Yasushi descended the stairs, lost in his thoughts. As he rounded its bend, a book smacked him on the side of his head. The impact threw him off-balance, sending him tumbling down the remaining steps until he landed face-first on the library's cold floor. Taichi sat perched on a nearby table, cream puff pastry in hand, bursting into laughter at the sight. Lacking the will to confront Taichi's antics, he pushed himself upright and headed toward the exit. Confused by Yasushi's muted reaction, Taichi crammed the remaining pastry into his mouth and leaped over the table, blocking Yasushi's path.

  He rolled his eyes at Taichi, irritated by his interference. "I'm not in the mood for this right now. What do you want? Why are you even here?"

  "Just curious. You seemed distracted while in the grand hall, so I followed you after you left. I'm surprised you even came back here..."

  Taichi paused, searching his pockets to pull out a chicken leg wrapped in cloth with a side of barbecue sauce. After pouring the sauce onto the meat, he took a bite, chewing as he resumed speaking to him. "Though it sucks I wasn't able to meet your wife. Where is she now? Is she alright?"

  Yasushi hesitated, torn between his desire to confide and obedience. "I... uhhh... Just leave me alone, will ya. I'm not in the mood for your questioning."

  Casually wiping crumbs and sauce from the corners of his mouth with his sleeve, Taichi smiled. "Well, can I stay over tonight? King Izimaru and your father got pretty sloppy and passed out on the table. King Masahiko and my parents are gonna stay at the royal inn for the night. Hahaha and Megumi refuses to leave."

  Yasushi motioned to step around him as Taichi shifted into his path, blocking the attempt. "So, can I stay?"

  Lamplight from the tall bookcases sculpted deep contrasts across both their faces, highlighting Yasushi's exhaustion and Taichi's persistent curiosity. After another moment's pause, Yasushi unwillingly groaned

  ".... Sure, whatever. I don't care, but don't think you'll be sleeping in my bed!"

  Taichi scoffed and stepped aside, allowing him to move forward. "As if! I already planned on taking the spare bedroom near yours.”

  As he spoke, Yasushi's eyes quickly diverted back to the staircase. The earlier outburst still reverberated in his mind, adding to the guilt weighing heavily on his heart.

  “Hey! Are you listening? I said the fireworks are about to begin, let's go grab a good spot."

  “Yeah, yeah. I heard you the first time,” Yasushi responded, quickening his pace to catch up with him.

  They exited the library together embracing the festival sounds growing louder around them. Excitement buzzed through the palace grounds as people gathered for the fireworks display. Walking side by side, Taichi watched Yasushi's distracted countenance, clumsily bumping into the onlookers. Annoyed, he grabbed Yasushi's arm, pulling him through the bustling crowd toward the palace garden.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Unable to see over the mass of heads, Taichi scanned the area for the others.

  "TAICHI! YASUSHI! OVER HERE! LOOK UP!"

  Koba's voice sliced through the crowd's chatter. Looking up, the boys spotted him perched atop the garden's gazebo. Taichi tightened his grip on Yasushi's sleeve, weaving through the throng of people towards it. As they approached, Koba and Sachiko extended their hands, beckoning them to jump.

  Using his natural agility, Yasushi easily vaulted onto the gazebo's roof.

  Taichi bent his knees, determination written across his face. He launched himself upward with all his strength, barely lifting centimeters off the ground, unable to reach their outstretched hands.

  Koba grinned, watching Taichi huff and wheeze on the ground after several failed attempts. "I told ya, you need to lose weight fatty!"

  Sachiko peered down at Taichi's condition worried while Megumi clustered around Yasushi, ignoring the commotion below.

  Taichi glared at Koba, catching his breath. He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a corndog, pointing it at him. "Research proves that ladies prefer guys with dad bods!" Bringing the corndog to his mouth, he devoured it in one swift motion, tossing the stick into the nearby trashcan. "You're just mad you're ugly and I'm the preference!"

  Triggered by Taichi's insult, Koba moved downward to challenge him. Leaping forward, he was jerked back onto the gazebo's roof, caught off guard by Sachiko's wind resistance.

  "Taichi! Stop messing around. The fireworks are starting any second now! Remove all that food from your pockets and get your fat ass up here!"

  Tears welled up in Taichi's eyes. "But... Sachiko! These were my snacks! What am I supposed to eat while watching?!" he whined, pulling food and condiments from his pockets. The items piled high above his knees in a small mountain of snacks, meats and sauces.

  "I'll buy you Kakigori and a funnel cake if you can get up here in the next 5 seconds," Sachiko boldly teased, lowering his arm. "You can even get as many toppings as you'd like!"

  Newfound energy surged through Taichi. He took several steps back and sprinted toward the gazebo. At the peak of his sprint, he leapt, grasping Sachiko's hand and scrambled onto the roof.

  Barely settled, the first firework went off, lightening the sky in vibrant colors. Koba, Sachiko and Taichi sat transfixed by the dazzling display overhead, their faces illuminated by each explosion of light.

  Megumi scooted to Yasushi's side. Her cheeks flushed as she leaned against him, gently taking hold of his hand. Yasushi tensed at her touch, discomfort burning in his stomach.

  The cool night's air carried the oohs and aahs of the crowd's fascination with the extravagant show. Above them, the sky became a theater of magical artistry as elaborate fireworks painted scenes of mythical creatures and flowering gardens. Precipitating waterfalls of silver light poured between floating lotus blossoms while flexuous ribbons of copper and blue waved across the horizon.

  Yasushi stared at his lap, his free hand forming a fist against his leg.

  Taichi glanced sideways, watching Yasushi's apathy expand.

  He's acting so weird today. He's a spoiled brat who gets what he wants whenever he wants it… but he's way too worked up about that girl. Earlier, he even got into it with Koba. Yasushi never loses his cool like that.

  Bringing his focus back to the spectacle, his eyes narrowed.

  Could it be... he's not lying?