After the fireworks event had ended, it was already rather late, but no one seemed to want to leave yet, so instead the five teens gathered into a circle and told stories - some true, some not. A fair amount of said stories were centered around music in one way or another, and to someone not in their little group, it might have been odd how much music dominated their lives. This assumption applied especially to Hiro and Aoi, who spent nearly all of their free time practicing, whether it be in school or in their own homes. However, it wasn't something that could be considered bad, if it was what they loved. XX
Hotaru was the first to leave, since his mother was still fairly ill and he didn't want to leave her home alone any longer than he had to. Yuki and Minori left together not long afterwards, since their homes were close together, and left Hiro and Aoi alone in the small treehouse. Hiro was willing to spend the entire night there, chatting away, but he knew Aoi had brought his sisters along to the festival, and didn't want to keep his blue-haired friend from them too long. So, after a few more wild stories, the two headed back toward the festival area, walking in uncharacteristic - but not uncomfortable - silence. XX
"Y'know, I bet a lot of people think its weird that you chose our boring school instead of some fancy academy, but I'm really glad you did. I doubt I ever would've met you if you hadn't." Hiro said, a soft smile on his face. "You're really amazing, you know that right? I mean, people probably say so all the time, but maybe its nice to hear it from someone who knows music the same way you do. Though that does sound a bit conceited, to be honest..." XXXXX
It took a moment for Hiro to realize he was rambling, and he promptly shut his mouth, clasping his hands behind his back and breathing outward shakily. XX
They were close to the festival area, but still decently hidden behind the thick rows of bamboo, and Hiro decided to take a chance, completely ignoring the voice in his head that was screaming at him to keep walking. Turning on his heel and standing up on the tips of his toes, Hiro pressed his lips to Aoi's in a gentle kiss, pulling back a few seconds later. He was glad it was dark enough that the flush on his face wouldn't be evident. With a wide grin, Hiro hopped back a bit and giggled to himself. "I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay? Good night!" And with that, he was gone, melding into the thinning crowd. XXX
He found his parents waiting for him at the truck, eating cotton candy and arguing over who had to drive them home (even though they lived hardly two streets away). His mother ended up winning the argument, since she'd drank a decent amount during the night, and the three loaded into the truck, chatting animatedly about all the goings-on the evening had presented. Akki and Sachiko had apparently gotten drunk and headed to her place for the night, which didn't surprise Hiro in the least, as the situation arose every year since they'd become old enough to drink, which wasn't that long ago. XXXX
Hiro's parents decided they were too tired to unload the drums right away and claimed they'd do it in the morning, so he made his way up to his bedroom and collapsed onto his futon, face still flushed and dominated by a silly grin. He'd never really been a shy person, but he was still surprised he'd actually found the courage to kiss Aoi. It wasn't until he'd changed into pyjamas that Hiro remembered that Morioka Reiko existed. Holy shit, I just kissed someone who's engaged! How could I have forgotten about that?! Groaning audibly, Hiro shoved his face into his pillow and tried not to think about it. XXX
The next morning came rather quickly, and for the first time in years, Hiro slept in. It was nearly eight by the time his mother finally came in, nudging him awake and offering to cook him breakfast. He found out moments later that his brother had come home at around four am, passed out on the couch, and had proceeded to vomit all over the floor when he woke up an hour later. Hiro himself thought it was an entertaining piece of blackmail, vomit and all. XXX
Despite the excitement from the festival the night before, it was still a school day, and Hiro hurried through his morning routine in a desperate attempt to not be late. It was an unfamiliar feeling, the fear of being late, seeing as he'd always been up hours before anyone else even considered leaving the house. However, he didn't think it was all that bad, and he was out the door only minutes after finishing his breakfast, hopping on his bike and disappearing down the road. Hopefully I won't get scolded by Hotaru for making him wait, though mom might've told him to just go on ahead of me...ugh. XX
Hotaru was the first to leave, since his mother was still fairly ill and he didn't want to leave her home alone any longer than he had to. Yuki and Minori left together not long afterwards, since their homes were close together, and left Hiro and Aoi alone in the small treehouse. Hiro was willing to spend the entire night there, chatting away, but he knew Aoi had brought his sisters along to the festival, and didn't want to keep his blue-haired friend from them too long. So, after a few more wild stories, the two headed back toward the festival area, walking in uncharacteristic - but not uncomfortable - silence. XX
"Y'know, I bet a lot of people think its weird that you chose our boring school instead of some fancy academy, but I'm really glad you did. I doubt I ever would've met you if you hadn't." Hiro said, a soft smile on his face. "You're really amazing, you know that right? I mean, people probably say so all the time, but maybe its nice to hear it from someone who knows music the same way you do. Though that does sound a bit conceited, to be honest..." XXXXX
It took a moment for Hiro to realize he was rambling, and he promptly shut his mouth, clasping his hands behind his back and breathing outward shakily. XX
They were close to the festival area, but still decently hidden behind the thick rows of bamboo, and Hiro decided to take a chance, completely ignoring the voice in his head that was screaming at him to keep walking. Turning on his heel and standing up on the tips of his toes, Hiro pressed his lips to Aoi's in a gentle kiss, pulling back a few seconds later. He was glad it was dark enough that the flush on his face wouldn't be evident. With a wide grin, Hiro hopped back a bit and giggled to himself. "I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay? Good night!" And with that, he was gone, melding into the thinning crowd. XXX
He found his parents waiting for him at the truck, eating cotton candy and arguing over who had to drive them home (even though they lived hardly two streets away). His mother ended up winning the argument, since she'd drank a decent amount during the night, and the three loaded into the truck, chatting animatedly about all the goings-on the evening had presented. Akki and Sachiko had apparently gotten drunk and headed to her place for the night, which didn't surprise Hiro in the least, as the situation arose every year since they'd become old enough to drink, which wasn't that long ago. XXXX
Hiro's parents decided they were too tired to unload the drums right away and claimed they'd do it in the morning, so he made his way up to his bedroom and collapsed onto his futon, face still flushed and dominated by a silly grin. He'd never really been a shy person, but he was still surprised he'd actually found the courage to kiss Aoi. It wasn't until he'd changed into pyjamas that Hiro remembered that Morioka Reiko existed. Holy shit, I just kissed someone who's engaged! How could I have forgotten about that?! Groaning audibly, Hiro shoved his face into his pillow and tried not to think about it. XXX
The next morning came rather quickly, and for the first time in years, Hiro slept in. It was nearly eight by the time his mother finally came in, nudging him awake and offering to cook him breakfast. He found out moments later that his brother had come home at around four am, passed out on the couch, and had proceeded to vomit all over the floor when he woke up an hour later. Hiro himself thought it was an entertaining piece of blackmail, vomit and all. XXX
Despite the excitement from the festival the night before, it was still a school day, and Hiro hurried through his morning routine in a desperate attempt to not be late. It was an unfamiliar feeling, the fear of being late, seeing as he'd always been up hours before anyone else even considered leaving the house. However, he didn't think it was all that bad, and he was out the door only minutes after finishing his breakfast, hopping on his bike and disappearing down the road. Hopefully I won't get scolded by Hotaru for making him wait, though mom might've told him to just go on ahead of me...ugh. XX