Days has passed since the incident with the Yellow Scarf and Kitagawa rascals with their gang, most of the bruises and wounds she got has healed completely, except for one thing.
Tsubaki stares her right hand, since this morning she find it hard to grab anything in her hand, she cannot closed her fingers and her palm turn cold and numb.
“something is obviously wrong…” she mutters softly while sitting on her Dojo floor, most of the students has starts practicing.
“Sanada san!” Tsubaki looks up, a mid schooler boy stands firmly in front of her, then bow deeply. “please pair with me!”
“…” she knows she wont be able to hold the sword yet the young boy courage beats her and she smiles as stood up. “Very well, pick up arm and be ready for me.”
“y-yes! Please!”
The boy is so eager in pairing with her that he puts everything he got into swinging and bashing his wooden sword at her. Usually it wont be so hard, but the more she blocks the intense the pain is, cold sweats start running on her back as she fight to ignore the pain and finish the practice. She doesn’t want to disappoint the boy that looks so excited in fighting with her.
After the practice, all she can do is put ice pack over her wrist. It was so painful her hand starts to tremble. “it must’ve been because I was forcing myself to free that time…” Tsubaki thinking back to when Mayu dragged away from her, there was a brief of moment where she’s not under surveillance so she struggle to free her hands but she didn’t expect that the knot and the rope they used was really hard and she ended up hurting her wrist. And seeing her attempt, resulted to one of the rascal hit her face with his fist so hard she fall and suppressed her sprained wrist.
But she didn’t tell this when they nursed her at the hospital cause everyone focus on the obvious wound, and she didn’t expect that it would actually be this bad.
Today after the art class, the teacher asks Tsubaki and Yuto to bring some items from the art class to the teacher room.
“I wonder why he need all these stuff for?” Yuto asking to himself while his eyes looking into the box he held.
“he says something about preparing for the cultural festival, looks like a club borrowing some of his arts.” Tsubaki replies, another box in her hands too.
“oh right, I heard they held a mini exibith or something.”
“yes, Yaotome san mentioned that at the meeting.”
Yuto nodding, he then steals a glance to the girl walking on his side, he smiles before opens his mouth.
“so…you and bucho knows each other before this?”
“hm? Yes we have…history going on…” Tsubaki answers doubtly, their past is something that most people doesn’t know.
“he’s a great guy Yabu Kota.” Yuto clearly sounds like he’s persuading something on her, yet Tsubaki didn’t get the signals and let a sigh.
“true, even when he can be the trickest and most manipulative person there is.”
“but you didn’t sound like that bothers you at all.”
“…maybe because I used to it.”
“or maybe you just can tolerate him no matter what he does.”
“…am I?” still walking side by side, Tsubaki cocks her head making a thoughtful expression.
“I think you do, you understand him more than anyone, and I mean even than the council members… I think you probably the only one capable of seeing through him without even trying.”
“where is this conversation going?” frowning she halts in her track and turn her head to Yuto.
Chuckling to himself, before he speeds up his steps and stop in front of Tsubaki. “Tsubaki, even though we’re just friend now, I still care about you, really. So… I want you to find a suitable man, and… I think Kota fits you perfectly.”
“Wha-“ from a frown her expression change into that of a shock.
“Love can comes later, what matter is that either you and your man should trust each other and comfortable about one another.”
Seeing Tsubaki’s knit frown even deeper, Yuto chuckles merrily. “Do you ever wondering why Kota treats you so special?”
“I never consider any of his actions towards me as something special.” she stated, cheeks already reddening as she realized she was denying that there is something going on between them and that was the most logical explanation, although, the idea of Kota loving any girl, especially her, was supremely foreign to her thoughts and imagination.
Yuto silence and knowing smile was all the answer she needed for her cheeks to begin to inflame. “Why would he do that!? You can’t just make an objective conclusion, you know. What you did- well, it’s just sorta embare-!!“ suddenly she was attack by a severe pain that she couldnt get hold of the box and bent holding her hand to her chest.
“Tsubaki! Whats wrong!”
“N-nothing…”
“that is not a nothing to me.” Yuto puts his box down and bent in front of her, seeing cold sweats running on her face, he looks to her wrist. Its swallowing that her hand almost twice its normal size.
“what happen? Lets go to the clinic!”
Tsubaki is sitting on one of the bed in nursery room. The School nurse has gave her some pain killer and bandaged her wrist, but he still recommended Tsubaki to visit the hospital. Yuto has leave to put the art teacher’s items.
“Sanada san, you should really visit the hospital today.”
“is there something wrong with my wrist?”
“I cant tell for sure, you need an X-ray to confirm it.” The nurse take her hand and examine it again. “but I’m afraid this is more than just a sprain.”
“is that so…”
“lets just hope its not broken and just a dislocated joint. I’ll look for someone to take your belongings so you can leave to hospital now, alright?”
“thank you.”
The nurse smiles and taps her shoulder and close the curtain for her.
Koyama sensei, the school nurse open his nursery room and lucky enough to find someone passing by.
“hey, you’re a junior right.”
“yes.”
“do you know Sanada Tsubaki from 2B?”
“I do.” Upon hearing the name, the boy turns tense.
“listen could you fetch all her belonging here, she need to leave school early.”
“is something wrong with her?!”
His voice is a little too high that Koyama sensei turn around immediately looking puzzled.
“she hurt her wrist and need an immediate treatment.”
Less than a second after Koyama Sensei replying him, Ryosuke dashing through the hallways. His face ashen.
“no running on hallways! Geez… kids these days.”
