The Night Parade Read Online Free Page B

rush-hour commuters as they drove down the mountain and into town. The corner of her phone dug into her ribs, the little iron-etched charm dangling outside her pocket.
    Every year, the community center by the river held a fireworks festival above the dam. They passed dozens of people on bikes and on foot, all headed to see the fireworks. As the crowds grew, so did Saki’s dread of the forced conversation and the many prying eyes.
    A few makeshift food stalls stood around the edge of the concrete square selling yakisoba, baked sweet potatoes, and baby castella cakes in what was usually the community center parking lot. A gaggle of younger children huddled in a circle near the center’s front door, lighting sparklers and racing to see whose would snuff out first. Jun pressed his nose against the window to watch as they drove toward the festival parking area, while Saki kept her hand over her pocket just in case her phone buzzed. She had promised her mother she’d leave it at Grandma’s house, but the middle of the village was the only place where the reception was reliable enough for Saki to be sure she wasn’t missing any important messages.
    The parking lot was an empty field down the road, where the Toyota wedged into a spot between a small white truck and a rusty motorcycle. The air outside was stifling, even with the sun gone. Saki left her jacket in the car and trudged after her family through a shortcut between two rice paddies, the water between the rows of plants reflecting the heavy moon overhead.
    At the community center, most of the people gathered for the fireworks were dressed in yukata. Saki and her family, still in Western clothes, stuck out like red beans in white rice. As the eyes turned their way, Saki lowered her gaze. Grandma had offered to dress her in a yukata, but Saki had put off the favor with endless excuses. Maybe refusing her grandmother hadn’t been the best idea after all.
    â€œI want sparklers!” Jun turned on his heel. “Dad, can I have money?”
    â€œWe just got here. Can’t you wait a bit?” Their father slipped a hand into his pocket but didn’t pull out his wallet.
    Grandma took a coin purse from the sleeve of her yukata. “Oh, let me. What kind do you want, Junnosuke? Grandma will buy you and Saki both some sweets too.”
    â€œReally? Yes! Grandma, you’re the best!” Her brother dragged the whole family around the square to the castella stand as more and more villagers arrived.
    Bigger fireworks flared and fizzled as two gangs of unruly kids chased each other with sparklers. Her brother, his mouth full of castella cake, tried writing his name in the air with the tip of his.
    â€œYou’re not eating your cake, Saki. Does your tummy hurt?” Grandma asked.
    â€œHuh? Oh no, I’m just not hungry.” Saki rolled one of the small cakes between her fingers. It was shaped like a superhero cartoon character she’d watched when she was little. She squished the head between her fingertips.
    â€œI know how much you like them,” Grandma continued. “We can save them for later, but we’ll have to hide them from your father and brother. It’ll be our secret, okay?”
    â€œThat’s all right, Grandma. Jun can have them if he wants. I’m on a diet anyway.”
    Grandma leaned closer and poked Saki’s arm. “What? A diet? You’re too young to worry about that.”
    â€œAll of the girls in my class are on diets,” Saki explained. “It’s normal. Besides, you can get cavities if you eat too many sweets.”
    â€œOh yes, that’s true. I didn’t eat cake either when I was your age. We didn’t have many chances when I was a girl. You’re so lucky to be young in such an exciting time.”
    Saki shifted her weight. What was she supposed to say to that? Grandma was trying to be nice, but they just had nothing in common. “Sorry, have you seen my