For a moment, the two announcements hung among the falling tears while the audience remained silent.
Then Arthur shot to his feet; his mouth was wide open, about to scream his heart out... knowing the gorilla had no control over his mouth, Jojo swiftly jumped on his back and covered his mouth with her hands.
Ahhhhh!!! That's... my... big... brother...
Still, his stifled holler escaped a little through her fingers.
Her reaction wasn't really needed, as Arthur's voice was buried under a symphony of cheers mixed with chants.
Some viewers applauded through their tears... others pulled their companions into an embrace, unable to explain why a stranger's victory had left them feeling ready to face their own troubles again.
Levi stood in the fading rain, listening to them as the last traces of darkness withdrew from his body.
The exhaustion hadn't eased, and every burden he had briefly escaped was back where it belonged... yet he found himself smiling as he lowered his head.
