Martin, Gale, Daniel, Jackson, and Daisy attended the Tanabata Festival. The Tanabata Festival, also known as the Star Festival, is a major summer holiday in Japan, celebrated on July 7th each year. This festival is known for its emphasis on stargazing, with people creating colourful paper decorations and writing wishes on small pieces of paper called "tanzaku" to hang from bamboo frames or trees and people do many other activities.
The festival is based on a legend from Chinese mythology about two star lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who were separated by the Milky Way River (represented by the star Vega for Orihime and Altair for Hikoboshi) and were only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month.
Gale, Martin, Daisy, Daniel and Jackson were all dressed in traditional festival attire. Looking around their surroundings, the group could see an array of colourful decorations, including intricate paper lanterns, streamers, and tanzaku – colourful strips of paper with wishes written on them – swaying gently in the breeze. The sky above them was a beautiful canvas of stars, creating a captivating backdrop for the festivities. The air was electric with excitement, and the sound of laughter, music, and chatter filled the atmosphere.
Martin was dressed in a comfortable, yet festive outfit, complete with a colourful sash.
Gale, walking next to him, was wearing a traditional yukata, the fabric swirling gently with every movement. He had a majestic smile on his face.
Daniel and Jackson, both dressed in casual yet festive clothing, while Daisy, looking elegant in her traditional dress, was scanning the festival grounds, taking in every detail with a curious gaze.
Everywhere the group look, they see people enjoying themselves – couples laughing and sharing food, children playing various games, and young adults engaging in friendly competitions. The vibrant energy and the sense of community were palpable throughout the festival grounds.
Suddenly Daniel turned to the group and pointed up at the sky, exclaiming, "Just look at those stars! It feels like the night sky is practically alive with them tonight."
Daisy smiled and nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked up at the sky. "It's so beautiful," she said. "I always feel like anything could happen under a sky like this, like wishes could come true." Upon hearing her words Daniel stared at her with affectionate eyes.
As the group continued to explore, they found themselves drawn to a particular stall that was selling colourful masks and small tanzaku. The stall owner was a cheerful old woman, who smiled warmly at the group as they approached.
"Hello dearies! Come see our beautiful masks and tanzaku. Perfect for wishing on this special festival!" the old woman said, her voice carrying a grandmotherly tone.
The group was immediately captivated by the array of masks hanging on display, each one more intricate and colourful than the last. Daniel decided to try on a mask, feeling the smooth material against his face.
The old woman chuckled, watching Daniel's antics with amusement. "You look quite fetching, young man. And those tanzaku over there are perfect for writing your wishes. Go ahead and pick one."
Daniel glanced over at the tanzaku, his eyes flickering with curiosity. He grabbed one from the stack and grinned. "Okay, let's see what I'll wish for this year."
Seeing him, Martin, Jackson, Gale and Daisy also picked up a tanzaku each and said with an excited smile "We want it too."
In response to all of them, the old woman gave a warm smile and said, "Sure."
After taking the tanzaku and pen from her, they all bowed down to the old woman and thanked her.
Then the group moved toward a decorative bamboo tree adorned with colourful tanzaku.
Daniel, still wearing the mask, grinned mischievously and said, "Alright, let's see what we all want to wish for this year."
Daisy smiled and chimed in, "Let's write them down together, okay?"
As the group started writing down their wishes on their tanzaku, Gale and Jackson tried to catch a glimpse of what the other members were writing. They leaned in slightly, trying to peek at Martin and Daniel's wishes, but Martin catched them in the act.
"Hey, no peeking!" Martin said, shielding his tanzaku with his hand.
Jackson grinned unabashedly. "What? I'm not."
Daniel, overhearing their conversation, rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small grin. "Focus on your own wishes. No copying allowed."
Daisy chuckled at the boys' antics, and shook her head. As the group finished writing their wishes on their tanzaku, they started to hang them on the bamboo tree.
However, as Martin went to hang his tanzaku, Jackson quickly grabbed it from his hands and stepped back, keeping it a bit away from Martin so that he could read it. Daisy, Daniel, and Gale watched in disbelief and amused, while Martin looked extremely apprehensive at Jackson's action.
