September 10, 2042*
Kotori: Haha! I can't wait! My very first festival!
Kaneki: I can't wait too! I can't wait!
The day of the autumn festival has arrived but they still have school activities for most of the day.
But even so both Kaneki and Kotori were excited for it, they happily chat about their plans for the festival.
Kaneki: Wait so you're actually going to join us?
Kotori: No not really I'll be doing my own thing with our parents, besides since I can also use blood clones with the limit being 20 I am feeling optimistic.
Kaneki: Nice! You'll definitely enjoy the festival.
Sachi: Man I was hoping that we could go together, too bad maybe next time.
As they were talking Sachi joined in their conversation.
Clap!
Seeing how disappointed Sachi was, Kotori clapped her hands and bowed befor apologizing.
Kotori: I'm sorry Sachi-chan, but I really wanted to spend time with my family for my first festival.
Sachi: It's alright I'm not really that upset about it, although I'm a bit surprised what about Kaneki?
Kotori: He has an important date with you guys so I rather not interfere, but I promise you by the next festival I'll be joining you all.
Sachi: That's... An interesting excuse.
Kaneki: You still have the Kimono I made for you right?
Sachi: Yup. Well then I'll leave you two your chat again.
Kaneki & Kotori: Okay.
Sachi then left the two and headed to her seat where the rest of the Higanbana girls were at.
Miku: Alright the day has come, let's make the most out of it.
Natsuki: I can't wait. I'm going to my first festival with real friends.
Chikao: Wait you've never been to a festival?
Natsuki: If I did I'd only be bothered by a certain trash pile.
Yuuka: Oh yeah... That makes sense.
Natsuki: But I have no worries anymore! I heard festival's have some games and delicious food. I mean we are making our own but I want to try out other stalls.
Shino: In that case let's make this festival one you'll never forget.
Chikao: Yeah!
Sachi: We'll make sure you get the best festival experience! We promise you that!
Natsuki: Hehe~ thanks guys!
Out of all the Higanbana girls, Natsuki was the most excited.
Chikao: Oh look at the time. Everyone! To your seats! Homeroom is about to start!
With their class about to start everyone sat down on their seats and patiently waited for Querxes to arrive.
Natsuki's thoughts*
(Hehe~ I'm going to the festival with all my friends~)
And Natsuki was still very excited for the festival.
Many hours later~
Kaneki: Alright! School's done!
After a long day, scholl activities was finally over and all students were heading home to prepare themselves for the festival.
Shino: So where should we meet up?
Natsuki: Let's meet up at Shimotsuki park.
Miku: Great idea Natsuki!
Yuuka: Right! It's decided we'll-
Swoosh!
Kaneki had suddenly ran off, this was due to him forgetting something important and that was.
Kaneki: I forgot to make my own Kimono! I'll see you guys at the park once I'm done!!!
Chikao: And he's off, can't believe he forgot to make his own Kimono.
As Kaneki ran farther away, the Higanbana girls only looked at his direction with smiles on their faces.
Yuuka: Well then should we get changed?
Yuuka then took out her darkness travel watch intending to teleport them to their homes in order for them to change into their kimonos.
Natsuki: Yes please.
Shino: Do your thing Yuuka.
Yuuka: Okay!
Splash!
Yuuka then activated the watch and sent all of them to their respective homes so they could get changed.
1 Hour and 10 minutes later~
???: Hey isn't that?
???: Yeah it is.
Kaneki's thoughts*
(Man everyone is looking at me, do I look weird in this kimonos?)
Kaneki was first to arrive at the park around the entrance where patiently waited for his friends to arrive.
(But it's been an hour already what are they doing? I've been here for 30 minutes)
Although he was patient he was getting anxious since they were getting very late.
(Did something happen to them? Are they being harassed?! Crap maybe I should go check up on them)
He was already thinking about going to them himself, but before he could he heard some familiar voices.
Natsuki: Kanekiiii~!
Kaneki: Hmm?
Natsuki had arrived fully dressed into her kimono.
Kaneki: Natsuki!
Natsuki: So you were the first to arrive? Sorry if I was late, I actually had trouble wearing my kimono.
