Itsuki went back into a position to shoot the next target. Though, so effortlessly he hit the five. Number ten was not budging. He used all two remaining corks. A deep furrow line came on his forehead for the first time ever.

  I walked over to him.

  “Aww….I will win it for you!” I said expressing pity at the guy.

  Itsuki surprisingly did not reply to my remark and stepped back.

  “You can do it Rory!!” My mom shouted.

  “Yes, Roryyy!!” Athena cheered along.

  I walked over and stood a little further this time. I noticed that the trick was to hit in the right position. With my right eye as aim I leaned and positioned myself. My trigger finger is steady and breathing stable. I inhaled and exhaled as I released the trigger.

  It hit the target just the same as Itsuki’s. Dropping right down on the floor. The target did not budge.

  I turned over to look at Itsuki, who seemed to be very closely looking at my shot. He was not smiling or teasing anymore. As if he would be analysing what went wrong.

  I did not let that discourage me and stood slightly closer this time but still in the right range. I leaned and again used my right eye to aim at the target. Body steady, breathing correct I took a shot. And again the same thing happened. The target was shot but it did not budge.

  “No waa-ay!” Athena exclaimed.

  “You both hit it but it did not budge!” Rio exclaimed loudly.

  I met my gaze with Itsuki. Our expressions now were matching. Furrow in our foreheads with a dumbfounded feeling of what had just happened.

  “Let us have a go!” Athena did not care about results. Happily enjoying the time spent.

  She went in there next. Rio, Dina and Marco joined her.

  I stepped aside and stood next to Itsuki.

  The guy who owned the stall came over to us and gave us each a small sized penguin. We did win the number five after all. With expressions that were furthest away from winners we simultaneously looked at our plushies.

  “Itsuki…Rory!” My mom came up to us. “Winning is not everything.” She said, patting me and then Itsuki on shoulder.

  I did not reply.

  “Maybe you are right…” Itsuki silently said, nodding.

  I definitely did not agree with her statement and passed the penguin to her.

  “Here. You can keep it.” I gave the penguin to my mom.

  She looked at me with her knowing mothers eyes and let out a sigh. She did not mention it but took the plushie out of hands.

  “Mom…do you want to go home?” I asked her.

  “Home?” Rio peeked his head hearing me mention home.

  I ignored him looking at my mom.

  “You probably want to be more free around your friends…” My mom started to say.

  “I don’t mind you staying. Your hands are so cold. That paper coat you have is not doing the job.” I said.

  “To be fair I feel cold looking at it.” Itsuki agreed.

  “A little bit longer…” My mom was not ready to go yet.

  Eventually no one could hit the number ten. Athena tried her first shot and went off the target. Second one as well. Miraculously her third did hit the ten but she did not win any prizes. Though, her expression did not change. She was happy all the same.

  Then Rio tried. His first shot did land but it did not budge. The second one he did not even get on any target. Third one he hit on number seven but as well did not budge, slightly grazing it.

  Then Marco had something different in mind. He targeted six, it landed and he won that one. The next one was seven, landed but did not hit. Then eight was the same, it landed but the target did not budge.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Dina decided not to like the game and did not play.

  After that we went to find different stalls.

  There was one called catch the goldfish. Players are given a small, shallow net made of thin paper stretched over a frame. The goal is to scoop live goldfish from a water filled basin without tearing the paper. As soon the paper tears attempt ends.

  I skipped this one. I don’t like touching fish.

  Then we tried to do some good old ring toss games. It was very easy so I, Itsuki, my mom even had a go, Athena…then Rio, Marco and Dina all happened to win small prizes. I was not surprised. It was that easy.

  After that one we went to try different types of street foods.

  I wanted to have a caramel apple. I got one from my mom too.

  Athena liked the chocolate one.

  Surprisingly, Itsuki did not try that one. He participated in games but did not eat the snacks. Somehow, I found that to be mysterious. Everything about him was like a mystery.

  Eventually my mom had enough.

  Me and Itsuki walked her home. We parted from the rest of the group but eventually said to meet us in an hour.

  Once my mom was warm and cozy at home, we returned to the festival. Playing more games and trying out foods. Even though my mom left, the rest of people in our group remained. Someone else joined our group. The infamous crush of Athena’s.

  “I remember…your back…” I nodded at Julius.

  “I remember Athena mentioned you are friends.” Julius replied, voice calm and quiet. The eyes were looking at me but his stare felt empty. Like he was looking through me.

