~~ • ~~
We finally resumed our walk through the festival.
Paper lanterns swayed gently overhead. The lively festival music, the laughter of the crowd, and the calls of the stall vendors all blended together.
It wasn't long before we stopped in front of a shooting gallery stall.
All sorts of prizes were lined up on wooden shelves.
Teddy bears.
Keychains.
Little toys.
And an ornamental little bell, hanging all the way up in the top corner.
The rules were simple.
Knock a prize down, and you get to take it home.
I stared at the stall for a moment.
Then, I turned to Misaki.
"Do you want to give it a try, Misaki?"
"Huh?"
She looked a bit surprised.
"What about you?"
"I'm going to play."
"In that case..."
A small smile touched Misaki's lips.
"I'll play too."
I stepped right up to the front of the stall and paid.
The stall owner handed over a toy rifle and three pellets.
By the time I received my gear, Misaki was already standing right beside me.
_
