Chapter 17

Like a Dream Come True

After the impromptu dance party that erupted inside The Funky Pelican, the group eventually exited the exuberant event and congregated on the pier outside, laughing and joking drunkenly amongst themselves. Passersby would never have expected that most of them had only known each other for a few days with how comfortable and friendly they all seemed to be. But alcohol and music, and in some cases just music, have always been known to bring together even the most disparate of people and groups into harmonious friendship, and they all were guffawing, stumbling proof of that historical truth.

Anri watched them through the window as she sipped the last of her drink, the sweet, biting burn of the rum traveling down her gullet smoothly. She glanced to her side as Takuto took a seat beside her, waving to the adoring crowd that had congregated for his music. He had to pry himself away from them just to get back to his dinner. "Nice job, dear," Anri said with a smile. "You should have gone into showbusiness."

Takuto shook his head and took a long sip of his own margarita. "It's just a hobby, hon, nothing more. Though I guess it is somewhat applicable. Music, along with any other form of artistic expression, are very powerful forms of therapy."

Anri looked out the window again at Akira and his friends. Focusing on her son, she nodded at his words. "Seems to be," she remarked. "Our boy seems to be feeling a lot better now."

Takuto watched him as well. Akira seemed to him entirely… normal. Normal in a way he had not quite been since his breakup with Marie. "He told me about a lot of the things that happened when he was in Kamurocho. Did he tell you?"

Anri nodded, resting her face on her hand. "He got put through the ringer. I don't even know if he would have made it out of that mess if not for my family's powers, and I don' know if that makes me feel better or worse."

"Why's that?"

"Because I never wanted him to have to worry about that, or even have to know about my powers in the first place. We moved here to be safe from all that."

"At least he had the means to keep himself and his friends safe," said Takuto. "But I sympathize with your concerns, dear. I never wanted him to go through any of that either. I'm just thankful he had an edge when he needed it."

"Me too, really," Anri said, then turned to her husband. "I fought him when he came back. He's strong."

"Strong like you," Takuto smiled to her.

She smiled as well but shook her head. "Strong like us. He has the best traits of both of us, and a little bit of my own worse traits, I think. He's as kind as the day is long but he can have quite a temper when heated."

"Ah, that 'fighting spirit' so endemic to the Dragons, right?"

Anri chuckled at his verbosity. "Something like that, or it's a blatant competitive streak. Neither of us like to lose."

"Of that, I am very aware." He placed his hand on hers, gently squeezing it. "It's part of why I fell in love with you when we were hanging out with Wakaba. You're as strong as you are beautiful, and that is quite a lot."

"Oh, stop," Anri giggled in spite of herself. "We're too old for those kinds of sweet nothings, Takuto." She squeezed his hand back contrary to her protests.

"You're never too old to appreciate your partner's beauty," he retorted with a smile.

"Smooth," she said. "Very smooth, as usual."

"I aim to please."

"Indeed." She squeezed his hand and smiled, but her smile quickly faded and she became more serious. "Something's been on my mind though. You know, other than our son."

"What's that?"

Anri pursed her lips, her jaw clenching with stress as she thought of the words. "My mom," she finally admitted.

"What about her?"

"I've been wondering if I should try to see her. And… Sojiro's letter told me where she is."

Takuto raised an eyebrow. "Really? Are you sure?"

Anri nodded slowly, squeezing his hand again. "She's near Nara, apparently. I guess Majima was in on it too. I still can't believe he actually went to help Akira when I asked him. It was the first time I'd spoken to him in twenty years."

"At least you both were able to help. I'm sure someone as strong as Majima was a deciding factor in the fight."

"He helped get our boy out, that's all that matters." She rubbed her chin in thought. "I'm thinking about going to see her, though. Clear some things up, as much as it pains me to even think of looking her in the eyes again."

"Why the sudden change?"

"I feel like… I've been running from my past for too long, and now it's finally caught up with me— us," she corrected herself. "Maybe it's time I faced it rather than let it have that power over me."

"If you think it would be safe, and actually beneficial, then you know I support you, honey."

"Thanks." She smiled at him sadly. "I just hope she's found a way to forgive me after all these years."

"Do you think she ever hated you?"

"I don't know. I just feel like she must have."

"Is that your real assumption about her? Or are you projecting your own issues onto her?"

Anri looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Why did I ever marry a therapist?" she asked jokingly, the joke itself an admittance of defeat.

"I like to think it's because you like me as a person beyond my profession."

