27

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I run through the halls nearly crashing into every person I pass, yelling my apologies behind me as I never stop running. Excitement fills my entire body as I hurry to the front gate where he is supposedly waiting for me. The fact he read my letter, and decided to come visit me fills me with an indescribable feeling of joy. It's exactly what I was wishing for.

I burst out the door, freezing in my tracks as I pant. He's facing away from me, his back to me with his head tilted slightly up at the sky. His straw hat is over his head and his basket on his back, his familiar sunflower haori making me instinctively smile.

"Mr Haganezuka!" I say out of breath, and he turns to face me with the Hyottoko mask.

"Miss Nakahara," he says softly and I beam, trying to catch my breath.

"You came!" I say, running over to him and he takes a step back making me roll my eyes. "Fine fine, no hugs!" I say, bowing to him and he clears his throat while bowing to me in return. "I didn't think you would actually come!"

"Well... your letter last night sounded serious... so I thought I should..." He says making my smile grow even larger. He doesn't finish his sentences, and instead just stands there awkwardly making me giggle.

"You must be tired, come I'll make you tea!" I say, grabbing his hand and dragging him behind me as he just follows behind me silently.

We sit across from each other on the veranda as we always do, and I brought out tea and snacks for us both. I begin to get carried away almost instantly with talking about everything that's happened since the last time we saw each other and it amazes him how I still have things to talk about even with my daily letters. He notices how I conveniently leave out the situation with Haku, and he wonders as to why. Does she not want to talk about it? Does she regret her decision to decline him. There are too many possibilities.

There's a momentary pause in my rambling for me to take a sip of tea, and he quickly takes this moment as he knows the next one may not be for awhile.

"How are things with you and your friend, Haku?" His words catch me off guard and I nearly choke on my tea, coughing as I hit my chest. I look over at him with a bashful smile and he just sits there with his arms crossed so I sigh in defeat.

"You remember me mentioning that, huh?" He nods. "Well... there's not much to say. He made me a marriage proposal and I declined... now we haven't spoken since."

"Is that why you asked me to come visit you?" He says and I rub my neck.

"W-well... only partly! I did just want to see you again Mr Haganezuka!" I say and he clears his throat, quickly looking away from me. "And you actually came this time... any particular reason why?" I grin and I can feel the glare he shoots me as he holds his head up proudly.

"No particular reason! Your letter sounded serious... so I thought I better come!" I giggle as he continues to sit rigidly. "Now that I see you are perfectly fine, I should just go home so I don't waste my time!" My eyes widen as I quickly shake my head.

"N-No! Now that you're here surely you will stay!" I say hopefully and he clears his throat.

"...And do what? Sit here and listen to your rambling all night? I'd rather not." I rack my brain, desperately trying to think of something to keep him from wanting to leave. I then think of something, my face lighting up with hope.

"The village!" I blurt out and he tilts his head. "There's a village about a 30 minute walk from here! Most nights they have music and festival activities, how about we go there?" His arms don't uncross as he's silent. I hold my hands together in a pleading manner as he still seems unconvinced. "Please! It will be my way of repaying you for taking care of me while I was at the swordsmith village!" After a little more of his silent staring, he slumps his shoulders with a deep sigh.

"Fine."

I cheer, jumping up and startling him.

"We can leave now!" I say, gesturing for him to stand as he groans in annoyance.

"I knew this was a bad idea," he sighs as I giggle, already excitedly running out of the residence.

-

We make it to the village just as it's sunset, and already the village is awake with lively festival activities. I gush, my eyes sparkling at all the lights and decorations, looking at every stall we pass as the vendors offer me trinkets and snacks which I struggle to say no to. Haganezuka follows silently behind, unamused at the atmosphere and he probably would've just left by now... if it wasn't for the girl he is following.

He ignores all the shop vendors pestering as he walks past, his eyes only watching her. At first he thought it was silly how she is drawn straight into the stupid and pointless things being offered to her, but as he notices how she seems genuinely amazed and excited his point of view changes slightly. His heart warms at the sight of her happy smile and laughter and every time she looks back at him, he feels a lump in his throat and a burning sensation on his cheeks.

"Are you hungry Mr Haganezuka?" I say and he shakes his head. I frown, holding the two taiyakis, and he just sighs and takes one from me anyway making my smile instantly return.

We continue to walk around the festival, until I spot three men playing music on the side of the street as some village people dance to it. I watch amused, clapping my hands along with the music as I long to do the same.

One of the women notice me and her eyes light up.

"Miss Nakahara!" She says once she recognises me, given the fact I've visited the village a few times. I wave happily as she runs over, offering her hand to me. "Join us!" She says and my eyes widen as I look at her hand.

"O-Oh I couldn't..." I say and she frowns. "I'm here with someone!" I say and she looks at the man standing next to me, still holding all the food I've given to him. I also look up at him as he looks down at me.

Haganezuka noticed her watching the dancing with awe filled eyes and it was obvious she wanted to join in. He doesn't see the appeal, but who is he to stop her from enjoying herself.

