Aiko was wandering in circles after the doctor's words as she went shopping for a yukata. She couldn't figure out what yukata she could wear to the festival.
"Do you need some help choosing the fabric, Miss?" asked a salesperson.
"Please. It's the first time I've worn it."
"Don't worry, take a seat, and I'll bring you some designs."
"Thank you very much."
The salesperson brought in some designs while Aiko waited. Every yukata material was unique and had beautiful designs; it was difficult for Aiko to choose because she wanted to look good in front of the doctor. As she was struggling to find the right material, a voice from behind her said:
"I believe this color will look good on you."
When she turned around, it was the old lady she had met on the train.
"Good day, Aiko."
"Aunty!"
"I see you're shopping for a yukata"
"Yes, Aunty, it's my first time wearing it since the doctor told me to."
"Oh, you reconciled with him."
She nods and blushes. Someone dressed in a high school uniform stood behind the old lady; she had a gyaru appearance and looked like a model with her colored blonde hair.
"Oh, it's my granddaughter."
"My name is Aoi."
"My name is Aiko, It's a pleasure meeting you."
"Nice to meet you Aiko chi"
"Aiko chi?"
"It's a gals thing"
They laugh
"Have you chosen an outfit mam?" the salesperson asks
"Not yet"
"Don't worry, Aiko, let me assist you," the elderly lady says.
The lady assists by selecting a flower pattern similar to Aiko's. It was lovely and looked lovely on Aiko.
"Wow! Grandma, Aiko chi appears to be a princess."
"She certainly is."
"Really," she blushes, "then this is what I'll go with."
The salesperson nods and hands it to Aiko, who, along with the lady and her granddaughter, walks down the street.
"yes"
"Oh, that's great, I'm also going to the summer festival, it'll be fun meeting you there"
"Yes, we should meet"
The old lady asks, "is there anyone there to dress you up"
"Yes, the house in charge of doctor's beach house, the wife of the landlord will help me to dress"
"Oh, that's great"
After they reach the bus, they bid themselves as they go in different directions, as Aiko walks, she feels chills as she can't wait to wear and impress the doctor.
Mrs. Yoshi dressed Aiko in a Yukata on the day of the festival, just two days before they left for Tokyo.
"Is your stash small, Aiko?"
"Of course, thank you for dressing me."
"Oh, it's okay, you're like my daughter," Mrs. Yuko says as she hugs her, "come now, let me do your hair."
"All right, I'm in your hands now."
Mrs. Yoshi makes a hairstyle by tying a bun, and then she goes to her cupboard and bring out a box and takes out a hairpin.
"This belonged to my mother, who gave it to me when I went to the festival with Mr. Yoshi; it was there that we first kissed in the festival, and it is said that those who are close during the fireworks are destined to be together."
"How can I accept this?" she blushes.
Mrs. Yoshi smiles and kisses her on the cheek, saying, "you are like my daughter, and I bore a son, and how can I gift a comb to my son, plus he's in London, so how can I give it, anyhow, just for this special night, I'm giving you as my daughter."
"Mrs. Yoshi, thank you so much. I'm at a loss for words."
They embrace as if a daughter is leaving her mother.
"There, you're all ready, try to remember my words," Mrs. Yoshi says as she lends her ear to her.
"I got it, where you had to go."
She gives a nod. Aiko walks away as they say their goodbyes.
As the doctor waits for her at the bus stop, he notices a girl from the alley dressed in a dark blue Yukata, who appears to be Aiko, who appears to be so different from her usual self. She speaks nervously as she notices the doctor staring at her:
"Doctor, how do I look?"
"You have the appearance of a hime."
She blushes as she hears his remarks and thanks him.
"Doctor, shall we go?"
"Sure," the doctor says as he extends his hand and walks alongside her, "Aiko, you're my girlfriend, right?"
"Y..Yes"
"Then…. Call me by my name"
"What ?"
