Jasmine could remember that day all too well. She could remember feeling the rush of excitement when Rinoa Heartilly- a girl about two years older than her yet someone that she had somehow become attached to- invite her and another friend to Japan for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

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Three figures were seen at the courtyard of the academy, merely sitting on the ground underneath the shade of an old oak tree. One of them, a girl with black hair and pale skin, had suddenly spoken up, "Hey where are you two going for the holidays?" the girl had asked. If one were to look closely- they would notice that she looked noticeably older than the other two. Maybe about two years. "Nothing much really" the girl leaning on the trunk of the tree had said. This girl had fiery red hair, crystal grey eyes and pale features that complimented her overall complexion very well. Despite the girl having a twin, she was very unique and different in her own way. "Same" the other girl who had laid herself on her back had supplied. This girl had dark red hair that was almost black and an indifferent position. "Want to go to Japan?"

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She could remember Ivy- the other girl, the same age as her, let a shrill shriek at that. She rarely ever decided to show her emotions yet when she had become an item with her brother well that somehow changed by a bit. That fact still made her feel nasty. Her best friend dating her brother. The madness.

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"JASMINE! COME ON WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE" Ivy had shouted in annoyance at her friend. They had already packed their bags and were ready to go. "Coming mother!" the girl named Jasmine replied as she carried her suitcase down the stairs, effectively tripping and tumbling down. Ivy had rolled her eyes, helped her and had practically dragged her off to the portal.

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A wide grin stretched itself on her face as they faced the portal- expecting to meet Rinoa on the other side as she had gone ahead of them to prepare. She had graciously invited them to stay in their house, "Ready Ivz?" the redhead asked, directing her crystal grey eyes to the girl beside her while holding her suitcase.

Rinoa remembered the day when she invited two friends to attend the Cherry Blossoms Festival with her. She smiled as she recall how excited they were that day.

Finally, the day has come. Rinoa headed to Japan first to make the preparations. She have booked them three for a hotel accommodation. Rinoa picked the closest hotel available near the Cherry Blossoms park. After everything's set, she headed out to the park. Rinoa went straightly to the huge Sakura tree that can be found in the center of the park. Gently, she laid her fingertips on the trunk and started chanting words. Suddenly, a huge portal opened up in front of the large trunk. Luckily, the place was off limits for preparation for tomorrow's festival that day. No one can see Rinoa as she opens a portal that connects the Cherry Blossom Park to Magica Academy.

The portal has now opened and from there she waited for her two other friends to arrive.

The other girl had opted to chuckle at Ivy's words. She was just about to say something when the brat had practically dragged her into the portal. It was a short trip really but this being her first time travelling by portal and accompanied by the fact that she was surprised when she entered and had no idea what it would feel well let's just say the odds were not in her favor. Jasmine had practically dropped to her hands and knees when she finally came out of the portal, "I think I'm going to be sick" the girl said as she stared at the ground, fighting back the bile that was trying to get out. "You" she had began pointing a finger at Ivy after she had greeted Rinoa, "Never take me by surprise again" She shook her head wildly, standing up after she had deemed herself okay too. It took her a moment to greet the older girl; her sights having gone straight to the pretty surroundings "Hey Rinoa!" the girl said after observing. She had practically jumped Rinoa in a hug.

As the petals of the Sakura tree started to fall, as the wind blew Rinoa's hair gently, she stared at the portal eagerly waiting for the two. Her brown eyes glimmered when she saw two blurry images coming out from the portal.

It was Jasmine and Ivy! Finally, the two have arrived. She greeted them, "I thought you'll never come!" Rinoa hugged Jasmine back. "How was the trip?" she asked the two.

"Come on Nobuyuki, I want to be over here. The petals are much more beautiful." Avalon held her sturdy grip on her stubborn brother's wrist as she led him over to a copse of sakura trees that were in the most astonishing bloom. As the wind blew, the petals fell like delicate pink snow. She was dressed in a sakura-colored kimono for the occasion, complete with a cherry set of wooden geta, or traditional Japanese sandals. They certainly matched the light pink flowers in full bloom and flow, and her hair was pinned up with corresponding pins to accentuate the look.

Spoiler:

"See, just look at the view!" she exclaimed to Nobuyuki. "I told you it'd be beautiful." They were here away from Magica Academy on a holiday to honor their Japanese traditions. The entire collage of Caradas siblings had boarded a plane from Europe to Japan, and just the previous night they were enjoying a Welcome Back party hosted by friends and family.

