"Are we there yet?"

"No, Elise. We'll be there soon."

"Go for a nap," said Takumi. He yawned and leaned into the door of the car, laying his head on a pillow.

"But I'm not tired!" said Elise.

Takumi groaned.

"Why are you and your brother here again?"

"Takumi! Don't be rude!" said Hinoka, slapping his arm. "I'm sorry Xander, he's moody when he's tired."

"Elise wanted to go after hearing two of her siblings were going this year," said Xander. He stared straight ahead, hands on the wheel. "And I'm here because I am also curious about this festival."

"I wasn't seriously asking," said Takumi. He sulked as he closed his eyes and attempted to nap.

"…Thank you again for driving, Xander," said Hinoka.

Xander nodded and continued to stare at the road.

Hinoka leaned back and sighed.

Camilla had insisted she be in a car with Leo in order to prevent something from happening, which Takumi hastily agreed to. What that something was, Hinoka didn't know. Though it seemed like the two couples could share a car, Ryoma insisted on taking the car with Camilla to spend some more time getting to know her. Sakura then wanted to go with Ryoma, leaving Hinoka, Takumi, Elise, and Xander to the other car. Hinoka sat beside Takumi in the back seat while Xander and Elise sat at the front.

At least this arrangement gives me some time to relax, thought Hinoka. I wonder how everyone in the other car is doing…

ooooooooooooooo

Camilla and Leo were in the front while Ryoma and Sakura sat in the back. Leo was screaming obscenities at the neighbouring car.

"S-stop saying things like that!" cried Sakura.

"No! That asshole should be following the rules of the road!" said Leo.

"Enough! Leo, pull over! I will drive," said Ryoma.

"…That would probably be for the best. I'm sorry I even offered." Leo pulled the car over and switched spots with Ryoma.

"This is why I said to not let my brother drive," said Camilla.

oooooooooooooo

Hinoka was still amazed at how Camilla had gone from an awkward acquaintance to romantic partner. When she first met her, Hinoka would've never imagined bringing her to Tanabata, let alone kissing or having sex. Years ago, she would've dismissed her feelings as high respect. Until meeting Camilla, the thought of finding herself attracted to another woman seldom passed through her mind.

She still couldn't explain why she'd fallen so quickly for her. Maybe it was because of Camilla's assertiveness on the whole dating matter. Or, perhaps, her doting personality. Maybe she was that attractive.

"Maybe it's all of that…" Hinoka whispered to herself.

Her phone rang; she answered.

"My adorable Hinoka! How are you?"

Hinoka felt her lips turn upwards.

"I'm doing fine, Camilla. What's up?"

"How wonderful! Anyway, I'm calling you now because Ryoma said that we're going to hang out at a place called Sapporo Peak. Apparently the people in our rooms have an extremely late check-out time today. He said you'd know where to go, so please direct Xander!"

"Got it! Thanks!" said Hinoka. "I'll talk to you later. I hope you remembered to bring your bathing suit."

"That's a cute bathing suit," said Hinoka.

Camilla's face reddened as she giggled.

"I'm glad you like it. I picked it out with you in mind."

"The white and red stripes make a good combo," said Hinoka.

Camilla slung a bag over her shoulder and knocked on the window of the car. Leo rolled it down.

"Aren't you coming?"

"Nope."

"Aww, how come?" asked Camilla.

"Sapporo Point is a very tall cliff," said Hinoka.

Camilla grinned.

"Oh, alright. But Takumi has to stay with you."

Takumi perked at the sound of his name.

"Huh?"

"Just do what you did last year," said Hinoka. She turned to Ryoma. "Wanna do the tradition?"

"Hmmm…yes. But we really should stop doing this soon, it's rather childish," said Ryoma.

"This'll be the last time, I promise." Hinoka turned to Camilla and smiled. "Every time we come here, Ryoma and I race barefoot to the cliff."

"I see…if you win, I'll be sure to reward you later," said Camilla. She winked.

Hinoka's face went scarlet as she smiled.

