oh.... that souvenir!" Lucia chuckled. "I can't believe I never thought of seeing a purikura in the festival at all."

"Well? Let's go then." Kaito smiled and took her by the hand, leading her to the photo booth. With the controls outside, the two took out their wallets and realized that both intended to pay for the sticker picture souvenirs.

"Oh... uh..."

"You already paid for the food earlier. I'll pay this time."

Lucia shrugged. "Alright then. Suit yourself."

Kaito inserted a few coins in the booth as the screen accepted the payment. The two went inside the booth, where the screen in front of them gave some choices of graphic frames for their pictures. Many of them were rather cute and appealing to Lucia, but adding them to hers and Kaito's faces together did not suit them. "Man... you know, photo booths should be co-ed!" She complained with a frown on her face. "I mean, I think all of these frames look really cute but they don't look good with you. We need something more macho, you know?"

"You're a weirdo, you know that?" Kaito chuckled. "You and macho don't mix either. Here, I'll look for the frame." He began to browse through the frames when he spotted something that looks co-ed. "Well, what do you know..."

"What?" Lucia wondered and stared at the screen. "What are you looking at?"

"I like this one." Kaito pointed to a graphic where it had an ocean at the front and right behind it were a white moon, dark sky, bright stars, gray mountains, but most of all, an open stone cave.

No... way... Lucia's eyes batted in a startle with her mind beginning to reminisce the first time they met, spoke, and sang together during their childhood years seven years ago. But before she end up going out of control with her emotions, she replied instead: "Me too. I like this one. It's like... home... you know?"

"Yeah. Home." Kaito chose the particular frame and background as Lucia wrote something on the screen. Once she was finished, Kaito stared at the writing. "K & L? Girl, I think whoever we give these sticker pics to would obviously know that it's us?"

"I know, but as we grow older and then people reminisce of their younger days and they find a sticker picture of us, at least they'll remember our names!" Lucia made a quick excuse, knowing that was not the reason why she wrote that at the lower right corner.

Kaito still looked rather suspicious. "Right... like K & L is going to help them remember our names."

"Well, they should because K and L are right next to each other when you recite the alphabet! You know... A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L...?"

"Yeah, whatever." Kaito shrugged as he pressed the button to have the machine take three poses of themselves. "Okay... this thing's going to take a picture of us three times since that's how much I paid for."

"Cool!" Lucia cheered excitedly. "I know! Let's look normal when we take the first two pics, then we can do a whack shot at the end!"

"What the hell is a whack shot?"

"You know... uhh... freestyle?"

"You could've just said freestyle instead of whack shot, Lucia. I don't even know what the hell a whack shot is!"

"Oh shut up already, Kaito! The machine's already making the countdown!"

After their three shots were completed, six copies--- two sheets per pose--- printed right outside the booth. Kaito took the prints and gave the second set to Lucia. "Wow! I... I think we look pretty good together in these shots--- especially the whack--- freestyle pose!"

"Er, I dunno... you looking like you're going to punch the camera with your tongue sticking out kinda scares me..."

"Well, that's what freestyle shots are for--- to look weird! I learned that from Hippo thanks to his photography classes, you know? And don't be mean! You don't look as weird!"

"Eh, whatever." The two made their way back to the booths again where they encounter Nicola and two younger girls with her. One of them was wearing a baseball cap and looking slightly pale.

"Well!" Nicola smirked at his sister and the surfer boy. "You came from the photo booth, did you?"

"Yup!" Lucia answered quickly. "Where are you going?"

"Same place where you were earlier, of course." Nicola answered with a smile. "Oh, by the way. These two girls are my new friends. This is Mamie and Momoko Matsumura. Hippo met them online through the Surfer Styles message board. Apparently, they're... they're Cole Seahart fans, especially this little one here."

"Oh! Nice to meet you!" Lucia responded and offered a handshake. "I'm Lucia---"

"You're Co—- Nicola's sister!" The leukemia-diagnosed, baseball cap-donning twelve-year-old Momoko Matsumura immediately answered. "I can tell because you and Nicola have the same eyes."

"We do?" Lucia chuckled. "I never noticed!"

Nicola shrugged. "I never noticed either. Well... um...this is Lucia and her friend, Kai---"

"The kahuna of Nijibe--- Kaito Doumoto!" Momoko answered again with a thumbs up. Kaito gave a slight smile as the two hi-fived.

"You know me!" Kaito chuckled.

"Dude! Any hardcore Nijibe surf scene fan knows you, Mr. D!" Momoko answered with a grin on her face.

"Well... Momoko is a major surfing fan, Mr. Doumoto..." Mamie answered with a grin. "She knows more about the sport and who's who than I am..."

