Chapter 17: Chapter 17
Meanwhile,at the 3-B Classroom.
I almost fell on my seat in utter shock after I heard Van's voice from the school's speakers.
I can't believe that Van confessed in public, and everyone in school have heard it!
He's crazy to ask publicly ask her on a date!
"It was a stupid move, alright, but you have to admit it, you still find it romantic..." her mind teases her.
I shook my head wildly, as if shaking all of my thoughts.
=======================
At the pool area.
Reiko's deeply hurting when she heard Van's love confession towards Nao.
It took her a few minutes to recover from shock. A tear suddenly fell from her eyes.
Reiko stubbornly brushed the tears away.
She quickly stands up and she dived into the pool. She tirelessy did a few laps,as if the pain in her heart will be washed away by the water...
========================
I decided not to wait for Van to come back to our classroom. I just want to go back home and take a rest. I was about to go out but I suddenly stopped when one idea popped into my mind. My eyes went over Van's desk. I made my way towards his desk.
I pulled out my pen and wrote something on his notebook.
Once I was finished, I decided to go home...
===================
Nishikawa Residence.
"I'm home." I called out, as soon as I stepped inside the living room.
My eyes roamed around the house, expecting to see Mama and Mika. I went straight to the kitchen, but I stopped in a halt when I heard Mika's excited voice.
"--Van asked Nao to go on a date with him at the Summer Festival and everyone heard his confession!"
I rolled my eyes heavenward as I heard her. She was already giving our mother the latest news...
"---And what did your sister say about it?" Mama eagerly waited for Mika's reply.
"I don't know. I was in a club meeting at that time. And I couldn't get away from it." Mika sounded regretful.
I decided to make my entrance after that.
"And since when did you start being reporter, Mika?" I asked my sister, in a bemused manner.
I opened the fridge and poured some orange juice on my glass.
"Tell us, dear! Have you given him a reply?" Mama asked,while her face was beaming with delight.
"I did." I said,short and simple.
"And? What did you tell him?" Mika did a follow-up question.
I turned my attention back to my mother instead of answering my younger sister.
"Mama,could you help me pick a summer kimono to wear?" I suddenly asked her.
"Of course...We can get a new summer kimono for Mika as well." my mother answered rightaway.
"Thanks, Ma." I said,and after that, I turned my heels to go upstairs.
"Oh my goodness, your sister wants a new summer kimono and it only mean one thing---she'll go on a date with Van at the Summer Festival!
I secretly smiled when I heard my mother's excited voice...
====================
Once Van arrives home, he immediately went upstairs and locked himself in his own room. He sat on his bed, while feeling nervous.
He suddenly remembered his outrageous confessions towards Nao...
Van desperately tore his hair, as he recounted the events at school.
He was glad and relieved because he was able to confess his feelings towards Nao.
When he went back to the classroom, Nao was already gone. He's thinking that it was Nao's way on rejecting him...
Feeling a little helpless, Van started to pull out his things from his bag. One notebook suddenly slips from his hand. He was about to pick it up when the strong gust of the summer wind suddenly blew through the window. The notebook's pages moves on his own.
Van stood up to close the window. He was about to pick up the notebook but he stops when he saw something...
"Yes, I'll go to the Summer Festival with you. But next time, say it straight into my face, you idiot!"
No doubt about it. The handwriting belongs to Nao.
He tried to pinch his cheeks just to make sure that he's not daydreaming. When he can feel the pain, he happily danced around his room.
"YES!" Van happily shouted.
At the same time, Ren and his father looked at each other in wonder when they heard Van's loud voice upstairs.
"Has your brother gone mad?" the old man asked his youngest son.
Ren knowingly smiled.
=======================
After a few weeks.
The day of the summer festival finally arrives.
"Aren't you done yet?" I complained,getting tired of sitting straight infront of the mirror.
Mika was fixing my hair in a fashionable bun. We are both going to the summer festival while wearing our new summer kimono.
"Just stay still if you want me to finish!" Mika stated.
"--Girls, what's taking you so long?" we both heard Mama's voice downstairs.
"In a minute, mama!" Mika called back.
After a few agonizing minutes...
"There. It's done." Mika finally said, as she patted my shoulders.
"Thanks a lot, Mika." I thanked my younger sister.
Mika just nodded while looking satisfied at the result.
"We'd better get going." she reminded me.
"You're right." I agreed.
We both descended from the stairs.Mama walked towards us, while looking proud.
"You girls are lovely.You really are my daughters.." she spoke with a hint of pride
on her voice.
"Are you coming with us,mama?" I inquired.
"Don't mind me. Just enjoy the festival on my behalf." Mama responded.
"We'd better hurry, Nao! There will be a big crowd at the shrine, so it might be difficult to find Van and Ren..." Mika reminded me.
"Oh, right. We'll be going now, Mama!" I informed our mother, as we arr making our way towards the door.
"Have fun, girls!" Mama called out.
Mika and I stopped for a moment, and waves at our mother. After that, we finally made our way towards the shrine, while hoping that we could create wonderful memories this summer...