Intervention

With permission from the higher-ups (read Frank), Tormino’s closed early for the festival. The group had agreed to meet at the entrance and go in as a group. So far, only Miles, Shasta and Oliver had made it on time.

“Where’s your sister? This was her idea,” asked Oliver, who Leigha had invited in the mass text.

“She said she wanted to wear a yukata, so Anita is letting her borrow one of hers.”

“Oh.”

“What about Sierra?”

“She wanted to wear a yukata as well.”

“Oh.”

The boys looked down at their casual dress.

“Maybe everyone else is running late,” offered Shasta.

“Hey, everyone!”

The boys turned to see Sierra clopping up the steps in her wooden sandals, dressed in a yukata meant for children. Ramona and her parents followed behind in similar dress. 

“You didn’t dress up?” asked Sierra, examining the boys.

“We didn’t know it was mandatory,” answered Miles with a nervous grin.

“It’s okay, Sierra, they still look nice,” suggested Ramona, waving her parents off as they entered the festival. They waved at Miles who returned the gesture before they heard familiar voices.

“Sierra! Ramona! You look adorable!”

Leigha trotted up the stairs in a yukata that was a little too small for her. Anita and Norman followed, also wearing yukatas.

“See, Norman wore a yukata. Why didn’t you boys?”

“Uh…”

The boys looked at each other, uncertain of the correct response.

“Come on, enough worrying about that,” ordered Leigha. She pulled Miles next to Ramona and squished Anita and Norman closer.

“Let’s enjoy the festival,” urged Sierra, leading everyone towards the gate.

“But we need to wait for Cyrus,” added Leigha.

“Didn’t he have a date with Linda tonight?” asked Miles. Everyone looked around, uncertain of the answer. Most had forgotten about that bit of progress.

“He’ll find us when he finds us. Come on!”

The group followed Leigha in, everyone taking a look at the pairs they were. Tonight would be interesting.

---

The truth of the matter was that Cyrus had no intention of joining his employees. He had come to terms with the fact that this might/might not be a date. This night would be proof that he could date without his underlings ruining everything — namely Leigha or Sierra.

So, Cyrus hid outside the gate with Linda, both in their yukatas, watching the group enter the festival.

"Alright, the coast is clear."

He stepped out from behind the bushes before helping Linda out. The nurse fell onto his chest once they were free.

"Careful," he warned, their proximity making him heat up. It was as if they were back in high school, when he was shy and nervous about their first date. What didn't help was that Linda looked adorable with her hair curled and up in a traditional flower hairpin.

"I hope Mori's clumsiness isn't contagious," he managed to say as he stood her up.

"I hope that is not the case."

She pulled back, making minor adjustments to her attire.

"Shall we go in?" he asked, pointing his arm at the festival. Linda pulled the sleeve down so she was holding it at her side.

"We shall."

She smiled up at him as he led her into the festival. Lanterns adorned the path to the temple, while stalls for games and food lined the side much like New Year's. Ahead, they could hear the beating of drums. 

"So, are we not joining everyone?" asked Linda.

"Karaage!" 

Cyrus pulled them over to a booth selling the fried chicken, joining the line for food. Cyrus looked at Linda, hoping that would distract her enough to not talk about his co-workers. It seemed to work as she was smiling at the sign over the booth.

"Last Christmas, you came out of Lawson's with spicy karaage." She turned pink and Cyrus was doing the same. He couldn't believe she remembered. 

He looked ahead in the line to see one person before them, and that person happened to be Leigha. Cyrus stiffened as his subordinate ordered, speaking something in hushed tones. Maybe she hadn't seen them. Leigha moved to the side, turning and giving Cyrus a thumbs up. He knew that girl was up to something.

"Next in line, please," the cashier commanded, looking unsure of himself.

"Which selection would you like?" he asked as Cyrus approached the tall man fishing for his wallet.

"Two regular karaage."

"Sorry, sir, one per paying customer."

"What?"

"To make sure everyone gets one, one per paying customer. If you like, you can wait in line again for a second one," the young man offered.

"Order number 58!"

Cyrus looked over to see a server handing over three plates of karaage to a person. Cyrus pointed to him.

"He waited in line three times, sir." The man was uncertain of the answer himself.

