Lumi claps her hands over her ears. The loud honk-honk of taxis echoes around her.
A boy with a crooked grin tugs her sleeve. He points up the iron stairs. "Come on," he says.
They scramble up the cold rungs. Lumi keeps her hands over her ears as the city roars below.
The boy pushes open the rooftop door. They step into the cool dusk air, leaving the noise behind.
The boy kneels on the ledge and points down. "Look," he whispers. "Tiny stars fell asleep in the city."
One window blinks, then blinks again like a slow wink. Lumi giggles and taps the glass railing.
Lumi unclenches her fists and leans forward until her nose is almost against the ledge. She breathes out long and slow.
The whole sky is below her now — a blanket of warm gold lights. The city hums like a lullaby.
She pulls up a flat brick and sits down. The cool stone presses into her sneakers.
The boy hops up beside her and bumps his shoulder against hers. Below, a thousand tiny stars keep blinking.
Lumi keeps watching the lights. The boy rests his head on her shoulder. They stay quiet together.
The city hum sounds like a lullaby now. Lumi closes her eyes and smiles.
