Loud pop music was playing over the speakers, friends were greeting friends with hugs and gossip. There were pre-made to-go boxes stacked high on the counter and on top of the showcase and more in the refrigerator in the back. All were full of gorgeous food, from plump jumbo shrimp to fat chicken gyoza to something called "Pinoy style" barbecue skewers. Each box was labeled with the main dish inside, but the sides were a mystery. You got what you got, and that was part of the fun of it. 

Some people were flying in and grabbing a couple of boxes and waving to all of us, visiting us in mere seconds. Others had come in early in the morning to help to prep the boxes and stayed and stayed. I didn't know many of them, but we were all united by peeling endless mandarins. Every table had a little pile of discarded orange skins in a bowl in the middle. 

There were people I did know here, though. Colette and Julia were in a far corner digging into a mysterious noodle dish that both of their boxes had contained. They'd also grabbed a couple of the toys that had been laid out for kids who came by. Some of the people who'd dropped in had kids with them. It made my heart leap for joy to see. The kids would grab the toys off the counter and immediately begin playing. Some spun in their hand, some made clacking sounds, others you blew into and they made a funny noise. A lot of the adults had them in their hands now, too. They were something festive that you could treasure from the day. That's how I saw them.

The main attraction was of course Kazuya and Nikki, though. They were dressed in their best, spectacular furisode style kimono, in loud patterns. Their wigs were done in up-do's with big bows and butterflies. They matched in this way, but Kazuya was in pink and red and Nikki was in green and orange. I kept staring at Kazuya no matter how much I tried to focus on my food. My own box was full of expensive looking shrimp, glistening fresh white rice, overflowing Chinese noodles with vegetables, a little bit of broccoli and carrots with a savory brown sauce, and of course some dumplings. So much food jammed in here. I wanted it in my stomach. But, the way Kazuya floated elegantly from table to table reminded me of the very butterfly perched behind his elegant hairdo. This was the same person who'd been wiggly cute in the kitchen with me just hours before? I was trying to figure out how that was possible.

Just as I got too distracted, a hand smacked repeatedly on my navy blue suited wrist. Trying to get my attention. 

"Gyeong-Wan, Gyeong-Wan," Yuko gasped, pointing frantically at my chopsticks. Seated across from me, she looked startled. "Oh no," she breathed, her hand going over her mouth as I finally saw what she was pointing at. As I watched, a large gravy covered broccoli piece fell out of my chopsticks and onto my tie, rolling toward my pants. 

I jumped up from my chair, trying desperately to wipe the sauce away as the broccoli piece harmlessly fell to the floor. Oh no... I was going to wear this suit to the shrine. Would I have to ask Kazuya my important question with a gravy stained tie? Without another thought, that part of my tie went into my mouth, sucking on the gravy so it might not set. 

"No, no, go wash it off! Quick!" Yuko waved me away, begging me to go do it. 

"Oh- uhh," I responded through my teeth, sucking them in worry. All I'd succeeded in doing was spreading it more and making a big brown spot. But, a fairy appeared beside me. Literally.

"Take this," Hanako said, quickly looking away as his wings bumped into something behind him. Another person trying to enjoy their food was startled, having been hit by one of them. "I'm sorry," he told her. His attention went back to me, holding out a handkerchief. "I always carry this for just such an occasion. Go wet it with soap in the bathroom and wipe that off. Hurry, before it sets."

"What would I do without you? You're a life saver," I gasped, taking the handkerchief gratefully.

"I'm your fairy drag mother, it's what I do," he smiled at me with a wink.

I didn't even have time to laugh at his joke. I just bowed profusely a few more times and ran off to the bathroom. The little gold knob twirled in my hand as I pulled the mercifully not locked door open. Dashing to the sink, I didn't even close it behind me. My body danced around as I filled a corner of the handkerchief with water, too impatient to wait. 

Soap was rubbing into it when I saw pink and red float in behind me. The door closed with a rattle due to the full length mirror on the interior of it. It was basically a closet in here, so Kazuya and I were so close immediately. The sink noise was the only backdrop to how beautiful he looked. In the mirror behind him, I saw his back framed perfectly, the elegant bow knot of his obi perfect in every way. The slight curve of his back complimented his collar. 

"Oh no," he gasped, seeing the stain. He took the handkerchief from me, going to work on it before I could say a word. His lips pursed as he did it, maybe unintentionally. From the way he did this so seriously, it was easy to tell his whole world had become this stain. How important it was to him, because it was mine. Fussing over it, making little sounds as he scrubbed it still gently since it was on silk. 

Watching his face. His focused eyes. The curves of his cheekbones and chin. The sloping of his nose, his nostrils flaring every now and again as he fretted. So close to me, his body almost pressed to mine for the space in here. 

Before I knew what was happening, he was against my body. My arm was behind him, squishing his obi, the lovely embroidered material half draped on my arm. His cute face was tilted up to mine, and my two fingers were on his chin tilting it so. My lips were half parted. His eyes were almost sparkling. His cheeks were as pink as his kimono. 

A half stopped breath came from him, saying my name. "Gyeong-Wan." This breath. His lips puckered beautifully as he gently closed his eyes. 

My heart skipped a beat and I forgot to breathe-

The door opened. Another vision in orange and green stood there. He was pointing toward the open space outside. "Kazu, we need to find a box that the shrimp didn't touch, Mei's kid has allergie- WHOA." 

I slowly let Kazuya go and he gave a little chuckle at Nikki. 

"What is all this?" Nikki asked with an enormous grin, pointed all over us in the air. Behind him, the door of French Cup opened and Ayane made a grand entrance with Hiran on her arm. Everyone shouted greetings, drowning out Kazuya's response, but he was laughing with that same warm smile. He exited the bathroom and I was left with what I'd just done.

Was it a dream? Was this whole day a dream? The way his false eyelashes had brushed his cheeks, the delicate blush more so than the fake one blended in. His dewy pink lipstick. Ready to accept me without even a word. I hadn't had to say anything. My hand went over my chest, feeling the wetness of my tie, where he'd been working. He'd tried to scrub away the stain instead of being offended by it. Instead of judging me, he'd been concerned, working away to try to please me and to make sure I was okay. 

I wanted to go out there and grab him. Maybe we didn't need words. The whole thing had happened so fast, maybe less than two minutes total. I took a deep breath, centering myself. What Nikki had said sounded pretty urgent, so I'd have to wait. But, I wanted round two. What would happen in round two? I wanted it now. No need to wait until the shrine. I'd never been more certain in my life. 

As the little gold knob twisted away in my hand, I opened the door. Even more people were out and about, packed in here. Everyone had the takeout boxes, and still others were admiring Ayane and Hiran's matching leather and denim outfits. They were both wearing American cowboy hats proudly to top off their outfits. No doubt they'd been working on those for a long time. I'd have to compliment them later, but right now...

My eyes alighted on Kazuya quickly going through boxes on the counter with Nikki, chatting with a woman who must be the one called Mei. She had a little girl with her, maybe less than ten years old but still an older child. Prin and his partner were next to them, going through boxes, too. 

I decided I'd better leave them alone for now. I turned to go back to my table. Yuko was there, babysitting my food box. She waved me over, smiling to me. The door of French Cup opened almost behind her, the tiny, familiar bell chiming-

BANG-BANG-BANG-RATT-TATT-TATT-BANG-BANG-BANGG-BAAANGG-BAAAANGGG-!

The high wailing of a woman filled the gray air. More wails of horror. Someone crying in pain. Calling for someone. Choking smoke, my heart feeling like it would stop, as the air froze in space. Somewhere, a child was screaming.