• • •
August 1st.
Today was the day of the festival, and I was supposed to be meeting up with everyone soon. However, being me, I was running a bit late.
It's not my fault that I had trouble with my yukata. The one that Yuzu had picked out for me was beautiful, I couldn't deny that, but it was pain putting on. I mean, I had no clue what I was supposed to do with that obi…
Eventually, I did get it put on correctly.
The cotton felt smooth under my fingers, bringing a smile to my lips. I had to admit, this was probably the best yukata that I've ever worn.
The actual yukata was a soft purple color, almost pale lavender. All over the yukata were alternating black and white butterflies. They reminded me of the jigokucho back in the Soul Society… but Yuzu didn't know about them, so it was probably just a coincidence.
The obi was mostly black, with purple and white floral designs on it. There was actually a purple flower attached to the obi on the upper right side. Yuzu had also managed to find kanzashi, an intricate hair ornament, which matched. It was a tsumami kanzashi to be more precise; it contained folded pieces of fabric which imitated flowers. I messily put my hair up and pinned the kanzashi in place.
Of course, Yuzu had to make sure that I was authentic so she also bought a pair of thick black sandals that matched the yukata. Leave it to Yuzu to coordinate everything so perfectly. Although, she was the one that insisted that I wear a yukata; her and Karin were as well.
Besides, its tradition to wear yukata's to festivals. Right?
• • •
"Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late!" I exclaimed upon seeing the familiar group of my friends. After all, just how many random groups of people included:
A tall lanky tangerine haired guy, a mega tall Mexican guy, and a girl with really long auburn hair. I mean, Tatsuki, Mizuiro, and Keigo looked very normal and average compared to those three.
"Jun-Chan actually wore a yukata~!" Keigo shouted, about to throw himself at me until Ichigo grabbed the back of his shirt and threw him backwards. "So mean, Ichigo~!"
"Wait, where are your guy's kimonos?" I asked, furrowing my brows as I observed the modern street clothes that everyone else wore.
"It's not required for everyone to wear yukata's to the festival." Tatsuki explained, "Besides, it'd kinda be hard getting into a yukata with this broken arm."
"Ah! That's right!" I nodded, "But, why aren't you wearing a yukata Orihime?"
"I didn't know you were going to wear one! I would have if you would have told me!" Orihime pouted, "Why did you decide to wear one?"
"Well…" I tailed off, glaring at Ichigo.
"What are you glaring at me for?!" The strawberry interrupted scowling back.
"It was your sister that told me that I had to wear a yukata! She even picked the thing out!" I exclaimed, wildly waving my arms about. "I thought I didn't have a choice in the matter! I knew that I had to change into a different outfit for our performance later, but I didn't know we were allowed to wear normal clothes!"
"Yuzu probably wanted you to wear a yukata because her and Karin will be wearing them. They both go all out." Ichigo shrugged, looking away as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Gah, that's not fair!" I exclaimed, pouting and crossing my arms over my chest. "Not to mention that it took me forever to put this thing on successfully!"
"Well, you really look great." Mizuiro complimented me.
"Thank you, Mizuiro." I said, smiling at the dark haired guy. "And that tan really suits you. Did you have a nice time snorkeling?"
"Why are you so nice to him and not me?!" Keigo wailed, throwing salt at Mizuiro; why, well, I had no clue.
"Come on, Jun-Chan!" Orihime exclaimed, latching onto my arm and beaming down at me. "This is your first festival! You're gonna enjoy it to its fullest!"
Laughing, I allowed myself to be dragged around by the auburn haired girl. "Alright, let's go!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, walking after us to the festival.
I was actually surprised.
I don't think I'd ever seen something more…well, festive… in my entire life. Tons of people were flittering about, and many were wearing yukata's!
"Ha, see I bet you all feel out of place by not wearing yukata's!" I exclaimed, turning around to stick my tongue out at my group of friends behind me.
Many rolled their eyes but smiled nonetheless at my, for once, carefree attitude. I could feel most of their eyes on me for the first couple of minutes, but then I could slowly feel their gazes leaving my back. After all, it was easier to watch what was going on in our surroundings. It was so lively.
There were street vendors selling almost anything you could imagine; there were various types of food, from meals to snacks. There were also tons of different games; ranging from traditional to modern.
Orihime made sure that we tried tons of different kinds of foods. Some were good, and some weren't that great. But, all in all, it was pretty interesting.
