Chapter 876: Hana no Koromo
The air in Ayia and Shizuka’s bedrooms buzzed with the chaotic energy of pre-festival preparations. More than 10 girls, a kaleidoscope of nervous excitement and frantic brushstrokes, surrounded a vanity mirror the size of a small car. Carolla, bless her heart, was attempting a complex updo that involved more bobby pins than a hairstylist’s emergency kit. Internally, she was silently praying it wouldn’t collapse before the festival even started. "This braid is... rebellious," she muttered, tugging at a stray strand.
Meanwhile, June, ever the pragmatist, was applying makeup with the precision of a brain surgeon. "Honestly, guys, if we’re going to be photographed next to a blooming field of daffodils, we need to up our game," she declared, scrutinizing her reflection critically. Her inner monologue, however, revealed a secret desire to simply smear some dirt on her face and call it a day.
Ayia, Shizuka, Aurora, Sam, Sayuri, June, Gwen, Kumiko, Shoko, Lauren, Ryoko, Vivian, Carolla, and Umaru – fourteen girls, a swirling vortex of laughter, shrieks, and the occasional shriek of frustration. Getting ready together was, as expected, utter chaos. Ayia’s room, a palatial space usually reserved for quiet study, was currently overrun with a riot of silks, shimmering obi sashes, and the fragrant scent of cherry blossom hairspray. Even with its vastness, some girls, lured by the promise of Shizuka’s surprisingly extensive collection of hair ornaments, had spilled over into Shizuka’s equally expansive room.
"My goodness, Shizuka! Where did you *find* all these?" Lauren gasped, her eyes wide as she sifted through a treasure chest of sparkling combs and jeweled pins.
Shizuka, calmly applying the final touches to her own elaborate hairstyle, replied, "Someone gave it to me. Consider it a family heirloom... though I wouldn’t mind sharing." She winked.
The Hana no Koromo, or ’Robe of Flowers,’ lay scattered across every available surface. These weren’t simple garments. Each was a masterpiece of intricate stitching and layered silks, a testament to the artistry of their creators. The vibrant colors mirrored the blossoms of the spring season – cherry pink, willow green, and the deep, rich purple of wisteria.
"This...thing... has more layers than an onion!" Umaru exclaimed, wrestling with a particularly stubborn section of her Koromo. Her normally cheerful face was contorted in a grimace of concentration.
"Here, let me help," Vivian offered, expertly maneuvering the fabric. "It’s all about the technique. See, you tuck this under... then you fold this over...and *voila!*" She deftly secured the final piece, leaving Umaru looking both relieved and slightly awestruck.
Gwen, meanwhile, was struggling with a particularly elaborate obi, its intricate pattern a dizzying swirl of colors. "I swear, this thing has a life of its own!" she complained, her fingers tangling in the silk.
"Need a hand?" Carolla asked, her own Koromo already flawlessly donned. She possessed an almost unnerving grace and speed when it came to these garments.
"Please!" Gwen breathed, gratefully accepting Carolla’s assistance.
The air buzzed with a mixture of nervous energy and excited chatter. There was the gentle clinking of jewelry, the rustle of silks, the occasional shriek of laughter as someone’s hairpin slipped, the constant exchange of advice and encouragement. The chaos, somehow, felt comforting, a shared experience bonding the fourteen girls together in a shared moment of beauty and preparation for whatever the upcoming festival held. The room, despite the apparent disorder, pulsed with a shared energy, a symphony of feminine camaraderie under the radiant promise of spring.
"It feels like I’m wearing a giant, beautiful, floral cocoon!" Sam, ever practical, pulled a small hand mirror from her bag. "Does anyone need help with their makeup touch-ups? Aurora, your lipstick is slightly smudged."
Aurora giggled, turning to Sam. "Thanks, Sam! You’re a lifesaver. These Koromos are beautiful, but they make even the simplest tasks a challenge."
Shoko, meanwhile, was meticulously arranging the delicate flower accents on her Koromo. "This is Hana-no-Koromo," she announced with pride, delicately adjusting a tiny silk lotus. "The Robe of Flowers. Isn’t it exquisite?"
"It’s breathtaking!" Gwen agreed, eyeing Shoko’s handiwork with admiration.
