caper

The Originium cannon that was supposed to be there is nowhere to be seen. Instead, some colorful cardboard boxes sit quietly in its place.

There are cartoon drawings on the boxes, and the sealing tapes are labeled 'Fun Times'.

He also sees a timer and a lit fuse. What's even worse is that the fuse has only mere centimeters left...

One after another, bursts of fireworks surge to the sky and bloom radiantly.

Some are shaped like flowers, some hearts, and some fowlbeasts... In an instant, the night sky over Dossoles is lit up with different colors.

Hah, what do you think? Beautiful, no?

It took a lot of work to put together a fireworks show this great!

What? <i>That's</i> our gift? And what the heck, it's so loud!

Yeah, way too loud...

Come on, don't say that. The fireworks are beautiful. It's a shame there are so many buildings here blocking our view, though.

They really should've given us a heads-up and arranged for a better view.

Ah, whatever. This is lame. Can we go back inside?

I really don't get these Dossoleans.

All they have to do is look up to enjoy the fireworks... Isn't that good enough?

Back in the slums, every time they had a fireworks show in the city, Mamá and I would watch together... That was a happiness even people like us got to share.

Whatever... They don't get it.

But... I'm sure Pelirrojo and the guys over there loved the surprise.

A few days later...

Out of the way! Coming through!

Whoa, what a scene.

All these cars with flowers and balloons. Even their license plates are in order...

Suddenly, one of the cars leaves the motorcade and stops next to Caper.

The driver door swings open, and a familiar man steps out.

Carlie! There you are. Finally!

Where have you been the last couple days? Didn't even go to the casino, and that's your favorite hangout spot!

Hahaha...

What about you? You look pretty busy.

That's a nice ride you got there.

Uh, it's el jefe's car.

Oh, right. You didn't know. I joined the Snaptooths.

You see...

(Oh... So it's fireworks... They were fireworks!)

Oh no... I'm done for...

Are you done?

Ay, dios mío! Cariño, what an amazing fireworks show!

I didn't expect this at all. I thought you were starting another fight... but you had a surprise for me!

Hm? Oh... Yeah, that's right! I've been planning this for a long time!

And you helped me plan the whole thing, didn't you?

Huh? U-Uh, yeah...

Okay, sweetheart, hurry up and get changed. We're gonna have one hell of a dinner.

Wonderful! Thank you, cariño! I'm looking forward to it!

Um... Do you... still need me for anything else?

No, this was more than perfect.

Guess I had you all wrong.

Uh... No... sorry... I'll figure out a way to pay you back for the wall! I promise!

Pay me back?

You want to pay me back?

You took care of a huge problem for me. Why would I want you to pay me anything?

I've been worrying about when to propose to my girl, but looks like today's the day!

Somebody, book me a table at the restaurant with the best view in Dossoles!

Jefe! We got a call from the Sirus Rooftop Restaurant! They want to know if we're showing up for our reservation tonight!

Huh? We already have a table booked? Your doing again?

Uh, maybe...?

Impressive, chico. I won't forget this.

Quick! Get the car! We're heading over now!

That night, the girl couldn't stop talking about the fireworks, then... el jefe proposed, and she said yes.

He was so happy, he inducted me right into the gang.

The wedding's tonight, and all these cars are heading there.

Oh, well that's a happy ending alright. Guess my plan was a success, huh?

Yeah, it couldn't have gone any better. I didn't expect you to come up with a crazy idea like that.

Hah, honestly, I was real nervous! If you were there, you probably could've heard my sweat hitting the floor!

But well, now that you're part of them, you can climb the ladder quick. Then, get the punks to stop their protection racket.

Uh... Let's not worry about that for now.

Hurry, get in! I'll take you! You can join the gang too!

Nah-ah, that sounds kinda lame.

Even if I did join, I'd just make trouble. Nobody's gonna like me there.

Besides, I'm leaving Dossoles.

Huh? Why?

Think about it, Carlie. If we both join the gang, we'll get to waltz right into the casinos, and no one would bother us at all!

What's wrong?

Isn't this the happy place you've been looking for?

Is it?

I don't think I can find the happiness I want here.

Suddenly, the balloons on the bridal cars are all released at once. They slowly take to the sky, floating upwards amid the children's cheers and the crowd's gaze.

By the time Pelirrojo looks back down, Caper is nowhere to be seen.