The hours till sundown were filled with the hustle and bustle of people of all kinds rushing around making last minute preparations for tonight's festival, but for us, Isabelle and I simply found ourselves heading for a spot she knew where we could build a lantern of our own.

When we came to it, many other people were already there, it seemed this was something everyone participated in, so there wasn't an issue finding an open spot to start.

Isabelle seemed rather eager, and I was too in a way, as she explained her plan on colors and designs.

“… I’m not sure, I wanted to make something that had meaning for us, but I couldn’t really come up with anything.” Isabelle said in thought while the paint brush tapped her chin.

I was more surprised she didn’t get embarrassed over saying ‘us’ but it definitely looked like she was just to busy thinking about her lantern.

"… the ink doesn’t write itself, Isabelle," I said teasingly to get her attention causing her scowling face to pop up with a small blush.

"Hmph, well what do you suggest then? I want it to be perfect… Dummy,” She pouted.

I simply shrugged my shoulders, and let my eyes wander around, at the countless lanterns already finished. Most of them were simple designs, just flowers or other various things. I couldn’t say I was ever an expert on this stuff, but wandering thoughts did come to mind.

“… What about one of those lotus blossoms, apparently, they say it represents strength or something like resilience. You have those qualities. That could be your design." I stated plainly.

Isabelle seemed to perk up, as if my words meant a lot to her. "… what about you! We both are going to be on this lantern” She exclaimed excitedly but managed to contain her slight embarrassment over the idea.

"Hmm, well... you got me there, Isabelle." I remarked, with a light humor in my throat.

And yet she huffed before replying, "What does that mean?”

"I think you should decide," I stated plainly, and she puffed her cheeks again giving it some heavy thought as I watched.

Regardless, it didn’t overly matter what she decided. it was special to her, so that in itself made me content.

Isabelle still perked up when she seemed to have come up with an idea. And yet it wasn’t some flower or fancy pattern she was designing, but for some reason she refused to let me see it till she was done.

FOREVER.

That's what it said when she was finished. The characters were exquisitely etched onto the fabric. I could tell that those words were important her as she showed it off to me, with a scowl and red cheeks.

I found myself with a slight rare smile on my face, as I admired her work, “I like it, you definitely hit the mark," I said causing her to jump.

"You really like it!? You don't think its stupid?" She asked with that blush of hers.

“No, it looks perfect." I answered with honesty, to which seemed to satisfy her.

"I thought so! I liked your idea too, but… this was just… better.” She said with a shy smile, admiring her own lantern.

I only watched on in enjoyment. "Well, what now?" I asked seeing as we were just about done.

“The craftsman assemble the rest of the lantern. We’ll have to come back to get it later tonight, when we can light it!" she said before proceeding to get up and handing off the fabric with the design of her lantern to the redheaded craftsmen, who assembled them from there.

I simply followed along with her, but with our lantern now undergoing some sort of assembly and at least an hour till the festival kicked off. Isabelle didn’t hesitate to take the lead and drag me to the plaza where some people already began to open up booths.

And yet among this crowd of redheads of all ages, it wasn’t hard to notice the massive man, who stood over them like a red giant, laughing with his chest puffed out and hands on his hips.

“Isabelle! Kazu! I was wondering when you two were going to show up. Altear and I were making sure everything was ready for tonight!" He exclaimed loudly, followed by his laughter.

"That's right, but we also wanted to make sure, your night together is one to remember," Altear giggled in that familiar fashion of hers, which caused me to roll my eyes, but Isabelle seemed to have a blush on her cheeks at her tease.

"… I’m sure we’ll enjoy it, just as much as everyone else, right Isabelle,” I remarked to ease her slight embarrassment.

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“Y-Yeah! I know… dummy," she squeaked which caused the both of them to hide their laughter.

“I’m glad to hear it, speaking of which, should we go get prepared Isabelle?” Altear said, giving her a look that almost seemed to hint of something mischievous.

Isabelle only let out a small gasp, knowing what Altear was talking about, and quickly let out her response. "W-Wait a second! I don’t know, it… it might be too much!” Isabelle squeaked getting even more red and causing me to wonder what was going on.

"Come on, it'll be fun.” Altear said before tugging Isabelle along with her.

I was left alone with Theitus, but even he seemed to know what they were going for as his loud laughter echoed in the air.

"… I’m glad Isabelle found someone to call her friend." He said in amusement at Isabelle's expense.

But I didn't say anything to that. Instead, I simply felt content. "Yeah, I wouldn't trade it for anything else," I remarked causing Theitus to grin before he waved me along.

“The festival is upon us, let us enjoy it while the girls get ready. I must say I'm glad you get to see this event as well, Kazu. It truly is a sight to behold, come on!” He exclaimed while walking off in a large stride that left me to follow shortly behind him.

it wasn’t long before the sun sunk beneath the horizon and a soft light of gold washed over Mythral, as the moon took its place in the sky.