Immediately, Martin tried to retrieve his tanzaku, but Jackson won't let him have it back. While still holding onto Martin's tanzaku, Jackson quickly started to read out the wish, saying aloud with a mischievous smile.
"Bring my Fairy back to me."
Hearing this, the rest of the group, except Gale, were curious and confused. They exchanged glances, unsure about who this 'Fairy' could be.
"Who's this Fairy you're wishing for, huh?" Jackson asked.
Daisy and Daniel, both were curious to know Martin's response. But frustrated and irritated by Jackson's antics, Martin tried to grab his tanzaku, but Jackson was simply taking steps back, out of his reach.
"Jay, who is this Fairy?" Daisy asked full in curiosity. But Martin's full attention was on taking his tanzaku back from Jackson.
While seeing Martin not replying Jackson continued to ask in a repeat motion. "Who is this Fairy? Who is? Who, tell us who—who—who—who?"
"It's a girl."
Getting frustrated by Jackson's continued asking, the words slipped from Martin's mouth. While hearing this, Daisy and Daniel looked slightly surprised.
"And he likes her." Gale's sudden and quick words rang in Daisy, Daniel and Jackson's ear and they became more surprised at this newfound revelation.
They all quickly turned their head towards Gale who was smiling awkwardly, looking at them. While a disbelieving look on Martin's face.
Seeing their continued gaze Gale lifted his hands a little in a surrender position while his own tanzaku was visible in his hand which he hadn't hung it yet, as he looked at Martin with an awkward tight lipped smile and said. "Sorry, I think I shouldn't have revealed it."
Hearing his words Martin couldn't help but just look at him in disbelief and resigned. "You think?" he said.
"You did a great job." Jackson interjected before running away with Martin's tanzaku to tease Martin more. While seeing him running Martin also ran after him to get his tanzaku back with frustration on his face.
On the other side Daniel and Daisy were just looking towards Martin and Jackson's running figure in extreme surprise. Suddenly shaking his head Daniel grabbed Daisy's wrist and started to drag her and spoke, excitement and hurry in his tone. "Leave them, let's go fly the lantern near the river." Saying this, he continued to drag Daisy with him while Daisy was still stunned to speak because of the surprise Martin and Gale gave.
While Gale, who was still standing there, was looking left and right as Martin and Jackson went to the right and Daniel and Daisy went to the left. And he chuckled before turning around and hanging his tanzaku on the bamboo tree.
His tanzaku didn't have any words written on it, but simply had a perfectly shaped circle drawn on it. And as he hung his tanzaku there, it started swaying gently in the air along with many other tanzaku, creating the mystery of his wish.
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The mansion's expansive backyard, flanked by tall trees, was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Standing beneath the sprawling branches of a large tree were Martin, Gale, Jackson, Daniel, and Daisy, each holding small paper pieces in their hands that glistened gently in the fading light.
Gale held a large metal box in his hands, its surface glinting with the warm hues of the sky. The group's excitement was palpable, their eyes bright as they awaited the unfolding activity.
Gale smiled widely as he looked at the rest of the group. "Let's all put the chits, written for our future selves, into this box," he said with excitement in his voice.
Hearing his words, the group quickly drop their small pieces of paper into the metal box, creating a slight rustling sound as they fall into the container.
After the last piece of paper had been dropped into the box, Gale closed the lid with a soft click, and then moved to a spot nearby where they had previously dug a small hole in the ground. He squatted down and placed the box in the hole, the others, Martin, Jackson, Daniel, and Daisy, quickly joined him, assuming a squatted position as well. Together, they begin to cover the box with soil, their hands working quickly but deliberately to fill the hole and hide the box from sight. After fully covering the box with dirt, the group stood up, satisfied, and brushed their hands on their clothes.
Just then, Gale said with authority, "This box shall remain untouched for the next 10 years. Anyone who dares to touch it beforehand will be breaking a rule."
