They stared at each other because suddenly the three of us were left behind by someone whom Hana and I needed for this activity. I could only stay silent as I continued to be stared at by Tio and Hana, especially Tio, who looked at me with a confused and serious expression. This isn't my fault, right? I said to myself while glancing at Hana.

After a few minutes, quite a long time. Tio's uncle returned to the room that had a strong smell, carrying a thick, worn-out gray book that looked very old, with many brown stains on the cover and its pages piled up. His hands, freed from his gloves, wiped the cover of the book while blowing away the clinging dust. Like an item that hadn't been taken out of the warehouse for years, dust particles flew everywhere.

He sat back in his short chair and tapped the top cover of the book. "This is a book titled 'Scape of Firelight,'" he said.

Tio suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "That title, isn't it...?" with a curious tone.

"Yes, it's a story you often heard when you were a child. There is indeed a version in the form of a book. But because it's too worn-out, it's difficult to read,". He continue, He went on while asking a question, "Before we delve into this book, does anyone know where fireworks were first created and by whom?" What does that kind of question have to do with my previous question?

But anyway, I still raised my hand. And it turned out, so did Tio. Hana, who was confused seeing both of us, spontaneously raised her hand, probably feeling left out. Her face expressed the words, 'I'm not here to learn history!'.

Quickly, I answered, "In China, during the Zhou Dynasty in the 8th century BC by a priest named Tian Li." Applause could be heard from Tio's uncle, and Hana's face showed amazement, while Tio's expression was annoyed. "A-Arkan, amazing...".

"Tch, why are you so smart?" Tio said in an irritated tone.

I reply to that while feeling a bit proud, "Haha, I'm always better at academics than you. Well, when it comes to practical skills, you're better." Words of praise slipped out of my mouth for Tio. Well, he grinned.

"Well, what Arkan answered is indeed correct. There are many versions of how fireworks were truly made. Some say an alchemist accidentally mixed ingredients to make gunpowder, and thus the first fireworks in the world were born. Europeans brought fireworks from China to Europe, and from there, they eventually reached our land," Tio's uncle explained. He continue, "I don't know how many generations Tio and I are from that time. My grandfather said that this book is not an original print but merely a copy. The original one has been lost. But you didn't come here for a history lesson, did you? That's clearly written on Young Hana's face."

Surprised, Hana snapped out of her dazed expression. "E-eh? Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

"Hahaha, it's okay. You didn't come here for that, right? But please wait a little longer, alright? The content of this book is quite important because it's related to Arkan's question," he said. "..."

"This book contains a depiction of fireworks from various makers, including those from our family, listed within it. Although this book has been full for who knows how long. Our ancestors chose to preserve its contents rather than creating something new, and the reason remains unknown. However, there are a few people here who have experienced something similar to what you described. Let's see...".

His agile hand swiftly turned the pages. Eventually, he reached the middle of the book, his hand stopped, he turned the book towards me, and his index finger extended towards a sub-heading that read 'The Other-Worldly Fireworks.'

"According to this person's story, at that time, he was sad, angry, and filled with frustration because his father, who was also a fireworks maker, rejected his fireworks design for being too dangerous. Filled with frustration, he left with one of his own fireworks creations. The man stood in a vast grassy field, holding the pipe filled with chemicals, then he ignited the fuse and shouted. He screamed so loudly, releasing all the emotions from his head, and his eyes closed. Then, when he opened his eyes again, his body was engulfed by the wind. His eyes looked up at the sky, greeted by the spectacle of lights in the atmosphere. In disbelief, he fell onto the wide grassy ground. Th-"

"THAT'S IT!!! EXACTLY THE SAME!" a girl next to me exclaimed, pointing at the book held by Tio's uncle.

We were all surprised by Hana's actions, especially me, as my dignity was at stake right now. I stared at Hana with a shocked expression.

"WAI- HANA!" I shouted. What a fool! If you tell them that you've also experienced it, why do I have to hide it all this time?!

Startled by my call, Hana turned, "Huh? ...Ahhh," she uttered, only now realizing what she had just done. Meanwhile, Tio and Uncle looked confused, not knowing what had just happened.

Slowly, they shifted their gaze from Hana to me. Oh no, I'm probably the one in trouble now...

