Four Season Tales

 Chapter I: Winter

Winter’s Vow

In the small village of Steinberg, in northern Germany, green fields still dominated the landscape. Despite its size, the village held significant stories within its bounds. Elena, a young girl with a fragile body and a bloated stomach, was hanging a bucket of laundry behind her house. Her petite body struggled to reach the clothesline above.

"Need a hand?" a voice came from behind her. 

"Friedrich! You're home early. I'm sorry, I need to finish hanging this laundry before I start cooking," Elena said. 

"Oh, come on, Elena, you need my help." 

"Thank you, my love."

Friedrich was Elena's partner, a German military reservist currently on his routine shift. He was tall, muscular, a complete contrast to Elena. However, Friedrich was a gentle man, especially with his delicate lover. They finished hanging the laundry and proceeded to cook. While cooking, they briefly discussed the conflicts gripping Europe at the time.

"So, what's the situation out there?" Elena asked. 

"Chaotic, very chaotic. Tensions between the blocs are escalating. I don't know when a major war will break out, maybe it has already started," Friedrich replied.

Elena fell silent for a moment, then continued cooking. After finishing their meal, they sat at the dining table in the middle of their modest home.

"Will you leave soon?" Elena broke the silence. 

"If the time comes, and I must, I will," 

Friedrich replied with a flat expression, clearly burdened by the weight of his words. 

"Friedrich, if the time comes for you to leave, I-" 

"Elena, you have to trust me. I promise I'll come back, for our child and for you, no matter what the circumstances." He made His promise. 

"I trust you, Friedrich. Thank you."

After the meal, they cleaned the house. Suddenly, Elena, weakened by her condition, stumbled and fell. Friedrich rushed to her side.

"Elena, are you okay?" 

"I'm fine, maybe just tired."

"Let me finish all of this. You take a rest."

Friedrich then continued the remaining household chores. Elena indeed had a weak physical condition. A woman like her shouldn't be doing heavy work, but she still insists on carrying on the duties.

A few days later, significant news reached the village of Steinberg. Snow began to fall, covering the small village's rooftops. Unpleasant news arrived with Friedrich's footsteps, accompanied by the winter's chill.

"Elena, we need to talk," Friedrich said, as he revealed the situation in Europe at that time.

Not long before that, war had broken out in Europe. Their country was on high alert, and all military personnel had to be deployed to the battlefield. Elena had a premonition that this day would come. It weighed heavily on her how she had to let the man she loved go. The next day, Friedrich hurriedly prepared to leave for duty, but not before saying his goodbyes.

"This won't be long, Elena. I will come back, and I'll be there when he is born into this world," Friedrich said, gently caressing Elena's belly that cradled their unborn child.

"Be safe, come back to us. We'll be waiting for you," Elena replied.

Friedrich, with eyes filled with bravery, left Elena and let go of her embrace and ventured into the cold and cruel battlefield. 

***

Winter had arrived, bringing heavy snowfall that covered the battlefield in its icy grip. Several months had passed, and the once-intense war was beginning to subside, although occasional enemy attacks persisted. Friedrich found himself amidst a snowstorm, battling both the invisible enemy and the biting cold. In his unit were a dozen soldiers tasked with repelling attacks from the enemy camp. During the battle, Friedrich grew close to his two comrades on guard duty, Heinrich and Kai, both younger than him but with whom he shared camaraderie. They stood guard at their assigned positions, braving the setting sun and heavy snowfall. The cold outside pierced through their bodies to the bone, yet Friedrich remained vigilant and alert.

"Hey, Friedrich! Come here, warm yourself for a moment!" Heinrich shouted, breaking the silence and Friedrich's reverie.

"Ah, yes, I'll be right there," he replied.

He sat down next to Heinrich, sipping a cup of hot coffee. The warmth of the coffee gives comfort and calm within him.

"Are you okay? Lately, it seems like you've been lost in thought. You know it's not good for a soldier on the battlefield," Heinrich remarked.

"You can see it, huh? Honestly, this war is driving me mad. We've been enduring this suffering for months. Do you remember the Battle of Schattenberg? I still can't believe we escaped that dreadful day," Friedrich confessed.

"There's a price to pay as well," Heinrich replied. 

"You're right."

They both drown in silence. The war in their homeland had dragged on for months, claiming numerous lives, especially among their friends.

"By the way, how's Elena? You still manage to send her letters, right?" "Yes, of course, I still write to her. Though it takes a long time, I can still get news from her," Friedrich said.

He took a moment to sip his coffee before continuing.

"Elena is doing good. Now she's accompanied by her aunt. Although her condition seems to worsen. You know she has a weak and fragile body." 

"What about her pregnancy? Isn't the time approaching soon?" 

"Yes, in a few weeks. After our duty here is over, I'll go back to her - no, to them." 

“If that time comes, I Would love to meet her!”

“Of course! I’m sure you will like her and otherwise.”

"That's good to hear from you, buddy! Let's endure the rest of this ordeal as best as we can!" Heinrich said, raising his cup to toast Friedrich.

"Hey, save a cup for me too!" Kai shouted, smiling from his post in the distance.

"Sure, if you can make it here before this coffee gets cold!" Heinrich replied while laughing.

The cold night felt warmer for Friedrich; he had good friends who understood his feelings. Despite feeling relieved, he was still worried about Elena's condition. The woman he loved had to bear such a heavy burden, far away from the man she loved.

The night was silent, too silent. Kai, who was on guard duty, decided to move for a moment to join his friends and have a cup of coffee. As he moved, a loud explosion echoed. Kai's head sprayed blood, his body paused momentarily, stiffened, and then fell to the ground. Friedrich and Heinrich witnessed this right before their eyes. They froze, unable to move for a few moments. Their minds were still trying to process what had happened. Kai, their friend who had been joking with them moments ago, now lay lifeless on the ground, a motionless lump of flesh. Heinrich instantly slapped Friedrich to his senses.

"Friedrich! Wake up, buddy! It's an attack!" Heinrich shouted.

Friedrich, who had been staring blankly at Kai, snapped back to reality. He swiftly grabbed his rifle and got ready.

"ENEMY'S ATTACK!!" They both shouted to alert the rest of the personnels.

Shortly after, a series of deafening explosions rang out, followed by the collapse of their camp's tents. It was a surprise attack launched by the enemy to disrupt Friedrich's Unit defense. Gunfire was inevitable. 

The battle was fierce; however, the enemy had the advantage of moving in darkness and striking early. They continued to fight to defend their fortification. Friedrich, engaged in a firefight alongside Heinrich, saw his comrade doing his best to repel the opponents.

"Hein! Your leg!"

It was clear that Heinrich's right leg had been hit by shrapnel from the explosion at their post; it bled a lot .

"Don't think about it, fool! Focus on what's in front of you!"

Bravely, Heinrich fired at the resisting enemies while advancing. He was shot in the right chest and right arm, his condition critical. Friedrich dragged him and sought cover. Heinrich's condition was agonizing, and he knew his time had come.

"Heinrich! Stay with me, buddy! I'll take you to the medical unit behind," Friedrich said anxiously.

"Fried, look at me. I think it's useless,” he said weakly. 

"My friend, promise me, promise me to get out of here, promise me to return to your homeland, stay alive, my friend…" Heinrich lost his strength, his gaze now empty, his body lifeless.

"Heinrich..." Friedrich held Heinrich's hand and wiped his eyes.

Friedrich left the hiding spot and entered the raging battlefield. His unit struggled to repel the enemy that ambushed them. With mixed emotions, Friedrich advanced, bombarding whatever was in his path. All he had in his mind was his waiting lover; he couldn't die here.

Suddenly, a loud explosion occurred right in front of Friedrich, hitting his jaw. Friedrich was thrown backward; he couldn't feel his legs, his body hung limp. His hearing started to fade, and his vision began to blur. Was this finally it? He lost consciousness, collapsing on the cold and blazing battlefield.

***

Faint voices could be heard, it was a conversation among several men. They were talking about something related to casualties, agreements, and roads. The words didn't make sense in his ears. He then opened his eyes. His blurred vision focused on the tent's ceiling. He tried to comprehend what was happening. His head hurt; he began to remember the events of that night. Briefly, he recalled his fallen comrades, what happened to his unit after that night? How was he still alive? Elena?

 Shortly after, a man in military uniform approached him. From his appearance, he seemed to be a colonel or higher.

"Hello, corporal, you seem to be awake, thank goodness," the man said gently and authoritatively.

"Allow me to introduce myself; I am Colonel Lars Hoffman. You might remember me from some operations a few months ago."

"I remember you, Colonel, I apologize for meeting you in this condition."

"You're lucky, son," he said, exhaling. 

"Do you remember the events of that night?" the colonel asked.

"Just a little, sir. The enemy attacked our unit, and my friends–"

"I'm sorry to be the one to bring this news to you, but all the personnel from the Falke unit have fallen, except you, you’re the only one who survived."

Friedrich froze, he was incredibly shocked, so much so that he didn't know how to respond to the colonel's words standing beside him. The fact that all his friends had fallen, yet he alone survived, was it luck or misfortune?

"That night, your Eastern flank unit on guard saw light and heard loud noises from your position. They immediately sent reinforcements to your location, fully armed and with complete artillery. We managed to repel the attack. Unfortunately, we were late," Colonel said while looking down. 

"Thank you for saving me, Colonel," Friedrich said.

"When we found you, your condition–" The colonel paused for a moment and lifted the blanket covering Friedrich's legs. His left leg was gone from the knee down.

"Oh, God."

"We Tried our best, but your condition was quite severe when we found you; we had to amputate your left leg, and also–" the colonel directed a mirror towards Friedrich's face. 

"AH!" Friedrich shouted. He had lost his left eye. He now remembered how the explosion that knocked him unconscious had also damaged his vision.

"Forgive us, Corporal. This is the best we can do.” 

"Colonel, how long have I been here? What about the war out there?" 

"You've been here for a few weeks. The situation is still tense; this tension might persist for quite some time."

