TRUST ME | Brothers Conflict | ✔

01

Close to midnight, the temperature had dropped drastically, reminding me of the fact that it was only early April. The cold wouldn't have been a problem if my date had offered me his coat -or we could have eaten takoyaki to warm up.

Unfortunately, my date had been holed up in the bathroom for the last three hours, taking his coat with him. While my breathing was fogging up the air in front of me, and my fingers and toes were freezing off, he had disappeared into thin air.

Unless my date had a health problem, all evidence pointed in one direction; I had been stood up.

First, I had refused to believe that I was such horrible company, so I had wandered over the festival terrain. Although the festival was relatively small, I couldn't find my date.

After walking the same route trice, I had slumped on one of the benches in front of the bathrooms, waiting for my date to make an appearance.

"I should go home," I sighed, resting my head on the back of the bench, staring at the dark sky.

Finding that I was too tired to follow my advice, I didn't even budge. Thinking about the trip home on my zori made a shiver of more than cold run down my spine. The straps of the sandals were cutting in my feet, undoubtedly leaving blisters behind. After I had walked a circle over the festival terrain for what felt like the tenth time, I had covered my feet in band-aids, but they did little against the too-tight straps of my zori.

Sighing again, I leaned back even further, waiting for the fireworks instead of going home. Determined to have fun, I waited for the fireworks, keeping an eye on the watch on my wrist. I was wearing a yukata with a flowery pattern and zori, which made the modern watch on my wrist stand out like a sore thumb. While the traditional clothes were beautiful, they did nothing to ward off the cold, and I felt myself turn into an icicle.

My determination to make tonight a success, to spite my date, was going to make me fall ill.

Another glance on the watch and I learnt that the fireworks were long due. The festival which had been bustling with activity had calmed down, most families having left already.

If they had cancelled the fireworks, I would feel like an incredible dork.

Rubbing my arms, I huffed, the fogged-up air obstructing my view of the sky.

How was it possible that it was this cold in April?

"Here," someone said, dropping a colourful piece of cloth in my lap.

Startled, I looked down a little, noticing the man who was standing in front of me. The first thing I noticed was the brilliant smile, followed closely by the flashy ceremonial clothes.

Club Buddha spelt the letters on the back of the happi, which meant that this stranger was a monk who worked for the temple on this hill.

"Thank you," I said, slipping my arms in the sleeves.

"Are you here alone?" the man asked me, having used the moment I was occupied with the happi to slump down on the bench next to me.

Cautiously, I eyed him, wondering what he was up. Handsome men didn't usually target me, but then, this was a monk, right? Monks were supposed to be kind-hearted, although something about his brilliant grin told me that this wasn't necessarily kind-heartedness.

"I have a date," I said, which was true, technically speaking.

"Where is he?"

"The bathroom?"

The man blinked once, twice, before throwing his head into his neck to laugh loudly. Disgruntled, I pulled the happi closer around me, glad about the warmth it provided. If I hadn't been so incredibly cold, I would have thrown the piece of clothing back in his face. However, as it stood, I needed every bit of hospitality the man would provide me. He rearranged his kimono and the heavy robe he wore over the black kimono.

"And how long has he been in the bathroom?" he wanted to know, an annoying smirk playing around his lips.

"Three and a half hours," I muttered, wondering why I was answering his questions when he doubled over in laughter again.

"Why are you still waiting here?"

"I'm having a lot of fun." I crossed my arms in front of my chest, a defensive gesture that made the man fall silent for a moment.

"Well, to be honest, I can't see why he stood you up," he suddenly said, completely serious. Surprised, I turned my head in his direction, gawking at him as he lifted to his feet and sauntered off.

Had that been a compliment?

I was pretty sure that that had been a compliment and even if it had been empty flattery, I would take it right now. Smiling, I craned my head to study the sky again, the hair ornament, which held my bun in place, shifting.

With the happi around my shoulder, I was relatively warm, which made waiting for the fireworks easier -although it was doubtful whether there would be fireworks.

The festival grew quieter, the loud music giving way to the hushed chatter of the people around me. Lanterns lined the linen roofs of the festival stalls, casting a dim light on the paths between the stalls. Above me, the stars were almost invisible in the sky, concealed by the stray light of Tokyo.

Stargazing wasn't so bad, especially when I was surrounded by people who seemed just as content as I, which probably had to do with the early hour. A glance at my watch taught me that it was part two in the morning.

Finally giving up, I lifted to my feet, heading to the exit of the festival. At the bottom of the stairs which led from the base of the hill to the temple at the top, I looked up, seeing the dim lights of the lanterns.

Despite everything that happened, tonight had been fun.

I was already home by the time I realised that I was still wearing the happi, its hem brushing past my knees with every step.

Staring at my silhouette in the mirror, I wondered whether I should go back to the festival to return the piece of clothes. It was well into the morning, and I would have to prepare myself to go to work in an hour. There was no way I would make it back to the temple and home again in time.

Well, if he worked at the temple as I suspected he did, it should be okay to return the happi tomorrow, right?

Carefully, I folded the piece of clothing, placing it on the unstable table next to my front door. Although I didn't want to meet the mysterious stranger who had found so much amusement in my misfortune again; I couldn't help but wonder what his name was.