Chapter 14: Invitation
Aijin, Yasmine, and Jirou froze in shock when Mui and Kei approached their table.
"What happened to you two!!" Jirou blurted out.
Aijin's eyes went wide. "Mui, Mui, Mui—what happened to you? You're looking so different!"
Mui waved her hand casually. "Oh, come on, guys. Me and Yuzuhara were just talking about Ken Kishiro."
"Uh… who is that?" Aijin tilted his head in confusion.
Yasmine's eyes widened. "…Wait. The… famous singer Kishiro?"
Kei nodded proudly. "Yes. When I first listened to his song, I thought it sounded like Kishiro's style. So I asked him on the train, and it turned out to be true."
"I didn't know we shared the same favorite singer," Mui added with a smile. "So we just ended up talking about him a lot."
Kei lowered his head slightly. "Oh, by the way… sorry for being rude yesterday."
Mui shook her head. "No, I should also be sorry."
Aijin clapped his hands together. "Okay, okay. All's well that ends well! Anyways, Jirou, why did you call us here?"
Jirou grinned mischievously. "Glad you asked, Aijin. So let me announce something. In two days, there's going to be a fireworks festival."
Kei's jaw dropped. "Wait, seriously!!"
"Yes," Jirou continued. "But there's a condition—you all have to wear yukata. So be ready."
"…But I don't have a yukata," Yasmine murmured softly.
"You can buy one," Kei replied quickly. Then his eyes lit up. "Wait a minute—how about we go shopping together, Yasmine?"
"…o…k…" Yasmine muttered, her cheeks turning faintly pink.
"Yay!" Kei cheered.
Just then, their orders arrived at the café. They ate together and then left, already thinking about the festival to come.
---
That evening, in Yasmine's apartment, she stood nervously in front of her father.
"D-Dad…"
"Yes? What happened?" he asked gently.
"Can I get some money for tomorrow?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Why do you need it?"
"Because… I'm going shopping with a friend," she admitted.
Without hesitation, her father pulled out his wallet and handed her some bills. "Here. Do you need more?"
"N-no, this is fine. Thank you," Yasmine said quietly.
"Anything for my daughter." He placed a warm hand on her head.
"…Thanks," Yasmine whispered before leaving the room.
Her father watched her go, smiling softly. "She's really changed."
"She sure has," her mother agreed.
"I'm really glad she's more open now," he added, pride in his voice.
---
The next morning.
"I'm really happy that I get to go shopping with my best friend," Kei said, bouncing with excitement.
"…I… am… also… glad," Yasmine replied, her words slow but sincere.
"Let's see—you need a yukata, right?" Kei said.
Yasmine nodded.
"Then let's go this way!" Kei grinned, grabbing her arm and dragging her forward.
"Wait, I can walk myself!" Yasmine protested, though faintly.
---
They arrived at a kimono shop. The cashier greeted them cheerfully as they entered. Soon, Yasmine was trying on kimono after kimono.
"Yasmine, try this one," Kei said, handing her a pink kimono with cherry blossom designs.
She went into the fitting room and emerged a few minutes later, the soft fabric draping elegantly around her.
Kei's eyes sparkled. "It looks really cute on you."
"Thanks… but… it's kind of trendy. Many people will wear this style."
"You're right," Kei admitted. "Let's try something different."
One by one, Yasmine tried a green kimono, then a yellow one, then several more, but Kei rejected each of them.
Finally, Kei handed her a random kimono. "Okay, Yasmine, try this one."
"…Alright," she replied, disappearing once more into the fitting room.
When she returned, Kei's eyes practically glowed. "Yasmine… this kimono suits you so well!"
Blushing faintly, Yasmine nodded. "Then… I'll take this one."
They bought the kimono and left the store.
---
"So, what should we do now?" Kei asked.
"…Uh… we… can… eat something," Yasmine suggested.
"Sure, let's go!" Kei said cheerfully.
As they were heading toward a restaurant, a man in a mask and glasses approached them.
"Excuse me," the man said, "have you seen a little girl? She's about five years old."
"No?" Kei blinked. "Why are you asking?"
