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Chapter 6
The time for the annual fireworks ceremony was coming soon. For Diamond Head, this was the busiest time of the year. As usual, AJ was roaming over the place, working. Brian had invited Leighanne for the memorable event. But instead, two of her friends came.
"Actually, Leighanne misses you very much. She wanted to see you but it would be too painful because she couldn't go back to US with you."
"Yeah. Consider about it again. Think for Leighanne," said the other.
Brian felt disdain. But he had made up his mind and would not change.
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Since Ayumi had to work during the fireworks ceremony, she couldn't wear a yukata (a summer cotton kimono worn by Japanese during festivals, celebrations, etc.) like her friend, Yuko. She was envious but since she was Masaru's granddaughter, she had no choice. When they asked her about it, she told everyone that it didn't mean much to her and she was used to it though inside, she really wanted to wear a yukata.
However, the attentive Takako knew how Ayumi felt. Knowing that Ayumi didn't have a yukata, Takako decided to present her yukata to Ayumi. Everyday, she would mend the yukata so that it would fit Ayumi nicely but she kept it a secret. Takako's plan was however discovered by Brian and AJ.
"Please. Don't tell Ayumi about it. I want her to have a surprise."
"I won't say a word about it. But I don't think AJ…"
"Trust me this time. I will zip my mouth."
"Although she said she didn't mind, I knew it means a lot to her. I watched her grew up. She's just like my daughter."
"You're so great," praised AJ, "Really. I'm touched. You see, you're only 20 something and you already have a heart of a mother."
"Stop saying those mushy things," said Takako.
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"You've got a parcel!" the postman yelled. Masaru received the parcel and handed it to Ayumi.
"It's from your okasan."
"Open it, Ayumi. See what's inside," said AJ. But Ayumi wouldn't budge.
"Open it," Masaru ordered. Ayumi had no choice but to open it. In the package was a brand-new yukata. Feeling happy, Ayumi was speechless. At that moment, Takako appeared, wishing to tell Ayumi about the yukata that she sewn for her. However, she didn't do so when she saw the yukata Keiko sent. Brian and AJ knew how much time and efforts Takako had put in for sewing this yukata. So, they thought she must have taken it very hard. AJ couldn't stand it anymore when he saw Takako hid the yukata behind her.
"Actually, Takako…"
Takako stopped AJ, "The yukata is very nice. It suits you very much, Ayumi. It must be from Keiko. A mother just knows what suits her daughter."
Ayumi nodded with a smile.
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At night, Brian stopped by at Nagisa to talk with Takako. Takako expected one of them to come.
"So it's you this time round."
"I think you should tell Ayumi about what you did for her."
"Iie. (No.) Of course the yukata from her mother is a better one. Trust me. I know how she feels. Although I wasn't able to give mine to her, I'm happy because I felt like a true mother while making it. That's enough."
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"Hey Brian, come over her and look at the sky. It seems it will rain," said AJ.
"Really?" Brian walked over to the window. Suddenly, it started to rain.
"Oh, no," AJ groaned.
"You see, you shouldn't have say so."
The phone rang and Masaru picked it up.
"Hai, (Yes,)" he said and put down the phone.
"What is it, Boss?" asked AJ who sensed something was wrong.
"The fireworks ceremony is canceled."
"Huh?"
"Oh, no! Brian and I had been waiting for this day and they just phoned and said it's canceled."
Everyone was disappointed and felt depressed. The atmosphere was sombre. It was still raining in the afternoon. So, Leighanne's friends decided to go to Tokyo since the ceremony was canceled. Before leaving, they once again advised Brian to reconsider about going back to US again or Leighanne would be left alone. But Brian held on to his decision. The two then took their leave.
"Brian, you're right. A man shouldn't make decisions over a woman. No man should let a woman decides for them or be the factor in a decision."
"AJ, maybe you're right. Anything I do, I try to focus in and try to excel."
At night, much to AJ's delight, the rain stopped. Excited, AJ went up to Ayumi's room telling her that they were going to do some fireworks outside, only the five of them. Before he left, he reminded Ayumi to wear the yukata. But Ayumi refused. Takako then came up ant told her that everyone was waiting to see her in the yukata. Being persuaded, Ayumi agreed and asked Takako to help her to wear it.
When Ayumi walked slowly out of the resort, everyone's eyes were on her. All of them thought that Ayumi looked good in it.
"Kawaii ne! (So cute!) My young lady, you look so beautiful today," praised AJ as he gave her his hand and helped her down the stairs. Ayumi smiled.
Before they started, Brian called Leighanne to tell her about the ceremony. He wanted her to feel the same as him. Then AJ took over the phone and told her to listen while Brian set off the fireworks.
"Look up the sky and you'll be able to see it. Trust me, Leighanne," said AJ.
Brian lit the fireworks while Leighanne tried her best to listen. She started crying and said to herself,
"Silly. How would it possible to see it?" She then hung up the phone. Although she was sad, she felt contented that Brian would think of her when he was happy.
After Brian finished, it was AJ's turn to lit the fireworks. No one expected much but they turned out to be really beautiful.
"Although the ceremony was canceled in the whole country, I'm having one at my place," Masaru thought proudly, "and it's the greatest of all that was held here. Somehow, the two guys were different." Masaru nodded and looked up the shining and colorful sky.
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