The chilly night breeze pierced through the deepest part of my bone. I never thought tonight would be this cold, even though it was only the start of the rainy season. Can't mother nature let me go just for tonight? Well, complaining like that won't make any difference either. Fortunately, I brought a plastic bag containing a small pink plate, flaming candles, and a few other items. Although, its main function is not to keep me warm, it can still be used as a source of warmth later on.

I turn on my cell phone to check what time it is. The cell phone screen light is too bright to see. Crap, I forgot to turn down the screen brightness before I got here and since it's quite dark now, the light is really bright. As the saying goes, a light alone in darkness is the brightest light to behold.

I look at the time on my cell phone and it tells the time of 7:20. If anyone thinks that I was too early, that's wrong. Because…

“Hey”.

The soft voice of a girl calling out. Because I don't want to be too confident, I ignore the greeting, because it might not be me who is greeted.

“… Hey” The greeting once again shouted. Because it has been the second time, I finally look away from my cellphone screen and turn towards the person who called me.

How shocked I was to see the girl I was waiting for. She is wearing a blue dress suit plus a red scarf with a plaid pattern made of silk accompanied by a kind of crombie coat that is quite thick made of wool, a long black skirt that reached her ankles, while her footwears were the same as when we were met here before. Wow, she is well-prepared for tonight, just look at her thick suit like a Westerner in the winter. I'm jealous because right now, I'm only wearing a fairly thin cotton shirt covered with a green outer, long jeans, and slop sandals. Simple but cold.

“H-Hey”.

"Hah? Why do you sound so stiff? And why didn't you respond to the first greeting?" Hana said.

"Nothing. You're a little late, huh?" I said to change the topic.

"No such thing! You're the one that came too early! See, it's still 7:22!” Hana said while thrusting her cell phone in front of my eyes. Dazzled.

"Yea, yea" I answered briefly.

"You... Can't you just stay on schedule?” Hana said in an annoyed tone.

"I'm sorry". Well, somehow in my mind there is an order that says that the man must come first. Whether it's humility or pride. I continued, “But, look at you. I'm surprised you could know that tonight would be this freezing”.

Long skirts that reach the ankles, thick wool coats, and silk scarves that serve to keep the neck warm. She came fully prepared like a military soldier who plunged into battle with confidence, technique, and experience. That analogy seems to have strayed too far.

“W-well, I saw the weather forecast. They said it would be a little windy so I was just anticipating it” said Hana.

She really wanted to come here without a hitch, huh?

“I see, heh” I replied while letting out a slight mock laugh.

"Ne-never mind that! Come on!"

"Yes" I answered briefly.

As I'm about to enter the forest, I remembered something very important. Even so important that if it's not done, it will endanger my life. I grab Hana's shoulder. “Hana. Just to clarify, you already got permission, right?”.

Hana who sees my action is surprised and could only remain silent as I asked this.

"Right?" I said the second time while tightening my grip on Hana's shoulder.

“Ehe. I forget".

Don't 'Ehe' cute me, you idiot! Ah, I almost fell into the same hole. This time, I won't let it.

"Give me your cell phone, what's your paren-" Wait, if I use her parent's number maybe it will make Hana uncomfortable. “Your guardian's contact name? I'll ask permission” I said while taking Hana's cell phone like a thief.

“A-ah, just let me do it, okay? I just have to let my uncle know I'm not home tonight, right?" Hana said

So, her guardian here is her Uncle. That's good to know.

I don't know if it can be called a permit if it doesn't get approval from the opposite parties, but so be it, I don't want to bother anymore.

"You've done?".

"I have" She replied.

"Please, next time permission first so you don't bother later" I said.

We continue our venture into the forest. As usual, nothing special, we walk on the brown dirt trail that became the path as a guide. Since there was nothing big deal going on, we arrived at our destination relatively quickly.

