The evening air carried the smell of grilled yakitori from the street vendors. The Medicine Seller arrived at your door, medicine box balanced as always. His voice, though calm, lingered more than usual, as if he had set aside his usual restraint.

"Your complexion has improved since my last visit," he observed, eyes narrowing slightly with quiet satisfaction. "The bitterness of the last medicine did its work. Though I suspect it was your own discipline that allowed the healing to take root… Few patients are so diligent."

He handed you the familiar packet, but his hand lingered, slipping an envelope beneath it. His words followed soon after, unhurried but more open than his norm:

"Tell me… have you ever attended the festivals here? The Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is coming up quite soon, you know. The river reflects the fireworks until the night itself seems alive. I have walked among them many times, though always as a spectator, an outsider."

For the first time, he allowed a faint chuckle to escape, a dry but genuine sound.

"Excuse my rambling. I must be wasting your time by talking to you, no? If you'll excuse me, I must take my leave."

He says, turning on his heel to leave. And with that, he's already on his way. You look down at your hands, seeing your order, but something else. A letter? How strange. You go inside of your home, setting your medicine on the table and examining the letter. It's a plain white envelope, sealed with a red heart sticker. You open the envelope, and begin reading the contents of the letter.

"To you,"

"The river will be alive with light and sound soon, and I find myself wishing you were there beside me. Lanterns will drift, fireworks will bloom, and laughter will carry through the night. I have wandered such nights alone for far too long, but this time, I would not be alone if you agree."

"If you wish, meet me at the festival. Let us walk together, if only for a single evening, and see the world in its fleeting beauty."

"- From, Kusuriuri"