"There's only one thing more precious than our time and that's who spend it on"- Leo Christopher

I woke up late. It was almost noon when I got out of bed.

My name is Smith Kaito, Kaito Smith. I was in an accident. I lost my left hand and lower left leg. My parents are Johnathan Smith and Harumi Yamamoto. I live at Yamaku Academy. I made a friend. Her name is Hanako.

I heard lots of noise outside my window. Looking out, I saw crowds of people milling around the courtyard. The festival was today.

Emerging from my room, I saw Hisao talking to Kenji.

"Hi" I walked over to them.

"Who's that?" Kenji asked, his head jerking in my direction.

"It's just Kaito" Hisao explained.

"Have you seen all the people outside?" I asked them

"Yeah," Hisao nodded "Guess the festival's in full swing"

"They're everywhere. People, outside my window. Socialising!" Kenji seemed to ramble. He rubbed his temples, suddenly looking very ill. "It's going to be so loud now. I was going to go out, but now it's ruined, it's all ruined!"

Now he was starting to stress me out.

"You should have told me man!" he said to Hisao, his voice's volume getting louder with every word "I couldn't even brace myself and now it's here and I can't do anything about it. I mean, I could have known earlier! Imagine what I could have accomplished!"

"Sorry" Hisao said "I thought you knew. So I guess you're not going to do anything today? You should check the festival out, at least"

"I don't know" I spoke up "I don't really like big crowds"

"Neither do I!" Kenji groaned "I can't do it! They'll eat me alive out there!"

"Come on guys," Hisao said "We all worked on that class project together. I know I want to at least check that one out, and chat with Lilly I guess"

I shrugged "Okay, I guess"

"Are you crazy?" Kenji yelled, shocking my ears "That blind broad is up to no good; I can feel it in my spleen, guys. Her presence is like a dark shadow that's in the way of great vision. As expected of blind people"

What?

"What?" Hisao voiced my confusion.

"Aren't you blind?" I asked him.

"Only legally" he insisted. I wasn't sure that was a major difference but I wasn't willing to argue the point "Metaphorically, I can see further than any other man. I can see the future of makind, and it's a dark one unless the threat of women is stifled"

"But women are great" I argued. Hisao stifled a laugh there. Not sure why.

"And that is why you are doomed" Kenji said "I'm going to have to find someplace to hide in, a safe haven. And then I'll have to knock myself out so that I don't have to experience this horrible day" And with that, he closed the door in our faces.

So Hisao and I went outside into the festival. The food was... meh, but at least it was cheap. There were people that weren't from the school, ranging from toddlers to the elderly.

I wiped my brow with the back of my hand "It's warm"

"Yeah," Hisao agreed with a sigh "Better keep moving before we cook"

So we kept walking. Eventually we came across the sight of a familiar banner with a blue patterned border and red text.

"There!" I pointed.

Hisao followed my finger and smiled "Good job"

We walked up to the stall, taking in all of the sight. No wonder Lilly was run so ragged organising it all. It was twice the size of other stalls, practically a small restaurant.

We go up to the counter, where we met a girl I did not recognise. She looked pretty stressed out, but was soon replaced by Lilly, who calmed her and took her place "Sorry about that," she said "We're having a few problems. What would you like?"

"Um...How about some miso soup?" Hisao asked

"Chicken, please?" I asked

Lilly's eyes opened with realisation "Ah, is that Hisao? And Kaito?"

"Yep" Hisao nodded "You're looking pretty busy"

Lilly's face seemed to deflate "Somwhere along the line, our order got mixed up. We're trying to fix it now, but it looks like we only have half of what we needed"

"Wouldn't serving smaller portions cover over the problem?" Hisao wondered

"We may have to, though I wish we didn't. The fact that a good half of our class is gone doesn't help, either. Our teacher had to leave, to see if she can't round up a few more of our classmates to help"

I looked behind Hisao and myself, a queue was forming. Ruffling through my pocket, I pulled out enough money to pay for both Hisao and I "Some money for the soup"

"Soup..." Lilly seemed confused for a moment before realising that was her job "Oh right, coming right up" She calls for a bowl of miso soup and chicken soup as I hand her the money. Satisfied, Lilly placed the money away as our soups were handed to us. We both say "Thanks", promising to bring the bowls back.

"Thank you" she said "Oh, one other thing. Have either of you seen Hanako?"

"Hanako?" I repeated

"Not today" Hisao answered "Why?"

Lilly sighed "It's okay. I was just wondering what she was doing for the festival. You'll come back when you're done?"

