Scars || T. Oikawa Spin-off

29| Festival

   "No," I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest as I lean back into the couch, looking out at the snow-covered campus just beyond the dorm windows. 

   Ayame grumbles, hanging upside down off the other couch, "Come on, Mi-Mi-chan. It's New Year's. We should get out and have some fun before classes start back up," they whine, holding a pamphlet for a New Year celebration at one of the nearby shrines. 

   I roll my eyes, "I don't care. You can go if you want, but I'm staying in here where it's warm," I say, feeling Sato's thumb trace circles in my palm.

   Sato and I have been together for over a month now. The day we announced our relationship to the others, Ayame cried for 45 minutes, claiming that we were cheating on them. Akira was relieved, and Haru and Hanako were so shocked that they didn't move for the rest of the day. 

   "Ugh, a little cold never hurt anybody," Haru says, standing in front of the TV. He tilts the hot chocolate in his hand, spilling it on his leg and foot, "Ah, shit! Hot, hot, hot!" 

   Hanako sighs, throwing a roll of paper towels at him all the way from the kitchen area to the living space, "Idiot," she mutters under her breath. 

  I don't want to walk around in below-freezing temperatures, but this will be my first New Year's with friends since my second year of high school. 

   "Now, now, love, come spend some time with those you cherish," Akira says with a closed-eye smile, "Plus, I want to dress you up in a kimono." 

   Of course, he always has an ulterior motive. Why am I not surprised?

   As I go to refuse, I feel Sato's grip on my hand tighten, "I think it would be fun to go as a group. Maybe we can invite the upperclassmen and maybe even the people from Tokyo U," the blue-haired boy says with a bright smile. 

   "Hey, I like your thinking," Ayame smirks, pulling out their phone. 

   Haru turns to me after he's finished patting down his sweats with the now brown and soggy paper towels, "What do you say, Mi-chan?" he asks, throwing the roll of towels back at Hanako like a football. 

   I avert my gaze to the floor, "I guess I'll go." 

   Ayame and Haru cheer at my response. Akira smirks, "Oh, how interesting. If Sato suggests something, then you agree," he smiles, eyeing Sato, "Hey, pup, order her to allow me to dress her up like a doll." 

   Sato chuckles nervously as I send Akira my signature glare that fails to phase him. 

   Ayame's phone makes a dinging sound, causing all of us to turn our attention to them as their eyes move back and forth over the screen. "F/n-chan and the rest of the Tokyo gang said they'll be there. Nishida-senpai is celebrating with her family, but all the other upperclassmen will be there too." 

   Haru pumps his fist into the air, "Hell yeah! This is gonna be sick!" he exclaims, skipping over to the kitchen to bother Hanako. 

   I have to admit I'm kind of excited too. 

~~~~

   It's 10 PM on New Year's Eve, and all the boys and Ayame already left for the festival. I've been helping Hanako with her kimono, and it's taking longer than expected, so the others went on without us. 

   I let out a sigh of relief when I finally finish, admiring Hanako's red Kimono with yellow flowers scatter all over the fabric. Her hair's up in a braided bun. I almost don't recognize her. 

   "You like it?" I ask as she looks at herself in the mirror with a big smile. 

   "It's amazing," she says, turning around to face me, "Now let's hurry, and find something for you to wear."