Hearing this, the group gave a playful salute to Gale with a hint of mischief on their faces, replying in unison, "As you say, young master."
At this, Gale chuckled, clearly amused by the response. Then, Martin turned to Gale, with a question in mind. "Why did you choose this spot in our backyard, to hide the box, when we could have hid it elsewhere?"
Hearing Martin's question, the others also looked towards Gale, their own curiosity piqued as they waited for his answer.
Gale responded with certainty, "With any other far spot, there's the risk of future construction, but our mansion's backyard has always been untouched by construction, making it the perfect place to hide the box."
After hearing Gale's reasoning, the group nodded in agreement. Then, Jackson spoke up, excitement in his voice. "I wonder what we'll be doing in the future, but I wish we'll still be together."
Gale chuckled at Jackson's words, placed his hand on Jackson's shoulder and responded, "Of course we'll still be together in the future. That's why we've hidden this box here, so that we can answer unanswered questions we have right now."
The group smiled at his words. Suddenly Martin spoke in a teasing tone, placing his fingers on his jaw, pretending to think. "I can already imagine Jackson cleaning golden toilets in the future."
Hearing his words everyone laughed and Jackson looked at Martin in disbelief but he also couldn't help himself from laughing with them.
The backyard, filled with laughter and anticipation, transformed into a place where memories were made and the future was full of possibilities. The box remained hidden beneath the soil, its contents waiting patiently to be discovered in ten years' time.
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The outdoor garden of the luxurious mansion was perfectly manicured and adorned with elaborate decorations, as they prepared for a special occasion. The staff and servants worked diligently, yet with a sense of joy in the air.
Today was 22-year-old Daisy, and 20-year-old Daniel's wedding, and the entire estate was alive in anticipation. Yet as the preparations continued, not a single guest was in sight, as the wedding was to be a private affair among family only. The garden itself was a masterpiece.
The ground was meticulously maintained, adorned with flowers of white and dark blue colours and a sparkling fountain in the centre. The trees had been pruned to perfection, their canopies providing ample shade and creating a tranquil ambiance. The air was fresh and clean, with the sweet scent of countless flowers filling the air. The staff and servants bustled about, completing the final touches to ensure the wedding was absolutely perfect.
Slowly, family members began to arrive in the garden, one by one. Gale's mother Jitoku Erina, Daniel's parents Aria and Enzo Valente, Jackson and Jackson's parents Jitoku Himari and Ryuji, Gale's paternal aunt and her husband Jeong Keiko, and Moon were all present, looking absolutely regal in their appearance.
As they entered the garden, their presence added an air of grandeur and elegance to the surroundings. Each person's attire reflected their status and wealth, from the fine material of their clothing to the intricate jewellery adorning their bodies. The women looked captivating with their elaborate hairstyles and makeup, and the men exuded a sense of confidence and strength. The family members' collective presence painted a picture of a powerful and influential family.
One by one, the family members settled into their seats, their gazes fixed on the stage, where a man in a well-tailored suit was already standing, ready to officiate the wedding ceremony. As the family members waited patiently for the arrival of the bride and groom, the air was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Just then, a hush fell over the entire garden as Daniel appeared, flanked by Gale and Martin. Both Gale and Martin had now reached the age of 17, and they were more handsome than ever before.
Gale was wearing a crisp white shirt tucked neatly into his black pants, his shirt's first three buttons undone to reveal a hint of his torso and its sleeves were folded upward revealing his veiny arms. However, the most striking feature of his appearance was his face. His majestic, flawless features had grown bold, with dark, deep oceanic blue eyes that were captivating. His sharp jawline and high cheekbones were emphasised by the way his long, layered onyx black hair fell perfectly in place, framing his strong, masculine features. He looked every bit the confident, attractive young man.
Martin, on the other hand, was dressed in all black. His shirt was similarly styled with the first three buttons undone, revealing his lean and muscular build. Unlike Gale, he'd kept his light brown hair neatly styled. Overall, Martin's appearance was no less striking than Gale, and he radiated a sense of cool authority and elegance.