We both nodded "Yes" "We'll be sure to keep an eye out for Hanako" I added

"Thank you, Kaito"

We went off and found a place to have our soup.

"This isn't that bad" Hisao noted. I assumed he was referring to the soup.

I nodded with a mouthful of chicken "M-Hmph"

"Still kinda feel bad that I didn't do more to help out with the festival"

I shrugged "It's okay. I mean, what could we do? We only got here"

"I suppose you're right" he sighed.

We finished our soup and returned the bowls. Lilly's teacher seemed to have gotten the extra students, although that didn't seem to make Lilly less stressed.

"Hey Lilly" Hisao said "What to go see more of the festival?"

Lilly puffed her cheeks disapprovingly "I can't see"

Hisao's face went pale "Sorry, I-"

She giggled. I guess she was teasing "You're still not used to the school, are you? I'm sorry, but I need to stay with the stall"

That seemed fair, although Hisao seemed to be pretty insistant "Everything seems to be running fine now, though. Besides, you've got more help now, right?"

"Go on, Lils" said one of the boys standing behind the stall. One of Lilly's classmates I guessed "You've earned a break. We can hold down the fort for now"

Lilly sighed "If you're sure..."

She moved her way out from the behind the stall, cane in hand.

My thoughts went to Hanako. She was probably feeling lonely, and I was guessing Lilly was worried about her.

"I'll go find Hanako" I spoke up "You guys enjoy the festival"

Lilly's brow furrowed "Are you sure. We can all go looking for Hanako"

"You'd miss out. Go on. I never liked large crowds anyways. This place just stresses me out"

"Come on, Lilly" Hisao seemed like he agreed with me "You've earned some time to enjoy yourself"

Lilly seemed to ponder it for a moment before sighing "Okay. Tell her I asked for her, okay?"

I nodded "Sure" and went on my way. I knew where I'd find her.

As I had imagined, I found her in the library.

"Hi, Hanako" I greeted her with a warm smile.

Her face was one of surprise as she peeked at me from over her book "K-Kaito?"

"Yep. Wanted to find you. Lilly was asking for you too"

"Oh. Do you want to sit down?"

"Actually," I said, feeling my stomach growl despite my recent soup "I'm feeling kinda hungry. Want to go get some food?"

Hanako shuffled uncomfortably in her beanbag "Um...I...I brought some food so..."

"Okay" I nodded "Tea room? No one's there"

She nodded "S-Sure. Let's go" She swiftly put her book away and rose to her feet.

"Good to go?"

She nodded

"Great"

And we were off, walking side-by-side. The whole hallway seemed devoid of life. As was to be expected, everyone was at the festival.

Hanako held her bag in both hands, staring only at the ground in front of her. Her pace was uneven, every now and then taking short steps then long steps. I looked at her feet: she was only stepping on the darker tiles.

"What are you doing?" I asked

She stopped abruptly and looked at me "W-What?"

"You're only stepping on the dark ones" I noted

She blushed a little "It's uh...It's a...a game"

"A game?"

"Sometimes...when there's no one around...I only step on the darker ones"

I smiled "Cool. I thought I was the only one that noticed"

"Noticed what?"

"The tiles being different colours. It was driving me mad"

She smiled at that. I found myself smiling too "Let's keep moving"

We kept walking along, I was starting to do the game as well, feet bouncing from tile to tile. I think Hanako saw me doing so. I think she was smiling.

It was a bit noisier in the tea room than I was expecting, but there was a nice breeze coming from through the window, so didn't mind as much.

"Do...Would you like some tea?" Hanako asked

I nodded "Yes please"

I watched as she made the tea, arranging some sandwiches onto a plate for good measure. She looked...calm, which I think was a first.

As she poured a couple of cups of tea, I sais "I like it here. It's quiet"

"I...I like it too" she responded "It's like the world has forgotten this room, and b-because of that, you can forget about the outside"

I nodded. I think I understood. No one ever seemed to talk to her besides Lilly. Having a little haven to call your own must have had a certain appeal.

"Do you...Do you play chess?" she asked me out of the blue.

"Western chess?"

She nodded "Yes"

I nodded to her question "A little. I haven't played for a while though. Do you?"

"A little..." Hanako moved to the cupboard and dug out a small chess set "Do...Do you want..."

"Okay" I said brightly. I really liked chess.

It didn't take long for us to set up the board, and before long we were playing. The rules and memories came to me while I played, resurfacing as I repeated age-old tactics on the little wooden board. It was a long game, with many losses on both sides. But eventually, the game came to it's end.