Now that they were back in Japan, they made it a point to speak only Japanese, and call each other by their Japanese names. Avalon's was Kiyoha, her middle name. Since Nobuyuki's was already a first name, he didn't have to change it at all. The Caradas naming system went a little like if the child was born with a European first name (courtesy of their father, Alexander Alabaster Caradas), then they would inherit a Japanese middle name. And if their first name was Japanese, then they'd have a European middle name. That gave them two names, and it was a rather convenient system in foreign places where the siblings had never really visited much.

"Hey, look over there," Avalon suddenly prompted, tugging on Nobuyuki's kimono sleeve. He too wore one, a dark blue kimono, but for men. "Those three...I recognize them...Aren't they Magica Academy students too? Oh my gosh, it looks like your date at the Midnight Ball, and two other Liquidum girls. Why can't I remember their names...Oh yeah, Ivy Seeker, Rinoa Heartilly, and Jasmine Urquhart! Let's go say hello!"

(OOC: Reminder, Cheery Blossom festival's tomorrow. Today's the date of arrival.)

Rinoa looked over where Ivy's referring to. She saw two Japanese looking couple. "Hmmmm... They certainly look familiar" she said as she could not really identify who they were since they were wearing Japanese traditional outfits and that she had never seen them like that before.

"All right, all right, I'm coming." Nobuyuki had tried to resist his sister's pulling, but found that he couldn't and went along with her. As always, he wasn't at a special event because he wanted to--but because either one of his sisters wanted to. Not that he didn't like it, but he never would have thought to come on his own. "Yes, the view is beautiful," he agreed blandly with her when she arrived at her desired spot. His eyes were vacant as he stared at the cherry blossom petals as well. He and Avalon were dressed in their kimono so soon because their mother had insisted on it, just to see what they looked like in traditional costume. She also thought that it'd be cute, which he didn't exactly get. He was then snapped out of his thoughts when Avalon seemed to have recognized some girls from school, and he instinctively turned his head in that direction. When he saw Rinoa Heartilly, his jolted slightly and a blush formed across his cheeks. What are they doing here? he wondered while trying to stifle the blush.

Spoiler:

[ooc: sorry for the delay, and the lazy posting format ]


Ivy blinked once, then twice. She was so very sure that she had seem them in school before. And the boy, wasn't he the one who went with Rinoa to the ball? A mischievous glint entered her eyes as they got closer, and her suspicions were confirmed. "Hey Rinoa," Ivy sang, elbowing the older girl in he ribs, "Your boyfriend's here."

[Wonder where's Jas?]

Rinoa narrowed her eyes as she tries to remember the two. They really looked familiar until she felt something rubbing against her ribs. She looked down and saw Ivy's elbow and snapped back when she heard her say something about "boyfriend". "B-bo-boyfriend?" she blushed at the thought and then looked back at the two couple.

Right then she remembered the ball! It was "Avalon and Nobuyuki!" she called them and waved. Then she looked back at Ivy leaned closer to her ear and whispered "No, he's not my boyfriend" then smiled weakly.

Ivy smirked, shoving her hands into her jacket. "But you went with him to the ball, The girl nudged Rinoa with her elbow lightly, "And I'm not blind, Rinoa. I see stuff you can't." And for added effect, she waggled her eyebrows. Ivy frowned abruptly, "Wait, that came out wrong."

Again, Ivy nudged Rinoa, she looked back at Ivy. "Yes?" she said, her voice slightly tinted with confusion. "Yes I danced with him cause he invited me to. But I think that's just it" she explained to Ivy trying her best to remember if there's anything else to add but there was nothing more.

"And what stuff?" she asked as she really had no idea what Ivy's referring to.

Ivy stared at Rinoa, an incredulous expression on her face. Was she oblivious or something? Yes, she probably was. Ivy shook her head, a bemused smile on her face. This will be fun to watch... Out loud, she said, "Come on, let's go meet them!" Ivy tugged on Rinoa's elbow and led her out onto the field where the two siblings where heading towards them, glancing over her shoulder to send Jasmine a wink.

Rinoa just went along with Ivy. She looked at Jasmine and smiled weakly, "Let's go?" After a few steps, Rinoa looked back at the two siblings, a light red shade appeared across her face then looked down to hide it. Rinoa does not have any idea why she was blushing, but yes, she was still being dragged by her friend to go meet the two others from the academy.