" Well.. you are my girlfriend now, so is'nt it good to call me by my name"
She nods, " Then….. Hiro"
He smiles and gives a kiss to her forehead, "I love you Aiko"
"I love you too, Hiro"
As they boarded the train, the two sat together in their seats. As they sat, more and more people filled the train as it stopped at each station.
"Are you all right, Aiko?"
"Yes, but it's a little tight."
"It's okay, you have me," Hiro says as he places his hand on Aiko's shoulder and hugs her. Aiko felt for the doctor as he placed his hand on her, and she could feel the doctor's heartbeat, giving her goosebumps.
As they arrived, they walked near the lake where the festival was taking place, where lights and stalls were erected.
As they entered, it was the first time in a long time for Aiko as she looked around with delight, Hiro smiled as she saw him acting like a child, as the crowd gathered, Aiko was pushed and suddenly grabbed hold of the doctor as he held her.
"Take care."
"I'm sorry, I was overjoyed to see these after such a long time."
"Don't worry, the fun has only just begun," the doctor laughs.
As she departs for the doctor's care, they visit each stall, beginning with gold fishing and cotton candy.
They pass by a shooting stall, and Aiko notices a cute stuff toy. The doctor smiles and asks, "Do you want it?"
She gives a nod.
he shoots after the doctor pays and aims for the prize, but it misses because he had poor aim. As the doctor attempts to shoot, Aiko laughs.
"Can I try."
"It's all yours."
He then pays for Aiko and hands over the gun, saying, "All the best."
She smiles before aiming and shooting at the stuff bear.
"Wow," the doctor exclaims, astounded.
"What do you want ?"
"Huh me ?"
She gives a nod. The doctor comes to a halt and points to his watch. Aiko points to the watch and shoots all at once, then presents the prize to the doctor. The doctor freezes as they walk because he sees Aiko, who has good aim.
"My father is a licensed shooter; he taught me pistol shooting while in the army, which is why I have practice," Aiko laughs.
"Perhaps that's why you're so good."
As they enjoy their time, doing games, suddenly someone called Aiko and then jumped on her
"Huh Aoi!"
"Yo, Aiko chi"
The doctor sees Aoi and reacts confused
"Do you know each other?"
"Yes, I am friends with her grandmother and eventually became friends with her"
"We sure did" says Aoi as she hugs her
She then sees Hiro and smiles, "Nice to meet you, my name is Aoi"
"Oh my name is Hiro, nice to meet you"
"Pleasure, you really got a nice girlfriend right here"
Aiko blushes
"I sure did" says Hiro seeing Aiko's cute side
Aiko slowly hits Aoi, " Geez, have you come alone"
"No I'm with my friends and just came to say Hi"
Suddenly an announcement calls for the fireworks
"Oh it's the fireworks, let's meet again Aiko chi"
"Sure"
" And it's sure nice to meet you Hiro"
He smiles and waves her
Aoi then takes something from her bag and hands it to Aiko, "use it today, as this is your special day, put it in the bag and do it tonight" she says and gives a wink as she races to her friends
"What was she gave, Aiko" the doctor inquires
"Um.. nothing, just a gift" says Aiko blushing
As the signal calls for fireworks, the crowd starts to move to the lake to witness it.
"Oh, it looks like the fireworks are going off; come on, let's go before there's a crowd," Hiro says.
Aiko comes to a halt when she realizes Mrs. Yoshi's words and takes Hiro's hand in hers.
"Mrs. Yoshi recommended a spot where we can get a good view of the fireworks."
"If that's the case, then lead the way."
As they walk, they follow Mrs. Yoshi's instructions and reach the top of the hill, where they sit on a log that has been cut down and wait for the fireworks. They could see the stalls and the city brightening as they looked down. The fireworks were lit up as the announcements were made, and Aiko couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the view of the fireworks.
The doctor's reaction to Aiko's reaction to the fireworks made him feel even more in love, as he saw her eyes glittering and her lips, which were painted red, sparkling. He notices her looking at him, and she notices him looking at her.
"Aiko…"
"Hiro…."
"You look stunning."
She is flushed.
As the night fills with fireworks, they look at each other, and Hiro holds her face and they share a lip lock.