"Checkmate" I said, having truly well cornered Hanako's king "That was fun. You play pretty good" I was being honest as well. She played well, if a little amateurish.

Hanako gave a small smile "Thanks"

"Does Lilly play?"

"A...A bit..." she says "T-This is the first time I've played against someone...other than her, or..." she stopped talking for some reason. I wanted to know what she was going to say, but I was afraid I'd ruin the moment.

"Well, this was nice" I said instead "It was good playing with you"

Her eyes looked back to me, her smile returned "Um...Can we play again?"

"Sure" I smiled

We were setting up the pieces when there was a noise at the door. It was Lilly and Hisao

"Good afternoon" Lilly said

"Hey, guys" Hisao nodded

"Hi" I said without looking, going back to setting the chess pieces.

Hanako didn't. She just sat there and smiled "Lilly..."

"We decided we wanted to see how you were" Lilly claimed "Have you been here since you left, Kaito?"

"Pretty much," I shrugged "We were playing chess"

"Who won?" Hisao asked

"I did" I said before realising that might have sounded a bit boastful "But...It was pretty close"

"K-Kaito was the better player" Hanako chimed in "Would you like some tea?"

"Actually," Lilly replied "I think it might be a good idea to go outside"

Hanako's smile dropped off her face like a stone. Her eyes seemed to widen just ever so slightly.

"Can't we stay here?" I asked. I didn't really want to go back to the festival either.

"It's crowded here" Lilly said "I was thinking the four of us should leave the school and head to the local teahouse"

Hisao turned to look at her "Oh, you mean that place where I met you and..."

"The S-Shanghai?" Hanako spoke

"Of course" Lilly nodded "With everyone at the festival it should be practically empty"

Hisao nodded. I seemed to be the only one who didn't know what was going on "Shanghai?"

"It's a teahouse not that far from the school" Hisao explained "I ran into Lilly once there, it's quite nice"

"Hanako and I go to it every so often" Lilly added.

Well, if they kept going back to it then I guess it couldn't be too bad. "Okay"

"I think it'll be nice" Hanako said quietly "If it's the Shanghai"

"Well then, it's settled. Let's be on our way" Lilly nodded

Hanako and I rose from the table and left with the pair. As we walked through the gates of the school and down towards the town, Hisao spoke "It's weird. I would have thought people would have started to leave by now"

"They're probably here to view the fireworks" Lilly suggested

"Fireworks?" I asked

She nodded in confirmation "Yes, apparently the school puts on quite a show. A lot of people come from town just to watch them"

As we walk down the hill, Hanako clings to Lilly's side. She barely utters a word or move her gaze from the ground in front of her. Lilly on the other hand looks as calm as ever.

I couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable outside the school grounds. Inside the school, everyone was "special" which made everyone seem normal by comparison. Outside, you're a not-normal person in the normal world. Even the uniform kind of marked us as unusual. I felt as though people were staring when I wasn't looking, trying to figure out what was wrong with us, if it wasn't already obvious.

Eventually, we arrived at the Shanghai. From outside, it seemed fairly normal. Inside, it looked a bit more old-fashioned, crafted from timber and paper from the looks of it. It was practically empty.

"No one's here" I noted aloud "Are they closed?"

There was the sound of a chair falling over, then a familiar face shoots up from inside one of the booths.

"I wasn't asleep and welcome to the Shanghai!" it was Yuuko, dressed in some kind of waitress attire. I guess she had two jobs then. Sounded like some kind of hellish punishment.

"Oh, Lilly? Hisao? Kaito? And Hanako?" she seemed surprised to see us "Welcome to the Shanghai!" she bows, causing her glasses to fall off. Hisao was quick to pick them up for her however. "Thank you. Shall I show you to your table? There's no one else here so you can choose your table and order whatever you like, but there may be a delay as I will have to make it myself"

"It's alright, Yuuko" Lilly said in a calming voice "Just a pot of black tea and a plate of sandwiches will be fine"

"Right" Yuuko said brightly "I'll get right on that!" She ran through the back door to get to work, only to pop her head back through "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please, sit wherever you'd like! I'll be right back!"

Hisao lead Lilly to the nearest booth, Hanako and I following close behind them. As we sat down, I realised why Hanako liked the place: It was quiet, and the high-backed booths meant that you were quite, well, hidden away when you were seated. The seats were comfy too.

"So, Kaito," Lilly spoke "I didn't know you played chess"

"Well," I shrugged "I'm not very good, but I can play. My dad's uh, well, British. He um... taught me the basics"

"You're half-British?" Hisao asked

I nodded. It was easier saying that than my dad's explanation of his bloodline: How he had a Scottish father, Welsh mother and ancestors that went back to Ireland and Canada. "Haven't played since I came" I said "Felt good"

"Y...Yes" Hanako seemed to agree "It did" She fidgeted with her hair a little, but I saw a little smile on her face as well.