Anri nodded as he kissed her hand softly. "I do. And thank you."

"Anytime. Forever."

Anri kissed his own hand back twice, once on his index finger and then on the top of his hand. "Do you think it's stupid of me to want to see my mom?" she asked pensively.

Takuto shook his head and smiled with sympathy. "I think it's well past time, but however well past doesn't matter. You still have the chance to do it, so once everything is settled, I think it will be a good time."

She found comfort in that sentiment, though more for having heard it from someone else rather than her own inner voice. It always felt like a greater confirmation when someone else could voice the words she hoped were right within her own interpretation and understanding of a problem, especially when that person was her often surprisingly wise and insightful husband. True, his entire career and purpose was to be wise and insightful regarding human problems, but many people often would underestimate Takuto or quickly write him off due to his soft yet almost dorky demeanor, especially when they were younger.

Glimpses of that young, awkward, unsure yet endlessly caring university student she first met all those years ago still shone through once in a while in their lives, but now tempered with many years of experience and widening perspective. Takuto was a sharper, calmer, more assured version of that young man, but Anri would still often be reminded that that young man still existed within him when he would accidentally bump his head on the ceiling of their car or open a delicate conversation with a friend or family member with the offering of snacks. Her Takuto, the one she made her vows to at the altar and soon after bore his child, was still that Takuto: a young man that constantly tripped over his own tongue and awkwardly adjusted his glasses for the first couple months they knew each other, so overwhelmed by her strong and assertive presence as he was.

And that's why she loved him so damn much. That was what inspired her suggestion of their wedding song, which he thankfully accepted: Hall David and John Cacavas' old ditty Where Have You Been All My Life? If ever there was a more fitting song for her relationship with him, as if falling into a beautiful dream one day that made her crazy life finally make some form of sense, she had yet to hear it. "Like a shooting star," he appeared before her. An awkward, meek, but funny and kind shooting star. Exactly what she needed.

"Maybe soon then," she finally said. "Maybe soon…"

They paid their bill and exited the restaurant with Anri taking his arm in hers affectionately as they walked out to find a spot to watch the fireworks. She saw Akira and his friends making their way elsewhere as well, likely for the same reason. Her maternal instincts briefly prodded at her to check on him, as they always did since he came back. But she restrained herself, deciding to trust in her boy, or perhaps more appropriately "young man", and let him have his fun with his friends.

She looked to her husband as they walked along the pier, content that this must be enough.

If this is a dream, she recited the song's lyrics in her mind, let me keep on dreaming.

…

Thinking it perhaps unwise to drive while significantly inebriated, the group of young adults decided to walk along the riverfront to find a spot to watch the fireworks that would be shot off from the opposite riverbank. The tree line and tall hills offered a splendid backdrop for the explosive, colorful display, always set to music played through speakers arranged around the festival grounds, the beach, and the pier.

Given that it was a perfect summer evening and no one felt ready to drive, especially when there was potentially more drinking to be done, the group congregated on the beach where many families and friends were enjoying themselves. The jovial atmosphere about Akira and his friends that had been greatly amplified by the alcohol continued on as they found seats near the rolling waters on the riverbank.

Sitting in chairs and on the warm sand, they continued to conversate with themselves, though the couples tended to stick close to each other, as expected. What was less expected, but only slightly at this point, was Ryuji and Haru having once again found themselves sitting beside each other as the large group started to break up into smaller conversations.

"It's lovely here," Haru remarked, watching the waves with a decidedly blushing, tipsy smile. "Oh! Look at that bird!" she suddenly cried out, pointing out at the water excitedly. Ryuji could have sworn her voice was even higher pitched than normal. "It's like a big di- duck! Its tail is even kind of floofy. Like my hair!" She put her hands on the base of her puffy hair and bounced it with a beaming smile.

Ryuji found it difficult to think of anything he had ever seen that would have been cuter than that excited, jovial smile. "I didn't know 'floofy' was a real descriptor," he chuckled.

"I'm floofy!" she clarified proudly. "I am and aways have been very floofy! And so is that duck!"

"I believe you," Ryuji nodded, trying not to get lost in her eyes. "How does your hair stay so big and soft?"

"Big and soft?" she repeated incredulously, yet still with a hint of inebriated bliss.

"Yeah, your hair."

"Oh."

"What did you think I was referring to?"

"Nothing!" She played with her hair again, though seemingly without thinking. "I don't really know, it's just always been this way. It's a real pain to do it down more formally for events though. It can take my stylist multiple hours to try to get it under control."