Friedrich pondered for a moment. He didn't think about what happened to his leg or his left eye. All he could think of was the woman he loved.

"Colonel, when can I go back? Allow me to return; Elena–" he said weakly.

“Considering your condition, it might take a few more weeks."

"A few more weeks," Friedrich's mind turned to his wife's pregnancy. Could he make it home in time, given his current state?

"Corporal, regarding the woman you mentioned earlier, we received a letter from her. Read it."

"Thank you, Colonel."

Friedrich opened the small letter. He smiled faintly when he saw Elena's handwriting. Small gestures like these could heal his longing.

"Fred, how are you? It's been a few weeks since you last replied to my letter; I hope you read this one. I just wanted to tell you a bit about the situation at home. Everything is still alright. Aunt Helga is still here taking care of me, so you don't need to worry there, although, honestly, I wish you would come back soon. Grandpa Keller passed away a few days ago; his weak heart couldn't carry him anymore. Little Lukas, Uncle Braun's son, can walk and spell now! That's a little good news from our small village. As for my pregnancy, it seems the day is approaching. Even though I know my body is weak, I'll try to hold on until you return. Fred, I don't know for sure what the situation is out there, I don't know what you're facing, what you're feeling. I hope you can read this letter; I hope you're alright; I hope you haven't forgotten me, forgotten us. Fred, if you're reading this letter, I beg you, come back, come back to us."

Elena

Friedrich froze; the letter felt like a heavy blow to his chest, tears streamed down his cheeks. The burden he left behind was immense, the longing for his beloved overwhelming. Now, only time stood between him and reuniting with his soulmate.

***

Weeks had passed, and it was time for Friedrich to return. Winter still held the land in its icy grip, snow blanketing the war-torn country. He no longer cared about what happened on the frontlines. Let the powers that be spill blood and topple one another; all he cared about was returning to that place. The journey was long, traveling by steam train, then horse-drawn carriage, and finally on foot.

Friedrich struggled to adjust, walking with a prosthetic leg and seeing with one eye. The biting cold air and soft snowflakes accompanied his steps back to the village of Steinberg in the early morning. He traced the familiar paths of the village, reminiscing about the memories he once shared with his beloved. His steps led him to the front door, and as he was about to enter, it swung open.

"Oh, my God! Friedrich! You're finally back!"

It was Aunt Helga, the woman who had been accompanying Elena all this time.

"Fred! What happened to you? Your leg?!! My goodness, are you alright?"

"Calm down, Aunt, I–"

Suddenly, a loud scream from inside the house startled both of them.

"Aunt, what's happening? Where's Elena?"

"You've come back at the right moment! She's inside; go meet her. I think you're about to have a new member in the family soon."

Friedrich hurried inside the house. The atmosphere hadn't changed much, but he didn't have time for that. His unsteady steps led him to the bed where Elena lay.

"Friedrich."

"Elena."

"You're back; I'm so happy." Tears streamed down her face.

"I promised, Elena, even if I have to crawl my way out, I'll come back to you."

"Fred, your leg, and what happened to your eye? Are you okay?"

"None of it matters; what matters is I'm here. How are you? I heard shouts from outside earlier."

"To be honest, I've been getting worse lately, Fred, but I'm trying to be okay. I just felt a contraction; it seems the time is near."

They both cried while embracing; they were finally reunited. A few moments later, Elena went into labor. The birthing process was assisted by Aunt Helga, and Friedrich stood by Elena's side, holding her hand. Elena screamed throughout the delivery, but with the man she loved by her side, she fought hard to stay strong.

Shortly after, the birthing process was complete; their child had been born, they had succeeded.

"Congratulations, it's a healthy baby girl," Aunt Helga said.

From her arms, she moves the tiny baby into the embrace of her father. A small baby crying in the warmth of her father's arms, far away from the coldness of the snow outside.

"Look at her, Elena, how beautiful she is, just like you." Elena stroked the baby's head, smiling broadly, she had done it.

"You are truly beautiful, my love," her voice weak, her gaze growing distant.

"Thank you, Friedrich, thank you for coming back, thank you for being by my side."

"Elena?" Friedrich noticed Elena's gaze growing emptier, her face turning pale.

"Take care of her, Friedrich, I love you."

Suddenly, Elena's gaze turned vacant.

"Elena? ELENA??!!"

Friedrich cried while embracing Elena. Misfortune had come moments after their happiness. He wiped Elena's eyes and kissed her for the last time.

"I love you too."

Friedrich, with unsteady steps, carried the small body out of the house. The sun had just peeked from the eastern horizon, bringing a little light to the new day, accompanied by a slight warmth illuminating the two of them.

"Now, it's just the two of us, I promise to always be by your side, to always protect you, Winter."

***

Chapter II: Spring

Blossom In Spring

It was a bright day in Osaka. It was the end of early March, where winter had passed, and the trees were beginning to bloom again. In an office building, activities were bustling. The employees were diligently working on tasks and reports for the beginning of the year. Everyone was engrossed in their work, including Asahi. Asahi, a 25-year-old man, worked as an office employee. He lived a life like everyone else, going through the same routine and job almost every day.

Asahi was busy compiling his work reports at his desk when a middle-aged man with glasses approached him.

"Asahi!" the man said, breaking Asahi's concentration. 

"Yes, Mr. Hayato, can I help you?" Asahi responded.

"Can you help? Of course! Look at your work! This report doesn't meet the standards! There's no way I can accept this! Now, you redo this until it's correct, and don't expect to go home before you finish this!" the old man said sternly, drawing the attention of everyone in the room to Asahi's desk. 

"Alright, sir, I apologize."

In a short while, the man turned around and swiftly walked out of the room. Now, Asahi had to complete the additional task he received. This was a common experience for Asahi. His boss was very strict in assigning tasks. Sometimes, Asahi was burdened with extra work from his colleagues because he was an easy target. This forced Asahi to work even harder, with no one to help him.

Time passed, the sun was about to set, casting an orange glow in the sky. Some of Asahi's colleagues started leaving the office to go home, but not him. He was still busy finishing his work. Several hours had passed; it was already 9 PM, and his work was finally done. Asahi was utterly exhausted and decided it was time to go home. He walked through the streets of Osaka at night, where many people spent time together for dinner or just gathering. This reminded him that he hadn't eaten anything for dinner.

"Oh right, I haven't had dinner. What should I eat tonight?"

After thinking for a while, he decided to have ramen at a small eatery nearby.

The eatery was bustling with office workers gathering for dinner.

"Hey, did you hear? Kazuki's proposed project got accepted. It looks like we'll have a big success next month!" someone exclaimed amid the crowd. 

"Really? Wow, this is a significant achievement! Let's toast to that!"

On the other side of the restaurant, Asahi enjoyed his ramen alone. Asahi was a solitary person. Since his school days and even in college, he didn't have many friends. When he entered the corporate world, he hesitated to socialize and get closer to his colleagues. He considered his office mates as mere coworkers. While his colleagues gathered together, he preferred to be alone.

“Thank you for the meal," Asahi said as he packed up his belongings and left the bustling restaurant, heading towards the quiet nighttime streets. He walked across a rather long bridge that stretched over a wide river.

"This place is not too bad," he thought to himself.

He continued on his way back to his cold and silent apartment. Asahi lived alone in Osaka, having left his parents when he started college, and now he worked in the city. He still exchanged messages and called them occasionally. The state of his apartment couldn't be considered well-kept. Some dirty clothes were strewn over a chair, and unwashed dishes and glasses sat in the sink. It might reflect the life of a man living alone and occupied with work. Feeling very tired, he took a quick shower and went straight to bed.

"How long do I have to keep doing this?" he mumbled while lying on the bed. Many things weighed on his mind: friendships, work, and when he might find a glimmer of light in this darkness. He got lost in his thoughts and eventually fell asleep.

***

The sun began to peek from the east, casting its light into Asahi's room through the window. Asahi was still sound asleep in his bed. His phone alarm rang, indicating 7 AM. The alarm sound woke Asahi up. His body felt heavy, and he struggled to get up. However, he tried to open his eyes and looked at his phone. He sighed and then made an effort to get out of bed. He headed to the bathroom to freshen up and prepare for work. Before leaving, he took a moment to wash the dirty dishes and tidy up his clothes. Even though he did what he could, his room was still quite messy.

He then left his apartment alone that morning. Some trees were starting to bloom, displaying their beautiful blossoms. However, Asahi was not captivated by the surrounding beauty; his mind was solely focused on the heavy workload awaiting him at the office. As he walked, he crossed a long bridge, passing through the night. For a moment, he glanced down at the edge of the bridge towards the fast-flowing river. He contemplated raising his foot onto the bridge's railing but withdrew his intention when he saw many people passing by.

"No, not now," Asahi said, dismissing his thoughts.

In his heart, doubt and fear still lingered about ending his life. He didn't know what to do. Asahi released his grip and descended from the bridge. Then, he continued walking towards the office to work. The streets were bustling that morning, and the train he boarded was packed with people heading to work. He almost arrived late when he entered the office, but as he stepped into the room, his boss, Hayato, was waiting at his desk with an unpleasant expression.

"Asahi!" 

"Yes, sir?" "Where is the report, I asked for yesterday? Are you trying to undermine me?"

Asahi was genuinely surprised. He didn't expect that he had forgotten to submit the report requested by Hayato yesterday.

"I'm sorry, sir. It seems I forgot to work on it. I still have the file if you want me to –"

“Idiot! Didn't I ask for it to be sent yesterday? Because of your incompetence, I received a warning from the department head. Now I have to do more work. And you know what that means? You are the one who has to do these tasks, Asahi!”

Asahi was stunned. He felt like punching the old man standing in front of him, but of course, he couldn't do that. He could only accept what was commanded of him. And so, that day, he worked on his tasks and also Hayato's report. He was under immense pressure because he had no one by his side. There was no one to talk to, no one to help him. Was jumping from that bridge the right choice?

