Beads of salty water sliding on the clammy skin, reddened necks irritated by constant wiping, parching throats cooled by saliva and water, bodies getting tanned by the minute. This is the current ordeal the cousins are facing after they landed in Eno City.

Walking down the road, they found a bus stop and sat there to escape the midday heat and wait for a bus. Although the roof gave them some relief, the hot air they're breathing makes them thirstier than before.

While Jun carefully sips water to save until he gets to refill, Dan is chugging down on his fourth can of banana milk like a camel drying up an oasis. Watching him, Jun's thirst grew more and he became instinctually needy and emptied his bottle.

The cousins fought the heat as much as possible but they're running out of their endurance sooner. After all, they lived their lives in the North and it takes time for them to get adjusted. But the heat was just merciless.

Just when they feel like passing out, a screeching sound whistled in their ears and they became alert. In front of them stood a bus, open for them to get in.

"Hop in!" The bus driver with the otter mask beckoned them. On checking the bus' destination, Jun spoke: "No, thank you. We want to go to Momoboshi, which is in the opposite direction."

"Yeah... that's not happening." The driver responded bluntly with disappointment.

"Why so?"

"Because all the trains to Momoboshi are booked. You know, because of the festival."

"What festival?"

"What festival... change of plans, young man! You and your friend just hop in and I'll explain everything. I won't charge you. Yet." The otter-mask driver smiled widely at this proposition.

'No wonder the city looks packed from above.' Jun thought to himself. He accepted the driver's offer and poked Dan awake to get him into the bus. Inside the bus, the cousins waddled through the passengers to get to the driver and have a talk with him.

"So, what's this festival you're gonna explain about, uncle?" Jun asked.

"Right! The entire archipelago is celebrating the Founding Festival. Although you can celebrate anywhere, most of the fabulous fiasco is centred here. That's why many trains and Skyslithers are booked. If even the expensive ones are sold too, then imagine how much the masses are looking forward to."

"No wonder the city looks packed from above!" Dan exclaimed.

"Sorry in advance but, were you both living under a rock or something?" The otter-mask shoved his curiosity on their faces.

"Well, you could say that." Jun shrugged. "When your room is filled to the brim with manuscripts, you just forget the world sometimes."

"Ah... you both must be some writers, I see. That's hardcore. Unhealthy but hardcore. I respect the diligence, but rest is also important. Writing is one of the hobbies where you burn out easily."

"Thank you for the concern, uncle. We'll manage." Jun nodded with a smile. "So, all things aside, do you have any plan for us to get to Momoboshi?"

"Oh, right! Almost forgot! Hmm... Your best bet is in Rubigin Station. There will be a train line that will take you to Momoboshi. But it's Express, so you have to book it as soon as possible." The otter-mask instructed like a teacher.

On checking the available seats, the cousins found out that only six seats are available, which put them in a frenzy. Even the cost did not deter and they burned their allowance in an instant, leaving them penniless for the day.

On realising the situation they're in, Dan started to cry, breaking down, muttering plans that would question one's sanity, left to another's imagination.

"Why did we do this? I mean.. We just need to get to Momoboshi, that's all. There's no need to rush, right? Why?! Jun, bro, you could've said something! You should've stopped me, you know..." Dan is clutching and shaking Jun by his collar, metaphorical tears flowing from his eyes. If Dan's money-saving principles were humans, they would give him looks that kill him, no mercy.

Jun swatted Dan's hands away and fixed his collar: "Okay, let's say we stay and wait here. Then what? Get roasted alive for another day? Did you forget you were chugging like there's no tomorrow out of thirst? We barely walked straight ever since we walked out the docking station because of the heat! Made me wonder why we were born in Shinjukawa in the first place! If I had know-"

"Did you just say Shinjukawa?!" The otter-mask was surprised, then burst out laughing at their predicament. "Boy, you both must be crazy for landing here! This city is just not for people who lived North all their lives. It's simply not. Either you didn't plan enough or somebody booked you on a whim, hahaha!"

Although Dan's eyes immediately went white on thinking about that somebody, the same could not be said for Jun, for his hair covered his eyes. Nevertheless, the grudge for that culprit has only just begun. On seeing their clenched jaws and burning fists, the otter-mask instantly dialed down his clowning. "I take it's the latter *ahem* sorry." The atmosphere grew awkward.

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"It's not your fault, uncle. Don't worry." Jun spoke.

"He's right! Someone else needs to be held accountable..." Dan continued. But the smiles on their faces does not seem benevolent or loving in the slightest.

The otter-mask driver got spooked and he fumbled his words to steer the conversation: "Umm, why don't we talk about books for a change? You kids said you're writers, no?"

"Oh? Yeah, we mentioned that a while ago... what's your favorite genre, uncle?" Dan asked, letting go of the animosity towards the culprit.

"Whatever fancies me, to be honest." The whiskers on the otter-mask along with the driver.