"Why do you need to do it like that? Doesn't it already look good enough?"

"My father and fiancé often disagree," she corrected him flatly, her drunken revelry quickly abating. "They find it to be the hair of an unrefined lady. Well, more a 'girl' than a lady."

Ryuji scoffed angrily. "I really don't know how you put up with those guys."

"You get used to it," she said even flatter.

Ryuji caught himself before he said something righteously indignant in her defense though probably tasteless. He was aware that he had a tendency to let his heightened emotions, even with good intentions, run away from him at times when someone he cared about was being accosted by another person, or the mere circumstances of life. He chalked it up to being because he knew what it was like to have no one in your corner when you need it most, and he saw much of that same isolation when help was needed in Haru.

"You saying you've gotten used to it?" he asked.

"I have. I… think so."

Ryuji shook his head disapprovingly. "I never got used to it," he explained. "I saw the writing on the wall and got out of there when I was seventeen. My mom and I always had our differences but shit really hit the fan with the whole Kamoshida mess. And me losing my scholarship opportunity because of it."

"I remember hearing about that from Ann. To be honest, I kind of wish I had your courage to just… leave. But I also don't know if that would have worked as well for me before now. I didn't have a warzone to sneak away into. And I was much more concerned about my family's expectations of me until I realized just how much danger I was being put in, and how insane my fiancé really is."

"Well, you made the most of a shit situation. That's about all you can do."

"I just wish it didn't have to get this shitty before I could act for myself," she said sullenly. "Perhaps things would have been different if I had acted before. Better or worse, I don't know. But at least different."

"Probably would have been different, but like you said, you can't know if it would have been better or worse."

Haru learned forward, tucking her knees to her chest and staring out at the river. "I wouldn't have met you guys, though. That's for sure."

"And you wouldn't have gotten to go on such a big adventure."

Haru chuckled weakly. "I would have preferred a much smaller adventure, honestly, but this has been quite the experience nonetheless. As crazy as it is to say, I am… pleased with how it turned out."

"Even with how your father or fiancé might react?"

Haru's eyes narrowed as she watched the ducks scuttle along the water. "I'm worried about what will happen, yes, but I feel like I might be able to stand my ground now. After all, I've faced down yakuza and gangs and mages now. One of my new friends can conjure fire from his body, and for the first time… ever, I have a group of friends I know will stand at my side when things get hard." She looked back to him and smiled, softly but thankfully. "I know I can face them now. I can face anything now," she nodded.

Ryuji tried to think of something to match her resolute, self-actualizing speech, but failed to do so for a moment. The sunlight caught in her "floofy" hair as it set over the distant hills, illuminating her in a halo of gold as the purple, orange, and blue sunset began to paint the sky overhead. No more was the descriptor "cute" quite appropriate for her. Truly, as she sat there like the subject of an immaculate portrait with the arresting sunset as the backdrop, she was beautiful. Ryuji never had the most verbose vocabulary, nor was he that skilled at putting said limited vocabulary to proper use, but in that moment, no other descriptor felt appropriate nor able to truly encapsulate what he saw before him.

"I'm glad," he said plainly, and immediately mentally kicked himself for responding with such a plain reply. But to his surprise, she smiled back to him as if he had not just done her a disservice. Perhaps, in some lucky twist of fate, he had not.

"You can be sweet when you want to be," she muttered.

Ryuji chuckled and shook his head. "You're just saying that. You're seeing things."

"And you're deflecting."

"You're too damn smart for me, Okumura," he relented with a soft smile. "You're gonna run circles around that fiancé of yours, or whoever you end up with." He took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it, staring at the river contemplatively. Haru thought he looked like the cover of some artsy yet punk rock album cover, especially from the profile angle she was looking at. Maybe he was trying to make himself look cool, or just enjoying a quick smoke on a beautiful night. She could not say either way, but the look did suit him.

"The only running I plan to be doing with my fiancé is away. Far away."

"Not even gonna run him in circles once?"

"Well, if the opportunity arises, I may have to seize upon it. But my priority is just getting away from him. I know what he wants of me, how he views me. I won't let that happen. My mother warned me about men like him. To be honest, I'm kind of glad she died before she could see that my father would become the kind of man she warned me about." She looked to his cigarette with tired, exasperated eyes, and he let her take a drag to calm her rising nerves. "I think it was her death that really brought that out of him," she mused. "He was always stern and had excessive expectations, but never like this. Until after she was gone."