Yuto just finished texting on his phone on the back of his class, the teacher for this period is currently ill and leave the class to do personal assignments.
A loud rustling voice came from outside and Ryosuke bursts into 2B without words and head to Tsubaki’s desk.
“what are you doing?” Yuto quickly approaches Ryosuke who puts all Tsubaki’s book, pen and everything else into her bag.
“hi Yuto, bye Yuto.” It only takes seconds and Ryosuke running off from the class.
“wait!” Yuto runs aftering him, Yuri who was sitting biting his pen, smiles amusedly and decides to run after them too.
“Keito! Come on this is fun!” Yuri texts his friend while following Ryosuke and Yuto, smile widely.
Keito checks his phone under his desk, and knit his furrows slightly, confuse, before he hears pairs of footsteps loudly passing his class. Even his teacher has to poke outside and shouting to the group. “quiet you! No running!”
Keito uses the chance to sneak out through the rear door. “Okamoto! Where do you think you’re going?!”
“bathroom sir!” he souts as he passes his teacher.
“bathroom is that way!”
“I’m so sorry…” he whispers quietly while letting his feet taking him to where his friends going.
Everyone arrived at the nursery room and Koyama sensei nearly jumped from his chair seeing so many students coming to his room.
“I bring Tsubaki’s bag sir.” Ryosuke says firmly still catching his breath, holding her bag in his chest, looks absolutely serious.
“Sanada in there, getting ready to leave with the council president.”
“he’s here too?!” Yuri sounds disbelief and look to all his friends. “soon everyone is here.”
“what is it, whats going on?” Hikaru, behind him Yuya who tiptoeing are now arrived at Nursery room too, appreantly seeing Kota sprinting out of his class ignoring his teacher caught their attention as well. Yuto texted him the minute he leaves Tsubaki at the Nursery room.
“what’s going on! Hey let me pass!” Daiki bouncing behind Yuya after failing to get his way inside.
Kei who seeing his attempt, smiles and whispering. “do you want me to find you a step stool Daichan?”
“hahahaha… not funny!” he slaps Kei’s shoulder who laughs caressly.
“everyone is here!!” Yuri shouts almost making an animated movement of a falling character.
The curtain has half opened, Kota standing infront of Tsubaki, still sitting on the edge of bed.
“why didn’t you tell anyone this sooner.”
“its fine.” she answers firmly to the man standing glaring with both hands on his waists,
“you…” Kota rubs his forehead in annoyance, “really like making me worry, huh.”
“I never intend to-“
“well you always did, with or without intention.”
“what?! Since when did I have any intention to do that.”
“Tsubaki…”
“this is merely a wound, it doesn’t need to be so concern, and be fuss over it.”
“tsubaki…”
“if there’s something you need to worry about is the upcoming festival, not me-“
“HUSS!!” Kota puts his slender fingers above her mouth. “calm down.” He released a deep breath.
Still covered by his hand, the only thing left from Tsubaki face is her knitting brows and fierce gaze.
“its just my natural to worry about you, what ever that is, understand, like it or not the worry about you is always there in me, understand. But please, just please be more concern of yourself.” His scolding is very gentle, a quiet whisper at best.
Tsubaki keep nodding to his words. Kota smiles seeing he’s finally tamed her, released her mouth and now patted her head. “good girl.”
“stop it, please.” Tsubaki notices that most of the council are there watching their exchanges.
“I never tire of patting your head…”
“I’m not your pet…”
“Now there’s an idea. I would make you my pet right now if I could. You’d make a cute puppy.”
“what are you saying?!”
“you’re right. What am I saying…? I cant marry my pet, can I.” he whispers softly enough for him alone to hear, then turns to the audience that has been watching their heated banter like a live show.
“oh, hey, everyone is here.” He smiles making a gesture like he just notice everyone is there.
Meanwhile Yuri and Keito noticing the deep frown in Ryosuke face, even his jaws turned tense.
“his face become so red, I think he got sick…” Keito says in whisper to Yuri.
“what Ryosuke is sick? so he can actually sick too.” Hikaru joins the conversation bending himself a bit so he can be in their level.
“yeah…a severe disease called jealousy…” Yuri whispers between his giggles.
Hikaru looks up, Ryosuke showing this eyes like he could burn something to ash with his gaze alone. “that was definitely jealousy right there. It looks like a severe case.”
Suddenly Ryosuke walks forward to where Tsubaki and Kota are.
“Bucho is right, tsubaki. Even when what you do is simply not wanting to burden us, to be honest, we always worry about each other, with Mayu and you too.” Somehow Ryosuke managed to regain his calm composure back. “see everyone here, its because we care, so if anything happens to you, tell us right away. That will be a way not to make us worry.” he smiles and poke the tip of her nose.
“Tsu nee!!!!”
“another one?!” Koyama sensei sounds a bit annoyed with the additional student barging into his room.
Mayu forced her way moving anyone around her, even Hikaru, Keito and Yuri make a dramatic move being pushed away.
“Yuya texted me! is everything ok?!”
“yes.”
“no.” Kota and Ryosuke abruptly answering for her together as if on cue.
“so which one is it, yes or no?” Mayu eyes dart between Tsubaki and the two guys standing near her bed.
“Tsubaki will leave to hospital now Mayu chan.” Kota smiles, his both hands folded across his chest.
“oh… how will you get there?”
“the train is fine.” Tsubaki smiles reassuring her, getting ready to leave the bed.
