Chase more sunsets with you

Chapter 2

Carl's POV

The next afternoon, I found myself walking back to the Sunken Garden, a place that was quickly becoming a favorite spot of mine. I wasn't sure if it was the tranquil setting or the promise of more conversations with Haruki that made me look forward to these visits. Maybe it was a mix of both.

The sun was starting its descent again, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink. I spotted Haruki already waiting under the same large tree where we'd sat before. He looked more at ease today, his previous tension replaced by a relaxed demeanor. I could see that he was absorbing the surroundings, taking in the peacefulness of the garden with a quiet appreciation.

As I approached, he looked up from his phone, his face lighting up with a warm smile. "Carl! You're here again."

"Yeah, couldn't stay away," I replied with a grin. "I've been looking forward to our next chat."

He chuckled softly. "Me too. I didn't realize how much I'd enjoy this place."

We settled back under the tree, the same spot where we'd shared our first sunset. The grass was cool beneath us, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead. Haruki had brought a small blanket, and we both sat down, stretching out comfortably. The late afternoon light filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

"So," I began, trying to break the comfortable silence, "what's been the most surprising thing about the Philippines for you so far?"

Haruki tilted his head slightly, considering the question. "Well, the food is definitely different. I didn't expect to like the street food so much, but it's really good."

"Glad you think so!" I said, laughing. "You should try the local specialties. There's this place near campus that has an amazing pancit canton."

"Pancit canton?" he asked, his eyes curious.

"Yeah, it's a type of noodle dish. You'd love it. I'll take you there sometime if you're up for it," I offered.

Haruki nodded eagerly. "I'd like that. And maybe you can show me other places around the city. I haven't had the chance to explore much yet."

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Sure, I can be your tour guide. But fair warning, I'm not exactly a history expert."

He laughed. "That's okay. I'm more interested in experiencing things as they are."

We fell into a comfortable silence again, the kind that didn't need to be filled with words. Haruki seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip lower.

"What about you?" he asked suddenly. "What are you studying?"

The question caught me a little off guard, but I quickly recovered. "I'm actually aspiring to study Fine Arts," I said, my voice filled with a quiet passion. "It's something I've dreamed of since I was a kid. Art has always been a way for me to express myself."

Haruki's eyes widened slightly. "That sounds amazing. I've always admired people who can create art. I can't even draw a straight line."

"Trust me, it's not as glamorous as it sounds," I said, laughing. "There's a lot of frustration and mistakes involved. But when you finally get something right, it's worth it."

He nodded thoughtfully. "I think that's true for a lot of things. Even for me, living here is a bit of a challenge. My parents sent me to the Philippines to become more independent, and it's been... an interesting experience."

"Interesting how?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Well," he began, looking out at the garden, "I guess it's a mix of excitement and loneliness. It's easy to feel isolated when everything around you is new and different. But at the same time, it's an opportunity to grow, to learn more about yourself."

I nodded, understanding more than he might have realized. "I get that. Sometimes, when you're out of your comfort zone, you discover things about yourself you didn't know before."

Haruki glanced at me, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Exactly. And meeting new people helps too. Like you, for instance. I never expected to find a friend so quickly."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words. "I'm glad we met too. It's nice to have someone to share this place with."

We fell into a comfortable silence again, this time filled with the sounds of the garden—the distant chatter of other students, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional chirp of birds. The sun continued its slow descent, casting a golden glow over everything.

"Do you have any favorite artists?" Haruki asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

I thought for a moment before replying. "There are a few. I've always admired Van Gogh for his use of color. And locally, I really like how BenCab captures the essence of Filipino life."

Haruki looked intrigued. "I'll have to look them up. I don't know much about Filipino art."

"Yeah, you should," I said, smiling. "It's really diverse and rich. And if you ever have time, you should visit the National Museum. They have a great collection."

"I'll definitely make a note of that," he said, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Thank you for the recommendation."

We continued to chat about art, and as the conversation flowed, I realized how comfortable I felt with Haruki. There was a natural ease in our interactions, a shared humor that made the time spent together feel effortless. We laughed about silly things—like the absurdity of trying to explain local slang to a foreigner and the way students would scramble to find the best spots on campus during exam season.

As the sun finally set, painting the sky in deeper shades of orange and purple, I felt a sense of contentment. The garden had transformed into a tranquil space, bathed in the soft glow of the fading light. Haruki looked up at the sky, his expression one of quiet wonder.

"This place really is special," he said softly. "Thank you for bringing me here again."

"Anytime," I replied, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."

As we stood up and prepared to leave, I couldn't help but feel that this was the beginning of something significant. Haruki and I had connected in a way that felt both natural and profound, and as we walked back toward the campus, I looked forward to the many more conversations and moments we'd share in the days to come.