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Killua’s birthday falling on Tanabata was never a coincidence.
Though no one really thought much about it, Gon was absolutely ecstatic when finding out his birthday was on such a wonderful day of the year.
“ Killua’s birthday is amazing ,” Gon would exclaim, and Killua would stare in wonder. Was his birthday really that special? “ It’s the day where wishes come true, lovers get back together, a day of happiness… And Killua was born on it. It’s like Killua is the child of the stars! ”
Of course, Killua never really believed in it. How could someone like him be a child of the stars? If anything, Gon should be the child of the stars, Killua would think, but smile nonetheless and listen to Gon ramble about his favorite constellations (He didn’t blush when Gon confidently said that Cancer was always his favorite one. Did not.)
Killua is now sixteen going on seventeen, and he wonders if his wish really will come true. Gon hasn’t been responding the past five days to any of his texts, none of them were even marked as read , but Killua decides that spending time with Alluka and Nanika is good enough. Being selfish never got him anywhere.
“Alluka, I’m not going to wear a Yukata, I won't be able to move at all, what if something happens? What will I do?”
“Big brother, under my dead body will we be going to a festival without any traditional clothes! If it's because you are scared of looking weird, I will literally pummel you into the ground. I’d be damned if you couldn’t pull off nearly anything. Just wear something under it, it's going to be a bit cold today. You have no excuse. And don’t use the ‘it’s my birthday!’ card, stupid.” Alluka huffs and Killua narrowly suppresses a groan, settling for a silent roll of the eyes instead.
“Look here, miss sassy-pants. You know how fond I am of anything that falls past my knees. Plus, both Yukatas and Kimonos are the literal definition of death in the form of pretty clothes. You are lucky that I’m letting you wear one, so don't push it.” Killua glares softly when Alluka wines.
“Am I really going to have to do this?” Killua instantly understands. He looks away.
“Not gonna work.”
“I’m gonna do it.”
“No you aren-”
“Ah!” Killua whips his head around in alarm, only to be met with the biggest, sweetest, watery-blue doe eyes staring at him in a pleading manner. He freezes. He stares back, eye twitching, slowly losing his resolve. Not even ten seconds pass before he gives in with a sigh. Alluka continues just to make sure he wasn’t faking, but beams once she’s sure. “Great! I already bought your Yukata when we got mine. It's a pack deal, by the way, so I’m doing your hair and just a tiny bit of makeup too.” Killua flops onto his bed.
“Tiny my ass. But fine, only this once.” He covers his face with his arm to hide a soft smile. Alluka snickers and merrily skips out of his room to get her makeup and his Yukata.
He convinces himself that he’s content, so he won't let himself dwell on what he really wishes for.
~*~
They leave the house hand in hand, and even though Alluka insists that she’s fine, she secretly enjoys the contact. She’s a bit like Killua, in that way. Plus, even if she kept insisting, Killua was too nervous in the big crowd to leave her alone.
Alluka spots a small stage titled The Origins of Star-Crossed lovers . Alluka pulls Killua with one hand towards the booth, fluffy pink cotton candy in the other hand. Killua yelps as his Takoyaki almost falls out of his hand, glaring at Alluka when she giggles. He follows her and they sit. Killua is chewing on his Takoyaki when the thought of Ikalgo pops up in his head. He inwardly smirks and chews a little harder.
A few more people join, and only two minutes later, the play begins. A soft female voice begins to narrate.
“Amidst the dreamy heavens filled with countless shimmering stars, lives a beautiful princess weaving beautiful bolts of cloth.” As the woman says this, another woman clothed in beautiful garments walks onto the stage where she sat at the spinning wheel. “Orihime was a skilled seamstress and her father, the sky king Tente, wore her creations with pride. She worked tirelessly at her craft, so much so in fact that Orihime began losing hope of ever finding love.” The woman on stage begins to look visibly distressed. An older man on the other end of the stage looks at her in worry. “Orihime and Tente lived along the banks of the heavenly river, and across it lived Hikoboshi, a cow herder. Out of concern for his daughter, the sky king arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi, and they promptly fell in love and got married.” The old man walks off stage, and comes back leading a young man towards the woman. Orihime stands and they hold hands, facing each other. Killua feels mild second-hand embarrassment. How could someone do that infront of a whole crowd?
The narrator continues, “They were so in love that they began to neglect their pride duties. Orihime no longer wove and Hikoboshi no longer tended to his cows. Angered, Tente forbade the couple to be together and split them across the river.” The old man now stands in between them forcefully, ushering the man off stage. Shouts of protests are heard by many children, including Alluka. Killua snorts. “This caused Orihime immense heartbreak and she pleaded and pleaded with her father until he allowed her to meet Hikoboshi again. However, there were conditions to this meeting. They could only meet on the seventh day of the seventh month of each year. At last, the most anticipated day arrived and Orihime rushed to the banks… And there were no means with which to cross the river. Orihime burst into tears, heartbroken once again. The lovers were doomed to never meet, or so it seemed.” Kids gasp in amazement as paper doves connected to sticks come down from the ceiling, positioning themselves in a straight line in front of the stage.” Hearing her despair, a flock of magpies came to Orihime’s aid and created a bridge, thus allowing the lovers to reunite. And so it’s said that the lovers continue to meet each year, as long as the skies are clear.”
The small audience that consists of mainly parents and their kids cheer, and a few children are seen walking up to the woman playing Orihime. Alluka turns to grin at Killua.
“That was so cute! The dad is kinda stingy though.” Killua laughs and stands up with a little struggle, and watches Alluka get up gracefully.
“Cheeky,” he mumbles. Alluka pretends not to hear.
“So,” Alluka drawls, putting her hands to her back. “Oh! I wanna go to the tanzaku stall to write our wish.” Killua nods, and they walk to the miniature temple. Alluka asks for three tanzaku and hands the yellow one to Killua. Killua stares blankly at the color, shallowly recalling the meanings behind each color. Yellow means wishing for good relationships between others.
Could the universe be any more obvious?
...Well, it’s my birthday… Being a little selfish won't hurt...
He sighs and looks at Alluka, who got one blue and one green. Hopefully her and Nanika’s wishes are about getting older, or something. He has half a mind to read theirs while they write it, but quickly changes his mind. They probably won't let me snoop, anyway.
They grab pens and walk towards a secluded area and begin to write.
Alluka: I hope to grow up big and healthy so I can help my big brother!
Nanika: I gro with Aluka to give Killua hapy wish
Killua: I want to make up with Gon and see him again.
In the distance, Gon shouts out Killua’s name.