"Grief brings out the worst in people. The things they thought they could keep hidden forever," Ryuji replied, his voice becoming terser.

"You get used to it," she repeated herself. "Well, more like numb to it."

Ryuji looked to her as she took another drag of his cigarette. More than anything, "numb" seemed like an apt descriptor for her. Moments before, she seemed ecstatic about the evening and just being out in nature, but now her expression was blank and apathetic, barely interested in anything going on around her. "You shouldn't have to," he muttered.

Haru blinked and looked down at her own knees, pressed up to her chest. "Mm hmm," she murmured. "You shouldn't."

From further down the line, Akira had been watching their conversation out of the corner of his eye, curious as to where the night's events were leading for them. He heard very little from them but noticed their demeanor darken over the last couple minutes.

"What's up with them?" Futaba asked from his side, having been watching them as well.

"I don't know. Looks like Ryuji might have struck a nerve."

"She doesn't look mad though."

"No, she doesn't. She actually looks sad."

"She was just really happy. I wonder what they're talking about."

Rise suddenly appeared at Akira's other side, watching Ryuji and Haru as well. "We cannot let this stand," she whispered. "They're on the precipice of greatness!"

"Somebody's vicariously excited," Futaba remarked.

"I've been watching them most of the night. They've already been on a date, and we can't let them ruin it now! We need to make sure they have a wonderful ending to their night!"

Akira put his hand to his chin and thought for a moment. "What if things just aren't working out?"

"I know that look in her face," Rise corrected him, wearing her own devious smile. "It's the last deep breath before the plunge. They just need a nice board to dive off of!"

"…what?" Futaba asked.

"Means they're about ready and just need a bit of help." Rise stroked her chin in thought, her eyes slowly narrowing as if they were focusing down some new idea.

"I know that look," Yu remarked. "She's already got some gears turning up there."

Rise suddenly snapped her fingers in revelation. "I got it!" she exclaimed and quickly scanned the area for something. She pointed off to their left and got up from her seat. "I need that phone!" she blurted out and ran toward a nearby payphone, but stopped after a few paces and ran back. "I need change!" she demanded of no one in particular.

"You don't have any?" Yu asked plainly.

Rise held out her hand to him. "Gimme!"

"Who are you gonna call?" he asked.

"Ghostbusters?" Futaba added.

"Baaabe!" Rise whined.

Akira thought to himself, She always did get a bit more needy when she's drunk. She probably just likes the extra attention.

Yu sighed and reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet and gave her some coins. "Here you go. But… what exactly are you going to call about?"

"You'll see whenever the fireworks are going on!"

"So, in an hour?"

Rise was already running off when she yelled over her shoulder, "In an hour!" The whole group looked to her with confusion.

"She seems excited," Makoto remarked.

"She seems drunk," Chie said.

Yukiko chuckled and snorted. "Reeshay ish funny when sheesh drunk."

"That makes two of you," Naoto replied.

They saw Rise quickly punch some numbers into the phone and wrapped up the conversation in about fifteen seconds before running back to them. "Done!" she proudly proclaimed. "Everything is in place!"

"What is 'everything'?" Yosuke asked.

"You'll see," she smirked deviously. "Well, you'll hear, at least. Yup! You'll hear it soon enough!"

"Hear what?" Ann asked next.

"It! You'll hear it! Don't ruin the surprise!" Rise looked over her shoulder and saw Ryuji and Haru staring at her in utter perplexity. "Um… hi," she waved to them awkwardly.

"Hey," said Ryuji.

"Hello," Haru said, waving back.

Nanako, who had been busily eating a popsicle until now, leaned over to Yu and said, "Your friends are weird."

"My friends are very weird," he confirmed for her.

"Charming though," Yusuke added. "In your own ways."

…

The night proceeded pleasantly, and it was not long after their conversation about weirdness that everyone went back to jovial fraternization, though Haru still seemed a bit more reserved as the evening turned to nightfall. Ryuji rarely left her side, and Kasumi even noticed that she seemed to fidget a bit more when he was not there and would constantly look around as if watching for his return. Poor girl's got it bad, she thought. Must be exciting… I wonder if that will ever be me, if I'll ever know that excitement. But I still can't… Her mind was foggy, and she had yet to tell her friends that she had been quietly enduring persistent headaches the entire evening. I hope the fireworks won't make it any worse, she thought.

