Aya walked through the busy streets, snack in hand. The Ogerpon was starting to feel a bit hungry. She knew the drill for eating at the festival: make sure she’s far away from everyone, hidden away in some corner of the quiet residential area with her dads.
She soon spotted her parents among the crowds and made her way towards them, but frozen in her tracks as she drew near.
They look like….they’re having fun! Aya thought happily. While her parents always looked forward to the mask festival, they never seemed as excited as her…but seeing all three of them, even Tomo, happy and enjoying themselves like they never had before, filled Aya up with an overwhelming sense of joy.
I don’t wanna interrupt them…the Ogerpon frowned from behind her mask. Oh! I know! I’ll just go and eat my snacks really quickly and then come back so they don’t have to worry!
With her plan all figured out, Aya turned away and walked towards the distant houses with a smile.
As Aya sat down, ready to eat her goodies, something caught her eyes before she could remove her mask.
Another kid…around her age? He looked….kinda lonely.
Who spends the mask festival all by themself? Aya wondered, standing up. That’s so sad! Well, I know how to fix that!
Momo let out a squeak of alarm, cards flying everywhere as he fumbled his hand in shock.
“Oh no!” Aya let out a small gasp. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you! Here, let me help!” The Ogerpon quickly hopped off her porch and onto the Applin’s, picking up the scattered cards.
“O-oh, um…,” Momo sputtered timidly, staring at her in surprise. “Y-you….you don’t….”
“Alrightie, here you go!” Aya smiled, handing the boy a stack of messily stacked cards.
“Um….thanks…,” the Applin looked down, methodically evening out the pile.
“What game were you playing?” Aya asked, sitting down next to him.
“O-oh…um….Hanafuda,” Momo quietly replied.
“Hanafuda? I love Hanafuda!!! It’s so fun!” Aya exclaimed, startling him with her sudden raise of volume. “I only really play it a few days before the festival starts with my dads, but I wish I played it more!”
“Y-you can, if you want to,” Momo added. “It’s…well…it’s a little weird if you play it outside of the festivals, but…um….well, I guess that didn’t stop me….”
“How many times have you played it?”
“Um….I’ve been playing since I was five, and…I try to play at least one game everyday, even if it’s just against myself…”
“WOW!” Aya exclaimed, leaning close to Momo. The Applin could feel his face grow red as she doled out praise. “That's awesome!! I bet you're a- no, THE best Hanafuda player ever!! Can I please play a game with you? Pleaaaaseeeee???"
"I....um...," Momo looked down at his deck, up at Aya, then down at his deck again
"Um...okay, sure, " he nodded, starting to shuffle the deck.
"Yay!!" Aya wiggled with anticipation as he drew the first card.
Many hours and many Hanafuda games later, the sound of laughter filled the air.
"And then," Aya finished her story with a giggle. "I realized it wasn't a monster at all, but a teeny tiny Skwovet!"
Despite his initial shyness, Momo found himself chuckling along with her. It was an odd feeling, being around her...something about the young girl made Momo feel at ease...was it her excitement? Her energy? He couldn't put his finger on it, but she was unlike anyone he had ever met.
"And...that's the last season," Momo smiled, placing down his last card. "I win."
"Again?!?" Aya exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise. "Aw, darn! I'll beat you next time, I swear!"
Momo looked up at the sky, and, to his surprise, the moon was already past its highest point in the sky. "Oh...it's getting late," he frowned. "My family's probably gonna be looking for me..."
"Oh! Mine too!" Aya recalled her long forgotten pile of snacks. "It's funny....it doesn't feel like I've been playing long at all!"
"Yeah, me too...," Momo agreed. "I...I wish I could've played more with you..."
Suddenly, Aya was hit with a burst of genius.
"We don't have!" Aya smiled. "At least, not for very long! You can come visit me sometime, and we can play more then!" She pointed behind him. "I live up there in the mountains!"
"In the mountains? Woah..." Momo's eyes shone with awe. "Your family must be really strong if they live that far up..."
"Hehe, they are!" Aya bragged, placing her hands on her hips in pride. "I know a really cool clearing that's perfect for playing games! We can meet there!"
"Oh that sounds fun! Um....," he paused. "But how will we recognize each other...?"
"Ooh! We can wear our masks!" Aya suggested. "If we can play Hanafuda outside of the festival, why can't we wear our masks, too?"
"Ooh...good point," Momo nodded in agreement. "That....sounds good to me!"
"Yay!" Aya smiled and pulled the unsuspecting boy into a hug.
In her arms, Momo felt all the tension that had built up over the festival finally release...his posture relaxed as he lightly embraced her back, a small smile forming underneath his mask.
"AYAAAAAAA!" Upon hearing her name, the young girl hesitantly broke the hug. "Oh, that's my Oto-San!" She told him. "Well, I'll see you soon!! It was nice to meet you, Momo!"
As the Ogerpon ran off, the Applin shly waved to her. "Good-bye, Aya..!"
"Oh, thank goodness you're alright," Tomo embraced his daughter tightly, finally letting go of the breathe he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Sorry, Oto-San," Aya shyly apologized. "I didn't mean to scare you! You guys were having so much fun and I didn't wanna interrupt you...plus, I was with a friend, so i was safe!"
"Well, I'm glad you're alright," Miu sighed, gently stroking her head.
"Do you need to be carried back?" Kenji asked, kneeling down to Aya's level.
"Nope! I'm not quite tired yet!" The Ogerpon replied. "I bet I can walk all the way back by myself!"
"We'll see about that," Miu chuckled.
"Please don't push yourself too hard," Tomo added.
"Don't worry, I wont!" Aya replied with a grin.
AYA, HER DADS, AND MOMO HAVE LEFT THE FESTIVAL
