Fireworks Beneath the Night Sky
When I arrived at the meeting spot, Haydee was waiting with sacks of money.
Tell me.
...Huh?
As you can see, I've got plenty of money.
If there's something you want, say it.
...Where did I get it from?
In case you forgot, I'm the Vice President of the Morrel Ocean Traders.
If I want money, I can get as much as I want.
So, what do you want to buy?
...Nothing?
...Hmph.
Fine. Tell me when you think of something.
So? Where to?
The first place we went to was a whack-a-mole stall.
You bonk the moles that pop up!
...What?
Bonk the moles? Why?
The score goes up? So what?
*...Sigh*
I didn't say I wouldn't do it.
Don't look at me with that abandoned-puppy face.
Ngh...! I missed...!
These moles... They're seriously getting on my nerves.
Another round.
You got this...!
Well? Fun, right?
...Not bad.
Where to next?
The next stall we visited was a shooting gallery.
Shoot down the plushies to take them home!
...I don't particularly want them.
Do you? Then I'll just buy them.
Hey, shopkeeper.
Yes? Want to have a go?
How much do you want for your shop?
Wait!!
After talking her down from buying the stall, we wandered and enjoyed the festival.
Haydee looked as offish as ever, but she tagged along the entire time without a single complaint.
...What? Why are you looking at me like that?
You seem to be enjoying yourself.
...Huh? Me?
No way.
I'm only paying you back for last time.
That face of yours... it's annoying.
Why are you grinning like that?
...Because enjoying the festival together is fun?
...That's dumb. You're wasting time and money—
Stop smiling like that! It's stupid and gross...!
Hmph. When do the fireworks you were talking about start?
Any minute now!
A short while later, an announcement came on and the fireworks began.
As both the crowd's cheers and fireworks explosions were at their peak...
...So this is NOA's fireworks.
Pretty, right?
...It's not bad.
Fireworks are... like flowers in the sky, in the end.
...And I don't dislike flowers.
You could just be honest and say they're pretty.
...Hmph.
Haydee scoffed and folded her arms, but she didn't look displeased.
Excuse me! Passing through!
Ah...!
A merchant carrying a box bumped into the crowd, sending paper ornaments into the air.
One of the pieces fluttered down and settled on Haydee's head.
...What's this?
Ngh...! D-don't touch my head...!
Who said you could pat me?
...Hmph. I'm not... upset.
Just a little startled.
Next time, say that from the start. I'll get the wrong idea.
...?!
...Hey. This time you really patted me, didn't you?
Um, no? I just found another paper bit.
*Sigh...*
Know when to quit, okay?
...Next time I'll really get mad.
Haydee growled, yet didn't dodge my hand.
Far off, fireworks bloomed and cheers rolled.
We stood side by side and watched the sky.