Like my previous visits, this place is pleasing to the eye. The sight of the city, which is full of bright twinkling lights, is very pleasing to see. The faint wind made me shiver a little, but not to the point of discomfort. The stars are shyly covered in dark overcast clouds. It's a shame we didn't get to see the beauty of this city in its full potential. Well, This is good enough to be used as an eye therapy.

Walking myself towards the big old tree that I've often used as a shelter when I stopped by here. Turned on the lamp perched on the tree and the glowing light feels like a warm waterfall on a cold night. Next, I take the mat stored in the old tree. The mat isn't too big because of the narrow storage area. I spread the mat on the ground, under an old tree on which there is a tin roof.

I take off my slops and sit on the mat while putting on the black plastic bag that is quite large that I've been holding since I take off from my house. Hana, who seemed to notice me putting the plastic bag down, said, “By the way, you bringing that black plastic bag, what's in it? There is something like a stick sticking out”.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I, who heard the question, took the bag back that I have put in and while holding it in the air.

“… Fireworks” I answered briefly.

I draw all the contents of the bag. The stick Hana mentioned is a type of Roman candle fireworks of which there are two of them. In addition, there are 2 packs of Sparklers, 3 Firecrackers, and finally, 2 Fountains. And some additional tools such as matches, a small pink plate, and also 2 candles.

“WOW, FIREWORKS!” Hana said excitedly.

Hana looks happy with my luggage. I figured since waiting for the festival to start at half past eight will be boring, it would be better to spend the time doing what we both enjoy. Set off fireworks.

Hana grab some of the fireworks I brought, looking at them one by one with excited eyes. Her love for fireworks soars obviously, huh?'

"Where did you get these fireworks?" she asked.

“I visited an old friend. You know Tio? Chika and I once mentioned him when we were with you”.

"Oh, whose uncle is the fireworks maker?".

"Yep" I answered simply.

After looking at the fireworks, this time Hana turn her eyes to me with a sharp look as if she wants something.

I, who already guessed what she wants, says, “Yea, yeah, I'll prepare the candle first” After that, the look on Hana's face returned to happiness.

I lit the match to ignite the wick of the fire candle. After the candle is lit, I leaned the top of the candle against the small pink plate. I'll stick the candle stick into the sticky wax so it can stand up on its own.

Warm. Even though the fire isn't too big, it turns out that the heat radiation from the candle is enough to warm my almost numb hands. Even though I said earlier it wasn't too cold, when it's exposed to this warm fire, my hands won't move.

"What fireworks shall we set off first?" she asked.

“Hmm. How about the Firecrackers first?”.

“Oh, I just found out the name is Firecrackers. How many types of fireworks are there really?".

Difficult question since I know very little about fireworks. Questions like these were better asked to Tio.

"I don't know for sure, but the types of fireworks I brought are Fire crackers, Roman candles, Sparklers, and Fountains. Firecrackers, these fireworks are usually used during Chinese New Year celebrations. The second one is Roman candles, you should see this type of fireworks during New Year's celebrations".

“Oh! The one with the big explosion?” Hana interrupted.

"No. That name is quite difficult to pronounce, Chry…santhemum? Chrysanthemum. Yes, that's it. It is usually used during big celebrations such as New Year's. However, what I brought were Roman candles, the explosion is relatively a bit smaller so it is safe to hold by hand, and what I brought is also smaller in size than the normal one”.

“Ohhh” Hana said, looking excited to listen, unlike her usual self.

I continued, “Sparklers and Fountains you should already know, these two fireworks emit a burst of sparks once lit up. One is held by the hand and the other is placed on the ground” I finished explaining.

After answering all of Hana's questions, my mouth became dry. It's really hard if this girl starts to be curious about something.

"Okay, is it time for us to turn it on?" I said.

“… Yes!”.

Hana lit her firework fuse into the candle flame that swayed in the cool early monsoon wind. Thankfully the wind was faint, otherwise, the fire would have quickly died out. After igniting, the fireworks were thrown by her to the ground far away from us. After waiting for a moment, the fireworks exploded and emitted sparks and billowing smoke. The explosion is followed by another explosion, emitting a distinctive sound of fireworks, kretek kretek~. After a moment, the chain reactions finally stop. She also ignited the second firework. After the second one is finished, Hana who has no more fireworks in her hands sees mine. Haha, she gazes at it very seriously.