Tatsuki and the guys wanted to play a few games, so I watched as they participated. It was hilarious watching Tatsuki try to play with her one broken arm. Keigo would also get worked up whenever he lost, so that was always something to laugh at.
"You having fun?" Ichigo asked, catching my attention.
"Actually, I really am." I said, smiling up at the strawberry. His cheeks tinted the slightest bit of pink, but I decided not to say anything. "It's really nice to have a break like this to relax before we leave."
"Yeah," Ichigo sighed, his cinnamon eyes drifting once more to my face. "You know you don't have to go. You weren't there when they took her away."
I rolled my eyes, before sternly looking at Ichigo. "Rukia's my best friend. I wouldn't abandon her. I won't leave her to be executed. Besides, I partially see it as my fault anyway."
"Stop, it's not your fault."
"Oh, but if you look at it the way I do, you'll see my side." I argued back, sticking my finger in the air. "I was supposed to bring Rukia back to the Soul Society when I first saw her. However, I listened to her and wound up staying here. If only I had taken her back before, I'm sure she wouldn't be waiting to be executed."
"It's not your fault." Ichigo sighed, softly closing his eyes. "She gave her powers to me. That's the rule she broke."
Softly sighing, I sadly shook my head. "Ichigo, it doesn't really matter whose fault this is. Either way, Rukia's still going to be executed. It's up to us to save her. We will save her."
"Right," He nodded, his intense gaze latched onto my one. "We're going to save her."
"No matter what," I added, grinning up at him.
"No matter what." Strawberry repeated, grinning down at me.
"Jun-Chan, come on! We have to hurry and get ready! They're gonna start the show soon!" Orihime announced running up to me and Ichigo and smiling. She grabbed my hand and tugged on it. "Sorry, Kurosaki-Kun, but I've got to borrow Jun-Chan for a bit."
"This is going to be so embarrassing…" I sighed, shaking my head. "But, as long as I'm not alone up there, I think I'll be fine."
"What are you guys doing anyway? I've only heard Jun complain about it for a while now." Ichigo asked, looking a bit curious.
"We're going to be singing!" Orihime proudly stated, beaming up at the tangerine head. "You have to come and watch us..! Tatsuki-Chan's singing backup for us. Sado-Kun and the others are coming to watch as well!"
Ichigo's eyes met mine for a split second before he turned to Orihime and nodded. "Sure, we'll be there."
"Great~!" Orihime cheered, lightly blushing.
"Alright, let's go ahead and get this show over with." I announced, this time tugging on Orihime's hand because she seemed frozen standing there and smiling at Ichigo. I waved at him as we left, Orihime copying my actions.
• • •
"Aw~!" Orihime cooed as I walked out from behind a curtained off space that they were using as a dressing room. "You look great!"
"We all match, Orihime." I pointed out, sighing. "That means we all look equally great."
"Of course!" Tatsuki smirked.
"You should just be glad that you get out of most of the dancing because of your broken arm." I pointed out, slightly glaring at Tatsuki.
"Right!" Tatsuki laughed, smirking at me. "So all I'll really be doing is singing the backup vocals for you guys."
Orihime nodded, beaming as she busied herself by readjusting the brown plaid bowtie that Tatsuki was wearing.
We were all wearing short brown plaid pleated skirts. We also had on plain white collared button up shirts, and that's where our similarities ended. Tatsuki wore the matching bowtie. Orihime had on a regular tie. I had the tie as well, but it was loosed and I left a few buttons undone.
"Well, I think we look like school girls." I announced, straightening out the few wrinkles that appeared on the shirt from when it was stored in our uniform bags.
"We're supposed to! I mean, I think it matches the song perfectly!" Orihime cooed, clasping her hands together. "I mean, 'Scandal' is probably the best song there is! I'm just so happy that we all agreed on something!"
I nodded, agreeing with Orihime on this one.
It was a miracle that all three of us could agree on one song. I mean, Orihime went for pop and happy songs. Tatsuki usually went for classical rock. I usually listened to alternative. But, we all liked the song 'Scandal' by Shojo S enough to perform it.
"Are you girls ready? You're scheduled to go on right after the other act finishes up." A woman said, walking up to us with a clipboard.
"Yes, I think we're ready." Orihime hesitantly replied, smiling at the worker.
"Alright, then wait for your cue and the music to start." She replied, giving us all a bright smile before walking off.
"Guys, I'm feeling a bit nervous." Orihime shakily said.
