Thank you to everyone who has written reviews! I'm so excited! (^_^) And now to continue on with the story.

"Would you…like to light…some fireworks…?"

"Eh?" Shouko asked in surprise and confusion.

Doesn't he want to find the others?

Keiichi looked beyond the booths toward the lake. "It's…a nice night…isn't it…? Somehow…it makes me want…to light fireworks…"

Shouko turned to look in the same direction. A small smile slowly crept over her face. The bustle of the people around her seemed to fade and finally disappear altogether, as she watched the fireflies dance in the grass near the water. The full moon cast its enchanting reflection upon the placid water. As she watched a feeling of peace and tranquility washed over her. "Yes," she agreed, quietly taking in the scene. "It is a nice night for lighting fireworks, isn't it?"

They smiled at each other briefly before Keiichi turned to head back toward the entrance. Although they never quite walked together, he made sure that he didn't lose her. He always paused and looked back every so often to make sure she could see him. When they finally pulled away from the crowd, they headed to a nearby convenience store and bought fireworks. She was surprised to see him head back toward the festival, but followed him quietly.

I wonder where he's going.

They suddenly made a right and took a darker path. She unconsciously moved closer to him so she wouldn't lose him. She wasn't afraid of the dark, but the idea of being left alone on the unfamiliar, dark path gave her a pause. Even if they didn't walk together, his presence was assuring. They slowly made their way down the path winding here and there until they found themselves near the water. He moved over to some gravel on the beach shore and stood for a minute, gazing at the lake. She moved forward and stood beside him, silently taking in the night scene.

Keiichi smiled quietly at her before crouching down to start the fireworks. He peeled open the packaging and took out a stick. He quietly offered it to her. She crouched down next to him and nodded in thanks as she accepted it. After pulling one out for himself, he took the lighter he had bought out of the bag and lit his, then hers. They sat quietly, intently watching the sparklers. The golden sparks seemed to leap off the delicate, molten head as they held their sparklers vertically down. Shouko felt her eyes slowly drift from the mesmerizing lights to Keiichi's face.

His face looks different when illuminated by the sparklers…Somehow, it seems kinder and gentler… She smiled quietly. He looks more awake too. I wonder what he's thinking…

As if in answer to her thoughts, he suddenly broke the silence. "Did you know…that sparklers have been around for more than 80 years…?" His solemn blue-green eyes met her light pink for a split second before his sparkler went out. He examined his extinguished firework and murmured, "Somehow…it makes one a little sad, doesn't it…? They're like life…beautiful, yet brief…"

Shouko whispered back solemnly, "They're like golden tear droplets, aren't they?"

Keiichi smiled back and nodded. As she went back to intently watching the bright sparks drip off of her sparkler, he admired her. He felt himself lean in a little closer, wanting to be nearer to her.

Shouko pulled her eyebrows in slightly. I don't know why, but I feel…strange for some reason...There's something…I don't know exactly, but I feel like something's nagging at my senses just outside of my periphery. What in the world could it be? She turned her head and met Keiichi's eyes. Her breath caught as she saw herself reflected in his blue-green pools. Shi-Shimizu-kun…? Why…?

The lights went out.

Oooh! I wonder what'll happen now? (^_^) So…I know I said at the end of the previous chapter that there would only be one more chapter, but…I lied…there'll be more. I hope no one is too upset. (^_^)

The particular fireworks that Keiichi and Shouko have lit are called "senkou hanabi." It is a traditional Japanese firework that has been around a long time. My inspiration for this chapter came from a couple of songs, mostly Ai Otsuka's "Kingyo Hanabi" and partially from RYTHEM's "Hotarubi." (Kingyo Hanabi: youtube…com/watch?v=kyanM0gXu9k) (Hotarubi: youtube…com/watch?v=WAhCRyDSRpU) Both songs sort of helped me get into the traditional Japanese summer mood so to speak. Oh, here's a video of senkou hanabi so you can get a better idea of what Keiichi and Shouko were staring at too: youtube…com/watch?v=Ltlbs6K7-gk

As always, please review!