Fires And Family | Paradox Live

Fireworks - 2

"Oh, look at this. Isn't this the famous Iori of the Suiseki group?"

Iori and Himari clicked their tongues in unison at the sound of the drawling voice. They turned to find three men leaning against the counter of a nearby stall. The apparent leader stepped forward with a sneer. "A bit far from home, aren't you?"

"Now look what you've done," Himari grumbled at Iori. "We managed to have a peaceful evening so far but you just had to show that face of yours."

"Himari-chan? I can't separate my face from myself??"

"Well, you could have at least worn the mask properly."

"You said the mask looked like me though," Iori smiled smugly. Himari gave him a blank glare.

"Is this your girlfriend, Iori Suiseki?" This idiot really was a master of bad timing. Iori sighed.

"You think you can take one of them, Himari-chan?"

"No way. Especially not in a yukata. But I can keep one busy, I guess."

"Oh, that's awfully nice of you."

"Shut up."

Iori took up a position between Himari and the three thugs. Himari was about to move him out of the way and scold him when an unfamiliar voice cut in.

"Exactly what is going on here?"

Himari and Iori looked towards where the voice came from. A well-built, tan young man stood there with a plate of takoyaki and a stern frown. Iori seemed to recognise him.

"Mr. Policeman," he said, arms open in welcome. The young man took in Iori for a second.

"Ah! Iori Suiseki!"

"Yes, we already established that," Himari muttered to herself. Of course everyone recognised him over her.

'Mr. Policeman' turned his stern expression on Iori and Himari. His eyes narrowed. "What are you up to?" he asked of Iori.

Iori placed a hand over his heart, an injured look on his face. "I'm the victim here, you know, Mr. Policeman."

"For once," Himari breathed loud enough for Iori to hear. He ignored her.

"My friend and I were enjoying the evening when these three decided to pick a fight," Iori told the policeman.

"What three?"

Iori and Himari turned back to the stall. The thugs had disappeared. Iori looked impressed. "You're more effective than you appear, Mr Police. Nice work."

"Who is this, Suiseki-san?" Himari scoffed to hear Iori being referred to as Suiseki-san. Iori clapped his hands together.

"Right. Introductions. Himari-chan, this is our local friendly patrolman, Zen Gaho. Mr. Police, this is the old man's daughter, Himari Suiseki."

"Oh, your sister. Nice to meet you, Himari-chan!" Zen held out a hand.

"Don't ever call me that again," Himari said, shaking his hand. When Zen looked confused she said, "This guy's sister. I'm not."

She only managed to make Zen look more confused. Iori clapped him on the shoulder and told him not to mind Himari's attitude. "That's just how she shows she likes you," he said. "You going to see the fireworks Mr. Police?"

"Uh...yeah..."

"Great, we were just going ourselves. Why don't you join us?"

Himari was already walking towards the lake edge. Iori could bring his friend if he wanted. She was going to find somewhere to sit.
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Zen turned down Iori's invite to join them for the fireworks show, so Himari now sat alone on the grass beside Iori who was lounging back comfortably. He didn't seem particularly worried about his suit, the coat of which he had dropped over Himari's head to keep off the chill.

The fireworks were pretty, as they always were. But Himari had other matters on her mind. When the first lights began to appear in the sky, Himari asked, "So what exactly does my dad think he's doing asking you to take me to the festival?"

Iori smiled at the sky. "It was my idea."

"Look at you two. Protecting each other. Must be nice."

"What does it matter, Himari-chan? You had fun didn't you?"

"What part was that? When the three musketeers showed up or when you almost got arrested by that cop?"

"He wasn't going to arrest me. Despite his appearance he's a really nice guy."

"Better than you I'm sure."

"Ah. Words like ice, just like always."

They watched the fireworks in silence for a few moments. Then Iori spoke.

"He just wants you to go out sometimes. Have fun. You're, what - fifteen?"

Himari didn't answer.

"Hey, you're starting high school soon, aren't you? That'll be fun."

"It won't be any different from middle school," Himari sighed, lying down just as the last few fireworks faded from view.

"Nah, you'll see. High school kids are meaner than middle school ones."

"Is that supposed to be a warning?"

"No, I'm serious. They're not going to care much what your name is. They'll have their own little stories they're trying to live. Just try to slip into one as a side character."

"I'm good. It's enough being the side character of my own life."

They lay there staring at the stars as the people around them slowly filtered away. Himari held the plush fox Iori had won for her at arms length and spoke the next words to it.

"I guess today wasn't that bad. At least you're pretty cute."