"What? You can't bail out on us now!" I exclaimed, eyes widening. "Besides, you've got this! I'm not even nervous yet; remember, I get terrible stage fright! Just think about all of our friends sitting out there waiting for us to perform! You don't want to let them down, right?" I asked, trying to comfort the nervous auburn haired girl; when, truth was, I was probably more nervous than any of them.
I had to put on a carefully set detached emotionless mask.
"Right!" Orihime nodded, her face setting into a determined expression.
"Yeah, we can do this, guys!" Tatsuki nodded, grinning at us. "I'd say group hug, but I can't because of this cast."
We grinned at each other, but that soon faded when we heard the announcer say our names and which song we were going to perform.
"Here we go guys!" Tatsuki said, nodding at all of us.
We heard the familiar guitar melody that started the song off, and we ran onstage. Just like Orihime instructed we had to wave to the crowd and smile at them. I could feel my nerves reach their boiling point, as I felt the grin slowly easing from my face.
However, I easily spotted Ichigo and the others. I shot them a grateful smile once they began clapping for us. Ichigo looked deeply into my eyes and nodded towards me, causing me to actually smile.
For some reason, I didn't feel as nervous as I did a few minutes ago.
Now, it was singing time.
"Sakki made to itteru koto chigau janai [Isn't what you're saying now different than before?]" I sang, grinning as I thought about the meaning to those words.
Orihime grinned, singing her line next. "Chotto dake sugao misete keredo [I'm showing just a little bit of my true self]."
"Zutto ira ira ira ira shite wa atashi wo, mono mitai ni atsugatte [It's been bothering me so much, the way you treated me like a thing]." I sang, grinning at the harmony part that Orihime and Tatsuki added at the 'ira ira ira ira,' part.
"Saki made to itteru koto chigau janai [Isn't what you're saying now different from before?]" Orihime sang, repeating my opening line.
All three of us grinned at each other as we sang the next few lines together, "Dareka no sei ni shite wa nigekakure shiteru hibi, ate ni nara nai wa, I'M SORRY, toriaezu sayonara [It's someone's fault that I'm hiding and running away every day, I can't rely on anything, I'M SORRY, but goodbye for now.]"
And so began the dance that Orihime created. It wasn't anything too difficult. It was mostly shaking and swaying in time, with a few kicks here and there. Of course, what made it somewhat difficult was singing and dancing at the same time; because it went along with the chorus.
"Anata ga inai to iya iyatte ieru wagamama, [It'd be selfish of me to say that I didn't want you to go.]" Orihime and I sung together, grinning before turning to Tatsuki who sang over us another line that blended nicely in with the background.
"Zutto kienai you ni kesanai you ni [I don't want you to go away, I don't want to get rid of you.]"
Orihime and I sung the next line of the chorus together, "Aijou, yuujou, shiritai koto wa nandemo [Love or friendship? I just want to know.]" We shook hands, grinning at each other.
Once more, Tatsuki sing the backup vocals, "Aimai sugite wakaranai yo [It's so vague, I just don't get it.]"
Now, we all sang together once more. "Itsuka kokoro no oku no DOA wo tataku," Then Orihime and Tatsuki faded away, giving me the last line of the chorus, "Anata wo matteiru, [The door to my heart is waiting; for you to knock it down.]"
Back to more choreographed dancing for the music rift that divided the verses. I grinned at the crowed, laughing a bit once I saw them all getting into it and clapping along to the beat of the song. I swear I felt my heart flutter when I met Ichigo's eyes, but I passed it off as too much swaying along with the music like Orihime had planned.
Speaking of Orihime, it was her turn to kick off the verse. "Sakki kara jibun no koto bakkari janai [Haven't you just been talking about yourself lately?]"
"Chotto gurai kizutsu ite mita ra [How about you get hurt a little bit?]" I sang, grinning at the evilness of that lyric.
Orihime and I sang together once more, "Sou yatte yashashii kotoba de, goma kasanai de shinji rare nai wa, kakko tsukenaide yo [Don't trick me with nice words like that, I don't believe you, Don't try and look so cool.]"
More dancing during the small little guitar solo. We then started clapping along to the beat, urging the audience to follow along with us and clap as well.
"Nan nen tatte mo itsu ni natte mo, yamenaide [No matter how many years it takes, Don't give up!]" I sang, grinning.
Orihime and I then sang the next part together, "Atashi ga inai to dame damette itsutte sunao ni [You're saying that you need me here.]"
