The TRIBE Chronicles : Forgotten Memories (Completed)

07.2 - Summer Festival (Part 2)

Later in the night, Sora and the guys were going out for another round of sight-seeing with Lopka and Akira. Unlike the other nights before, all the guys were present because the last night of the Summer Festival had poked their interest, especially when they were told if Lia would be dancing for the main event. As they came out to the yard, they saw Akira and Lopka, talking as they waited for them.

As usual, the big guy wore a sleeveless kimono that showed his muscular arms in pattern tiger's spotted skin with black pants. Meanwhile, the girl... as usual, she was wearing a cap-sleeves short-length kimono that fell to her thighs with legging and arm protector on her wrists. But her hair style was different from usual; where as she used to tie her hair into one lower on the back yet today she tied her hair into a high pony tail with a white rope-like ribbon to tie the hair.

When she saw them approaching, she bowed and greeted them, "Good evening." And she got random replies from her guests. "It seems that you're ready to go. Can we leave now?"

"Sure. Let's go." Hiro replied her, making a decision to go.

As they walked, the guys and Sora realized that they were missing a person. They knew if Lia wouldn't be present since she was actively getting involved with the festival. But Gail too was nowhere to find.

"Hey, Lopka-san." Makidai called the ninja girl. "Where's the youngest?" He asked, referring the youngest girl on her group.

"Do you mean Gail?"

Makidai only nodded.

"She is accompanying Lia on the square."

It seemed that her answer had poked Sora's curiosity, because the little girl suddenly asked, "Why?"

A smile bloomed on the young woman's face. "She'll be playing taiko for the main event."

And just as she had expected, her answer was followed by surprise exclamation from the group with exception of Hiro and Atsushi. It made a smile bloomed on Lopka's face, but the reaction didn't surprise her anymore.

"Surprised, right?"

"How come?" It was Matsu's turn to ask.

"Well, despite of her look, Gail has been taking lessons for traditional drums from Maya-san since her youth. Sometimes, when Lia performs, she often acts as her music companion. At the main event later, she will perform a three-taiko-drums solo dance before Lia's dance performance."

"Then..." Usa suddenly thought of something; he turned to Lopka, "...don't tell me if you were learning traditional instrument too."

Another smile bloomed on Lopka's face and she nodded. "Of course," she answered. "I learned traditional pipe instruments, although I'm not playing as much as Gail and Lia."

"You girls are unbelievable," Matsu said in amazement.

"Thank you so much; I'll take it as a compliment. But we couldn't help it since we were staying with a traditional art teacher." Lopka then turned her gaze at the big clock tower; she was checking the time. "If we come to the Square now, we might be able to see them before the main event started." She looked back to the group. "Do you want to go?"

"Yes! Let's go." Sora suddenly answered, bringing another smile on the older girl's face.

"Then... let's go." Lopka then leaded the way to the Square.

As they arrived at the Square in the middle of the city, the group saw the stage that had been set up for the main event. There, three small drums were placed on stand in triangle position beside a big platform; it seemed to be the place for the main event. There were also several drums in different sizes scattered around the main stage. On the side, there was a stage for musicians, completed with traditional instruments.