“What's that?”

Ryu looked around. Kuri-chan had arrived in a dress that was best described as rustic. Yellow and blue. And she wore a white blouse under it. And of course she managed to look stunning.

“National traditional dress,” Kuri-chan explained. “Some of the guys from Sweden brought it for me.”

“What?” Ryu took a few steps to get away from the steady stream of arriving festival visitors.

“In exchange for me being their mascot earlier this week.”

Kyoko-chan frowned. “That's most improper. Freshman high school student all alone with university students.”

“Think so?” Kuri-chan looked genuinely surprised.

“Yes, in this case I'm bound to agree,” Urufu-kun said. “It would be improper back home as well.”

“Boring.” Kuri-chan pouted and stuck her tongue out at Urufu-kun. “Anyway, I can't walk properly in a yukata.”

Urufu-kun did you mean thirty years ago or now? No probably now as well. Some of those guys are over five years older than us. Ryu shook his head. Bet that third year we Skyped with earlier is involved. She said her boyfriend attended university.

“You can't walk?” Ryu said when he had decided to change the topic. Kuri-chan probably knew how to handle both boys and men.

“No. Toes inwards and cuteness galore, like this.” She pulled her dress tight and showed them a perfect display of a beautiful woman in a kimono. “I'd go nuts in ten minutes.”

Kyoko-chan clasped her hands to her mouth. It had been a perfect display, and even Ryu's usually unperturbed sister stared. It took some serious training to walk that way.

“How can you walk then,” Ryu challenged her.

“This dress should be worn like a bell and the wearer is supposed to be a beauty of nature. Like this.” And the dress rang around her, very much like a western style church bell with her legs as bell hammers. “Rustic innocence wouldn't you agree,” she laughed.

So you knew exactly how that dress looked. Who were you in your previous life?

“It's a bit hard with this fabric, but a more elegant dress is usually worn the traditional way.” She let her hands fall along her sides and gathered parts of her dress into them. Suddenly she was more slender and walked away like the model she looked like. She turned on her toes and walked back. Her face challenged the world to look at her and her feet circled and conquered enemies beneath her.

More than a few arriving visitors had stopped to look at the show. A few appreciating wolf-whistles flew through the air followed by raucous suggestions.

Ryu threw an irritated glare after them before he returned his attention to Kuri-chan. Strange, her smile was natural until just now, but it's like she's remembering how to perform an act.

He could hear his sister choking beside him.

Sis, what was that just now?

“Model?” Noriko asked in a voice that had yet to be fully restored.

Kuri-chan looked at Urufu-kun. “I've had a shot or two taken. You saw those?” And she winked at him.

Urufu-kun just shook his head but his eyes never left her. There was something sad about his smile, like he also was immersed in memories.

Noriko looked up at Ryu. “Bro, not fair. We can't follow them there,” she sulked.

So that is the look of memories. But they never told us they met before. In that other world.

Yu-kun had stood a bit apart under a tree and watched the impromptu show. Now he left the canopy and came closer. “Ladies, beautiful all. I have to admit, though,” he turned to Kuri-chan, “that I prefer the yukata.”

Kuri-chan tip toed and clapped her hands. “I'm devastated, but then how could I possibly compete with her?”

Kyoko-chan and Yu-kun flashed red in seconds, but then in an unprecedented act of bravery he faced Kuri-chan and smiled weakly. “You can't.”

Well done, that was well done. Ryu felt his respect for Yu-kun grow a few notches. There was more to the loyal wingman than met the eye.

Kuri-chan's face opened up in a big 'O' but her eyes still glittered with mirth. “I'm mortally wounded! Betrayed! Betrayed I say!” She threw an open hand across her forehead, rolled her eyes and fell backwards dramatically. Only to be promptly caught by Urufu-kun who had apparently been waiting for the show.

“She's such a stage monkey,” Noriko said, her voice rumbling with disapproval.

I don't care she says she's fifty. I don't care she's a foreigner. I don't care she's taller than me. I don't even care she loves Urufu-kun. She's easily the most beautiful thing I've seen in my life.

***

Despite everything it was uncomfortable walking between the stalls like this. The four of them taking up most of the street as they walked side by side like something from a B-western film.

Ulf held Christina's hand tightly. It felt good with her fingers between his.

And that was the good part of it.

To his left he had a very cute and love-struck Noriko clinging to him in a yukata, barely leaving him enough room to be decent, and to her right Christina had an equally charmingly love-struck Ryu. The twins were overdoing it obviously, but they still played those cards a little bit too well.

The fantastic four with superpowers in kiddie love triangle. Quadrangle? It was all very confusing anyway. And embarrassing.

Fantastic four? Where had Yukio and Kyoko gone?

“Guys, I think we lost two,” Ulf said.

Christina looked at him. “Ulf?”

“Christina, have you seen them?”

She looked around, as if they would suddenly pop back into existence. “They were right behind us. Oh well can't be helped.”

Sometimes she wasn't much of a friend. “Christina, shouldn't we try to...”

“I said: Can't. Be. Helped.”

“Huh? Oh, yes of course.” That was a close one. I wonder if she doesn't know exactly when those two got lost behind us.

