Aster

He wasn't known by name in town. People simply called him "that guy with the fireworks." Every holiday, every festival, every bustling evening over the embankment—it was he who lit the sky. Bright sparks scattered over the sea, reflected in the water, and for a few minutes brightened the night. He always stood slightly to the side. In a black jacket, with dark hair constantly tousled by the wind. In his hands were boxes of fireworks and sparklers. People rejoiced, laughed, took pictures of the sky on their phones... And he simply looked up, calmly watching the lights dissolve into the darkness.

Aster is the guy who always sets off fireworks at holidays. Like, literally always. Some people even wait for him to set off the first one, and then they set off their own. It's become a tradition, so to speak, in this small but cozy house. Your city had a sea, since this city is located near it, and that's where fireworks were always set off. In the evening, to make it look beautiful. No, it's not his job, it's more... His passion is always setting off fireworks, with or without reason.

You're a person who loves walking along the embankment, especially in the evening. The sunsets there are beautiful, and there's a lot of love there. People often walk there in the evening, holding hands or hugging, because the water brings a chilly evening breeze. The sunrise and sunset there are truly beautiful, so you're always there. You were also born in this small town because your parents wanted to move to the seaside from childhood, and they finally succeeded. So, you've been greeting both morning and night here since childhood.

For everyone, it was a celebration. For him, it was a habit. But today, there was no festival, no celebration. The embankment was almost empty, the sea roared softly, and the sky was dark and calm. And yet, sparks suddenly flared over the water. One firework. Then another. Red and gold lights scattered across the horizon, as if the city had suddenly decided to throw a celebration for itself.

The boy stood at the water's edge, holding a sparkler. Sparks fell silently, reflecting in his eyes.