The streets of Mythral were filled with people from all ages, from the young children who played with each other in the streets to the elderly who simply sat together on benches, enjoying each others company, and taking in all the festival had to offer.

I found myself following behind Theitus and his company as he took the lead, chattering away and passing me the tasteful festival snacks as we went.

Before we knew it, we found ourselves at the center of the plaza, where many stalls of food, beverages and games were set up.

Music echoed throughout the air, as I took in all this sights before both mine and Theitus’s attention shifted toward a particular woman who was waving her hands in the air.

"Boys! Boys! were back!" She exclaimed, while my eyes met the familiar faces of Altear and Isabelle who was hiding behind her.

They both looked stunning as they walked up to us, in robes that hugged their figure and exposed their shoulders, each of them had a flower pinned in their hair, I could tell that Altear had made some kind of adjustments to Isabelle's hair.

Altear's deep blue robe shimmered under the moonlight while Isabelle who peeked from behind wore a pink robe that flowed with the wind with each step, giving her an almost ethereal glow.

"They're beautiful, aren’t they Kazu?" Theitus asked with a grin and a nudge, while he watched me take in Isabelle in all her glory.

"Yeah, they certainly are," I replied plainly causing Isabelle to get flustered by my remark, while Altear giggled and even Theitus let out his own chuckle.

“I- this wasn’t my idea! Altear did all this to me!" She exclaimed nervously while looking up at me.

But she didn’t need to explain herself to me. instead, my attention turned to the sight before us. "... I guess we should enjoy the festival then, Isabelle," I said with a light smirk.

Isabelle seemed to relax a bit and only nodded as Altear giggled once again, "Why don't we all start with some drinks! Or maybe some food!" she said with a bright smile before leading us along with her.

The hours went by quickly, with Theitus and Altear entertaining themselves with mostly food and drinks, while Isabelle and I simply wandered about, enjoying the festival, doing whatever she wanted, from games of chance, to tasting sweets and treats from various vendors, even watching the red headed performers dance and play instruments.

“…did you try this one, Kazu!” She said excitedly while presenting me a skewer dripping with some kind of sweet sauce covering fried dough.

"You’re getting it all over the place," I said flatly while she pouted a bit at my words.

"S-So what! It’s really good! Try it,” she insisted further as she waved the skewer in my face.

A small sigh escaped my lips as I took a bite from the skewer in her hand.

I had to admit the flavors of the sauce and dough mingled together and made a sweet sensation on my tongue, something that left me wanting for more.

“I agree, it is delicious," I replied but it seemed she had other things on her mind as she blushed at me from biting it from her hand.

"S-See I told you so," she said before seeming to bite the ball of dough my lips grazed.

I didn't really say anything but watched as her cheeks reddened in a hidden guilt of her own doing.

Still, the rest of the evening continued, as we enjoyed the festival and each other's company. And the hours seemed to pass in a blur of lights, food, drinks, and laughter.

It wasn’t till the full moon reached its peak in the sky, that the Golden Lantern Rite’s climax was nearing. Theitus and Altear came to find us and told us it was almost time to release the lanterns.

Isabelle didn’t hesitate to quickly get the one we made together, “Come on! We need to get to the best spot!" she exclaimed leading me while Theitus and Altear snickered shortly behind.

After wandering through the crowded streets. we made our way up to the harbour where the water of the ocean shimmered under the moonlight, while many others also began to gather.

For a moment I felt a slight sense of awe watching all these people gathered here for this one event. It was like they were all here for one purpose, to light these lanterns into the sky with their passion, determination, and hope.

“I want you to light it, Kazu." Isabelle’s voice brought me from my thoughts, my gaze shifted, to find her smiling with rosy cheeks as she presented it to me.

My eyes met hers before they shifted to her lantern, and the words she had written. "... yeah, I'd be glad too, Isabelle," I said causing her to blush lightly.

My hands graced the surface of the lantern as we held it together.

I could hear Isabelle take in a soft breath.

Then at my will, a flame lit the lantern, then that flame took over the fabric with an orange hue that gave the word she had written an enchanting glow.

Isabelle and I shared one more look, before we released the lantern into the sky, and it was like watching something magical. As if the lantern was something that contained our very essence as it joined the night sky, lit up like a thousand fireflies.

And for a moment, I was lost in it. Lost in the sight of all these lanterns being lit and sharing a moment that made us all feel something. Whether it was contentment or longing, we all felt it.

I wondered for a moment, how Isabelle would react when I told her, the decision I made.

I turned to her only to find her staring at the sky along with me, her eyes sparkled and were filled with so many emotions, I could never describe myself.

But at this moment, I realized something.

I wasn't ready to tell her.

Not when we shared this moment, not when she looked so… beautiful right now.

This night was for us, and I wanted it to last.