Tracing Memories

54: L i g h t i n g

"What do you mean I should go by myself? You can't do this to me!" I spoke slightly annoyed.

"All I'm saying is you can go ahead and I'll meet you there." Your voice came from the other side.  

"I can't believe you're doing this. We were supposed to go to the festival together." I pouted.

"I'll be a bit late but I'll meet you there directly." You explained.

"Yah, no kidding." I commented sarcastically and hung up.

I sat motionless for a while annoyedly mulling over the conversation. I had been looking forward to going to the festival with you for more than two weeks and now the plan was derailed. Although I was glad you hadn't declined to go entirely.

You had gotten so much busier again with your work. When I asked, you only said you would tell me a while later because it was a surprise. At least it didn't bother me as much as before because everyday at the end you would return home to me and I could find solace in knowing you were safe and sound.

A couple hours later I donned on a brand new outfit and made my way to the festival. When I reached there the sun had almost set and the sky was an inky blue. The place was already well lit with multicolored lighting and the entire arena and the area around it was glowing.

At the entrance I found the whole group with Endou, Natsumi, Kazemaru, Kidou, Aki and Haruna waiting for me.

"Hey guys !" I waved enthusiastically. They all greeted me delightfully.

"Where's Gouenji?" Kidou asked.

"I thought you two would be together." Kazemaru added.

"Yah that was the plan but he told me to go ahead because he will be late." I explained while jokingly rolling my eyes.

"As usual." Endou commented without missing a beat and we both laughed in unison.

We walked in and found that the place was already crowded. We continued to walk in a group so that we don't get lost. We went around like this for about half an hour enjoying looking at the decorations, eating some snacks and playing games. I was having a good time but I wished you were there so I could enjoy it even more.

Just then my phone buzzed and with slight difficulty I found a calm corner to pick it up. As I expected it was you,

"I'm here, where are you?"

"I'm with everyone. We are near this rice-cake shop. "

"Okay wait for me." You answered.

"Please hurry, the fireworks will begin soon. I don't want to watch it without you. "  

"Don't worry I'll be there."

We stayed there for a while but I felt bad for making everyone wait so I asked them to go ahead.

"Are you sure Kira?"

"Yes. We'll meet up with you before the fireworks begin. " I assured them.

I stood in the corner taking as little space as I could avoiding people from bumping into me but as the evening grew further more and more people began showing up, making it impossible to stand in that place.

I called you again as I made my way through the crowd,

" I'm almost there Kira." You explained.

"Well I had to move from there. " I replied in a loud voice so you could hear me, " I'm going towards the decorative shops now. I guess we'll meet there."

Needless to say that plan also failed and for one reason or another we kept falling short of finding each other. I began to feel a little dispirited after another hour passed with no sign of you.

Finally I dragged my feet back towards the group who were supposed to be waiting at the fireworks viewing area. When I reached there they had already sat down waiting for it to begin.

"What happened Kira? You look sad." Aki asked looking at my tired and wilted face.

"I couldn't find him. " I answered glumily.

"Don't worry he might still find you. The fireworks haven't begun yet." She tried to console me but just then I heard a boom and we all looked up to see glowing green tendrils explode in the shape of a flower. I sighed in disappointment as another one exploded, this time in golden.

Just then I was enwrapped in a hug from someone behind me. I was stunned for a second but then your voice calmed me down,

"Finally, I made it." You commented softly and you placed a quick kiss on my cheek.

You then turned to everyone else and greeted them.

"Why are you always late?" Endou commented.

"This time it really wasn't my fault." You replied.

"You say that every time." Kidou stated calmly.  

Before you could say something more I interrupted,

"Okay enough guys. We're missing the fireworks." And everyone chuckled at my enthusiasm.