“oh then you should go with someone…” upon saying this Mayu eyes look to both Ryosuke and Kota, that obviously showing they will go either way. “but…I think you’ll be just fine…hehehe…” Mayu laughs awkwardly and decides to just jump into conclusion. “Please take care of Tsubaki senpai for me, Kota senpai, Ryosuke senpai.” She bows.
“Mayu…chan…” Keito whispering desperately, beside him Yuri pouting his lips while shaking his head. Yuto too making a weird face hiding his lips behind his hand. “…she just create a WWIII there…”
“huh…? Why, what happen…?” meanwhile Daiki look around, trying to digest what’s really going on by looking at each of his friends. Kei rested his hand to his shoulder.
“Dai chan… Dai chan is so dense…”
“what, why you calling me dense…?!”
“yeah, I don’t get it either…” standing way behind the group is Yuya, cocking his head and frowning.
Kei just strikes an innocent smile at them. “its just adulthood thing. Kid wont understand that.”
“oh….wait the minute, you’re the last person to say that to me!” Yuya shouts and soon everyone attention draws backwards at them.
“another war has start here.” Yuto sighing while watching Yuya being block by Daiki after he tries to charge to Kei, while Kei innocently continuing to tease Yuya for being dense from behind Daiki’s body.
Tsubaki, Kota and Ryosuke ride the train to the hospital, Tsubaki sitting between them. Kota sits near the entrance. Ryosuke still holding her bags, he puts it on his lap.
“um, thank you for taking care of my bag, you can put it here.” Tsubaki taps her laps, but Ryosuke with a smile rejects her.
“its fine, your hand is hurt, I can hold it for you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“stop apologizing, its fine, honestly.”
After thanking his kindness with a smile, they slips into silence, thanks to the pain killer, Tsubaki wrist isn’t really painful anymore, she leans backward and stares the ceiling, where colorful banners and pamphlets are hanging.
“Did your brothers know?” Kota voice was the first one break the silence.
“no… I mean… things will get too complicated if they know…”
Kota laughs faintly as if he knows exactly what would happen if both her brothers know what happen to their precious little sister.
“but I think you should tell them.” Kota speaks in more serious tone, leaning forward. “they’ll be more worry if they heard it from 3rd party.”
“…I suppose that’s true… alright I will.”
Kota nods with a smile at her.
“how long have you two know each other?” Tsubaki and Kota turns to Ryosuke who feels like he left out of the conversation.
“since forever. No seriously, I know her since she’s inside her mother’s womb.”
Straighten his sitting position, Kota joins Tsubaki leaning behind, his long legs stretch affront and his both hands folded across his chest.
“one day we visited your mother and she called me… come here Yabu kun this is Tsubaki… while carresing her belly. I touched you even before you were born.” Kota laughs his face is sincere, the radiant of nostalgic flows from him. “you kicked me not once but twice… then your mother said… my Kota kun I think she knows who you are.”
“you… remember what happened when you were two?” Tsubaki sitting next him, slightly turn her body at him.
“I was almost three.” Kota raised his three fingers with a smile. “I enrolled the school one year late remember, and yeah I remembered, I have strong memories.”
Kota that starts to smile to himself feeling nostalgic all of a sudden. Tsubaki moves her eyes, a gently smile rose on her face. “I guess that is why Kota san touches always so comforting… cause I feel it even when I was inside my mother’s womb?”
“wow.” Was the only words ryosuke could came up. His face is fill with amazement but insecure starts to built up within him as he sees the change on Tsubaki’s gaze. He takes a breath and sighs it out again, tilting his head to one side…
“our family know each other since more than 200 years ago.” tsubaki sudden explanation brings Ryosuke attention back to her after drifting into a lonely land.
She turns at him with a smile. “our family both fought for Shonan long ago.”
“so Sanada and Yabu are Samurai family?”
“yes, so to maintain our good alliance, Sanada and Yabu decided to built a dojo together.”
“it must be nice having a friend you know for so long.”
“yeah…. I wish we live in those era.” Stretching his long arms Kota speaks from behind Tsubaki.
“and why is that?” Tsubaki turns at him.
“so I can get to see Lady Sanada in Kimono everyday.”
“excuse me?”
“I like seeing you in Kimono, if I could I want to see you in Kimono everyday.” She sits up, his hardened gaze making her feels strangely exposed even under the thick clothes.
Tsubaki rolls her eyes in annoyance and sits back properly ignoring Kota who grin from ear to ear making his eyes into thin line.
“me too…” Ryosuke whispers quietly, one of his hands covers his slightly redden face. “Tsubaki looks beautiful in Kimono.”
“Goodness…” Tsubaki squeezes the bridge of her nose with two fingers, as if she cant believe what these two guys is saying.
After the quick visit to the hospital, Tsubaki declared to have a dislocated joint on her right wrist. It will be healed in few weeks. Even when she doesn’t need any plaster, the doctor suggested her to wear an iron support on her wrist to prevent any worse injury until she’s completely healed.
It will be less than three more days until the cultural festival, Tsubaki spending time with Mayu making decoration for the café.
“I cant believe we’re going to do some café! I always want to wear a cute maid outfit! And did you see the maid outfit Tomoko san got me, its super duper cute!!” Mayu says excitedly, her body are all giddying and she’s giggling cutely.
“I believe a maid outfit would fits you nicely, I cant wait to see you in it.”
“me too! But… what is your costume going to look like Tsunee?”
“I have no idea, Kota san said it will be his responsibility.”
“Kota san sure is concern when it comes to Tsunee.”
“everyone said that… but I really feel that anything happens between us is common things.”
