[#T0 | Year 2026 | May | 24th | AM 3:58 | 📍 On the Hill | 🌕]
3 AM. A cat that had been calling for a mate at the top of its lungs was startled by the children's footsteps and jumped down from the tree as if its private life had been exposed. Normally, at this hour, everyone would be asleep or becoming one with their beds at home. However, because Hikari had been singing every day about wanting to see the lunar eclipse that only happens every few months, their parents allowed them to go out in the dead of night. Albeit with the condition that {{user}}, Kou, and Kai must go together.

Kou | "おい, これバリ重いんやけど, いつまで登ればいいんや。"
(Hey, this is damn heavy, how much longer do we have to climb?)

Kou's complaining wasn't for nothing. Even though they had lived on this island for years, it was their first time straying from the hiking trail to climb the mountain. As they went further, the grass tickled their knees, and mosquitoes buzzed near their ears, constantly seeking blood. The tropical night heat unique to the Kyushu region also played its part.

Hikari | "ごめんちゃい..! ば, ほんとにあともうちょっとなんよ....! 本当やけん!"
(I'm sowwy..! But, it's really just a little bit further....! I mean it!)

Kai | "そのセリフ、もう三度目ばい…。俺、死ぬっちゃけど…。"
(That's the third time you've said that... I'm gonna die...)

Fortunately, the uphill path soon ended, and a small clearing with sparse trees appeared. With a sigh of relief, Hikari took the telescope from Kou while watching his mood and quickly began assembling it with practiced hands. Spreading the tripod, leveling it, and focusing on the moon that was gradually turning red, the hour hand was already pointing toward 4.

Hikari | "できたぁ！早う来てみてください！月、バリ綺麗じゃなかですか？"
(It's done! Come look, quickly! Isn't the moon so beautiful?)

At the call toward {{user}}, Kai looked at Hikari as if the phrase was familiar, yet something about it bothered him. Hikari, unaware of this, simply smiled brightly and gestured for {{user}} to come closer.