Gentle Old Eyes

29

Zeno looks down in irritation. His geta are just a little too small for him. The hanao part is rubbing between his toes and he can tell a rash is supposed to be forming but instead a small golden sheen can be seen if you stare really hard at Zeno's feet.

Zeno's orange yukata is the opposite of his geta, being a bit too big. It's the reason why Zeno picked these particular geta in the first place, as these had the longest pieces of ha attached. Giving Zeno just the extra height he needs to make sure the hem of the yukata doesn't touch the ground.

Kiriga is looking around very excitedly and even that is restraining the boy. The boy looks ready to pop and do about anything but instead he remains dignified like he has been taught.

The Shogatsu festival they went to has probably the biggest budget around town because it looks amazing. Much more so than the ones Zeno saw back in 1600s.

Not really a good comparison. But Zeno was picky in choosing which festival he would bring the 5-year-old to. He has checked who are the organizers and how much effort they put into this festival. Zeno knew that Kiriga would probably only get to go to a festival a maximum of 3 times in his life.

All of them in his childhood. The curse limits their well-being so much that after the heir has his first spot of decay appear they are mostly confined to the area where the corps are located. Never to go further than the courtyard or the graveyard.

Kiriga bites the sakura mochi Zeno got for him. The 5-year-old reaches up an arm and tugs on his sleeve asking them to stop.

Zeno smiles and ruffles his hair fondly, watching the younger try to swat Zeno's hand away from his head. Zeno points to a nice spot a bit farther and Kiriga nods staring to run towards the stone slab's meant for sitting. Zeno smiles as he starts walking after Kiriga.

Zeno sits down and takes the geta off, picking at the hanao of the geta, trying to get it to loosen a little. Kiriga bites into his mochi again and looks like he is about to ask a question. Zeno gives Kiriga warm smile as he wills the golden scales between his toes to disappear.

"Hey Ouryuu-sama, when do the fireworks start?"

Zeno hums, staying silent for a while as Kiriga watches in curiosity, chewing another bite of the mochi. Soon he would assume, straight when the night changes from 1866 to 1867.

"In just a while, be patient, this is a good spot for seeing them."

Just as Zeno finishes talking, someone starts yelling about looking up the sky. And in a second or so the first of the fireworks are released.

Kiriga looks in fascination. Bright colors popping with noise so loud it rings both of their ears to an almost deaf state. It looks beautiful. Colorful and bright against the dark night sky.

Zeno smiles and whispers to himself and to his missing family.

"Happy New Year."