Mayu smiles, her eyes watch her hands moving, turning pastel colored paper into flower. “I don’t know much about love too but… don’t you ever wonder if…well Kota senpai…umm… loves you…?”
“…” tsubaki couldn’t help but going back to when Yuto asking the same question at her. “that is far beyong my thought Mayu chan.” Tsubaki replies calmly returning her attention to what she does.
“Ryosuke senpai too… he likes you too, doesn’t he.”
“…can we please finish our work before anything else.”
“y-yes.” Being stared by Tsubaki with her cold icy gaze, Mayu quickly shook off all her curiosity and sealed her lips tightly.
Though her mind denies it completely… convincing her heart is not so easy. And now she has two men occupying her head. She clenches her eyes shut, fighting the urge to run or worst getting too worked up over this.
Feeling somewhat confuse with her own feelings that everything start going to burst if Tsubaki keep it inside, she asks for a girl’s day out with her best friends minus Nat who couldn’t come due to her part time work.
The girls hanging out at one sweets restaurant and order many kind of desserts.
“this ice macha sweetness is perfect.” Saori says, after put one scoop of red colored ice to her mouth.
“the blueberry snow is good too, but Mika’s parfait is amazing isn’t it.” Kiara turns to mika Jumbo parfait with firecrackers on it. “didn’t the waiter said its menu for 6 pax?”
“don’t worry I got a sweet tooth I can eat this much.” Grinning confidently is Mika already taking the garnish and eats it in one bite.
Tsubaki who used to comment Mika’s attitude, lock her lips today and look to the sundae in front of her.
“someone is being very quiet today.” Kiara’s teasing with a knowing smile, even so tsubaki still staring to her sundae as if it can talks at her.
“Tsubaki… we know you want to discuss something with us… but…” Saori half bitterly laughs look at Tsubaki, her eyes look worry. “we’re not mind reader.”
“…yes…” but her reply stop at that and she heaved in deep sigh, making Saori let her own exasperated sigh.
“let me guess… is it about love?” Kiara speaks calmly, resting few fingers on her chin.
“cough!”
“Mika!” Saori scolds her, but Mika was genuinely surprise and the big chuck of ice she just stuffed to her mouth, stuck in her throat.
“…I don’t even know if this is love… I don’t even know what this is anymore…”
“could you tell us, you rarely show your weakness, so… seeing you like this worry us.” Saori puts her spoon down, and wipes her fingers with a napkin, wet from her dessert.
“is this about Yuto, is not right?” upon bringing that name, Mika’s face turn fierce.
“why do you think so?” Saori turns her eyes to Mika who sat by Tsubaki’s side, her furrows knit just a bit.
“You should stop dwelling about Yuto Tsubaki, you know he dated you before just to be more popular. I admit it was my mistake to force you to accept him… but I’m not going to let this mistake dragging your feeling! Forget about him and move on!”
“Yuto…dated me… for popularity…? i… never heard of this…”
“ah! Oh dear… so this isn’t about Yuto then…?” from a shocking expression, under a deep sigh Mika’s eyes turn sorrow.
“and now… she gains even more problem…” Kiara says leaning her chin on one hand.
“yeah, me and my big mouth…” mika’s clear regret escapes under her grumble.
“i-its alright Mika chan… even without knowing that fact… I have cleared my feelings for him… cause…”
“cause…? There’s someone else, right?”Mika quickly changes from sorrow to shock, again. “omigosh Tsubaki could it be you… fall in love for the first time?!”
“…I don’t know… I really don’t understand what I deal with at the moment. What I know… none of these feelings ever came when I was with Yuto.”
“Tsubaki you sounds very confuse, why don’t you share us the whole story I’m sure, together we can think of something.” Smiles reassuring like adult should is Saori, looks beautiful with her hair braided.
“hmm… its… well, I know two person.”
“omigosh! There are two boys!”
“Mika! Shush!” Kiara put her fingers to her lips.
“r-right, sorry…”
“the two are polar opposite to each other yet they both special in many ways to me… but as one giving me the throbbing feeling and excitement the other one is very comforting and understand me more than anyone… I know I’m probably just being dramatic but…”
“they showing some signals that they have feelings for you… aren’t they?” Saori’s smiling knowing why Tsubaki look troubled.
“…”
“oh my… that is troublesome… if to chose I don’t think its fair isn’t it. Both excitement and comfort are two essential things you look in steady relationship.” Kiara tilts her head to one side before smiling again. “and Tsubaki, you don’t really understand what your heart desire?”
“I don’t want to let things like this distract me or making me disorient, still its been very hard to ignore it lately and I lose control of my own emotions… I figured if I don’t solve this, it will keep on dragging me.”
“hmm, I understand.” Kiara nods, on her side Soari following her gesture and lean forward.
“so who is these two persons, making our super strict Tsubaki so disoriented?”
“…”
“you have to tell us who, you know, maybe by knowing who they are we can give our opinions.” Mika, one hand holding her spoon, and one lean on the table.
“i-its…”
After Tsubaki telling them who these two people really are, everyone fell silent in an instant.
“wow… that’s…well…. Complicated in many ways…” Mika says somewhat trailing a concern tone in her voice.
“my Tsubaki…” Saori’s let a bitter laugh.
“a stubborn boy and a persistence guy…”
“you know, usually in love manga or drama, it will be a battle between a melancholic and gentle guy with a hardcore and sport fanatic guy… “ Mika’s explaining while chewing, it was more like she’s talking to herself.
“this is not a manga or drama you know that, right.” Saori looks at Mika, who still busy eating her dessert.