"It's fine, we'll take the one," spoke Linda, elbowing Cyrus.

Cyrus grumbled under his breath but paid the money. Cyrus gave the cashier his name before marching off. Linda was right beside him as she waited.

"It's fine," she assured.

"No, it’s not. That man is making stupid policies about serving customers."

"I don't think it was the man making the policies."

Cyrus looked to Linda, who watched as Leigha took three bowls of karaage from the vendor.

"That sneaky little..."

"I don't mind sharing," Linda interrupted as the vendor called Cyrus' number. Cyrus glared at the server as he took his food before returning to Linda.

"Here." He gave her the food. He would have to find another vendor that wasn't so stingy next time.

"Do you want a bite," Linda offered, holding the chicken up to him. She had already taken a bite from the other side, with Cyrus connecting the dots that Leigha had planned. Whether Linda connected the dots or was innocent, he didn't know. He could feel his cheeks heat up as he leaned over and took a bite, watching Linda's cheeks glow pink.

"Now it's your turn," he said, taking the karaage from her. He held it in such a way that she could either bite from her side or from where he had started. She leaned over and took a bite so that most of it was from where he had eaten earlier. She smacked her lips as she chewed, wiping a crumb from the corner of her lips.

Cyrus had never wished to be that crumb more than ever in his life.

"Let's get us something to drink," he offered. He led them away from the stand as he took another bite of chicken, connecting both of Linda's sections with his.

"One that we share," she offered with a tease.

Cyrus wanted to choke on the chicken as he passed the piece back to her.

---

The group had separated soon after entering. Miles and Ramona were lost in the crowd. Leigha zipped ahead to get food. The parade divided Norman and Anita from everyone else. She tried to stand on tiptoe in her wooden sandals, not being able to see over the crowds.

"Everything alright?" asked Norman?

"I can't see anyone on the other side of the parade."

Norman smiled, reaching out to hold her hand, which surprised Anita.

"Relax, we can look for them afterward. The festival isn't that big; we will run into everyone eventually."

Anita nodded, realizing she was being silly over the separation. She took her camera out of her purse, taking snaps of people's hands and the parade.  Through the crowd, she saw Shasta at a mask stand. He picked one up and paid for it before putting it on. She could see Oliver doing the same, both looking down at Sierra for approval before walking on. Shasta smiled as the group moved to the next booth. They looked like they were having fun.

"Is that a camera?" asked Norman.

"Yes, do you know how to use one?"

"A little. I always wanted to get into photography, but it's so expensive. I usually stick to cheaper hobbies like origami or learning about art."

"Is that why I always see you doing something new?"

"Yeah. I like trying new things and learning about easy pastimes. I have a bunch of collections at home. I started with cheap magic tricks, and watches."

He smirked at the ground, kicking at the cobblestone.

"The only consistent hobby I've had is you."

Anita blushed, hiding her embarrassment behind her sleeve.

"I'm sorry that came out wrong. I mean, you have been the most consistent thing in my life. Well, for the past few months that I've known you," Norman explained.

"I know, I get it. It was sweet."

Norman blushed, also looking away. They both looked back at the parade.

"So is photography your hobby other than soulmate searching?"

"Photography is part of my soulmate searching."

Norman tilted his head, looking at her to continue.

"I usually take pictures of hands to find soulmate marks. The reason I was so tired on New Year's was because I had been taking pictures the night before while at the shrine."

"Ah, that makes sense. You looked so sick that day."

"Yeah, I stayed up all night looking for my soulmate. But he wasn't there. Again."

"Maybe he was," Norman suggested, smiling at her. 

She looked at Norman with a smile then back to the camera to take more pictures, this time of the parade. She still could see Shasta at the other booth, standing and looking around the festival. He was also with her on New Year's, if she could recall. But even his cordial actions didn't mean he was her soulmate. But maybe he was a different kind, like Norman.

"Could you teach me?" came Norman's voice, causing Anita to snap out of her daze.

"What?"

"Can you teach me how to use a camera? I've played with smaller cameras before, but nothing like yours."

Anita looked back to the parade, which was starting to end.

"Sure, I would love to teach you."

Norman smiled. Anita handed him the camera, sliding the wrist strap through his.

