The Summer Bonfire Festival (Year 20)

Akito was not known for butting in where he didn't belong, but just as he had for the Yearling Ball, he would attend the Summer Bonfire Festival as well. Tagging along behind any of the yearlings that would like to go, Akito had kept it a secret that he too had been wanting to go. Though his fur was typically well kept and clean, he had spent some extra time looking rather nice for the evening. His nails cleaned up, horns waxed, and tail brushed until he couldn't stand it anymore. There was even a hint of cherry blossom lingering around his chest that he brushed off as a side effect of cleaning up the falling branches.

Feeling the pitter patter of his heart on the journey up was something he wished would go away. After his last encounter with Clove, he wasn't even sure she'd be there. Was she doing any better after the dingo disaster? Staying stoic as usual, he doesn't hesitate as they cross the southern border along the plains. Stars twinkle overhead, guiding their way to the massive pile of wood that stood shadowed against the fading pink horizon. His eyes scan the gathering wolves, slightly on guard at the scent of packs he didn't know. Making sure to keep an eye on the younger Tojo members, Akito doesn't stop looking until he sees her.

Stopping in his tracks, he watches as Clove interacts with her family. He's not one to make a scene so he wonders if he should wait until she's done. Would that just make him a scaredy cat? His brother, Erik, was already standing over there with one of the other girls he faintly remembered. Akito is actually surprised that Erik had made it this far south from Boreas during this time of year.

After a few moments of hesitating, Akito takes a deep breath, gathers his courage and walks over to where Erik, Ember, and Clove stand near Artorias. Before he acknowledges the group, he nods respectfully to Artorias. They haven't met officially yet, but he wasn't sure what terms he and Clove were even on yet to be worrying about that. Next he nods to Ember and Erik, a brief hello that is standard for him and his brother. Then, finally, he looks to Clove, a brief hint of a smile on his features as he shifts closer to the smaller girl. "Clove," Akito breathes, feeling more nervous as he notices how beautiful she looks. "That pendant is nice," he comments because why would he be anything but awkward?