"I’m still struggling with the undergarments. It’s like trying to put together a puzzle, and some pieces are clearly missing instructions." Ayia, typically lounging amidst the chaos, suddenly piped up, "Hey, does anyone want mochi? The cook prepared for us."
Her offer was met with immediate cheers. The temporary lull in the Koromo-related crisis allowed for a quick snack break, mochi fueling the final stages of the dressing process.
Ryoko, always the observer, chuckled, surveying the scene. "This is what I call organized chaos! Who knew getting ready for a spring festival could be this...adventurous?"
Even Shizuka, known for her calm demeanor, couldn’t help but smile. The air hummed with the energy of fourteen young women, radiant in their Hana-no-Koromo, ready to celebrate the arrival of spring. The final touches were put in place – a final hair adjustment here, a carefully placed hairpin there – and with a shared, joyful laugh, they were ready.
Finally, after much laughter and several near-disasters, all fourteen girls stood resplendent in their Hana no Koromo, a breathtaking array of color and grace, ready to face the world.
On another part of the manor, the boys’ preparations were far less dramatic. Max was wrestling with the obi on his traditional shirt, a struggle that mirrored his internal battle against the tyranny of formal wear. "I swear, these things were designed to be worn by contortionists," he groaned, his frustration evident.
Theo, ever the practical one, was already fully dressed and ready to go, idly scrolling through his phone. His thoughts were far less concerned with clothing and far more on the prospect of festival food.
Kin was somewhere in between, meticulously arranging his hair in a way that was both neat and "effortlessly cool," a feat he believed essential for garnering female attention at the upcoming festivities, especially from a special someone called Gwen... Kin has been trying to woo Gwen for a while now, and he says that he is almost there in his goal to conquer her heart. That’s why he wanted to look good in his Koromo.
While Theo and Max were already in a relationship with Ayia and Lauren. But the two of them also wanted to look good for their girlfriend. "Babe, we’ll be ready in 10 minutes!" Ayia sent a text to Theo.
"Okay, we’re ready. Just waiting for you guys." Theo replied to the text before sending another one, "Can’t wait to see you in Koromo!"
The girls’ laughter and the soft rustle of silk filled the air as they made their way towards the festival grounds, a vibrant procession of Hana no Koromo. The sun shone brightly, as if in celebration of their beauty and the coming of spring. As they walked, they attracted curious glances and whispered admiration from onlookers. The boys, having finished their own preparations, awaited their arrival with anticipation.
Max, now satisfied with his obi, stood tall and proud, his eyes scanning the approaching group for his beloved Lauren. Theo, phone forgotten, felt his heart race as he spotted Ayia’s graceful figure among the sea of silk.
Theo was absolutely awestruck as he saw Ayia wearing the Koromo. She looked like a princess from the Yamata Clan! The Yamata clan was one of the founding clans of the country, and the princess of the Yamata Clan was one of the most important historic figures in the Sakura Abode Country. But as Theo watched Ayia in Koromo, he couldn’t help but think that if there was royalty in the Sakura Abode Country, Ayia would definitely be a princess! Her golden eyes and purple hair were highlighted by the beautiful purple and golden Koromo with white details of flowers.
"You look absolutely breathtaking, babe!" Theo complimented her with shining eyes.
"You look so handsome, too, babe!" Ayia was equally stunned by Theo’s view as he wore his male Koromo.
He chose a simple white and navy blue Koromo, but the Koromo only highlighted his handsome features.
The two of them were so beautiful that they looked like models.
It was a match made in heaven.
"You look so beautiful, too, Aurora!" Theo complimented his sister as he noticed how cute she looked wearing Koromo, "Let me take a picture of you!"
"Let’s take some pictures before we leave!" Sam suggested when she heard Theo say that.
Kin, on the other hand, felt his carefully styled hair blow in the gentle breeze, causing a momentary panic. But his attention soon turned to the approaching girls, and his heart skipped a beat as he caught sight of Gwen. She looked radiant, her Koromo a swirling masterpiece of color and elegance. Kin’s nervousness melted away, replaced by a confident smile as he smoothed his hair once more.
In such a way, the group of friends took several pictures before they finally left the Flower Manor for their temple tour around Elffire City. This spring festival promised to be memorable, filled with beauty, friendship, and love blooming amidst the sea of silk and cherry blossoms.