Six months have passed since I asked her out. My days just keep getting more and more bright as right now I have my own light, Kina! six months yet I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I get to say that she is ‘My Kina!'. To be honest nothing many changes since I already know her very well and it applies to her too. We were childhood friends. but something about these past 6 months, something about it that I can’t put into words. Just 6 months full of wholesomeness and flowery paths. subtle changes yet remarkable, I would say.

​

Every day right after the day I became Kina’s Boyfriend, I became more and more grateful for everything that happened in my life. I have the power to fight for my life with the one I love. Every morning I have all the push I need to always be happy. I feel like now I can somehow pour out my positive energy to everyone around me. Kina is the one who brought out this side of me to the daylight. She is very straightforward to tell something from her heart, yet struggles to put something that feels a bit romantic. I love her. every morning she comes to be my first customer of the day. a black tea, that's what she ordered. have a strong tea flavor yet there is still that gentle refreshing ooze from it. She never has time to drink all the tea in the stall so she takes it away. But I am still grateful that she decided to wait for the black tea. every little talk that we make gradually wears off the closed nature side of me. She doesn’t have to guess something from my mind because I became freer to tell her. I can pour out everything I feel into words for her. and my voice isn’t only heard, my voice is also listened to. She knows how to make me lose my composure all over the place. On gloomy days, her “Good morning” across the door of my flat makes me feel like I can fly around the earth in one go. even on a usual typical adequate morning and both of us are busy because of our work at that time. She slips a note on the door of my flat. 

​

“I rise and come in front of the door before the sun even has the time to. But your snores somehow can be heard from here, oh my, you slept like a log. I couldn’t bring myself to wake you up.

​

wear some warm clothing and socks, today seems to be colder than usual. I have to come to the offices early because today there is this partnership company coming to our offices. how troublesome, you don’t have to pick me up this afternoon. instead, I will come to your stalls after everything is done.

​

don’t forget to smile ryusen. if you don’t have the reason to, smiles for me! or everyone you know doesn’t matter. you look better with a smile. although you still look good with that serious cold face. but still, smile for me! I love it, I love you."

Lady Sirenetaki

​

“ah! she knows she has the spare keys right? so adorable.”, that’s what I thought to myself after I read that message. and I did smile brightly for the entire day. She took the time to visit me and tell me to not pick her up despite her busy day. I love you too, Kina.

​

but today is a special day. Tonight I and Kina will spend the time together. today is the 15th of September, and in Sunken Sky, there will be a festival. I think it’s like a festival to welcome winter. This town is weird if I think about it. There is a rainy season and a winter season right after the other. Nirmaniana Festival. I never knew what it's like to come to the Festival before. Although there is a festival in our village, I never actually participated in it. It’s either because the family won’t let me, or I have to be the one who guards the tenant. but today I’m so excited to finally participate in a festival, especially with my loved one.

​

“you ready?”, I asked Kina as she came out of her apartment lobby. she wears a beautiful Yukata. Well, I wear them too. but she looks so cute and beautiful today. “you have nothing to say?”, she said with red cheeks. “what do you want me to say?”, “well, nevermind”, “you look cute Kina.”, as I said that, her face turned into a hot steaming potato. “say that again and I will punch you.”, said Kina. “haha, not in the face please.”, “yes, I just noticed it. you changed your hairstyle?”, “it doesn’t look good?”, “No! it’s not that!”, “then, do I look handsome?”, “eh? It’s not like tha-”, “so I look ugly then huh? Too bad I put time and effort into this one. guess I’ll change it back then.” “eh? don’t! you, you look very handsome today.” she said while throwing her face all over the place. When I see that, I know I win big time because I make her shy away. “haha! to be honest, I don’t care how I look, I only care how My Kina looks at me.”, “since when you be this cheeky.”, “since the day my heart is full of you. well then, shall we go?”, “yes.”, she said as she started to walk where the place is located. 