"Fine. I'll lend you one" I said while handing her my fireworks.

"Uh, you sure?".

"Go on".

Hana's face looks very happy. She lit the fireworks again and threw them in front of us. I've never seen Hana this happy. Hana laughed very cheerfully, she is really happy to see the fireworks emitting bright yellow sparks. Thank god, the decision to bring fireworks tonight is the right thing to do.

"Well, it's over" Hana said wearily.

“Well, I only brought three of one of these. In that case, just lit something else” I said.

"Which one?".

"What about the Sparklers? These fireworks have a relatively long life span and I bring quite a lot of them” I explained.

"Okay!" Hana agreed enthusiastically.

I take a rectangular box containing about 10 Sparklers sticks. Each stick may have a wire length of 15cm by 10cm covered with pyrotechnics chemicals.

We both lit the fireworks with the help of candles. The fireworks finally lit up, releasing sparks that keep flowing from the stick. Hana act excitedly like a child who had just seen fireworks. She stands up and shook the stick of fireworks up, down, sideways, in circles. Even she is spinning her whole body in a circle too, wagging her long hair which slightly reflects the orange light from the fireworks.

"Put the used wire into the box, okay?" I said.

"Ay, ay, sire" She said in pirate tone.

I stare at her while holding my fireworks which were just as bright, and smiled happily. Hana, who then also sees me smiling towards her, maybe thought I was mocking her, stop moving like an excited child and then sit back down with a red face. Of course, when I see it, I laughed even more. I laughed so happily that I closed my own eyes. Until I hear the same laughter coming from the voice of the girl in front of me. When I open my eyes, it turns out that Hana is also laughing.

We were both having too much fun. After a few minutes, we lit the last stick. Unlike before, Hana is now calmer. Maybe it's because she's tired. Hana holds the stick forward by leaning up. She keeps looking at the fireworks she's holding. Her bright blue eyes reflected the orange light from her sparks. Smiling, Hana's last firework light went out.

A moment later, mine also went out. I take the initiative to grab the second box. "It's over, huh? Wait a minute, I'll get the other one” I said.

When I wanted to take the fireworks box, Hana's right hand suddenly reach out and gripped my left hand tightly. "Can we do it later, Arkan? My hands are tired of holding the stick all the time, hehe” She said in a gentle tone.

When I heard what she said, I had an idea. “Okay, how about looking at the Fountains fireworks instead? There's no need to hold it".

"Okay" Hana agreed with my offer.

I then take a Fountain type of firework and put it quite far in front of us. The shape of the fireworks is like an A1-size battery. I use a match to light it. After being ignited, I sit back on the mat while waiting for the fireworks to light up. Not long after, from the top of the fireworks sparks came out that flew high into the sky, resembling a flowing fountain. The sparks that come out of the fireworks fly up and then down again because the earth's gravity pulls the particles down. These types of fireworks can last about 30 seconds.

I take a look at Hana's face. Hana shows a very beautiful face. Her blue eyes opened wide and focused her gaze ahead. Her smiling mouth is pink, wait, she looks like she's wearing lipstick? Wow, I just realize that by now. The current look of her is completely dazzling.

What was I thinking?! Wait, isn't this the right time to ask her about that? The main reason why I invited her here.

"H-Hana, I want to ask you something, is it okay?" I said a little stiff.

"Hmm?" She turned to me.

"I'm a little curious about... why did you choose to transfer here?".

Shortly after I said that. Hana froze. She didn't expect to be asked something like that.

…

"Oh, I see" The words spitted are weak.

Then, Hana clenched her fists. "That's cheating, Arkan. At a time like this, I won't be able to refuse”. Hana's face looks smiling, however, I can once again see it. A sad face covered by her smiling mask.