Chapter 13: Festival preparations! Pt. 2

The preparations for the festival were going smoothly and with the help of a certain grey haired male the preparations were all but complete. Oza was currently speaking with daniel as they walked around town.

"So this annual fireworks festival is it really that big of a deal sir? No offense."

"Haha none taken my boy, It's the only time of the year where everyone including myself indulge in normal activities. Everyone in this town works hard, trying to keep up with the ever growing cities and other towns we usually are the only ones left behind in terms of moving forward."

"That's not so bad is it, well in my opinion this town is better than any city, it's warm atmosphere, the cheery kind-hearted people walking around, and most of all the one overlooking this whole town sir daniel himself!" Daniel gave out a hearty laugh as he wiped away the tear that formed in his eyes.

"Oh oza you always know what to say to this man, listen i know you plan on going back to danario, i advise you to be careful alright? Everywhere you go there's bound to be trouble, i know you're an adventurer and all and you can handle yourself just fine, it's just that the ones you think are closest to you are the ones who are most likely going to betray you."

Oza wide-eyed as he remembered zeke betraying him in the dungeon, daniel noticed this silence as he quickly tried to lighten the mood.

"But oza remember this, there will come a time where you can truly put your trust in others. There will be people you can support and they will support you back. What did you say? That you were some 3rd degree G rank nobody before? Well that might be the case but you are kinder than any higher ranked out there. Like that time when you first came here you were so different but you tried to fit in and you that paid off because everyone in the town knows you as a kind-hearted man"

Oza could only smile as he heard the wonderful things daniel said to him. To oza daniel acted more of father than some head office.

"The only thing you lack right now is a girlfriend hahaha!"

"I don't really have the time to be doing those things.." he said a bit embarrassed..

"I'm just kidding! But any girl will be lucky to have a kind honest man like you, i'm sure of it."

"Thanks daniel."

"Now! Let's get our walk done i have some paper to do and tomorrow will be the day of the fireworks festival!"

Oza smiled as he and daniel separated ways and oza headed back to the inn, he collapsed on the bed not tired physically but mentally, ali then appeared looking at his sorry state.

"Hey ali..." muffled by the pillows ali could only interpret what he said..

"What are you doing like that?"

"You ever have one of those days.. Where you just go 'plop' i'm not tired but i'm not exactly energized really."

"I think you're experiencing burnout and i can't experience those days sadly." oza just chuckled as he faced ali.

"So no word on the kid?"

"None, sorry about that oza."

"It's fine, hey when do you say we head to danario?"

"I say in a week or so we can travel their by foot, it'll take about three to four days."

"So a week of preparation and a three to four days of walking there just great.."

"Don't sass me, you were the one who wanted to go back there anyway."

"It's because i want to go, that is why i hate going.. We need money and.. always relying on daniel will make me develop weird.. habits. Plus i can't just keep.. walking alone forever, i'm gonna... need allies and real ones too..."

"Can't really argue, i'll find a way to he-"

She was caught off when she heard snoring, she just shook her head as she got a blanket and put over oza who finally slept. Ali admired the sleeping oza as she held his rough hands with her small ones.

"I promise to be more of use to you."

She let go of his hand as she let him sleep as she disappeared into blue pixels once again. Leaving oza to peacefully enjoy his rest. The next day oza was helping out with the final stretch of preparations for the festival taking place at night. Everyone was excited as oza can tell from the talkative people planning on what to do with the festival.

Oza had asked ali to accompany him later that night as he got dressed into some pretty decent clothes, a button up shirt, black slacks, and dress shoes. Oza was waiting in the room as ali suddenly appeared wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up, normal skin tight pants, and shoes that match her outfit. Ali examined oza as he was still staring at ali.

"I see you still don't know anything about fashion oza." she chuckled snapping oza out of his daze.

"Hey i got these from daniel he said i should at least dress nicely for the occasion and i heard there was an after party being held too, but what about you dressing all nice you excited for the festival?" ali looked at oza with wide eyes as she coughed to keep her composure.

"Y-yes, even if i can't directly interact with everyone at this festival at the very least i decided to dress nice for out 'date'"

"Date?!"

"Yes? I hear it's what you call when a man and woman go out."

"I.. i see, well we better head on there i heard it'll be starting soon!"

Oza grabbed ali's hand and led the way once they got out he let go of her hand and they saw the people enjoying the festival with their loved ones and just plain have a good time.

"This is pretty extravagant."

"Yeah, actually but i heard from some townsfolk that this is a way to celebrate and enjoy themselves and praying for good fortune."

"That's pretty interesting oh yeah i also heard it was always celebrated before sir. daniel even became the head here but enough talk i see a takoyaki stand!"

ali just shook her head and giggled, oza was talking to everyone and also eating all sorts of food while ali just marveled at the whole scenery. After walking around for a bit and enjoying doing some stands oza saw that everyone was already gathering up at the plaza to watch the fireworks. Him and ali made their way there to and joined everyone else.

"Time sure flies by when you're having fun."

"Yes, it sure does."

The fireworks display had started as everyone else watched at the beautiful explosions in the sky, oza looked over at ali as she also enjoyed the view as she had a small smile eminent on her face. Oza smiled as he got lost in the sea of beautiful colors enjoying this small moment with ali and all the other people around him.