REIKA-SAMA -266

The garden was humid following the rain, and the dew on the hydrangea sparkled in the night light.

"It's beautiful."

"We picked the venue with the best hydrangea." I see. They even look at that when choosing the location. I see several people here, but where is Imari-sama? "He's not here. Maybe over there. The roses are blooming over there." We walk to the back.

"We can see the stars now that the rain as passed. Where's the milky way?" Maybe we can't see it in the city.

Kaburagi stopped and looked up at the night sky. "It's probably difficult to see with the light pollution."

"I guess so." Too bad.

"But we can probably see Vega and Altair of the Star Festival."

"Huh?! Where?"

"That. The summer triangle over in the east." I squint, but I can't tell. Is it the brightest one? "Why can't you see? It's that. That."

"Hmm…"

"Didn't you learn in science?"

No! Stop! I don't want to hear about studies! I covered my ears and sighed. I remembered… I can't look at the stars carefree now. I have to make a last ditch effort to study with energy drinks now!

Kaburagi gazed at me exasperated, then looked at the stars. I gazed at the side of his face. He really is good looking. If he just shut up, he'd really be a maiden's dream…


As he gazed at the night sky, Kaburagi murmured, "I wonder how she's doing…"

"She?"

"…Nothing." He turned away embarrassed.

Oh? Did he think of himself and Wakaba-chan as Vega and Altair being separated? I shouldn't laugh. Okay, I'll follow up. "As you say, there's a distance as great as the milky way even after all this time."

"…" Kaburagi looked to be in shock. Oh, no… I hurt him by telling the truth.

"Umm… I wonder if Imari-sama is over there…" I try to change the subject.

"…I'll close that distance soon."

"Huh?" I turn around and the fool's love had erupted from Kaburagi's eyes. Ugh… I must have hit a switch… "Don't Kaburagi-sama. Please think of the trouble you may cause before you act."

"I know."

"Really…?"

"I won't lose to Mizusaki."

"You don't understand at all!"

As we walked by the hydrangea, I repeatedly told him not to act rashly.

"I know, I know." Does he really? "Hmm. Isn't that Imari-san?"

"Where?"

"There." Kaburagi has good eyes, spotting Vega and Altair.

"Oh…" Surrounded by white roses, Imari-sama was with a beautiful older woman. We hid behind a tree, but what should I do? We shouldn't interrupt them. We tried to leave when…

"It's beautiful, but I like red roses more than white," the woman stated to Imari-sama. Red roses… I don't actually like red roses after reading a fable when I was young…


"Yes, the passionate read rose may match you better." Imari-sama's fingertips grazed her cheeks. "Have you heard of the fable of the nightingale and the red rose?

"What's that?"

Oh! That's what I was just thinking about!

Imari-sama reached out to a white rose began reciting that fable.

There once was a beautiful and selfish young lady, and she asked for red roses on her birthday. Only white roses could be found around the city, not a single red rose could be found. A nightingale pitied a young man in love with the young lady who searched for a red rose, and asked a white rose what to do. The white rose replied that if it pierced the nightingale's heart, it could become a red rose. The brave nightingale gave its life for a red rose. The young man found that rose and joyfully took it to the young lady on her birthday, but she had forgotten her words and scolded the young man for only bringing her a single rose. Angered, the young man threw away the red rose.

Yes, I remember that fable. I pitied that bird and was terrified at how the red rose gained its color, so I still don't like red roses. As if sensing that, Onni-sama gave me pink roses instead of red. Well done, Onii-sama!

"That's frightening, roses being stained with blood."

"Really?" Imari-sama took her hand and smiled, kissing her hand. "If you desire, I wouldn't mind giving my heart's blood to you."

That instant, Kaburagi and my mouths hung open.

"Oh? Is Imari-san a cute, brave little bird?"

"Yes. A nightingale is a bird of the night. Doesn't it match me perfectly?"

"Fufufu. Wouldn't you be Altair for the star festival?"

"Are you telling me that I can only see you once a year? You're horrible."

I looked at Kaburagi to my left. Kaburagi looked at me to his right.

"…"

"…"

Our minds were one as we simultaneously backed up and escaped with great speed. Far behind us, the Casanova village chief was holding the woman….

When we were out of sight, back with the hydrangea, Kaburagi drew near me looking like a demon. "You! Him!? You tell me to be like him!? That! Man!?"