Kasumi knew that she did not have to stay for the entire event. If she was feeling uncomfortable, she could just catch a taxi back to the hotel. But she wanted to enjoy the evening to its fullest, to put aside whatever strange anxiety was ailing her. The drinks had helped, and the company helped even more, but she could not yet avail herself of the itch at the back of her mind regarding herself and her sister. It was just the trauma, she told herself. It's affected my memories. Everything is so blurry from that day… and for the next few months after. Damn it all, it's just the trauma!

"Hey," Akira's voice interrupted her.

She started and looked over to him, holding her hands over her heart. "Oh, I'm sorry! I must have zoned out."

"It's alright," Akira said, his voice laced with concern. "Something wrong? You seem pretty deep in thought."

"Just… remembering my sister," she half-lied, looking back out over the river. People were starting to congregate along the bank as the fireworks show was close to starting.

"Something about this remind you of her?"

"I just know she would have really liked this. Sumire was always a pretty fashion-forward city girl, so the countryside might have been a nice change of pace for her. She started taking an interest in traveling to places like this before she died."

"I'm sorry she couldn't join us," Akira shook his head. "But I hope you've still been able to enjoy the evening in spite of it."

"Oh, very much!" she responded emphatically, as if confirming it to herself. Even Akira noticed that. "It's been lovely, really."

"Just… making sure," he said. He noticed her seeming distant most of the night and had grown worried, but he was not about to say that to her face. No need to add any more stress or embarrassment than she likely already felt. "The fireworks are a hell of a show. I hope you'll enjoy that too."

"Well, not long to wait now, right?"

"That's right," he smiled to her. "And… I'm sorry I haven't been able to get my mom to talk to you yet, by the way."

"It's fine, really," she said, smiling to him sweetly. The response was polite but seemed genuine enough to Akira. "We've all been busy. Hopefully there will still be some time to relax and catch up on things going forward."

"I'll drink to that," Akira replied. "Just… try to take it easy, okay? This is a good night, a fun night. Let your worries wash away like the current of the river."

Kasumi chuckled at his poeticism. "Where did you learn a saying like that? Did you make it up yourself?"

"My dad made it up, actually. So, all credit goes to him."

"Well, he's quite wise indeed. I'll try to take his advice."

"Just do your best," he nodded to her. "That's all we ask."

Do your best… The words rang in her head many times. It was one of the most hurtful, scarring phrases she knew, not that she would ever admit it, especially when knowing that it was meant in a genuine context from a friend. One who saved her life, no less. So many times, though, had she been told to "do her best" in gymnastics, or any other pursuit, and that "best" would rarely be among the best. Close to it, yes, but hardly ever among them. She had made it a few times in competitions, though a voice in the back of her head told her to chalk it up to luck more than anything else. One girl nearly lost her footing when landing from a tumble, another must have bent her knees improperly during a cartwheel sequence. Kasumi had no proof of this or any other doubts, but they made a sort of instinctive sense that unsettled her.

"Do your best" so often felt like a kindly translation of what would more accurately be "We wish you could do better". That was certainly not the case here, but she knew in her heart of hearts that that must have been it so many other times.

Especially with Sumire…

Kasumi closed her eyes and banished the train of thought from her mind. To her shock, she felt the rising tension and heat within her that accompanied the mysterious power she shared with Akira and his mother. The sensations faded after a moment as she calmed down, but she made a mental note to keep herself better in check going forward. She had no idea what might happen if she did not, but she had no intention of finding out. She then purposefully sat in the midst of the girls again, if only to distract herself from her negative thoughts.

It worked… mostly.

Soon after, a man's voice was heard over the speakers set up on telephone lines around the pier and festival areas.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is our honor and pleasure to welcome you to this year's Autumnal Festival, and we hope you have already had a wonderful experience and made many happy memories as we celebrate the coming season. To end tonight's festivities, please direct your attention toward the riverfront, and enjoy this evening's fireworks display." Many people cheered all around them, and the young adults did as well. "For your safety and the safety of others, please find a comfortable seating or standing spot at this time, and refrain from moving around the park and festival grounds while the area's lighting is reduced. The show will begin momentarily. Thank you!"

"Ooh, it's almost time!" Rise squealed. "This is going to be so amazing!"

"The fireworks, you mean?" Yosuke asked.

"Nope."

"Oh."

Nanako was almost bouncing up and down with excitement, pleading with Yu to walk further up the shore for a better view. He complied with a soft, brotherly smile and took her closer to the river, Rise following them. She was bouncing almost as much as the young girl, though for distinctly different reasons.

Everyone soon followed suit, the couples staying closer together, as the lights began to dim and the crowds became more excited.