After explaining what actually happened, how the two of us suddenly ended up in a meadow, Uncle Tio burst into laughter as if he had just seen a clown performing in a circus. Meanwhile, Tio continued to look at me seriously, with his right hand resting on his chin. The fact was undeniable, they couldn't possibly not understand, considering Uncle Tio's laughing behavior. The fact that Hana also experienced the phenomenon, the fact that Hana saw it with me, and the fact that the girl often visited my private place known by both of them.

"Ahaha... it's my fault, right?" Hana said.

Swiftly and roughly, Tio grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room. I knew where this conversation was heading. Tio forcefully took me to the side of the workshop building, cornered me, and slammed the wall behind me while blocking my way out like a cliché TV drama. "So?" he asked curtly.

"Well... if you ask me so vaguely, I don't know what to say," I pretended not to understand the meaning of his question.

"She often visits there?".

"W-well," I replied shortly.

"You haven't done anything strange to her, have you?" Tio asked. What does he think of me, anyway?

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"If I did what you're suggesting, she would been long gone".

"...What kind of relationship do you have?" Tio seemed hesitant to ask such a sensitive question. I easily denied it.

"Not what you're thinking. We don't have any kind of relationship, just friends."

"...," he fell silent, but I could still sense his lingering doubt.

Useless doubts.

Because, indeed.

We're just 'friends'.

I smiled and began to remove Tio's hand that was pinning me against the wall. Stepping towards the entrance, I said, "Besides, our purpose for coming here is not just that. Hana really wants to learn how to make fireworks. For her, fireworks are something special because they might bring back nostalgic feelings and remind her of someone she cares about. So please, teach her. And maybe she can create the kind of fireworks she desires..."

Tio's face showed surprise at my sudden sincere request.

"Are you guys... really not in any kind of relationship?" he asked to make sure. But I didn't answer. Somehow, I didn't want to 'confirm' the type of relationship both me and Hana has. At least, not without Hana's agreement.

"Let's go inside, don't postpone Hana's desire to come here," I said.

Entering the room once again, the pungent scent of sulfur and gunpowder filled the air. Two people were sitting face to face on the chairs. I caught bits of their conversation.

"And, a moment later, after blinking, he returned. Leaving at the end of his writing a hope, 'I wish I can go there, again,'" he continued with a smile, closing his book.

Realizing our sudden presence outside the room, Uncle Tio smiled slightly, followed by Hana shifting her gaze towards me. Our eyes met.

Yes, I truly didn't want to confirm it now. I would let time decide. The nature of our relationship, whether it be friends, acquaintances, fireworks enthusiasts, or any other terms in the vocabulary books.

Hana smiled, of course, and I returned the smile because, why not?

The sound of clapping hands could be heard, and we all turned our heads towards the source of the sound. It turned out that Uncle Tio slapped his hand on his thigh. "Alright! Let's make fireworks!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm.

Promptly, the three of us responded, "Yes!"

Everyone began preparing the materials for their respective parts. Meanwhile, I moistened my cloth mask to make it more resistant to the dangerous sulfur gas if inhaled excessively.

"Oh, by the way, what kind of fireworks do you want to make, Uncle?" Hana asked her Uncle Tio, who was busy preparing his materials and tools.

"For beginners like Young Hana, Sparklers might be easier," he replied. Wait, why does he keep using the term 'Young' to Hana?

As if digging through her memory, Hana looked up and then glanced at me with a pleading expression. Why ask me when the expert is right in front of you?

"That's the one you made dance and spin back then," I answered.

Hana let out a surprised and embarrassed sound, while Uncle Tio, who witnessed it, could only smile, and Tio had a face that seemed like he had also done it before.

"W-well, that one looks more beautiful when swung around," she said, covering her blushing face.

"Ahaha, that's true. Well, I hope I can see what Arkan saw at that time. It must have been a graceful Fire Dance," Uncle Tio said.

Continuing his praise, I spoke frankly, "Yes, it was truly beautiful." Ah, perhaps my praise was too straightforward. Hana's face seemed to flush, is she blushing?