"Motto hoshigatte yo tsuyo ga ranai de [Want it a bit more, don't be so tough.]" Tatsuki sang the backup vocals, lightly rocking along with the song as best as she could with her broken arm.
"Ai no zanzou, yume miru shoujo ESUKEEPU [A girl dreams of the remnants of love.]" Orihime and I sang together.
"Tsukamattari nigekittari [I want to get caught, I want to get away.]" Tatsuki sang, blending in perfectly with Orihime and my vocals.
"Itsuka kokoro no kagi o kowasu you na [Someday the key to my heart will break.]" We sang together.
"Anata ga inai to iya iyatte ieru wagamama [It'd be selfish of me to say that I didn't want you to go.]" Orihime and I sang together.
Tatsuki grinned, singing, "Zutto kienai you ni kesanai you ni [I don't want you to go away, I won't get rid of you.]"
"Aijou, yuujou, shiritai koto wa nandemo [Love or friendship? I just want to know.]" Once more, Orihime and I sang that part of the chorus together as we shook hands once more, smiling and having a good time.
Back to Tatsuki, "Aimai sugite wakaranai yo [It's so vague, I just don't get it.]"
"Itsuka kokoro no oku o dai tekureru," We all sang together, before they once more faded away and left the last part of the line to me, "Anata wo matte iru [The door to my heart is waiting for you, to knock it down.]"
"Hokani wa nanimo iranai ya iya iya [I don't need anything else.]" We all sang together, moving together for our last pose. Tatsuki stood in the middle of us, while Orihime and I got down on our knees and struck cool poses. "Ashita mo shinjite itai ya iya iya iya iya iya iya [I just want to believe in tomorrow.]"
Everyone cheered, rising to their feet as they clapped and whistled.
I could feel my cheeks heat up from all of the attention, but I still grinned. Orihime and I helped each other stand up, and we all waved to the crowd once more before we ran off the stage.
• • •
I swear, yukata's were too confusing.
"Are you almost done, Jun-Chan?" I heard Orihime ask, causing me to sigh and push my bangs away from my eyes in annoyance.
"I'm fine, Orihime. I just don't remember how I got this stupid yukata on in the first place. It was so much easier to take off…" I muttered, scowling at the beautiful fabric.
"Do you need any help?" She offered, trying to be nice. Heck, she didn't have to try; she was always nice. I doubt she could ever not be nice to anyone.
"No thanks, I'll figure it out on my own." I sighed, once more wrapping the fabric around my slender frame and trying to situate the obi so that I could actually tie it and have it stay. "You guys can go on ahead. I'll catch up with you guys later."
"Are you sure?" Tatsuki asked.
"Yeah," I nodded, but it's not like they could see it. "Besides, didn't you guys want to go to the river? Isn't it like a tradition?"
"Of course!" Orihime exclaimed, "We wanted to show it to you. It's our special place."
"Hm, well I'll catch up with you guys soon. If you really do want to go, you better hurry." I said, sighing as I failed to tie the obi correctly once more because the long sleeves got in the way. "The fireworks are supposed to start once it gets dark, right? So that means it should be starting soon."
"Ah, you're right!" Orihime gasped.
"Jun's right," Tatsuki's said. I could picture her nodding. "C'mon, Orihime. Jun'll catch up with us later. Let's go."
"Oh, alright." Orihime sighed. "See you soon, Jun-Chan!"
"Okay; later guys!" I exclaimed, then biting my lip as I held my breath. How did I have so much trouble putting on a yukata?
I angled my body slightly to the side, so I could try and look over my shoulder and down at the obi that I was trying to tie. When I almost had it, I lost my balance and crashed to the floor.
"Are you alright in there?" I heard a timid voice ask.
"I'm fine!" I barked, my anger getting the best of me.
"O-Okay," The voice replied, and I could hear scurrying feet.
It took four more attempts, but I finally managed to finish getting dressed successfully. I threw my hair back into a messy knot, putting the flowing flower hair accessory back in.
I nodded at my reflection in the small mirror that was propped up on the wall; at least I looked presentable again.
Throwing back the changing curtain, I sweat-dropped at the long line of people waiting to change back into their own clothes as well.
"Oops," I blinked, nervously chuckling. "I'm sorry it took so long."
Quickly bending at the waist, I bowed to them all before I turned and ran. I could feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
"Finally; took you long enough, didn't it?" I heard a voice ask, causing me to jump at its close sounding proximity.