That evening, Asahi also came home late. He walked back with great weakness and exhaustion. He headed to his apartment, where he could finally drown himself in his bed.

"I will do it, tomorrow I will end it all," he whispered before drifting off to sleep.

Asahi set his alarm for 5:00 AM for the next day. He was truly determined to jump from the bridge and end his life. The next day, he woke up and began to prepare. He cleaned his apartment, from folding his clothes, tidying up the mess, to washing the dishes that had been left in the sink for days. After that, he took a shower to cleanse his body, then dressed meticulously in his work suit and shoes, looking as neat as someone heading to work. He wrote a small note placed on the table in his apartment, addressed to his parents or whoever found it, stating that it was Asahi's final message.

***

That morning, the air felt incredibly cold. The streets were still misty, and the sun had yet to show itself. Nevertheless, Asahi was standing at the edge of the bridge, his gaze vacant. He was still trying to gather the courage to jump and end it all. Asahi waited for the moment the sun would rise before making his final move. He wanted to see the sun one last time. When the sun started to cast its faint light, he began to step forward, approaching the edge of the bridge, facing the river to the east.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His body felt light. Now, he was standing on the edge.

"This is it," Asahi said to himself, closing his eyes and leaning forward, toward the deep river.

Just as Asahi was about to plunge into the river, a loud shout echoed from behind him on the bridge.

"Stop!!!"

Asahi, who was about to jump into the river beneath the bridge, was suddenly pulled back by the arm of the person who shouted.

"Ouch!"

Both of them fell to the side of the bridge, hitting the hard pavement. Asahi turned to the person who had stopped him, his expression filled with anger.

"What do you think you're doing? Why are you bothering me?" he said, visibly shaken.

The person in front of Asahi was a young woman, petite in stature with shoulder-length hair. She had bangs, a bright face, and wide eyes. The sunlight from the newly risen sun illuminated her face. She was carrying a fishing rod behind her back. Her face was bright and beautiful, leaving Asahi speechless as he looked at her.

"What am I doing? What about you? What are you doing? Don't disturb me!" he retorted, his expression furious and resentful. He still seems shaky.

The woman was trying to stop Asahi and pulled him, attempting to get him back from climbing the bridge again.

"What are you going to do? You're crazy! I don't know who you are, but ending your life is not the way out," she said to Asahi, who was still staring at her.

"This is none of your business! Go away!" Asahi tried to defend himself, though he looked clearly embarrassed.

"I won't let you!"

The woman tried to block Asahi and pull him back from climbing the bridge again.

"If you try to jump again, I'll call the police! I'll scream!"

Asahi was very Scared, especially as the sun had started to shine and some people had begun to come out of their homes to go to work. The bridge was now being passed by several people. Asahi started to panic. What should he do? Wasn't he supposed to end it here? What did this woman want?

"Hey! What's going on here so early in the morning?"

From a distance, a police officer who was patrolling that morning approached the two of them. Asahi was bewildered; he never expected a police officer to approach them. Asahi was terrified. What if this woman revealed what had happened to the police?

"Well, you see, we—" Asahi began, trying to find an excuse to defend himself.

"I'm sorry for our disturbance, officer. But my boyfriend didn't have breakfast before going to work, so I have to take him back home for breakfast first. I won't let him go until he has the meal I cooked. I won't allow him to leave without eating," the woman said calmly.

"What do you mean by of—"

The woman pinched Asahi's arm.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

"Stay quiet! Now you have to go home and have your breakfast first! I'm sorry, officer, for causing a commotion early in the morning. I'll make sure my boyfriend here goes home with me. Thank you," the woman said, bowing to apologize.

"Oh, I see. I thought it was something serious. Carry on with your activities. Just make sure not to cause a ruckus," the police officer chuckled, making Asahi blush in embarrassment.

The police officer then continued his patrol on his bicycle. On the other side, the woman pulled Asahi down from the bridge toward the riverbank.

"Hey, the police officer is gone. Why are you still holding onto me?" "I won't let you go until we leave this place."

Asahi sighed deeply. It seemed he knew he couldn't win against this woman. This time, whether he liked it or not, he had to abandon his intention to end his life.

"Fine, you win. I won't jump from the bridge," Asahi said with a resigned expression. 

"You promise?" 

"Yes, I promise."

Asahi then realized what he had been doing. This woman only wanted to help him, to save him from the tragic folly that nearly led him to his death.

"Hey, thank you for helping me," Asahi said, a little bashfully.

"You seem to have come back to your senses. That's good," the woman said, exhaling visibly. Her expression showed immense relief.

"My name is Airi, and you?" 

"I'm Asahi."

After the introduction, they fell into silence as they walked along the riverbank. After a while, Asahi finally broke the silence.

"Hey, Airi, how did you manage to help me back there?" 

"Well, I had planned to go fishing by the riverbank this morning. But when I looked toward the bridge, I saw a foolish guy trying to jump into the river from the top. So, I ran toward the bridge, and you know the rest."

"I see. Thank you," Asahi said, his expression softening into a slight smile.

"Hey Asahi, how about joining me for fishing?" "What? Fishing?" 

"Yes, fishing by the riverside! Interested?" "I don't know," he replied hesitantly.

But seeing Airi's hopeful expression, he finally agreed to join her. Asahi didn't have much experience with fishing in his life, maybe only once or twice when he was a child. They sat by the riverbank, waiting for the fish to bite the bait. He had earlier wondered, what was he doing on that day? He, who initially wanted to end his life, was now sitting with a woman who was fishing.

"Asahi, are you an office worker?" 

"Yes, I work in the city." "Hmm, I see. How old are you?" Airi asked, curious. 

"25 years old." 

"Wow, really? You look older than your age."

What is she talking about? Asahi thought to himself.

"And you, Airi?" 

"22 years old, I'm still in college." 

"I see."

Asahi struggled to keep the conversation going. He rarely interacted with women.

"What brought you out fishing early this morning?" Asahi attempted to start a conversation.

"Of course, sweetfish! There are plenty of sweetfish in this river!" She smiled enthusiastically.

Asahi stared at her in awe; she was truly charming.

"Asahi, may I ask you something?" Airi broke the silence. 

"What is it?" 

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but... Why did you want to jump off the bridge?"

The question shook Asahi.

"I was desperate. I felt that my life had no meaning, so I decided to end it. Truly pathetic, isn't it?" he said with a melancholic expression.

Airi fell silent for a moment, looking at Asahi. She then held his hand.

"Asahi! You must not think that way. This world might be cruel, but it's also beautiful. You have to keep living and find happiness; I believe that day will come!" Airi said, her expression convincing, her eyes gazing deep into Asahi's soul.

Asahi was taken aback, his heart pounding as he looked at Airi. Somehow, her words calmed his heart.

"Yes, thank you so much, Airi," Asahi smiled.

Shortly after, Airi's fishing line suddenly moved and tugged.

"Wow! Could this be it?" Airi became extremely excited.

Airi wrestled with the fish for quite some time; they pulled and tugged against each other. She was determined to catch it. Eventually, she successfully lifted the fish from the river – it was a sweetfish! Airi had finally caught her target.

"Look, Asahi! This is a sweetfish!" she exclaimed with pure joy.

Asahi was genuinely captivated by what he saw, his face unconsciously breaking into a sincere smile for the woman.

"Congratulations, Airi, this is a big catch." 

"Thank you! By the way, have you ever tried fishing?" 

"Uh, no," he replied. "But I'm not as skilled as you." 

"That's okay. I'll teach you. Come on," Airi said eagerly.

That morning, they spent time together fishing. Airi patiently taught Asahi various aspects of fishing and different techniques. Somehow, Asahi, who had been desperate earlier, had forgotten his despair and felt genuinely happy. After a satisfying fishing session, they decided to head back.

"All right, I guess it's time for me to go home," Airi said to Asahi. "Thank you for today, Airi." 

"Promise me you won't jump off the bridge again, okay?" 

"Okay, I promise, " Asahi replied, chuckling softly. 

"Hey, let me walk you home, can I?" 

"You want to walk me home? Oh, sure, let's go then."

That afternoon, they strolled through the hot streets of Osaka. The city was bustling with activity, but Asahi's eyes were fixed on the woman in front of him. Perhaps it was the fishing rod she carried that caught his attention, or maybe it was something special about her. Something that intrigued Asahi.

"It's really hot this afternoon," Airi said, fanning herself with her hand.

The weather was indeed hot, with the sun shining brightly over the city. Combined with the bustling city activities and the passing vehicles, it made the day even warmer. Seeing Airi feeling hot, Asahi mustered the courage to speak up.

"Hey, how about we buy ice cream from that store? It's on me," Asahi suggested.

"Really? That's great! Thank you, Asahi. I want mint chocolate flavor, hehe," Airi grinned widely.

Asahi did this as a gesture of gratitude for what Airi had done for him. That day, he was saved by a woman he had never expected to meet. They bought ice cream and headed to a city park to enjoy it. They sat side by side on a park bench. Asahi looked incredibly stiff and nervous sitting so close to the woman. He glanced at Airi's face, where he saw her sweet smile as she savored her favorite ice cream. What was this feeling?

"Hmm! This ice cream is delicious! Thank you so much, Asahi."

"You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it," he said, unconsciously wearing a smile on his face. Somehow, Asahi started to become more expressive, showing more emotions. He seemed genuinely happy.

"Hey, Asahi, how about after this, we stop by my place? It's not far from here. There's something I want to give you." 

"Something?" 

Airi stood up from her seat. 

"Come on, just follow me. Let's go!"

They walked through the suburban area, entering a residential neighborhood that also served as a shopping district on one side of Osaka. Their steps led them to a flower shop located along the roadside, squeezed between two other establishments – a café and another shop. It wasn't huge but not small either. Various colorful flowers adorned the space, captivating the eyes. Colorful decorations and ornaments added to the beauty. A large signboard with the words "Sakihokoru" was displayed in front of the shop.