"Ohh, a wine-taster!" Dan said with twinkling eyes, as he found a friend in the driver.

"What?! I've never touched wine in my entire life! How dare you call me one!" The otter-mask blew a fuse, out of his pride for being a tee-totaller.

"Relax, uncle. It's what we call people like you. Readers who read everything, doesn't discriminate but also don't have a favorite type. You're not literally a wine-taster."

"Oh... my bad, hahaha..." The driver apologized, feeling bad for the miscommunicated outburst. "But there was this book that changed my life for the better."

Jun and Dan looked at each other, wondering what they would have done for him to say this. The driver continued: "It was about a... Ha, a woman in all black with purple daggers! And there's also a man in black-hooded robe accompanying him, too. Anyway, it's been quite some time when I read it. I may not remember the story but I remember and love that shadow-walking rogue of a woman!"

Jun turned away to suppress his laughter and Dan is also holding back but he wants to listen to the driver's testimony.

"I don't give a damn about getting labeled a crazy pervert, but I actually saw my wife in that character. I chuckle at her dialogues, thinking this is what she would say to me. In fact, when my wife and I are in the earlier stages of divorce, the book helped me reconnect with her and I was able to save her marriage. Now, we're revving for our third honeymoon to Shinjukawa, haha!"

"Wow! Congrats, uncle! We wish you a safe journey and a sweet honeymoon!" Dan said, with tears of joy from his eyes, to which the driver thanked.

"Uncle, if I may ask, what led you and your wife to the mouth of the trench called Divorce? I understand if you don't want to talk about it." Jun said.

"Long story short, my wife went bonkers as grew old. She and I were mad at each other, fighting for hours at times. After connecting with the book, I rediscovered my love for her and just talked it out with her. Turns out, it was menopause. Menopause!" The driver sighed, thinking about his regret on not seeing it and helping her sooner.

"During the fights, I somewhat realised that she was acting if she was back to her prime, a goth Chuunibyou. Of all the things, she made an embarrassing part of her life into a coding/coping mechanism, hoping I could see the signs. Now, it's all water under the bridge and and here we are!" The driver stopped at the Rubigin Station, by the time the testimony ended.

Jun and Dan got down from the bus and thanked the driver. While Dan entered into the station after wishing him a beautiful honeymoon again, Jun stayed back.

"What's wrong, kid? Do you need any help?" The driver asked.

"Umm... you said you forgot the name of the rogue, right?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Her name is Ivy. Just wanted to let you know."

"Oh! Now how could I forget that?! Her name is same as that of my wife! Man, I'm such a lousy goof."

"Weakness comes with age, memories come and go, but your love as a husband and father fuels your strength and those that matters the most will etch itself in your heart. If there is next time, we'll meet again. I bet Dan will be crying in some corner right now, thinking about how he's going to miss you."

Just then, the wind blew over Jun's face and the driver saw his eyes. Dense grey irises that makes one question whether he can see beyond. Or whether he can see at all. His gaze and his words filled the driver felt awe and respect for Jun and blessed his parents for raising such a man in his heart. "Thank you for the kind words, young man. We'll meet again. By the way, have you read the book I told about?"

Jun nodded: "Yes."

"How was the book?"

"It was good."

"Good?"

"Yes, good. After all, an author cannot exaggerate their own work, can they? Goodbye."

Confused, the driver waved him back and checked the notes Jun gave for the bus fare. There are some ink markings on the note. Pulling out his reading glasses, the driver saw that the markings were autographs with phone numbers and message reading: 'If you come across any future announcements about my return from hiatus, call me. I'll take your ideas with a grain of salt'

In that moment, the words that confused him finally sunk in and he switched on the PA system.

"Hey! I'm keeping this as my heirloom! Have a safe journey!"

Jun was at the entrance of the station when the PA system of the bus blared across the area. After listening, he simply gestured 'Super' and waved goodbye again with a smile on his face.

As he went to the train platform, Dan caught up with him and asked: "Bro, what was the noise outside?"

On seeing Dan's puffy eyes, Jun grinned widely: "Nothing major. I gave Uncle Otter our numbers."

"Really?!"

"Really."

Dan hugged Jun tightly and put his arm around his neck: "That's awesome! Now I can talk to him whenever I want!"

"Pipe down... I wrote explicitly that he would call when I return from hiatus."

"What?! Why would you do that?"

"It's a secret plan." Jun grinned again, which got Dan frustrated.

Some time later, the train arrived and they entered in. They went into their seats and adjusted themselves into comfort, waiting for the train to move. Minutes later, the train started and exited out of the station.

Jun looked at Eno City one last time through the window and saw the Festival at the peak of its extravagance and joy. Fireworks zooming into the black sky and burst into vibrant patterns and designs. Then, he closed the window and slouched back into his seat, took a long breath and closed his eyes.

[To be continued]