"I already have it at the appropriate settings for this lighting. Let's switch it off manual focus to autofocus. Then point at what you want to take a picture of and press this button to take the picture." She pointed her camera to various things as she explained. Norman turned the camera towards her, snapping a picture when she looked back at him.

"I wasn't ready. Let me know so I can look nice."

"You look beautiful either way," he commented, making Anita blush as he took another photo of her.

He smiled at her over the camera as Anita continued to blush. "Take pictures of the parade before it completely passes," she urged.

"Right." Norman turned the camera back toward the parade, taking pictures while Anita watched. Tonight was fun, and this was the kind of date she wanted to have with her soulmate - when they met.

---

Leigha returned to a small group of Sierra, Shasta and Oliver trying the goldfish scoop. Both boys wore masks on the sides of their heads, Sierra insisting it was because they hadn’t worn yukatas.

"Karaage!" 

Leigha passed one of the pieces over to Sierra and Shasta, Leigha holding the other for Oliver as he tried the game. Leigha looked at the festival, scanning the crowds with a proud smile.

"What happened?" asked Sierra as she took a bite of the fried chicken.

"I helped Linda and Cyrus, and Anita and Norman are alone together."

"So, Cyrus did show up?" asked Shasta, scanning the crowds as he ate the chicken.

"Yep, not long after us by the looks of it."

"Don't you think you should stop interfering with other people's love lives?" asked Oliver. "These things need to grow on their own. Plus, we want Shasta and Anita together, not Norman and Anita."

Shasta coughed, turning his face away as Oliver tried to scoop one of the fish, tearing another paper net.

"And they will, after some encouragement. And I will support whoever is willing to take care of my best friend, which right now is Norman."

Oliver sighed, standing up as Sierra stepped forward. She paid the man running the stall to play the game. She tossed the empty plate as Leigha handed Oliver his chicken.

"Shasta, stand here," ordered Sierra. She handed him the bowl for catching the fish as she positioned him behind her.

Sierra bent down over the small pond, staring at the fish. With a quick snap of her wrist, a fish was out of the pool and into the bowl Shasta held. She repeated the trick a few times until the paper net broke. Oliver snorted at Sierra's attempt to show off, while Leigha looked enthralled. Shasta stood in place, not interested in what his co-worker was doing as fish after fish landed in the bag he held.

"How did you do that?” asked Leigha.

"Music training and cooking need quick flips of the wrist."

"I want to try. Training to be a doctor taught me precision," announced Leigha as she deposited her trash and went to pay the man.

The red-faced man handed her a net; Leigha bent down to watch the fish.

"Do you think she's doing that on purpose?" asked Oliver to Shasta. The open space of Leigha's yukata near her neck was becoming more prominent.

"Possibly."

Shasta looked around, finding the parade passing by. Across from them, he could see Anita and Norman talking, enjoying the sight together.

"Another!" Leigha yelled at the man, her paper net broken and no fish in sight. The man, now terrified, handed her a new paper net, this one breaking as quickly as the first.

"So much for doctor precision," teased Oliver.

"Shut up!" She snapped, standing up in a huffing, frightening a couple of children.

"This game is rigged anyway. Ooh, alcohol!"

Leigha started heading to a booth serving alcohol; the other three were quick to hold her back.

"Leigha, Miles said no drinking tonight," groaned Sierra. Sierra wasn't much help as Leigha was twice her size.

"I never heard him say that."

"He told us not to let you have alcohol. Otherwise, it would ruin tonight," insisted Oliver.

Leigha continued to charge ahead, ignoring her friend's pleas.

"You'll miss the fireworks if you start drinking now," added Shasta.

"Fireworks?"

She stopped, the other three losing their balance.

"That would be the perfect time to get Miles and Ramona together. Especially since Ramona is probably scared of them."

Leigha ran off, opposite to the alcohol, looking for her victims.

"Shouldn't we follow after her?" asked Sierra.

"Naw, she's not getting drunk, and that was the only thing Miles told us to make sure of," said Oliver.

Sierra frowned, "Why are we babysitting her?"

Shasta shrugged, continuing down the path of vendors, looking for a drink. He found a stall serving various teas. Anita and Norman were walking away with a ticket for drinks. Shasta watched as they sauntered, both wrapped up in their little world.

