The weekend settled in with a calm energy in Seika's apartment. Alexis was reclining on the couch, fiddling with his new phone and scrolling through various pages online, still getting used to this tiny but powerful device. Miz, on the other hand, was in the kitchen, listening intently as Seika showed him the basics of cooking, with Slu snoozing comfortably atop Miz's shoulder, his small paws curled up.
While Alexis scrolled, a certain article caught his eye. He tilted his head, pausing on a vibrant picture of fireworks lighting up a night sky over a lively crowd.
"Hey, Seika," Alexis called, a touch of curiosity in his tone. "What exactly happens at a firework festival?"
Seika looked up from the cutting board, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Oh, fireworks festivals are amazing! They're usually held in summer and are all about celebrating together, watching incredible fireworks displays, eating festival foods, and enjoying games and performances."
Alexis leaned forward, intrigued. "It sounds... festive."
"Festive and magical!" Seika continued, her enthusiasm contagious. "People gather around with friends and family, wear traditional clothing, and enjoy all kinds of food stalls. You'll find things like yakitori, takoyaki, kakigori, and taiyaki. It's all about enjoying the night, good food, and the fireworks that light up the sky. You really have to experience it to understand how special it is."
Alexis and Miz exchanged excited glances. "And... there's actually one happening tomorrow nearby," Seika added, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I thought it would be fun for us to go together!"
Miz's eyes sparkled with excitement, while Alexis looked intrigued by the prospect of experiencing yet another new thing in this world. "So… we're going to need to prepare, right?"
"Absolutely! And the first thing we'll need are Yukata and Jinbei," Seika explained, glancing at Alexis and Miz's blank expressions. She chuckled, realizing she needed to explain a bit more. "A Yukata is a light, cotton kimono for summer—like a traditional dress—and Jinbei are casual, short-sleeved outfits worn by men during festivals. They're very comfortable and perfect for the summer heat!"
Alexis and Miz nodded in understanding, their curiosity growing as they began to picture themselves in these traditional outfits.
"Well then," Seika said, an eager look in her eyes, "let's make sure we're all ready for tomorrow."
Seika clapped her hands together, a gleam of excitement in her eyes as she announced, "Alright, let's go shopping! We'll get everything we need for the fireworks festival today so we're fully prepared."
A wave of curiosity and anticipation washed over Alexis and Miz as they followed her out of the apartment. Seika led them down busy streets, weaving through the crowds and colorful storefronts until they arrived at a small traditional clothing shop, filled with the distinctive patterns and fabrics of Yukata and Jinbei.
Inside, the shop had a nostalgic charm, with neatly displayed racks of garments and the soft fragrance of tatami mats. The shopkeeper, a kind older woman with a warm smile, greeted them and led them to the men's section, where Miz and Alexis could pick out Jinbei.
"Alright, you two, Jinbei usually come in sets with a top and shorts, and they're perfect for keeping cool at the festival," Seika explained, showing them a few different patterns. She picked out a dark blue set with a subtle checkered pattern for Alexis, and a deep green one with tiny dragon motifs for Miz.
Alexis held the Jinbei up to himself, examining it thoughtfully. "This…feels more colorful than my usual attire back in Boundless, but it's quite comfortable," he commented, running a hand over the light fabric.
Miz grinned, holding up his own choice. "It's light and easy to move in—perfect for staying quick on my feet!" he said, already imagining dashing through festival stalls in his new outfit.
Meanwhile, Seika browsed through the Yukata selection for herself, her eyes lighting up when she found a beautiful white Yukata with soft pink and purple floral patterns. "What do you think?" she asked, holding it up for the boys to see.
"It suits you," Alexis replied with a nod of approval, and Miz gave a thumbs-up, impressed by how elegant it looked.