Hagaenzuka shrugs his shoulders, nodding his head making my face light up with joy. I look back to the woman, excitedly taking her hand as she drags me over to the group. We dance together as I laugh uncontrollably, spinning around with her in time with the music. Others gather around and also begin clapping and cheering as I begin to completely lose myself in the fun of all of it.

Haganezuka stands to the side, his throat feeling dry as he watches her. Her hair twirls around with her as she seems so light on her feet, as if dancing comes as naturally to her as walking. Her smile is almost too large for her face as others watch completely captivated as well as him. She truly is a strange girl, the way she completely forgets about everyone else around her the moment she's in her own world. Is he admiring her? He can't tell anymore. Every time he sees the strange girl, his feelings towards her become more and more confusing that he doesn't even know what to think now.

I pant, running back over to Haganezuka after I finish dancing. He just watches me silently as I try and catch my breath.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help myself!" I say and he just shakes his head.

"It's alright. You had fun?" I nod happily before grinning.

"Guess what I got!" I say and he tilts his head. I pull out two sparklers from my back with a wide grin and he just shakes his head with a sigh. "C'mon! Let's light them!" I say, grabbing his hand and pulling him behind me.

He lights his sparkler, and lights mine for me before handing it to me. The light reflects in my eyes as I gush at the pretty light, holding it up and drawing pictures in the air as the music continues to play and others do the same around us. Haganezuka watches his own burn, almost forgetting the last time he did something like this... it's been so long.

"Isn't it so pretty!" She gushes, and Haganezuka looks over at her. The sparkler lights up her face, making her glow in his eyes. The sparkler is nothing compared to her beauty.

"Yeah... beautiful..." he mumbles and I look over to him smiling. I'm met with his gaze on me, making me freeze as we lock eyes. My words escape me as the feelings in my heart are too overwhelming for me to even think. Both of us don't say a word and my lips are slightly parted as blinking seems to be the only thing I am capable of in this moment. All the sounds and people around us seem to fade away for a moment, and all I can see in this moment is him.

Both our sparklers then burn out making us both look away from each other after that strange moment. I laugh awkwardly, standing and dusting myself off as he does the same, rubbing his neck and looking away from me.

"S-shall we find somewhere to watch the fireworks?" I mumble and he nods, following me as I discreetly place a hand over my chest as I let out a deep breath, feeling my racing heart making me wince in embarrassment.

We sit on a small hill, a little out of the village, as we silently stare up at the stars waiting for the fireworks. It's been a little awkward since that strange moment we shared, and I fiddle with my fingers trying to think of a conversation to end the silence.

"I-" We both say at the same time, before we both laugh softly.

"You go..." he says and I sigh, laying on my back on the grass.

"I was just going to say, thank you for coming with me tonight... and for coming all the way here because I asked," I say and he snickers.

"You should be thankful..." He grumbles and I giggle, sitting up to face him.

"What were you going to say?" I say with a tilted head, and he clears his throat while rubbing his neck.

"It wasn't anything important..." He says and I frown.

"Aw well now I wanna know!" I say and he sighs. "Fine if you say so-"

"I have something for you." He suddenly blurts out and I blink in shock. He looks to the side as my eyes widen once it sinks in.

"Something for me?!" I repeat, sitting on my knees while leaning forward. He nods slowly, reaching into his pocket as he pulls something out wrapped in cloth. I watch in shock, the last thing I was expecting was a gift from him.

Haganezuka's heart is beating so fast he thought it might burn out or something. He desperately tries to stop his hand from shaking and he curses himself for being so scared of something so trivial and dumb.

"I made it for you... while you were at the swordsmith village," as he says this, he opens the cloth and holds it out in his palm to me. My eyes go wide as they land on the delicate necklace with an intertwined sun and moon charm. I gently take it, holding it up with awe all over my face. "I was going to give it to you before you left, but I thought you wouldn't like it so I didn't..."

"Not like it!?" I say shocked. "Mr Haganezuka... I love it!" He looks at me shocked as I hold it to my chest. "It's so beautiful... I-I don't know what to say!" I say and he rubs his neck.

"Would you like me to put it on for you?" I nod happily, turning around and moving my hair out the way. He gently clasps it on and I turn back around, looking down at it with a smile plastered on my face. "It suits you," he says and I gush. "I did a good job," he says and I giggle.

"Mr Haganezuka... thank you so much... really..." I say as I look at him and he nods slowly.

It falls silent again as we stare at each other, and without thinking I fling my arms around his neck. Just as I do so, the fireworks explode above us casting a colorful glow on us as I hug him tightly. It's cliche... but so perfect and I blush intensely once I feel his strong arms gently hug me back.

Haganezuka was taken back when she flung herself on him, and his first instinct was to push her off. But once the fireworks exploded above them and he felt her warmth and the beating of her heart against his own, he couldn't help but embrace her as well.

He's dreamt of it, he's imagined it, but nothing would've prepared him for what it would've actually been like. How relaxing and comforting it would've been to hold her like this. It was almost therapeutic. Subconsciously, his arms wrap tighter around her as he leans further and further into her touch, the exploding fireworks the only sound muffling his thumping heart in his chest.

Could this be... love?