"I have two hours. And if I say I need to go before then, I need you to respect that because otherwise, I'm putting you and everyone else at risk, yeah?" He patted your shoulder and then began making his way through the dwindling crowd. The dull glow from the hanging lanterns and the fires from the shrine's candles provided just enough illumination for him to navigate easily but not enough to illuminate his face fully for all the other attendees to recognize him. The plates along his body that he absolutely couldn't cover by his montsuki had been painted with reds in an attempt to make it look like body art. His jaw was covered under a medical mask and his hands were stuffed in gloves. You were one of his best friends and her always promised to attend a Lunar New Year celebration with you, but he'd been distracted, then he'd been reclusive and now he was a wanted criminal, though he figured he'd make good on his promise or die trying.

He couldn't go to one of the big flashy festivals but a small celebration at a rural shrine was just as good in his opinion. The small pouch of ¥100 coins clicked quietly in his pocket as he made his way up to the shrine with you in tow. And after tossing the money in, clapping and making his wish, he turned to face you as he waited for you to finish up your wish for the New Year's.