This story was written from a request from Ohimex3. So, be thankful for her for me writing it. Be happy! ^_^

“Kanako…”

“Kiri-chan?”

“Have you ever considered going out with anyone besides Ochiai?” Kiri twirled her scissors around her index finger. Kanako blushed.

“Well…no, I haven’t.” she said quietly. Kiri nodded and pushed herself up from leaning against the wall. Kanako looked up from where she was sitting on the floor.

“You should, a pretty girl like you should go out more and everything…” Kanako blushed even more at Kiri’s response. Kiri smiled.

The dark-haired girl looked away back into the garden. A single red leaf pulled itself away from its place on one of the tree’s skinny branches. The wind suddenly started up, whirling the scarlet butterfly through Kiri’s house’s doors. It landed smoothly into Kanako’s lap. She picked it up and studied it.

The leaf wasn’t perfect with some brown scars from old wounds, but the color took her breath away. Kiri studied her friend’s expression and face.

“Come on. I’m going to do your hair again, ‘kay?” Kiri said. Kanako looked up at her faithful friend, set down the leaf, and followed Kiri back inside.

-----

“Kiri-chaaaan!” A boy eating candy called out to Kiri. Kiri opened her eyes from her sleep-walking to the Fall Festival to wave to Kei. Kiri was wearing a light, blue, pastel kimono. She was followed by a small shadow.

“…Mussy-head…” Narumi greeted. She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Koshiba-san.” Ochiai said warmly.

“…Kiri-chan, who’s that pretty girl hiding behind you?” Kei said. Said girl quickly stepped even closer to Kiri to hide behind her.

“Really, Kanako.” Kiri said as she stepped to the side and revealed the girl.

The transformed girl had brown hair with red highlights. It didn’t look outrageous like it may have on some people. No, on Kanako, it looked as though it belonged. The two colors were blended so perfectly. Her hair was in a perfect bun pinned up by a beautiful, elaborate butterfly pin. Her darting, nervous eyes were a warm brown with a tinge of blue. Contacts perhaps? She had a small, sweet mouth that was blood red. Her white, porcelain skin looked as if it might turn dirty if you just touched it. She was wearing a red kimono with millions of small, brown flowers that brought out her eyes so well. All three boys were transfixed.

“This…This…This is K-K-Kanako? Ochiai choked out. Kiri smirked.

“Having second thoughts now?” Kiri laughed. It turned out, Narumi was more interested on how Kiri did it then how much Kanako had changed.

“…The first change…That change had already almost changed her into a different person…But, this…” Narumi said. He quickly grabbed Kiri off to discuss or rather, convince her to tell him her techniques. Ochiai stood there, watching them disappear into the crowd.

People all stopped to stare openly at the rare, red, butterfly amongst them. Kei quickly caught onto Kanako’s uneasiness and grabbed her small hand. Their hands fit perfectly together, as if they were long lost puzzle pieces.

Kei darted through the crowd with Kanako tripping after him in her wooden sandals. They continued running until they reached the edge of the Festival where less people loitered around. He pulled her behind a big tent, obscuring them from scrutiny of the public.

Kanako gasped for breath and sat down on the ground. Kei looked stricken. “Kanako-chan! You’re sitting on the ground! You’ll ruin your dress!” Kei cried. Kanako looked surprised. The little boy quickly took off his kimono to let Kanako sit on. Thankfully, for both of them, he had been wearing a T-shirt and shorts under his kimono.

“Th-thank you…” Kanako blushed. Kei laughed.

“It’s nothing! This is what a gentleman should do.” he said. Kanako smiled back at him, then suddenly looked startled.

“What’s wrong Kanako?” Kei asked.

“It’s…It’s…It’s nothing.” She said, hurriedly. Embarrassed at herself, she blushed and smiled even more.

“It must be something, I mean, it made you surprised.” Kei replied, also smiling.

“Well, it’s just that, I don’t think I’ve ever shared a smile with a guy before…” she trailed off. Kei just laughed even more at the worried Kanako. “I’m—I’m sorry!” she apologized.

Kei continued laughing and waved away Kanako’s apology. “Kanako-chan, you really are the funniest girl I’ve ever met.” The pair continued talking and laughing together until the moon rose, signifying it was finally night. Light after light from the stands at the Festival came on, and even more people started streaming into the park where the Festival was being held.

Little children took little rice paper nets, trying to catch pretty goldfish. Couples wandered around, holding hands, and then later drifting off to more private places. Parents strolled around with their kids or just walked by themselves. Older people walked around slowly, stopping occasionally to see something interesting that a vendor had on the street. There were also many, many different foods to try.

But Kanako and Kei’s hiding place remained hidden.

“Look, Kanako! The moon’s coming up…” Kei said. He looked up dreamily. Kanako followed his gaze. They gazed together at the moon, but eventually their gazes fell on each other. The clamor of the Festival slowly died out to the beautiful girl and handsome boy. They only saw each other. They leaned closer, drinking in the other’s details.

Finally, their lips touched together and everything exploded for the couple. It was nothing that they had ever experienced. It was nothing that they will ever know away from each other. During this, the wind started up again. Thousands of millions of small, crimson leaves fluttered up, wrapping Kanako and Kei in a flurry of red.

“I love you.”

R&R because I love you. Hehehehe. I don't know whether or not to continue this so... PM me. Or better yet, review.