After they had chosen their outfits, Seika led them through the rest of the shopping district to gather some more essentials. They picked up paper fans, which Seika assured them would be useful for the summer heat. Then, at her suggestion, they bought a woven basket filled with Japanese snacks and sweets, perfect for enjoying while watching the fireworks.
With everything they needed in hand, they finally made their way back toward the apartment. Alexis, holding the basket of snacks and carrying his new Jinbei, glanced at Seika with a rare hint of anticipation in his eyes. "So, this festival… it sounds like it'll be a night to remember."
Seika smiled, a touch of excitement in her voice. "It will be! And I think you'll love every moment of it."
As they walked back home, the day's shopping left them all feeling eager and prepared, with a sense of anticipation hanging in the air as they looked forward to experiencing a summer night unlike any Alexis or Miz had ever known.
The next day has dawned, and the fireworks festival was in full swing, its vibrant colors lighting up the night sky while music played, laughter rang out, and the air was filled with the sizzling scents of festival food. Alexis, Miz, Slu, and Seika roamed the rows of festival stalls together, soaking in the lively atmosphere and excitement.
The group dove right into the fun, trying their hands at classic festival games. Miz and Alexis teamed up for a few rounds of scooping goldfish, while Seika skillfully knocked down a set of pins with a soft mallet in the ring toss. Laughter echoed as Miz kept winning tiny prizes—fluffy keychains, plushies, and even a small rubber frog—which he proudly displayed.
"This one's for you, Seika!" Miz said, holding up a keychain with a cartoon bear on it. "I got it for you since it's as cute as you."
Seika raised an eyebrow and took the keychain with a smirk. "I'll take it, but only because it's adorable. Nice job, Miz."
Alexis watched the scene with a fond smile, noting how Miz's competitive spirit had grown since they started training. "You're starting to rack up quite the collection, Miz," Alexis teased, nudging him with his elbow. "If you keep going at this rate, you'll need a bigger bag to carry all your prizes."
"Hey, I'm in it to win it!" Miz shot back, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm not gonna stop now!"
As the evening wore on, they wandered toward the riverbank, where people gathered in eager anticipation of the fireworks. It was there they bumped into two familiar faces—Ferni and Rarun, standing by a stall and looking over at the festival-goers.
"Ferni!" Alexis called out, waving as he spotted his friend in a striking deep-green kimono embroidered with golden waves. Next to her stood Rarun, the demi-human wolf girl from the Wave Strike Team, wearing a vivid red kimono adorned with white floral accents. Rarun looked out of her usual rugged element, but the twinkle in her eyes and the graceful way she held herself showed she was enjoying the occasion.
"Alexis! It's good to see you all here!" Ferni greeted, grinning and holding a cup of yakitori. Rarun gave a small, friendly nod, her wolf-like ears twitching as she caught Miz curiously staring at her kimono.
"Ah, Miz, what do you think of Rarun's outfit? Not quite what you expected from her, right?" Alexis asked, leaning toward him with a teasing smile.
Miz blinked and nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess she looks way different in that… but it suits her!" Miz, always blunt, scratched the back of his head. "I'm just trying to imagine her with her sword, and it's a little strange."
Ferni laughed, taking a bite of her skewered food. "Rarun's not always in combat gear, you know. Sometimes we have to mix it up with a little tradition, right, Rarun?"
Rarun merely smirked. "I suppose. But don't expect me to get too used to it."
They all shared a laugh as they wandered through the festival, exchanging jokes and stories. Alexis, ever the strategist, commented on the precision it took to win the ring toss. "It's all about timing and focus," he said, watching a festival-goer struggle with the soft mallet. "One little slip and you miss the target. But with enough concentration... you can pull it off."
Meanwhile, Miz eagerly challenged Ferni and Rarun to mini-games, his energy contagious as he tried his best to win more prizes. Ferni was always up for a good contest, and Rarun, despite her usual seriousness, found herself caught up in the fun.