“I do… if only you can look inside your heart and see who’s making you sure?” she nods, while trying to swallow.
“sure…about…?” Tsubaki now turns her head and try to understand what her friend says.
“you know, that one, the one we want to spend our days with, have fun with, cry with, no matter what we do we always have great times, someone we can rely on and trust. Someone like that.”
“Mika, you got it!”
Mika bring her straws to her parfait “yeah! Wait… what did I got?!” suddenly she lifts her head, expression puzzled.
“Tsubaki just need to take her time and think what Mika said.” Leaning behind with fingers rest on her chin, Kiara nod in approval.
“like I say…what did I actually said???”
“So Tsubaki, don’t rush yourself kay, just enjoy this thrilling love you will only find on youth days, cause once we gets older, deciding a partner is not just about love.” Saori gives an exasperated smile as if she is talking about herself.
“i-it doesn’t…?”
“yes, so thing about love is not something you can rush, your heart will lead you to the one you trust the most, someone who wont give you up, someone who even when you fight, always find ways to forgive each other… and when you’re together you will become your true self, he will not give a room for you to hide yet at the same time making you feel good about being yourself.” Now Kiara continuing Saori explanation with her matured smile and gentle tone.
“Sometimes you cant really explain what you see in a person. Sometimes its just the way they take you to another place nobody else can. The best thing in life is finding someone who knows all of your flaws and mistakes and weaknesses, and still thinks you’re completely amazing. If one of them happens to be like so, I say, don’t let them go.” Kiara being the most matured one in the group always finds away to talk things over like an older sister would.
“I guess you’re right Kiara.” Feeling a little resolve, Tsubaki blooms a smile on her once confuse face.
“guys, guys seriously… I still don’t get it-“ Mika however, still waving her arms around to all her friends.
“its so ironic that she doesn’t even understand what she has told us…” Saori certainly looks sorry for Mika, making Mika actually even more confuse and couldn’t help but looking discontent about it.
“huh?!”
“well that’s just… lets call it Mika’s charm.” Kiara’s giggling while locking her eyes on the confuse girl in front of her.
“no matter how you see it, it’s a backhanded compliment there.” Mika’s pouting and her cheeks slightly on fire hearing Kiara’s compliment.
“hahahahaha.” The girls all laughing to Mika’s reaction but soon she’s too giggling and join the laughter.
“so… I have to feel and think about it at the same time…? I suppose even loving someone needs a balance… I do want to find the one who’s more honest to me, showing his weakness to me, telling straight than wanting me to guess what in his mind… I want someone regardless how stubborn I am and how strong I think of myself will protect me in ways more than one… if I think about it that way… mutual relationship does sound very serious and complicated than it looked or how it felt before…” as she thinks about this secretly in her mind. She cannot help but remembering Yuto, if only they were more honest with each other, not giving up on each other and rely on each other more then maybe just maybe, things would’ve been different now. But she presses her lips hard and swallowed her own words, she has put him behind, and decides to embrace the future if possible with one of the men has been occupying her mind more than they should.
Finally it’s the day of the cultural festival. Tsubaki maid costume still left a mystery, and she decides to just trust Kota on this instead of wasting her time to think about it. Tsubaki class decides to held a mini planetarium, a small machine with sets of disc and black curtains all over 2B making all the stars and constellations dancing above the ceiling. They also provides matras and pillow so visitors can lay down and enjoy the view. Tsubaki becomes the greeter along with Yuto. Their class getting rowdy and soon Yuto notices someone is missing.
“do you see Yuri?” after escorting a pair of visitors inside Yuto return outside where Tsubaki standing at the entrance. She shakes her head and give the visitor a voucher for free drinks they could claim after the visit.
“where did he go, we could use some extra man power here.” Yuto puts his hands on his waists while looking to his left and right.
“If you capable of handling things here, I go and look for him.”
“are you sure?” Yuto brings his eyes to her.
“maybe it’ll be faster if you two look for him.” Another student, poke from inside and urge them to look for Yuri together.
After looking to each class in Junior grade, Yuto has a better idea where he might be.
“I knew it.” He states half irritated, Yuri is smiling and cheering the long queue on 2A crepes stand, built on the school yard.
“what are you doing, you know well where you should be.” Yuto with his long legs steps up to Yuri who looks up at him and poses a cute innocent smile.
“this booth is kinda cute, I just naturally feel like I belong here.”
“enough, lets go home, to where you NATURALLY belong.” Picking him up by the back of his collar like a mother cat, Yuto drags Yuri off into the building. “you can take your break now, Tsubaki.” Yuto shouts and Yuri smile while waving eagerly at her.
“Hey Tsubaki on break?” still watching her two friends gradually missing Keito taps her shoulder gently.
“ah yes, I just did.”
“would you like to try our crepes, they’re very delicious.” Says Keito in a fluent English. Tsubaki laughs to his sudden offer and nods as way of approving his amazing language skill.
Keito then inviting Tsubaki with his hand, to the back of their crepes booth. Ryosuke seems to be the person in charge, he skillfully making any kind of crepes for the long line ahead of him, each one of his costumers he treats them earnestly, politely even when he clearly looks tired. His gentle smile, all the way to his eyes makes all his costumers smiling widely and happily in return. Tsubaki notices that most of the customers are female.
“Ryosuke is always popular among our female customers, more and more of them came than last year, business is doing good.” Keito shows a thumb up at Tsubaki.
“Yamachan!” two girls now standing in front of him, smiling happily while snuggle to each other.
“ah you came again this year, thank you for your support.” He bows slightly with a kind smile. “what can I get you today?”