"Welcome! What kind of flowers are you looking for today? Hehe," Airi jokes.

"Airi! You're finally back. Where were you? Don't tell me you went fishing again. Didn't I tell you to wait for the store this afternoon?" The voice came from a middle-aged woman with long hair inside the shop. She was quite tall, even a bit taller than Asahi, wearing glasses and a dark apron.

"Ah, I'm really sorry, Mom, I almost forgot. I went fishing this morning. But the important thing is, I made it here this afternoon, right? Haha. Oh, by the way, I caught a sweetfish today!" Airi explained.

"Oh, you're always up to something. Hurry up, wear the apron and put that sweetfish in the fridge. I have to leave for my shift," her mother scolded.

The woman's gaze then shifted to Asahi, who was standing at the door next to Airi.

"And... who is this?" "Oh, Mom, let me introduce you. This is Asahi, my friend. Asahi, this is my mom." 

"Pleased to meet you, ma'am..." 

"Tanaka, nice to meet you too, Asahi."

Ah, so that was Airi's family name, Tanaka. He would remember that.

"We haven't met before. Are you Airi's college friend, or..."

Asahi was puzzled about how to answer Miss Tanaka's question. There was no way he could explain what happened that morning.

"Asahi is a friend from my fishing community, Mom," Airi said, half-smiling and winking at Asahi.

"Oh, I see. Airi, next time, you have to let your mom know if you're going out so early in the morning. I was worried and looking for you," Miss Tanaka said. 

"Hehe, I'm sorry." 

"In that case, I'll leave now. Asahi, you can stay here for a while to accompany Airi. If you're interested, you can also take a look at the flower collections here." 

"Sure, ma'am."

Shortly after, Tanaka left the shop, which also served as their home. Airi put on her apron and stood guard in the store.

"This place is so beautiful," Asahi said. 

"Of course, all the flower collections here are guaranteed to be of high quality and beautiful," Airi said with all pride. 

Asahi looked at the wall where the flowers were displayed. The colors were incredibly vibrant. Maybe collecting flowers could brighten up the atmosphere in his apartment. He then remembered his apartment and glanced at the clock. It was past 1:00 PM; he needed to get back.

"Airi, it seems it's getting late. I should go back to my apartment." 

"Oh, really? Of course, you can go back." "Before Asahi could turn around, Airi interjected." 

"Wait, Asahi! I almost forgot, there's something I want to give you."

Airi went to the back for a moment to fetch a ribbon and assemble a bouquet of flowers, then handed it to Asahi.

"Here, accepts my gift." "This...?" "Iris flowers, aren't they beautiful? I thought they would look nice in your place. You can put them in a vase. I hope you like them," she said with a gentle smile.

"They're truly beautiful. Thank you so much, Airi, I'll put them in my apartment."

"Oh, by the way, how about exchanging phone numbers? You know, maybe we can stay in touch and perhaps go fishing together again sometime?" Airi said hopefully. 

"Of course!" Asahi was thrilled when Airi asked for his phone number, and they exchanged numbers. 

"In that case, I'll go now. See you again," Asahi waved as he stepped out. 

"Yes, be careful on your way, Asahi!" the woman called from inside the shop.

Asahi returned to his apartment, walking the hot streets of Osaka, holding the bouquet of irises given to him by Airi. Despite the harsh sunlight, the gloomy city atmosphere didn't bother him at all. His face was beaming; he was feeling something he had never felt before in his life.

When he opened the door, he remembered what was supposed to happen, what he had planned. He saw the suicide note he had written and smiled. It felt absurd, like an irony. Asahi tore up the letter, shredded it into pieces, and threw it into the trash. He took a crystal-clear vase from the storage room, which had gathered dust. He cleaned the vase, washing and polishing it until it shone like new. Then he carefully arranged the bouquet of irises given to him by Airi and placed it on the table. How beautiful they were.

That night, Asahi lay on his bed, playing with his phone. However, he couldn't focus on anything on his phone screen. His mind was occupied by his encounter with the woman who had saved him. Soon, a message notification appeared on Asahi's phone, it was from Airi. 

"Hey, Asahi, are you still awake?" 

"Yeah, I am. What's up, Airi?" 

"Tomorrow's Sunday. I was thinking, how about we go to the park and grab something to eat? There's a new bakery in the south of the city; they say their pastries are delicious. Would you like to come with me?"

Asahi sat up abruptly from his bed.

"Ah, sure. That sounds like fun." "Great, see you tomorrow at 8:00 AM then."

Asahi felt his heart racing and excitement bubbling inside him that night; he couldn't wait for tomorrow morning to come.

The next morning, Asahi went to Airi's family flower shop. He was dressed neatly, a sight rarely seen.

"Sorry for making you wait, Asahi."

A figure, a woman in a light blue dress and a hat, emerged from the shop. As Asahi caught sight of her, he found himself momentarily stunned. He started to wonder if there might be something more to his feelings for Airi.

"No worries. I just got here." "Good, let's start our day out!"

They spent the day together, from their initial meet-up exploring the city, shopping, to visiting the highly anticipated bakery. They enjoyed the pastries they bought and had a picnic in the park. The more time they spent together, the closer they grew. Asahi was aware of this, and he recognized the feelings stirring within him. By the time the afternoon arrived, Asahi drove Airi back to her home and bid her farewell.

"We're here. How about you? Are you tired?" Asahi asked. 

"Oh, not at all. I had so much fun today; everything was delightful!" Airi replied.

Asahi smiled faintly, his gaze sharp. He expressed his gratitude.

"Airi, thank you so much for inviting me today. I had a great time spending the day with you."

Airi's face turned slightly red; she seemed surprised by what Asahi said, but she tried to respond.

"Yeah, I also had a wonderful time. I enjoyed spending time with you," she said softly, playing with her hair.

There was a momentary silence between them, both seemingly shy about what they had just heard.

"Well then, I'll take my leave now. See you next time!" 

"Yeah, take care on your way!"

And that was the beginning of the budding romance between the two. After that day, Asahi's life underwent a drastic change. He became more open and frequently went out with Airi, whether for leisurely walks or other activities. He also developed a deeper interest in learning about fishing; it seemed like a hobby perfectly suited for him. His work life improved as well; he became a more cheerful person and gained strength in facing the tasks assigned to him. Asahi now smiled more often. Over time, his feelings for Airi continued to grow, unstoppable and uncontainable.

***

Morning had arrived. At that moment, Airi was cleaning a part of the house and cooking breakfast. She was making an omelet using the recipe Asahi had taught her. A faint smile played on her lips as she thought of Asahi, a man she had unexpectedly fallen in love with. When Airi's phone rang, she received a message, and it was from Asahi.

"Oh, Asahi's texting at this hour. I wonder what it could be."

She opened the message. It appeared Asahi had sent a photo. Airi was surprised when she saw the picture. It was a photo taken from the edge of a bridge, looking down at the river below. It seemed like the person who took and sent the photo was standing on the edge of the river, as if they were about to jump.

"Thank you so much, for everything, Airi." was the caption accompanying the photo, without any other explanation.

"Asahi!!!"

Airi was shocked. She didn't get a chance to reply to the message. She quickly dressed and ran out of her house towards the bridge, her heart pounding. Along the way, she only thought about Asahi. She ran as fast as she could to avoid being late.

Once at the bridge, she searched every inch, looking for Asahi. She glanced left and right, but there was no sign of him. Asahi was gone. Negative thoughts started to flood her mind. Was she too late? Has Asahi ended his life?

"Airi!"

A voice from behind startled her. It was a voice she knew all too well. Airi turned around. Asahi stood before her, holding a bouquet of red roses in his hands.

"My life was a dark maze before you came. You are the sunshine that illuminates my path, making the flowers of hope bloom in my heart. I love you, Airi. You are everything to me, a part of myself that I had lost long ago. With you, I feel more alive than ever. I want to spend every moment with you, facing happiness and sorrow together. Will you make me a part of your life?"

Airi was astonished. She couldn't believe what was happening. A tear trickled down her right eye.

"You idiot," Airi said, wiping away her tears. She let out a small laugh.

"Yes, I do, I love you." she said with a broad smile.

The two embraced. On the bridge, a meeting and a declaration of love happened between them. The blooming cherry blossoms witnessed the beginning of a new love, growing and blossoming in the spring.

***

Chapter III: Summer

Summer and Memories

A vast wheat field stretched from one end to the other, as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, the wheat swayed with the gentle breeze that blew. It was a scorching hot afternoon in the summer. The sunlight illuminated the field intensely, and thin wisps of clouds adorned the sky. Amidst this, a narrow footpath was constructed, winding its way through the rows of wheat fields. The path was so narrow that only one or two people could pass through at a time.

In the distance, a young woman walked along the footpath. She carried a black box with a handle. Her steps led her to a house located on the outskirts of the village. The young woman had blonde hair and was still in her school years. After the summer ended, she would enter high school. Her steps were directed toward a house standing alone at a distance from the rest of the community.

Upon entering the house's compound, she found a middle-aged man tinkering with a bicycle.

"How's it going? Did you find it?" he asked.

"It's all here. Seems like you left it near the oak tree when you fixed your tractor yesterday," she replied.

"Oh yes, now I remember. Thank you so much for picking it up, Emily. Forgive your forgetful father," he said with a slight smile.

"Be more careful next time, Dad. Now, can you fix it?" she asked.

"Oh, you don't doubt your father's skills, dear. Just a moment, it'll be ready soon."

The man then took his tools and began repairing Emily's bike. He worked swiftly and skillfully, fixing various parts, from the shock absorber and pedals to the saddle and chain. With the right equipment, it didn't take him long to restore the bike to working condition.

"Alright, it seems everything's done. Come here, my dear. How about trying it now?" he suggested.

Emily approached her father and took the bike. She tried to ride it, pedaling around in the front yard. Everything seemed to work perfectly. The bike had been successfully restored and was ready for use. Emily returned the bike to the garage, smiling at her father.