"I haven't seen a proper fireworks show in years," Makoto mused. "I hope it lives up to expectations."

"Oh, they always go all out for these things," Chie replied. "It's a big local tradition; they have a pretty big reputation to live up to now. Last year, they actually set a new record for their fireworks budget!"

Yukiko added, "And they just passed that record again this year, as I've heard. It will likely be a wonderful show."

Makoto observed the crowds around them. "There are a lot of… couples around here," she said hesitantly. "I was not aware that this was a… romantic event."

"Well, technically, it isn't," Chie said. "But they often play music with the fireworks, at least for the ending. It's usually like prom or wedding music, so the couples will dance under the fireworks and have a romantic moment. It's… actually rather sweet." The tomboy looked down, seemingly uncharacteristically girly as she shuffled her feet in the sand and glanced over at Yosuke, who was drunkenly conversing with Ryuji and Kanji.

Makoto clammed up for a second then resumed her professional composure. "I have no doubt as to the romantic quality of such an event," she stated as if she were in a business meeting. "It sounds like a lovely tradition." I've never danced with someone before…

Ann overheard their conversation and looked up to Akira, who still stood beside her. "There will be dancing tonight?"

"Um, probably."

"You didn't tell me?"

"I was honestly hoping it would be a surprise."

"Oh, I see," she smiled. "Well, it's still a pleasant surprise," she took his arm in hers.

The lights around the park and river went out and the crowd cheered.

"YEEEAH!" Kanji cheered boisterously. "LET'S GOOO!"

Ryuji clapped his hands and howled like a wolf, which Haru found particularly amusing. Everyone became more wildly excited as the first fireworks rocketed into the sky, leaving gold streaks of light behind them before exploding in blue and green dots across the sky, much to the enjoyment of the crowds. Makoto and Yusuke clapped their hands as if they were attending a golf outing, while the rest of the group were considerably more rambunctious.

The show was delightfully extravagant from then on. Bevies of colors and designs exploded across the sky for the next fifteen minutes; the crowd cheered more and more raucously as the show went on. It seemed many times as if the stars themselves, now starting to fully shine in the clear summer sky, were exploding with glorious color.

Naoto said, smiling with amusement, "They've really gone all out this year. I swear, the fireworks are much bigger than even last festival's."

"Yeah, they kicked ass this year!" Kanji exclaimed.

"Kanji, there are children around!" Naoto scolded him.

"Oh, right," he rubbed his head awkwardly. "Sorry."

Futaba stayed close to Akira. He noticed her fidget and wince when she heard the explosion. "You good?" he asked her.

"Just loud. I'm not used to loud."

"Well, you hit the nail right on the head with that."

"What?" A mighty boom and she winced again.

"It's just loud. Nothing else to worry about. It's all part of the experience. Just take it all in with the colors themselves and, you know, enjoy it."

Futaba nodded and tried to focus on the experience holistically rather than just the noise. To her surprise, it seemed to work, and she slowly felt herself getting more excited over the fireworks rather than agitated by them.

As the show continued on, Ryuji and Haru drifted closer to each other, occasionally making idle conversation and remarks about the show. Haru seemed extremely impressed, while Ryuji had managed to calm down from his uproarious high instigated by the other men present and simply watched on. That was until a brief pause in the show, and all around them started to get even more excited at the lack of fireworks.

"What's going on?" Ryuji asked absentmindedly.

Haru herself looked around at the crowds near them and noticed the couples getting more excited, clinging to each other, and even leading each other onto the beach. Three more fireworks shot off in the distance as a few drumbeats were heard through the sound system, and the rockets exploded as the instantly identifiable synthesized intro of Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now began.

Ryuji and Haru looked around in awkward confusion at the sudden shift in tone, not noticing Rise literally jump with excitement, proclaiming in a very high-pitched voice, "It's tiiime!" She led Yu onto the beach nearer to the water, but just not enough to get her yukata wet, and immediately started to dance with him as the intro continued on. Rather more conservatively, but with ample excitement brewing under the surface, the other couples took each other's hand and began to dance like an American prom.

"This is… unexpected," Haru remarked.

"Heh, yeah. A little corny, if you ask me." Ryuji looked back to her and was stunned at the soft smile and expecting gaze she offered him. Her eyes shown brightly under the light of the fireworks, almost glistening with the accompanying colors. Both words and breath seemed to escape Ryuji as his mind pieced together the simple puzzle lain before him by her expression.