"She's my daughter," the man explained, his voice strained with worry. "We went out for a walk together, but suddenly a crowd came through. I lost hold of her hand. I'm really worried."
"…Uh… we can help you find her," Yasmine said softly.
"Really! I'll be so grateful!" the man exclaimed.
"Wait," he added quickly, pulling out a photo. "This is her."
Yasmine turned to Kei. "…Kei… can… you report this to the mall announcer?"
"Roger!" Kei saluted before hurrying off.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Aijin groaned as he walked down the street.
"Man, today's really hot… and I have to go grocery shopping again. Geez… I need a cold drink."
As he walked, he spotted a little girl crying on the corner. Concerned, he approached her.
"Hey, why are you crying, little girl?"
"I lost my dad," she sobbed.
"Okay, when did you lose him?" Aijin asked gently.
"My dad wanted to eat with me outside… but then a crowd came. I was holding his jacket really tightly, but suddenly… it wasn't him anymore. And now I'm lost!" She broke into heavy sobs.
"It's okay, I'll help you," Aijin said reassuringly.
"…Really?" she asked, eyes watery.
"Yeah. So what's your name, little fella?"
"Kyoko."
"Alright, Kyoko. Let's go find your dad."
Hand in hand, they made their way toward the shopping mall.
"So you got separated here?" Aijin asked.
"…Yeah."
"Okay. Let's go inside."
---
Not long after, an announcement echoed through the mall: A father is looking for his daughter. Please come to the main entrance.
Aijin looked down at Kyoko. "Looks like we found your father."
"Really?!" Kyoko's face lit up.
---
Back near the entrance, the masked man paced nervously.
"Will this work?" he muttered.
"Don't know," Kei said. "Let's see."
Just then, Aijin appeared with Kyoko in tow.
"DADDDD!!" Kyoko cried, running into the man's arms.
"My daughter!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly.
"Finally, we found her, right Yasmine?" Kei said happily.
But Yasmine stood silently, her eyes fixed on the man.
"What's wrong?" Kei asked her.
At that moment, Aijin walked up. "Hi guys."
"AIJIN!!" Kei shouted.
"Yeah. I found her crying, so I decided to help," Aijin explained.
The man removed his mask. "I'm really thankful to you all. Thank you."
The trio froze.
"…Wait. You're—KEN KISHIRO?!"
Ken chuckled. "So you all know me."
"KNOW YOU?!" Kei nearly exploded. "I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN!!"
"Wow," Aijin muttered. "Didn't expect it to be you."
Ken smiled warmly. "As gratitude, I'd like to invite you all to lunch."
"EHHHHHHHHHHH?!" they shouted in unison.
---
They spent the afternoon eating together. Kei received an autograph, and after lunch, they said their goodbyes.
"Okay, I should leave now," Aijin said.
"…You… are… leaving… early," Yasmine murmured.
"Yeah. If I get home late, my mom will scold me. So, bye—see you at the festival."
"Bye," Kei and Yasmine said together.
Aijin left, and soon after, the others returned home as well.
---
Two days later, the evening of the festival arrived.
Aijin stood near the meeting spot, glancing around. "I came really early… huh?"
Suddenly, he heard footsteps. He turned—and froze.
"…Oh. Hi there," he muttered, stunned.
Yasmine stood before him in a light blue kimono with delicate white flower patterns. Her hair was adorned with jasmine blossoms, giving her a glow under the lantern light.
Aijin's heart skipped a beat. She looked breathtaking.
What would happen next?
---
Bonus Scene
That night, the group chatted over video call.
"WHAT!!! YOU ALL MET KEN KISHIRO?!" Mui shouted.
"Yeah," Kei said proudly.
"How did you even meet him?" Jirou asked, amazed.
"Long story," Aijin replied with a grin.
"Wish I could've met him…" Mui pouted.
"Don't worry, Mui," Aijin said, holding up a paper. "I got an extra autograph for you."
"REALLY?! AIJIN, YOU'RE TRULY MY BEST FRIEND!!" Mui screamed with joy.
---
[ End of Chapter 14 ]