Chapter 16: The Bonfire Night (Part 1)
The evening before the festival was always a special one in Sujin Village. Once a year, just before the grand celebration, the entire village gathered in the large open square near the old shrine. It was one of the few nights when everyone—young and old, local or returning—came together under the open sky, not for chores or harvest, but for laughter, food, and firelight.
Long wooden tables had been arranged in a wide circle around a roaring bonfire that lit the night in a warm orange glow. The air buzzed with chatter, music, and the mouthwatering scent of grilled meat. The women drank beer from tall glasses while competing to see who could handle the strongest brew without flinching. Some men sat around with their swollen bellies, delicately nibbling on chicken skewers, gossiping or fanning themselves. Others fussed over their wives, making sure their cups were full or offering handkerchiefs to dab their brows. It was a strange but lively sight, one unique to a world like theirs.
Yue sat cross-legged by the lake with her usual gang—Minna, Riko, and Chika. But this time, they were joined by a few unfamiliar faces: kids from the city who had come back with their parents for the festival.
"You're really from Sujin Village?" asked one of the city girls, a short-haired tomboy named Kael who had an electric-blue streak in her hair.
"Yeah," Yue replied proudly, popping a skewer into her mouth. "Born and raised. Why? Never seen a village girl before?"
Kael blinked at her, confused. "But you have phones and TVs… I thought village kids chased goats and ate dirt."
Minna rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might fall out. "You city people really think you're better just because your trash bins talk to you."
Everyone burst into laughter, even Kael, who looked slightly embarrassed.
"Hey," Chika chimed in, pointing across the lake. "Let's dare each other to go to the old pier!"
Kael frowned. "The broken one?"
"Yeah! They say it's haunted," Riko said dramatically, her face lit by the bonfire behind her. "That's where Granny Fushiko said she saw a man give birth in the middle of the night! She still claims she hears his moans whenever the wind blows."
Yue snorted. "That's just her imagination. You know her hearing's bad."
Kael leaned forward. "Wait, so they really give birth in the house and not in a hospital? Like actually?"
Riko, with all the smug confidence of a ten-year-old village expert, nodded. "Of course. My uncle had twins last year. He screamed so loud the mayor passed out."
Another wave of laughter erupted.
"But…" Kael lowered her voice, "how does it really happen? Do they push the babies out their butts?"
Yue coughed on her skewer and had to be slapped on the back by Chika.
"Are you dumb?" Minna said, wide-eyed. "Do babies come out of your butt?"
Kael shrugged innocently. "Well, I don't have a baby hole like boys do. I'm just asking."
Now even the boys sitting nearby, previously tossing pebbles into the water, had turned to listen in, wide-eyed and blushing.
Yue leaned in, lowering her voice like a village elder about to reveal ancient secrets. "It's called the Omega Pocket. Boys have it. It's like a hidden door. You won't see it unless you're their wife."
Kael blinked. "No way."
"It's true," said Riko, dead serious. "When my older cousin got married, her husband had to drink a whole bottle of milk every day to keep his pocket healthy."
The kids gasped in unison.
"I heard," Yue added mischievously, "if you kiss a boy too hard before marriage, it activates the pocket early."
Kael yelped and scrambled away from the boys, who were now hugging their knees and staring at the girls in terror.
Chika couldn't hold it in any longer and fell over, laughing so hard she clutched her belly.
"Stop! Stop! My cheeks hurt!" she cried.
The gang rolled around in the grass, howling with laughter as the night sky blinked down on them. The lake shimmered under the moonlight, reflecting the bonfire flames dancing high into the sky like fiery spirits celebrating with them.
Suddenly, a loud belch echoed from the square, followed by a chorus of adults shouting "Cheers!" A wave of roasted beef aroma wafted their way, making their stomachs rumble again despite already having eaten.
Yue looked up and sighed happily. "This is nice. I like festival nights."
Minna nodded, stretching. "Same. You get to be loud and no one scolds you."
Chika glanced toward the square. "You think your mom's okay with us being out here?"
"She probably hasn't noticed," Yue said with a grin. "She's too busy arm-wrestling Mrs. Kenta. If she wins again, she gets a barrel of honey."
"What happens if she loses?"
Yue snorted. "My mom doesn't lose."
They watched as fireflies began to twinkle around them, glowing gently in the warm air.
The kids from the city seemed more relaxed now, especially Kael, who had joined in teasing one of the village boys and made him run away with a yelp.
Riko pointed at her. "You're adapting already. Maybe we'll make you an honorary village kid."
Kael puffed up proudly. "Thanks! Do I get a badge?"
"No," said Yue. "You get a chicken skewer and a nickname."
Kael nodded solemnly. "I accept."
As the bonfire continued to burn, laughter echoed across the lake. Tomorrow would be the big celebration, full of games, dancing, and rituals. But tonight was for stories, skewers, and silly talk by the lakeside.
And for Yue, it was another night of making memories before everything began to change.