Fireworks

The entire capital began preparing for the anniversary festival, there were lights, food stalls, and merchants all pouring into town. This year was predicted to be a perfect festival, demon activity had completely ceased recently even for the other races, and clear skies were prevalent.

Sitting in a restaurant I looked at all the faces around me chatting the committee decided to get together and celebrate. After working at the Crosseal we had an abundance of funds and it was perfect to blow a bunch of it off at an expensive restaurant for them I guess.

"Rei are you excited for the fireworks tonight?" Gareth excitedly said while setting his beverage down.

"Uhhh, I guess."

"That doesn't sound like excitement..."

"I'm more worried about the banquet tomorrow, It's been a while since I've attended a social event so I'm a little nervous... I guess."

Gareth looked at me skeptically, perhaps he didn't like my bleak answers.

"I wish I could attend the banquet, but only high-ranking nobles and famous talents were permitted... Life is unfair." Gareth complained

"It's probably going to be uneventful, I'd rather enjoy the festivities in the capital."

"I heard the saintess of Yuruisu is attending, and she's an unparalleled beauty as well!" Gareth said with a smile while patting me on the back.

"It's rare for you to talk about girls, you don't seem to talk to many outside of the Disciplinary Committee."

"Well to put it simply, not everyone is charming as you." Gareth looked at me displeased.

"I'm a special case indeed, but your looks aren't bad... So have some confidence."

Gareth blushed and looked away from me at my compliments.

"You really think so?" He muttered.

"Sure!" I smiled.

"Say though, every time a girl approaches you, you turn them down fast or avoid them completely... It's almost like you're scared of them... Or perhaps you have a thing for Dawn Leviea? I heard rumors you were close."

"W-what? I'm not scared of girls! And whos spreading those rumors!?" I said with a nervous expression.

"I have no clue man."

"What are you two talking about so enthusiastically in that corner?" Arcadia asked and the attention of the entire table turned to us.

"Rei's love life," Gareth replied.

"Well, I think Rei is quite charming," Arcadia said looking at me.

Mongar laughed at Arcadia's words then turned to me, "He is quite the looker, though I'm better."

"In your dreams." Laigel taunted.

"What did you say punk? Do you want me to paint your face on this table?"

"Why don't you go ahead and try?" Laigel lifted a sword sitting next to him.

"Let's not cause a problem in this fancy restaurant guys," Donmac said noticing a few glares from other customers.

"Y-yeah," Phiesa added looking embarrassed.

I smiled watching them bicker and comfort each other. 'I never thought I'd make so many valuable friends, although they are a weird bunch I enjoy this feeling.'

***

The sun was down and stars reflected and illuminated the night, the sky was clear as expected, and the sounds of people could be heard even in my room, I lie in bed watching a broadcast on the 'thread projector' broadcasting where the fireworks would go off.

I yawned looking at the screen, I didn't really want to go out into town to watch them. I could probably see them from the balcony of my dorm house, but I didn't really want to watch fireworks alone in solitary...

Waking me from my thoughts and boredom, I heard knocks at my door.

"Come in."

Opening the door was Dawn she had on a white t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Her pale legs reflected the moonlight coming through my window and her dazzling appearance made me gulp.

"Would you like to watch the fireworks with me Rei?"

I took a few seconds to think about her proposal, but I decided it would be rude to turn her down.

"Why not?" I smiled.

Getting up from my bed I saw Dawn staring at me while blushing, I immediately noticed what was off and it was the fact I had no shirt on.

"Haha... Sorry." I threw out a weak apology without any other thoughts of what to say.

Ignoring her glare I walked over and picked up a basic white collared button-down shirt. Taking a few seconds to button my shirt I occasionally looked at her while doing it. Fixing my collar while looking in the mirror I turned to Dawn with a smile and said, "Alright I'm ready."

"O-okay," she whispered.

We briefly made out way up the stairs and to the glass sliding door that led out to the balcony, I moved the curtains on it over and looked out.

"Maybe we should just watch it from inside, it would be a little awkward if someone recognizes us watching it from the balcony after all our houses are in rows..." I skewed my head to the side to see out of the window at an angle and saw lines of balconies with people standing on them waiting for the fireworks.

"Good idea," Dawn said looking up at me.

The fireworks soon went off the sound was loud but I couldn't make out the sound of the fireworks themself... My mind was preoccupied with other thoughts, and I had a strange feeling standing beside Dawn watching the fireworks in silence.

Colors reflected off the sky off our faces, the cold air stung at me unusually... I usually didn't feel the air.

Feeling Dawn pull my shirt from behind I took a deep breath and turned, my head was pulled down and I felt something soft touch my lips. I looked down completely charmed at the figure in front of me. I touched my lips and looked at her in silence.

"You're umm quite passive... So I made the first move."

I continued to look at her in silence looking into her black eyes. The colors reflected off her pale exposed collarbone and her beautiful figure all worked together bewitching me. I lost all sorts of reasons I previously had keeping me sane, embracing her we locked lips again.

We began moving across the room until I bounced into a wall, our lips soon parted and I looked at her still holding her in my embrace. "I really didn't expect that," I said in a soft voice.

"Life is full of unexpected things." She responded with a nervous expression.

Licking my lips I lost focus and tripped over, I landed on top of Dawn feeling her hot breath surface across my face. I swallowed looking at her red face, she raised her arm and covered her mouth while looking at the ceiling avoiding my gaze.

Lust took over and I began lifting her shirt, revealing smooth skin reflecting the moonlight. I continued lifting her shirt and I saw a long scar spanning across her stomach, I traced my finger over it and I heard a soft moan. I was not in my right mind so I completely ignored the sounds coming from Dawn. Her shirt soon got stuck on something big on her body, I realized this earlier but she didn't have a bra on.

'This is the big moment...'

I steeled myself and clenched the fist holding the shirt.

[KYAAAA~! Rei you are far too young to be doing this!!]

The voice of Althieus woke me up from my deranged state, I blinked a few times realizing what I was doing, and I facepalmed. After a bit of thought, I pulled Dawn's shirt back down and stood up.

'Thank you... Althieus, I was about to go a bit too far.'

[It's okay, Rei.]

Taking a deep breath I looked down at Dawn, she was still on the ground her face was dyed red, and she was staring at the ceiling...

"Sorry, I went too far," I said in a relaxing voice.

Dawn didn't respond and simply was breathing heavily, my heart rate was still off the charts so I didn't blame her. After a few seconds of waiting, she finally spoke up.

"It's okay," she muttered.

Exhaling I walked over to her and helped her up to her feet, I was still a bit nervous getting close to her. "Say uhh, maybe when we're adults we can finish what we did... And again I apologize, I don't know what went over me."

"You don't have to apologize. After all... I started it."

"Yes, but I tripped over you and forced you into a situation you didn't agree to."

"Don't worry about it, please."

Our back-and-forth exchange continued for a little while before we wished each other goodnight and went our separate directions.

Back in my room, I jumped around my bed and quietly celebrated happily.

'Perhaps tonight was the best night of my life!'

[Rei you're weird.]

Realizing I shared a mind with somebody else I tried my best to keep my creepy fantasies out of my mind.

[Please go to bed Rei.]