Fateless

Chapter 7 - Fireworks

Hana leaned over the railing of her balcony. Her heart had become heavy along with the setting of the sun.

The garden looked brighter tonight with extra lanterns being lit. But it was just as quiet as it usually was.

Hana wondered if the other girls had already gone to bed, or were they somewhere else right now; celebrating New Year's however the old area beside the mountain traditionally did so.

Hana hoped Megumi was managing okay.

After being shamefully scolded by Tomi, Hana had since been sulking in her room. Even refusing to emerge for dinner.

There had been a clashing glimmer of hope and fear that Hana's mother had been called to collect her after the incident. But it looked as if she had not been that lucky. Or rather, unlucky.

Hana sighed and leaned forward. Closing her eyes, she pushed her forehead against the painted wooden trimmings.

When she opened them again long trailing fabric, partially dampened from snow residue, was in front of her.

Hana let out a squeak of surprise and shot upwards.

Lord Hirano standing gracefully before her was dressed in dark attire again. Still in thick layers that were ridiculously long, but now his curious beastly mask sat on the side of his face.

His face remained particularly obstructed by the thick black scarf around his neck. But Hana could still see he was laughing at her reaction.

Hana tried to cover the embarrassment in her cheeks by bowing in a polite gesture.

"Good evening, Hirano-sama", Hana forced herself to say.

The Hirano master's head tilted as his laughter ended.

"Tomi-san informed me you did not join the others for dinner. Aren't you hungry?"

Hana shook her head.

"You still aren't happy to be here," the lord observed.

"I'm fine," Hana replied while avoiding eye contact. "I just... Am sad I'm missing the fireworks tonight, is all."

"Fireworks?" Lord Hirano repeated curiously.

"Yes. I was going to celebrate New Year's by watching them with my friends in Tokyo." Hana explained.

"I see." The young lord replied.

A silence stretched between them. Hana was eyeing retreating back behind the doors to her room when Lord Hirano spoke again.

"Are you truly not afraid of me?"

For some strange reason, Hana hesitated to respond with her usual confidence.

She shook her head again glumly.

"I don't know," she responded with honesty. "I don't know what to think anymore."

There was another awkward silence. Hana was aware Lord Hirano was still staring at her, but could not bring herself to look back in his direction.

Hana was surprised when the lord's hand outstretched towards her.

"Come with me."

Hana's heart beat at the words, a fear began to nag at her.

"Come with you to where?" She asked him suspiciously.

"I know a spot where you can watch fireworks. They're a bit far off from here, but we do have them in Nikko."

Hana remained silent as her mind reeled from his offer.