Chapter 22
Of Dancing Fireflies
“I’m pleased to meet you properly, Elyna Trewith. We Brits have to stick together amongst all these esteemed sensei, don’t we?”
Elyna shook Sarah’s hand, finding it as damp as the saturated air; the British woman didn’t seem to fare much better than her, her cheeks flushed.
“Thank you,” Elyna smiled, then added in English. “I’m glad you’ve heard of me in a positive light.”
Sarah’s eyes twinkled. “Is that a West country accent I hear?”
Elyna found herself charmed by the woman’s easy-going nature. “Guilty as charged, my father is Cornish. Though I’ve been here long enough to start forgetting how to speak properly.”
Sarah snorted. “Don’t I know it! Sometimes I catch myself thinking in Japanese.
It’s absolutely terrifying!” She laughed freely, calling a smile to Katayū’s lips.
The look in his eyes was fonder than anything she’d ever seen on his stoic face.
“I wonder what the gossip mill has found out about me,” she mused with another chuckle.
“I’ve seen some creative illustrations…”
The rapid English drew confused looks from most of the group, though Katayū followed along with obvious effort, his brow furrowed in concentration. Elyna noticed how Sano’s head tilted slightly as he listened, clearly struggling with their quick pace.
“Mm, perhaps we ought to…” Elyna started in Japanese.
“Right, yes, how rude of us,” Sarah said sheepishly before she switched back to Japanese. “Sorry, we got a bit carried away.”
As the redhead retreated to Katayū’s side, Sano gestured to her splinted wrist with that familiar concern that made her heart flutter. “How is the wrist doing, Elyna-san? Still in pain?”
“Much better, sensei,” she almost stuttered. Elyna flexed her fingers, choosing to demonstrate her mobility rather than sprain her tied tongue.
“Good,” he nodded. Then he looked up at the mixed group, though his eyes lingered on her. “You all look very dashing in traditional clothes.”
Says the hunk.
His cheeks seemed to colour slightly as he spoke; probably a trick of the light.
As a conversation started on the last kendō training session, Elyna’s gaze dropped to Sano’s socked feet.
Most people seemed to favour the mismatch of modern rubber with traditional tabi socks, except for Katayū who had gone full historical with his cord waraji.
“Oh my, what a touching reunion!” a silky voice suddenly called out.
Dr Sōhma appeared, looking absolutely gorgeous in her festival attire. Elyna noticed that the lack of glasses gave her sharp gaze an unnerving quality. A chill went down her spine; she averted her eyes to protect her secret.
“Oh, hey, looking good!” Shūji called with familiarity.
Fujimoto was trailing behind the school nurse, short hair neatly combed back, his dark yukata slightly opened.
He wore it well; the traditional attire made him look like a historical figure.
Dr Sōhma greeted her students with glee, thriving in the attention until her gaze zeroed in upon the Vice Principal.
“Ne,” she started, sounding so much like Shūji that Elyna lifted her head. “It’s a wonderful coincidence, isn’t it?” The tone of her voice felt absolutely fake. “How about a commemorative picture?”
The Vice Principal frowned as if the pits of hell had opened underneath his waraji sandals. “Absolutely no…”
“Oh, I’d love to!” Sarah gave him a pleading look. The redhead was already pulling at his sleeve, causing Elyna to snicker; the samurai didn’t stand a chance! "Come on, before it gets too dark for a proper picture!"
Katayū released a long-suffering sigh. And so, on the whims of both women, they filed up to the side to hide underneath a cluster of trees.
Who said chivalry is dead?
“Come on students!” Sarah gestured wildly. “Don’t be shy!”
Satsuki was already scooting before Fujimoto while Shūji and Haruki flanked the school nurse on the other side. Elyna hesitated an instant; joining Satsuki would place her right in front of Sano. Their eyes met; her supervisor pinned Elyna with a warm, inviting gaze that made her chest flutter.
How can I resist?
Pulse racing, she scooted to Satsuki’s side, feeling Sano’s presence right behind her. Sarah and Katayū clustered in the middle, the latter standing so stiff Elyna feared his spine might snap.
They looked wonderful together; his fiery temper and her determination, a contrast in both features, colouring and spirits. An unlucky festival-goer was asked to operate Dr Sōhma’s camera, seeming bewildered. But a Japanese man would never refuse, no matter how rude the request.
Elyna tried to summon a smile, but her face felt completely frozen; the solid form behind her consumed her thoughts. Every cell was acutely aware of Sano’s presence, as if their aura were close enough to mingle. Every second was an eternity that dragged; Elyna’s heart hummed.
When the photographer signalled for them to shuffle nearer, she thought she would die. Sano’s hand brushed against her flank as he shifted aside. It didn’t feel intentional, fingers barely grazing the knot of her obi, but it stole her breath away.
His scent reached her, that masculine fragrance that made her head spin. Memories from an unwitting embrace resurfaced, her form pressed against him as he carried her. How she longed to rest upon his chest once more!
Click.
There. It was done! Elyna dissolved in relief, ready to bolt when…
“A few more, just in case?” Sarah gestured gracefully to the photographer, her smile radiant.
The poor man blinked, momentarily dazzled.
Then he caught sight of Katayū’s thundering expression.
His eyes widened in fear; he took two more shots, and almost threw the device in the nurse’s hands before disappearing in the crowd.
“Happy now, my lady?” Katayū rumbled, tone oscillating between fondness and exasperation.
Sarah beamed at him.
They are so cute.
And keeping her attention on the main couple allowed her to gather her wits. Elyna remained rooted to her spot, waiting for Sano to leave her personal space. Except… he didn’t.
She could feel the quick rise and fall of his breathing against her nape. Is he as breathless as I am? The air between them was charged; Elyna’s blood pounded in her ears at too fast a pace. Would she faint like the ladies of old, oxygen-deprived and overheated in their corsets?
“Wait, Katayū-sensei! We have composed some haikus in your honour!” Shūji’s voice rang out.
The Vice Principal groaned, the sound covered by Sarah’s delighted laughter. “Another one, Shūji-kun?” she asked. “Don’t you dare!” Katayū warned his student.
But of course, Shūji had already fished a crumpled paper from his sleeve and begun reading aloud with flourish.
"Sensei’s stern mask falls
One gaijin voice, game over
Students count the points”
Laughter erupted from the group; Sano’s chuckle rumbled behind her, so close that the deep vibration travelled through her body. A devastating wave that shattered her composure. Her legs turned to jelly as drama unfolded before her very eyes.
“Give me that!” Katayū lunged forward with surprising speed, as if he’d worn yukata his whole life rather than stiff suits. But Shūji was already dancing away, laughing as he waved the papers like a beacon.
“Wait! There are others!” the boy called out as he disappeared in the crowd.
The group dispersed in chaos as Katayū gave chase, Sarah’s laughter trailing after him.
Taking advantage of the agitation, Elyna gathered her courage to step away; she needed to put distance between herself and Sano’s overwhelming presence.
Heaving, she stumbled forward. Just a half-step, but enough for the very man she was trying to flee to grab her elbow.
“Careful.” His voice was low, caressing. As overwhelming as the touch of his fingers through the thin cotton of her yukata. Elyna froze, heart rabbiting in her chest. Their eyes met; his filled with concern, hers wide.
“Are you alright?” he asked, watching her face. “You look flushed.”
And whose fault is that?
“I’m fine,” Elyna managed, her throat closing around the words. “Just… the humidity. I don’t handle heat well. Cold is fine, but this dampness…”