"The sisters get to come with us to the S-Cube. They're special guests." Nicola noted to the two of their presence. "I just want little Momoko to enjoy her life at this moment as much as she can before she deteriorates..."

Both Kaito and Lucia reacted with worried expressions on their faces. "What's wrong with Momoko?" Lucia asked curiously.

Momoko stood in front of Nicola and older sister Mamie and answered confidently. "I'm terminally ill, Miss Lucia, but you know what, I'm feeling good right now. Of course, I'd feel super-extra good if the hospital would find me some dude or dudette who wouldn't mind lending a bit of their marrow stuff that matches mine. Then I'll be free from this dreaded disease... but it's not easy, you know?" She gazed up at the night sky and simply smiled. "No matter what God decides for me, I did pray to him to give me a few more years so I can hang out with the surfers and maybe when I'm healthy enough that I'd learn how to surf. At least I get to enjoy the first annual tournament before I go, you know?"

"You have Leukemia." Kaito identified the disease and sighed. "Well, that explains the baseball cap on your head."

"Yup. That would be it." Momoko nodded along as Mamie broke in to tears again. Nicola embraced the older sister as the younger girl continued. "Co--- Nicola--- called the local bone marrow foundation and they agreed to set up a bone marrow donor sign ups and stuff--- and all of these... just for me..."

Nicola continued to comfort Mamie as she answered. "Momoko has a lot of goals in life if she were living a normal, healthy life right now. She wants to be the next Gorgeous Gidget of Nijibe one day, you know?"

Lucia also felt the sadness within her and answered. "I'll donate! I'll be the first to sign!"

"Lucia, you have to be eighteen or older to donate," Kaito reminded her immediately. "And with you being all frail and stuff I don't think you're the right candidate."

"What? Who says anything about me looking frail?" Lucia frowned, glaring at Kaito. "Every other girl I know of back in school says I'm fat!"

"Well, for us dudes, we consider your size frail... healthy, but you're not that stocky."

Lucia sighed and lowered her head. "I guess I'll have to eat more..."

Momoko nodded, giggling. "Thanks for the thought though, Miss Lucia! One day when you turn eighteen, at least you signing up to donate would definitely help save someone else's life. It may not be me, but someone who deserves to live longer."

"Well then!" Nicola interrupted immediately as she placed her hand on Momoko's shoulder. "Shall we take our pictures now?"

"Yeah!" Momoko cheered and noticed Mamie crying again. "Oh for heaven's sake, Mamie, stop that! We're at the fair! It's not like I'm gonna die soon--- I mean my leukemia isn't the worst kind and I just got diagnosed with it a few weeks ago. The doctor said it's possible that I get to live up to 20 more years with chemo and all that other medication stuff, but you know... I'd rather die of old age instead of leukemia."

"I'm sorry, Momoko... I just can't help it. I'll stop now." Mamie wiped off her tears and a smile appeared.

"Now come on, Sis! Let's take pictures!" Momoko held her sister by the hand and turned to Lucia and Kaito. "It's really awesome to meet you guys! See you later!"

"Bye!" Lucia waved at the three as Kaito remained smiling as he also waved. She turned to Kaito and sighed deeply as they made their way back to the parking lot where the bus converter was waiting for them. "Man... she's like... a few years younger than us and she's got that very strong aura within her... like she's not afraid to face death!"

"Your sister was right, you know." Kaito said with a smile on his face. "That kid would be an ideal Gorgeous Gidget. Girls like Momoko would be the ideal Rainbowside surfer girl if I were the one to pick."

"Yeah." Lucia nodded. "But you know, I think Momoko deserves to live long and die of old age instead of that sickness she's got. I wish there would be a lot of people who would sign up to donate."

"The tournament would be the best place to get donors." Kaito made his statement. "There will be people from all around the region who will be coming to this tournament, so Nijibe isn't the only town who will have a chance to donate. I'd be happy to sign up if I were only eighteen, but like you, I'm not qualified."

"Nicola will donate!" Lucia cheered. "Taro too--- and Rihito as well! And probably Coco and the Lake Twins too! Maybe Maki as well..."

"Well, let's just do whatever we can to support terminally ill patients like Momoko so they can have a chance to be part of the surf scenes, for example. I can tell through her eyes that she's got the drive to be a surfer one day."

"Right, Kaito!"

The two reached the parking lot, where some of the team members were already waiting. Hanon was the first to stop them and ran to them. "What's this?" Hanon shrieked with suspicion on her face.

"What's... what?" Lucia asked curiously.

"Kaito, why aren't you holding Lucia's hand, huh? I mean, you two should have confessed to each other already and you come back all being buddy-buddy and that? A lot are disappointed with both of you..." Hanon crossed her arms, shaking her head at the same time. Lucia found herself blushing in embarrassment and covered her face to hide herself.

