Soojin

A few months passed and the lonely air of my house had long gone away. He did the house work when I went to office. He came to pick me up everyday and we did dinner outside, often. One Sunday morning as I groggily went to have my tea, I noticed Alain sitting in the front porch with his nose buried in a thick book. It was a book about Japanese Legends, myths, festivals and some history too.

With a hot cup of tea, I settled next to him. "What's your current read?"

"The star festival is coming soon," he smiled.

"Yes, Tanabata is coming soon. Sendai hosts the best star festivals," I sighed contentedly taking the first sip. "I have been there a few times. Ren and Sakura visit every year. Mostly couples go there and I don't like to be the third wheel in a festival of lovers," I chuckled.

"Let's go this year," he smiled and I carefully proceeded his words. "Your best friend is here, so you won't be getting bored. I will book the tickets and rooms for four of us," he said and I hugged him.

August came and hence the day of the festival arrived as we were patiently seated inside a bullet train. The whole train ride was filled with banter. We checked into our hotel and as evening dipped in, the city lit up with colourful decorations and neon lights. We were dressed in our traditional attire. Alain looked incredibly handsome wearing the kimono.

I blushed at the sight of his face glowing up with awe at his surroundings. Although, I had inserted the memory card but still memory and experience is different. It was the first time for my artificial human celebrating a human festival. No one could tell that he was artificial and I felt proud by the fact.

Our surroundings were filled to the brim with people, food, games, colours and sounds. Rows of lanterns lit up the streets, colorful lights decorating the eateries. Around us, people bustled in traditional clothing, chattering away. Children past us squealing in glee.

"There are so many thing...," he exclaimed almost star-struck. "Where would you like to go first Soojin?"

I looked around in thought. Ren and Sakura had already gone to the Lovers Point of the fare and promised to meet us after an hour.

"Let's start with this," I guided him through a crowd of people until we reached a particular stall, a food vendor. Scents of sweetness and spice wafted through the air, with the sounds of music and pan sizzling, merging with the atmosphere.

I purchased a pack of ball shaped snacks. "Takoyaki," I supplied when he curiously eyes the food. "Try it dummy." He chuckled and ate from my hand.

"It's amazing. Let's try more," he declared and within moments he was pulling me to different food vendors. On our way, we luckily met the couple and decided to play some games and win something. The joy of winning prizes after games enlightened us.

"Guys! Look, look," before everyone could look, I was practically dragging them through the crowd to another stall. It had a wide open box with water and a school of small goldfish swimming in it.

I noticed Alain's eyes sparkled with wonder as he watched the fishes flitting in the shallow tub. Ren had already paid, earning 4 paper nets and bowls. He distributed them among us.

"Alain do you know how to play this game?" Sakura asked.

"No, I have no knowledge regarding this inside my system."

"Yes, I have inputted only the memory card and just a few basic knowledge but he can remember things pretty well. You can demonstrate Sakura as I have also forgotten," I said and she happily started the procedure of demonstration.

"You have to use this net to scoop out the fish but that's not easy. The nets dissolve as soon as you put it into the water and the fishes are faster than you think," she explained and we all nodded.

Our attempts started. I dipped the paper net into the tub, attempting to catch a fish and failed as it fleetingly swam up. I watched Ren's final attempt before his net broke, earning zero fishes.

"You're doing great Alain!" I heard Sakura's cheering and looked at his direction. He had already caught 6 leaving our trio and the stall owner surprised. Artificial human he was, indeed but with expertise features.

He had successfully managed to scoop two more, when his net finally gave up. "Did I do good?"

We all nodded and Ren fixed his jaw before replying. "It was inhumane." Alain chuckled.

We spent the rest of the evening wandering around the festival, trying various food and playing games. Alain pretty much won every game. And by the time we had finished encircling the area his hands were full with a few goldfishes, three fluffy glittery balls and a collection of chocolates which he won from various game stalls. He was kind enough to donate a funky looking plastic sunglass and an unicorn plushie to Ren and Sakura respectively.

I was caring a bunny soft toy and Pikachu hairband which he gifted to me by wining cards and balloon dart games. I was staring at him for a whole good minute when he met my gaze and I turned my eyes away. A blush crept on our cheeks and a hint of romance was tingled in the air.

"Look there everyone!" I perked up. I motioned along with them to where groups of people were starting to hang strips of paper in potted bamboo plants. "They're already hanging them, let's hurry up."

We approached the rows of bamboo stalks held up from the ground. Many people were surrounding them, busy tying colourful strips of papers with wishes written on them unto the branches.

Sakura borrowed some papers and pens and asked us to write. I saw Alain fidgeting with his pen. "You have to write your dreams or wishes here. They're believed to come true. It's a tradition," I said and he followed my instructions. I tried to catch a glimpse of his writing but he had successfully hidden it.

"You can't Soojin," he laughed. "It's supposed to be a secret."

I scoffed and tightly tied my strip.

By the time the clock had struck midnight, the streets still bustled. However, I noticed the thinning of the crowd around us.

"They're going to float the bamboos. C'mon, let's look," Sakura exclaimed and pulled Ren with her.

Following their direction, I saw a large mass of people going towards the end of the main street. The city met with a river where the bamboos will be floated eventually. We walked hand in hand towards the riverbanks. They were lit by the orange glow from of the hanging lanterns. The people gently set down the stalks as they bobbed gently before following the main stream. The silence was broken by Alain's question.

"Soojin you said this is the festival of 2 star-crossed lovers right?"

My smile lit up as I started explaining him. "It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively, According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar."

Alain only gazed out. The lanterns along the river casted an ember glow on the gentle river flow. Fireflies danced among the dew-sprinkled grasses.

"Guys, I think we've had enough enjoyment. Let's go back," Sakura called us with a smile.

Alain sadly nodded and held my hand, allowing me to lead the way out of the festival.

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Another tough chapter to write. I am learning to write descriptions these days. Well, inspiration from shinhaari
Thank you dear ❤️
What are you guys learning these days?