As they strolled closer to the river, the air filled with the rising anticipation of the fireworks. The first bursts of color lit the sky, painting the dark canvas above in brilliant reds, blues, and golds. The crowd around them gasped in awe, their faces illuminated by the fiery spectacle.
But just as the finale of the display began to take shape, Rarun's sharp senses kicked in. Her wolf ears flicked, and her eyes narrowed. The shift in her posture didn't go unnoticed.
"Rarun? Everything okay?" Alexis asked, his tone turning concerned.
"I don't know…" Rarun muttered, scanning the surrounding area. "Something's off." She turned sharply toward the source of a distant rumbling noise, her ears twitching as a commotion erupted nearby.
Then came the shout: "Big Bear! BIG BIG BEAR!" A voice screamed from somewhere down the street, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps and panicked shouts.
Without another word, Rarun's body tensed, and before anyone could respond, she bolted toward the noise. Her kimono flared behind her as she moved, her speed surprising given the fabric.
"Rarun!" Ferni yelled, dashing after her. "Hold up!"
Alexis and Miz exchanged a glance and quickly followed suit, weaving through the startled crowd. Seika, Miz, and Slu weren't far behind, curiosity and concern etched on their faces.
They arrived at the scene, and it was worse than they'd imagined. The creature was colossal—an enormous Stray Demon Bear, standing upright on two legs. Its hulking body rippled with muscle, its dark fur thick with demonic markings, and its claws gleamed like deadly knives. The bear roared, its fury shaking the ground beneath them as people scrambled to escape the creature's rampage.
Rarun didn't hesitate. She stepped forward, her stance firm as she surveyed the beast. "A Stray Demon Bear… It must've wandered over from another district. We're too far from Akihabara for it to have come from the Waves there. Ueno, maybe…"
Alexis clenched his fists, his voice low but resolute. "No matter where it came from, we need to stop it here. This isn't just a festival anymore—it's a fight for the people's safety."
Ferni nodded, drawing her greatsword. "Let's do this."
The tension thickened as Alexis, Rarun, and Ferni squared off against the Stray Demon Bear, its monstrous form casting a dark shadow over the festival grounds. Standing on hind legs, the creature's towering bulk and razor-sharp claws glinted dangerously in the moonlight, its demonic red eyes fixed on them with a violent hunger.
Slu showed up on Alexis' shoulder, and with a deep breath, Alexis pulled out a steel short sword from Slu's mouth and then tightened his grip and activated Agyl' Boost, a faint glow sparking around him as his speed surged. Rarun, positioned to his left, raised her katana, Wind Magyk swirling around her blade, creating a faint, cutting aura of swirling air. Ferni, standing with her greatsword firmly in hand, planted her feet, her aura resonating with both Stone and Metal Magyk.
The Demon Bear let out a thunderous roar, slashing downward at Alexis with a powerful swing. Alexis darted forward with blinding speed, evading the claw by mere inches and slipping past the bear's massive paw. He slashed at the bear's forearm, sparks flying as his blade met its thick hide, but only a shallow cut emerged.
The bear growled in fury, twisting to face Alexis, but Rarun was already in motion. She slid in low, sweeping her katana in a wide arc as she called upon her Wind Slash. A slicing wave of air launched from her blade, hitting the Demon Bear's leg and slicing a shallow cut through its fur and muscle. The bear roared and turned to swipe at her, but Rarun, quick on her feet, flipped backward to avoid the attack, landing gracefully a few feet away.
"Now, Ferni!" Alexis shouted, his gaze locked on their hulking opponent.
Ferni took a deep breath, focusing her energy, and drove her greatsword into the ground. "Stone Blade Eruption!" she called, the earth trembling in response. From the ground beneath the Demon Bear, a massive stone blade burst upward, hitting its underbelly with tremendous force. The bear staggered, nearly losing its balance as the stone blade grazed its abdomen.