Sakura spoke.

"Um…Hinoka? Ryoma already started."

Hinoka looked behind her and saw Ryoma running away.

"Hey, I didn't say go! Sakura, you show Camilla and Elise how to get here, I gotta run!"

Hinoka sprinted, quickly catching up to Ryoma. They ran side by side, racing through the grass and avoiding stones. Ryoma gradually overtook Hinoka in speed, causing Hinoka to increase her speed even further.

"You've gotten even faster since you left," said Hinoka.

"I can't hear you!" said Ryoma. He looked at Hinoka and grinned. As he turned back to focus on the road ahead, he came to a halt; a group of children were suddenly in front of him.

Hinoka laughed as she wove through the crowd of children and reached the cliff. She ran to the edge and leapt, diving in one swift motion. The water made Hinoka's skin tingle, still somewhat cold. Raising her head above the water, she pumped her fist. She looked up and saw some children looking over the jutting edge.

A moment later Ryoma jumped, several children coming in behind him.

"Whoa!" Hinoka moved to the side as Ryoma crashed in next to her, the kids dropping into the lake one by one. Ryoma appeared above the water a moment later.

"I guess you win this time."

Hinoka grinned as a child swam next to her, giving the kid a high-five.

"Yeah, looks like I did. Tough luck, bro," said Hinoka.

"But of course, if Camilla hadn't given you some motivation-"

"What? That wasn't it!" cried Hinoka. "I mean, it certainly did given me some motivation, but I just wanted to beat you this time!"

"You sound too much like your little brother," said Ryoma.

"Quiet, you!" Hinoka splashed Ryoma.

"It'll take a little more than a splash to-"

"Whee!" Elise landed in the water between Hinoka and Ryoma, a wide smile plastered across her face as she came up. "This place is so cool!"

"Elise! When did you get here?" asked Hinoka.

"Just now!" Elise swam around Ryoma, who grinned.

"We didn't park very far from here. I guess running here every year makes you forget how close it is."

Elise cocked her head.

"I don't get it, but…I'm gonna jump again! How do you get back up?"

Hinoka pointed at the face of the cliff. Most of the kids were climbing it.

"Um…" Elise's face went pale. "I don't really know how to climb this…"

"I'll give you a hand," said Hinoka. "Grab my back."

Elise did as told, holding onto Hinoka as she swam to the face and began to climb. Ryoma climbed next to them.

"I'm surprised you weren't scared of jumping in," said Ryoma.

"Well Sakura said the water was really deep! So I thought I'd jump, no matter how high the cliff was!" said Elise. "Does she like to jump?"

"Not really," said Hinoka. "You seem quite a bit braver than her."

As the group reached the top of the cliff, Hinoka saw Sakura walk over with Camilla and Xander.

"You made it!" said Elise. She crawled over Hinoka and ran to Camilla, hugging her. She grabbed her hand and pulled. "Come on, let's jump together!"

Camilla giggled.

"Maybe in a little bit. I want to check some things out first."

Elise groaned before she ran and jumped off. Ryoma quickly pulled himself up and jumped down after her.

Hinoka dragged herself up and panted as she sat. Camilla took her hand and pulled her up into a hug.

"You helped my sister up. I'm so glad to see you getting along."

"Well, she seemed a little scared," said Hinoka.

Camilla kissed Hinoka and pet her soaking hair.

"Thank you. Now, can I get you to help me with something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

Camilla let her go and began to walk over to Xander and Sakura. Xander held the bag Camilla brought, while Sakura had Hinoka's towel in her hands.

Before she could make it, a child ran past her and caused her to stumble. Camilla teetered toward the edge of the cliff.

Hinoka took Camilla's hand, stopping her before she fell. She pulled her into her arms and and glared at the child.

"Quit running around, you're going to hurt someone!"

Camilla giggled.

"You sure do love saving me, don't you?"

"If you fell there, you could've gotten hurt!" said Hinoka. "Unless you do a running jump, it's only safe to jump from the jutting edge."

