Chapter 12:
The Fireworks and the Cog
THE SIGHTS WERE UNFAMILIAR, the smells foreign, and the sounds unrecognizable.
The schedule for the school trip had been planned carefully around the island’s festival. There, lanterns emitted gentle light, illuminating the night around Olivia. Tons of food stalls had been set up for the festivities, all offering samples of local cuisine. An instrument she’d never heard in Holfort was producing the music in the background.
When Olivia made her way to the main festival streets, what greeted her was so fantastical and novel that it overwhelmed her.
“Beautiful,” she murmured to herself, genuinely impressed.
She wore her school uniform as she wandered around, but all the local children were clad in yukata as they ran past her; they also wore masks. Most of the faces she saw were smiling, and laughter abounded in all directions. The vast majority of the students from their group were participating in the festivities. Many of them wore yukata as well.
Most of the students moved in their own circles as they enjoyed their trip. Only Olivia was walking by herself. She couldn’t help scanning the crowds, hoping to spot Leon, since she still hadn’t thanked him properly for helping her at the casino. That was an excuse, of course. All she really wanted was a chance to talk to him.
I wonder what kind of person he is. He saved me, so I at least have to assume he isn’t bad. Ever since he’d come to her rescue, thoughts of him filled her mind.
This was the first time Olivia had ever been so enamored. She’d never experienced love before, not even back home. The concept itself wasn’t foreign to her—she’d heard of people dating—but it never really captured her interest. She preferred reading her books, so naturally, she’d never before felt such intense emotions for another person.
Unfortunately, however long she searched for Leon, she couldn’t find him. Did he not come to the festival?
This was their second day in their destination. Tomorrow, the cruise ship would depart for home.
The trip isn’t over yet, so I’ve still got time, right? Even after they left the island, they’d spend a few more days aboard the ship. You just need to find an opportunity to talk to him between now and then, she told herself.
Then her eyes landed on a man in a fox mask. The enormous box he sported on his back made him stand out in the crowd. Whenever anyone approached him, he lowered the box and handed them one of the white bags inside.
Curious, Olivia walked up to him just as his previous customers took their leave.
Noticing her, he asked, “Interested in a charm?”
“Oh—that’s what you’re selling?”
The man had been setting the lid back on his box, but as she drew closer, he lifted it again. A range of colored charms was pinned inside the lid, representing the charms hidden in the white bags.
“One, and only one, per customer,” he said. “What you get is random—yours to enjoy after you buy it.”
Olivia inquired about the price before she committed to anything, and she was relieved to hear it was well within her budget. “All right, then. I’ll take one, please.”
“Of course. Select whichever you like.”
She plucked out a white bag, then pulled it open to peek inside at a braided red cord connected to a piece of wood. Studying it for a moment, she asked, “Is this a cog?” There was a hole in the exact center of the charm; the cord threaded through it. Glancing at the inside of the charm box’s lid, Olivia noticed that this particular type wasn’t among the display of those available.
“A cog. That’s a rare one,” said the man.
“Um…so what does it mean?” sha asked. The only thing that came to her mind was a cog in a machine.
“It’s a metaphor for a person’s life,” he explained. “When your cog connects with someone else’s, that creates movement, changing your life’s trajectory.”
She tried to clarify. “You mean, it represents fate?”
“I mean perhaps this charm’s a sign that your cog hit someone else’s, and things are going to change.”
Leon’s face instantly sprang to mind. Blood rushed to her cheeks.
The man chuckled. “Seems like what I said already reminded you of someone.”
“No, um… Well, yes.” She tried to deny it but had to admit the truth.
“Wonderful. I hope your two cogs are a perfect match.” He paused, then added, “But, well, I should warn you that the cog of destiny is a fickle thing and can be easily disconnected.”
“What?”
“There are times when your cog connects with someone other than your fated partner, taking you in a different direction than intended. Destiny is capricious. If you’ve indeed found someone who matches you, I’ll warn you that you’d best not let them go.” With that, he heaved the box onto his shoulder and strode off.
Olivia squeezed the wooden cog tightly in her hand.
✦ ✦ ✦
Luxion guided us to our viewing spot for the fireworks. The place was completely deserted. It held a bench with a long red cloth thrown over it; four paper lanterns sat on the ground nearby. A large umbrella jutted from the ground, shielding the bench. Given the faint light it emitted, it was probably more for illumination than anything.
“Oh my gosh! This aesthetic’s perfect!” Marie squealed in delight.
Although it was fairly remote, this spot would be flawless for enjoying the fireworks.
“It’s strange,” she continued. “I mean, I know this isn’t the most obvious location to watch the fireworks from, but I can’t believe no one else thought to come here.”
She tilted her head, puzzled that the area was empty, but there was a clear-cut answer to her confusion.