"You want to join them?" asked Sierra, stepping into the line ahead of Shasta.

Shasta looked away. "No, it looks like they’re having their fun."

"Which is why we should show her how much fun she could be having with you," said Oliver, coming up behind Shasta.

"Exactly, tonight should be the night you make a move. You did so well at the beach. Now you have to fight Norman to the death for her," insisted Sierra, both boys looking at her oddly.

"As much as I would like Norman gone, killing him at a festival would not be the best plan."

"Right, if anything, make it look like an accident."

"You're frightening me, Sierra," whispered Oliver, hiding behind Shasta.

"I’m kidding. But Shasta does need to step up his game; otherwise, Norman is going to win."

"She still has to find her soulmate. Norman may give up before then."

"Or convince her that he is her soulmate," added Sierra. Both men looked at her.

"Anita says they met on New Year's when they touched hands. Norman has been insisting that it is an alternative version of finding a soulmate. Which is currently more than what you’ve got," explained Sierra.

"So how do we get her to take notice of Shasta?" asked Oliver. 

They both looked between Anita and Shasta as they all moved forward. Anita glanced their way, smiling and waving, Norman echoing the gesture. Sierra and Oliver waved as well. Shasta stepped ahead to pay for drinks, not sparing a glance in Anita's direction. Anita looked a little disheartened by this.

"Shasta, Anita's looking this way," grunted Oliver through clenched teeth. 

Shasta looked up, seeing Anita looking away.

"No, she's not."

Anita looked over again, Shasta returning his attention to the register as he paid. The server yelled out a ticket number. Anita stepped forward to get the drinks. Shasta turned right as she approached so they were finally meeting.

"Hey."

"Hi."

They stood there a moment, Sierra kicking him out of line and Anita remembering to grab drinks.

"Are you having fun tonight?" he asked.

"Yes, and you?"

"Yeah, although Leigha has disappeared."

Anita giggled.  "That could be interesting."

"Why don't we all look for her, together?" asked Oliver. He wrapped an arm around Shasta's shoulders, which he promptly pushed off.

"That might be a good idea. You never know what kind of trouble Leigha will get into when left unsupervised," advised Sierra.

"You're right; we should look for her," agreed Anita.

"What's going on?" asked Norman as he approached the group.

"Leigha's run off, which could mean she is getting drunk or harassing Cyrus and Linda or Miles and Ramona."

Norman looked at the others, confused by what she meant.

"We are all going to look for her, together," insisted Sierra.

"Ok, if you think that's best," shrugged Norman. Anita nodded in agreement. "We could split into teams to look and cover more ground."

"That's a good idea," agreed Oliver, nudging Shasta closer to Anita. 

A drumbeat started pounding through the air.

"Drums!" Sierra ran off after the drums, dragging Oliver with her. Shasta heard his ticket called and took his drink off the counter. He then realized that he was alone with Norman and Anita.

"I'll go check on the others," he offered.

"No!" The men turned to Anita, surprised by her outburst.

"They already went too far ahead, so you might get lost. Plus, we still need to look for Leigha."

"Right," Shasta agreed, the trio falling into step beside each other as they left the booth.

Shasta looked over to Norman, who was pouting at the turn of events. He looked up to Shasta with a slight glare, which Shasta returned. Anita remained oblivious to the exchange and continued taking pictures.

---

Ramona had tripped early during the festival, shortly after they had first entered. Miles caught her as usual. But by the time she was righted, everyone had disappeared, leaving them behind. Her wooden sandals proved to be difficult; the poor girl tripped every meter or so. 

"Come on," Mile got in front of her, bending down so she could climb on his back.

 "Wha-what?"

"Climb on my back. It will be easier for you."

Ramona hesitated a moment before climbing onto Miles’ back. Her arms wrapped around his neck. 

"Hold on," he instructed as he grabbed her legs, pulling them on either side of him as he stood up. Ramona immediately buried her face into his back. She was not comfortable with the lower half of her yukata now spread apart, leaving her bare legs in his arms. Miles seemed to have noticed this, too, as he looked down to her bare legs at his sides.

"L-let's find a bench where we can watch the fireworks," he suggested, walking towards the hill. Ramona only managed to nod.

