The village had already begun preparing for the celebration dinner.
Large pots of food boiled over open fires, their aromas filling the air. Long wooden tables were carried out, lanterns and torches lit one by one, chasing away the night's darkness. Children ran about helping where they could, laughter echoing between houses.
Anna and Ro had already arrived.
When everything was ready, the villagers took their seats. Plates of food were laid across the tables, steam rising beneath a sky heavy with stars, their light quietly asserting itself above.
As the chatter slowly settled, Anna stood.
The village fell silent.
"Everyone," she said, her voice calm but proud. "Tonight, we celebrate the acceptance of my son, Ro, into the Division Knights."
Cheers erupted immediately.
Anna smiled faintly. "You've all watched him grow—endured his ridiculous stunts—and seen him mature into the Mohawk delinquent he is today."
Laughter rippled through the tables.
She sat back down as an elderly man rose in her place.
"What Chief Anna says is true," he said, nodding slowly. "We watched this boy grow with our own eyes. And today, we are proud of the man he's become. I believe I speak for the entire village when I say this."
Warm smiles spread among the adults.
A woman raised her cup. "Cheers!"
"CHEERS!"
The feast began.
Ro and Kenji sat side by side, talking quietly. Yume stayed close to them. Takahiro sat with a group of kids his age, their voices loud and full of excitement as they ate.
Ray and Anna spoke with the other adults, while some of the older teens gathered around Ro—teasing him, reminiscing about old stories that made him grin.
One of them spoke up. "Guess you're one step closer to reuniting with your older brother, huh?"
It was Mpho—one of Ro's oldest acquaintances.
Ro took a massive bite of meat before answering. "Yeah," he said between mouthfuls. "One step closer to meeting big bro."
Mpho smiled. "I'm happy for you, Ro."
Kenji watched the two of them. His mind drifted to the stories he'd heard—Ray's former student, a genius who reached the Advanced Rank in four years. The one who saved Selena. The one who inspired Ro to walk this path in the first place.
Ro turned, ruffled Kenji's hair, then looked at Yume. "I appreciate it, man," he said to Mpho.
For once, there was no scowl. No smirk.
Just peace.
Lantern light washed over the table. Conversations blended together, laughter rising and falling. When Ro met someone's gaze, they waved or smiled at him.
His eyes drifted back to Kenji, quietly eating.
From the bottom of his heart, Ro wished that one day—Kenji would sit at a table like this, surrounded by celebration. Family. Maybe even friends.
A night where the cheers were for him.