Shouts of victory resounded from Yokai Dojo's bench as they celebrated their hard-earned win. It was a moment of pure joy and satisfaction.
Master Arakawa let out the breath that he had been holding in, took a seat, and showed a faint smile of relief.
Tears of joy appeared in the eyes of many crying students, and they all embraced each other in celebration.
Master Raju collapsed down to the ground, held his head in agony, and cursed under his breath about ten times.
His students sat awkwardly while glancing at each other with concern and a hunch that this would be the end of Wraith Dojo.
Outside the temple, perched on top of a tree, the brother and the sister looked at each other in shock.
They then slid down the tree and started running downhill towards the Dusk Town, trying to run as fast as they could with their tiny legs.
"The martial arts festival has ended!"
Their innocent voices reverberated throughout Dusk Town's dimming streets, echoing into the night, and as the townspeople looked over their heads, they saw the glowing lanterns and heard the distant cheers of victory.
"Isn't this their first victory in twenty years?"
With the night deepening, the martial arts festival officially came to an end, and banners of Yokai Dojo hung high in every corner of Dusk Town.
At the same moment, Yokai Dojo brightened with lanterns, and cheers erupted throughout its grounds.
With festivity, it came alive with energy and excitement filling the air. Music filled the streets, and laughter was heard from every direction.
"I… burp… told you that we would win!"
Dante put his arm around Gunwoo's shoulders and, for the first time in the past year, got a taste of alcohol.
Since they had been preparing for the martial arts festival for an entire year, they were forbidden from drinking alcohol.
However, now, after their victory, they were allowed to celebrate with drinks, and that's exactly what they did.
"No… you never said that!"
Gunwoo replied while glugging down his fourth glass of soju.
While they participated in a shouting match, some students became so drunk that they had to be carried to their rooms.
Back against the wall, Fiona wrapped her arms around Jun's neck and kissed him deeply.
"By the way, where the hell did Kiernan go? I wanted to drink with him!"
Dante asked after letting out another drunken laugh.
"He went… upstairs, I think, burp!"
Gunwoo said, and burped.
Leaning against the balcony's railing, Kiernan looked down towards Dusk Town's crowded streets and enjoyed a taste of the cool night air.
"Ah~ This is where you were."
Aoi smiled, stepped onto the balcony on her bare feet, and felt its cold cement surface beneath her toes.
It made her wish that she had some shoes on to protect her feet from the chill.
"The downstairs was a little too rowdy for me. It's quieter here."
Kiernan said and turned his gaze over to her, seeing that her cheeks were slightly red as she was feeling tipsy from the alcoholic drinks.
"How much did you drink?"
"A few soju shots, that's all. I guess I am bad at handling alcohol."
Aoi said with a chuckle, leaned on the railing, and closed her eyes as the night's cool winds touched her face.
She greatly enjoyed this one moment of quiet.
Kiernan reached into his pocket but actually opened his inventory and brought out the beautiful ring that Aoi gave him.
He slowly slipped it back onto his finger.
Seeing that, Aoi smiled but then felt her heart speed up as she gathered courage to ask.
"When will you leave? I know you stayed here this long just for the martial arts festival…"
It was a question she was afraid to ask.
"Tomorrow morning. My plane will be leaving before noon."
Aoi's eyes shook as she never guessed that he would be leaving so soon, and she tugged his shirt with pleading eyes.
"You don't have to leave so soon, do you? You can stay for a couple more days."
"I've been gone from home so long, and my father's been asking me to come back because school will start shortly. It's not that I want to leave, but I have been delaying my departure for too long already."
Kiernan said with a sigh, and when he turned to look at her, he could see her eyes were filled with tears.
He touched her face and wiped her tears with his thumb and then pulled her close for a hug.
"When will I see you again?"
Aoi asked as she cried against his chest.
Kiernan replied, his voice heavy with sadness, and softly patted her on the head before pulling away.
She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, a sense of longing in her gaze, and she then wiped the tears off her eyes.
She whispered in pain.
"Next time we meet, I'll take you to meet my mother, alright? I am sure she'd love to see you."
Kiernan said and sat on the railing.
"Mmh, I'd love that!"
Aoi smiled tearfully and sat next to him on the railing, then their gazes went to the moon in the sky that was surrounded by a sea of stars.
"Since you're leaving, I want to feel you once more before you go. I don't want to forget your warmth."
She spoke, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the room.
Kiernan smiled, closed the balcony's doors, and turned to face her, taking in the sight of her tear-streaked face.
He then pressed his lips against hers, and they started removing each other's clothes before dropping down to the bed.
With the moon's gentle glow illuminating their bodies, they lost themselves in each other's embrace.
With his right hand, Kiernan turned off the lantern's flame and snuggled under the blanket with her.