While Daniel was in groom attire, totally looking dashing for his special day, and his presence in the garden drew all eyes towards him.
As the trio made their way towards the front, the family members took in their appearance, admiring their striking looks and confident demeanour.
Daniel continued to make his way towards the stage, while Gale and Martin took their seats. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the bride. Daniel, despite his confident exterior, looked nervous.
Just then, a servant appeared, looking worried, and approached Jitoku Erina, who was seated next to Gale and Martin. The servant leaned in and whispered to Erina, "Ma'am, the bride, Daisy, is refusing to come down."
Upon hearing the servant's words, Gale, and Martin also overheard the conversation. Erina appeared troubled and confused, her concern for Daisy clearly visible on her face.
Erina quickly stood up from her seat and hurried off with the servant, heading towards Daisy's location. Gale and Martin immediately followed behind her, their concern evident on their faces. The rest of the family members, including Daniel, watched the trio leave with apprehensive expressions, sensing something was amiss. However, they remained seated, trying to maintain their composure despite the confusion.
••••••
Erina entered Daisy's room with that servant, where she found her sitting on a stool in front of a mirror, sobbing uncontrollably. Despite her tears, Daisy looked absolutely stunning in her pristine bridal dress. Her intense copper coloured long hair, usually worn down, was expertly styled into a gorgeous bun, the perfect complement to her elegant wedding dress. The gown she wore was even more radiant than usual, showcasing her natural beauty in all its glory.
As Erina saw this, her heart breaking at the sight of her daughter crying. She quickly made her way to Daisy's side and gently cupped her face in her hands, speaking words of affection. "My child, what's wrong? Why are you crying on your special day?" Erina asked softly, concern lacing in her voice.
Yet, despite her gentle questioning, Daisy continued to sob, burying her face in her mother's chest and embracing her around the waist. Erina's eyes softened even more, filled with a mix of worry and affection. She tenderly patted Daisy's back, trying to comfort her and calm her down.
At the same time Gale and Martin also entered the room and saw Daisy crying in her mother's arms, they were filled with confusion and worry.
Despite his concerned expression, Gale couldn't resist teasing Daisy in a mocking tone. "Hey, bride, why are you crying? On your wedding day, of all days," he said, a hint of humour in his voice.
However, Daisy didn't stop crying or pull away from her mother's embrace. Seeing this, Erina looked helpless and worried, gazing at Gale with a mixture of pleading and concern.
Gale picked up on Erina's gaze and signalled silently for her to leave, indicating that he and Martin would handle the situation. After a moment, Erina nodded reluctantly, giving them both a worried look before kissing Daisy's hair and making herself release from Daisy's grip, then leaving the room with the servant, closing the door softly behind her.
Martin leaned against the dressing table, crossing his arms and teasing Daisy with a playful tone. "Don't you want to get married?" he asked, but Daisy continued to sob, unresponsive to his question.
Gale turned the stool she was sitting on, forcing her to turn towards him. He then squatted down in front of her, taking her hands in his. In a similar teasing manner, he spoke to her. "Why are you crying? If you don't want to get married, we can stop the wedding," he suggested, still maintaining a light-hearted tone.
But Daisy didn't respond, her crying becoming even more intense. Seeing this, Gale sighed. "Ok, fine, let's stop this wedding."
Saying this, he pretended to get up and walk towards the door. But as he did, Daisy's voice suddenly broke the room's heavy atmosphere.
"No," she said firmly, stopping Gale in his tracks.
Hearing Daisy's firm response, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He turned back towards Daisy, then squatted back down in front of her, still holding her hands.
As he looked at Daisy, his gaze unwavering as he spoke to her. "Alright, if you want to get married, then stop crying and let's go downstairs," he said, his tone firm but gentle.
But Daisy, still in the midst of her sobbings, protested. "I'm not going," she said stubbornly.
From behind them, Martin piped up with a question. "Why not?"
"I'm remembering my childhood right now." Daisy managed to answer through her tears, her voice filled with a nostalgia that tugged at the heartstrings.
