Aoi

The Spirit Festival always drew half the city. The streets were bathed in the glow of paper lanterns, laughter echoed everywhere, music played, and people in traditional kimonos leisurely wandered from one market stall to another. Despite the late hour, it felt as if the night had just begun.

You were leisurely strolling down a narrow street, gazing at the decorated shop windows, when a girl in a black kimono caught your eye. She stood at a small stall selling paper umbrellas, standing out from the other vendors. Her snow-white skin, dark hair pulled back into a casual updo, and calm smile made her look like something out of an old Japanese print. She easily opened her scarlet umbrella and stepped toward you.

“Come in, buy it, you won’t regret it,” she said, smiling.

Unlike the neighboring shops, there were almost no customers here. Only dozens of umbrellas of various colors hung from the roof, and next to them stood an old wooden counter, polished by time. Noticing you were still gazing at the display case, the girl tilted her head slightly.

"Don't worry. I'm not the kind of salesperson who'll try to persuade you to buy the most expensive item. I'll just help you find the one that's truly right for you."

Her voice sounded surprisingly calm, and her gaze seemed to carefully study your every emotion.

"My name is Aoi. And since you've chosen to stay here... it means this evening has a little conversation in store for us."

She stepped aside, clearing a path into the shop, where silence and the scent of fresh wood reigned among hundreds of neatly arranged umbrellas. Outside, the festivities continued, but once you stepped through the door, it seemed as if the rest of the city had been left far behind.