"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
Paulo Coelho's
Festival
"Make it fast, Takemitchy! Azumi's going to perform a sword dance. It's cool", Chifuyu grabbed the blonde from his date. First, Hina was taken away by Mana and Luna. Now, he's the one being dragged around by his newly found best friend. The rest of the group just followed them.
In the middle of the shrine, a platform was built. There were a couple of performances that night to end the year and welcome another one. "That's her in the middle", the blonde grabbed Takemichi's face to focus her direction on a lady wearing a traditional black dress with red lining. "Is that a real sword?", Takemichi gulped. "Azumi came from a family of samurai. Her father was a well-known swordmaster before he passed away", an ash grey-haired woman came with a huge professional camera. There are also other hired professionals with her. "Fumi-san's really a huge fan", Mitsuya commented. Hakkai held on the lilac head's sleeves. "Oh! Lavender Boy is here as well. Hmmm~ Who do we have here? The group is getting bigger", Fumi clapped.
Yuzuha stepped forward and bowed to the woman. Fumi just gave a smile. "Thank you for raising Hanami well", she said with an embarrassed tone. "Well. I'm not her mother but I feel proud just the same. Keep being Azumi's friend", the ash-grey head woman waved her hands. "She told me about it. Also, she's working her way until she'd be worthy enough to call you her mother. That's what she told me", Yuzuha stood straight and saw the woman already having teary eyes. "Chifuyu. Your friends are going to dry my tear ducts", she clung to the blonde and cried.
The sword dance started and Azumi stole the attention of many. For straight five minutes, the place was as if on a different spiritual level. At the end of the final drum stroke, cheers and clapping could be heard. The lady was grabbed by her schoolmates and underclassmen to have a photo. "She's basically a celebrity. I wonder if I can ask a photo with her as well", Hina continued clapping even if the ritual was long done. "You can go ahead and write your wishes. I'll be waiting for her", Chifuyu prepared himself to dive into the ocean of people. The shrine is fully packed this time of year. Fumi excused herself as she still felt jet-lagged from the travel.
Shrine
Azumi joined the group changing to a more simple traditional dress. "It's time to write our wishes", Mitsuya handed two papers to Mana and Luna. "I have the same wish as last year", Mana received it and started writing right away. "I want to be with brother forever", she clung to the lilac head. "Forever is an overkill, Mana. I just want to stick as long as I can. If he's going to marry in the future, I'd make sure to write down the time when he's not with his wife. Or what if I stop him from getting mar-", Hakkai was interrupted when Yuzuha pinched his nose. "You're the one who's overdoing it", the orange head lady sighed.
"Do you have the same wish as that little girl?", Azumi heard a voice and tried to elbow him but he was able to evade. "Were you watching a while ago?", the raven head turned to see her cousin. "Of course. The Head of the House told me to get some videos", the brown head lad raised his phone. "Ren, what do you wish for?", Azumi asked. "I wish for a better place to live in", Oikawa gave a peace sign. The lady started writing it on a piece of paper. "You should write yours", the lad lectured. "I really haven't thought about it", she answered. "Then I should write yours", Oikawa smiled and showed it to the raven head. Her expression softened.
They started walking towards the shrine where they would be tying their wishes. Some rowdy individuals are throwing someone else's wish strip. It landed on Azumi's head and took a peak on it.
"I want to be the hero that can save everyone", she read but it was only her and Oikawa who heard it. The fireworks started.
"Azumi. It was tough being you. Whenever I looked at you when we were younger, I felt comforted. My parents are very competitive in the succession but I never cared about it. They would restrict my movements and be very particular about what they want. Still, when I see you alone in the Main House's garden, I still feel thankful for the life I have. At least, I am not the one who is mostly hated", Oikawa placed his arms around the lady. "Sorry for taking advantage of your pain. But, I do wish you a full life, and not to feel guilty about doing so", the brown head leaned his head on hers. Azumi felt like crying but she just looked up and saw the colors exploding in the night sky.
Do not curse the circumstance you are born into.
The lady recalled such a powerful statement Mitsuya said after they went out of Shiba Residence. She wonders what kind of face Mitsuya is making. Is he also awed by the scenario? Someone who seems to think so far ahead of his age. Is he also charmed with moments like this? Azumi tried to look for him and failed to search for the lilac head. The lady had a second attempt and just turned. She nearly lost her balance to see Mitsuya giving her a gentle smile. With him being that close, he must have heard Oikawa.
Bridge
Chifuyu walked beside the lady talking about how Mitsuya was cool when he stood against Taiju. The man apologized to Yuzuha and Hakkai and just disappeared from their sight. "Of course, he's Taka-chan after all", Hakkai who is carrying Luna butted in their conversation. Hina and Yuzuha are having a conversation about Takemichi. Azumi took a peek behind and saw Mitsuya carrying Mana at his back having a conversation with Draken and Mikey.
"Who is that guy you were with a while ago? You're rather close?", Yuzuha caught up to her. "He's my cousin. Oikawa Ren", the raven head informed his name. "That explains why he also looks so docile like you", the orange head commented. "Winter break...what will you do?", Yuzuha looked away. "Fumi-san was complaining about having to leave the day after tomorrow. I guess, clean the apartment?", the raven head answered. "If you have time, Hakkai and I purchased a new game. Now that my brother moved out, Hakkai had been calling his friends. Would you also like to come-", the orange head felt warm on her cheeks in a cold December.
Azumi held her hand. "Count me in", she gave a smile. It wasn't a wide and toothy one but always had been brief and reserved.
_______________________________________________________________________
Hanami's Residence
Mitsuya stood his ground and tried not to be shaken by what she said. The man reached out to her hair and kissed it. "Hanami. I'm quite fortunate to have met you in this lifetime. If Chifuyu is still alive, he would be the one you'd choose", the man lets go of her hair just like how he kept losing her within his grip. He remembered what the ash-grey head woman said when he was still a teenager. If only he listened, he wouldn't have to regret this much.
"Live well, Hanami", he disappeared from her sight.
Chapter end.
YOU ARE READING
Existence Precedes Essence
Fanfiction"The literal meaning of life is whatever you're doing that prevents you from killing yourself." ― Albert Camus "Azumi, what is that sin you are referring to?", Chifuyu toned down. "Just merely existing. Because I happened, people had faced so many m...