​

The place is a bit further away so we took the time to walk. Nirnmaniana Festival is a unique annual flower festival. It was unusual to hold a flower festival at night but I’m still excited to see what’s happening there. in Sunken Sky, there is a flower that only blooms here. a Spectrica, a beautiful flower that has colorful petals. A giant Dandelion that will bloom from September to December. This festival is also held near a giant lake. and on the coast of the lake, there is a theme park. Since we wouldn’t go to that place on a daily basis, we decided to go to the theme park right after we finish strolling around the festival. 

​

“you are smiling too much.”, said Kina with chuckles. “eh? did I? I’ve been caught didn’t I?.”, “yes! I caught you for smiling too much. you seem to be keyed up for this.”, “yeah I know, last year we couldn’t go here because someone decided to feel a bit unwell.”, “eh? So you tell me you regret taking care of me?”, “I’m not regretting taking care of you, but I do feel regret of something.”, “what is it? tell me tell me tell me tell me.”, “I regret not taking care of you well enough so we couldn’t go there the next day.”, after I said that, she punched me right in my liver. “OW, IT HURT, WHAT WAS THAT FOR?”, I complained to her. “that was for being too smooth for ryusen.”, “Okay, I will be harsher with you.”, “like you can!”, “yeah, the next punch from you will be on the face.”, “that’s right. after all, you owe me something because I caught you.”, “yeah, I guess I owe you something, what do you want?”, “figure it out yourself!”, “figure out myself huh? Are you too shy to ask me for something provocative?”, “I never shy away from you for anything.”, “thank goodness, then,” I said as I held her hand tightly. “I’ll just owe you my hand.”, I finished my sentence.

​

we finally arrived at the Festival. The place was filled with people of all ages. kids, teenagers with their friends, lovebirds, even a whole family came. balloons, lanterns, and bubbles add to the fun of the festival. the smells of fried squids, cotton candy, and all the festival foods fill our nose. but even so, the fresh smell of the flowers across this festival is even stronger. We first decided to go to the florist tenant area. The florist here is extremely skilled. I adore all of their creations.

​

“Ryusen, I know you are into the art of florists, right? you even have a whole garden on the rooftop.” said Kina, “Yes I think I’m kind of interested in flowers.”, “so what does this art mean?”, she pointed at the round aquarium. the aquarium is filled with pink, black, and yellow flowers, titled ‘pueritia’. “Well you see, the black surround both yellow and pink flowers. There is only one stalk of the pink flower. and the placement of pink and yellow flowers is somewhat lined up. pueritia means childhood. If I had to guess, the Pink flower would mean her childhood. She is surrounded by her struggles, the black flowers. but you see, across the tunnel vision. there will always be light, hope, and a way out of her struggle, the yellow flowers.” I explained it to Kina. The female florist who I think is the maker of the art notices my explanation. “you are pretty good at this.”, she complimented me. “ah! thank you, It’s nothing compared to you, It’s just a hobby.” I said as she smiled. Kina and I then started to walk away from the tenant. Kina seems to be bubbly and puts her mouth. “hey, you okay?”, I asked her. “yes, I’m fine.” she said with a dead tone. “HAHA, YOU JEALOUS?” I tease her. “say that again and the only thing you see next is a sky from a 6th feet hole.”, “I’m sorry.”, “haha it’s okay Ryusen, don’t be too serious.”, she said that but she started to pinch my cheeks. “is this what is called passive-aggressive?”, I said that. “Anyway, what is your favorite flower?” she asked, “favorite huh, let’s see. I think It has to be the Red Lily Spider.”, “why?”, “You see. the reason why changes. Red Spider Lily symbolizes death, the final goodbyes. The legend says it blooms when the very person part ways. The reason why is, at first, I love it because it always reminds me of Death. so I just didn’t have to do much because whatever I do will end up me dying. just like my late mother. and the flowers always make me remember my mother. But now, after I’m yours, I love that flower so much because it reminds me of death so I have to strive every decision I make, I have to cherish every path I take. I have to live my life to the fullest before I kick the bucket. I have to live on. live on and protect you. live for you. the reason why is pretty obvious, I love you.”, I finished talking. I wrapped my arms around her. At first, she seemed stunned by my answers. but now she smiles sincerely.