"You are so cute." Camilla rubbed Hinoka's cheek.

"Hey, um…we have your stuff here," said Sakura. She and Xander stood next to Camilla.

"Thanks!" Hinoka took the towel from her sister. She turned to Camilla, who had taken the bag from Xander.

"Come over here," said Camilla. She walked to a spot further back, away from the cliff's edges. Pulling a towel out of her bag and laying it on the ground, she waved for Hinoka to come closer. She took a bottle of sunscreen out of her bag.

Hinoka blushed.

"Do you…want me to rub some of that on your back?"

"…Two and a half months in and you already know me too well," said Camilla. She kneeled on the towel and handed the bottle to Hinoka.

Hinoka squirted some of the lotion onto her hands and slowly rubbed Camilla's back. She could feel Camilla quivering; she picked up her speed.

"Mmmm…your hands are so strong," said Camilla.

Hinoka pressed harder. Her eyes fell upon Ryoma as he pulled himself onto the cliff, Elise on his back.

"Hey, where are our sisters?" Elise jumped off of Ryoma and ran over to Xander.

"Over here!" said Hinoka.

Ryoma and Sakura looked over. Their eyes widened and politely turned away.

"Huh? What's-" Xander covered Elise's eyes with his hand.

"…I think I'm done," said Hinoka, taking her hands off Camilla.

"I guess I'll put the rest on myself," said Camilla. She took the sunscreen and rubbed it on her legs.

Hinoka stood and stretched. She wondered how Takumi was doing.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Damn it, not again!" cried Takumi. He crossed his arms and turned away from Leo.

"Face it, Takumi, I'm much better at Pokémon than you," said Leo.

"Well, I'm better at Super Smash Bros.!"

"Let's not get into that now," said Leo. "You pineapple."

"I-I am not a pineapple!" Takumi's fooaced flushed.

"Then prove it."

"I'm not a pineapple because…" He noticed Leo's vest. "…my vest isn't inside out."

"D-Damn it! Not again!" Leo flipped his vest the proper way. The side read 'I Only Swim Free'.

Takumi snickered and pointed. Leo pushed him out of the car.

ooooooooooooooooo

Half an hour later, Camilla still hadn't bothered to jump.

"C'mon, just once?" Hinoka played with Camilla's hair. "Even your brother is standing by the edge."

"I'm sorry, Hinoka. I'm just not feeling it right now," said Camilla.

"Are you afraid?"

"Not at all. I just want to relax and lay in the sun, watching you have fun."

"Hrm…I guess if you don't want to go, there's no helping it," said Hinoka. She looked inside Camilla's bag. Inside there were mostly towels, but something plastic at the bottom caught Hinoka's eye. She pulled it out and stared. It was rather long and flat.

"Oh, that's an inner tube," said Camilla.

Hinoka raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you need something like this? Elise seems like she can swim just fine."

"Oh, she can," said Camilla.

"…And so can you. It just seems weird to have this."

Camilla sighed.

"It's not for me or Elise, or even Leo. It's-"

"Woooo!" A child sped past Hinoka, causing her to drop the inner tube. The kid shoved past Xander and jumped.

Xander fell forward and off the edge.

Camilla's eyes widened as she stood.

Ryoma walked over.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"It's Xander! He can't swim!"

Hinoka gasped.

"This isn't good. That spot is about two hundred feet deep…at least he fell from the jutting point."

Ryoma stared, then turned and ran to the cliff's edge, throwing himself off.

"I-Is he going to be alright trying to save him on his own?" asked Camilla.

"Should be. But we'll probably have to help pull him up," said Hinoka. She walked over to the edge and looked down.

Ryoma and Xander didn't emerge immediately. A minute later Ryoma surfaced, Xander limp and hunched over his shoulders. Once he reached the top of the face, Hinoka and Camilla helped him up. He laid Xander on the ground.

"Xander! Are you alright?"

No response.

"He's still breathing! Hold on a moment!" said Ryoma. He put his hands on Xander's chest and pumped. After several pumps, he brought his mouth to Xander's and breathed. He removed his mouth and pumped again.