Martin, poking fun, couldn't resist asking in a deliberately provoking tone, "So what?"
Daisy, her emotions heightened now, turned towards him with a hint of anger in her voice, and replied loudly, "Take me back to my childhood just for a moment, and then I'll go downstairs."
Hearing her, Martin and Gale exchanged a silent, knowing look, their expressions reflecting a hint of understanding and determination.
Gale stood up, taking a deep breath before speaking. "Alright, we'll do it your way," he acquiesced.
Martin followed suit, standing up straight from the dressing table. "Just wait here, we'll be back," he said as they both headed towards the door.
Daisy, still seated and crying, watched them leave, her expression filled with a mixture of confusion and trepidation.
After some moments, Martin and Gale returned to the room, each holding a familiar item. Martin, keeping a straight face, placed a baby diaper on Daisy's lap, and Gale followed suit, setting a small bottle of baby milk next to it.
They stood straight, their expressions calm like poker faces. Daisy sat confused and angry, looking at them to see if they were serious or not. However, their straight stances and unwavering expressions only heightened her disbelief and anger.
Gale broke the silence with a calm voice. "Here, use these and go back to your childhood."
Martin added, his face still poker-faced. "Go ahead," he prompted, challenging her.
Daisy looked at Martin and Gale with a mix of fury and incredulity. Her tears had subsided for the moment.
In sudden anger, she snatched the baby diaper from her lap and hurled it at Martin, hitting him in the face. She then grabbed the baby milk feeding bottle and threw it towards Gale, who quickly caught it.
Martin, upset about his hair, exclaimed in annoyance while setting back his hair with his hands. "Hey, what are you doing, you're messing up my hairstyle."
Gale, suppressing his teasing tone, asked Daisy with a hint of provocation. "What's wrong, don't you want to go back to your childhood anymore?"
Daisy, looking at their unserious demeanour, was still filled with anger and disbelief. After exchanging incredulous looks with both Gale and Martin for a few more moments, Daisy couldn't help but chuckle eventually. Then, she smiled, shaking her head in disbelief. Finally, she let out a laugh.
Seeing Daisy laugh, Gale and Martin couldn't help but smile too, amused by her reaction to their antics. Martin quickly rushed over to Daisy, wiping away the lingering tears on her face and saying, "No more crying."
Meanwhile, Gale gently patted Daisy's head warmly and said, "Dad will come with you. So quickly come downstairs."
Suddenly Daisy gave both Martin and Gale light punches in the stomach and said. "You two are so mischievous."
Martin and Gale chuckled and pretended to clutch their stomachs in pain.
Martin quipped, "We are not ready to die yet. We want to die after seeing your wedding."
Their banter had Daisy laughing again. Seeing Daisy's laughter, both Martin and Gale couldn't help but break into grins. The tension in the room had dissolved, and the mood was now light and playful.
••••••
Daisy, clutching a bouquet of flowers in her hands, walked down the garden aisle with her father Jitoku Shin's arm tightly wrapped around hers. The beauty of the ceremony was heightened by the bright smile on Shin's face, mirroring Daisy's own radiant expression.
However, unlike a typical wedding, Gale and Martin walked beside Daisy and Shin, their presence adding an unexpected twist to the proceedings. The family members, servants and staff, especially Daniel, couldn't help but gaze at Daisy, taking in her stunning appearance. Daniel and Daisy locked eyes, both of them blushing and sharing a warm smile.
As Daisy slowly turned her gaze around, taking in the surroundings and the family members gathered there, her eyes landed on Jackson, who was sitting among them and sending her flying kisses as a form of flattery. The sight made Daisy chuckle to herself.
Finally, she reached near the stage with her father, Martin, and Gale, and her eyes settled solely on Daniel, her soon-to-be husband, she felt a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through her body.
As she began to ascend the stage, Daniel offered his hand with a warm smile, the epitome of gentlemanly behaviour. Daisy, her cheeks rosy with a blushing smile, couldn't help but gaze at Daniel, her emotions running high.
