Konan took it and sipped the soup. The liquid slipped down her throat, carrying a delicate, savory sweetness.
"How is it?"
"...Mm."
"Hehe, told you!"
Genya took a big, satisfied gulp, then pointed ahead.
"There's a night market up ahead, too. They say it's really lively in the evening. Shall we hang around until dark, check it out, then leave?"
Konan glanced at the sky. The sun was already sinking in the west.
"All right."
She said.
Night fell, but the little town only grew livelier.
Lanterns lined both sides of the street, their red glow spilling over the stone paving.
Vendors set up stalls selling all sorts of things-food, toys, household goods, decorations-a dazzling array.
Genya pulled Konan along, weaving through the crowd like a pair of children.
"Konan, look! Goldfish scooping!"
"Come on, let me show you!"
The stallholder was a smiling old man who handed over two paper scoops.
"Want to try your luck, young man?"
Genya took a scoop, crouched beside the pool, and stared at the goldfish in the water.
"Watch this!"
He darted his hand forward, sweeping the paper scoop through the water and catching a red goldfish.
But just as the goldfish left the water, the paper tore, and it splashed back into the pool.
"Ah!"
Genya wailed.
"So close!"
Konan stood beside him, the corners of her lips lifting.
"Again!"
Genya took another paper scoop, more careful this time.
He edged closer, slowly lowered the scoop, slowly...
"Got one! Got one!"
He held the scoop gingerly, a white goldfish with a red tail wriggling inside.
"Konan, quick, get a bowl!"
Konan picked up a small bowl beside her and caught the goldfish.
Once in the water, the goldfish swam a cheerful circle.
"Pretty impressive, right?"
Genya looked immensely pleased with himself.