Angered, the Demon Bear smashed the stone blade apart with a swipe of its massive claw, shattering it into shards. But before it could retaliate, Alexis shot forward with Agyl' Boost again, positioning himself just behind the bear. With a deep inhale, he activated Precision Strike, channeling energy into his blade. He lunged, thrusting his sword into the bear's side, landing a precise, powerful blow.
The bear snarled, swinging wildly behind it, forcing Alexis to roll away and rejoin his allies. Rarun immediately took advantage of the bear's momentary confusion, darting to its left flank, her katana brimming with Wind Magyk as she unleashed a flurry of Wind Slash attacks, each blow cutting through the air and biting into the bear's thick hide.
The bear staggered back, roared, and slammed its fists into the ground, causing the earth to quake. Ferni held her ground, planting her greatsword firmly before her, and raised her hand, channeling her Metal Magyk into her blade. "Metal Storm!" she shouted, swinging her greatsword in a wide arc. Dozens of metallic shards emerged from her weapon, flying at the bear and piercing its fur in a relentless storm of metal.
The bear flinched and roared, driven back by the onslaught. But as the storm subsided, it shook off the wounds and charged forward with brutal speed, swinging its massive claws down on Ferni. She barely managed to parry, her greatsword colliding with the bear's claws in a shower of sparks as she was forced back several steps.
"Switching up!" Alexis called, rushing to her side. He focused his energy and conjured Wind Sprite Combustion Volley — sending a volley of small, explosive gusts toward the bear's face. Each small burst created blinding flashes of light and heat that disoriented the creature, giving Ferni the chance to regain her footing.
Rarun dashed in, her katana humming with energy as she struck at the bear's exposed side, her blade enhanced by the Wind Magyk she channeled. Each strike resonated, each wind-coated slash leaving trails of cuts that began to wear the bear down. The bear staggered, snarling as it struggled to keep up with their movements.
Ferni grinned and plunged her greatsword into the ground again. This time, she summoned an even larger stone blade, erupting it from beneath the bear with tremendous force, lifting it slightly off the ground. The Demon Bear crashed down heavily, dazed, its massive form heaving from the battle.
Seizing the moment, Alexis nodded to Miz, who had been watching from the sidelines, eager to assist. "Miz! Show me how much your training is worth.", as Alexis pulled out a wooden sword from Slu's mouth and tossed it to Miz.
Miz stepped forward, his expression determined, and positioned himself across from Alexis, their weapons at the ready. Alexis closed his eyes, focusing every ounce of energy he had left, channeling it into Precision Strike. Miz did the same, activating his own form of Precision Strike, the energy radiating from his weapon. Together, they charged toward the bear, moving in perfect synchronization.
The bear, sensing the final attack, roared, trying to swipe at them, but Ferni and Rarun blocked its path, buying Alexis and Miz just enough time.
As they neared the Demon Bear, they raised their weapons, each of their Precision Strikes fully charged. With a shared cry, they swung their weapons in tandem, striking the bear at its chest with the combined force of their skills. A brilliant burst of energy erupted from the impact, the power of the dual Precision Strikes reverberating through the park, illuminating the night in a final flash of light.
The Demon Bear let out one last pained roar before collapsing, defeated, its massive form crumbling to the ground as its demonic markings faded into nothingness, and then slowly the Demon Bear fades into dust.
Breathing heavily, Alexis and Miz exchanged a tired but victorious grin. Ferni and Rarun joined them, their expressions reflecting both exhaustion and satisfaction.
"Well done, everyone," Alexis said, sheathing his short sword back into Slu's mouth.
The group shared a moment of relief, surrounded by the quiet that followed the battle's intensity. The fireworks overhead resumed, lighting up the night sky in bursts of color, a fitting end to their hard-fought victory.
The cheers and applause from the crowd surged around Alexis, Ferni, Rarun, Miz, and Seika as they gathered in a loose circle, catching their breath after the battle. People pressed forward to offer their thanks and congratulations, some even handing them drinks and snacks as tokens of gratitude. A group of festival staff ran over to assess the area, making sure everything was safe, but they too joined in the applause, clearly impressed.
