We spotted a bench by the river, a little distance from the noisy stalls.
The wood was aged and polished, heated by the summer air. Light from the lanterns hit the water and turned into long, unsteady stripes of gold and red. There were no fireworks yet, but the sky already looked like it was waiting for something - as if it were holding its breath.
Kento was sitting next to me, his head supported by his hands, and he was staring at the sky that was getting darker.
"Pearl told me that she'd be here soon," he said. "She is never late… only if she is up to something dangerous."
I agreed with him silently and also by my gesture I was licking the sugar from the candy apple. The sweet that was on my tongue was dissolving and it was bringing back the memories from the parts of my mind that are usually locked.
We waited.
Around us people came and went - families laying out mats, couples whispering softly, children pointing at the sky every time a test fire was heard in the distance. The smell of summer was everywhere: smoke, sugar, river water, night air.
Then her figure appeared to me.
Pearl was coming to us from in between the lanterns, her steps were slow and elegant.
She had on a light purple kimono that was embroidered with silver patterns that reflected the light every time she moved. Her hair was tied up neatly and a little floral ornament was resting near her ear. She looked … glowing. Not only but attractive- but alive in a way that made my chest ache gently.
There was a man walking next to her.
Tall. Collected. His being was like a rock, silent, as if he didn't need to make himself known. His dark kimono was unpretentious but refined and when he looked at Pearl his face lighted with a kind of love that speaks louder than words.
They came to us.
Pearl's smile was full of embarrassment. "Sorry for the delay."
Immediately Kento laid his hand on his chest and stood up straight. "Impressive," he uttered. "Well, firstly—Pearl—you appear like you have been coming out of a dream."
Pearl chuckled and then indicated toward the man standing near her with the help of her hand.
"Here is Kane," she said. "My boyfriend."
Boyfriend.
The term kept ringing in my ears.
I was looking at her, not believing.
Boyfriend?
Since when?
For how long?
And she didn't tell me?
Before I could even get my thoughts straight, Kento with a grin, relaxed on the bench and crossed his arms.
"Huh," he said with an indifferent tone. "I was not aware that witches get the permission to date."
Pearl was shocked. "Kento!"
Kane amusedly responded, "Likewise."
I abruptly stood and grabbed Pearl by the arm and hugged her tightly.
She was dumfounded but laughed it off. "Amane—!"
I looked at her and said "So", pulling away from the hug just enough to be able to see her face, "when were you planning to tell me? Or should I be expecting a wedding invitation?"
Her eyes got bigger.
After that she beamed.
"To be honest, I picked today for that," she said gently. "He'll propose… here."
My breath was taken away.
Before I could say a word, the first firework exploded in the sky.
An echoing boom rolled across the river, after which there was a burst of bright yellow that looked like it was spreading outwards from the center just like a flower. Everything was lighted by the firework - the river, the lanterns, the people - and it was at that moment that Kane came out from his hiding place and approached Pearl.
He faced Pearl.
Everything around them seemed to disappear.
"Kane…" Pearl said quietly.
He held her hands, they were firm and warm.
"Pearl," he said, his tone being gentle but full, "I am aware that we have been through a lot on this earth. The nights are sometimes louder than the days, and yet, every time you smile, I see a new tomorrow."
Another firework exploded—red and white—leaving the sky with a trail of sparks.
"I cannot give you a perfect life," Kane said, "but I can promise to be with you every step of the way through the tough times. Would you be my wife?"
The sky was full of stars.
Fireworks lit up the sky one after another—gold, blue, violet—layer upon layer, and the river reflected them like a different world under our feet. The people around us were breathing in and clapping, and with every burst, the volume of the cheers was increasing.
Pearl was hiding her mouth behind her hand and tears were flowing like a river.
"Yes," she said. "Yes!"
The crowd cheered.
Kane hugged her while fireworks were blazing over them, and the light looked like it was coming down from the sky like blessings from the gods.
I was glad.
Really glad.
But the gladness was shaking.
Because even though the moment was beautiful… my heart was telling me another name.
Akira.
I saw him where Kane was standing. I saw his hands trembling a bit as he asked me to marry him. I saw the fireworks were going to explode above us while he gives me that quiet, confident smile that only he has.
My chest was getting smaller and smaller.
Kento did not miss it.
At first, he didn't utter a word, though.
He simply shifted a little nearer to me and putting his arm round my shoulder, he was very careful and gentle.
"Hey," he said in a very low voice and leaning in so that only I could hear. "Don't take that smile off your face. It is very much like you."
I looked at the sky.
Fireworks were going on one after another and that turned the night into a series of different colors. Laughter, cheering, clapping—there was no distinction between them, they all merged into a single beautiful sound.
The pain was still there.
But not tonight.
While fireworks were decorating the sky and Pearl was holding her future in her arms, I allowed myself to think—just a little—that sorrow and joy could coexist.
Moreover, under that brilliant summer sky, with Akira in my heart and his brother by my side, I didn't feel lonely.