Kaneki: Oh that... Actually makes sense. I was kinda anxious that you were being harassed or something.
Natsuki: Heh what a worrywart. Anyways.
Pose!
Natsuki struck a pose and ask Kaneki with a bright smile.
Natsuki: How do I look?
Kaneki looked at Natsuki carefully before giving his honest answer.
Kaneki: You look cute in it.
Blush~
Natsuki: Hehe~ thanks. You also look good in your kimono. Although why is it completely black?
Kaneki: Hehe~ I... Actually didn't really think of my design as well compared to when I was making your kimonos.
Natsuki: I see, I see~ wait your kimono's design is-
Kaneki: Yeah I used my Knight form as inspiration, as well as this.
Swoosh~!
Kaneki pulled out a piece of paper which contained a familiar drawing.
Natsuki: Eh?! You still have that on you?
It was the drawing the Higanbana girls made which turned into Kaneki's knight form.
Kaneki: Why wouldn't I? This is one of my most sacred treasure!
Natsuki: It's kinda embarrassing to me that you still have it on you.
Kaneki: How come?
Natsuki: Well... I don't want anyone else seeing our drawing besides you....
Kaneki stared with a confused face before carefully folding the paper and putting it back in his kimono.
Kaneki: That's a weird reason, but alright I guess. Anyways where is everyone else? We're running late.
Natsuki: Oh they're actually right-
All 5: BOO!
Kaneki: AHHHHHHH!
The rest of the Higanbana girls had arrived and snuck up on Kaneki before frightening him.
Sachi: Hahaha! Got you Kaneki!
Chikao: No way you didn't noticed us haha!
Shino, Yuuka & Miku: Good job distracting him Natsuki!
Kaneki: Seriously?! You baited me?!
Natsuki: Hehe~ sorry Kaneki.
Miku: Hehe~ sorry about that.
Chikao: Anyways you two looked kinda cute, talking to each other like that.
Natsuki: Blush!
Kaneki: Well that was a good scare though, by the way what took you all so long?
All 5: Hehe~ that's a secret.
Kaneki: Ehhh~
Kaneki wanted to know why they were late, but as he looked carefully at their faces.
He noticed they had a slightly embarrassed look in them.
(Did something happen to them prior? Well whatever it is, I guess I shouldn't pry into it much)
Kaneki: Well whatever the case is I'm glad you all arrived safely and also.
Stare~
Kaneki then looked very carefully at the kimonos he made for them as well as their hairs and faces.
Needless to say he was quite pleased with how everyone turned out.
Kaneki: You all look very good and cute in those kimonos.
Shino: O-Of course! You did made them specifically for us after all!
Miku: That's right!
Chikao: They're very comfortable too.
Yuuka: Yeah. Seriously your silk is so fine, it could probably rival even the best silk made from spiders or silk worms.
Sachi: You didn't have to mention worms you know?
Kaneki: Hehe!
Kaneki placed his hands on his hips while looking at the sky, he was really happy to be praised by his friends.
Chikao: That kimono you're wearing, its self made too right?
Shino: Wow~ to think it's inspired from the drawing we made.
Yuuka: I feel a bit proud!
Miku: Well then shall we head to the festival? Keiko, Itsuki-kun and her are probably waiting for us.
Kaneki: Oh yeah we definitely need to go, also don't worry about staining your kimonos I've made sure they are anti stain.
All 6: Awesome!
And so Kaneki and the Higanbana girls started walking to the festival.
But as they were walking Kaneki still couldn't help but still wonder why his friends were late.
(What could have possibly happened to them earlier?)
So why exactly made the rest of the Higanbana girls late?
50 Minutes ago~
All 5: Alright it's time...
In each of their homes the Higanbana girls were going to change into their kimonos, that was until.
Sachi: No I can't do it! It's made from Kaneki's body!
The real reason they were late was because they were hesitant on wearing their Kimonos.
Not because they didn't want to wear them.
Shino: This is bad... Will I be able to even touch it? It's not like I'm disgusted but... Wearing something made from the body of the boy I like... Ahhhh!