"Everything looks great. Thank you for fixing it. Now, I can go to town more easily," she said, expressing her gratitude with a wide smile while hugging her father.

"Your mother would be so happy if she knew you were using her bike," he said, smiling thinly, although a hint of sadness showed in his expression.

"Yes, of course," Emily replied, also smiling faintly as she looked down.

Her father then mentioned, 

"Oh, by the way, Aunt May said she had some items she was supposed to deliver today. But it seems she can't come back today due to her sprained ankle. Since I have to go to the fields, can you go to her house and collect those things?"

"Of course, Dad. I'll go to our family's house. Besides, now that the bike is fixed, it'll be much easier than walking there," she said.

"That's what I wanted to hear. Thank you, Emily. Take care on the road," he said.

Emily then rode her bike out of the house. She followed a paved road through the village. Though not very wide, it allowed the passage of two vehicles simultaneously. She continued to pedal her bike without minding the scorching heat. She was a strong and independent girl.

Aunt May's house was located near the town center. The town itself wasn't very large, just a small community surrounded by fields. When Emily's bike got closer to Aunt May's house, she stopped in front of the white contemporary-style American house. As she was about to step forward to knock on the door, she was greeted by an orange cat, which was peacefully napping in front of the entrance. The cat seemed to realize someone was approaching, so it turned to Emily, stretched, yawned, and then lay back down.

"Hello, Roxy. Is Aunt May inside?"

 "Meow."

Emily felt a bit silly talking to a cat. Shortly after, she heard footsteps from inside the house, and the door opened.

"Emily! Welcome! Aren't you exhausted? The weather outside is scorching hot. Come in, I have freshly made lemonade for you."

"I'm fine, but lemonade sounds great," Emily chuckled softly as she entered Aunt May's house.

Inside the house, she was greeted with a glass of cold lemonade, truly refreshing after facing the hot weather outside.

"Very refreshing, isn't it?" 

"It's delicious! Thank you so much, Aunt!"

"So, what can I help you with, Emily?" "Actually, my father asked me to come here and pick up some items that Aunt May had for us." 

"Oh, of course." Aunt May then fetched an envelope containing some belongings from Emily's father.

"Please convey my thanks to your father for his help." 

"I will."

Aunt May suddenly remembered something.

"Oh yes, Emily, wait a moment." Aunt May said.

She went to the back of the house and retrieved an envelope from a few houses away.

"Emily," Aunt May changed her tone to a more serious one.

"Feel sorry for what happened to your mom. It must be very difficult for you. You two didn't even get to say goodbye, did you?"

"That's true, Aunt. I didn't get to bid farewell to my mom, but it's okay. Wherever she is, I believe she knows I can cope with it."

Aunt May then seemed teary-eyed for a moment. She pulled an envelope from her pocket and showed it to Emily.

"This letter is from your mother to me. She intended for me to give it to you. I'm not sure what's inside, but one thing I know is that your mother instructed me to pass it on to you when you became an adult or when she was no longer with us. So, here it is."

"T-This is from my mother?" "Yes."

Emily felt trembling as she held the letter. She hesitated. Should she open it or not? In her heart, she still felt the sadness of her mother's departure. To a place far away, unknown.

Aunt May noticed Emily's sad and trembling expression.

"You don't have to open it now, my dear. Keep the letter. And open it whenever you're ready," Aunt May said, smiling very gently.

"Thank you so much, Aunt." Emily couldn't hold back her tears. She then ran into Aunt May's arms.

"Everything will be alright, Emily."

Emily then carried her father's belongings that needed to be returned. She said goodbye to Aunt May and Roxy, who was lying in front of the house. She waved farewell to Aunt May and then rode her bike back home. As she crossed the road toward the fields, she looked up. A plane was flying overhead, reminding her once again of what had happened to her mother. However, she tried to shift her focus back to the road ahead. Emily was heading home.

***

Once Emily arrived home, she sat down at the dining table. She placed the envelope on the table and sat there in silence for a while, gazing at the envelope. It was the last memento from her late mother, something she had left for her. Surely, it was something very special.

Emily's hand reached out to the envelope slowly, and she began to open it. Inside, there was a folded letter. When she saw the letter, Emily smiled slightly. It was her mother's handwriting, something she hadn't seen in a very long time. She gently traced her fingers over the letter, feeling a deep longing for her mother. The letter read:

"Emily, how are you? I hope you're doing well. Have you read this letter?  Aunt may have told you everything. This is a special message I want to give you for the time when we have to part ways, or when you've grown up without me. I have prepared something for you, Emily, something precious. Something I want to give you. It's a 'treasure.' I've hidden it in a place unreachable by others. But I believe, with my instructions, you will find it. Here are the clues.

First, you need to find a key. I placed the key inside the dashboard of Dad's old car, which is in the garage behind the house. Your father knows nothing about this, so you must get it soon. Then, for the next clue, you have to walk up the crescent hill. On the eastern side of the hill, you will find a fairly large elm tree. The tree tilts slightly toward the east; from a distance, it looks like a star. I don't think it will be hard to find because when you see it, you will know. At the base of the tree, there is a fairly large square-shaped stone, and beneath it, you will find a box containing the next clue. I can't give you further instructions. You have to find the box to get the next clue. You love adventures, don't you? Go out and find that treasure, my dear."

Love,

Mom

Emily was deeply moved as she read the letter. She felt incredibly touched, knowing how much her mother loved and understood her. She wasn't sure what the treasure her mother had prepared actually was, but one thing was certain: she had to find it.

The woman hurriedly ran towards the front yard, heading to the garage not far from the backyard. She opened the gate, which creaked quite loudly and heavily, as the garage was rarely opened, neither by Emily nor her father.

Inside the garage, there were many tools and machines, including her father's old motorcycle, broken bicycles, and various other equipment. However, Emily's eyes were immediately drawn to a large machine covered with a big white cloth that had gathered a lot of dust. It intrigued her. What lay beneath that cloth?

She removed the cover, revealing an old car that probably couldn't be driven anymore. It was the car her parents had used when they were young, when they were still dating. Emily attempted to open the car's door and checked the dashboard. She then tried to open the dashboard, which was quite heavy due to its rusty hinges.

"Aha! Here it is!"

Emily looked delighted as she found a small bronze-colored iron key, attached to a string that could be worn around her neck. Next to the key, there was a photo of a young couple, sitting leaning against the car. Emily knew them very well; they were her parents. In the picture, they were smiling and looked incredibly happy. She felt joyous because now she had found the key that would bring her closer to the treasure her mother had hidden.

"Emily!"

Instantly, a shout came from the house, calling Emily's name. It was her father's voice. Emily hurriedly closed the dashboard and returned the photo inside it. She closed the car door and then put back the covering cloth over the car. Just as she finished covering her tracks,

"What are you doing here, sweetheart?" 

"I just came here to look for some of Dad's tools. I couldn't find them, so I thought I could search for them in the shed." 

"Oh, maybe this is what you're looking for. I brought these tools with me earlier. By the way, have you returned from Aunt May's place? What did she give you?" 

"Just a few items; I left them on the living room table." 

"Thank you, Emily. You're a good kid."

Emily's father then glanced around the shed, sighing. 

"Ah, these things bring back memories..." 

He walked towards the car covered in cloth and uncovered it. 

"Do you see this, Emily? Isn't it beautiful?" he said, caressing the car. 

"Yes, it's a really cool car." 

"You know, this is the car your mother and I used to drive when we were young, for outings. We used to love going to faraway places together with this car," he said, his face showing a hint of sadness. 

"Those were beautiful times..."

Emily remained silent, looking at her father. It must be really difficult for him to cope with the loss of the person he loved.

"By the way, we should hurry up and prepare dinner. How about steak?" "I'd love that!"

“Alright then, let's cook it together."

The two of them left the shed and returned inside the house. They enjoyed a meal of steak that they had cooked together. For some reason, that night, Emily felt incredibly happy to cook with her father. After dinner, Emily asked her father, 

"Dad, have you ever heard about the crescent-shaped hill in this area?"

For a moment, her father seemed slightly surprised by Emily's words.

"The crescent hill, hmm... Of course, Dad knows. It's a place your mother and I used to explore. The hill is located to the north of the city. It might take you nearly half an hour to ride your bike there from here. Why do you ask? What's going on?"

"Oh, nothing. I just happened to read something in the newspaper a few days ago that mentioned the crescent hill." Emily tried to hide her true intentions.

After finishing dinner, she immediately retired to her room, staring at the key she had found inside the old car's dashboard. She kept this information from her father because Emily decided to search for the treasure on her own and find it with her own abilities.

"Tomorrow, I'll go there," Emily murmured to herself. That night, she made up her mind that she would go to the crescent hill to find the next clue.

***

The next day, Emily hurriedly grabbed her mother's recently repaired bicycle. She pedaled across vast fields of wheat, continuing towards the crescent-shaped hill. Hanging around her neck was a key tied with a string – the key she had found yesterday.

The further north she pedaled, the farther she got from the wheat fields. She entered an area that started to slope and was filled with hills. After nearly half an hour of cycling, Emily finally arrived at the crescent-shaped hill. The crescent hill was quite long, perhaps around a hundred meters, curving from east to west. According to the instructions given by her mother, the elm tree was on the east side of the hill. Following the guidance, she moved towards the east, exploring the area around the hill while searching for a large elm tree. It wasn't hard to find the tree because her eyes soon fell upon a large, slightly leaning elm tree in the eastern direction. Indeed, her mother's description was accurate – the branches and leaves of the tree formed a star shape when seen from a distance. Emily then approached the elm tree.

"This must be the tree."

Emily then approached the tree, circling it, searching for the stone described in her mother's letter. As she was circling, she noticed on one of the thick branches hung a swing made of rope and a piece of wood. The swing hung quite low and was relatively small – certainly too small for her now, but perhaps she could have used it ten years ago.

"There it is!"