​

After strolling around we found a game, a bullseye game. The scoring board has a number that indicates the price that we can have if we hit the assigned number. “say, your hunter’s keenness seems a bit dull after months and months of working in front of a table. you think you can hit and win the grand prize?”, I challenged Kina, “huh? you underestimate the Sirenetaki’s Blood within me?”, “That is exactly what I said.”, “what if I hit it?”, “you get a grand prize, duh.”, “yeah I know you silly, but you will give me a prize too!”, “eh? what do you want?”, “I’m not telling you until I billed the prize from you.”, she puts her index finger in front of my lips before I couldn’t say anything. The games have two tries. She seems a bit keyed up for this, just what she wants from me for the prize? She threw her first dart. shockingly, It missed! I hold back my laughter. “Don’t mind it, Don’t mind it, Kina. you’ll get the next one. but if you don’t, I might ask for a prize since you lost the bet.”, “eh? since when is this a bet?”, “It is now!”, I continue to mock her. Now, she seems focused. It seems that I have released the beast God of hunting inside of her. and as expected. she hit the bullseye and won the grand prize. I screwed up. as she tries to gazes at me mockingly, I immediately throw my face away. “Congratulations to the beautiful lady over here because she just won the grand prize! Lady, pick and collect one of the five grand prizes here. once again, congratulations!”, said the tenant owner. I still gaze at somewhere else. but her steps sound closer. “look, ryusen. isn’t this so pretty?” said Kina, I turn my head at her. She is holding a pot of Spectrica Flowers. I want to pay attention to the flower but her face won’t let me look away to other than her. that glassy and glittering blue sky eyes. how can anyone be as pretty as her? ‘it is so pretty’ that’s what I thought to myself. She then puts the flowers right in front of me so my view from her is blocked and makes me pay attention to the flower. “wow, this is pretty. congratulations Lady Sirenetaki. I shouldn’t have doubted you.” I smiled lightly. “yeah you should never doubt my shooting skills.” said Kina, “haha sorry.”, “here.”, she hands me the pot. “eh? do you want me to hold it?”, I asked her. “no, for you.”, “eh? why? You are the one who won the game Kina. in fact, I still owed you a prize to give.”, “the thing about you owed me a prize to give remains the same, you still owe me a prize. but I want to give it to you, you said every flower has a meaning, this colorful flower certainly has meaning. so I want to give it to you, I know you never have this flower. so let’s take care of this flower on the rooftop.”, said Kina, I’m stunned by her words. “you were right. This flower means every slice of our life. These flowers symbolize every moment and emotion of our lives. Thank you, Kina, after we go home let’s put this flower to the rooftop.”, I said as I smiled lightly. she put her hand on my cheeks. “But you still owed me a prize.”

​

After we went to the games tenant area, we decided to go to the food tenant area. we found an unoccupied garden table, so we decided to sit there. “ah! I’m so hungry!”, said Kina passionately. “what do you want Kina?”, “cotton candy!”, “eh? you were hungry but you want cotton candy? you aren’t going to fill yourself up with just cotton candy.”, “I know but I really want cotton candy!”, grumbled Kina, she pouted her lips. “okay okay, I will get you cotton candy. wait here.”, I said as I started to pace around the area. but before I tried to find the Cotton candy, I decided to go to the flower stalls. I want to buy Kina a Lili flower. Lili flower is a white wildflower. she said to me that she likes Lili flower when I was gardening at the rooftop. the reason was the Lili flower looked a bit like yeoli bird, how childish I know. but I think the Lili flower really fit for her. it is pure, magnificent, gorgeous, yet still, a wildflower that seeks freedom. just give Lili flower a look and you find yourself smiling. just like Kina.

​

“here is the Cotton Candy.”, I said as I handed her the candy. “thanks but I grow tired waiting for you, just where did you buy the cotton cand-”, when Kina grabbed the cotton candy, she stopped herself from saying anything because she saw what I have in my other hands. she seemed stunned and couldn’t say anything. “you don’t like it?” I asked. “No, it’s not that.”, “then this is for you. a handful of Lili flower.”, “where did you get this? wow, this is so beautiful.”, “I know right? despite your childish reason for why you like these. These flowers are very lovable.”, “Don’t mock my way of thinking.”, she said as she pinched the side of my stomach.”, “ouch, if you don’t like it don’t transfer your hate to me!”, I complained. “No Ryusen, I do really like it! thank you so much.”, she said as she smiled. “thank goodness.” I said as I sat on the bench. I wondered if this happy feeling came from this place, The Farthest Sunken Sky, or it all came from kina, or I made my own happiness. whatever it is. I’m very grateful that I get to savor it.