I protected my head from Kaburagi's muffled shouts. I'm really sorry. Truly, sorry. That was my bad. You shouldn't learn anything from Imari-sama. The Kaburagi family might end if you did…

I managed to placate Kaburagi, and returned indoors. Enjou came to us with Yuiko-san.

"There you are, Masaya. Your mother was looking for you." He turned to me and said, "Kisshouin-san, good evening."

"Gokigen yoh." I greeted Enjou and Yuiko-san.

Yuiko-san replied, "Gokigen yoh," with a smile as brilliant as the moon.

"Oh, it's already time… I'm supposed to play the piano." I guess that's the piano at the center of the hall. He's supposed to play something related to the rain. I guess the ladies would enjoy that. But Kaburagi is being pushed around by his mom.

"Are you okay? You look tired."

"…I'm fine. I just got poisoned by a crying bird."

"Crying bird…?" Enjou looked puzzled, but Kaburagi and I avoided explaining.

I felt a gaze and met Yuiko-san's eyes. Oh… I really did mess up choosing this dress. Yuiko-san's white dress matches her delicate features well. Our looks collide. It's obvious who looks better in our white dresses. I should have brought a second dress for something like this. I feel like fleeing…

Not knowing how I felt, Yuiko-san wouldn't look away, wouldn't speak, and just smiled. Maybe I should think of something to talk about…

She had a glass garnished with a flower in a pretty pink layered drink. What is that?

"Yuiko-san, what might you be drinking?"

She held up her glass and replied, "This? I wonder. I asked for a drink and it was made for me. But it's sweet and delicious," she smiled. And our conversation stops. She simply smiles and doesn't feel like raising a topic, apparently. Umm….

"It's time. I'm going," Kaburagi declared, looking at his watch. Huh? You're leaving me? As if my thoughts reached him, he turned, "Oh, one more thing, Kisshouin. Eat the star festival noodles. It's lucky." He then left.

Noodles? He's so carefree… And correct how you associate me with food. But… "Umm… I'll go have some noodles as Kaburagi-sama suggested." Thank you for giving me an excuse to escape, Kaburagi, even if you didn't mean it.

"Are you all right, alone? Should we go with you?" No way! What are you saying, Enjou! Recognize the clashing dresses!

"Oh." I've truly found help from the heavens! "I see my Onii-sama over there. I must be going. He seems to be looking for me." Onii-sama! I'm over here! He noticed me and started to come towards me. I said, "Good bye," and headed towards him.

"Reika."

"Onii-sama!" Oh, Onii-sama. I'm finally safe again. I won't leave your side tonight! His smile soothes me.

"I wondered where you had gone." I guess that he really was looking for me.

"I'm sorry. I was looking for Imari-sama."

"Imari?" He looked around. "Reika. If you don't see Imari, don't go looking for him." Too late for that advice, Onii-sama. "Did you write a wish, Reika?"

"Not yet."

"Then, shall we?"

"Yes," I nodded smiling. What should I wish for? I can't write something real like being in the top 30 in exams. Maybe ask to improve with my handicrafts like Vega.

"Reika-chan, it's been a while." Aira-sama and Yurie-sama greeted us as we approached the bamboo.

"Aira-sama! Yurie-sama! Gokigen yoh."

"Gokigen yoh, Reika-chan. And gokigen yoh to you, Kisshouin-sama."

"Good evening."

I thought that they were beautiful as always when I saw them from afar, but they really are stunning up close.

"You've been well, Reika-chan?"

"Yes, very."

"Masaya hasn't been causing you problems?" asked Yurie. When I couldn't answer, she forced a smile and muttered, "Masaya is such trouble. Tell me anything. I'll scold Masaya."

"Thank you very much," I replied bowing deeply.

Aira-sama sympathized, "Reika-chan must be having difficulties…" I really am. "Did you come to write your wish?"

"Yes, I did."
"What are you wishing for?"

"I want to improve at handicrafts."

"That reminds me, Reika-chan was in the handicrafts club." Aira-sama and Yurie-sama said they would come see at the School Festival. The school festival… I need to make an exhibit I can be proud of.

The 4 of us wrote our wishes, looked at the wishes of others, and enjoyed ourselves. It was fun seeing some vulgar wishes.

"Oh, Masaya's about to play the piano."

Kaburagi placed his hands on the keyboard and performed the Gardens in the Rain by Debussy.

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