19 Chapter 19: Gus

"Hahaha! You should have seen your face, Takaiyama-kun, I mean Uteki-kun." Hiroisora's father was still laughing at me after we have seated down to eat. I couldn't look up in embarrassment.

"I'm really sorry about this, Takaiyama-kun…" Hiroisora was whispering to me.

"Well, since that is out of the way, I'll introduce myself. My name is Hiroisora Fubuki. I've heard a lot of good things about you from Elizabeth and Kari."

"Ah, thank you…, sir..."

"I told you, call me Father. There's no need to be shy. Hahaha." He seems like a really nice guy. "Also, I would like to thank you. You have no idea how worried I have been for my daughter because of her… hardships in life. I'm just glad that someone can reach out to her like what you have done… I'm really grateful." It seems he's tearing up a bit.

"Father, I think that is enough. I don't think we are making Takaiyama-kun very comfortable." Hiroisora spoke up after being quiet for a while.

"You are right. I'm sorry about that. I was just very happy. Well, let's eat and celebrate this occasion!"

While we were eating, Hiroisora's father asked me questions about myself, my family and other things. After I while, I felt comfortable talking to him. It was also nice to see Hiroisora interacting with her father. I've seen another side of her that I haven't before. She really loves him and vice versa. The more I see them, the guiltier I feel… It's not only Hiroisora that I might hurt in the future, but her father as well.

---

After a few hours of talking and eating, they have decided to call it a night. Hiroisora and I went back to our rooms and changed our clothes. Her father then instructed that I will be taken home by their car. I said I can get home by myself, but he insisted. When I was about to enter the car, Hiroisora said to her father that she wants to accompany me. I said thanks and goodbye. Elizabeth-san rode with Hiroisora's father as their car went ahead.

---

While on the ride home inside the car, Hiroisora was seating beside me, her head resting on my shoulder. She was already like that only after a few minutes on the road. I didn't complain and just let her rest. I think she really is tired. While I thought she was asleep, she suddenly talked to me.

"Did you have fun today, Takaiyama-kun?"

"Oh, I thought you were asleep."

"I was. It's comfortable here, you know."

"Sorry for waking you up."

"You didn't."

"Yeah, I had fun today. It actually felt like I was on a real date. Thanks for everything."

"I felt the same way. I should be the one thanking you, Takaiyama-kun." She was still resting on my shoulder. "Oh, isn't the festival tomorrow?" She suddenly remembered.

"Really? I totally forgot about it. I'm sure Nariyuki will remind all of us tomorrow morning."

"You're probably right. Kosui-san is really excited about it." She paused for a while. "By the way, are you interested in kimonos?"

"Hmm… Yeah. I bet they'll look good on you. Everything does." After what I've seen today, I truly believe anything she wears will look good on her.

"I see…" I think she went back to sleep. I just let her stay like that until I got home. I didn't wake her up when I got out of the car. I thanked the driver and asked him to try to not wake her up while driving. I looked at her one last time before I closed the door. While sleeping, she looks so peaceful and happy. I don't know what came over me, but I kissed her forehead.

"Thanks for today." I whispered to her.

---

The next morning, I was woken up by my ringing phone.

"Hello."

"Takaiyama-san! I'm calling to remind you about the festival this evening. Everyone will meet up at the shrine by 5 PM. Don't be late, okay? Bye!" She hung up. Darn that Nariyuki, calling so early in the morning. When I looked at the clock, it was almost noon. I overslept.

I went downstairs. Mom was there.

"Good morning."

"Oh, good morning. I didn't wake you up since you looked tired last night."

"I see, thanks for not waking me up."

"By the way, you have a guest. He's been waiting since early in the morning. I said that you were still asleep, but he said he'll just wait. He's in the living room."

"Who is it?"

"It's Jirai." What is he doing here?

I went to the living room to see him, and as I was about to greet him, he strangled me with a headlock.

"You demon!!" Jirai started to shout at me.

"What are you talking about?!"

"What did you do to my sister, huh? Why are you hitting on her? I will protect her from the likes of you!"

"Let me go!" I got out of his hold. "I didn't do anything to her. She went to our house to thank me. That's all."

"Oh. Then I guess it's fine. I thought she confessed to you or something. Hehehe."

"That is exactly what my brother thought as well. Your sister complex is scary."

"We all love our siblings this way!"

"No, we don't."

"No need to be shy about it. So, where is this brother of yours?"

"He's out, I guess. Why?"

"I'm gonna crush that scum! He thinks he can have my sister? He doesn't even have the right to look at her! That impudent runt will regret ever thinking about my sister…" Jirai's face is scary.

"And here was Tsunagi-chan thanking me for being your friend. I don't think she'll appreciate it when you eliminate your friend's brother, right? Can you imagine the sad and disappointed look on her face when she finds out that her brother is a cold-blooded killer of his friend's brother? We sure don't want that, do we?"

"You can't take a joke, Takaiyama. Hahaha. I was just thinking hypothetically." He seemed like he was joking, but then whispered to my ear. "But seriously, if I see your brother within ten feet of my sister, you can say goodbye to his sorry ass." He then walked towards the door and looked normal again. "See 'ya, Takaiyama." I should totally warn Uryou. Nevermind.