​

After a while, we bought some festival signature foods. like fried squid and lollipop. We walked around at the festival happily. “says Kina, do you want to watch the fireworks?”, I said. “when was it?”, “supposed to be 20 more minutes.”, “then, let’s hurry and get the front seat!”, “no, we won’t be in a hurry to grab those.” , “what do you mean?”, “we will get to the best seat. but it wasn’t the front seat.”, “what?”, “Just shut up and come with me.”, I stopped our conversation as I held her hand and ran towards somewhere.

​

we come to the theme park. and we immediately go to the cable car station. “why cable car?”, asked Kina. “You see, the fireworks will be held on the coast of the giant lake. So if we get by the cable car, we could watch the fireworks from the cable car. titled, ‘The Best Seat’ trademark pending.”, I said passionately. “haha you sure planned this all out do you?”, said Kina as her hand swiped my cheek. After we wait for the queue we finally get to the cable car seat. we get to the cable car just the two of us. probably because the cable car didn't get crowded that much. She leaned on my head. This isn’t the first time she leaned on me, but somehow my heart beat so much faster.

​

“Say Ryusen, do you ever think what would happen if we both didn’t know each other?”, Asked her while still leaned on me and looked at the outside. It is hard for me to savor the view outside. because one, the fireworks haven't started yet. and two, Kina is a hundred times more beautiful than the view outside so I spent my time gazing at her. “that is a scary thought you have there. but it would probably still be as normal as ever, I would be drinking tea in my library room and still busy holding the noble title of my family, while you hunt to make pennies.”, “you are right, probably I’m still the girl who naively chases something without thinking through. Maybe I would be Impulsively doing my life. you see, I remembered the time I had to choose between you or continuing the adventure. you know, I almost listened to your troublesome mouth and decided to continue my journey. but no, I remembered all the kindness, comfort, and the warmth of love from my friend. and from someone that always gives me the push if I’m feeling down. I realized that I can’t abandon that. and I’m still so grateful for my decision to be always with you, and walk the flowery path with you.”, she finally stares back at me. At the same time, the fireworks party has just begun. the colorful and beautiful explosion, the sparkling joy. the beauty of a festive event. It’s all beautiful and bright. but yet, she decided to stare back at me. “Thank you for telling me that, and thank you for the decision you made. you know Kina, I never feel scared anymore after all we sacrificed to get us here. the very person that filled my days even from the start. never judged my decision. even tirelessly face the stupid side of me. I was so close-minded, cold, and felt like I couldn't be on par of my own hope. Thank you for existing in my life. Thank you even for existing on the same timeline as mine. you gave me the strength to chase all my dreams, gave all the affection both as a friend and as a lover. All of these are indeed happiness that I couldn’t even imagine. I hope you feel the same.”, I finished my sentence. she smiled. but her eyes became teary.the way she leaned on me became tighter. The sound of fireworks is really loud and grand. but I couldn’t even hear a single sound from it. because all I could hear was my heart beating so loudly.

​

God, Thank you for all the things you give, but that’s enough. I didn’t want anything anymore. Please don’t take anything from us. and Don’t give anything from us either. I just want this happiness to last longer.no, I want this happiness to last forever.

​

“say ryusen, you still owe me something.”, said Kina. “You still remembered it? what do you want, love?”, “I just want you to answer this question.”, “what is it?”, “what do you think, if a couple just by themself. like, alone just the two of them. what do you think they would do on a festival night?”, she said. I’m shocked by what she actually said. but I decided to do what I owe her, answer her. “well, perhaps, they do this?” I grabbed her cheek gently. closed my eyes as I pulled her head and kissed her gently. 

​

sitting here beside you let me calm my mind.

sitting here beside you everything seems fine.

​

Thank you, Kina, Love.