Chapter Three: Island Festival:

I had never seen so my paper lanterns in my life. The sounds of traditional Japanese music filled my ears. The people at the harbor looked like they were preparing for a party of some kind. I looked up at my hosts.

“What are they doing today?” I asked. Noiz gave me a rich smile.

“They are getting ready for the festival today,” she said. I gave her an odd look.

“Festival?” I asked. “There’s a festival today?”

“That’s right,” Mosh said.

“What kind of festival?” I asked.

“Just one that celebrates the island,” Noiz answered. “Come on!” She grabbed me by the hand and proceeded to drag me further into the harbor.

“Wait!” I cried. “Slow down! You’re hurting my arm!” Mosh followed behind, chuckling.

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We all hurried into town. Noiz stopped and turned around to us.

“So, what do you want to do front?” she asked.

“Eat!” I said aloud.

“I’m hungry too,” Mosh said. Noiz’s own stomach grumbled aloud.

“Yeah, that would sound like a good idea about now, wouldn’t it?” she asked with a sweat drop on her head. “Where do you want to eat?”

“I don’t care, I just want food,” I complained.

“Okay, okay,” she said. “If it’s food that you want, it’s food that you will get. Follow me.” My cousin led the way down the narrow sandy path. Mosh happily followed behind her. I shrugged and walked after them.

We came up to a small café near the beach. Noiz pushed her way through the dark blue and white curtains.

“Hello?” she asked. “Are you open yet?” A man about my dad’s age looked up from behind the counter.

“Just about,” he said. “You are the first ones here.” Noiz clapped her hand together, smiling.

“Great,” she said. “How long do we have to wait?”

“If you flip that sign out there to open, you won’t have to wait,” the man answered. Mosh reached to his right and flipped the wooden sign to open. The older man gave us the smile of a fox.

“Welcome,” he said. “Please, take a seat.” Noiz, Mosh, and I walked over and took a seat at the bar. The owner, as I guessed he was, sharpened up his knifes.

“So, what can I get you guys today?” he asked.

“I feel like some shrimp tempura udon!” Noiz announced.

“I’ll have some fried noodles,” Mosh said. All eyes fell upon me. I looked at them rather confused.

“I don’t know what to get,” I admitted. “Where is a menu?” Noiz slid one over to me. I picked it up and opened it. I blinked as I narrowed my eyes at the characters.

“I can’t read this,” I said. Noiz made a little face at me. I tilted my head at her.

“What?” I asked.

“You can’t read Japanese?” she asked.

“No,” I said, pouting. My kitty cousin smiled as she shook her head at me.

“Here, let me help you out,” she said. She took the menu from my hand and began explaining different items to me. In the end, I settled on seaweed udon.

“Let’s eat!” we said aloud. Noiz eyed the owner as Mosh and I began to eat.

“So, Oda-san,” she spoke up. “Tell us all about the exciting things this town will be doing during their festival this year.” The owner had a twinkle in his eye.

“The beach games are going to start up again,” he said. “There are plenty of eating contests and sailing. In the middle of the week is a parade. Oh, the list just goes on and goes.”

“I see,” Noiz replied. “Anything tonight?”

“There is a fireworks display,” Oda-san said with much thought. Noiz grinned at those words.

“Perfect,” she said. Suddenly, we looked behind us when we heard people talking loudly as they walked into the café. Oda-san sharpened up his knifes.

“Looks like the lunch crowd is here,” he said.

“Good thing we got here just in time,” Noiz said. I nodded as I shoved more noodles into my mouth.