The Ship in Friendship

11. Our spring festival

Delia opened the door of the guestroom after she heard Misty ask her to come in. She got inside. "Morning, Misty. Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning!" Misty was setting the bed. "I slept really well. It's very calm around here." The sheep bleating in the distance, the birds chipping... it was soothing.

"Well, thankfully, Mars got so busy with Ash he didn't bark at five in the morning like he usually does," Delia  said. "I wanted to know if you have a yukata for today."

"Oh." Misty blinked. "Do I have to wear one?"

"Well, all the women are going to be wearing it."

"Ahem... I think I'll go without." Misty nodded. She never put on a yukata before. It wasn't a thing in her home city, and honestly, she wasn't sure how she'd look in one. This was her first time coming to the spring festival.

"Well, breaking news: that's not an option."

Ash spread the yukata on his bed. He kept looking at it for a moment, before shifting his gaze to his dog. Mars was seated on the ground.

"I was so excited for this moment and now, it's all ruined." Ash frowned. "Why couldn't dad be the same size as me?"

Mars barked.

"What was that?" Ash pointed at him. "Take it back right now!"

Mars barked louder.

Ash gasped dramatically. "How dare you body-shame, you spawn of dog Satan."

Mars barked one more time.

"I'm not listening to you. You're not supportive. You're just like mom." Ash put on his headphones.  He tried folding back the yukata to the way it was but he was unsuccessful. Either way, he put it back inside its box. He opened the closet-

"Oh." This was the first time he'd open this closet after he got here and it was also the first time he'd see that one white box inside. He grabbed it and opened the lid.

"You finally found it. I was thinking you'd never open that closet." Ronald smiled when he saw Ash wearing the dark blue jinbei and standing by the front door, waiting for Misty to show up. Ronald had his usual clothes on but with a haori over them. "Your mother said I should go with dark blue and she was right. It looks good."

Ash smiled. The color was like a reminder of his yukata's father. "Yeah. I like blue. And thanks. It's really awesome. You didn't have to, though."

"It's our tradition to buy new clothes for children for the festival."

"I know - I remember, but now I'm twenty-six."

"It's ongoing until you get kids of your own."

"Fair enough." Ash laughed. "Thanks. Saved my butt as usual."

Ronald smiled back at him. He looked upstairs. "The women seem to be enjoying the makeup too much."

"Makeup?"

"Your mom is doing Misty's hair and stuff."

Ash laughed. "What are you talking about? Misty doesn't wear makeup!"

"Well, she is right now."

"She must be suffering." She probably didn't want to upset his mother.

Mars came suddenly down the stairs, looking very excited. He ran toward Ash.

"I think this buddy over here fell in love with Misty. He goes around her all the time. He didn't let her have her breakfast in peace!"

"He's not the only one." Ash whispered to himself.