Haru's eyes glimmered to the view at the peak of the heap their path trailed on.
"That tree kinda looks.."
"Like in my dreams" Haru finished Val's line, still not taking her eyes away from The Tree.
The Tipuana Tree, shining under the silver moon light.
The massive tree that held her against the trunk, The smooth grassland which was a comfortable bed to her. She breathed the cool breeze that swiped the leaves with fragrance of flowers and hugged her. "Okaeri". A hug of 'Welcome Home'.
She remember the every mini sensation she felt in the dream she see in every October on a special day. A day like today.
"It's Tsuki mi*"
Akito said turning his back towards the tree and facing the clear sky.
Val's eyes met The full moon displayed on the thick black clear sky.
"It will rain soon" Val heard Akito saying, even though she couldn't notice a single cloud.
Val caught Haru's eyes glued to the moon without saying a word.
'What is this rain?'
"But its the end of summer you know, and I don't see any rainy clouds" Val asked. Her voice tinted by annoyance.
Akito smiled tuning his face towards her from sky.
"There's a rain before autumn, to bless the god of the mountain forest"
"Uh.. I don't unders-"
SWOOSH
"Wow" Haru murmured.
Dark sky lighted with numerous colors.
Fire work festival has began.
"Truly, This place got the best view" Val said at Akito.
"Look, there's lanterns too" Haru pointed her finger, showing the yellow lanterns floated upward towards the shiny moon.
"Woah I always wanted to float one. There's a shop I remember we came passing" Val stepped down back to trail.
"I'll come with you" Said Haru but Val interrupted her.
"Wait, It only will take less than a minute"
It sure took more than a minute. The shop was crowded and finally Val was able to scoot in and buy a yellow lantern with an art of cranes**
As she hurried back to the tree, she saw only Haru at the edge, lost in thoughts as her glowing eyes lays on moon.
"Where's Akito?"
"Oh,.... He went" Haru smiled at her holding the lantern from other side.
Their eyes met. Faces lit in yellow light of the lantern. They shared a dearest smile.
"Make a wish and it will come true" Haru said.
"Then I'm gonna wish for y-" Haru covered Val's mouth before she finish.
"You can't say it aloud, if you want it to come true." She laughed taking her hand back.
*
"This feels so relaxing..."
Val sighed tightening Haru more closer to her body. Haru giggled smoothly, resting her head on Val's shoulder. They were lying on grass comfortably, enjoying the night sky view decorated with yellow lanterns.
They silently relaxed into each other's embrace until Haru awakened her voice, sounded like from far away.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it"
"Yeah..." Val hummed.
After few seconds of pause, Val called. "Haru,"
She pulled out a thin long box from her jacket pocket.
"It's for you..." She smiled fondly.
Haru took it speechlessly. She opened it carefully revealing an alluring gold hair pin with a Sakura flower with four pearl strands hanging in the pin head.
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"Val... It's so gor-"
Her voice dropped with a whimp as she put her hands around Val's neck hugging her tightly.
"Thank you"
She murmured against Val's neck.
Val felt her tears warm against her skin.
"Haru.." She worried but Haru managed a smile.
"Let me be like this for sometime"
Val hugged her back, moving her fingers through Haru's hair making her body ease, relaxed on to her.
She didn't know why but she felt sorrow in the wind that passed through them.
**
"I wish whatever Haru wishes to come true"
"Forget about me and live happy, my Val.."
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Notes:
*Tsuki Mi - Moon viewing is a Japanese tradition that typically happens between September to October to view the full moon. Japanese people eat rice dumplings while admiring the moon on this day. It was originally a way to hope for good luck for the new season.
**Cranes - In Japanese folklore, the crane (or Tsuru in Japanese) is a strong majestic bird that mates for life and is said to live for a thousand years. It symbolizes love, honor, good fortune, loyalty, and longevity
