Brook woke to the sound of rain tapping against his bedroom window.
He opened one eye and stared at the ceiling.
The room was quiet except for the steady patter of rain and the ticking of the old clock on his wall.
"...Five more minutes."
A loud knock interrupted his request.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Brook sighed.
"I know it's you."
The door opened before he could stand.
Sera peeked inside with a grin.
"You weren't answering."
"I was sleeping."
"I noticed."
Brook rubbed his eyes.
"What time is it?"
"Almost four."
Brook sat up immediately.
"I slept that long?"
"You worked all night."
"I was supposed to go to the library."
"You can still go."
He looked out the window.
The rain had become heavier.
Dark clouds covered the sky, making the afternoon feel like evening.
"I don't think anyone's going anywhere today."
Sera smiled.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Brook narrowed his eyes.
"What are you planning?"
She held up two folded tickets.
"The Founding Festival starts tomorrow."
"I remember."
"They're setting everything up today."
"So?"
"So..." she said, placing the tickets on his table. "I volunteered."
Brook blinked.
"You... volunteered?"
"They needed extra hands decorating the square."
"I didn't know you liked decorating."
"I don't."
"Then why?"
She smiled mischievously.
"Because they said I could bring someone."
Brook pointed at himself.
"No."
"You haven't even thought about it."
"I have."
"When?"
"Just now."
She laughed.
"You need to get out more."
"I go outside every day."
"You stand on top of a Wall staring into a forest."
"That's outside."
"That doesn't count."
Brook folded his arms.
"It absolutely counts."
Sera shook her head.
"You know exactly what I mean."
There was a brief silence before Brook smiled.
"...Fine."
Her eyes widened.
"Really?"
"I'll help."
She grinned.
"I thought I'd have to argue longer."
"I didn't say I wanted to."
"You didn't have to."
An hour later, the rain had eased into a light drizzle.
The streets of Shinokuni-01 were busy despite the weather.
Workers hung colorful banners between buildings.
Children chased one another carrying paper lanterns that hadn't been lit yet.
Shopkeepers decorated their storefronts with flowers and ribbons in the city's colors.
Brook looked around.
"I forgot how much everyone likes this festival."
Sera smiled.
"It's the biggest celebration of the year."
"I know."
"No, you don't."
Brook looked at her.
"You always work during it."
He stopped walking.
She was right.
For years, he'd volunteered for extra Watch shifts instead of attending.
It had become easier to stay on the Wall than to join the crowds below.
The central square was almost unrecognizable.
A massive wooden stage had been built in front of the fountain.
Musicians tuned their instruments while cooks prepared long rows of food stalls.
Volunteers hurried back and forth carrying decorations.
"You're late!"
A woman with curly brown hair marched toward Sera with her hands on her hips.
"I know, Lena."
"You said you'd be here an hour ago."
"I had to wake someone up."
Lena looked at Brook.
"So this is the famous Brook."
Brook blinked.
"Famous?"
Lena laughed.
"Sera talks about you all the time."
Sera's face turned red.
"I do not."
"You absolutely do."
Brook tried not to smile.
Lena pointed toward several unopened crates.
"You two can help set up the lanterns."
"Got it," Sera replied.
They spent the next hour unpacking decorations.
Brook climbed ladders to hang lanterns while Sera untangled long strings of lights.
"You've done this before," she said.
"A few times."
"I thought festivals weren't your thing."
"They aren't."
"Then why are you good at this?"
Brook tied another lantern into place.
"Watchmen help build the festival before everyone arrives."
"You never mentioned that."
"No one asked."
Sera laughed softly.
"You really don't say much unless someone asks."
Brook shrugged.
"I don't usually have anything important to say."
She looked at him for a moment.
"I don't believe that."
Before Brook could answer, a loud crash echoed across the square.
Everyone turned.
One of the large wooden support beams for the stage had collapsed.
Workers rushed toward it.
Fortunately, no one had been underneath.
Crowley jogged over from the opposite side of the square.
"You two alright?"
"We're fine," Brook answered.
Crowley looked at the damaged beam.
"Looks like someone didn't tighten the supports."
Several workers inspected the broken wood.
One of them frowned.
"...This wasn't an accident."
Brook stepped closer.
The thick rope securing the beam had been cleanly sliced.
Not frayed.
Not broken.
Cut.
He exchanged a quick glance with Crowley.
Neither of them said anything.
But they were thinking the same thing.
Someone had sabotaged the stage.
The festival hadn't even begun.
And already, something felt wrong.