Ryu and Noriko just grinned. They had been far faster on the uptake than him.

The four of them sat down by a stall and spent an absurd amount of hundred yen coins failing to catch fish they wouldn't want to take home anyway. It was fun of sorts but all in all the festival reminded Ulf more of a children's fair than anything else. Oh well, when in Rome and all that.

The fireworks in Japan were marvellous though, and he was already looking forward to them.

A few crowded stalls later he had filled up with some surprisingly tasty food and a couple of sticks with candied apples that Christina wanted. She was quickly regressing into childhood.

That was the good part. The bad was that after those stalls he couldn't find the Wakayamas, and the crowd was pushing them forward. There was no going back to search for their friends.

***

Noriko watched Ryu scamper up a nearby fence. After that he took a measuring look at the tree. Then he was flying through the air.

Noriko gasped. “Careful bro!”

Ryu hadn't misjudged. He caught a branch with his hand, and on the upward swing he hugged the trunk with his legs. After that he vanished up the canopy like a monkey.

“Sorry, can't see them,” came a shout from the treetops.

“What about Kyoko-chan and Yu-kun?” Noriko shouted back from the ground. She couldn't see her brother even though he was up there somewhere. Multiple lanterns bathed the tree in a fairy tale reddish light and threw strange shadows around so it was difficult to see what was a shadow and what was a branch.

“No good. Kuri-chan. I hoped to see her hair, but the other two, sorry.”

The tall girl with golden hair. Yes she could understand why he thought it easier to find her in the crowd.

“Come down! I want something to eat. We'll try to find Sho-kun and the home-made brothers.”

She heard rustling from above, and after a while she could see her brother vaulting down between branches as if he had been walking a wide bridge.

When he finally was by her side again she shrugged. “Stuck with you this year as well. I've had worse. At least your harem isn't here.”

Ryu gave her a guilty look.

“What?”

And another one.

“You suck.”

“Wakayama-san, over here! I've found him!”

“Ryu-kun, super! You look great!”

“Isn't that my line?” He had the good graces to at least give her a third look.

Then she saw something interesting. Oh. The bet is off then. And the motor mouth of all people won. Pity, my money was on this day, but I had higher hopes for you Kyoko-chan.

***

The crowd closed behind them again. Kyoko held on to Yu-kun's shirt for all she was worth. I lose him now and I'll be alone for the rest of the evening.

Just a moment earlier they had almost stumbled into a drunken fistfight and now they were running.

From her right music blared from a couple of loudspeakers, and then the sound grew fainter behind her. Why is he walking so fast?

“Yu-kun, I can't. My yukata.”

He finally slowed down. Her feet hurt from walking much faster than her traditional style slippers were designed for. Kuri-chan would have understood. She actually knew about the yukata. Ah, yes she told me she had been in Japan a lot before.

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That thought scared her. Before this life. What is it like to live twice?

“Kyoko-chan, are you...”

“I'm fine,” she lied.

“Sorry I ran.” Yu-kun looked shamefaced.

Kyoko stared at him. Somehow he looked younger now, and scared.

“What is it? What happened?”

He looked away. “That fight before,” he murmured, “it was a set-up.”

How did he know? “How did you know?”

He walked them a little bit away. Whatever was on his mind wasn't romantic at all. She could see that in his face.

“You know, us from Red Rose.”

She knew that a lot of the students came from his old middle school. They were spread evenly among all classes, and she had heard rumours. “Yes,” she said, even though she wasn't sure where this was leading.

“We don't talk much about it. Have you heard that we call it Red Rose Hell?”

She had and it wasn't spoken about. “Uhum.”

“There was a lot of bullying, and worse.” He looked as if he was about to cry.

“Yu-kun?”

“No you should know, at least part of it.”

Kyoko wasn't sure she wanted to, but if it was important to Yu-kun then she would listen. I want to know you. I want you closer to me. “I'll listen.”

“There was a Chinese girl and two Korean boys. One of them in my class. It was bad and the teachers didn't help.”

“Like Kuri-chan,” she asked and remembered.

“Worse,” Yu-kun said. “I was a coward, but the Wakayamas refused to let go.” He looked as if he was making a decision. “I had a crush on Noriko-chan back then,” he said.

Had? Whoa! Had? You're not in love with her any more? “Uhum.” I'm not going to show anything, I'm not! Please!

In the distance fireworks were opening up. They really are flowers in the sky!

“Follow me! I'll find a better spot. Tell you more later.”

They had already moved away from the worst crowd so it was easier walking around, and Yu-kun soon found a place behind a stall. It smelled of food and it was darker here but Kyoko didn't mind at all.

“I'm sorry for telling you this now but if I don't, I don't know if I ever will.”

His voice brought her back to his discomfort. Whatever occupied his mind was more important than the festival.

“Please I'm still listening,” she said and used it as an excuse to move just a little bit closer.

“She was too loud so they took revenge.”

She? Oh, Nori-chan.

“Urufu helped. He's a hero you know. The best there is even if he's a moron sometimes.”