---

It was afternoon already but I still feel so tired. I was walking towards the shrine, and it's almost 5 PM. There were a lot of people going there as well. As I was looking for other club members, I noticed a poster. It says that Kei-chan will be at the shrine and meet fans by 3 PM. Hey, it's that idol I helped a while back. Too bad I missed it. I wonder if she still remembers me… Yeah, that's impossible.

I decided to walk around a bit since I didn't see anybody I knew. As I was walking around, someone grabbed me by the arm and dragged me. When I looked to see who it was, the person was wearing a face mask, sunglasses and a cap.

"I was waiting for you! I'm glad you showed up."

"Um, I don't think I know you." But that kind of weird disguise reminds me of someone.

"Hmph. You're too easy to forget." The person removed his sunglasses.

"Hey! You're that Kei-chan!" She covered my mouth.

"What did I tell you about shouting my name?!" I nodded at her. She let go of my mouth.

"Sorry about that. I was just surprised you remembered me."

"I don't think I can forget…" She whispered lightly

"What?" I couldn't hear what she was saying.

"I said – " Before she could answer, my club mates were calling me and I looked at them.

"Takaiyama! We're here! Let's go!" Nariyuki was with them.

"Okay, wait for a sec." When I looked back at Kei-chan, she wasn't there anymore. I understand that she can't have many people seeing her. Well, I guess she does remember me. It makes me a little happy.

---

I went to Nariyuki and the others. Almost everyone is present once again.

"Where's Kari-chan, Takaiyama-san?" Nariyuki asked me.

"I don't know. Did you remind her?"

"Yeah, I called her this morning. She seemed excited about it, too."

"I don't blame her if she can't come. I guess she's tired from everything we did yesterday…" After I said that, everyone looked at me. What did I do?

"Hmm… What EXACTLY did you do together, Takaiyama-san?" Nariyuki was asking me suspiciously. Everyone else was eager in anticipation to hear my answer.

"It's not what you think!!"

"What are we thinking, huh?" Nariyuki has her sinister look again. When she is like that, she won't let this go.

"I – I just taught her how to swim."

"And?" Nariyuki is not letting up.

"And… we had dinner. With her father…" I heard several shocked reactions from the other club members.

"Wow, Takaiyama-san. I didn't know you were in that kind of a serious relationship with her. Meeting her father? I'm impressed." Then everyone else started cheering. I was planning on not letting them know. I failed miserably on that. Damn Nariyuki. She can be a police investigator one day.

We tried calling Hiroisora but she wasn't answering. We waited a bit more, but it seemed she wasn't coming. Everyone decided to go on ahead and look around the festival. I said that I'd wait a little longer for her.

"Are you sure, Takaiyama-san?" Nariyuki was concerned. Only a bit, I guess.

"Yeah. She seemed excited to go last night, so I'll wait for her. We'll catch up to you guys."

As I waited for Hiroisora, less and less people were arriving. After several more minutes, I saw someone wearing a kimono walking towards me.

"Takaiyama-kun." Hiroisora looked very beautiful in the kimono; her hair was tied up and she has some make-up on.

"Hiroisora… I'm sorry. I'm staring at you again, am I?"

"Yup." She smiled at me. "So, do you like it? The yukata?"

"You look good in it. It suits you."

"Thank goodness you like it. The one Eli bought earlier was damaged so we had to buy another one. I thought I wouldn't make it here…"

"I think you could have gone in any clothes and you'd still look good. Plus, everyone wanted to be with you today, since we wanted to go here all together."

"But you said you're interested in kimonos so I wanted to wear one and show it to you…" She's blushing as she spoke. "O-of course, as payment for teaching me yesterday and for meeting my father even if it was an absurd request of him…"

"Thank you. It was worth the wait. And I was the first one to see you." After a few seconds of awkward silence, I grabbed her hand. "Let's go! We have a lot to cover in the festival grounds." We ran towards the booths and attractions.

---

We couldn't find everyone else in the crowded area. Hiroisora and I decided to just go on our own pace and enjoy the food and attractions. We played a lot of games, and I even won her a small stuffed pig doll. She's hugging it as we walk around.

"I'm sorry that I can only get you that stuffed pig. I knew you wanted the bear." I apologized as we were walking around.

"Don't worry. I love it." She was smiling like a little kid. "It kind of looks like you, so it's okay."

"If you mean that it's cute, then I would agree."

"Well, if you say so. Hehehe."

"Why does it feel like you don't believe that?"

Then, an announcement said that the fireworks display will begin shortly. We searched for a spot where we can watch the fireworks. We found a spot and decided to sit down. After waiting and talking for a bit, the show started. We were looking up at the bright sky. I glanced at Hiroisora's face. She was smiling. She looked so happy. I felt something inside of me as I was staring at her. I don't understand what it is. All I know is that I want to see that smile on her face every time. In moments we are together, I am happy. I think I'm…

"What's the matter, Takaiyama-kun?" Hiroisora saw me looking at her. There was a short pause in the show.

"It's nothing. I'm just appreciating the beauty in front of me."

"Yeah, the fireworks are beautiful."

"I meant you." The fireworks resumed.

"What?" I just smiled at her and then watched the fireworks again.