Emily successfully found the stone and quickly approached it. The stone was quite large, and she had some difficulty lifting it. After thinking for a while, she finally managed to flip the stone using a wooden stick she found nearby. With all her strength, the stone was turned over. She saw a small wooden box buried beneath the ground. She dug the box out and cleaned it. On the front of the box, there was a bronze-colored keyhole.

"This must be the box, and the key is here."

Emily reached for the key hanging around her neck. She then inserted it into the keyhole and turned it. A "click" sound was heard as she opened the box.

When the small box was opened, inside, there was only a piece of paper, a key, and several photos. Emily looked at the photos first. The pictures captured an image of a young child, possibly a toddler. In the photos, the child was wearing a cream-colored dress, smiling broadly at the camera. The child was sitting on a small swing hanging from a tree. Emily was a bit puzzled. Who was this child?

She then shifted her attention to a piece of paper, which turned out to be a letter from her mother. This must be a continuation of the instructions her mother had given her towards the promised treasure. Emily began to read the letter.

"Congratulations, Emily! You've found the first clue! Just a step away, and you'll reach the treasure I promised. How do you feel? Excited and thrilled, perhaps? You might have noticed that inside the box, there's not just this letter but also some photos. Remember? You might not recall, but let me tell you here. The sweet little child in those photos is none other than you, Emily. I took those pictures when I took you for a walk on Crescent Hill. You looked so sweet and adorable. I placed them under that tree so that when you visit and see the photos, you'd remember this precious memory. Accept the photos as a keepsake.

For the next clue, walk north from that tree, follow the path. Keep walking until you find a fork in the road where there's a tree in the middle, felled and only its trunk remains. At that fork, you must take the left path, cross the grassy field. After passing the grassy field, you'll see a small peak to the north of Crescent Hill, and on top of it, there's a large and lush oak tree. Go there, and near the bushes, the treasure is buried underground on the west side of the tree, marked by lilies. Oh yes, for this, you can use the key you found in this box."

Good luck! 

Mom

Emily fell silent for a moment. After reading the letter, a wave of memories from the past began to wash over her. Vaguely, she remembered herself in those photos – memories of her mother taking her to climb the hill and play on the swing under the star tree. How beautiful those days had been. Emily wiped the tears from her cheeks, looking up. The journey had to continue.

Emily then folded the letter and placed the photos and the key back into the box, storing it in her bag. She continued her steps along the path indicated by her mother. She followed the trail until she reached a crossroads where the path split into two. There was a large, felled tree trunk, quite sizable and located right in the middle of the intersection, effectively dividing the path into two. Emily glanced towards the left path and decided to take it. She kept walking through a vast grassy area. The path lay directly under the scorching sun of summer. However, there was no doubt in Emily's mind; she kept moving forward with confidence.

"I'm almost there. I'm about to find the treasure," she whispered to herself, encouraging her own determination.

After successfully crossing the expansive grass field, her gaze was fixed on the north, searching for a peak with a large, lush oak tree on top. It was easy for her to spot it, as the oak tree her mother referred to was indeed huge and incredibly dense, situated atop a small hill. Emily navigated a narrow path towards it. However, no path had been made specifically for climbing the hill. Consequently, she had to carve her way up, creating her own trail. It was challenging, but with unwavering determination, Emily managed to reach the top of the hill.

Upon reaching the summit, she paused for a moment, mesmerized by the scenery before her eyes. She could see the entire expanse of the town and the village below. Not only that, she recognized the vast fields from a distance. She could even make out her family's fields and her home, appearing as nothing more than a tiny dot.

"Is this what you wanted to show me?" Emily murmured to herself.

Then, she turned her attention to the large tree. The tree stood tall with large branches adorned with numerous leaves, providing a soothing shade and sheltering Emily from the scorching sun. She approached the bushes and began searching on the west side of the tree. It was quite challenging to explore the thick undergrowth, but not long after, her eyes fell upon the lily plants among the shrubs. She had found it. This was the spot where her mother's treasure was hidden. Without hesitation, Emily retrieved a shovel from her bag and began to dig.

She grew tired and weary because Emily had dug quite deep, yet she hadn't found the treasure. The day was growing late, and the sun was beginning to descend in the west. Emily persisted, digging in different spots, perhaps feeling that the treasure was buried in that area.

While digging, her shovel suddenly struck something hard. The sound of the impact startled her from her reverie. She knew it was a wooden box. She quickly deepened the hole, and indeed, there was a wooden box buried in the ground. With great effort, she managed to unearth it and lift it. It was quite large, especially when compared to the small box she had found under the previous tree. With a sigh, Emily smiled widely.

"I did it, I did it, Mom!" she exclaimed, with a wide smile.

She then hurriedly took out the key she had found in the box before and unlocked the large box in front of her. When she opened it, the box creaked. Emily peeked inside the large box. In it, various items were stored – a hat, a compass, and a pendant. She also found a piece of paper inside. It was none other than her mother's final message.

"Emily, by the time you read this letter, it means you have reached the end of your adventure. You did it. Well done, you've found the treasure. Congratulations! Inside this box, you'll undoubtedly find a hat, a compass, and a pendant. These are my precious belongings. The hat and the compass were my companions in my explorations and quests. They mean a lot to me. When you were little, you asked me if you could have a hat and a compass. You said you wanted to use them to accompany you on your adventures, adventures you'd determine for yourself. And, of course, I allowed it. But the condition was that you could have them when you grew up or when I was no longer around. By reading this letter, I've decided that you are now entitled to them. Additionally, you can also keep the pendant found inside the town. It's the last memory I can give you. Forgive me, dear, if I cannot accompany you there. Forgive me for not being able to be there for your adventures. Forgive me for not being able to say goodbye and hug you one last time. Take care of your father and love him. Now it's time for me to go. I have to continue the journey that I can only travel alone. Don't worry; I'll be fine. It's time for you to spread your wings. Embark on adventures that you'll carve on your own!"

With all the love,

 Mom

Emily then inspected the pendant more closely. Its shape was a heart that could be opened. Inside, there was a photo on one side and writing on the other. The photo was of baby Emily cradled in her mother's arms. And on the other side was the inscription that read, "Here forever."

Emily couldn't hold back the tears streaming down her cheeks. A mix of sadness and happiness echoed through the hill. At that moment, the summer sun began to set in the west, casting its last remaining light before it sank into the night. Now Emily understood what her mother wanted to convey. This was the best farewell she could receive. Though she didn't know her mother's fate, in Emily's heart, there's no doubt that her mother will be there for her in every adventure she faces in the future.

***

Chapter IV: Autumn

Autumn’s Parting

"Really? How could he see the reflection of Poppy's eyes in complete darkness like that?" 

"Didn't I make it clear at the beginning of the story? Poppy's eyes are special. They can absorb existing light and reflect it. Besides, she must have realized it herself. Something isn't right in that room." 

"I still don't understand; you might have to rewrite this whole part, ha-ha." "

Hey, I spent the entire night without sleep to establish a good connection in this plot. It's impossible for me to rewrite it again."

The two figures debating sat facing each other in a small gazebo near the parking lot of a school. They were engrossed in discussing the story plot crafted by the young man. It was evening; nearly all the students had gone home. Of course, there were still a few lingering around, either due to extracurricular activities or other reasons. Meanwhile, these two, after returning from school, spent time together discussing their writing. The sun was in the west, casting bright orange light toward the east. Leaves on the trees were beginning to fade into shades of yellow, orange, and brown. Some trees started shedding their leaves. During that time, Vermont was adorned with the colorful hues of autumn.

"Okay, I'll try to revise it if that's what you want, 'miss always right'," said the young man. 

"What's with you?" the woman said, pinching him. She glanced at her watch momentarily; it seemed she couldn't stay much longer in the school environment.

"Dave, it seems it's already evening; I think I need to head home," the woman suddenly interjected. The young man appeared to still be focused on tweaking the manuscript he had in front of him. 

"David!" 

"Oh, yes, sorry, I didn't hear you earlier. What did you say?" 

"I said it's time for me to go home." 

"Ah, yes, of course. It's already late. Do you want me to walk you?" 

"Yes, let's go."

The two of them rose from the gazebo they had been sitting in for quite some time, then they walked. They strolled around the school and wandered through the city streets on their way home. The city they lived in wasn't large, but it was sufficiently developed with housing complexes filling the town's landscape. The two of them walked along the sidewalk to get home.

"Grace..." 

"What's up?" the woman said, turning towards David who called her. 

"I was thinking, how about we try the new kebab place near the city park tomorrow? I heard from Allan that their kebabs taste truly different, definitely delicious." 

"But aren't you trying to become a vegetarian? Have you given up on that?" "Well, after giving it some thought, it seems like it was just a phase in life," David said, laughing. 

"Haha, you're silly."

The two young people bantered on their way home. David and Grace were members of the literature club in their high school. The literature club itself was small, not many students participated in it. Their school was more oriented toward sports. Initially, it was quite challenging for David to find someone who understood him and shared the same passion. His love for art and literature wasn't widely appreciated by others at the school. However, in their second year, Grace appeared. According to David, Grace was someone very different from the other kids. She had the same passion as David in the field of literature, which naturally made him happy as he now had a companion to discuss and exchange thoughts about literary works. Moreover, of course, it was because Grace was a very sweet girl. Unfortunately, her beauty was concealed by Grace's quiet and not very sociable nature. Perhaps, this was not a regrettable thing for David because he could get closer to the woman he admired.

As they realized, their footsteps began to slow down, and they stopped at Grace's house.

"Alright, it seems like today's discussion will end here," Grace paused for a moment and turned towards David. 

"Thank you for accompanying me home, Dave." 

"Of course, see you tomorrow then." 

"Yeah, so go home and fix that messy manuscript of yours." "You cheeky..." David said, smiling bitterly.

David then left the house to go home. He waved his hand at Grace, and she did the same. David started thinking about what he had to face in the future. He was in his senior year of high school. This was a crucial time to make decisions that would shape his future. On his way home, he kept pondering about various things filling his mind. Unconsciously, his steps led him toward his home like a vehicle being steered by autopilot.

