The Time We Meet

Tanabata

"Hikoboushi-sama and Orihime-sama finally could meet each other again on Tanabata. They were so happy. Their love hasn't faded away even a bit. They hold hands and walked together."

"Grandma! Grandma!"

"Yes, Tetsuya?"

"Why are so many loves floating in the air?" the little boy points the picture.

Grandma laughed and pat his head. "That's right, Tetsuya. It is because they love each other."

"Really? Then I want to love someone who loves me too so I can make love floats in the air."

"You don't have to make love floats in the air, Tetsuya. Just finding someone who loves as much as you love them is good enough."

"Eh? I don't really understand."

"Yeah. You will understand when you grow up, Tetsuya."

The boy sighs. "I want to grow up faster.."

***

"Kuroko!"

Hm? Nijimura-senpai?

"Yes, Senpai? What is it?"

Senpai gives a big smile and says, "Hey, we will make a welcoming party for Tanimura later. You will come, won't you?"

I hesitate. Well, Mom told me to eat at home tonight. I actually really want to come to the party. It is sad to think that your friends are having fun without you. And I want to see Akashi-kun longer to be honest.

"Um, I think-"

"Ah, by welcoming party I mean we are going to buy some ice cream in the mini market and chat a bit. So you don't have to worry about going home late," Senpai continues as if he can read my mind.

"What? You are not coming, Kuroko?" Akashi-kun shows up from nowhere. "It's not going to be long."

My face redden without my control. For a moment, I lost my ability to speak. It's just, I always see people in the television stuttered when they are happy and I never believe that kind of thing really happens in real life, but it does!

"If you ask me like that, then I have no choice but to come, aren't I?" I mumble softly.

"Eh? What did you say?"

I quickly smiles and say, "I said I think it won't hurt if I go."

Akashi-kun smiles. "That's right. You should go."

"Okay then! So all the first team will go," Senpai nods in satisfaction. "Gather at the gate after school, okay, Kuroko?"

"Okay, Senpai," I answer and smile happily.

My mind runs so fast, trying what to say to Akashi-kun. I would like to talk with him. What should I say? Something good, with quality, and not stupid.

"Are you coming too, Akashi-kun?" No, no. That is stupid. Senpai said all the first team's member will go.

"It's going to be excited, isn't it, Akashi-kun?" What is so exciting about eating ice cream and chatting? It's just like our usual routines every week.

"What do you think about Tanimura-san, Akashi-kun?" Yes, this one might be good. Here I go!

"Aka-"

"Hey, Akashi," calls Senpai, cutting my words. "The Festival you told me before, the one the shopping district you frequently visit.."

"Hng? What's about it?" Akashi-kun raise one of his eyebrow.