(Michelle Lui's POV)
The mood the after breakfast was… lighter.
Not cheerful.
Not fully healed.
But lighter — like everyone agreed to give themselves one last normal day before reality caught up.
So when Andy clapped his hands and said:
"Alright! Last hours in Country A — let's go shopping!"
Even Vince cheered.
Kate beamed.
Jasmine straightened her scarf with excitement.
Anthony muttered something about souvenirs for his cousins.
Lara gave a polite nod, quieter than usual but steady.
Steven simply said, "Let's go," and grabbed his coat.
And for the first time since the emotional earthquakes of the past few days…
I felt the group fall back into rhythm.
A softer rhythm.
But a rhythm, still.
--
Downtown — The Last Stroll
The outdoor shopping street was alive with fall colors.
Orange and yellow banners.
Maple-shaped lights strung across storefronts.
Street musicians playing soft acoustics.
Warm pastries perfuming the air.
