Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE CRESCENT MOON hung low in the sky, a delicate sliver of silver light that hinted at the fullness yet to come. The night was softer than before, the shadows less deep, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to begin. Sunoo returned to the pond, drawn by the memory of his last encounter with Yuzuki—a presence that lingered in his mind like the afterglow of a setting sun.
When he arrived, Yuzuki was already there, standing at the water's edge. She was gazing at the crescent moon, her expression thoughtful, almost wistful. She seemed at ease, as if the night had wrapped her in its embrace and made her a part of its quiet beauty.
"Yuzuki," Sunoo called out softly, not wanting to startle her.
She turned, her face lighting up with a gentle smile. "Sunoo. I was hoping you'd come back."
He approached her slowly, the cool night air brushing against his skin. "I couldn't stay away. This place... it feels different when you're here."
Yuzuki chuckled lightly, the sound like a soft ripple across the pond's surface. "I feel the same way. It's like the night holds a different kind of magic when you share it with someone."
They stood side by side, gazing at the moon's reflection in the water. The silence between them was comfortable, the kind that only comes from a growing familiarity. Sunoo found himself relaxing in her presence, the initial awe he'd felt replaced by a quiet curiosity.
"Do you come here often?" Sunoo asked, breaking the silence.
"Whenever I need to think," Yuzuki replied, her voice carrying a hint of something unspoken. "It's peaceful here. I can just... be."
Sunoo nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. "I like it here too. It's a place where I can clear my head, where everything feels... simpler."
Yuzuki glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "We're not so different, are we?"
"Maybe not," Sunoo said, smiling back. "But I don't know much about you yet."
"Then ask," Yuzuki said, turning to face him more fully. "What do you want to know?"
Sunoo hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What's your favorite memory?"
Yuzuki looked surprised by the question, but she didn't shy away from it. "There was a summer festival when I was little. I remember running through the streets with my friends, eating too much candy, and watching the fireworks light up the sky. It felt like magic, like the night had come alive just for us."
She paused, her eyes distant as she recalled the memory. "I think that was the first time I realized how beautiful the night could be. How it could hold so many possibilities."
Sunoo listened, captivated by the way she spoke. "That sounds amazing. I think my favorite memories are more... ordinary. Like sitting in the sunlight after a long winter, feeling the warmth on my face. It's a small thing, but it always makes me happy."
Yuzuki smiled warmly. "Sometimes the small things are the most precious. They're the moments that stay with you, even when everything else fades."
They lapsed into silence again, both of them lost in their thoughts. The crescent moon continued its slow climb across the sky, casting a gentle glow over the pond.
"You know," Yuzuki said after a while, "I'm glad we met, Sunoo. It's nice to have someone to talk to. Someone who understands."
"Me too," Sunoo replied, his voice soft but sincere. "I don't have many friends who appreciate the quiet like this."
Yuzuki nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe that's why we found each other. Two people who needed a little quiet in their lives."
The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves in the trees. Sunoo felt a sense of contentment settle over him—a rare feeling, one that he wanted to hold onto.
"Do you think we could meet here again?" Sunoo asked, hoping he wasn't being too forward.
Yuzuki looked at him, her eyes warm and open. "I'd like that. It's nice to have someone to share the night with."
Sunoo smiled, relieved. "Then it's a plan."
As they parted ways that night, there was no lingering sadness, no heavy sense of goodbye. Instead, there was a quiet understanding, a shared promise that they would meet again under the light of the crescent moon—a friendship that was just beginning to bloom, like the first glimmer of light on the horizon.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
