Kapitel 67: On the Way to the Fall Festival
"Mom, are you sure I should be wearing this?" Arata complained to his mother. It was almost time to leave for the Fall festival, the town's celebration for the last moments before the winter cold came.
"Oh hush, I think this looks wonderful on you." She was making sure that the Yakuta he was wearing, fit properly. "This was your dad's and I think that it'd be nice for your first festival if you wore it."
"Sure, but I'm not sure this will fit. Plus, isn't this usually for girls?" It had a classic blue design on it, due to its age, but Arata cursed that he was on the smaller side. Making it feel a little loose on him.
"Don't worry, I'll get it fixed for you." True to her word, she was able to give it a tighter feel for him. Maybe it might not be so bad after all. Once she was finished, they heard a knock at the door.
"That must be Yuriko." He told his mom. There were two people that he was waiting on. The other being Matsu, but he figured that she'd be a little late. "Hello." What greeted him was an entirely different person.
"Arata!" It was his sister, Ayami. Without a second's hesitation, she leaped on top of him. Giving him a big hug.
"I didn't think I'd see you." He was so happy to see her, that he didn't care about the sudden tackle and hug.
"It's so nice that you could make for the festival." His mom already knew, but she wanted to keep this a surprise for him. "I even got a yakuta for you too."
"Aww mom, thanks." Ayami shined with joy. "But, I actually already picked one up at a shop near the university." She revealed a bag that held her belongings.
"That's a shame, it would've been nice if the two of you could've worn our old yakutas from when we were younger." Their mom reminisced about her first festival with their dad. As much as she might've whined about their clothing choices. She couldn't deny how happy it made her to be with him then. Especially to see the fireworks.
"I guess that's just how things work out." Ayami told her, feeling a little guilty.
"Oh no, don't worry about me. I bet the outfit you got yourself will look so cute." She held no ill will about being shafted. It wasn't that big of a deal to her.
"Great. Then I'll get changed, and we can all go together."
"Actually, your father and I will be enjoying this night alone together. He'll be coming back and I'm going to pick him up at the airport."
"Really, that sounds great for you two. Then it'll just be me and Arata?"
"Actually, I got a couple of friends coming. So I guess we'll all be together with them." She immediately got excited when she heard those words.
"Oh my gosh, who!?" She grabbed him by the collar. Too hyped up to care about his fear.
"I-It's just Yuriko... and Matsu." He answered, barely able to say so with her shaking him. Ayami squealed in joy.
"That's so cute, I bet soon, one of them is going to ask you on a date!"
"I kind of doubt that." At least with Yuriko, he knew her heart was with another boy. Matsu on the other hand…
No time to think about it, another knock on the door came. Going over to open it, he was greeted with the two that he was actually expecting. Matsu was wearing a yellow yakuta, with sunflowers as her floral design. Meanwhile, Yuriko was in her casual wear. Not what you'd expect for someone about to attend the fall festival.
"Arata!" Matsu jumped over him to give him a hug. Yuriko had a much more subdued greeting.
"Hey." She said simply.
"Hey, where's your yukata or kimono?" His mom noticed her lack of festive wear.
"We don't own one." She answered. "So I didn't think it was a big deal."
"What? But that's part of the fun." Ayami came back, wearing her new outfit. Seeing everyone like this, made Yuriko feel a bit self-conscious. She was going to stand out in this group.
"Yes, come on now." His mom ushered her assertively. "We have an extra pair that I think you'll fit perfectly in." Without giving her a chance to argue, Arata's family pulled her into a private room to change.
"Are you sure this is okay?" She asked with a nervous look on her face. Wearing something that his mom wore, was odd to say the least.
"Of course, it's mine after all. So I don't mind you wearing it at all." His mom answered.
"Yeah, plus you look so cute in it." Ayami glowed with pride. "This will definitely get my little brother's attention."
"I'm not looking for his attention though…" She replied, her face giving a sad expression.
