Fairground Fun [Aug 2022 Prompt]

“Wanna go to the fair with me?” 

“No, thank you. I don’t want to be a third wheel. You are free to get me something on the way back,” Noel gives her brother a cheeky smile as she looks up from her drawing tablet. 

“You gotta go yourself or you don’t get anything. I thought I’d ask in case you feel lonely.” 

“I never feel lonely. Just go and have fun plus you always bring me something home anyways,” she was right, her twin brother, Noa, would never come home without buying a souvenir for his little sister. 

“Yeah yeah whatever you say, princess,” Noa ruffles his twin sister’s hair before leaving her alone. 

“Take care, Noa. Don’t embarrass yourself,” she says without taking her attention away from her screen.

“No, of course not,” he rolls his eyes at his sister’s remark.

 “See ya fuzzball. Good luck with your deadlines,” he gently exits his sister’s room to give her her space. Despite the way she looks, Noel is pretty stressed about her deadlines. Ordinary people usually won’t be able to tell but being her twin brother, it’s obvious to him.

Putting on his sneakers, Noa reminisces about the way they used to go to the fair together before Noel stopped leaving the house completely. They would always have a blast together, just the two of them with mom and dad. Now, they rarely get the chance to spend time together. It’s just how things are now. With the keys in his hand and a cap on his head paired with a pair of sunglasses, he sets off to the fairground. Disguises are very important to a well-known idol like him. 

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It’s the last few days before the fair ends so it wasn’t too busy. Perfect for someone as high profile as him to be out and about. It didn’t take long for him to get there and he checks the time on his phone to make sure he is on time. Noa was scheduled for a meeting at 3 PM and he still has about 10 minutes left. He checked his notifications, and there was a text message:

Umiko: Hey Noa~ I’m going to be a little bit late, filling out some contracts 😭 please feel free to take a look around without me, I’ll catch up later 🥺 

Me: Ok, just text me when you’re here. 

Umiko: Okie dokie! See you later! 💙✨ 

The little blue heart emote made his heart flutter. He puts his phone away before he starts catching even more feelings in public. His face is already flushed from the heat, he doesn’t need his crush making it worse. 

Noa was disappointed, to say the least. But what was he expecting? They’re both idols and idols and free time just never mixes well together. He sighs, it has been quite some time since he was invited out. Umiko, a fellow idol and a longtime crush of his, had invited him to the fair since she was given free tickets by one of her friends. It took him by surprise but it was nothing surprising coming from a free-spirited gal like her. He reluctantly accepted the invitation but was over the moon about it when he got home. Earning a few glares from his twin for being rowdy with excitement. Thankfully they weren’t supposed to meet until 3 PM so he still slept in. Now, he doesn’t even know if they’re going to meet at all. Knowing how contracts work, they always take longer than they really should. 

Noa furrows his fluffy eyebrows and looks forward towards the fair. Isn’t it weird to be at the fair alone? I totally look like a loser… he sighs again but he’s already here anyway, mind as well look around and calm his nerves a bit. He doesn’t even know when his date is going to arrive. He shook his head. Date? Getting a little bit ahead of yourself Noa. Just act cool and pretend this is a business trip. It was nothing near a business trip. 

Despite being the last day, the fair was bustling with families and friends all around. It’s filled with laughter, the smell of fried oily food, and music from the speakers. It made Noa feel a little bit nostalgic but at the same time, uncomfortable. He was never fond of crowds besides when he was standing on stage in front of one but it wasn’t anything he couldn't bear. He made his way around the different booths and tried some snacks that took his interest. He was particularly fond of the blueberry ice cream he got but nothing else really impressed him. 

In the distance, he can hear loud pop music playing. He pokes his head out of the crowd to see what’s going on. Usually, he wouldn’t care but the voice and tune just sounded too familiar. As he got closer to the stage he caught a glimpse of someone he is definitely familiar with. That was when it clicked. The orange-haired idol with her signature blue outfit. It was Juniper. From what he can see, she’s a very close friend of Umiko and she was probably the one who set her up with the free tickets. He quietly gives his thanks with a nod. He stuck around to listen to a few of her songs but eventually moved on to do some more exploring. Can’t be giving all his time to a rival. Although that’s technically what he’s doing right now, coming out to the fair with Umiko. 

Noa checks his phone once more. By now it is already 5 PM. Two hours since he got to the fair. He made sure he didn’t miss any text messages but once again, only met with disappointment. One spam message which he deleted, a text from Noel asking for matcha green tea on the way home, and zero from his beloved shark idol. He sighs as he puts his phone away in his pocket. Guess it’s a solo day for me. He’s had enough of the fair at this point despite only spending 2 hours looking around, lining up for food, and watching a mini-concert. He thought he mind as well head to the area with merchandise to get something for his little sister.

Noa isn’t really the type to play the mini-games to win the prizes. He’s here alone with no one to impress so he preferred to simply buy something nice that is guaranteed to be his. The merchandise area is filled with a variety of things. From jewelry to plushies of all sorts. Knowing his sister, it’ll always be a plushie. He spots a giant carrot plush and decides to pick that one out just for her. Oh, she is so gonna love this one! He got what he came for and even though plans aren’t really going the way he wanted to, it’s fine this way. He thought about waiting out the rest of the day to see if his date would be able to make it. Never thought I’d be so let down because I got ditched by the person I like. He sighs one last time in defeat.

Before leaving the souvenir stalls, he spots a shiny trinket that caught his eye. It was a star-shaped pendant made out of some sort of blue crystal. It reminded him of a certain someone. The store clerk approached him as she saw him staring at the shiny jewelry, “Hello dear, are you interested in that pendant right there?” It brought him out of his thoughts. “Oh. Yes, the star-shaped one. I’d like to purchase it,” he gives her a nervous smile with a hint of red on his cheeks. 

✿ ✿ ✿

Noa stares at the pendant in his hand on a bench away from the crowd. The sun is starting to set and there is no sign of anyone looking to meet up. He felt a little bit disheartened but it wasn’t anything that he took personally. He understands the situation that he’s in. Being idols isn’t easy, he felt a little silly for coming out here alone. At least he got something for his sister that she’ll definitely love and appreciate. He still has that giant carrot plush in his arms, gaining a few glances towards him. Before he can continue his train of thoughts, he hears a soft voice coming from behind him. 

“Is Mr. Bunny not happy with his giant carrot?” she giggles. 

Noa jumps out of his seat at the voice. “Don’t scare me like that, Umiko. I thought you weren’t coming. I was about to go home! You really think I have all the time in the world for you huh?” He was just super flustered. He didn't mean any of that. He always will have time for her. 

And she knows it.

 “I’m sorry Noa, I got really caught up in the contracts even on my days off. I can’t catch a break at all. I’ll make it up to you, I promise!” 

“It’s whatever, don’t worry about it. I understand,” he looks away but the sunglasses aren’t able to hide the way he takes glances at her. 

“Now, shall we get going? We still have a lot of time left! I’ll make sure the hours you spent waiting for me weren’t wasted!” Umiko grins from ear to ear. 

“You better make up for it!” 

I guess I’ll give her the pendant next time.