One Last Day In The Main City

The sun was beginning to set over the main city of Eidolon, bathing the streets in a soft golden hue. For once, the air felt lighter, less heavy with the weight of everything they'd been through.

Kazuki sat on the steps of a fountain in the town square, watching Sonnet pace around with her usual smug grin, flipping a coin in her hand.

"So," Sonnet started, "since we're about to head out on some life-or-death journey, I'm thinking... one last gamble before we go. Full send. All or nothing. What do you say?"

Kazuki raised a brow. "Seriously? Haven't you lost like... everything you've gambled so far?"

Sonnet gasped in mock offense. "Excuse you! I'm not bad at gambling. I'm just bad at winning it."

Andreas chuckled, leaning casually against a lamppost. "That's literally the same thing, Sonnet."

Sonnet shot him a glare. "No, it's not! I'm just... building up karma. You know, lose now, win big later. Today's the day, I can feel it!" She dramatically threw her arms in the air. "I'm gonna bet everything I have left."

Kazuki crossed his arms. "Which is?"

"Uh... three coins and a really nice rock I found earlier."

Lumi burst out laughing, nearly choking on a sweet pastry she'd been devouring. "A rock?! You're going all in with a rock?"

"It's not just any rock," Sonnet said defensively. "It's a shiny one."

Andreas, trying to keep a straight face, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch. "Fine. I'll match your rock with... a button. Winner takes all."

Kazuki shook his head. "You two are hopeless."

Sonnet smirked. "Hopelessly awesome, you mean."

"More like hopelessly dumb," Kazuki shot back, unable to hold back a chuckle.

Andreas suddenly climbed onto the edge of the fountain and struck a ridiculous pose. "Hopelessly dumb... but undeniably cool!"

"Get down from there!" Lumi yelled, eyes wide. "You're gonna fall and crack your head open!"

"Relax," Andreas said confidently. "I've got great balance. Watch this!"

He attempted a spin... and immediately slipped, landing with a loud splash in the fountain. For a moment, there was silence—then Sonnet doubled over, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

"Oh my god, you actually did it! I can't believe it!"

Lumi facepalmed. "I told you!"

Kazuki reached out a hand to help Andreas, who was now soaking wet. "You okay, genius?"

Andreas grinned, shaking the water from his hair. "Totally worth it."

Sonnet wiped a tear from her eye. "This is why I keep you around, Andreas. For entertainment purposes."

Lumi turned back to her plate of food. "Anyway... while you two are busy being idiots, I'm going to finish trying every single dish in this city before we leave."

Kazuki leaned in. "You've been eating nonstop all day. How are you not full?"

Lumi grinned mischievously. "I've been training for this my whole life."

Sonnet clapped her hands together. "Okay, new plan.I'm gonna find one last gambling. If I win big, drinks are on me tonight!"

Andreas raised a soggy fist. "I'm in."

Kazuki watched them with a faint smile, feeling something he hadn't in a long time—peace. It was strange how quickly these three had become a part of his life. Despite their quirks and their ridiculous antics, they made him feel grounded in a world that was anything but.

Lumi looked back at him, her eyes softening. "You coming, Kazuki? Or are you just gonna sit there and act all mysterious?"

Kazuki chuckled, pushing himself to his feet. "Alright, alright. Let's go."

They walked down the bustling streets together, laughter filling the air, blending with the sound of the marketplace and street performers. For a brief moment, the looming threats of Eidolon seemed far away.

But just like all good things, it wouldn't last forever.

The night settled over the main city, but for Kazuki and his ragtag group, it was only the beginning of their last hurrah. The streets were lit with lanterns, and the city buzzed with life as laughter echoed through the alleys.

Sonnet dragged the group straight to the nearest casino. "Alright, time for the real fun to begin! I've got just enough luck left to hit the jackpot!"

Kazuki leaned against the entrance, his arms crossed. "Didn't you say that last time?"

"Yes, and this time, it's definitely true!" Sonnet said confidently, flashing a mischievous grin.

Andreas nodded. "Let her cook, Kazuki. It's always fun to watch her crash and burn."

Inside the casino, the air was thick with excitement. Lumi, wide-eyed, wandered off to inspect the endless rows of strange games while Andreas and Sonnet made a beeline for the card tables.

Sonnet slapped her coins onto the table. "Alright, I'm feeling lucky! Let's go big!"

The dealer dealt the cards, and in typical Sonnet fashion, she was all in from the start. Kazuki leaned in, watching her hand.

"Sonnet… you do know you just bet everything on a hand that's practically unwinnable, right?" Kazuki whispered.

Sonnet winked. "Trust the process."

"Trust the—" Before Kazuki could finish, Sonnet's hand was revealed. A total disaster. The dealer smirked and scooped up her remaining coins.

Andreas burst out laughing. "Trust the process, huh? What was the process? Losing everything in five seconds?"

Sonnet slumped in her chair. "It's all part of my strategy... for next time."

Just as they were about to leave, something caught Sonnet's eye—a man at the far table, calm and composed, surrounded by a crowd of stunned onlookers.

Every bet he placed won effortlessly. His pile of winnings grew with every hand, and he barely seemed to notice.

"Whoa... who is that guy?" Sonnet whispered, her eyes sparkling like a kid seeing candy.

Andreas followed her gaze, equally impressed. "I don't know, but he's a legend. Look at that streak!"

The man, clad in a dark coat with a hood partially covering his face, leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with quiet confidence. He casually tossed a coin in the air before placing another winning bet.

Lumi caught up with them, her arms full of snacks. "What are you two staring at?"

Sonnet pointed. "That guy! He's winning every bet. Like, every single one."

Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "He's definitely not normal."

The mysterious man caught their gaze for a split second, a knowing smirk playing on his lips before he returned to his game.

Kazuki's unease grew, but Sonnet clapped her hands together. "Okay, new plan: Become best friends with that guy."

"Sonnet, no." Kazuki shook his head. "We don't have time to get tangled up with mysterious strangers."

Andreas grinned. "He's got a point. But… it would be cool if we got him on our team."

Kazuki sighed. "You two are impossible."

The group eventually left the casino, with Sonnet and Andreas still talking excitedly about the mysterious gambler. Lumi walked ahead, tossing a bag of roasted nuts to Kazuki. "You really do attract the weirdest people, don't you?"

Kazuki smirked. "Guess that makes me the weirdest of them all."

The group returned to their apartment, the air still buzzing from the excitement of the city.

Kazuki locked the door behind them, his thoughts swirling after everything that had happened. For a while, no one spoke. The night felt unusually heavy despite the earlier fun.

Sonnet broke the silence, plopping onto the couch dramatically. "Whew… that was a good run! One last night of chaos before we head out into the unknown."

Andreas kicked off his boots, grinning. "Yup. No regrets. Though, I'm gonna miss the food here… and the casino. And probably the beds, too."

Lumi spun around, still munching on her snacks. "And the food! Did you see the size of those dumplings?! I don't think I've ever eaten so much in my life."

The mood lifted again as they started recounting their favorite parts of the day.