Miles continued their walk, trying his hardest not to adjust her too much as they moved. While her weight was light, he had not grabbed the fabric of the yukata to assure her position.

"Am I too heavy?" she whispered in his ear, sending tingles down his spine.

"Not at all. Like carrying a bird."

Ramona giggled, her breath glossing over his neck and hair. He always liked her smile and her laugh. But being this close made him feel hot; the summer breeze was doing nothing to cool him down.

They made it to the top and found a free bench. Miles sat her down, letting go for Ramona to cover her legs up, but blocking everyone else's view.

"Thank you," she whispered as Miles sat beside her.

"No worries. Sorry if it made you uncomfortable."

Ramona bit her lip as she slipped off her shoes, her feet dangling in the grass.

"I'm sure it would have been nice if not for the yukata."

Again, the hot feeling coursed through his body. Miles wished he had a sweater to remove.

"You can go enjoy the festival. I'll save the spot for everyone here," she offered.

"I won't leave you behind. What's the point of coming to the festival if I'm not enjoying it with you?"

They both turned pink, Miles feeling the heat in the air double.

"Everyone else too! But they left, so it's us. Not that there's anything wrong with just us…" Miles floundered for words. His rambling stopped when he felt cotton fabric against his arm and a small hand over his.

"Thank you."

Mile stopped and sighed, enjoying the moment. They sat like that for a while.

"Let me see if I can get Oliver to bring us some takoyaki," offered Miles, pulling out his phone to text him.

"Or I could text my parents," offered Ramona.

"Yeah, that would be better," agreed Miles, putting his phone away after deleting the text he was going to send.

Removing her hand from his, Ramona pulled out her phone and texted her parents. The winking face Ramona received had her stuffing it away before Miles could see. Luckily, he seemed to be staring at the grass.

"They'll bring us something when it's closer to the fireworks."

"Works for me."

They continued sitting there, Ramona returning her hands to her lap. Miles wanted to reach out and grab her hand, or something. Scooting closer would be impossible because other than his hand, he was already as close as he could be. He wanted that hand back in his - the small soft hand. But he wasn't sure if Ramona wanted it either. She kept glancing between him, his shoulder, his hand, the ground and the people who were arriving. Why couldn't he figure out what to do?

"Yahoo, lovebirds!" Leigha jumped on them, swinging her arms around each of them with her head between.

"You two getting all cozy up here? My bro knows how to pick the spots," Leigha teased, nudging Ramona's side, so she was a little closer to Miles. The two teens were turning pink at her egging.

"Can you stop?" asked Miles.

"What?"

"Stop. Stop this. Stop interfering with my life!" He shoved her arm off him.

"I'm only trying to help." Leigha said defensively, retracting her arm from Ramona as well.

"I didn't ask for your help. I don't want your help, so can you please leave us alone for once."

"I'm sorry. I'm trying to be a good big sister."

"You never were, so stop acting like one. You were never around; you were always too busy with school. You never cared before. So don't think you can rewrite your personality and force me to accept you as 'good big sister.'"

"I didn't rewrite my personality!"

 "Oh please, the Leigha I know never smiled unless Mom praised her for her grades." Miles stood as he spoke. He faced his sister with only the bench as a divider between them. "You never touched alcohol, and you were never this sociable. So don't think that…"

"People change, Miles. It's a part of life, so move on from it. This is who I am now, so deal with it."

"No, you abandoned school for who knows what reason. I shouldn't have to deal with your issues. If anything, Mom should deal with it, but you won't talk to her."

"You think either of us could?"

 "Stop dragging me into your problems. I'm sick of covering for you when Mom stops by the restaurant. I'm sick of you bothering me at work. I'm sick of you in my life."

The siblings paused, breathing heavy as neither said anything. Neither noticed their friends arriving for the fireworks and watching the display.

"Fine, if that's how you feel… I'll go, let me pack, and I'll go. I won't be in your life anymore."

Leigha left, heading back towards the shrine. Anita looked between her and the group, apologized then scurried off after her.

"Miles…" started Ramona. Miles stormed off in the other direction through the crowds of people. He disappeared from everyone's view by the time the first firework had shot through the sky.