CH 212

They’d only just met, so who in tarnation was he calling his girlfriend? Nevertheless, a dumbfounded Tania clung to the man and cried, “That’s right, I’m his girlfriend! So, what’s the issue here?” After all, opportunities should be seized when they come, no?

* * *

Boom! Boo-boo-boom! Fireworks of beautiful colors flickered in and out of existence, and Cecile applauded in delight whenever a new explosion painted the night sky. Nothing was obstructing her view, since she and Estian were standing on top of the roof of a stranger’s house.

Along with other festivalgoers, Estian and Cecile went in search of a place with a clear view of the sky, but all the good spots were already crowded. People were packed into the alleyways, making it difficult to move about. Meanwhile, the sounds of fireworks continued to explode around them, making Cecile increasingly anxious.

“What if the fireworks end before we get to see anything properly?” Cecile fretted.

“We can just set off some fireworks at the palace; ten times longer and more splendid than this,” Estian replied, as if he was unclear what the problem was.

Cecile was left speechless. Certainly, Estian had a point. If he ordered for fireworks to be prepared, it would be a far more spectacular and grandiose display than the festival’s fireworks. However, Cecile wanted to enjoy the fireworks happening right now, which would become the last of many enjoyable memories she’d made in Aluna.

Unable to abandon her desire, she continued to stare forlornly towards the sky that was obscured by the buildings ahead. Seeing this, Estian took her hand and led her towards an alleyway with fewer people.

“Cecile, are you afraid of heights?”

“No.”

“Figures. You wouldn’t have done what you did back in Etia if you were,” Estian nodded, realizing he’d asked a foolish question.

“Why did we come this way?”

Instead of answering Cecile’s question, Estian hugged her around the waist and said, “Hold tight.”

Cecile hadn’t the faintest idea what Estian intended to do, but she hugged him tightly as she was told. The moment her arms wrapped around him, Estian launched himself into the air, using the momentum to leap towards the wall of the building beside them and run upwards on it. Seconds later, they had neatly landed on the roof of the building.

“Can you see well now?” Estian asked.

It would be an understatement to say she could see well. The roof they landed on was the tallest house for miles, so there was nothing obstructing her view. No one below seemed to notice them either. When Cecile peeked down, she saw alleyways filled with people packed in like sardines. There was a din of sounds and flashing lights below, but on the roof, there was nothing distracting Cecile from enjoying the luminous flowers of light in a gamut of colors blooming in the skies.

Cecile gazed in awe at the fireworks blazing above. Their flames sparkled beautifully before fading from the horizons, but she knew this memory would remain with her forever. She would remember this day no matter how many fireworks she saw in the future. Being able to share her first fireworks experience in her lifetime with someone else only made it all the more enjoyable.

Another blast of fire rose from below to explode high up, and the small sparks, shining like golden sand, scattered and disappeared above her head. Gazing in a daze at the scene, Cecile took a step forward and her foot slipped on the roof tile. Startled, she felt herself lose balance and tip forward, and she inwardly yelped and braced for impact.

“Be careful. Make sure not to let go of me.”

Fortunately, Estian caught her before she could fall. She shuddered when she realized she easily could’ve crossed over to the underworld, and she cast a thoughtful glance at Estian’s hand, which was still wrapped around her waist.