Become What You Want to Be (12)

As they stepped outside, a sound far more powerful than anything they’d heard inside the arcade swept past on the wind. People walking along the streets hurried toward the main avenue, while those waiting to collect their purchases from the stalls fidgeted with smiles, excited as if their hearts were floating.

"Dad! Hurry, hurry!"

Parents with their children, couples—everyone was heading toward the main avenue. Watching them, Alice, who had never seen a parade before, glanced restlessly at Kagami and gave the hem of her clothes a timid little tug. She hadn’t pulled harder because she didn’t want to trouble him.

Seeing how obvious she was being, Kagami burst out laughing. "Don’t try so hard to act grown-up, kid." Then he took Alice by the hand and headed toward the main avenue.

"Th-this is... amaaazing!"

When they reached the main avenue, it was every bit the uproarious festival the name suggested. People riding enormous floats that moved slowly in a long procession down the center of the avenue scattered confetti. Along the route, citizens cheered the warriors marching and waving among them, while fireworks like weeping willows burst overhead.

Dancers moved down the avenue, performing as if to lead the warriors and the parade floats. Music rang through the area, rousing the heart with its powerful rhythm.

It was as if the very space itself were ordering everyone to make some noise; just standing there was enough to feel exhilarated.

Perhaps swept up in the atmosphere, Alice, lost in the crowd, shouted and hopped up and down.

"This is amazing! It’s so amazing, Kagami-san!"...