"Welcome back, dear," a middle-aged woman greeted David's arrival. She seemed to be arranging some items in the living room. 

"I'm home, Mom." 

"You're back a bit late today. Any activities after school?" 

"Yes, I was just discussing my story script with a friend." 

"Oh, what story script are you working on? I'd love to see it." 

"It's not finished yet. I have to fix many parts." 

"What about the one you submitted to the publisher? Any updates?" David's mother asked. 

"I don't know, Mom. Honestly, it's been almost a few months since I sent it, but they haven't responded to anything..." David said, lost in thought. 

"It seems like that piece isn't ready to be read by many people," David said. 

"Oh, don't give up so easily, dear. It's a good piece of work. I believe they just need time to find it among other submissions. Now, freshen up and go have dinner. Tonight, I made steak." 

"Oh, I love steak," David said as he went inside his room.

His room couldn't be considered tidy, but it wasn't exactly messy either. On one side, his bed, wardrobe, and bookshelf were neatly arranged. However, on the other side, his study desk was in complete disarray, with paper strewn everywhere. Trash, crumpled papers, and paper balls filled the overflowing trash can in the corner of the room. It was clear that David was very serious about his writing. He lay on his bed, feeling tired; his eyes closed, pulling him into sleep. Suddenly, a shout from outside the door followed by loud knocks woke David up.

"Dave, it's dinner time now," his mother's voice called him to come down to the dining room. 

"Yes, Mom." David washed his face and then went down to the dining room downstairs. 

There, he was greeted by a plate of steak prepared by his parents at the dining table. That night, he had dinner with his family. After the meal, his father started a conversation about David.

"So, Dave, how was your day?" his father started the conversation. 

"Just normal." 

"He's still waiting for news from the publisher where he sent his novel manuscript, dear," David's mother chimed into the conversation. 

"A novel manuscript? Hm... Serious about becoming a writer, aren't you?" his father asked with a hint of skepticism. 

"Of course. That's what I want." His father then sighed and fell silent for a moment.

"Aren't you interested in accounting? From the reports I've seen in your report card, your grades are good, especially in financial management." 

"No, Dad, even though my performance is good, I don't think it suits me," David replied seriously. 

"I'm just giving advice. Instead of being a writer, isn't a job like an accountant more promising and secure?" his father said, a bit cynically. 

"So, Dad, are you saying being a writer can't make a decent living?" David raised his voice. 

"That's not what I meant. But if you look out there, how many writers with their ideas have succeeded and made it big? I don't want you to fail." 

"Alright, I think that's enough."

David got up from the dining table and immediately went upstairs to his room.

"David!" his mother called, but her shout went unanswered. 

"Let it be, Ana. Let him be for now." 

"Good job, dear," David's mother said with a mocking expression while patting her husband's shoulder.

"You surely know what I mean, don't you?" 

"Of course, I understand what you mean, dear. But look at David, how hard he works, how passionate he is about writing. Do you want to smother his happiness and enthusiasm?"

His father sighed deeply and fell into contemplation at his desk. His wife then pulled a chair in front of him and sat down, offering him a cup of warm coffee. They both sat in silence that night.

Meanwhile, David was lost in thought in his room. He felt a bit guilty for snapping at his father and uttering inappropriate words. He actually wanted to apologize, but he felt he needed to find the right moment. In David's mind, the image of Grace flashed. It was undeniable that David had feelings for her. He might have had these feelings since the first time he met Grace, since their first debate about their respective literary works. Despite harboring these feelings for a long time, David was still hesitant to confess. He knew they were nearing the end of their senior year in high school. If he wanted to confess his feelings, surely now was the time, especially considering the issues about post-high school life. Should he continue to pursue his interest in writing, or should he follow his father's advice and focus on accounting? Moreover, he couldn't imagine the moment when he had to part ways with Grace, the only person who could make him feel connected, the one who truly understood him. That night, David was consumed by various thoughts that haunted him, and he drifted off to sleep unknowingly.

***

David's eyes opened. He looked around his room. Quickly, he realized that night had passed, and morning had arrived. Sunlight peeked in from the east through the gaps in his window. David quickly got up and prepared himself for school. After finishing his morning routine and coming downstairs for breakfast, his mother was there to greet him with his meal.

"Good morning, dear. You're up early for a change," his mother greeted him that morning.

"Morning," David glanced around the dining area as if he was looking for someone.

"Looking for Dad?" his mother asked, smiling slightly.

"Y-yeah, do you know where he is now?" David sat down on the table.

"Your father left earlier. He's going to be very busy, so he left early to avoid traffic."

"Is that so?" David lowered his head for a moment.

His mother smiled from a distance and approached him. She knew exactly what David was thinking.

"Come on, don't think too much. Let's eat breakfast and get ready for school," his mother said, hugging him.

"Thank you, Mom."

David then had his breakfast. He ate quickly that morning because the night before, he couldn't enjoy dinner due to an unpleasant interaction with his father.

"Oh, by the way, what about Grace?" his mother asked David.

David, who was chewing his breakfast, suddenly choked and grabbed a glass of water. He drank it all in one go.

"W-what do you mean? Why suddenly ask about Grace?" David was very surprised and embarrassed by his mother's question.

"Ah, come on, Dave. You think I don't know about you and Grace."

"I-it's none of your business," the young man blushed.

"She's a nice girl; you both seem to like the same things. So when do you plan to confess your feelings?" his mother smiled, teasing her son, who was trying to enjoy his breakfast peacefully that morning.

"Ah, my breakfast is finished. It's time to go to school." David quickly moved away from the dining table and went out, avoiding his mother, who was still interrogating him with a smile on her face.

"Be careful on the way, dear!" his mother called from inside the house to David, who was starting to walk past the front door.

He then walked toward the school. On the way, he passed a row of maple trees whose leaves were starting to change color to yellow and brown. The wide leaves of the trees gradually fell. The fallen leaves scattered, filling the sidewalks on the side of the road. For some reason, witnessing this scenery made David feel comfortable. The yellowing landscape brought a sense of peace to him, who was haunted by various thoughts. David continued to walk along the streets adorned with the colors of autumn. Eventually, he arrived in front of his school; by that time, the school had started to buzz with many students who were also heading to school. David, still lost in thought, suddenly startled when someone tapped his shoulder. The person who called him from behind was none other than the one who occupied his thoughts during his reverie.

"David!" In an instant, David snapped out of his daydream and returned to reality. The person calling him from behind was none other than the one who had occupied his thoughts during his reverie.

"Grace! You startled me." 

"Are you surprised? Is there something on my face? You seemed lost in thought," Grace said. 

“Ah, I'm fine. Just a bit sleepy," David tried to cover up what he was thinking. 

"Hmm, okay then. By the way, after school, shall we go buy kebabs?" Grace said. 

"Of course." 

"Alright, see you then! Bye!" Grace waved to David as she walked in another direction. They were close, but they weren't in the same class, so finding time to meet was difficult.

Classes that day were extremely boring. Time seemed to drag on endlessly. David truly couldn't enjoy the day because various thoughts filled his mind. Until the school bell rang for dismissal, he was still lost in his thoughts. David walked out of the classroom and headed to the schoolyard. His fast steps led him to the gazebo where he and Grace always met. At the gazebo, Grace was already sitting, facing the field right where David was walking. Grace smiled and waved her hand toward David. Seeing Grace's broad smile, David's mood gradually brightened, and he began to smile as well.

"Surprised you took a bit longer. Come on, I'm really hungry!" Grace exclaimed.

"Let's go then, I'm hungry too."

Finally, the two of them walked together to the kebab place that was said to be delicious. It was somewhat surprising because when they arrived at the kebab stall, it wasn't too crowded, so they could order their food quickly. The two young people found a seat in the park where they could be alone. Grace, who was very hungry, quickly took a bite of her kebab. It was a big bite, and she looked extremely happy while chewing.

"This is really delicious!"

David also began to eat his kebab. There was nothing wrong with enjoying food like this while also appreciating the autumn scenery. Although he was a bit nervous sitting next to Grace, knowing that he was fully aware of his feelings for her.

"Dave." 

"Yes, Grace?" 

"Are you okay? I noticed you've been quite down the whole day. Is the kebab not good, or is something on your mind?" 

"No, the kebab is delicious; it's just..." 

"What's wrong? You don't need to be embarrassed. Come on, just tell me." 

"Last night, I argued with my father about what to do after graduating from high school. He knows how passionate I am about becoming a writer. Of course, I want to pursue that. But it seems my father doesn't agree with my desire. He seems to want me to become an accountant because he thinks it's a safer option." 

"Is that so?" Grace also fell into thought for a moment upon hearing what the man next to her said. 

"I think you should follow your heart, David. Do what you want to do. Do what you love. Because that's where you'll find happiness."

He smiled at Grace, grateful for her words. David felt a sense of reassurance, knowing he hadn't made a mistake in choosing the person to love. A sense of curiosity began to grow within him. He gathered the courage to ask Grace.

"By the way, Grace, what about you?" 

"I think I'm the same. I want to focus on becoming a writer too." 

"Oh, by the way, what about your manuscript? The one you sent to the New York publisher?" David asked. 

"Oh, speaking of that. I actually have good news." She then reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. 

"Initially, the work didn't pass the previous selection. But after it was redirected to another publisher also located in New York, it seems they are interested in continuing and collaborating on this work. Look at the letter."

David was very curious to see the determination shown by Grace. He carefully read the offer given by the company to Grace.

"This is incredible, Grace. Isn't this a good thing? They even plan to offer you a scholarship and hire you as a writer there. This is a great opportunity; you should take it!" David was very enthusiastic and passionate. 

"Yes." 

Now it was Grace's turn to look gloomy and expressionless. Instead of looking happy, she seemed unenthusiastic. 

"What's wrong, Grace? You should take this seriously. This offer is only valid until the end of fall!" 

"But does this mean I have to move to New York?" Grace asked with a sad expression. 

