Chapter 161: Festive Dawn
———Lynda———
<11: 18 pm>
“You know, in the past, I needed to beg you to see these fireworks. Has something changed since then?” Glery asked while we walked towards the center of town.
“Of course I was never a big fan of these sorts of things, but just in case the world is going to shit next year, we might as well enjoy what we have right now.” I explained. It just doesn’t really feel like we’ve seen everything just yet. Far from it, in fact. “I’m pretty sure most places don’t even have the levity to celebrate the upcoming new year, so it’s best for us to cherish it while we can.”
“That’s very sentimental of you.” She remarked. Really need someone else along for the ride so she’s less snarky. For some reason I’m the only one she acts remotely quippy around. “...I do hope nothing bad actually happens around here though. I would love for things to be relatively peaceful around here for as long as possible.”
“Yeah.” Nothing we can really do about it aside from just wistfully hoping that things will be alright. There is a lot of crazy stuff happening outside, and I’d rather not think about it right now.
“The tree is so pretty this year.” She remarked, looking at the tree in the center of town. It looks much bigger than before and it’s very well decorated. Was it the same group of people as always, I wonder.
“I’m kinda surprised that this town even has that much money in the coffers to make something this grand.” I can’t help but say. Sure, not like it’s actually a small town or whatever, but I thought the general income and such were down low for… the entire world, more or less. Thought whoever is governing this place would’ve been a bit more frugal with a tradition that the others can’t be bothered to afford.
“Probably some sort of odd conspiracy going around, if I were to guess…” Glery said before taking notice of the others hanging around the giant tree. “So many people…”
“They’re definitely acting like this is the last festival they’re ever gonna do. Very dramatic, but I get why they’re acting like that.” At least they’re not being a bunch of downers looking all depressed. They look like they are actually enjoying the sight and all the snow. Thankfully it’s not actually snowing right now, but there are a bunch of them on the ground. Some kids play with it, some guys sweep them away with their feet in annoyance. Some people are out here drinking, which doesn’t look like the best place and time for it, to be honest.
“Hey! You can’t just take a nap here!” Histon’s sister said loudly while the guy himself was lying down on the bench. Looks like he doesn’t have that much energy in the tank today. It is kinda rude for him to take so much space, but there are a generous amount of benches here, even when some homeless guys hoard them there are still plenty. Certainly one way of dealing with homeless people being too comfortable with taking an entire bench to themselves, just throw a lot more benches, that’ll work.
…Who was the one in charge of the town again? I feel like the name keeps slipping from my mind every single time.
Eh, that’s not important right now, we’re here to celebrate. There are even some food trucks here handing out food… Wait, food trucks? Why food trucks? Also, I recognize those faces manning them.
“Tomato soup food truck and miso soup food truck?” Glery muttered in confusion. It makes sense to sell those on a cold day like this, but… Wait, are they even charging anyone for this? They seem to be giving it away for free. What’s with the counter at the top of the truck?
“Oh, you two. Good to see you here.” Kroin said while approaching us. “Looks like you are quite confused as to what is happening.”
“Of course we are. What are those two doing?” The sight is absolutely ridiculous. Coach Wana manning the tomato soup truck while Rico is manning the miso soup truck. One handed out a bowl of tomato soup, grilled cheese, a cup of lemonade and a bar of chocolate while the other handed out a bowl of miso soup, beef on rice, a cup of tea and mochi. There are a lot of people here. What in the world are they thinking, giving out meal sets for free? Everyone is gonna flock to the free stuff.
“They seem to be having a competition to see which dinner set people will flock to here. They’ve been here since an hour ago. They’ll close by 1 am.” He explained. So that’s what the numbers were all about. Not that it explains the other stuff.
“Are they for real? Where did they even get all the ingredients for this?” I can’t help but say, looking at the line of people waiting on both ends. Wana’s line is a bit longer right now.
“No clue. Those two are quite enigmatic. It’s hard to tell where they even get the trucks from. I don’t think they even have the license to man those trucks." He said, clearly as clueless as me about how this even came to be.
“...Whatever, I’ll get the tomato set then.” I then walked over to the line. The service is quick, the line already shrinked a lot by the time I got there… Oh, Glery is in the other line. I guess she always liked to try something a bit more foreign.
“Here you go. You can come back for seconds anytime! Make sure to bring the tray and utensils back!” Wana said while giving me the tray of food. She must be quite focused to not be such a chatterbox today. Can’t really make any quips since there are other people waiting in line.
Let’s find a place to sit down and eat. Glery should get her portion by this point as well.
“The portion looks about the same on both sides.” I commented as both of us sat down at a table that is still free. These are way less abundant than the benches lying around. I’m surprised there are still some that aren’t occupied.
…Mhmm. These taste great. I thought it’s gonna be a bunch of canned or frozen stuff just handed out to everyone, since even that much is very generous. All of these taste great, and they didn’t give away that overrated brand of chocolate.