Xander began to cough out water. He sat and stared around.

"You're okay!" said Elise, embracing her brother. Camilla followed suit.

"Thank you, Ryoma," said Camilla.

Ryoma grinned and nodded.

"Don't worry about it."

Xander looked at Ryoma.

"So it was you who saved me…thank you."

The child who knocked Xander down showed up. Camilla narrowed her eyes at her.

"Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"

The kid's eyes widened.

"I'm…s-sorry…I didn't mean-"

"Next time, watch where you're going," said Camilla. "If you don't, I will tell your parent."

The kid screamed and ran.

"…I think, perhaps, we should leave now. For Xander's sake," said Camilla.

Hinoka nodded.

The room was as large as Hinoka expected. It was a generic hotel room, containing a dresser with a TV on top and a fridge below. Instead of two beds, there was a single queen-sized bed.

"There's a decent bathtub in there!" said Camilla, leaving the washroom. She came up behind Hinoka and wrapped her arms around her. "We should bathe together tonight."

Hinoka blushed, the feeling of Camilla's breasts exciting her more than necessary.

"Y-yeah…that might not be a bad idea," said Hinoka. She sighed.

"Sorry again about the Xander thing."

"Please don't worry about it," said Camilla. "We didn't know this would happen and Xander is unharmed. In the future we'll just have to have him keep away from cliffs."

"I-If you're sure…"

Camilla let go and paced around the room, examining the bed. She grinned.

"When did you say we were heading downtown?"

"In about an hour," said Hinoka. "It'll start to get dark then. Trust me, you'd much rather see Tanabata at night."

"Sounds lovely," said Camilla. She gazed at Hinoka with half-lidded eyes. "But in the meantime…let me take your pants off."

"H-Huh?! We can't do that now! We need to get ready!" said Hinoka.

"Oh, don't be mistaken. I'm not going to give you full out sex right now," said Camilla. "I just want to pleasure you a little, that's all."

Hinoka looked into Camilla's eyes. She could read her lust, those dilated pupils filling Hinoka with the same feeling. She sighed.

"Okay. I trust you." Hinoka put her hands on Camilla's shoulders and kissed her.

Camilla kissed back, pulling Hinoka's pants down at the same time. She broke away and took her own pants off.

"I could've done that for you," said Hinoka.

Camilla giggled.

"You can take my underpants off if you wish."

Hinoka slowly removed Camilla's underpants. They were already saturated with her juices.

"W-why are you always so horny?" asked Hinoka.

"Because you're my girlfriend," said Camilla. She removed Hinoka's underpants. "And my girlfriend is still the sexiest woman I know."

"Oh, you…" Hinoka sat on the bed.

Camilla sat on Hinoka's leg, rubbing her wet pussy against it. She pushed Hinoka down and rubbed her hand against her thigh.

Hinoka felt her arousal come on quickly. She moved her hand to Camilla's pussy and inserted a finger.

Camilla let a moan out before speaking.

"Now, Hinoka…did you get tested like you said you would?"

"I did, actually," said Hinoka. "I'm clean."

Camilla took her hand away.

"I'll have you know that I am also clean. I suppose it would be alright to go down on you right this second?"

Hinoka blushed and nodded. She sat and pushed Camilla onto the bed.

Camilla beamed as she slid off the bed, eagerly burying her face in Hinoka's crotch.

Hinoka squealed and squeezed her legs around Camilla's head as she'd done many times before. The bare sensation of Camilla's tongue entering her pussy and moving around inside never failed to enflame her passion.

"Mmph…Camilla…never stop…" A wave of pleasure shot through Hinoka's body as she climaxed. She loosened her legs, freeing Camilla.

Camilla grinned, Hinoka's fluids still around her lips.

"Oh, Hinoka…I love- I love how you react whenever I do that to you."

"W-well…I love how you enjoy doing it," said Hinoka. "Please, come lay up here; it's my turn."