"Yes, just imagine the experiences you could have there—" Suddenly, David was shocked when he saw Grace's face. It seemed she was almost crying, and tears started to well up in her eyes. 

"If I go to New York, doesn't that mean... we have to part ways? Without you, I—" she stopped her sentence, wiping her face and turning away. 

"Is it that easy for you to forget me?" Grace said, looking in the other direction, her back turned to David. David was shocked by Grace's response. He now realized what Grace meant. He didn't expect that she would feel this way. 

"I'm sorry, Grace," David tried to lighten the mood. 

"It's okay," Grace then stood up and left the bench. 

"I think that's enough for now; I have to go home." She walked away without looking at David. Chris then stood up and left the park bench, walking back home.

"Grace!"

David shouted, calling Grace, but it seemed futile. He actually wanted to chase after her, but he felt it wasn't the right thing to do at that moment. He thought it would be better to let Grace have her own time. In the end, that evening, David sat alone on a park bench, trying to enjoy the half-eaten kebab that once tasted delicious but now felt bland and cold.

David pondered what he should do; there were various paths he could take in his life. It truly left him confused. That evening, he decided to go home. The day had started to darken, with the sun only leaving a little light in the west. As he approached the house, David was greeted by his father, who was already seated on the front balcony. He waved his hand at David from a distance, beckoning him to come closer. David hurriedly made his way towards his father. He felt hesitant and fearful about what he was about to face. Would his father scold him, or worse? Negative thoughts filled his mind.

"Sit down, Dave," his father gestured for David to sit beside him. 

"What's the matter, Dad?" 

"How was school today?" 

"Everything was fine," David replied briefly when answering his father's question. 

"Good," his father fell silent for a moment. 

"Dave, I want to apologize to you for what I said yesterday. What I said was completely inappropriate, and I realize it hurt your feelings. I now understand that what you've chosen is best for you. Therefore, now the choice is entirely yours; whatever path you choose, I will always support you."

Feeling deeply moved by his father's words, David responded, 

“I also want to ask for forgiveness for what I did last night; I never meant to be disrespectful like that. Thank you for supporting my choice."

"You're a great kid," his father embraced David.

Feeling genuinely touched, there was a glimmer of hope and enlightenment in the very dark path he was walking, bit by bit. He was beginning to regain his perspective.

"Let's go inside and have dinner. Your father helped me prepare our dinner," his mother welcomed David. 

"Welcome back, Dave. It seems you had quite a long conversation in front of the house," she said, smiling at her husband.

"We were talking about your delicious cooking, my dear," his father smiled faintly at David. David smiled back.

"Haha, of course. Well then, David, quickly put away your belongings and freshen up, then come downstairs for dinner."

David then went upstairs and tidied up his things. Suddenly, he remembered Grace. David actually wanted to contact Grace to apologize, but he felt it wasn't the right time. He was still hesitant about whether he should meet her in person or just call her.

David then went downstairs and spent the evening having dinner with his family. After finishing dinner, as David was about to go upstairs to his room, his mother stopped him.

"Wait, Dave, there's something important for you. Sit down," his mother prevented David from leaving and asked him to stay downstairs for a while.

"What's the matter, Mom?" David was a little scared. Was he in trouble again?

David had to sit at the dining table with his father and mother. His father walked to the kitchen and opened a drawer, then took out a sealed envelope and brought it to the dining table.

"There's a letter that arrived from the publisher you sent your story to before. It seems they finally read your writing and responded. The content is here."

Of course, this surprised David and his father.

"Honey, why didn't you tell me about something this important?" his father asked. 

"I intentionally kept it from you, dear, because I knew you couldn't keep a secret," his mother smirked. 

"Don't worry, David, I didn't open the letter at all. You'll be the first one to know the answer."

"I..." David's emotions were in turmoil. Could this letter determine his fate and the path he would take in the future? 

"Open it, David, whatever the result is, we are with you." his father said. 

With trembling hands, he took the letter and tore open the front part. Then he pulled out a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and read the letter. There was a moment of silence for David as he read the letter. Then, with a slightly grim expression and a long sigh, he turned to his parents. 

"They didn't accept my manuscript."

The disappointment was visible on both his parents' faces, just like David's.

"It's okay, Dave," his mother hugged him. 

"Can I see the letter, Dave?" his father read the letter slowly, then suddenly he exclaimed in surprise. 

"Ah! David, you need to read this part!"

David then reached for the letter given by his father and read the section underneath that he had missed.

"Although we couldn't accept your work for serialization, one of our patrons in Hollywood has reviewed the manuscript you submitted and is very interested in pursuing the development of this script for serialization. Our patron in Los Angeles is keen on mentoring you in the field of screenwriting. We hereby inform you that you can participate in our writer development program in Los Angeles. This program will shape and train young screenwriters who will be directly involved in Hollywood. You will benefit greatly, as there will be scholarships available for talented young writers like yourself. We eagerly await your response."

"David, this is incredible!" David's parents exclaimed.

David was momentarily stunned. He didn't expect this amazing news to come to him on that day. He felt a mix of happiness, surprise, and fear about what he would face in Los Angeles.

"What do you think, Mom, Dad, should I take this offer?"

The husband and wife exchanged glances for a few moments.

"David, isn't this in line with your dream? You should take it. This is a golden opportunity. It's a chance to become a great writer," his father said.

"That's right, Dave. It's the best choice for you."

David pondered for a moment.

"Thank you, Mom, Dad."

He ended that evening's dinner with his parents and went upstairs to his room, lying down on his bed. David then remembered Grace. He realized he had to share this news with her. David also realized he had to make a decision quickly because the offer was only valid until the end of spring. Suddenly, he remembered Grace because the offer from the publisher Grace received also ended in the spring. That meant they had to make decisions almost simultaneously. Gathering his courage, David tried to contact Kris through his phone.

"Grace, are you still awake?"

Not long after sending the message, a response appeared.

"Yes." 

"There's something I need to tell you tomorrow. Can you meet me at the usual gazebo after school? Please, it's very important."

It seemed that Grace took quite a while to respond and compose her message.

"Yes. Of course." 

"Thank you, Grace."

And David remained in his bed; he was truly exhausted that day with so much happening. He had to prepare himself for the day when he had to reveal everything to the only woman who filled his head and heart.

***

It wasn't just David who went to school as usual that day. However, that morning he didn't see Kris at all. He felt incredibly lonely and, in his mind, he feared Grace wouldn't come. David didn't dare to glance at Grace in her class because he was afraid it would disturb her. The evening finally arrived. David went to the gazebo and sat on one of its benches facing the school garden. The young man was nervous, waiting for the woman to arrive.

"David," a voice called him from behind. 

"Grace." They often exchanged glances, both looking sad as they gazed at each other. 

"Please, have a seat."

Grace then sat on the long bench, right next to David, but they both sat at opposite corners of the bench, with a distance separating them.

"There's something I need to say to you," David sighed deeply. 

"I want to apologize for what I said yesterday. I was truly foolish and insensitive. I hadn't realized your feelings all this time. I couldn't understand what you were going through. I am genuinely sorry, Grace."

Grace bowed her head, looking sad, with a faint smile on her face.

"I also seemed to overreact yesterday. I'm sorry, David."

"There's one more thing I want to tell you, Grace."

David then conveyed the news of the offer from Hollywood to Grace. Upon hearing this news, Grace was extremely shocked. She was speechless for a moment, then tried to speak to David.

"I-Isn't this an incredibly good offer, Dave? You should take it—"

Suddenly, Grace realized that if David accepted the offer, they would have to part ways. Instantly, David turned to Grace with his eyes welling up, and he started to sob.

"Do I have to leave you? Do you have to leave me? Do we have to part ways? I don't want to! I don't want to!" Tears streamed uncontrollably from David's eyes.

Grace then embraced David tightly. She, too, seemed to shed tears while sobbing.

"I don't want to leave you either. I want to be with you. I want you by my side."

The two of them hugged each other tightly, finally managing to express the feelings they had long suppressed. But it seemed that it was all too late; the leaves in autumn had fallen, dropping to the ground. The tree had to let go of its leaves to face the cold winter.

***

It was an evening in White River Junction, a small train station in the Vermont area that served inter-state travel. That evening, the station wasn't very busy. There weren't many people around; most were probably just passersby. The area around the station was filled with yellow and brown fallen leaves from the trees planted in the region. Even the area along the train tracks was adorned with scattered leaves. Some of them had been crushed by passing trains. It was a scene that could be beautiful, but for a few, it was not pleasant, but rather sad. 

There appeared a woman dragging her suitcase walking towards the platform. She appeared to be wearing a jacket and a long scarf, truly anticipating the winter season. Instead of sitting, she chose to stand, waiting for the train. She seemed restless, as if waiting for something else, something other than the train.

"Hey," a man's voice greeted her from behind. 

"I thought you might be running late," Grace said to David. 

"I wouldn't be that foolish," David replied, handing a cup of warm coffee to Grace.

"Thank you."

Grace sipped the warm coffee, her hands trembling as she drank.

"New York, huh... You know, some say that it's a concrete jungle where dreams are born and come true."

Grace fell silent, listening to David's words. David then took Grace's hand.

"Take care," David said to Grace.

Grace couldn't hold back her emotions. She immediately embraced David, and they held each other tightly. She couldn't contain her tears.

"In summer, I'll come back, and you have to come back too, you understand?!" Grace said, trying to hold back her tears.

"Yes, of course, we’ll meet again."

David released the embrace and tried to look into her eyes.

"You'll be okay. We'll be okay."

The awaited moment had arrived. Grace's train finally stopped at the station. It was time for her to leave.

"Goodbye, David." 

"Take care, Grace."

Finally, the train departed, leaving Vermont, sliding through the autumn. David, who no longer had any business there, left the station. What awaited him ahead were Los Angeles and Hollywood. The man walked along the autumn streets, where sadness and separation, and acceptance had been traversed, and now, what lay ahead was a new chapter in life.

***