The Night of Firework

Evening streets glowing with festival lights]

Lanterns sway in the warm summer breeze. The air is filled with laughter, music, and the scent of food.

Ren (narration):

> “I never liked crowds. I never liked noise.

But that night… for the first time, I didn’t mind being part of it.”

He waits near the street corner, nervously fixing his collar. The clock ticks to 9:00 PM.

A soft voice behind him:

Aoi:

> “Did you wait long?”

Ren turns — and for a moment, time feels still.

Aoi stands in a red yukata, her hair tied back loosely, the paper lanterns reflecting in her eyes.

Ren:

> “N-no… not really.”

Aoi (smiling):

> “You always say that. Let’s go before everything closes!”

They walk together under the lanterns, passing children, food stalls, and colorful fireworks stalls.

Aoi:

> “I love this place. It feels like the world forgets to be sad here.”

Ren (quietly):

> “Yeah... maybe.”

She buys takoyaki, handing him one.

Aoi:

> “Try it before it gets cold.”

Ren (taking a bite):

> “Hot—! …but good.”

She laughs softly, the kind of laugh that stays in your head long after it’s gone.

---

[Scene 2 – Ocean bench near the festival]

They leave the crowd behind. The ocean stretches endlessly under the moonlight. The fireworks shimmer in the reflection of the waves.

The two sit quietly, listening to the rhythm of the sea.

Aoi:

> “Ren… may I tell you something important?”

Ren:

> “What is it?”

She hesitates, gripping her sleeve tightly.

Aoi (softly):

> “I’m sick. A brain condition... It’s getting worse.”

Ren freezes. The sound of the fireworks feels distant now, almost hollow.

Ren:

> “What… do you mean?”

Aoi (smiling faintly):

> “Don’t look so worried. I’m used to it.

I just wanted you to know. Tonight… I didn’t want to hide anything.”

The fireworks burst above them, painting the sky pink and gold. She looks up, eyes glimmering.

Aoi:

> “Thank you for coming with me, Ren.

I wanted my heart to remember a night like this.”

Ren can’t speak. He only looks at her — memorizing the way the colors fall across her face.

Ren (inner voice):

> “Why tell me this now? Why me?”

A final firework explodes — a soft pink blossom fading into the night.

Aoi (whispering):

> “Beautiful… just like the last petal before it falls.”

---

[Scene 3 – Later that night, returning home]

The walk back is quiet. The streets are empty now, only the echo of their footsteps remains.

They stop near their apartment doors — side by side.

Aoi (softly):

> “I’m glad we came tonight. Thank you, Ren.”

Ren (barely audible):

> “…Yeah.”

She gives a small bow and smiles before walking inside. The door closes gently.

Ren (narration):

> “I stood there for a long time… staring at her door.

My mind was filled with noise.

That smile she gave me… it was hiding something deeper.”

---

[Scene 4 – Later, inside Ren’s room]

Ren sits on his bed, the dim light barely illuminating his face. He stares at the ceiling.

Ren (to himself):

> “Why only me? Why tell me that?

I can’t understand her… and yet, I can’t stop thinking about her.”

The faint echo of fireworks fades in the distance, leaving only the sound of silence.

He turns to his window — faintly, the light from Aoi’s room flickers through the curtain.

Ren (narration):

> “Even though I couldn’t see her…

that light told me she was still there"

The scene fades — the moon hanging quietly above Tokyo, its light touching both their windows.

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