Camilla instantly leapt onto the bed and sat beside Hinoka.

Hinoka got on the floor and slowly spread Camilla's legs. She gazed intently at Camilla's pussy, still absolutely dripping with arousal. Hinoka circled it to for a moment before inserting her tongue.

Camilla climaxed as soon as it entered.

Hinoka laughed as she backed away.

"Am I really that good?"

"Even though I was already heavily aroused, yes," said Camilla. She tilted Hinoka's head and kissed her. "We should probably start to get ready now."

Vendors lined the streets as Hinoka strolled through, holding Camilla's hand. Performers strummed their samisen and blew their shakuhachis, instrument cases open with money piled inside. Children jumped at the lanterns strung between the buildings, one making a sky-blue lantern with lilac streamers fall. It landed in front of Camilla, who picked it up.

"The streamers are rather nice," said Camilla, letting Hinoka's hand go and letting the streamers slip between her fingers.

"They are," said Hinoka. She stroked Camilla's hair. "They remind me of your hair."

"Is that so?" Camilla put the lantern on her head and giggled. The streamers blended in perfectly.

Takumi walked over and pulled a streamer, causing it to fall.

"…I knew something was wrong with your hair."

Camilla laughed.

"Of course that wasn't my hair. I was just playing."

Leo put his hand on Takumi's shoulder.

"I believe your sister has something for you."

"Huh? What?" Hinoka furrowed her brow, then saw Sakura headed towards Takumi. Oh, he meant her…

Sakura held a pineapple up to Takumi.

"Um…I was looking at the fruit and I saw this…it looks like your hair, doesn't it?"

Takumi brought a hand to his forehead.

"S-Sakura! Not you too!"

Leo took the pineapple and put it on Takumi's head.

"Now you and Camilla can match."

"W-Why? What's the purpose of this?" said Takumi.

Camilla laughed.

"Oh Takumi…you're still incredibly cute."

"Ngh! Stop saying that!" said Takumi a blush spreading across his face.

"But of course, your older sister is even cuter."

Hinoka smiled as she took Camilla's hand.

"Let's keep going. There's something I wanna show you."

"Oh, alright. Don't tease Takumi, Leo," said Camilla.

Hinoka led Camilla further down the street, passing several fish shops. Her eyes wandered over one, where Elise was pulling Xander's hand and pointing at a tank. Ryoma was with them.

"That's a tasty looking lobster!" said Elise.

Ryoma picked the lobster out of the tank. It was still living, though its claws were sealed shut with some elastic bands.

"It kind of reminds me of you," said Elise.

Ryoma raised an eyebrow.

"How so?"

"Because it's red and brown and big and strong and-"

"Settle down, Elise," said Xander. "Don't fluster Ryoma."

"Aww. Well, I'm naming this lobster Ryoma anyway," said Elise.

Ryoma put a hand to his face. The edges of Xander's mouth rose ever so slightly.

"Oh, look! A tea shop!" said Camilla. She wandered over to a stand and examined the bags hanging from it.

Hinoka stood beside Camilla and eyed the assortment of teas.

"Have you ever had any of these teas before?"

Camilla shook her head.

"No. But I wonder…surely you've had some of these teas before? Which is your favourite?"

Hinoka picked up a cyan bag.

"I'm rather fond of this kind. But it's rather expensive…I really need to get a job soon."

"Then I will buy it for you," said Camilla. "I told you I would make you your favourite tea, right? So allow me."

"No, I can't let you do that!" said Hinoka. "I may be broke but that doesn't mean I haven't got any money."

"I insist! Let me get you it. You can consider it an early birthday present."

Hinoka sighed.

"Fine…thanks."

Camilla bought the tea and handed it to Hinoka. She kissed her cheek.

"You're quite welcome. So, what did you want to show me?"

"Ah!" Hinoka took Camilla's hand. "We have to hurry, or we'll miss it!"

A massive cedar tree sat in the middle of the square, tags of every colours hanging from its branches. Adults and children alike took several tags and wrote on them, fastening them to the tree.