"Uh, Hanon, I think you're mistaking Lucia and me for Rina and Masahiro. Remember, they're Kaikane and Leolani, right?" Kaito snickered in response.

"What on earth? Why are you taking this so lightly, especially when you're with---" Lucia shook her head and quickly covered Hanon's mouth.

"Uh... I think we're all tired and we all need sleep already... heh..." Lucia chuckled nervously, grinning right at Kaito.

Kaito shrugged. "Yeah. I'm beat, man. I think I'm gonna take a nap at the bedroom inside." Right then, he headed inside to lie down in the bed inside.

Lucia removed her mouth and glared at Hanon. "Hanon, you're supposed to keep quiet about my feelings for him! You almost ratted it out to him! Okay, so nothing really much happened at the fair, but we all had fun."

"Ugh... you know, it's all that girl Michal's fault. I heard from Rihito earlier today and she ruined your romantic mood! Ugh!"

"Hanon..." Lucia sighed. "Just let it go. Kaito and I had fun regardless, but I guess the one up above decided that tonight's not the right time for us. Let's all take a rest, okay? I'm gonna lie down a bit at the couch inside." She patted Hanon on the shoulder and went inside the bus converter, where she lied down on the sofa, resting.

"What--- what is wrong with you people?" Hanon shrieked, looking a lot more upset than ever. "Doesn't anyone want to fall in love anymore?!"

---

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is © 2003 Pink Hanamori and Michiko Yokote. All songs used are © respected songwriters/owners. No copyright infringement intended.

RATED T for the VERY mild language and slight adult situations.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

[CALLING ALL FELLOW MMPPP FANFIC WRITERS, READERS, & GENERAL MMPPP FANS!!] Come and join my brand-new MMPPP fan community message board called Pearl Waters. The URL is pearlwaters(dot)cambribus-magister(dot)net. Any fanfic discussion, even discussion for Ride the Wild Surf fanfic, are all located there. It's kind of very quiet there and would really love to have some activity going on there. Bring your friends along, whether if they're MMPPP fans or simply want to join and meet new friends (while you keep your current ones) ^_^

#1 – Surfing Magazine and Surfer Magazine – two of the major (U.S.-based) magazines published around the world dedicated to the sport of surfing and occasionally skateboarding and snowboarding.

#2 – Kuromi Sisters – Kuromi (黒美) literally translates as "black beauty." 'Nuff said.

#3 – Hibiscus – If you recall the anime version of MMPPP, it's the flower Kaito and his dudes painted on the pink surfboard that was supposed to be his birthday gift for Lucia. After the devastating fire that destroyed the surfboard, he gave her a miniature keychain version of the surfboard--- hibiscus flower and all. In real life facts, it's the flower you would normally see on tropical areas on the world and "islander" women (from Hawaiians, Filipinos, Polynesians, etc.) wear on their ears. If you're Filipino, we have another name for this flower--- Gumamela.

#4 – Plumeria – a tropical flower commonly used to make leis in Hawaii and in other Polynesian islands. The flower is also known for its very sweet smell, which was also used as a main ingredient to make cologne, perfume, scented body sprays, etc. Plumerias come in different colors, but yellow-white is the most common.

#4 – Flowers on the Ears – In Hawaii and in other Polynesian islands, women wear a flower on their ears to indicate their marital status. If a woman wears a flower on her right ear, it indicates that she is single and looking. If a woman wears a flower on her left ear, it indicates that she is married or taken (ie., she has a boyfriend or a fiance).

#5 – Puka Shell – If you live in Hawaii or anywhere near tropical-esque beaches, you should know what this is. This is the top part of small cone shells that has a hole at the center. They are collected from the beaches where the ocean sweeps them forward and are used to create jewelry. You can find them anywhere at low, affordable wholesale prices.

#6 – High Striker – also known as "strength test" or "strongman game." It's those "bell towers" where a person (usually male) is being tested to see how strong he is by slapping a rubber stump at the bottom with a mallet or hammer with all their might in order to give force to the puck that is raised to hit the bell at the top. High strikers exist around the world in fairs, festivals, carousel parks, and amusement parks, including Japan.

#7 – Itadakimasu! - "I'm eating now! Thank you for this food!" Every Japanese would always say this expression before they take their first bite of their meal. It all applies to all meals--- breakfast, lunch, in-between snacks, dinner, and midnight snacks. You know the deal. I neglected mentioning this part in the past chapters, simply because it wasn't that important to mention anyway. But in case you Japanese buffs begin to complain, here it is.

#8 – Purikura – It's what the Japanese call the photo booth. Sticker photo booths included.