She held out her hand slowly as another rocket exploded. "Sh-shall we?" she asked, starting to blush.

Ryuji looked between her hand and her eyes apprehensively. "You sure?" he asked, not believing for a moment that this prim and proper heiress would ever want to share a dance with a thug like him.

But she nodded. "If you would like."

Ryuji never counted himself as much of a gentleman, but something instinctive within him compelled his hand to reach out for hers. At first contact, there was trepidation between them. Haru noticed that his hands were rough and calloused, and it felt comfortably familiar to her. She remembered clearly when he held her as he rescued her from the kidnapping; the strength in his arms, the quickened pace of his breathing, and the fearless glare in his eyes when Daigo pulled a gun on him. Rather adorably, he seemed to her more nervous now than back then.

"I think I would," he finally said. And about time too, as the first verse was already starting.

He awkwardly took her hands and placed them on his shoulders, then his own hands found their way to her hips. He was trepidatious about such a forward move, but Haru seemed unbothered – even amused by his attempts to keep his eyes looking at anything other than her face and curves. But what hips they were, feeling strong yet lush under his hands. He thanked the kami – something he never made a habit of – that it was after dark and that he was wearing dark jeans.

They began to sway back and forth as the song entered its first chorus, adjusting themselves so they both could look at the fireworks that now were fired off to explode in relative rhythm with the slow pace of the song.

"It's so gorgeous," Haru whispered as three multi-colored rockets lit up the sky perfectly timed to one of the drum hits.

"It really is," Ryuji nodded. "It's amazing." He spoke of the fireworks and Haru in that moment.

Akira and Ann were enjoying their own romantic moment of dance when they noticed the partners at the end of their group. Ann nudged Akira to get him to look away from the fireworks and toward Haru and Ryuji. "Look at them!" she said with a beaming smile. "They're absolutely adorable! Like Beauty and the Beast!"

"What makes you say that?"

"Ryuji's still as much of a ruffian as he's ever been, and Haru looks drop-dead gorgeous tonight. But he's holding his own and being respectful of her. They look… happy. Look at the way she keeps stealing glances at him!"

"I… can't really tell, honestly."

"Of course, you can't. Ugh, men," Ann rolled her eyes.

"What does that mean?"

"I'll tell you when you're older."

"What does that mean?"

Ann giggled and leaned into her boyfriend. "Just dance with me, babe," she whispered.

He looked between the fireworks and his girlfriend, her blond hair lighting up with the exploding rockets. "As you wish," he muttered, and held her close.

Makoto and Yusuke stood at the side awkwardly, the finally met each other's eyes. Yusuke silently bowed to her and extended his hand. "If it pleases the lady," he said eloquently, "may I have this dance?"

Makoto paused for a moment hesitantly, but swallowed her girlish awkwardness and nodded her head with a soft smile. "You may indeed," she accepted his hand and they began to dance. To her surprise, he was quite light on his feet and deft with his leading. Though on further thought, that likely should not be very surprising as he was something of a great swordsman. Having obviously partaken of the graceful Ido style, she guessed that some of that refined precision carried over to other aspects of his life.

And he was rather handsome up close. Tall, lean yet toned, and the soft demeanor of an artist, combining both the airs of the intellectual and emotionally inclined. Makoto surmised that there were likely far worse partners to enjoy a dance with.

Her first dance…

Kasumi and Futaba were the ones left out, and Kasumi noticed the younger girl seeming fidgety again. She put a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Hey, Futaba-chan, would you like to dance with me?"

Futaba was immediately puzzled by the question. "You want to dance with me?"

"No point in being the wallflowers on a night like this. Would you like to?"

Futaba seemed apprehensive for a moment but finally accepted. "Mm hmm," she hummed in response, and they danced slowly, a bit stiffly. Kasumi did not hold it against her though, recognizing how awkward she must feel. But quickly, Futaba seemed to loosen up slightly and watched the fireworks with her arms around Kasumi's neck.

She's calm, Kasumi thought. That works well enough for me.

Meanwhile, Ryuji and Haru had started to watch the fireworks less and less, their gazes now settling more and more on each other. Haru noticed him holding her hips slightly tighter as if she were about to disappear into the night like a fairy, and she reassured him of her presence by leaning slightly more into him. Her bust brushed against his chest, and a slight tingle ran up her spine as they both looked away modestly, but neither moved back.