"Wow…it's so big…and beautiful," said Camilla.

"That it is. But that's not what I wanted to show you." Hinoka pointed at the starless sky.

Camilla stared, then looked at Hinoka.

"I don't understand."

"Just wait a little longer…!" Hinoka pulled out her phone and checked the time. Almost there…come on…

A firework shot above the tree, exploding and sending violet sparks across the horizon. Several fireworks of gold, light blue, and dark red came shortly afterwards.

"They're lovely," said Camilla. "Perhaps the only sight lovelier is you, Hinoka."

Hinoka's face reddened as she wrapped her arms around Camilla. She laid the side of her head against Camilla's chest.

"You kind of remind me of a firework, you know."

"Hmm? How so?"

"Well…they're kinda spontaneous. Like that time we first met and you called me a cutie. I wasn't prepared for that at all. And, of course, you trying to be my friend and then asking me out…a-and they're also very, uh…p-pretty."

"You're too kind." Camilla rubbed her hand through Hinoka's hair. "Thank you, Hinoka. May you come up with even cuter things to say in the future."

"Y-yeah. I definitely will. I love you, after all." Hinoka's stomach dropped as soon as the words left her mouth. She could feel Camilla's heartbeat as it rapidly increased in pulse.

Shoving herself away from her, Hinoka covered her face with her hands.

"I-I'm- I'm sorry...i-it just slipped out," said Hinoka. She turned away from Camilla.

Camilla embraced Hinoka and held her close.

"Don't be sorry. I love you too, after all."

"R-really…? I-I'm…so…" Hinoka turned and kissed Camilla, her lips lingering on hers for a minute. She removed them and nestled her head into Camilla's chest again. "Thank you, Camilla."

"…I wanted to tell you earlier today, you know," said Camilla. She kissed the top of Hinoka's head. "After I finished having my way with you…I didn't want to say it in a fit of emotion. I love you, Hinoka. I love you."

"And I love you," said Hinoka.

"Gross," came a male voice.

Hinoka looked over and saw Takumi. Sakura and Leo stood next to him.

Camilla stuck her tongue out.

"You're just jealous because Hinoka and I were able to admit our feelings in a much nicer way than you did, probably."

"Oh, q-quiet!" said Takumi. "A-anyway, we were about to write our wishes down! Have you written yours down, Hinoka?"

"Not yet," said Hinoka.

"Oh, are those what the little tags are for?" asked Camilla.

"Yeah. Let me show you." Hinoka led Camilla to the tree and picked up yellow tag and a marker off the ground. She wrote her wish in Japanese and tied it to a branch.

Camilla grinned as she looked at the tag.

"So, what did you wish for?"

"It's a secret," said Hinoka.

"Not going to tell your lover?" Camilla smiled.

"I'll tell you later," said Hinoka. "Do you want me to write your wish down for you?"

"So you want me to tell you mine, but you won't tell me yours? I'm offended, Hinoka," said Camilla. She winked.

"I-is that a yes?"

"Yes, it is. Listen closely," said Camilla.

Hinoka brought her ear to Camilla's mouth. Camilla whispered.

"I wish Hinoka could be happy for as long as she lives."

Hinoka felt her heart flutter. She kissed Camilla before writing her wish down and tying it.

"Thank you, Camilla…I'm so happy I met you…please take care of me. I know I'll take care of you."

Camilla held Hinoka's hand. They interlocked their fingers as the left the tree.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"I wish Leo would stop singing the Spongebob Squarepants opening theme whenever I eat a pineapple," said Takumi.

"And I wish Takumi would just admit he loves it when I do that," said Leo.

"I hate it when you do that!" said Takumi, but not without a laugh. He noticed Hinoka's tag. "Hey, let's check out what gross thing Hinoka probably said."

"Alright then. Can you read it out loud? I still don't understand Japanese very well," said Leo.

"Will do," said Takumi. He touched the tag and read:

"I wish to have a long, prosperous, happy, and loving relationship with Camilla."

FIN