Quite a fulfilling meal. Not really sure if I should be eating out so late, but it would be a shame to not at least try them once, since it’s free.
…Seriously though, how much did this cost them to prepare?
I looked around in the meantime and saw the Perfect Class grouped out together, I can see Kenni being grabbed by her hair and got a bowl of tomato soup shoved down her throat. What in the world is going on over there? Sometimes their actions seem so incomprehensible.
“Will you go for seconds? I can sit here and keep the spot.” I asked, seeing that she is looking at the food truck.
“Ah, um. If you could, that’d be nice.” She said, looking a bit flustered. No need for her to be, I’m not gonna judge. In fact I also want a second serving, but from a different food truck this time.
“You go first, then I’ll go second. Sounds good?” That way we can keep this table for ourselves.
She simply nodded and walked away with her tray to get the second serving while I waited.
…Looks like it’s not gonna snow. Which is good. There isn’t a lot of area around here that will give us a roof over our own head. It’d be very awkward to eat while it’s snowing.
More people are gathered here, talking amongst each other and waiting for the firework show. Some come with their own, others simply just show up without one. It doesn’t really matter that much, the people running the show today will supply most of the spectacle in the sky.
Glery is back with the tomato soup one, so now it’s my turn. I actually did have the same idea. I want to at least try one of each.
I walked over to the miso soup line and saw that the line was getting bigger and bigger as more people came over for the fireworks.
“...Here you go.” Rico said with less enthusiasm than I expected. Was it because I also get my food from the other truck? Whatever, I don’t want to get too involved with their rivalry that no one seems to have any clue how it even started.
I get back to the table and enjoy the different set of food… I like the tomato soup better, but the sides here feel a bit more filling.
Overall both are pretty good, I guess I like the main dish a bit better so I’d rather go for more tomato soup.
One thing that is nice about both is how warming the foods are. Soup as the main, and hot grilled cheese or warm bowl of rice and beef. The drinks are cold though, which aren’t really a big deal.
“The fireworks should start in like… five minutes, then the big wigs or whoever will bring out the big guns, then we can eat a bit more then go home.” I mentioned while looking at the ornaments on the giant tree slowly lit up. Seems to be building up to when people can actually start shooting their fireworks and get this done and over with.
*Shine*
The star at the top of the tree then lit up brightly, letting everyone know it’s time for the celebration. It’s pretty flashy, but a good way to do it without loudly announcing it every time.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
People start firing off their fireworks, letting it flash up in the sky, people start looking up in the sky and cheering. It’s a rather feel-good scene that I can’t deny.
With the big bright tree in the middle of town, it’s a very comforting and festive scene worthy of the occasion.
I look around a bit more and see Karra standing alone, looking at the fireworks. Why is she not with the others right now? They are all grouped up at this point.
“Pretty…” Glery muttered while looking at the cheap fireworks everyone start lighting up. It’s not really the main show, but it is good to see so many people still bringing along their own.
“So does anyone here actually know what the main show is going to be like?” I asked, not really expecting an answer. They’re probably waiting for the others to shoot their shot first.
The streets are lit up much more brightly than usual, while the sky still looks almost pitch dark.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
“...I’ll go get us another serving. We’ll split it, which one would you like?” I asked while we were still sitting here looking at the fireworks.
“Any would do.” She answered. I guess I’ll go get the tomato one then.
I grabbed my tray and walked into the line, which is a bit smaller than the last two times.
“Here you go, hope you enjoy the fireworks!” Coach Wana said before sending me away.
*Pop* *Pop*
“Here you go.” I said once I got back, splitting up the portions for her. “Looks like the fire parade is slowing down a bit.”
Almost everyone gets to light their fireworks by now, and the celebration for the new year will soon come to an end. It’s almost midnight and the start of the new year.
*Pop* *Pop*
Soon enough, once everyone spent all of their fireworks, a person with long flowing white hair walked towards the center. Is that…
“It will soon be the beginning of the new age. Ladies, gentlemen, and all the rest. Congratulations for surviving up until now. It has been easier for all of you, admittedly, but I am glad you all keep your heads held high up to this point. For that, a little gift.” Her voice rang out with the authority I wasn’t expecting.
*Shine*
In her hand, held up between two fingers, is a sparkle of light.
*Zip*
It flew up high into the sky, leaving a large trail of light that everyone can see for a brief moment.
*POP*
Instead of a simple firework, it’s like the rainbow manifested in the middle of the night, slowly covering the entire town in the saccharine light, slowly spreading and letting everyone see the bright light that engulfed the town that might make someone mistakenly believe that it had suddenly turned day for a moment.
“Wow…” Glery muttered once the rainbow faded, and when I looked at where Wiina was standing, she was already gone.
Everyone was cheering and talking louder than ever, no one was able to tell where she had gone. I looked around, and couldn’t even see a trace of her.
She really loves to do that, doesn’t she?