Yuuka: C'mon Yuuka! It's only made out of silk! There's no need to worry many silk clothes were made from worms anyways... Except this one was made from Kaneki... Ahhhh! Why am I getting flustered from this?!
It was the fact that the Kimonos were made from silk that was produced by Kaneki's own body which somehow made them very conscious of him.
But while the four of them couldn't wear it due to being flustered.
Chikao: Thank you Kaneki for making me such a wonderful kimono, I will treasure this and make it an heirloom for our future kids and grandkids-
Chikao was praying to it for some reason the whole time.
Present*
Kaneki: Natsuki are you excited?
Natsuki: Of course I am! I'm so excited! I heard a legend about the festival too online.
Chikao: Really? A legend?
Miku: This is the first time I'm hearing about it.
Natsuki: Yeah it's-
Kaneki: Eh? She froze up.
Natsuki: N-Nevermind!
Natsuki's face was visibly red, she was flustered and seeing this Kaneki didn't try to pry into it.
But as for the rest.
Sachi, Shino, Yuuka, Miku & Chikao's thoughts*
(It's something about a confession right?!?!)
They figured out by Natsuki's reaction that the legend revolved around a confession.
Natsuki's thoughts*
(The legend is so embarrassing! I can't believe I almost told Kaneki and everyone else... It stated that once you confessed to the one you love before or once the fireworks start you will be with them forever. Ahhhh!)
30 minutes later~
Kaneki: How's the Takoyaki Itsuki?!
Itsuki: It's going pretty well!
After their long walk to the festival, Kaneki and the Higanbana girls had arrived at the festival area and immediately started helping out at their stall.
Miku: Yakisoba! Come get your Yakisoba! Hey we need more Yakisoba!
Kotori: On it!
The Higanbana girls and Keiko were the ones serving the food while Kaneki, Itsuki and Kotori were the ones cooking.
Kaneki: This is surprisingly going smoothly then I thought.
An hour later~
After an hour of cooking and managing the stall.
Kotori: Alright everyone I'll take over from now, you all can go around the festival now.
Kaneki: Eh? But it's only been an hour.
Kotori: C'mon don't worry about me. C'mon you all can go now.
Splash!
Kotori: I can handle this until we're out of stock!
Seeing that Kotori was ready to take over, everyone working in the stall thanked her before leaving and going around the festival.
Natsuki: Wow~ it really is so beautiful!
After finishing her duties in the stall, Natsuki immediately went around and admired the surroundings.
Festival music played which made Natsuki even more excited.
Grip!
Natsuki: Let's go there Kaneki!
Kaneki: Wait don't drag me!!!
Out of excitement Natsuki grabbed Kaneki and began dragging him to a stall she was interested in.
Sachi: Haha~ Natsuki really is super happy now huh? We barely even started.
Miku: Let's follow them, we don't want them getting lost.
Shino, Yuuka & Chikao: Yeah!
And the rest of the Higanbana girls then followed the two.
Their first stop was.
Stall owner 1: Welcome! Test your luck by catching a goldfish with a poi! (paper scooper)
The Kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping) stall.
Kaneki: Wait you wanted a goldfish?
Natsuki: Yup! I already have a big tank at home that isn't really being used and a free spot to use it.
Kaneki: Huh... That's surprising, in that case let's do this.
Sachi: Hehe! I'll help you out Natsuki you can't just have one lonely goldfish.
Miku: Same here.
Kaneki: Might as well.
Yuuka: I'll pass I don't really have any good luck in these stuff.
Shino: No thanks.
Chikao: I'll pass.
Kaneki: Alright the four of us will take attempt please.
Stall owner 1: it'll be 300¥ per attempt.
Kaneki: Alright. Here.
Kaneki gave 1,200¥ for his, Natsuki's, Sachi's and Miku's attempt.
After getting their paper scoopers and bows with water they crouched down and looked carefully for the fishes the would attempt to catch.
Kaneki, Natsuki, Sachi & Miku: ...
They were completely focused on the fishes on front of them not moving an inch until.
Scoop!
Splash!
Natsuki: Got it!
Shino, Yuuka & Chikao: Seriously?!
Natsuki had suddenly scooped up and successfully caught a small black and golden ranchu goldfish.