After all the ingredients were ready, upon closer inspection, there were six jars containing various chemicals, each labeled with their names on pieces of paper. The chemical ingredients included Calcium, Strontium Nitrate for orange color, Barium Nitrate for green color, Copper for blue color, aluminum powder, and charcoal powder. There were also liquid ingredients like Dextrin stored in a white bottle.

"Alright, first of all..." Uncle Tio guided us with instructions. Well, even though I already knew how to make Sparklers.

First, mix potassium chlorate, aluminum shavings or filings, and charcoal powder in a bowl. Pour 300 grams of potassium chlorate, 60 grams of aluminum shavings/filings, and 2 grams of charcoal powder into the bowl. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Add dextrin and water to the ingredients to make a paste. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of dextrin with 9 teaspoons (45 ml) of water in a cup. Then, pour a small amount of the liquid mixture into the bowl and stir. After that, it depends on personal preference. If you want the sparks to be orange, use Calcium. If you want green color, use Barium Nitrate. And if you want blue color, just use copper. Once all the ingredients are in, stir until well combined. Lastly, dip a stick or a wire measuring 25cm into the mixture and slowly lift it up until two-thirds of the top part of the wire or stick is fully coated with the mixture. Make sure the bottom one-third of the stick or wire is not coated to be used as a handle.

And there you have it, the Sparklers fireworks are done. Easy, right?

Somehow, I sounded like those all-in-one websites that teach children how to make dangerous chemical toys. But in reality, I was just giving instructions to myself in my mind.

"I'm done," I said.

"Wow, that was fast," Hana exclaimed in surprise.

"This is the easiest model to make," I continued. "Uncle, where should we store them?"

If you look closely, there isn't a specific storage place for the fireworks yet. It might be an exaggeration to call it "special storage" since it's just a cork container to be inserted so that the wire stick can stand upright.

"Eh, store them? Can't we light them up right away?" Hana asked.

"Well, they need to be stored first. They won't ignite if they're not dry yet," Tio explained.

"Oh, I see. How long does it take?" she continued.

"About 24 hours," I replied shortly.

Hana quickly turned her head towards me, her face showing a clear expression of surprise and disbelief. Did this girl really think the fireworks could be lit immediately? We learn Chemistry at school, you know?

"I-I'm sorry, Young Hana. They need to dry before they can be lit. But if you want, you can light the ones that are already finished," Tio's uncle said.

"A-ah, it's okay, Uncle. I don't want to bother," she declined.

Hana finally finished her last stick. If we total them up, there are approximately 200 Sparkler sticks made by the four of us. One bowl container can make a total of 50 sticks. It's quite a decent number, in my opinion. All the sticks were inserted into the cork and stored for drying. Unfortunately, Hana couldn't light up her homemade fireworks today.

The day is getting late, it's already 5 o'clock in the evening. It's better for us to go home instead of waiting for the bus until nightfall.

"Hana, let's get ready to go home. It's getting late," I said.

"Oh, yeah, give me a moment. I'm tidying up the tools and leftover materials," Hana replied, gathering the scattered tools into one place.

"Ahaha, no need, Miss Hana. You can just leave them, we'll take care of it later," Tio's uncle said, pointing towards himself, who is also currently washing his hands.

"It's okay, Uncle. I just want to help a little," she insisted.

The last jar of materials was also sorted out. It was time for us to go home. Time passed quickly, and the evening sky was already showing its orange hues. At the front gate of Tio's house, we said our goodbyes and thanked the two people who had helped us today. Hana said she would come by again tomorrow to light up the fireworks. She just couldn't wait.

The evening birdsong of birds flying high in the orange sky accompanied us as we walked along the road flanked by vast rice fields. The setting sun was clearly visible from here. The road was quiet, with only the two of us, and as far as the eye could see, there were no vehicles passing by.

A girl's humming voice reached my left ear. Hana was excited because she had successfully achieved one of her goals, which was to make fireworks.

"I can't wait for tomorrow, hehe," she said joyfully.

Tomorrow? It's Saturday, so we can go anytime.

"Wait, didn't we have plans with Chika tomorrow?" I said. For the second time, Hana turned her head towards me in lightning speed, showing a face of surprise and disbelief.

This girl completely forgot about the plans with her friends.