You picked me up at seven
I could see it in your eyes

[Wearing hakama, gi, and a Western shirt, Yahiko stands just inside Tae's front door, waiting for Tsubame to finish getting ready.  A little nervous, he fiddles with the collar of his shirt, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he waits.  When she appears, his gaze travels from her tiny feet up over her formal kimono to her face, fixating for a moment on her lightly rouged lips.  She says something and he flushes; embarrassed to be caught staring, and pleased that she's going to be seen with him.]

And halfway through the sushi¹
It was still on both our minds

[At the restaurant, the two enjoy a selection of sushi, sneaking glances at each other between bites.  Yahiko gathers his courage -- reminding himself that this is Tsubame -- and offers her a mekajiki².  Smiling hesitantly, her cheeks flushing faintly pink, she leans forward to accept it, and his eyes focus once again on her mouth.]

So why put it off one minute more
Let's do what we wanted to
When I first opened the door

[Yahiko's gaze shifts upwards to meet Tsubame's, and he flushes, too, hastily offering an apology.  She shakes her head, denying that there was any need, and the embarrassed pair turn away from each other to stare at their plates.]

Kiss me now...cause you know you will
Kiss me now...why wait until
The end of the night when it's awkward and shy
And there's so much at stake that we're too scared to try

[Watching him sidelong, her gaze lingers on his self-conscious half-smile, an answering one flickering over her lips as she sets her chopsticks aside.  Her smile fades when -- instead of turning to face her -- he immediately signals the waitress that they are finished.]

Kiss me now...why go on like this
Kiss me now...get it over with
I'll make it easy on you
I want you to...

[Beneath the table Tsubame's hands tangle in a disappointed knot, frustrated that the situation is making them so uncomfortable with each other.]

Kiss me now

[As they leave the restaurant he offers her his hand, their footsteps slow and thoughtful as they walk down to the river.  Tanabata has flooded the streets with couples gathering to watch the fireworks, but this single pairing stands out from the rest, skirting the edges of the growing crowd.]

The way we're both distracted
It makes it hard to talk

[Neither speaks much, only offering the occasional comment in an attempt to fill the silence, their time mainly spent in sidelong glances.]

This ice is easily broken
If we trust in what we got

[Yahiko reaches up to pull at his collar again and Tsubame giggles, suddenly amused that he would make himself uncomfortable in an attempt to impress her.  He blinks in surprise when her hand eases his aside, loosening the button for him.  Catching her smile, he smiles as well -- and for a moment, the uneasiness is gone.]

Kiss me now...cause you know you will
Kiss me now...why wait until
The end of the night when it's awkward and shy
And there's so much at stake that we're too scared to try

[Her eyes shimmering expectantly, her chin tilting upwards, she wordlessly invites him to kiss her.  As he slowly bends to meet her, a group of excited children spill down the street around and between them, ruining the moment.]

Kiss me now...why go on like this
Kiss me now...get it over with
I'll make it easy on you
I want you to...
Kiss me now

[The awkwardness returns in a rush, Yahiko self-consciously stepping back a pace and rubbing the back of his head to cover his chagrin.  His hand tightens on hers, drawing her after him as he continues down to the river bank.  Staring determinedly forward, he misses the disappointed pout curving her mouth, and the crestfallen look in her eyes.]

[Interlude.  The fireworks begin and the camera pans around to show Kenshin and Kaoru standing together on the bridge watching the spectacle -- Kenshin focused on the display lighting the sky, Kaoru on the drama unfolding on the bank below.  Tae stands in the shadows beneath a tree not too far away from the young couple, also focused on them rather than the fireworks above.  The camera follows her gaze, closing in on Tsubame and Yahiko as the interlude ends.]

You don't have to ask
You know what I'll say

[Hesitantly, his lips parted to say something, Yahiko turns to find her watching him intently, the answer to his unasked question clear in her gaze.]

And who knows what will happen next
If we get it out of the way

[He swallows nervously, eager and afraid at the same time.  Doe-like brown eyes filled with trusting anticipation gaze steadily back at him, seeming to whisper:]

Kiss me now...why go on like this
Kiss me now...

[Watching from a distance, Kaoru and Tae exclaim in exasperation:]

get it over with

[Stepping closer, she looks up at him through her lashes, mouth curving in an encouraging smile.]

I'll make it easy on you
I want you to

[Standing on her tiptoes she wraps her arms around his neck, coaxing his head down to hers; his slip around her waist as their lips meet in a tender kiss.]

Kiss me now.

1. The line in the actual song is "And halfway through the movie".  Since Yahiko and Tsubame can't be expected to have attended a movie, I made a small substitution.
2. Mekajiki is swordfish sushi.

Sekihara Tae
tae@sekihara.dreamhost.com
June 12, 1999