bryota

Those rocks, the lumps of mud... You little— Are you secretly practicing your Arts again? Did the doctor's words go in one ear and out the other?

Wait! I can explain!

(Wipes nosebleed)

Look. Chisel, hammer, saw.. I made these with my own two hands! No Arts involved!

What's all this?

Can't tell yet, right? All you need to do is raise this 'roof' up, and—

Tadah! Welcome back to the original 'White Volcano'!

How does it look? What about this model over here? I made every little piece of this, bit by bit! Look at this sign—doesn't it look identical to the one that was on old Fashion Street?

Unfortunately my sculpting skills aren't quite up to par... The little refrigerator's handle is a bit crooked.

So, this is the surprise you wanted to leave for us before you go?

It isn't something I made alone.

It's not done yet. It's still missing a few of its most important parts. The rest needs to be finished together, as a family.

This is for you.

A clay doll? Is this supposed to be me? What's with the fro?

It was originally supposed to be braids, but I accidentally lopped 'em off so I figured I might as well change it to a fro... Besides, didn't you have that really puffy hairstyle when I was a kid? I always thought it was pretty neat.

I've seen worse.

But the OG 'White Volcano' didn't look like that. The beach chairs and inflatable boats were only added after the expansion.

More precisely, after Liv and Lut were born.

But it was only then that 'White Volcano' became complete. These are supposed to be <i>our</i> memories.

We're back!

Huh? What's that?

It's a mini 'White Volcano'!

I made a miniature of it. How's it look? Pretty sweet, right?

Standing in front of the door... Is that you and Harley?

They're tiny clay figures!

Mmhmm, that's right! Members of the adventure team, where are your dolls? Put 'em over here!

And our two new little friends as well—

Whoa... It's a fluffy little sheep doll!

Plus a D32 steel warrior!

No, no. This is Colonel Orirock!

He followed us home, his stony heart moved after seeing how hard Colonel Lut was working at the music shop, even at his young age!

(How'd Enis find out? Did you spill the beans?!)

(I... I swear it wasn't me! You must've let it slip 'cause you're so dumb!)

Ahem... Um, in any case! Colonel Orirock over here, just like me, is eagerly looking forward to Colonel Lut purchasing his first guitar and beginning his musical journey.

Lut, by the time I get back, you better have learned a few songs from Harley!

Hey. I never agreed to teach him.

Guitar?

...What guitar?

Huh? Didn't you go to the instruments shop because you wanted to buy a guitar?

I guess Enis is even dumber than you are, Lut.

I think you should just tell him.

The young boy shrugs, takes a small wooden box from his little backpack, and places it in Enis's hands.

Upon it is a neat array of smooth metal sheets, its end tapering off in a beautiful arc, just like the waves bestowed upon the beach by the ocean.

On the box's surface is the 'White Volcano' logo, drawn with colored pens. Pasted next to it is a pink fluffy sheep, looking like it's about to eat it in one bite.

This is... a kalimba?

Are you giving it to me?

Mhm. This was the deal between me and the shop owner. Liv here drew the logo.

(Hugs)

Urk...

Hey! Enis! Too tight!

Lut... Liv... Thank you so much.

Wonderful.

Looks like Lut and Liv know you well enough to understand that you're a musical dunce who can barely even play the kalimba.

...Harley, can we not kill the good vibes for now?

Alright, mission accomplished!

I guess we can put this miniature in front of the store, like a kind of mascot.

After the waterpark is built, tourists will come by and ask, 'what's this little house?'

You should be more worried about drunkards puking all over it, instead of imagining people admiring your masterpiece.

Well, I trust you'll be able to prevent that!

After all, this is the only way I'm gonna be here with you for a while: as this little doll living inside the model.

Hmph. Just stay well. That's the best gift you can get us.

Also, don't you think there's still something missing from it?

Hmm?

...My goodness!

I forgot to put Chuck in!

Enis! Rush delivery for you!

Thank heaven n' earth that the last one was made out to you. Otherwise I'd be out here griping how tedious this whole day's been.

A rush delivery? I wonder who it's from...

The sender is... Ch-Chuck?!

With great anticipation, the youth opens the cardboard box sent from afar.

Wrapped up in layers of old newspapers is a little straw doll made from dried vines.

It looks a bit like Chuck, huh?

Wait, his backpack... seems to be made from folded paper? There's something written inside.

'Son, I heard you were leaving 'White Volcano?''

'Tell Harley I left a little 'golden happiness' in our family bank account.'

That's just like him.

I hope he meant lodging money for Lut and Liv's next semester, and not a bill of debt.

'The locals made this straw doll for me when I was in Bolívar. Does it look as buff as me?'

A sudden gust of wind blows by, and the straw man's limbs flop around like reeds.

Its hat of leaves also blows right off, revealing a bald head underneath.

'Have him see you off in my place!'

'Being on the road isn't an easy thing. So, have you figured out where you're going? And how you're going to get there?'

'I look forward to hearing your answer by the next time we get together.'

A few regulars lift the entryway's curtains, and the mother invites them to take a seat before the sound of ice cubes dancing in the shaker fills the room.

The laughter of his young siblings reaches his ears. For a moment, it's as if he is whisked away to the beach, back to the little store of his childhood.

The young man looks towards the end of Fashion Street, and before he knows it, the setting sun's afterglow has already composed the score for a perfectly ordinary night.

Finally, it's time to go.

Now then, what will the future have in store?