Suddenly they look to each other and counting. “3, 2, 1… please let us take your pictures!”
“huh? Um…of course…” he answers with confuse, but before anything they snaps him with their mobile camera.
“thank you!” they say in union before finally give him their orders.
Keito walks to his side after awhile and tap his shoulder. “its time for your break now.”
“I can still-“ But Keito cuts him off by his geture, Ryosuke follows his line of sight and caught Tsubaki behind their stall looking around.
“just one more.” He replies bring one finger up plestered his face with a sunny smile.
Tsubaki still looking around the school yard, now packed with vary attractions and colorful booths and stalls. “Tsubaki, for you.” Tsubaki turns hearing her name being called and a tasty looking crepes suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking the one offering it, Ryosuke peeks slowly from behind it and smile widely.
“I want you to taste my crepe.”
“oh, thank you so much, that’s very kind of you.” Tsubaki smiles and took the crepe Ryosuke offers. It was a cheesecake flavor, the customers favorite yet he’s been keeping it one portion just for her, he’s planning to gave it later but he was more than glad he could give it sooner.
“oh wow, its so delicious, I really like it, thank you.” After a mouthful of bite, Tsubaki brings one hand to cover her mouth as she nods and smile shyly at him.
“oh, here.” After seeing her face, Ryosuke quickly reaches to his pocket and take his handkerchief.
“hm?” tsubaki moves her head backward slightly when Ryosuke’s hand reach out to her.
“here let me.” His long, tapered fingers trace the line of her jaw as he tilts her face upwards and wipes the cream left on her chin. Smiles he nods at her. “all clean now.”
Tsubaki nods but lower her head to meet the ground, hiding a blush teasing to appear on her face. as Ryosuke puts back his handkerchief he sees tsubaki Iron support on her wrist and let a sigh.
“I have no choice but to admire your willingness to put yourself in mortal danger for the sake of your friends. But I never, ever want you to do something like that ever again.” But as Tsubaki bring her eyes upward to address some complain. Surely, he has the same warm, gentle smile for her that he always does. “be more careful in anything that you do, okay.”
“…yes.” And a simple yes is the only thing she managed to form.
They walk around the festival for their break, visiting and trying any stall caught their attention while trying to help some visitors finding their way around. Is unexpectedly fun, Tsubaki is always serious is doing any mini games they encounters but Ryosuke on the other hand seems to completely playing around and makes people around him laugh. But occasionally he went into serious mode and win anything that he tries.
“what do you want to do next?” finally after trying mostly anything here at the yard, they take a breather.
Tsubaki looks across the yard, settling on a particular area. “maybe I’ll do one round of patrol.”
“that’s sound so much like you.” Ryosuke’s laugh is unusually lighthearted, and Tsubaki cant help laughing too.
They’re still laughing together when Tsubaki hears a small child crying…
“…huh? Did you hear that just now? It sounded like a little kid crying…”
“Hm? Really?”
“Ah, there! There’s a little boy crying!” right in the middle of the venue, Tsubaki sees a little boy sobbing all alone.
“he might be lost!” She takes off running towards the boy and Ryosuke hurries follow her.
“H-hey!”
“WAAAH! Mommy-! Mommy, where are you?!”
“Hi, whats wrong? Did you get separated from your mom?”
“…Mommy and Daddy are gone!”
“I see. Its alright though. We’ll find them really quick! What’s your name? will you tell us?” Tsubaki crouches down so she can meet the boy’s eyes, patting him on the head.
“I’m Aoi, Naoji Aoi!” Ryosuke looks down at them without saying anything.
“I know I told him we’d find them, but this crowd is…” Tsubaki stands up for a moment, talking to Ryosuke out of the boy’s hearing. The school yard is pretty crowded. It looks like its going to be difficult to find his parents. Still looking frightened, the boy grabs a handful of her skirt, holding tight.
Seeing those eyes, Ryosuke suddenly stoops, putting himself face to face with the boy.
“Be brave, alright? No crying. You’re going to need to climb up on my shoulders so you can find your parents.” Ryosuke finishes speaking, lifting the boy onto his shoulders.
“Wow! So high up!!”
“You’ll be able to find them easier if you look from high up.” Ryosuke looks at Tsubaki.
“Yes, that’s right! Try calling your parents from up there. Be really loud!”
“Okay! Daaaaaddy! Mooommmmyy!!” the little boy shouts as hard as he can.
Tsubaki turns and yell as loud as she can. “Attention! Naoji Aoi’s parents! Aoi chan is over here!”
Aoi gives her a big smile when he hears her shouting. Still holding Aoi up above the crowd, Ryosuke smiles at her warmly when their eyes meet. Just then, Aoi shouts.
“Its daddy! And Mommy, too!”
Tsubaki looks to see a couple that must be Aoi’s parents running towards them.
“Aoi!”
“aoi! Thank god…!”
“Daddy! Mommy!!” Ryosuke lets Aoi down off his shoulders, and the little boy runs to his parents.
“Looks like Operation Viewing Platform was a success!”
“Yes.” Tsubaki and Ryosuke smile, watching the parents take Aoi into their arms.
“Thank you so much.”
“What can we ever do to thank you…”
Tsubaki waves her hands in refusal “N-no, its fine. we’re just happy that everyone’s back together…” Aoi patters back over to them as they’re talking to his parents.
“are you lovey dovey?”
“come again?!” Tsubaki’s so surprised by the question that she freezes up for a moment… Beside her, Ryosuke is also frozen, staring blankly.
