"So class, after your hard work on the exams the school is going to have another school festival. This time it will be held later at night. Female students are asked to wear a kimono. Lastly, bring your family." Ms. Urabe finished with a smile. A few of the students delightfully turned to their friends to discuss the festival. A few students, mostly boys, groaned. Miyu turned around and grinned at me.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked. She just laughed.
"Aren't you excited?" She asked, whispering. I shrugged my shoulders. I never usually went to school festivals. The last time I went to one was in my first year of middle school. Tadashi had dragged me along.
"I guess it'll be fun." I said. Miyu looked at me as if to say you're the craziest person I've ever met. I straightened my papers and stuck them inside my school bag. As I finished the school bell rang. All the other students shuffled out of the room. I took my time. After a minute or so I started to leave. Ms. Urabe stopped me.
"Oh Kitsune, can you help me with some of these papers?" She asked. I nodded my head. I picked up one stack of papers. "I need to bring these to the student council room."
She took the lead and I followed her like a shadow. We walked down a few hallways until we finally got there. I cradled the papers in one arm and opened the door for her. She set her stack down on the table then took mine and set it. She was actually quite pretty for a teacher. She had light brown hairs that barely went pass her shoulders, large hazel doe eyes, and rosy red cheeks. She didn't seem like the serious teacher type.
"Sensei." She looked at me curiously. It took me a moment to find my voice. "Why do you always act so serious?"
She answered me with a laugh. She picked up my pony tail and looked at the tips. My hair went from a reddish brown to black tips. "You known, I should dye your tips back to their natural color."
I laughed nervously. Of course she didn't know that this was my natural hair color. She lightly tugged my pony tail lightly and let it go. She motioned that I could leave.
" Oh and Kitsune. To answer your question, it's my job." She joked. I smiled slightly and walked out.


On the day of the festival Hatori helped me put my hair up, I had a lot of thick hair. With the money that I had saved up I bought a new kimono. It was a light blue with small floral designs on it. I clipped a blue hairpin onto my bangs.
"I can't wait to meet all of your friends." Hatori joked in his nonchalant voice. I stood up and we both walked out.
Hatori and I decided to walk to the festival. We walked side my side. My hands were folded by the center of my stomach. It was beautiful out tonight. In the distance I could see the glow of lanterns by my school. I walked a bit faster.
When we got to the fair my eyes widened at all the families that had come. Little girls wearing kimonos sat on top of either their father of older brother's shoulders. Students walked around introducing their parents and grandparents to their teachers. I lead Hatori inside
"Sohma-chan!" A familiar voice exclaimed. Miyu stood in front of Hatori and I with her mother. Miyu wore a pink kimono with a black design decorating it. "This is my mother, Hisoka Kobayashi.'
"Good evening, Kobayashi-san." I said while bowing down to her. I straightened my self and turned to Hatori. "This is my cousin, Hatori Sohma."
"Good evening, Sohma-san" Miyu bowed. She waved goodbye to me and walked away. Hatori and I walked further down and looked at all the little stands. I walked Hatori over to the delicious smelling crepe stand. He sighed and pet my head.
"What would you like?" The vendor asked. I looked over all the flavors.
"A chocolate crepe with a strawberry on top." I said. The man nodded his head and started to make my crepe. A familiar woman walked up to me. She had light brown hair with a blue ribbon as a head band, large doe eyes, and rosy cheeks.
"Good evening, Urabe-sensie." I greeted. She smiled. She look breathtakingly beautiful tonight. She wore a black kimono with pink cherry blossoms on it. She didn't like a teacher.
"Oh, hello Kitsune. Aren't you going to introduce me to this man?" She asked. I nodded my head.
"This is my cousin Hatori Sohma. He is currently my legal guardian." I said. To my surprise she bowed down to him.
"Hello Hatori-san. I am Ryuu Urabe. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said. The vendor tapped mt shoulder and handed me my crepe. I pulled out my wallet and gave the man 100 yen. Hatori smiled at her and nodded his head.
"The pleasure is all mine." Hatori replied. Ms. Urabe blushed. I licked my crepe to hold back my smile. It tasted delicious.
"Well, both of you have a wonderful evening. I'll see you in class on Monday, Kitsune." She said trying to recover from her embarrassment. She walked walked away. She, Ryuu, seemed to like Hatori. Now that I think of it her name meant dragon spirit. I smiled at the thought. I took a bite out of my crepe.
"What are you smiling about?" Hatori asked, though he sounded as if he could care less. I shook my head.
"Nothing." I lied. He looked at me skeptically.
"Can I have a bite of your crepe?" He asked. I nodded my head.
"Just not the strawberry." I replied. I handed him the crepe. He took a large bite out of it. At first I was hesitant to take another bite. I didn't want to share and indirect kiss with him. I bit the strawberry. I smiled slightly and walked further a head of Hatori. For the first time in a while I had a lot of fun.