Shin then placed Daisy's hand into Daniel's, assisting her onto the stage. Once she was completely up, Shin looked at the couple, and grabbed both of their held hands, his eyes filled with a mix of pride and hope. He spoke aloud to Daniel. "I've always had trust in you but still hope you won't make my daughter cry."
Daniel nodded, placing his free hand on Shin's hand in reassurance. With a sincere smile, he responded, "I won't, ever."
Satisfied with Daniel's response, Shin smiled knowingly and ruffled Daniel's hair gently before descending the stage and taking his seat.
Martin and Gale approached the stage, slipping their hands into their pants pockets and adopting serious expressions. Turning towards Daniel, Gale warned him. "Remember who her brother is."
Daniel nodded, surrendering and acknowledging the warning Saying. "I remember."
Then, Martin spoke up, saying, "You need to always protect her. Protecting her won't be as easy as impressing her for the past two years, understand?"
Daniel acquiesced, replying, "Understood and I promise."
Hearing his friendly simple responses, Martin, Daisy, and Gale chuckled softly, with the gathered people also faintly smiling at their playful exchange.
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Gale and Martin, both wearing helmets and woollen jackets to shield themselves from the biting chill of winter, sat on their respective motorcycles, parked beside each other in front of a red traffic light. The street was relatively empty at this late hour in night, and the only sounds were the hum of their engines and the distant city noises. The night had cast a thick blanket of darkness over the city, with the streetlights throwing shadows on the concrete. Though weary from the long drive, Gale and Martin patiently waited for the signal to turn green.
Suddenly the traffic police car approached from the side. Seeing it, Martin turned to glance at Gale and called him and Gale immediately looked at him.
Martin suggested with a hint of excitement, "I have the urge to get the police to follow us tonight, since there aren't many cars or people on the road right now."
Gale, noticing the mischievous gleam in Martin's eyes, chuckled under his helmet. He responded, "Alright, let's do it then."
With a burst of speed, both of them gunned their engines and disregarded the traffic rules, intentionally passing by the police car while shouting with excitement. The streetlights blurred past them, and the cool night air whipped against their bare skins, heightening the sense of freedom and excitement.
And as soon as the police car spotted Gale and Martin disregarding the traffic rules, they quickly accelerated and activated their sirens, indicating that they were initiating a chase.
Seeing the police car in pursuit, both Gale and Martin couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, grinning under their helmets. They began to weave through the empty street, increasing their bike's speed and using their skillful handling to perform daring manoeuvres.
The police car followed closely behind, its flashing lights illuminating the night sky, but Gale and Martin maintained their cool, navigated the winding roads and dim light tunnels, purposely keeping the police car hot on their trail.
After a prolonged and thrilling pursuit, Gale and Martin expertly steered their bikes into a narrow alley, leaving the police car behind in a cloud of confusion. The sudden disappearance into the maze of side streets left the police bewildered, causing them to go in the opposite direction, unaware of the location of Martin and Gale.
As the police car disappeared out of sight, Martin and Gale exchanged glances, a mix of triumph and satisfaction etched across their faces. The thrill of evading the police had left both of them breathless. The alley lay deserted, offering a brief refuge from the intense chase they had just experienced.
For a moment, they sat quietly on their bikes, chests heaving as they took in the stillness of the alley. Their bikes' engines ticked softly as they revved them occasionally, the sound the only disturbance in the otherwise silent night. They chuckled softly, reflecting on their narrow escape and the rush of adrenaline that coursed through their veins.
As the adrenaline slowly subsided, Martin grinned at Gale, his heart still racing from the excitement. He extended his hand for a high five and exclaimed, "That was a hell of a ride. We showed that police car a thing or two, didn't we?"
Gale, returning the high five with enthusiasm, chuckled and replied, "You bet! That was an epic escape."
Martin was staring at Gale's eyes, suddenly said. "Do you know my mom's eyes are also like yours and she is also from America like your mom?"
Hearing this new information Gale looked at Martin and responded. "No, I just found out."
Martin chuckled at his response and then they both chuckled again together, enjoying the moments that just transpired.
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