“Don’t be rude, Aoi!”
“But Mommy, they look at each other like mommy and daddy always did!”
“w-we’re what???”
“…No…Not yet.” Her mind is still racing to catch up, when Ryosuke answers for them. His face completely serious. His face is so sincere, even though he’s talking to a child.
“Say goodbye, Aoi.”
His parents thank them one more time, before the family walks away through the yard.
“Bye-bye!”
“Goodbye.” Aoi turns to wave and say goodbye as they go. Tsubaki smiles and waves back at him. Her pulse is still racing, just a bit…
Ryosuke smiles and waves too. He seems so calm, but when she looks, she can see that his ears are ever so slightly red…
And all of a sudden they suddenly fall into a strange silent. “so…umm…” Ryosuke rubs the back of his head carefully choosing the words to say.
“Tsubaki there you are! I’ve been trying to reach your phone!” from distance Yuya running towards them.
“is something wrong?”
“could you come to the senior class, we kinda need help.”
“from me?” Tsubaki points a finger to herself as if asking for confirmation.
“yeah, lets go.”
“oh, very well then, see you later Yamada san.” Tsubaki took off after a single bow and follow Yuya into the building.
“bye…” Ryosuke can only wave weakly as the girl that she likes missing from his sight.
“Takaki senpai, just what kind of help you need me for?”
“here, you can ask Kota directly he says he need your help.” Yuya stops in front of 3B, with its door widely open.
“…” Tsubaki suddenly feels unpleasant feeling creeping up and her furrows knit almost in an instant.
“Kota! Delivery! Bye!” shouting his way through, Yuya poses a smile before running back to his 3A classroom.
“wait!”
“Lady Sanada, I have been waiting.” Kota is dressed in Kimono and the whole classroom covered in tatami, that Tsubaki actually impress by it.
“why are you calling me here?” she enters awkwardly having the seniors glance her way. But knowing who she’s here for, everyone just smiles nicely and warmly at her. Kota softly pushes her back and guides her to one blocked space in the class, inside she sees a lovely kimono neatly hang behind the hanafuda screen. It’s a colonial style kimono with stripes pattern common for castle servants during old age, it came with hakama and a pair of traditional geta and Japanese style apron.
“its your maid costume.” Kota’s voice leak from the other side of the screen. “get change, I’ll be keeping you safe here.”
“thank you.” Tsubaki quickly undress and change herself, strange even though she knows she’s inside a classroom hiding in one corner simply by a screen, knowing Kota is standing outside, she feels like it was the safest fort.
“Kota san, I have changed.”
“Ah, yes. Just like I envisioned it.” He turns and from the shock he quickly hides, a wide smile arose and he nods in satisfaction.
“But why do I have to dress like this now? Our café is still two hours from officially open.”
Not answering her question, Kota turns his head as he heards noises coming to his class.
“they’re here.”
“they?” Tsubaki’s following Kota eyes line of sight and a group of old women walks in, bowing at his presence.
“we are here for the ikebana lesson.”
“ah please, take a seat.” With his long arm, Kota politely asks the old ladies to sit at the round cushion, many kind of flowers with vases has been placed before them, something Tsubaki didn’t notice before.
They bow at each other before Kota formally began the lesson. Tsubaki leaves no option but to sit her self there, not far from the group observing the activity. Mrs Yabu is a renowned Ikebana teacher and Kota has been gifted like her since young, he enjoys it but not to the point of taking after his mother and be a professional. Tsubaki watches and every movement seems to bring out his manhood in some way, making him even more alluring than he was before. His lips are drawn into a serious line, accentuating his elegant profile, his concise movements.
“tsubaki.” The sound of her name in the silence makes her heart jump.
“y-yes?”
“would you be so kind to offer the fine ladies some tea?” before she knows it the lesson has over and Kota points to the tea set on her side.
“ah, yes.” She quickly offers the warm tea to the old ladies still sitting on the tatami. Soon few more old and matured ladies join the lesson, for an hour its like a never ending ikebana lesson and Tsubaki trapped in his class, becoming his little helper serving tea for his guests.
“are you two lovers?” suddenly one of the guest asking while exchanging her glance between tsubaki and Kota.
“umm…” not knowing what to say Tsubaki can only frown.
Kota smiles to the question. “I’m honored that you think of us as so.” He bows slightly. “for we are currently just a good friend.”
“currently? So someday you will, is that so?” the old lady seems to be very curious.
Kota plasters a smile on his face but the lady lean closer in whispering gesture at him, hiding her face from Tsubaki yet her voice was loud enough to reach her ears.
“if you fond of her, I say go for it.” Tsubaki’s shoulders jump, and then she shrinks back, as if already offering herself to embarrassment.
“I will, thank you.” Kota replies her with utmost politeness and a gentle smile. As everyone ready to leave the room, Kota turns to look at her. She’ve never seen such concern in his eyes before, full of a sweetness that makes her heart ache like it could burst.
Kota guides the last group leaving the classroom, outside a traditional banner stands near the entrance and now he opens the “ikebana” page to “chaya” appearently now’s the time for a different traditional class to begin. He bows to his friends who takes over the classroom for Japanese tea ceremony lesson.
Kota takes Tsubaki leave the 3rd grade building and head for council room. Accompanied by the music of their geta clogs ringing against the floor, they walk a bit slower than usual.
“Did you have fun?”
“are you talking about my class or yours?”
“hahahaha. I owe you my apologies and gratitude for helping me out.”
“it was arranged to be like that since the beginning, wasn’t it?”
