act27side

Yay! I can fly!

Mama——!!

Um, there aren't any guardrails on the waterways, so I'm a little worried about—

I redesigned the kayaks according to Swire's plan, and they come equipped with a comprehensive emergency cushioning system.

It's also the second way you can play with these, as bumper kayaks! They can freely collide on the waterways, and the cushioning system will absorb all the impact force, using it to power the kayaks' water guns that spray water forward.

I didn't mention it to the tourists, but many of them seem to have already mastered this secret.

Look, over there—

Ah—Ahh—!

Along with a shriek, a kayak spins in the waterway, seemingly about to fall off the channel.

The airbags at the kayak's edge quickly inflate, wrapping up the passengers. But as the kayak drops, its trajectory is interrupted suddenly, as if there is a transparent barrier in the air.

Water splashes onto the ground, the completely wrapped kayak sways and falls downward.

Hey—! You alright? Anyone hurt?

I'll go take a look first, Eyja. Just wait here a second!

Tourists surround the fallen kayak, but there is only giggling bubbling from the center.

With a puff of the bulging air cushions, two children emerge from within.

Hmph! It's all your fault for moving around so much!

We didn't catch the little lamb, and our 'Siestan Adventure' is ruined!

Nuh-uh, it's not my fault the lamb ran so fast!

Lamb?

I don't see them here either... it must be tiring taking care of your younger siblings, yes? Children of that age love to play around and make so much noise.

*sigh* Thanks for the concern, but it's fine this way too. They're having fun at least.

You have a lot to worry about, as an older brother.

Now that I think back on some past incidents... pfft. I think like a friend might feel the same sometimes.

Do you have an older sibling, Dr. Ceylon? I've never heard—

It's your fault! All your fault!

Hey! You brats! Where did you run off to?

Enis!

It's Enis!

We sat on a big air cushion boat, and chased a fluffy little lamb!

What are you talking about? What lamb...?

A fluffy little lamb that lifted our boat up with its head to play with it like a ball!

When we catch it, we gotta make it sit in our boat!

Enis, over there! The lamb is back!

Where?

Look up!

Wait, these...

Our surfboards... why are they flying in the sky?!

Surfboards and swim rings.

They use the hot spring steam to leap into the air, jumping over Fashion Street and into the sky, beyond the tourists' view.

Everyone's eyes are glued to the objects swirling around as if living creatures.

And Adele sees something slightly different than the others.

The surfboards cruising across the sky have sheep standing on them.

They don't seem content with just racing the waterways—

Hot water, vapor, colorful surfboards and swim rings. The sheep sweep them all up, and together they pour into the hustle and bustle of Fashion Street.

(This is bad...! Dolly said he would teach them a lesson, was he lying to me?)

(Oh no, they're splashing the hot spring water everywhere!)

Snowsant, did you design a flying surfboard behind my back because I rejected your idea for an observation wheel suspended above the hot spring?

N-No...?

Didn't you arrange this, Miss Swire?

No... it wasn't me either.

The two look at each other, and then hesitantly turn their gazes toward Adele, who has been standing to the side the whole time.

Adele...

You...

What?

No, no, no! It's not me either!

Odd. Could it be Bison then?

Yoohoo—! Little lamb, fluffy little lamb!

The lamb is flying!

I'll go look!

Whoa—Eyja, Snowsant!

The surfboards are really flying! Whatever, let's get on those things!

Who's in charge here? Quick, someone should mass-produce these surfboards!

Woohoo!

*sigh* Mr. Dolly...

Is this the hot spring you were talking about...?

Huff...

Why are you still here?

I'm going to be scuttling around here like a four-legged Metal Crab on the beach until I can get all your signatures.

Fine, scuttle on then. I'm packing up, going home and having a drink.

Be my guest.

I bought this new gadget at the market today, this 'Originium Microwave Massager' something or other. Columbian thing. Can't make sense of it, but it works wonders. Feels like real relief sticking it on my back.

It's not bad trying something new.

Was that shaggy beckbeast riding a surfboard on the roof one of your funnies too?

Shaggy beckbeast? No, that's not...

Shame about that, I liked it. Entertainment that good has been rare ever since we lost the Obsidian Festival.

I'm glad it made you happy...

Right, got something for you.

...A kalimba?

Did you pick this up from the same market?

Congrats on the marriage, sonny.

You got a safe job for your family. A boring one, but you've got a sense of responsibility.

I can understand you like stability, but life's full of ways. Don't live out the hound days, son.

Each day lived is a hound day... you just have to roll with the punches.

I used to gamble with your grandpa, if you'll remember. We said you'd always come back from Obsidian with the grand prize one day.

Honestly... what a waste of all that musical talent.

If you're interested, I can still bring my guitar out sometime. Play it for you again.

If you'd played us a number on that thing sooner, your letter might've been the first to have my signature on it.

You...

Thanks.

Mrs. Harley, we recovered the surfboards that went missing here. Can you check if that's all of them?

I'm so sorry about this...

You helped me here. What are you apologizing for?

Um...

I didn't think these old things would ever get used again. It's funny—just who would've taken them?

Oh, well, I'm not too sure either...

That's alright, girl. It could be some tourists just picked them up while they were having too much fun—no harm, no foul. How are you? Did you have fun today?

You mean getting drenched in hot spring water?

Didn't it bring back a little of that seaside fun? It hasn't been so lively in forever—even the customers here to drink were all smiles.

Those owners were always frowning day in and day out. Even the drink was starting to taste bad...

Harley looks towards the tourists outside who still haven't scattered. Sunset gradually dyes the sky. Every single person's feeling merry.