Yuuko came clattering along with our order, looking completely overwhelmed. Hisao offered her a hand, but she seemed determined to do the job herself. She did manage to set the serving tray down, but it was with a little crash.

"Thank you, Yuuko" Lilly said with mild amusement.

Yuuko bowed, obviously pleased with herself "You're very welcome"

"Would you like to join us?" Lilly asked her "There's something else I'd like to discuss about that recent order, if I may"

"Ah...yes" she replied, awkwardly sitting at the table "We didn't get the chance to go through them, did we? I'll be in the library tomorrow afternoon if you'd like to try again..."

"That sounds perfect. I'll meet you there after classes"

"Um..." Hanako began to speak "L-Lilly..."

"Oh dear, that's right. Tomorrow is Monday" Lilly exclaimed "How could I forget?"

"What's with Monday?" I asked, feeling a little out of the loop

I was ignored, as Lilly continued to talk to Yuuko "Will you be in the library later in the week?"

"Hmm, maybe, but this is already overdue"

"There are some... things I n-need" Hanako said

Lilly sighed "This might be a problem..."

"What's Monday?" I asked again, slightly louder this time.

The three girls looked at me. It seemed I had finally gotten there attention "Maybe we can enlist the help of others, I wonder..." Lilly wondered aloud.

I was still hopelessly confused.

Hisao seemed to be as well "To do what? You lost me quite some time ago..."

Lilly answered his question, which in turn I guess answered my own question "Oh, of course. The other day I was helping Yuuko sort the new braille books in the library. But Hanako and I usually go shopping on Monday afternoons; it's quieter on that day than on weekends. Last week we couldn't go because I was busy with the festival. I managed to slip away later in the week, but Hanako couldn't make it"

"Kaito can help you out with shopping" Hisao volunteered on my behalf, giving me a shubtle nudge with his arm "Right man?"

I weighed up my options. If I said no, it would be rude. On the other hand, I didn't like shopping.

"Well..." I made sure to shoot Hisao a dirty look "If it's quiet, then I suppose it's okay"

"Excellent" Lilly smiled "Does that sound okay to you, Hanako?"

Hanako looked at me "I-If you wouldn't mind..."

I shrugged "It's okay"

"O-Okay"

Lilly smiled "Now that we have that arranged, shall we have some tea?"

Yuuko jolted to her feet "Sorry! That's my job! Let me just-"

Hisao reached up and grabbed Yuuko by the wrist "It's all right, I've got it" Probably a good idea. Yuuko would have probably spilled everything, she was that nervous "Since you've already made the tea and sandwiches, you've fulfiled your waitress duties, right?"

"I...I guess"

As Hisao served the tea and sandwiches, there was a loud BANG followed by a flash of light outside. I uttered a small curse in shock.

"Ah," Lilly said, her expression still fairly calm "I take it the show has started"

"Let's go watch!" Yuuko said excitedly, before realising who was sitting next to her "Oh... Sorry Lilly"

Lilly just shook her head with an amused smile "Please, don't miss the show on my account. From what I've heard, this isn't a bad location to watch them from"

Looking out the window, I saw that the firework show had started. The colours were a kaleidoscopic range of blues, greens and reds.

I looked at the others. Hanako had the largest smiled I ever seen on her face.

It was all beautiful. The lights, the colours, the smiles. All beautiful.

It took a full minute for everyone to snap out of their reverie, even after the firework show ended.

Hanako turned to me, a smaller, shy, by nonetheless pretty smile "Um, t-thanks for today... And tomorrow"

"You're welcome. I don't like crowds either. It's all... a bit much, don't you think? Easier to spend time away from it all"

"Y-Yeah"

We returned to our seat, and our meal. Our tea had gone cold, but it wasn't that bad, despite Yuuko's fretting.

We left not long after. The calm, quiet night a welcome change to the loud crowds of the day.

"Goodnight girls" Hisao said once we reached the dorms

"Night" I waved to Hanako "See you tomorrow"

The girls left, and I left for my room, and slept a long peacful slumber.

My name is Smith Kaito, Kaito Smith. I was in an accident. I lost my left hand and lower left leg. My parents are Johnathan Smith and Harumi Yamamoto. I live at Yamaku Academy. My friends are Hanako, Hisao and Lilly. I'm going shopping with Hanako tomorrow.

Life is good.