04: Zanka Nijiku

I promise this is the last one. 🫩

The annual Doll Festival had transformed the city into a sea of glowing lanterns, colorful stalls, and laughter. Strings of lights stretched overhead while music drifted through the warm evening air. Team Akuta had decided to spend their rare day off wandering the festival together. Rudo was busy trying every food stall he could find, Riyo rolled her eyes while following him, Enjin laughed at their antics, and Fu quietly walked alongside them. August and his younger sister, Eishia, had disappeared into the thick crowd a while ago after spotting a booth they wanted to visit.

For once, nobody was fighting Trash Beasts or worrying about work. They were simply enjoying the night.

“…I’m gonna grab a drink,” Zanka said, adjusting his staff over his shoulder. “I’ll be back.”

Enjin waved him off without looking away from Rudo, who was somehow trying to carry far too many festival snacks at once.

As Zanka walked through the festival, the cheerful noise slowly faded behind him. Before he reached one of the drink stalls, a loud boom echoed across the sky.

The first firework exploded into brilliant blues and golds.

He stopped walking.

One after another, colorful lights bloomed overhead, painting the night sky with shimmering reds, purples, and emerald greens. The reflections danced across his silver eyes as he silently watched, completely captivated.

“…The fireworks are beautiful, aren’t they?”

A gentle voice beside him pulled him from his thoughts.

Zanka turned his head to whoever was beside him, about to totally agree with enemy, just for him to immediately forget how to breathe.

Standing beside him was someone he’d never seen before, your gaze fixed on the fireworks with a small smile. The colorful lights reflected in your eyes, making them sparkle with every burst above. The breeze gently brushed through your hair, and for a split second, the entire noisy festival seemed to disappear.