"Thank you so much! That was incredible!" an older man in the crowd said, clasping Ferni's hand.
"Look at those moves!" a younger festival-goer chimed in, holding out a small bottle of juice. "Here! For you, sir!"
Alexis gave a small bow, smiling humbly as he took a can of juice offered by a child. "Thank you, but truly, we were just doing our job."
Once the crowd began to disperse, and the night fell into a calm lull, they moved toward a patch of grass by the festival grounds, where they could sit together under the open sky, waiting for the fireworks show to start. The air was filled with the comforting scent of grilled food and laughter from the remaining festival-goers.
Alexis settled into the grass, propping himself up with his arms as he looked at the others with a grin. "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but that was a bit more excitement than I expected at a festival."
Ferni laughed heartily, reaching over to pass a box of freshly made takoyaki to him. "Tell me about it! But fighting a giant bear in the middle of a festival—priceless. It was a blast!" She opened her own drink and took a hearty swig, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Nothing like takoyaki and beer after a battle, eh?"
Alexis chuckled, taking a takoyaki ball with his chopsticks. "It's a first for me, but I could get used to it."
Rarun was perched next to Miz, who looked worn out but cheerful. She nudged him with her elbow and handed him a steaming hot dumpling. "You did well out there, Miz. I noticed you managed to keep up with us the whole time. You've come a long way."
Miz's face lit up at the praise, and he took the dumpling with a grin. "Thanks, Rarun! It felt like all that training with Alexis actually paid off. And fighting together with all of you—it was amazing."
"Ah, you did great, Miz!" Alexis nodded, clinking his can of juice against Miz's soda can. "You really kept your cool. I'm proud of you."
Seika, sipping on a lemonade, gave Alexis a playful smirk. "Seems like you're a good teacher after all, Alexis. Even if you are a bit intense sometimes."
Alexis laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Well, intense or not, it seems to have worked. Miz has heart, that's what matters."
"Hey, Seika," Ferni interjected, leaning back to look at her. "I don't think I've ever seen you fight. Do you have any skills you're hiding from us?"
Seika held up her hands, chuckling as she shook her head. "Oh no, not me. I leave the sword-swinging and monster-slaying to all of you. I'm more of a… 'behind-the-scenes support' type."
"'Support'?" Alexis raised a brow, leaning in with a mock-accusatory tone. "You mean like managing a restaurant, putting up with all of us, keeping Miz in check?"
She raised her drink, grinning. "Exactly."
Rarun bit into a skewer, savoring it before glancing up at the sky. "I have to say, I didn't think we'd end up fighting at a festival of all places. But... that battle was a rush. Reminded me of the days back in Boundless."
"Those were the days," Ferni agreed, a nostalgic look crossing her face. "But… I don't mind this, either. Fighting to protect people outside of the game, being here with everyone—it's something special, isn't it?"
They all nodded, the sentiment settling warmly around them. Miz leaned back, looking up at the sky where hints of color were beginning to rise.
"So, are the fireworks going to start soon?" he asked, his eyes bright with anticipation.
"Any minute now," Seika replied. She reached over, offering him some more food. "Here, you'll want to keep your energy up. They go on for a while."
"Thanks, Ms. Seika!" Miz eagerly grabbed another dumpling, savoring each bite as they all turned their gazes upward.
The first firework shot into the sky, bursting in a brilliant display of red and gold, its colors raining down in shimmering trails. They watched, awe spreading across their faces as each explosion lit up the night, bathing the festival in vibrant colors.
"Now this," Alexis murmured, smiling as he watched the fireworks reflect in the eyes of his friends, "is definetely a moment worth fighting for."
(But, they now know that Wave monsters could stray from the Waves, and they must be much more aware about it.)