The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 50~♫

 Taking it as a cue, the group sat in the last row, watching the performance. They stayed there for the whole afternoon, bringing snacks for the whole crew later.

Soon, it wasn't Greek Gods among normal students but a group of people chatting about their clubs. Rigaku had no problem planning a promotional poster, and Kagetsu came up with him distributing the posters in the costume.

"Are you sure?" Aiyoku teased. "Don't you feel embarrassed in the girl's dress?"

A dumbfounded expression settled on Kagetsu's face. "How so? It's just clothes. And comfy ones!" He jumped on his feet, lifting his shirt. "My balls can finally breathe. Did you ever notice how in pants, it's tight down there?"

His question left everybody speechless, then the boys burst laughing while the girls giggled or blushed. The youngest Kamini snapped his head back and forth.

"What? Did I say anything funny?"

After Kagetsu confused himself, they returned to rehearsal. Another hour had passed when a new girl entered the theater.

"Ka-san!" she called, waving her hand. "I finished it!"

Kagetsu jerked his body in the middle of a step. "Kanako-chan!" A big smile spread across his face.

However, Rigaku perked his ears and pushed up his glasses. 'Another one?' He watched her. 'Could she be the one?' His narrowed eyes watched her like an eagle. A loud heartbeat filled his ears. Was he ready to see his little brother grow into a man? Wasn't it too soon?

With a bit of a forced smile, he greeted her with the rest.

Kanako took out from her bag a plush toy. Freya's eyes widened. 'Is that?' Her hands leaped to her mouth, covering it as her lips shook.

Kagetsu accepted the doll, turning to their friend. "I know it can't replace the one you had."

Tears slid down Freya's cheeks as her eyes shivered.

"But I hope it can give you new smiles." He offered her the plush jester.

Her shaking hands reached for it, caressing the smooth surface with her fingers. Placing it over her heart, she mouthed, "Thank you."

"I didn't do that much." He played with his fingers.

"Except completing the embroidery despite being a total newbie. You should have seen him." Kaneko popped up from behind the boy. "He savaged my whole supply of plasters."

"So, that's why you had your fingers bandaged!" Aiyoku hit his open palm with his fist. "And I was thinking you were learning some fighting technique."

"That could actually be easier." The boy slumped his shoulders. "But it was worth it."

Freya nodded, taking in the image of the new toy. It was bigger and a bit thicker. The face had a softer texture, and the cloth of the main body had a darker shade of red. The dots were tiny and far from each other.