The shadows stretched over the cobblestones as the paper lanterns lit up, one by one, casting a warm and magical glow in the air. The marketplace had come alive with a vibrant energy—voices, laughter, and the murmur of conversations breathing life into the old streets of Ohara.
"We sold everything," said Mr. Hanabira, barely able to contain his joy behind a wide smile. "It went much better than I expected!"
He looked down at the small wooden box where he kept the day's earnings. His hands, worn by years of labor, trembled slightly with emotion.
"This is wonderful," he murmured, eyes shining. "It makes me so happy to see our hard work pay off. Sometimes, this is the greatest reward—knowing your hands created something real."
Hikaru, Ailany, and I exchanged glances. It was true. Maybe we had only sold tomatoes, cucumbers, and watermelons, but the feeling ran deeper than that.
"Well, I'm off to buy a few things for your grandmother before I forget," Mr. Hanabira said, adjusting his straw hat. "You three go ahead and enjoy yourselves a little. Especially you, Haruki—you're new here after all."
"I think I'll stay here until Mr. Kazuo finishes shopping," Hikaru said, leaning against a wooden post. "If I go grab a drink, I'll probably forget I'm supposed to take you back."
"Why not go with them?" Mr. Hanabira suggested kindly. "You could all explore together."
Hikaru looked away for a moment before replying in a quiet voice, "I think they already have plans... don't they?"
The air grew subtly tense. Ailany either didn't notice or chose not to comment.
"I wouldn't mind if you came along, Hikaru," I said with a calm smile, though something stirred uneasily inside me.
Hikaru chuckled and gave Mr. Hanabira a sidelong glance.
"You might not, but I don't think someone else would feel the same," he muttered with a vague smirk.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ailany asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing, nothing... just talking nonsense," Hikaru said, stepping away as he pretended to browse a nearby stall.
"So, Haruki... want to go get some ice cream?"
Ailany took a few steps down the cobbled path, then turned back with her hands clasped behind her. Her smile, bathed in the golden light of dusk, was so pure that for a moment, it felt like everything around me stopped.
"Come on, Haru. I promise you'll have fun," she said, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
I didn't know what to say. I just stood there, watching her, while that smile of hers reflected everything I never dared to search for.
Her smile… it left me speechless. Not because it was perfect, but because it had something I couldn't quite explain. Something that made the world around me feel… lighter. The sunset's glow draped over her, turning her gold, as if the entire world had paused to look at her too. And for just a second, I really thought: She must be a goddess. Sounds silly, right? But I didn't mean it as a joke. That's how she looked to me. Like someone who didn't quite belong to this world—someone who came to change something I thought was already lost.
I was never one to talk much. I got used to being alone, to hiding inside my own routine. I believed that if I never let anyone in, they couldn't hurt me. And it worked... until it didn't. Until she appeared.
She didn't come to save me. She didn't tell me what to do. She was just... there. Smiling. Talking. Looking at everything like it was the first time she'd seen it. And that's what undid me. She showed me that the world isn't always how I see it. That maybe, if you learn to look at it with different eyes... even something broken can seem beautiful.
And if that's true... then maybe I can be more than just my fears. Maybe I've been wrong this whole time. Maybe living isn't about protecting yourself... but about daring to feel.
That's what I want to believe now. Not because someone told me to—but because, for the first time, it feels worth trying.
Maybe this is all a dream... but if it is, then please—don't wake me. Not yet.
"What's wrong, Haru? Don't want to come with me?" she asked, tilting her head with a curious look.
"It's not that," I replied, snapping out of my thoughts. "I was just... thinking. But let's go. Now I've got a sudden craving for chocolate ice cream."
"Perfect!" she beamed. "Then let our journey toward ice cream begin!"
"What a specific name…" I laughed.
We walked together through the cobblestone streets as she pointed out tiny, charming shops that looked like they belonged in another era. What struck me most was the kindness of the people—smiles, greetings, a warmth I never felt in Tokyo.
Or maybe the city wasn't the problem. Maybe it was me... too afraid to look past my own walls.
I stopped for a moment in front of a stall selling traditional charms. One in particular, embroidered with silver threads, caught my eye. It was shaped like a small sakura flower.
"Do you like it?" she asked, stepping closer. "They say those bring luck for travelers."
Her voice was so gentle, like a whisper floating in the air. And in that moment, I remembered what she'd said earlier that morning over breakfast.
"Ailany… I wanted to ask you something about what you said. That thing about... 'We're going to look for the old village of Uke Mochi. My family comes from there, and I found clues thanks to my grandfather. Haruki is going to join me.'"
"Oh, that… Well, I thought it was for the best. If I said you were the one inviting me, Hikaru might have asked a ton of questions… and I wouldn't have known how to answer."
"I see," I said, still eyeing the charms. "Makes sense. It'd be kind of weird to tell him you're going with me to find a magical village."
"Right? But I also agreed to go with you because… I want to learn more about where I came from. About my parents. When my grandparents told me about you, I was really happy. I felt like I wasn't alone. Like there was someone who shared the same purpose... to find the village of Uke Mochi."
Her answer caught me off guard. But now, everything made more sense. That's why she chose to come along.
"What is it? Why'd you go quiet, Haruki?"
"It's nothing... but you know, I'm glad you decided to come with me. I was a little scared, even if I didn't want to admit it. But now, knowing you're by my side… I feel like there's no bad day I won't be able to face."