Today was the start of the two day festival at the shrine. Aiko has been pumped about it since she kept talking about it all week. My mother and father were really wanting to go. Especially my father, he finally got the day off from work just to go. It's been a while since we've gone to a festival as a family. My mother and I wore Chinese dresses my mother bought back when we visited my grandma in Hong Kong. My father, however, wore his usual getup. He wasn't too fond of really dressing up, which didn't seem to bother my mother at all.
I was in the kitchen when my father walked in and saw our dresses. He smiled at the both of us. He glanced over to my mom's belly. I found it funny that my mother still decided to wear a dress even though her belly was too big for her dresses. She had worked on altering it for the past week just so she can wear it for this occasion. We were waiting on Naomi to come over so we can all go walking together. My mother loved to walk so it was mainly for her, plus the shrine wasn't that far from our house. My parents walked to the living room and sat on the couch. I stayed in the kitchen with Kero and I could still see my parents from where I stood. I watched how they interacted with each other. My father's face was bright red as my mom poked at his cheeks. He would try to catch her hands but she was always a bit faster than he was. They acted like children sometimes, but that wasn't a bad thing. It just showed how much they really cared and loved each other. I wonder why they are this way. What made them love each other this much? I found myself admiring them.
"I'm surprised you got so many cards now. Well with my help of course!" Kero spoke up which brought me back from my thoughts. I gave a soft sarcastic laugh. "What? I did!"
"Miura-kun did help out a little more than you. Normally you aren't around when there's a card to be caught." I gave him a small smirk. He glared at me with his beady little eyes. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression. He was so cute that his glares just made him seem like an angry puppy. My mother must have heard my laughter since she spoke.
"What's wrong dear?" She was so calm and happy. Her eyes were a bit wet from all the giggling. I shook my head, telling her I'm fine. "Ok, well when is your friend coming?" My mother asked. I was about to answer her until we heard a knock on the door.
"There she is!" I grabbed Kero and walked towards the door. I opened it and Naomi stood there with her hands down by her side. She looked up and smiled at me. She looked very pretty in her kimono, it was a floral pattern. She seemed to fit in it perfectly. Normally she enjoyed a basic one color but this one was two, the background and then the flowers. She tried to avoid the patterns because it made it lose the feeling of it. I wonder what convinced her to wear it. I invited her in. She greeted my parents with a small bow.
"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Li. Thank you for inviting me." She spoke calmly. "My aunt sends her apologies. She couldn't make it today because of work." Naomi apologized. Her aunt was always so busy with work so it was no surprise. Though my mother did seem a bit hurt, almost like she was really looking forward to seeing Naomi's aunt.
"Oh no worries." My mother spoke. She sighed softly. "Hopefully soon we can meet her." My father held a small bowl of rice. Did he have that all this time? I thought.
"Hungry?" He offered the small bowl to Naomi. She shook her head lightly.
"No thank you. But thank you for the offer though." Naomi smiled. My father decided to eat the rest.
"Well are we ready?" My mother asks all of us. Together we replied with a yes.
As we walked, Naomi was taking pictures every here and there. My parents were behind us watching over us. Naomi looked back and saw them holding hands. That made her a bit more happy. "I like how your parents act like a teenage couple. They seem to really be affectionate to each other." Naomi whispers in my ear. I glance back and see them holding hands. They were always like this though. I could see a bit of sadness in Naomi's eyes. She must have really missed her parents. I wouldn't know how it feels like to not have your mother and father around.
"Hopefully me and my future husband are like that." I tried to change the subject to make her happy. Though it would be nice to have a husband who always loved me and showed me affection like my dad did to my mother. I blushed at the thought. But for now, I'll stick to capturing cards. There's no one I like anyways. Naomi agreed with me. She then stopped abruptly, I realized it was to let my parents catch up.
"Mr. and Mrs. Li, how did you two meet? If it's not rude to ask." Naomi asked randomly. What?! I was wanting to ask that. But I was so nervous to. I looked at Naomi and she seemed to understand exactly what I was thinking. I looked back to see my parents' red faces. My father was shaken at the question, but we could see he was embarrassed to really talk. He looked at my mother. He wanted her to tell the story.
