The village where the boy lived

was a very cold, barren place.

The village had not been visited

by outsiders for hundreds of years.

    Every year, the village was treated to a colorful light show in the midwinter night’s sky.

    Every time this season came, the village held a night festival. They shared food and gave words of blessing.

Nobody in this village didn’t know about the myth

that had been handed down from the past.

When the village is covered

with colorful lights in the night sky

The living and the dead can meet.

“Next week, Dad, the night festival will be held!” said the boy.

“I know, Son. Are you going to stay up all night outside again this time?”

“Definitely, Dad. I will finally meet Laura this time!”

    "Laura, you can't go down the mountain anymore with your injured leg. Wait a little bit, and I'll go to the village quickly, come back with the adults."

    "No! Don't leave me alone! I'm so scared!"

    "My sister, everything will be fine. Just wait here, I'll be back soon, and nothing's gonna happen."

    That was the last moment with Laura 3 years ago. When the boy had returned to the mountain, she was nowhere, and only her torn clothes were buried in the snow.

    People said that she was killed in a bear attack, and we would never see her again.

  However, the boy believed that only the night festival'- the time when the living and the dead meet- will let them meet together.

    Since then, every year when the night festival came, the boy had recalled his the memory with her. He always dreamed of the night he would meet Laura again.

Every adult in the town, however, said that he would never see her.

“It’s just a legend, Son. How can you meet a dead person?”

Every night the show was held, though, he waited for her all night. He firmly believed that it was not just an absurd dream.

Then ONE DAY— the day when the light show would be held— some people visited the village.

They arrived after everyone had fallen asleep.

They were wearing clothes covered in lots of fur and goggles that covered their whole faces.

They looked at the boy with curious eyes.

For the boy, their appearance was completely just like an unknown creature.

The boy was very excited.

The legend wasn’t a lie!

Oh, I can’t believe that it’s possible to meet the dead!

he thought.

Now, it was time for him to meet Laura!

But, wait, wait a second.

Wasn’t Laura just one person? Who were the other people? This was somewhat different from what he had expected.

Well, maybe it’s just some other dead people, that’s right, he thought.

As you might guessed, the people who visited the town were, explorers.

They visited the village after hearing a rumor that they could find mysterious lights in the night sky.

They were surprised to see the spectacular show, and they asked the boy the name of it.

“What do you call this?”

But the boy could not understand their language.

He was only excited to meet the person he was waiting for.

He opened his mouth, only to shout,