Natsuki: This one looks like you Kaneki.
Kaneki: Heh don't compare me to a goldfish, well congrats I'll be getting your goldfish a friend just you watch.
Scoop!
Splash!
Miku: Got one!
Very quickly Miku was also able to catch a goldfish a smaller purely white ranchu goldfish.
Scoop!
Splash!
Sachi: What is our luck?!
Followed by Sachi who caught a small red and white ranchu goldfish
Leaving only Kaneki not catching one yet.
Kaneki: Alright...
But after focusing on the one he wanted for Natsuki.
Scoop!
Splash!
Kaneki: Yippee!
He successfully caught a purely golden ranchu goldfish.
All 6: Great job!
Stall owner 1: Congratulations! I've never seen such lucky customers in my life!
After they caught their fishes, the stall owner carefully put the goldfish's into plastic bags before giving them to their owners.
Kaneki: Alright we got them and making sure they stay calm so they wouldn't die.
Natsuki: Thanks Kaneki. So where should we go now?
Yuuka: I want to go to that shooting game over there!
Kaneki: Let's go then!
They went around the festival taking on many games and doing other things for quite a while.
1 hour later~
Nom!
Crunch!
Natsuki: Mmmh~! Candied apples taste soo good!
Chikao: I know right?! They taste soo good and it's still warm!
Kaneki: Yeah these are definitely one of my favorite festival food.
Shino: So what now? You all still want to get more food?
All 6: Yeah!
Since the fireworks weren't going to start for an hour they continued to go around buying food.
Natsuki: Mmmh~! This cotton candy taste so good!
Kaneki: Natsuki be careful Natsuki, you might hit someone.
Natsuki: Don't worry I'm very care-
Bump!
Not taking Kaneki's warning seriously, Natsuki had bumped into someone.
Kaneki: Told ya.
Natsuki: S-Sorry! I didn't mean that!
Natsuki immediately went to bow and apologize to the boy she bumped into but just then.
???: N-Natsuki? Is that you?
Natsuki: Eh? How do you- eh?
The person Natsuki had bumped into had a very familiar face, one she hadn't seen in a long time.
Natsuki: Y-You're...
Makoto: It's me Makoto. We used to play as kids before... You know?
It was Natsuki's original childhood friend, the one who had disappeared after Ryueki threatened him.
Kaneki: Oh crap... It's her childhood friend.
Chikao: What... Are we going to do now?
Kaneki: Why are you asking me?
Miku: Let's give them some space for now.
Not knowing what to do with the current situation, Kaneki and the rest of the Higanbana girls left Natsuki and her childhood friend catch up.
Makoto: It's a bit crowded here, let's go to a more secluded area. Oh! And you guys can come.
Glance~
Kaneki: Us?
Makoto: Yes you guys. You're all Natsuki's friends right? I want to talk to you all as well.
Following Makoto's request Natsuki, Kaneki and the rest of the Higanbana girls followed Makoto to a secluded area with less people around.
Makoto: I'm sorry for everything Natsuki!
After arriving at the secluded area, Makoto bowed deeply and apologized to Natsuki.
Natsuki: W-Why are you apologizing?
Makoto: I feel so guilty for leaving you with that guy it must've very difficult for you.
Natsuki: Yeah... It really was, but it isn't something you should blame yourself for.
Kaneki: Natsuki's right. It definitely was scary for a child to deal with that trash.
Makoto: Even so... I'm sorry for leaving.
Natsuki: It's alright I already forgiven you a long time ago.
Makoto: Haa~ good a huge weight is off my shoulders now. Now then Higanbana Kaneki-san.
Kaneki: Yes?
Makoto: Thank you for everything you've done for Natsuki all this time.
Kaneki: Uhhhhh....
Kaneki had no idea what to say.
Makoto: And you're all Natsuki's friends right? Thank you all as well for taking care of her.
All 5: Ummm no problem?
Even the Higanbana girls didn't know what to say as well.
Natsuki: Anyways how are you doing now?
Makoto: Well great now that I've finally apologized, and I'm quite happy you're doing well now.
Kaneki: Did you come here to Shimotsuki to apologize to Natsuki?