My mother cleared her throat. "Well we met in elementary school." My mother was still red, but she was more collected than my father. He was too shy, his face hasn't even gotten a shade less than what it was. My mother began her story again, "He was a transfer student if I remember correctly." My mother nudged my dad's elbow and when he looked at her, she flashed him a smile. She was teasing him. He blushed more at the sight and looked the other way. But they still held hands. "At first we didn't get along, but I still saw him as a friend." Naomi was completely drawn to my mom's story. I was too because this was the first time I have ever heard the story. They did tell me some stories of their past, but they really tried to avoid telling me anything. The only stories I really heard included me, so I never really knew about anything before me. "I remember he wasn't very talkative. But when he did talk he was sometimes a bit rude or came off too strong. However, he started to be more friendly towards me a few months afterwards. I remember being oblivious to his feelings. I mean, I guess I was kinda an airhead." She chuckled and my father nodded to confirm that. "I rememeber my best friend, to this day, knew about little Syaoran's crush." The way my mother said his name I could see it sent shivers down his back. It sent shivers down mine. It's been a while since I've heard my father's first name. It seemed so natural coming out of her mouth though. "I didn't know, but the signs were so clear now that I think about it." My mother teased him. "I remember all those jealous moments you had." My mother giggled.
"Sh-shush!! Don't tell them that!" My father was shaking his head in embarrassment. It was funny watching my father like this. Normally he kept a straight face so seeing him be all bashful was new.
"Oh honey, but it's cute." She smiled. She then continued her story. "Then he confessed to me. 'I love you' he had said, 'You're my number one person'. I have to be honest. I never expected it." My mother blushed and placed her hand on her mouth. "But before I can give him a response, your father had to go back to Hong Kong." My mother sighed.
"What? Why did he go back?" Naomi was in shock. She really was captivated by the story. I was glad she was asking the questions I wanted to ask. It seemed like she was in my mind.
"Well, he had to go do somethings before coming back." My mother didn't seem to like that part. She seemed to dodge the question too, the same way she always have whenever I asked her questions from the past.
"How long?" Naomi asked. Not pushing the fact her first question had been dodged. She respected that my mom didn't want to talk about it.
"Hmm. I'm trying to remember how long." My mother was thinking. It must have been a long time, so it doesn't surprise me that she forgot how long.
"Almost two years and a half." My father finally spoke. He cleared his throat, his red face was finally returning to its normal color. The shrine was still a few blocks away so this was making the walk go by faster. This was more interesting than just walking quietly. "Your mother, Sakura, had to wait almost two years and a half for me." My father looked up at the sky. The stars were visible. In our small town we don't use electricity as much as others do. So the light pollution was low here which made the stars visible at night. "Luckily a cousin of mine convinced me to come to visit." He avoided my mother's eyes. "That's.." He paused, the red in his face came back a bit but not as much as when we first asked for the story. "When she told me she loved me back." My dad mumbled the last part. I could tell he was embarrassed to say it any louder than he had. My mother became red herself. They really are like a teenage couple.
"Wait. You waited that long for dad?!" I was finally shocked by the time limit. My mother nodded.
"Yeah. And it was completely worth the wait. My eyes were for him and only him." My mother smiled. "Two years after your father came back, we got married." My mother hugged my father this time.
"How old were you?" I was trying to do the math in my head. It wasn't really working so well since they didn't give an initial age they met and math wasn't my strongest subject.
My father blushes instantly. "We were seventeen." Naomi and I were shocked. They were so young!
"You two were young. What convinced you to?" Naomi recollected herself quickly. She was back at interviewing them.
My mother looked into my father's eyes. "We were in love. We were together for three years prior to marriage. So we made sure we were ready." My mother smiled to him.
"Married for twenty years now." He kissed my mother's cheek. He looked over to me and placed a hand on my mom's belly. "And two kids we love no matter what." And with that the story was over. I was completely awed by their story. They really have been together for a long time. They must really love each other for staying together for this long. I mean, it was normal for married people too. But they got married young. Was that even allowed? The thoughts were popping in. I wanted to asked questions but I decided to stay quiet. We finally arrived at the shrine.
