Chapter 5

“Only three weeks left for summer holidays”, said Saichiba cheerily

“And one week for our exams”, reminded Ken

“Takanori Kun, you’re such a mood-kill”

Kai was suddenly pale, he had completely overlooked studies. He thought he could cover up anytime but it seemed impossible now.

“Mizuki Kun, your looks say that I’m not the only one who is not prepared”, teased Saichiba.

Kai looked at Ken with full hope, Ken chose to ignore him, “Airi san, what about you are you prepared?”

Kai was devastated.

“Yes, I’m pretty confident about the exam”, said Hana confidently

“Oh, that Hana chan for you, she just joined this school and she is ready for exams”, Saichiba was admiring Hana.

“What about you Takanori Kun?”, Hana

“I’ll manage somehow”

Kai was still sulking when Ken added, “And I guess I’ll help this fool too”

Kai was over-joyed, he took Ken’s hand and tears were streaming down his cheeks.

“Huh, no fair”, complained Saichiba, “I need help too”

“Don’t worry Saichiba chan I’ll help”, offered Hana

“Arigato, really thank you”, it was now Saichiba’s turn to hold Hana’s hand.

And so all four of them prepared for their mid-term examination. Ken was tutoring Kai in his home and Hana was tutoring Saichiba in the latter’s house. One week passed in a blink of an eye while studying for exams and soon everyone was in the examination hall facing their first exam.

“Takanori Kun I knew you were good but I didn’t know you were this good”, said Saichiba while looking at Ken’s report card

Mathematics /Science /Japanese /English /Art /Physical Education

90 91 94 91 D A

Exams were over and today their results were out.

“What happened to art?”, teased Saichiba

“I don’t happen to be artistic”, replied Ken with embarrassment

“What about you Saichiba?”

“I passed, here”, said Saichiba while proudly flashing her report card

Mathematics /Science /Japanese /English /Art /Physical Education

54 50 62 48 B A

“Hana chan how did you do?”

Hana who was still shocked with Ken’s result could only show them her report card

Mathematics /Science /Japanese /English /Art /Physical Education

78 84 92 80 A A

Hana just couldn’t understand how. She had always seen Ken sleeping in class, his notes were never complete, he used to roam about with Kai all the time. She thought Kai’s result was justifiable but felt bad for Kai as his best friend had betrayed him.

Kai, on the other hand, was feeling the opposite. He was happy beyond means. He didn’t know how but he managed to pass. He was relieved that he won’t have to listen from his parents and he could peacefully play video game throughout summer.

Mathematics /Science /Japanese /English /Art /Physical Education

52 58 65 68 A+ A

“Oh, Mizuki Kun congrats you won Ken in art”, said Saichiba

Ken was red with embarrassment.

“Now that the exams are out of the way, what are your plans for summer vacations?”, questioned Saichiba

“I’m gonna spend it with mom, I don’t spend enough time with her during school”, said Ken

“Nothing special”, said Hana plainly

“I’ll be visiting Okinawa with my parents”, said Kai

“Oie don’t tell me you will miss the Hanabi ritual”, said Ken sternly

“I won’t miss it for the world”, assured Kai

“What’s the Hanabi ritual?”, questioned Saichiba

“Oh, nothing special it’s just something me and Ken have been doing since we were kids”

Ken continued, “Every year during the fireworks we wait for the biggest one to burst then we make a wish, and if it is the biggest one that night we believe our wishes will come true”

Saichiba looked at them with bright eyes, “I want to try it too, I want to try it too”

“Sure”, it was Kai who replied, “you can come with us this year”

“Hana chan you too will come with us, right?”, asked Saichiba expectantly

Ken blessed her a thousand times in his heart

“Sure, sounds fun”, answered Hana

“So, it’s decided”, said Ken happily

“Cool down man”, Kai was itching to say

“We will meet at the station near our school at 5 PM, on the day of the festival”, Kai decided

All four of them agreed on this and thus their plan for the Hanabi festival was finalized.

Summer started and everyone had a joyous heart. Ken had marked 11th of July in his calendar as an important date. He now only wished for time to fly by quickly.