  “My name is Itsuki.” He walked at the front of me, blocking Julius from looking at me and introduced himself.

  Julius looked at Itsuki with a careful stare. Almost like assessing him.

  Itsuki seemed not to care.

  “Be friendly!” Athena suddenly intercepted herself between them, smiling innocently.

  On that Julius seemed to soften looking at Athena’s back. It was very obvious whatever crush Athena had on this guy was mutual.

  “I know right!” Rio suddenly appeared next to me. Looking at the same thing I was.

  “They should get a room!” He exclaimed.

  Itsuki heard that and turned over to Rio.

  “I thought they already sealed the deal?” He asked.

  “The longing and zero progress is so sad to look at.” Rio shook his head as if this was the most obvious boring thing he had witnessed.

  “Shut it already!” Dina came to him and flicked Rio’s head.

  “Ouch!” Rio shouted, running further away from her.

  “As if you two were not the same.” Itsuki pointed at Rio and Dina.

  That made them both look at each other. Their both faces simultaneously changed as if they had smelled something in the air. Then bursting into sarcastic laughter and walking away.

  “Typical!” Athena pointed at them two agreeing with Itsuki.

  “What are we doing now?” Marco called out to us from behind.

  “Firework show is at nine.” Athena announced.

  “That’s pretty soon!” Rio looked at the clock on his phone.

  “Let’s go! On the way we can see all the lightshows!” Athena was eager to walk and enjoy every little bit today.

  While seeing Athena’s cheerful and bubbly persona today, I couldn’t help but silently observe. The other night she asked for my help. Crying and pleading so sorrowfully. Showing her wound was still wide and open and bleeding silently whilst echoing that cheerful smile of hers.

  Athena's story of her dad and little sister that were now somewhere out of reach. If that happened around ten years ago. Athena would be the age of nine. Still very young and naive. Maybe not fully looking at the world and not seeing its truthful colors yet.

  The picture of her parents that may be hidden well from her. Built in her head a family without imperfection suddenly left open and broken. I couldn’t take it at face value even if she believed it’s true.

  A child's mind will always paint their parents in the greatest light. Especially, if that parent was nothing but a good role model to them.

  It could be possible that what they were presented was the truth. That her dad truly had an affair and died while running away from Akasia.

  As much as I want to not to be involved. Not to reach the real truth. Because it’s not the business of a technology development student to observe history. To search for answers about a city that may be a passing stage of my life.

  Akasia is my destination to study in a university for the first time in my life. To explore the world. A world from a city that doesn’t exist outside its walls.

  My dad Sano told me to study here. Explore the real world and eventually I will understand what I want to do. Why technology development though? Why did he specifically want me to study this course?

  Sano has been behind a conspiracy of an murder. Of the city’s main families, tragedy no less. It used to be his hometown.

  Reigen mentioned that Akasia likes to hide the truth. To build a reality that is a necessity. Necessity for developing people with the most potential. So they can be smart enough to work in their research facilities. When working in one they sign long listed NDA’s. If breached there’s consequences.

  What are those consequences if not to be hurt and silenced.

  Boom!

  The fireworks show began. One after another lights appear in the air twinkling for a second, disappearing ever so slightly. A shrill and a whistle split in the air, then burst.

  Boom!

  Like fragile wishes of beautiful flowers blooming in the night sky. The darkness covering the light shows so perfectly still. Sights of the dark. The light shows blooming up in the air again and again, fleeting in the air and falling after sound is gone. A shrill and a whistle split in the air!

  Boom!

  Like gunfire the crack of fireworks echoed its bangs loudly. Beneath it’s multiple vivid colour shows no one noticed how I held my breath. The truth settled before my eyes and mind. The beauty of the light mixed with the dangerous sound danced above the city. Glimpsing at its dual sparks. Glowing and dispersing with a loud bang.

  It was a night of festivities. We enjoyed a lot of food and played fun games. Saw amazing lights and festivals that are not here so often. Passing the key to a younger generation to rule and grow.

  Then the fireworks ended. This was a cue for all us to move on.

  Our group all walked to the seaside together. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood today. Enjoying the festivities and bonding with others. Not only our group but the people all around Akasia. Today feeling like a fresh breath of air from the mundane day to day responsibilities. One day where everything else was put on pause. To be in the moment. Breathe the cold autumn…very soon winter air.

  Athena walked right beside me, letting out a long tired breath.

  “Tonight was so fun guys!” She said and tapped my shoulder with that happy smile of hers.