The Moon Festival was loud.
Too loud.
Too alive.
Yumi stood frozen for exactly three seconds before everything exploded around her senses.
Lanterns floated like glowing flowers in the sky. Music poured from every direction —
drums, flutes, laughter layered over laughter.
The air smelled sweet, spicy, roasted, fried, caramelized, and dangerous.
Her eyes sparkled.
"…I have died," she whispered reverently. "And this is heaven."
Eliott barely had time to react before she grabbed his sleeve and dragged him forward.
"WHAT IS THAT?"
"WHY IS THAT MOVING?"
"IS THAT SKEWERED MEAT OR A TRAP?"
"My Lord—slow down!" Eliott pleaded, nearly losing his balance.
Ren followed behind them, calm on the surface, alert underneath. His eyes scanned the crowd automatically, but every few seconds they returned to one place.
Yumi.
She had already bought something wrapped in leaves, something dripping syrup, and something glowing faintly blue.
"This one tastes like regret," she said happily, biting into it anyway.
Ren sighed.
"Do not eat things that glow."
"But it's festival food!" she protested. "That means it's safe."
"That is not how—"
Too late.
She smiled.
Wide. Genuine. Completely unguarded.
Ren stopped walking.
For a brief, terrifying moment, the noise faded.
That smile.
It was the same one.
Above the festival, far from the noise, the magician stood at the highest tower balcony.
Alaric leaned against the stone railing, hands folded, cloak moving gently in the night breeze. From here, the festival looked like a living constellation.
And at its center—
Her.
He watched Yumi laugh as she tried to feed Eliott something too spicy. Watched her argue with a vendor about portion size. Watched her tilt her head back and stare at the lanterns like she was seeing stars for the first time.
"…You look the same," he murmured.
Not her face.
Her expression.
That innocent joy — careless, curious, unaware of what the world would demand from her later.
Alaric closed his eyes briefly.
"So unfair," he said softly. "To come back smiling."
Down below, Yumi tugged on Ren's sleeve.
"Ren! Ren! Look!" She pointed to a stall.
"They have something like dumplings!"
Ren blinked. "Those are—"
She shoved one into his mouth.
Ren froze.
The crowd continued around them. Music played. Lanterns drifted.
"…How is it?" Yumi asked eagerly.
Ren chewed once. Then again.
"…Acceptable," he said.
She gasped dramatically.
"That's the highest praise you've ever given food."
Eliott laughed. "My Lord, you're corrupting him."
"Good," Yumi replied. "He needs it."
Ren watched her carefully as she ate, laughed, talked — fully present in the moment.
Just like before, his mind whispered.
His hand clenched slightly.
Not this time.
A sudden cheer rose from the crowd.
Fireworks burst overhead — silver and blue, scattering light across the night sky.
Yumi looked up, eyes wide, face illuminated.
"Woah…" she breathed. "It's so pretty."
From the tower, Alaric opened his eyes again and watched the light reflect in hers.
"he doesn't remember," he said quietly.
"And yet… he returned."
Below, Ren stepped half a pace closer to Yumi, just enough to block the crowd.
"Stay where I can see you," he said.
Yumi nodded absentmindedly, still staring at the sky.
"Okay," she replied softly. "I'm right here."
The moon hung high above them.
Watching.
Waiting.
And for the first time in a long cycle—
The boy (girl) who once vanished
was laughing under its light again.