Jeht hauled the crates on her shoulder and went to the storeroom. Beside her, Yoimiya talked up a storm. Her dad Ryuunoske mostly just nodded along.
As they dropped off the last crates, the old man bellowed in that loud voice. "Thanks for all your help! I'm glad my daughter has such great friends!"
Jeht bowed politely, which made him laugh. "Come on! No need to be so formal! A friend of my daughter's is a friend of mine!"
Jeht raised her head. In lieu of any words, she offered a smile.
"Say, why don't you two go have some fun?! Things are quiet so I can manage for now!"
Yoimiya brought Jeht to her favorite ramen shop. Yoimiya showed her how to pick up noodles in chopsticks and slurp them down. Jeht mirrored her actions. The noodles were different from the desert food she normally ate, much more flavorful and richer. That broth had an especially strong taste.
"Pretty good, huh?" said Yoimiya.
Jeht nodded. They ate up two bowls each before taking a walk down the street. Cherry Sakura petals floated about, painting the town bright.
They paused as children raced across the street. Beneath the stalls, parents watched on with smiles.
Jeht felt bittersweet.
She said, "You've got a great dad, Yoimiya."
"Thanks. He's a little hard of hearing, so I try to look out for him."
"I can tell," Jeht replied.
Her mind wandered to her father Jebrael. A pang constricted her throat.
"You okay?" Yoimiya said, interrupting her thoughts.
"Yeah," she said. "I was just…thinking about my dad."
Yoimiya smiled tenderly. "Tell me about him."
"He was the total opposite of yours. He didn't talk much, and he spent most his life fighting. But he loved me. He told me stories about the Eternal Oasis as a kid. When mom died, he looked out for me himself."
"You miss him."
"Yeah," said Jeht. "But he's in a better place now. I know he and mom are watching over me, so I'm going to take this life he gave me and live it to the fullest. No regrets."
"You're a strong person, Jeht."
"You are too."
That night, Yoimiya and Jeht set off fireworks, which could be seen from Celestia. Their fireworks spelled out a single phrase:
Thank you, dad.