What am I doing? Haru asked herself. I'm engaged! I have family expectations… to marry a kidnapping, womanizing asshole. But I'm still engaged… When was the last time I wore my ring? Oh right, at that press conference a few weeks ago when Daigo chided me for being 'fat'. And he's supposed to be my loving husband? Heh, he doesn't even have good taste in rings. It's so tacky and obviously the cheapest one he could get away with buying in spite of all his money. Just a worthless trophy to him… like me.

But Ryuji's different. She looked up to him, and he had started watching the fireworks again. His dyed blond hair gently moved in the light, cool breeze. He saved me from my own fiancé. He doesn't mind my body. I think he likes it… Her heart fluttered embarrassingly. He's a friend. A real friend, and they all are as well. I'm only safe because of them… because of him.

He suddenly looked down at her, but neither broke their gazes this time. The song played through its second chorus as they continued to sway, and he looked at her curiously. "Are you… feeling better now?" he asked.

She nodded. "You've made me feel much better."

Ryuji chuckled bashfully. "I don't think anyone has ever said that to me before."

Oh my god, he's like a big puppy, Haru thought involuntarily. A rascally but secretly shy puppy. "I guess you've never really had the opportunity before now, huh?"

"Not really. It feels nice to hear though."

Haru smiled in response. A beautiful smile, thought Ryuji.

What am I doing? Ryuji asked himself. She's engaged! Engaged to a real psycho piece of shit that she hates, but still. Is this really a good thing for me to do? Dammit, I've never asked that about a woman before. But those were all just hookups, nothing like this. But… she seems comfortable. She even seems happy. And she's definitely gorgeous, even when not wearing yukata… Should I?

The song entered its bridge and the mood became even more romantic for all the couples. They all knew the moment that was coming, and the fireworks slowed down before the emotional crescendo that approached. Some part of that mood must have struck Ryuji and Haru as well when they got lost in each other's eyes.

"All that I need is you… All that I ever ne-e-e-eed," sang the song.

He protected me, Haru thought.

She's been so strong after all that's happened, thought Ryuji.

"And all that I want to dooo… is hold you forever…"

Their faces were now closer to each other.

He can protect me again…

She isn't afraid of the man I am… The man I thought I was…

He's not just some yakuza thug… He's a hero too…

She's a hero too…

"Forever and ever!"

Haru put her arms around his neck and pressed into him.

"Hey!"

Fireworks exploded behind them as the guitar blasted through the speakers, but their eyes were closed as they cared not for the display. All that mattered in the entire world was the deep kiss they shared. Desperation and a hint of lust mixed with burning catharsis as the tension between them resolved in a passionate cocktail that passed over their lips. Ryuji pulled her in even closer, embracing her tightly. Her soft body compressed against his chest and she felt elated with how he did not shy away from it like Daigo always did, even in the rare moments he tried to put on airs of decency, or normalcy. Haru felt accepted, inside and out, by this young man. And Ryuji felt exactly the same, which is why the kiss felt natural, light, absolved of any and all guilt the moment their lips made contact.

As the guitar solo ended, they parted their lips and looked to each other in sudden lucidity. They silently observed each other for any indication that the other thought what had happened was a mistake, that maybe they should stop now before further mistakes were made. But they saw no such thing in their faces, and a swell of emotion rose up in Ryuji so complex he could not hope to parse the individual aspects of it. Instead, he summarized all of it in one motion by pulling Haru into a tight hug, which she felt pleasantly surprised by. So much so that it took her a moment to hug back.

Ryuji then whispered in her ear without thinking, "I'll protect you… from whatever comes next. I don't want you to be afraid."

Haru's eyes widened at the words and tears stung at their corners. No man had ever told her such a thing; she thought she may never meet a man truly strong and kind enough to ever stand up for her in such a way. But in this moment, someone she trusted had promised her just that, and she hugged him back as two stray tears fell down her face. "Please do…" she whispered back, and they swayed to the beat slowly, enjoying each other's presence more than even either of them expected.

Head still resting on her shoulder, Ryuji finally looked up and saw Akira and Ann watching them. Akira took his hand off her hip and gave him a thumbs up and an approving smile. Guess I did something right for once, Ryuji thought, and nodded back.

Neither Ryuji nor Haru had known much in the way of true emotional safety their whole lives. Both had only foggy, long past memories of genuinely secure embrace from a loved one. To their silent elation, they rested on each other's bodies, content in knowing that they had finally secured one more of those precious fleeting memories.

And both hoped that they would make many more with each other…

[Reviews are always appreciated. Special thanks to my editor and beta reader KweenPotato for their continued contribution to this project.]