》At the Shrine《
My mother had to go to the bathroom so my father told us to explore on our own. That we would meet up soon. He didn't want to leave my mother's side in case anything happens to her. My father really cared about my mother's health and his unborn son. It was really sweet. So we nodded and walked off on our own. Naomi was still entranced by my parents' love story. I had to admit, I was too. I hoped that one day someone would love me as much as my father loved my mother. I would wait two years for them as well. I really wonder how my mother did it though. It must have been really hard for her to wait that long to see the one she loves. Naomi was still talking about how wonderful my parents' story was. "One day I just know you'll have a love like that." She said. It caught me off guard. I was about to ask for clarification when we heard a familiar voice.
"Yo Sora-san!" It was Daijin. He waved at us and we waved back. Rei and Aiko were with him and I could see they were all in their kimonos as well. Rei gave me a slight nod, she must have still been a bit upset about the day we caught Illusion card. I assumed she had a crush on Miura-kun so she must have seen me as a threat. Which I didn't understand since I had no feelings for Miura-kun. We were just buddies, or at least I hoped we were. It was hard to really tell with him since he doesn't really let on what he feels. "You look..." Daijin was looking at my outfit then he glanced at Naomi's. "You both look beautiful but Sora looks more different." He wasn't use to this kind of dress I bet. I mean everyone here wore a kimono except for my mother and I.
"It's a traditional Chinese dress. It's from my father's side." I told him. He was taken back.
"Whoa! You're part chinese?!" I nodded. He was in shock. "Woah. I've met a Chinese person! They are awesome!" He tries to act cool. Daijin was a really interesting person. I had to admit, he was sometimes a sweet guy. He glanced behind me and waves. "Skai! We're over here!" I look back and see Miura. He waves back but then we made eye contact. His eyebrow arches at my outfit and covers his mouth with the back of his hand.
"That's not a kimono." Miura comments. I smile as he approached us. His hand still by his face as he continues to stare at my dress.
"My father is chinese." I simply reply. His eyebrow stays arched but now his hand is down by his side.
"Then why are you here?" He begins, then realizes his tone. "I mean not to be rude. But like, China is overseas." He clears his throat and looks to the side.
"My mother actually grew up here in Tomoeda. So my parents decided to just stay here." I sighed and shrugged. I realized I never really asked why we stayed instead of going to Hong Kong with my grandma and aunts. Maybe it had to do with the fact that my grandpa, from my mom's side, gave my mom the house she grew up in as a wedding gift. At least thats what she's told me.I noticed that Miura's face turned red.
"I-is she here?" He asks softly. I nodded but gave him a slight glare. "Wh-what?! Sheesh it's just a question." He tried to make his red face go away. I rolled my eyes. "Hey. You need to stop hanging out with me." He whispers in my ear. I was taken back by this.
"Wh-what? I don't!" I whisper back. "Well other than capturing cards." I shook my head and pulled back. I didn't want Rei to get mad. I clutched onto my bag where my cards were at. I stole a glance in Rei's direction and luckily Aiko was talking to Rei so there was no way Rei noticed. "Let's walk around." I suggested so we would be able to get rid of the tension I was feeling from Miura. Naomi and I trailed a bit behind the group just to give Rei and Miura some space. But every time Rei tried to talk to Miura, he wouldn't really engage. "I think Miura-kun is kinda becoming nicer. I mean before he was more mean." I whispered to Naomi. She looked over to him and then nodded slightly.
"Yeah I can see that." Naomi smiled. "I'm sure soon he will be considered a great friend maybe even more. He just needs sometime and then he'll come around." Naomi giggled. I couldn't help but arch my eye at her.
"What do you mean by 'something more'?" I asked for clarification. She looked at me with a mischievous smile followed by a soft chuckle.
"Oh Sora." She looked at me with a sorry expression. Does she feel sorry for me? But why? I was going to push her to tell me but Aiko gasped loudly.
"Look! Fireflies!" She sounded very happy. Though she didn't make any sense since it wasn't the time for fireflies. Fireflies came out in the summer, and last time I checked it wasn't summer yet. I noticed Miura walked backwards to walk with us. Kero flew up from my bag to go in between us.