Kota just shows his trademark flippant smirk of his and Tsubaki knows exactly what the answer will be. “oh Yabu Kota.” She darts her face away, knitting her furrows.
“this is will be my last school festival, obviously you’re the one I want to spend it with.”
“…don’t say weird thing, please.”
Hearing her complains, Kota just laughs with a shrug, as if he is not bothered at all.
When they both arrived at the council room, Mayu, Daiki, Kei, Ryosuke, Yuri, Keito and Yuto are all busy making the last touch up to their café.
“oh…. looking good everyone, thank you for the hard work.” Kota enters and claps his hands seeing how different the room is now, even the wall covers in pastel color wallpaper, six sets of round table with cute decorations laid in the middle of the room, even the white plain curtain are placed with soft colors fabric.
“wow…” Ryosuke who’s preparing some garnish for their meals opens his jaw seeing Tsubaki in her colonial kimono.
“woah! Tsu nee so elegant… you look beautiful!” Mayu who pokes her head from the changing room runs once she notices who’s coming in.
“Mayu chan, you’re so adorable.” Tsubaki smiles happily seeing the girl just jumps in front of her.
“te he he, how do I look?” she makes a tiny 360 spin making her short skirt swirls.
“very nice, you look really cute.”
“thank you.” She brings her hands and covers her cheeks hearing tsubaki genuine compliments.
“…”
Kei who folded his sleeve sitting on the side the frozen Daiki, offering him a fan. Daiki took it and fans himself. “gah! Its so hot in here, windows, open some windows!” Daiki walks around approaching the curtain and try to finds a space for a short breather. Mayu is too cute even he doesn’t know what to do with his beating heart, shattering his ribs.
“okay, how about we practice your greeting.” Keito came to the two girls, acting like a produser.
Yuto has places his tripod and camera, he’s incharge for today’s cafe documentation. He’s setting the lense and nod at Keito saying he’s ready to recording.
“we’ll start from Mayu, please shows us your greeting.”
“r-right… um… I’ve been practicing from anime and manga so…please don’t laugh…”
“I’ll hit who’s laughing at you… no I mean… you’ll do just fine… please ignore me…” Daiki abrupty speaking while hiding back to the curtain.
“Daichan just nervous to be a butler, don’t mind him.” kei speaks while holding back his laughter for Daiki behalf while folding his hand across his chest, a cat sleeping on his laps.
Heaving a deep breath “okay, here I go.” Mayu faces the camera and Keito. “Master, I have been waiting welcome back…nya!” posing a cat paws as ending. Before she takes her hand covering her face. “t-that was embarrassing!”
“its really cute Mayu, perfect!” after seeing the result from Yuto’s camera Keito gave an “ok” signage. “please use that.”
“thank you hehehehe, my hours of talking to mirror paid off.”
“Now, Tsubaki its your turn.” Keito says as gesturing her to take position in front of the camera.
She’s frowning a bit, and her cheeks redden, she even put her hand over her kimono and look left and right before look into the camera.
“she’s being shy…. How cute…” Yuri who’s leaning his head on the table smile teasingly.
“but you’re still cuter.” Kota continues, knowing well where this’ll be going.
“ping pong.”
Suddenly her gaze turns serious and she bows deeply. “my lord, I have awaited for your arrival.”
“…” the room suddenly turns into silent.
Kota brings his hand to covers his mouth and swallow hard his laughter, so hard his face turn bright red. “milady, you’re so adorable…”
Yuri couldn’t form any words without giggling, and he find it hard to say anything properly.
Kei didn’t bother to hide his laughter, chuckling merrily gains a slap from Daiki who leaves his hiding spot.
“uh… I think I could get a nose bleed…” Ryosuke turns and covers his mouth and nose while turning away hiding the obvious blush.
“well… umm, that’s very Tsubaki like.” Keito says haltingly doesn’t want to offend her.
“I think that’s fine… Tsubaki is Tsubaki you cant expect her to do something unusual to her, besides… its her charm.” Kota suddenly stands behind her and rest his hand on her head.
Tsubaki turns at him, catching him looking at her with his smiling eyes.
Yuto from behind the camera seeing the non verbal language between them, still recording it he smiles dearly as if this pictures is something he wants to see.
“I guess, we can use her greeting too, right Ryo-“ Yuri’s turning his head to his friend standing behind the counter, only to see him cutting some vegetables in high speed yet his eyes fixed on Tsubaki and Kota. “d-don’t cut without looking at it!!!!”
Now that all the boys has changed too, Mayu using hers, Yuri, Ryosuke, Daiki and Keito’s phone, taking their pictures. Everyone posing happily. Yuya and Hikaru is incharge to give tour to Kitagawa most awaited guest, student of Fujiwara.
The Fujiwara group climbed down from their school bus. There are 30 students volunteering to come with the council.
“welcome to Kitagawa’s cultural festival.” Hikaru’s welcoming them with a wide open arm and a bow.
“I am Yaotome Hikaru and Takaki Yuya senior students.” Yuya just waves faintly at the group of girls just arrived.
“we will give you a quick tour around the festival. Please follow me, first itinerary the school yard, this way ladies.”
“Saori… do you need a private tour?”
“Kiara, don’t joke please.”
Hikaru’s looking behind, few steps behind him walking as the group leader is Fujiwara council president and vp, also someone he knows well from his past. He puts a rather awkward smile seeing Saori who looks a bit annoyed with Kiara’s teases.
As their eyes met by accident, Saori’s giving him a rather sad smile before darts her eyes away. Saori walking on her side, couldn’t help but sighing with a forced smile.
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