She could agree about the moron-part. No she could agree on him being a hero as well. If it hadn't been for him Kuri-chan… “I know. We both know how he helped Kuri-chan.” We, I said we.

“I don't know if I should tell you this but I will. He got into a fight and was expelled.”

What?

“After that it got worse.”

Worse?

“The Korean boy in my class was ambushed. I saw it coming but I was too afraid to get involved.”

Yu-kun what happened?

He remained silent for some time after that. Blossoms lit up the sky followed by distant thunder but she wasn't looking at the fireworks any longer. Something bad he had said.

“He transferred. The Chinese girl and that other Korean boy did as well. Personal reasons they said.”

“Yu-kun you look like a ghost!”

He looked at her and there was only sadness in his face. “I wish I was a ghost.” And he looked even sadder. “I was too afraid to stop it and some of my classmates helped with the bullying. Japanese purity they called it.”

“What happened?”

“I'm a coward. I laughed as well and made snide comments because… because...”

“Yu-kun!” She could see that he was caught in memories. What could have been that bad?

“Some of the teachers helped as well. And some parents. But not the Wakayamas. They fought back and they saved me together with Urufu. Without them I would have started to believe those lies.”

Kyoko didn't say anything. There were rumours after all. Some of them she had heard from her parents. “We're a superior race. Destined for greatness as long as we don't become improper. As long as we stay clean from foreign influences.”

Improper. Yes, she definitely had heard that before. And two of her best friends were foreigners. More foreign than anyone could possibly understand.

“That's why I knew what was happening you know, with Kuri-chan.” Yu-kun looked at her and suddenly his face lit up in a grin. “You know, I'll strive to be improper in the right way!”

You're no coward. I'll be your friend and maybe, maybe I can mend what I broke between us.

“I had to tell you. Still friends?”

Yes. I'll always be your friend. And if that means being improper then I'm going to learn from you. “I'm your friend, if you allow me to be.”

“Mind if I call you Kyoko?” His voice had turned softer.

Yes! “If I can call you Yukio,” she said. Yes!

“Please do, Kyoko.” She could hear the silence in that sentence. Just before he said her name. As if it scared him.

There were more flowers in the sky. She held on to him. It was a little bit like brother and sister but it was enough for now. Together they watched the fireworks in silence.

***

“There's something that's been bugging me all this time. We're here together...”

“Mm, here together,” Christina interrupted and snuggled up closer.

I can feel your body right through that dress. And you know I can. “Christina, I'm trying to be serious here.” He gave up and held her just a little bit tighter. It felt good. Really good.

“OK I got it. You were saying?” But she didn't let go.

“You and Kyoko went to middle school for one year, just like me.”

“Yes?”

“Doesn't that mean we probably arrived here at the same time?”

Christina did let him go at that. “Yes, when you put it like that. Yes I guess so.” She took a bite of her candied apple.

They moved away from the stalls a bit. The fireworks were about to start, and he wanted a spot from where they could see them better.

“So I wonder, what happened to you. I mean back in Sweden?”

“You mean how I arrived here?”

“Yes.”

She looked thoughtful. “I needed a break, so I was out hiking. You see I got this really nice invitation to a spa, and… Ulf?”

“You got this really nice invitation?” He felt the blood drain from his face.

“Ulf, what's wrong?”

“Later, we'll talk about that later, OK?”

“OK. Anyway, I got a bit lost and the wind got stronger. I found a funny cabin built into a mountainside and thought I could get shelter there.”

I saw her. There was a woman outside when I looked out the window. I tried to wave her inside. “That was you! You didn't see me so I went outside, and, well.”

“You were in that cabin?”

“Yes. And then I went out, and...”

“...then you were on that hillside. Naked I guess?” Christina combed her hair with her fingers. “Wearing only this,” she added and grinned at him.

“Yeah.” That was slightly embarrassing.

“There were these two, eh, Jeeps?”

“ATV. One came for me and I saw the other vanish over a crest.”

“There you have it I guess.”

“Someone knew we were coming. They waited for us. Should have known. Nakagawa basically told me.”

“Principal Nakagawa?”

“Yes. There's something big going on, and I hate being clueless. He's more than just a principal, but you know that already.”

Christina nodded. “You said you wanted to talk about something later.” She went ahead of him and turned and circled in her dress so it billowed out. Everything was graceful with her.

“The invitations. I got one as well. Guess where that leads us.”

“Someone knew? Back home?” She curtsied and shot him a coy smile. It was apparent she didn't care all that much for the topic he had chosen for the conversation.

“Believe in double coincidences much?”

Christina shook her head. “That makes me afraid. Please, not today. Let's watch the fireworks! Today I want to be sixteen with my boyfriend. Today I'm just a schoolgirl in love.”

She looked at him. Even in the darkness her eyes were the deepest blue. Falling in love. Those eyes. If I fall I'll surely drown. He wanted to resist. He wanted to give in. Christina's presence was intoxicating. He was already falling.

He hugged her closer. Then he kissed her. “For today, teenagers in love. I can do that,” he murmured in her ear. Then he kissed her again. She tasted of candied apple.

The night lit up with man-made thunder. Flowers in the sky. He sought her lips again. So sweet!