Five people camped on a deserted mountaintop, with insects chirping around them, and the night sky twinkling overhead.
"It's incredible, as if the world only has us left," Mrs. Kiyono said, seated and gazing at the Milky Way.
At the mountain top on a late May night, the campfire chased away the chill.
Flames flickered, casting the side and full faces of everyone in a bright yellow glow.
"Meiji and Lin have answered, now it's your turn, Mr. Dubian," Mrs. Jiutiao said excitedly.
"Your thoughts on Meiji and Kiyono?" Dubian Che asked.
"Let's start with that," Mrs. Jiutiao said, giving an expression that suggested a long night's discussion was impending.
Dubian Che examined Jiutiao Meijie and Kiyono Lin.
Jiutiao Meijie posed with her slender, beautiful legs, smiling back at him;
Kiyono Lin had a book in front of her, but she wasn't reading it, instead also looking at him.
"Let me think about how to phrase this."
"Hmm, that's for your own safety," Kiyono Lin said earnestly.