Makoto: Yeah... I'm sorry if I came for that reason.
Kaneki: It's alright. Hey since you're here why don't you join us?
Since Makoto was trust worthy in Kaneki's eyes, he openly invited him to join them.
Makoto: Thanks. But I can't because um... I already have a date.
Natsuki: Wait really?!
Natsuki was so surprised yet happy to hear her childhood friend having a date.
Makoto: Yeah... She's the one who convinced me to come here in the first place.
???: Mako-kun!
Makoto: Oh speaking of which there she is, well... Sorry it's been short but I'll see you later I guess? Oh and all of you, please continue on looking after Natsuki okay?
Makoto then left and went with his girlfriend.
Yuuka: That could've gotten better.
Natsuki: It's alright, he still feels a bit guilty about everything. Besides he seems to be happy.
Miku: But what about you? How do you feel right now?
Natsuki: Well... I actually feel great surprisingly, seriously I feel very relieved.
Natsuki looked at her former childhood friend's direction with a smile after seeing how happy he was.
Natsuki: from the colors of his soul, he is definitely living a good life.
Kaneki: I kinda liked the guy, too bad I didn't get to know about him more.
Shino: Really? That's interesting.
Kaneki: Hey even though he was Natsuki's former friend, he looks a lot better than a certain trash. Plus he seems to have a better personality.
Natsuki: Agreed!
"The firework show will begin in 50 minutes"
With the announcement of the fireworks starting soon. Kaneki and Natsuki gotten more excited.
Natsuki: Well now that we're done with that. Where's this so-called perfect spot you were talking about Kaneki?
Kaneki: Good that you ask, let's go!
Sachi: Yeah!
And so after their encounter with Natsuki's original childhood friend, Kaneki and the Higanbana girls walked into Shimotsuki heading to the perfect spot to watch the fireworks.
10 Minutes later~
Natsuki: Are we there yet?
Miku: Just wait a for a little while Natsuki, we're almost there.
Kaneki: We're here!
After 10 minutes of walking through the forest, they had reached the foot of a nearby hill.
Kaneki: You guy's must've been tired right? Here let me carry you guys.
Wriggle~
All 6: Woah!
Creating 6 tentacles, Kaneki gently grabbed onto the waist of the Higanbana girls and carried them to the top of the hill.
Kaneki: There we're here.
Natsuki: Woah~ we're so high up!
Kaneki: And we're just close enough to the festival that we can aso see the fireworks clearly.
Sachi: That's right. So everyone do NOT tell anyone about this spot okay?
Shino, Yuuka, Miku & Chikao: Got it.
Natsuki: Of course!
Kaneki: Well since we still have time before the fireworks, why don't we eat for a bit?
All 6: Yeah!
While the fireworks hadn't started yet, they all ate the foods they still haven't ate on top of the hill.
And the amount they bought was quite tremendous.
38 Minutes later~
It was only 2 minutes until the fireworks show begins. With such little time Kaneki and the Higanbana girls were all excited.
But they have currently forgotten about the time as they were talking.
Kaneki: So Natsuki how was your first ever night at a festival?
Natsuki: It was soo much fun!
Shino: I'm glad you enjoyed yourself Natsuki, it was really fun.
Sachi: Yeah we played so many games, eaten so many food.
Chikao: And Kaneki ate the most out of all of us.
Miku: Yeah Onii-chan really might get more weight if he eats more and more.
Kaneki: Oh haha.
Yuuka: This festival was so much fun, and we'll definitely experience more in the upcoming years right?
Kaneki: Of course! We'll be together forever.
After Kaneki had said that, all the faces of the Higanbana girls turned red and at the heat at the moment.
All 6: Kaneki.
Kaneki: Yes?
But before they could get their words out.
Swoosh~!
Boom!
The firework show has begun cutting them their words off.
Kaneki: Woah! Look! The fireworks has started!
Swoosh~!
Boom!
Natsuki: Woah... Beautiful.
All of them admired the fireworks even forgetting about what they were about to tell Kaneki.
Kaneki: Hehe~ let's see this firework show again at the next festival.
At this very moment a precious memory was born.