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The city had slowed for once. In a small park lined with golden ginkgo trees, rows of lantern-lit stalls buzzed with quiet warmth. The sounds of festivities - laughter, sizzling yakitori, and the faint hum of a train passing overhead - mingled in the cool autumn air. The smell of roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes drifted past, along with soft music drifting from a makeshift stage beyond the crowd.
Umiri moved through the crowds at a leisurely pace, a paper cup of hot tea in one hand. At her side, Mutsumi followed, her expression as unreadable as ever. Clutched under one arm was a small panda plushie, a prize Umiri had won for her earlier at a ring toss stand.
A rare lull in Ave Mujica’s packed schedule had come up, and Umiri wanted to take advantage of it. It felt like it had been ages since she had been able to take Mutsumi on a proper date, and what better way to enjoy the season than by visiting an autumn festival?
Though truth be told, she was a bit surprised Mutsumi had actually agreed. Not that she would ever turn down the opportunity to spend time with Umiri, but a crowded festival was likely not her first choice for fun. The quiet girl tended to lean toward more laid-back, reserved evenings.
When Umiri proposed the idea, she had been prepared for a polite but swift rejection. She even had several backup ideas ready. Yet Mutsumi had only needed a few moments to consider before agreeing. It seemed that Mutsumi wanted to make small changes for Umiri in much the same way that Umiri did for her.
Umiri spotted a bench off to the side of the path and gave Mutsumi’s sleeve a gentle tug.
“Let’s go take a quick rest over there.”
Mutsumi looked at her, then at the bench, before nodding. “Okay.”
Umiri guided her through the crowd until they reached the bench. Both took a seat. Mutsumi held the plushie in her lap like a mother with her child. They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments before Umiri gently nudged her shoulder.
“Having fun?”
Mutsumi considered the question for a moment, fingers idly playing with the panda’s ear.
“It’s very…lively, but yes.”
Umiri was relieved. Even now, she sometimes struggled to decipher Mutsumi’s thoughts. Her girlfriend kept her emotions closely guarded and rarely offered her own opinions outright.
“Good. If you decide you’ve had your fill and want to head home, just let me know.”
Translation: If this gets too overwhelming, just say the word, we’ll go. Mutsumi had spent most of her life feeling trapped, and Umiri wanted to make sure that was never the case when they were together.
Mutsumi didn’t respond directly, but Umiri felt a small hand cover her own and give a gentle squeeze of thanks. Their fingers laced together, and for a little while, the sounds of the festival seemed to fade away.
xxxxx
Having enjoyed their brief rest, the two weaved through the crowd again. This time, Umiri moved with purpose. She was searching for a particular stand, eyes scanning the area as they moved. Mutsumi trailed close, hand in hers.
After a short search, Umiri found it: a stall lined with small, round pumpkins. The volunteer’s cheerful sign read: “Let’s decorate for autumn!”
Mutsumi eyed the pumpkins like they were a strange, foreign instrument. “Pumpkin carving?” she asked, flatly.
“Not just carving, decorating.” Umiri grabbed two paint brushes from a volunteer and handed one to Mutsumi. “You can paint them, glue a ribbon on, whatever works. It’ll be fun. Plus, we can display them in the apartment after.”
Mutsumi was skeptical but liked the idea of crafting something together to show off later. She chose a smaller, delicate-looking pumpkin; Umiri picked a slightly larger one.
Paint was not Umiri’s preferred artistic medium, but she began to work on her pumpkin with the same enthusiasm she brought to the stage. She glanced at Mutsumi, who was painting thin, elegant black lines along her pumpkin’s surface. Symmetrical, controlled, almost too precise.
“Wow, that looks way too good already.”
“I thought this was a contest.” Mutsumi deadpanned.
“I don’t recall saying that!”
“Then why does it look like you’re trying to beat me?”
Umiri froze mid-brush. “I’m just…filled with the festive spirit.”
Mutsumi’s lips twitched slightly, as if she was trying to hold back a smile. She shook her head and continued her work. “If you say so.”
Minutes passed. Umiri hunched over her pumpkin, painting like her life depended on it, while Mutsumi worked in calm, precise strokes. When they finally set their creations side by side, Umiri’s pumpkin had uneven triangles for eyes and a crooked grin that looked more confused than scary. Mutsumi’s bore delicate black lace patterns curling around the surface, like gothic porcelain.
Umiri looked back and forth between the two.“Huh…I guess you win.”
“You said it wasn’t a contest.”
“I lied.”
Mutsumi looked over Umiri’s pumpkin for a moment, then took a small black ribbon from the supply box and tied it carefully around the stem. “Now it looks better.” she said quietly.
Umiri agreed. Mutsumi always had an eye for little details. She admired the mismatched crafts before noticing Mutsumi pull out her phone to photograph the pumpkins, additions to a growing collection of memories.
Umiri couldn’t help smiling, which didn’t escape Mutsumi’s notice. She side-eyed her, cheeks tinged pink.
“Shut up.”
Umiri laughed, failing to contain herself.
xxxxx
After they had left the festival, they returned to Umiri’s apartment. Mutsumi stayed overnight fairly often now, something that Umiri certainly had no complaints about.
Umiri emerged from the bathroom after a much needed shower, feeling exhausted but content. She wore an old band tee and a comfortable pair of shorts, her preferred nightwear. Mutsumi, having showered upon arrival, sat crossed legged on the bed.
Although she did bring her own pajamas when she stayed over, she had lately taken to simply wearing something of Umiri’s. Her current attire was a too large tee shirt that hung off her smaller frame like a dress. She scrolled idly through her phone as she waited for Umiri to join her. Their pumpkins sat proudly displayed on the windowsill.
Umiri picked up a brush from the nightstand and climbed onto the bed, settling behind Mutsumi in a comfortable seated position. It had become part of their routine, and something they both enjoyed. She carefully worked the brush through the still-damp, light-green hair, fingers smoothing out tangles.
Mutsumi was scrolling through a photo album on her phone, a collection of images she had captured throughout the night. Some of which Umiri hadn’t realized she’d taken. Paper lanterns shining brightly, a taiko drummer mid-performance, and even one of Umiri looking far too serious while playing the ring toss game.
“Did you have a good time tonight?”
“Yes. It was much better than I expected.” She replied quietly. She seemed to think a moment before continuing, her tone softening further. “I plan on beating you at pumpkin decorating next year too.”
Umiri’s heart skipped a beat at those words. Next year. The implication was clear, she planned on sticking around for a while. She was suddenly very thankful that Mutsumi couldn’t see the stupidly pleased grin on her face.
“We’ll see about that. I’m going to use Nyamu-chan to practice my painting skills.”
Mutsumi briefly pictured Umiri chasing after poor Nyamu with a brush in one hand and paint in the other, and laughed softly.
“Now that’s something I’d like to see.”
As she continued dutifully brushing Mutsumi’s hair, Umiri was already thinking of future events and activities. There was a world full of things she wanted to experience with Mutsumi by her side, and she couldn’t be happier.