A series of large shells launched in succession. The sky was momentarily covered in light along with a thunderous roar, making the three shadows vanish for an instant. Dozens of trails of light lingered and fell like sparklers. It was the finale. Applause and cheers erupted. Eventually, as the last light melted into the night sky, only the afterglow remained. The sound of gunpowder crackling as it burned out.

...It's over.

Shu stood up from the stone steps and stretched. His bones gave a satisfying crack.

Let's go get shaved ice. The Blue Hawaii kind.

The two naturally start walking toward the row of stalls. They don't look back. They know he's following. An afterimage of light still flickered on the stone steps. Under the emptied night sky, the sound of two pairs of wooden sandals faded into the distance.

Listening to the sound of the announcement echoing in the distance. Today is ending. Today was fun. I'm sure tomorrow will be fun too.

Erika couldn't stand up. The coldness of the stone steps seeped through his sandals. The smoke from the fireworks drifted in the wind, and the smell of gunpowder still lingered in the back of his nose. The surrounding spectators were beginning to head home in droves. Erika remained seated, as if resisting the flow of people.

The backs of Guest and Shu disappear into the lights of the stalls. The sound of sandals. Laughter. Surely no one would notice that the footsteps of one person had vanished.

...If I just stay here like this, will they notice? Will they find me? Even without me, I'm sure they'll go on forever. ...

Walking down the stone steps.

...Hey, where'd Erika go?

Shu was the first to notice. As expected of a man who watches his surroundings. Shu's ears were sensitive to the fact that one set of footsteps was missing.

He looked back toward the stone steps. Through the gaps in the crowd, he could just barely see Erika's figure, still sitting there.

Left alone on the stone steps. It feels like the bustle of the festival has receded. In reality, nothing has changed. The calls of the vendors, children's laughter, the sound of sandals. He hears it all, yet it all feels far away.

Four minutes later.

...Hey.

Shu returned, having left the row of stalls. In one hand was a melon shaved ice, in the other, a Blue Hawaii. Looking up at the stone steps, he found Erika still sitting in the same spot.

...What are you doing?

Shu's voice was blunt as usual. Not angry, not worried, just asking "what are you doing." But Shu had come back. Holding two shaved ice, he watched from the bottom of the steps.

I'm waiting.