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Bonfires are supposed to be fun and youthful things, to be enjoyed in the heart of a forest or secluded beach, away from prying eyes as souls lay together to rekindle severed bonds.
They are not meant to be set on random building roofs, dangerously close to the edge with no barrier to stop a possible fall. Even less when only four young women, four fools, are here to watch over it.
"It's fine, it's fine… we made it small for a reason~."
Whether this is part of their reckless freedom, or simply further proof of their foolishness, there is no way to know.
For now, the fox simply enjoys knowing they are alive and well.
They have been here for less than an hour, but it feels like an eternity — peaceful, warm eternity.
Saori Hidaka enjoys this scenery. Even if, she tells herself, this was a very bad idea, it was hard to argue it wasn't worth it after seeing the view from up there.
The setting sun reflects on the four silhouettes, making them burn just as bright as the star they came to face.
It's weird, though. The three women before her, dancing or enjoying some drink near the fire, were burning so much brighter, even when she first met them.
Saori cannot compare, nor understand them. She feels so different, it's almost agonizing. She survives on coffee and four hours of sleep, and yet they keep coming back, taking her in as if she were like them.
Saori Hidaka is not like them. She is nothing more than a ball of anxiety and stress, cursed through all her nine lives, parading herself in the guise of a 'human' girl.
The fox rumbles in her stomach. She decides she won't listen.
Rika Seto comes to her and before she knows it, a blanket is put on her shoulders.
"Careful, you might catch a cold!" she says, as if she wasn't also dressed in her stage outfit. She points at the two resting near the bonfire. "Hehe. Marika looks like a burrito with that blanket~."
She takes her phone out and brings Saori close, flashing a smile to the camera.
The satisfied look on her face is paired with that easy and cheerful laugh, and she kisses Saori before going back to her one-woman party.
She's a bright summer child with the sun in her eyes.
She, Saori decides, is the most foolish of them all.
It's strange. They are all having the time of their lives. Whether they are relaxing or dancing, there is nothing but laughter, sometimes loud enough to overpower the crackling of the fire, empty cans of beer on the floor, and enough noise to wake up a whole neighborhood.
There are only four of them on this rooftop. From here, the city seems so small, so insignificant.
Time is frozen on this old rooftop, where only they matter.
Tomorrow morning, their lives will continue. Yet, it doesn't feel like they have to.
Maybe if they never go down, if they stay here, tomorrow will never come.
The fox whimpers. Saori feels guilty.
Maybe then, she will never have to go.
A monster. A freak. Saori learned these words early in her youth.
She learned that people wouldn't treat her well. That they were dangerous. That, no matter what she does, she has to keep running with the wind for all her life.
But, as she watches the bonfire, a thought comes to her. It's a new one. One she never had. Never dared to have.
Maybe I can stay here.
Looking at the three girls, her heart beats, beats so loud it silences the fox.
With her arms raised in the air, fingers pointed upwards, Rika shouts at the sun, like she's defying it.
She's so much brighter than the star. They all are.
On this rooftop, they are bigger than the whole world.
The fox stays silent.
Saori Hidaka is a fool. And she wants to stay here. Forever.