"It's a Clow card!" They both whispered to me. Miura glared at Kero and so did I.
"Kero! When did you get into my bag?!" I was shocked. I didn't even feel him go into my bag earlier that day.
"What? I like festivals." He shrugged. "But we have to find it! It's not a dangerous card or anything. It's actually a pretty gentle card. You just have to find its main point." Kero explained. Miura closed his eyes to sense the card. That was my cue to do that too. I was getting the hang of sensing Clow Cards. But I did have some difficulties since it wasn't something very pronounced. And I only had about eight cards. Miura had 2, Move and Illusion. When I finally sensed it I saw Miura running. I followed him. "Hey! Wait for me!" Kero shouted. I could feel him fly towards us.
We past a few more trees until we were by a lake. It was a pretty big lake. There were many of those firefly imposters. I found them to be very calming and relaxing. I wouldn't mind owning this card and letting it make these little lights every night. I looked over at Miura who was trying to catch his breath. When he finally caught his breath, he was admiring the lights as well. I could see a small smile forming on his mouth. "Hey, why are you sometimes mean to me? I mean you are becoming nicer, but there's times where you are mean." I spoke without provocation, and to be honest I don't even know where that came from. I wasn't even thinking about that at all. I mean, maybe just a little but I was never really going to ask him. I saw his eyes grow wide in a mix of shock and confusion. He then scratched his head and sighed.
"What? I'm mean? I don't really see it as mean. I mean-" He sighs again. "-I was taught very strictly." Miura spoke. "I was taught how to use magic and how to use each and every card. So I believe I deserve them." I gulped at his words. "Don't get me wrong, but..." He began but then he shook his head. I cut him off before he could speak again.
"We should just be allies! Well, we already act like it." I shot out. I flashed him a smile to show I meant it.
"I was taught with one other person.." He rubbed his chin in thought. Then shook his head again. "But I don't know. I'm not very comfortable with that." It was the most he's spoken to me. "I don't need an ally." I completely understood him. He was raised differently than I was. "Don't take it the wrong way." He covered his mouth like he usually does. It was like his thing. He then spoke very softly just loud enough for me to hear. "But you are doing a better job." That's what set me off. I'm doing a better job!
I noticed behind him was a small girl. A fairy? I walked over and saw it was illuminating. She was giving off small balls of light. "It's the Clow card." Kero shouted as he pointed towards the fairy. I understood right away and took off the sealing wand charm.
"Release!" The wand formed and the little fairy smiled. She didn't fight back at all. "Return to the first true form you were made in, Clow Card!" The fairy got sucked into the card. She didn't try to pull away or anything. The card formed and flew into my hands. I smiled and showed Miura. He only nodded and walked back to where our friends were. I guess our little chat is over. I sighed and followed him.
I noticed my parents were waving at us. I was happy to see them since I felt a bit closer to them both and to Miura. Miura then saw my mother and instantly blushed. He bowed to her and mumbled, "I.. uhh. I think you look pretty in that dress." Miura looked down in embarrassment. My father caught the whole scene and I could see my dad get angry.
"Hey! Are you googly eyeing my wife?" My dad growled. Miura hadn't seen my father since he was too focused on my mother. Miura's blush faded instantly. He snarled at my father and my father did the same too. "Back off!" My dad was acting like a kid.
"Or what?" Skai reaches into his pocket. My father did the same. My mother instantly hugged my dad. Making him jump and then he blushed. Miura seemed to be a bit hurt but he took his hand out empty handed. "Hmph." Miura walked away with Daijin, who also saw the whole thing.
"Dang Skai! An older woman?!" I could hear Daijin tease, Rei was visibly upset since she glared at my mother and then at me. I sighed and returned to look at my mother and father.
"Sorry, I told you he gets jealous." My mother hugged him. He blushed and she kissed his cheek. "You know I love you. Syao-ran-kun." My mom said his name in syllables. He completely froze in embarrassment. His face flushed red. We all laughed and my father stayed quiet. His eyes looked over to my mother. Only to end up smiling. I seriously love my parents relationship. They are so in love. I thought. I can't wait to find my number one person.