(Short-Short) Firefly Universe, Soup Night, Insect Repellent Summer

The quiet darkness of the night spread out beyond the windshield.

The car ride home, taking her back, was supposed to be filled with the usual peaceful time.

“Look, it's glowing”

She suddenly spoke up from the passenger seat.

Startled, I let my gaze wander, and there, near the dashboard in the dark car, a small green light flickered on.

Perhaps it had slipped in through a crack in the window without us noticing; a single firefly had begun to blink as if it had just remembered to.

“It’s like a universe”

Staring at the tiny light, she said something a bit eccentric with a dreamy expression.

Perhaps the black of the windshield and the firefly's light floating there looked like an infinite starry sky to her eyes.

Leaving me to soak in the romantic afterglow, her thoughts immediately warped to the next dimension.

“I’d like to have some soup on a day like this.”

From the universe to warm soup.

Conversations with her are always a struggle.

Just chasing after her disconnected words that fly here and scatter there forces my brain to run at full capacity.

The speed of the topics changing one after another with such rhythm is like a pinball being flicked around.

“Oh, hey. Can you stop at that drugstore over there? I need to buy some insect repellent.”

This time, I was pulled back to realistic daily life all at once.

She continued, knitting her brows slightly, saying that the temperature had risen significantly lately and she was troubled by the increase in insects.

From the fantastical light of a firefly to practical insect protection.

I couldn't help but let out a wry smile at the sheer gap between them.

"Understood. I'll stop by for a moment."

I turned the steering wheel, aiming for the bright sign on the roadside.

The night breeze coming in through the car window was indeed starting to feel warmer than it had a few days ago.

While being swayed by her rapidly changing words, I thought to myself.

That the season to fight that relentless heat once again was just around the corner.

Fin.

*This novel is a work of fiction.
The objects and people appearing in it do not exist.

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