As the group approached the entrance to the city, the sound of applause and cheers filled the air. The residents, who had gathered to welcome the soldiers, waved flags and waved excitedly. The gleam in the people’s eyes and expressions of gratitude showed the trust they had in the army, especially in Takemichi and the veteran leaders who accompanied them.

Takemichi stood firm and proud, and the other leaders around him greeted the crowd with cordial gestures and respectful nods. Kay, who had recently assumed the position of leader, felt a little out of place. Although he was somewhat indifferent, he could not help but notice the weight of the people’s expectations. The glow of confidence they received seemed to be illuminated by the fireworks that began to explode in the sky, coloring the night with sparks of light.

As the group spread out through the festival, the soldiers gradually relaxed. Between laughter and some embarrassed faces at the unexpected recognition, they enjoyed themselves at the stalls with games, food, and traditional competitions. Kay, Mira, and the new recruits ended up meeting at a shooting range, attracted by the idea of a light challenge. She picked up the toy gun and got ready, with everyone around her watching her closely.

She aimed and fired, but the cork went wide of the target.

"You still have four more tries," Thais said, trying to cheer her up.

Mira took a deep breath, trying to concentrate. The second shot went even further away, and the third went off in an unexpected curve. The fourth and fifth, although better aimed, also missed.

Kay, who was watching silently from the side, couldn't help but smile slightly and ended up letting out a low laugh, which didn't go unnoticed by Mira.

She turned around, irritated and embarrassed. "If you think it's so easy, why don't you try it yourself?"

"Please don't do this, you've already taken one of my best toys!" said the owner of the stand, adjusting his cap and looking at Kay with a mixture of concern and resignation.

Kay glanced at the hanging prizes, noticing the largest one, a huge teddy bear, almost the size of a person. "I see... but the biggest prize is still there," he said, with a defiant smile.

Mira looked at him in surprise. "Have you been here before?"

"Yes," he replied, with a hint of pride. "I won a teddy bear once. It was big."

She raised an eyebrow, handing him the toy gun with a glint in her eye. "Then here! Win something for me too!"

Kay adjusted the toy gun, ignoring the huge teddy bear that took up most of the top shelf. Instead, he focused his eyes on a bracelet that hung next to it, a much less flashy prize, but one that looked perfect.

"Are you sure you don't want the bear?" Mira teased, a laugh tugging at the corner of her lips. "Since you bragged so much about the last one you won..."

Kay gave the bracelet a determined look, adjusting his aim again.

— I don't think a huge bear like that would fit in your room — he replied, focused. — It's a small prize, but pretty and much more elegant.

Concentrating on the target, he pulled the trigger. The cork flew, hitting the target with precision. Out of five shots he hit five, beating the goal of three to get the prize. The bracelet was taken off the shelf by the owner of the stall.

— Well, this one's for you — he said, handing the bracelet to Mira with a satisfied smile.

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Mira, surprised and slightly blushing, took the bracelet, adjusting it around her neck. She examined the discreet shine of the accessory and, even trying to hide it, she was clearly delighted.

“I expected nothing less,” she murmured, looking at him. “But don’t think this makes up for that laugh from earlier!”

Kay chuckled, somewhat regretful, but enjoyed the moment of victory.

Taking advantage of the excitement of the festival around her, Mira pulled Kay by the hand, guiding him to the next game booth, determined to make him make up for every laugh at her expense.

“You know I won’t go easy on you, right?” she warned as she chose the next game.

Kay raised an eyebrow, trying to keep an expression of someone who wasn’t intimidated.

“You can try all you want, I’m ready!” He laughed, but he knew Mira was just getting started.

They went through ring toss games, fishing, and even a kind of mini maze. With each new challenge, Mira seemed more focused on winning, and Kay couldn't help but tease her, laughing lightly every time she made a mistake — which only made her more determined.

Finally, after a series of intense matches, Mira held up a small plush toy, triumphant.

"This is the trophy of the night, and I'll make sure to remind you of that!" she said, waving the prize in front of him, as if it were a victory medal.

"Okay, okay... you win, Miss Festival Champion," Kay admitted, smiling, as they walked together through the illuminated square, surrounded by the laughter and joy of the people.

In the distance, fireworks began to light up the sky again, reflecting on the amused expressions of both of them, a simple moment, but full of genuine joy that they both knew they would cherish.

After a series of intense matches — where Mira insisted on challenging Kay and ended up losing, one game after another — he was now loaded with prizes and souvenirs that he had won for her. Teddy bears, colorful bracelets, small shiny keychains, and even an artificial flower made of fabric were piled up in their arms.

Finally, Mira managed to lift a small plush toy that she had won after several attempts.

"This is the trophy of the night, and I will make sure to remind you of that!" she said, waving the little animal in front of Kay, victorious, as if it were a medal.

Kay, although exhausted from the challenges and the amount of prizes she was balancing in her arms, smiled at her.

As Mira admired her prize and Kay arranged the rest of the souvenirs in her arms, the radio in each soldier's pocket rang with a characteristic crackle.

"Everyone back to the rendezvous point. Time to leave," Takemichi's voice announced, firm and clear.

Murmurs of disappointment quickly spread through the surrounding crowd. The atmosphere of farewell hung over the festival, but the soldiers, disciplined, began to gather and walk back, still amidst the applause and thanks of the population. Kay and Mira exchanged one last amused look, filled with memories of that night.

Soon, everyone left, returning to the base. The next morning.

The next morning, Kay entered the kitchen still rubbing her eyes, her expression sleepy.

"Good morning," she murmured, with a half smile.

— Good morning! — Mira replied, busy organizing the ingredients for the soldiers' breakfast.

Distracted and perhaps still half asleep, Kay approached and gave Mira a quick kiss, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her face immediately blushed, but before she could react, the head chef's voice sounded firm and amused at the same time:

— Ah-ah! No romance in my kitchen! — the woman exclaimed, waving a wooden spoon in the direction of the two.

Kay walked away, laughing, still looking a little embarrassed.

— Good morning! — he said again, more awake, while Mira hid her smile with a light cough, trying to maintain her composure and get back to work.

— What do you want in my kitchen, boy? If you came just to see her, you can get out! — the head chef retorted, pointing the wooden spoon at Kay.

Kay raised her hands in surrender, a lazy smile on her face.

— I woke up early and I have nothing to do — he replied. — I came to ask if you need help.

The boss raised an eyebrow, assessing the young man skeptically.

— You? Wanting to help? That's new.

Mira let out a discreet chuckle, while the boss sighed, still suspicious.

Mira chuckled, but soon regained her composure and looked at Kay with a serious expression.

— Kay, I think it's better if you don't stay here — she said, crossing her arms.

Kay tried to hide her disappointment, but insisted. Mira shook her head, with a restrained smile.

— Nothing like that. I want you to wait in the cafeteria, okay?

Kay sighed, defeated.

— Okay, okay. I'll go... — He turned to leave, but couldn't hide the sadness on his face as he walked to the cafeteria, with his hands in his pockets and a discouraged look.