"Tada!" His sister presented Yuriko as she walked out the front door. Arata wasn't expecting to be amazed with what he saw. Considering that the girl was wearing his mom's old clothes.
Her beauty, it was radiant in this outfit. Her mother's yukata, with it's ocean blue color and designed that mimicked the waves. It complimented her hair and eyes. He was speechless.
"So…" She said, clearly embarrassed. She kept her arms down, as if she wanted to cover herself up. "You guys probably think this doesn't fit me at all."
"It's…" He fake coughed, to downplay his reaction. "I think it looks nice on you…" he said, using his fist to cover over his mouth. Not meeting her gaze.
"You look so cute." Matsu didn't hide her admiration at all. "I wish I could look as good as you with that on." She was jealous, for many reasons on that fact.
"Come on." Arata refocused their attention. "We should get going, so that we don't miss too much of the event." He had never been to one of these, so this could be a lot of fun. Though, knowing his luck, things were never going to be what he thought they were going to be.
The walk over to the festival wasn't bad. Even with the cooler temperature as they got deeper into fall wasn't bothering them. Soon enough, they reached their destination.
"Say, you two." Arata directed his question towards Yuriko and Matsu."Since I don't get to see her often, could I get some time with my sister?" He wanted that, along with asking her something that was bothering him. It was personal, so he didn't want either of those two with them.
They went their separate ways. So that they could find their other friends, and promised to try and meet up later.
"It's so nice to be able to get back here." She told him, once they were alone. I've missed it here."
"Yeah, and I've missed you too." He responded. They walked, enjoying the fanfare that was surrounding them. Engaging in small talk about school and daily life, before he felt comfortable with asking her. "So… Can I ask you a question?"
"You already did." She laughed. "But go ahead, you don't need my permission."
"Um…" He wasn't sure how to phrase it.
"Oh." Ayami interrupted him. "Is it about a girl? I knew you had a little crush on someone." She beamed.
"No, I don't have anyone that I have feelings for right now." He responded, flustered. Not that he really knew how that felt. "Actually, I was wondering if a certain girl might feel that way about me."
"Really? Who is it?!" She grabbed him again, excited at the prospect.
"I'm not telling you!" He shoved her off of him. "Look, if a girl gives you a kiss on the cheek, and tells you it a rewards. Does that mean they like you?"
"Arata, are you dumb?" She looked at him, very disappointed.
"Well, the only romance I know is in anime and manga. So I'm a bit lost when it comes to real life." He replied.
"Of course that means they like you." She smiled. "I know you already know that. It's probably because you don't hold any feelings for her, so you're scared of hurting her feelings."
"So that's why…" He thought about it. That was the truth, in his heart. He could already feel the way that Matsu felt about him. The way she acted around him, how she'd always want to spend whatever time they had together.
But what about the way he felt about her? The feelings of love, what did that truly feel like? Sure, he knew that he cared about her, as a friend at least. Except, was that actually love, and he never knew it?
"Arata." She placed her hand over his shoulder. "If you personally ask me, I think you should give the girl a chance." Even without knowing who the girl was? She didn't even know how he felt about her, or was it a way to describe how she felt with Yogi?
"I'll think about it…" Was his answer for her. Right now probably wasn't the time to be concerned with it, though he wasn't going to be able to ignore it that easily.
"I hope you listen to me." She laughed. "After all, I am your big sister."
"Ha, yeah right." He chuckled. This girl was always there for him, but he had the final say. "Now that you pointed it out. Did you ever do that with Yogi? You know, the whole rewarding kiss thing?"
"Um… Arata…" She got nervous when he asked her. He felt it was a bit unfair that he told her about his thing, and she was going to back away from him now.
"What? It's just a simple question. I was just wondering if you did that with Yogi?"
"Did what with me?" Now he knew why she was looking so worried. Slowly turning his head, he saw Yogi and Erina standing right behind him.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein