Celestia didn't warn them.
It just kept offering more.
And they kept taking it.
They were still carrying bags.
Too many bags.
Unnecessary bags.
"…We should have left this somewhere," Aira said.
"…We are carrying resources," Heavy replied.
"…You bought six headphones."
"…Backup."
"…FOR WHAT—"
Assault suddenly stopped.
"…Wait."
"…What now," Aira said, already tired.
He pointed.
Lights.
Flashing.
Noise.
Energy.
"…What is that."
"An arcade" Aira replied.
They entered.
Immediate overload.
Sounds everywhere.
Machines lighting up.
People shouting.
Buttons.
Screens.
Chaos.
Akane froze.
"…This is worse than the mall."
"…No," Assault said, smiling.
"…This is better."
First Machine
"…What do we do," Heavy asked.
"…We press things," Assault said confidently.
"…That is not a strategy." Aira added
"…It's the only one we have akane said
They approached a shooting game.
Guns attached.
Targets on screen.
"…Finally," Heavy said.
"…Something familiar."
Game starts.
Targets pop up.
They aim.
Shoot.
Instant destruction.
Too accurate.
Too fast.
The machine struggles to keep up.
"…This is easy," Akane said.
"…Too easy," Heavy added.
The machine glitches.
Freezes.
Shuts down.
Silence.
"…Did we win," Assault asked.
"…We broke it," Aira said.
"…That means we won."
"…NO IT DOESN'T—"
Second Game: Racing
Assault jumped in.
"…I got this."
He pressed everything.
Car spins instantly.
Crashes.
Repeats.
"…THIS VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE—"
"…You're driving it wrong," Aira said.
"…I AM DOING MY BEST—"
Heavy tried.
Perfect control.
Smooth.
Precise.
Wins instantly.
"…I do not understand your failure," Heavy said.
"…I hate you." Aira replied
Akane sat at a rhythm game.
Music starts.
Lights flashing.
Buttons lighting up.
He stared.
"…What is happening."
"…Press with the rhythm," Aira said.
"…What rhythm."
"…THE MUSIC—"
He pressed randomly.
Failed immediately.
"…This is illogical."
"…You're just bad at it."
"…That is also illogical."
Prize Counter
They gathered many tickets.
"…What do we do with these," Akane asked.
"…Trade them for prizes," Aira said.
They looked.
Small toys.
Snacks.
Random items.
Assault pointed at the biggest prize.
"…We get that."
"…You don't have enough," Aira said.
"…We will."
They went back.
Played more.
Broke another machine.
Confused a staff member.
Won too much.
Came back.
"…We have enough."
They got the prize.
A giant stuffed animal.
Heavy held it.
Silence.
"…This has no purpose."
"…It's cute," Aira said.
"…Define cute."
"…Give it here."
They stepped outside.
Night had fallen.
Lights everywhere.
Different lights.
Warmer.
Softer.
Lanterns.
Stalls.
Crowds.
Music.
"…What now," Akane asked.
"…it's a festival," Aira said.
Everything slowed down.
Food stalls.
Games.
Laughter.
No chaos.
Just… warmth.
Assault grabbed more snacks.
"…You already have snacks."
"…More snacks."
"…Why."
"…Variety."
"…You said that earlier."
"…Still true."
Simple games.
Throwing rings.
Hitting targets.
Less destruction.
More fun.
Akane tried one.
Missed.
"…I failed."
"…That's normal," Aira said.
"…I don't like it."
"…You'll live with it."
Fireworks
They stopped.
Sky above.
Lights rising.
Then—
Explosion of color.
Bright.
Beautiful.
Silent for a moment—
Then sound.
No one spoke.
Akane watched.
Eyes reflecting the light.
"…This is…"
He didn't finish.
Aira stood beside him.
"…Yeah."
Assault leaned back.
"…Worth it."
Heavy looked up.
Quiet.
"…Acceptable."
For once—
No chaos.
No confusion.
Just—
Peace.
Real peace.
Akane didn't understand it.
Still didn't.
But he didn't need to.
Not right now.
"…Just one more day," he said quietly.
No one argued.
Above them—
The fireworks kept going.
And for a moment—
Everything felt okay.