The Meaning of Travelling | Mark Lee

Chapter 5: Only with You, Arashiyama is Beautiful

If you have had enough of cultural landscapes, then escaping the city's hustle and bustle to seek inner peace and healing from nature is also a good choice. However, if viewing the scenery becomes a task and you lose the interaction between your inner self and the outside world, it loses its meaning. Fortunately, the scenery in Arashiyama is always so beautiful, breathtaking, and unforgettable.

The two of you tacitly avoided mentioning what happened last night, pretending to be casual as you continued your journey as "travel companions."

When you came to Kyoto last year, you also visited Arashiyama. Strolling alone was quite carefree, but in contrast to others who walked together, laughing and chatting, it felt particularly lonely. The scenery in Arashiyama was beautiful, a perfect time to take pictures with your camera. However, you just couldn't muster the enthusiasm, perhaps because you missed having someone by your side.

This time, you returned to Arashiyama, accompanied by a young man with red lips and white teeth, and suddenly felt the urge to show off, drawing closer to him in a playful manner. Mark sensed your intention, smiled gently without speaking, and slightly pressed his lips together, as if he could still feel the lingering warmth.

The scenery in Arashiyama seemed to come alive with the presence of you two. Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows. A breeze swept by, making the leaves dance lightly and creating a pleasant rustling sound.

The beauty of Arashiyama is such that it would be a pity not to capture a few images as memories.

In his youth, Mark was also a bit rebellious and hated being photographed. Whenever a camera was aimed at him, he would instinctively crouch down and cover his face, like a suspect refusing to admit guilt while evading a police interrogation. However, as he entered society, the sharp edges of his personality were smoothed over by the forces of the inner and outer worlds, and he became more at peace, even nostalgic, often regretting why he hadn't taken more photos in his youth to remind himself of his once vibrant self.

Feeling tired, you both took a break at a pavilion. The gentle breeze felt refreshing on your faces, and your bodies and minds were at ease. Mark took out his phone from his pocket and, a bit shyly interrupting your thoughts, said, "How about we take a photo together for memories?" You leaned closer, gathered your thoughts, and smiled. With a click, the photo captured the moment, preserving it on Mark's phone and eternally in his memory.

After the photo, you asked, "So, what are your plans after this?" Mark paused for a moment and replied with a smile, "Oh, I'll be going back home in a few days. After all, I'm using my annual leave, and I don't have much time. I need to go back to earn a living." "Mm..." you responded, swallowing your words without voicing them.

After a while, it seemed you had made up your mind. You gazed at Mark's face, as if trying to paint his features in your mind, and after a few seconds, you spoke hoarsely, "I had planned a trip to Osaka, so I can't go back home with you. We..." You couldn't bring yourself to finish the sentence.

Mark felt as if time had frozen. The sound of the wind and the chatter of tourists faded into background noise. He raised his gaze to meet yours, gently sighed, walked to your side, and patted your shoulder, saying, "Let's go back."

You sighed softly and led the way towards the exit. The two of you walked in silence, the only sound being the crunch of leaves underfoot. Suddenly, a couple broke the near-stillness of the atmosphere. A somewhat plump middle-aged woman smiled and politely asked, "Excuse me, could you help us take a photo together?" You agreed. The couple chose a brilliantly red maple tree as their backdrop. The man gently wrapped his arms around his wife, and they smiled, radiating genuine satisfaction and happiness. The sunlight seemed to be touched by their joy, casting a golden hue over the surroundings, making it even more beautiful. After thanking you, the couple bid farewell. The woman kindly reminded you, "Make sure to take some photos too; this scenery is so beautiful!"

At that moment, you both finally shared some of your attention with the lovely scenery of Arashiyama amidst the atmosphere of parting. It was autumn, the trees were ablaze with color, and the vibrant hues ignited your hearts. Leaves fell in droves, landing softly on your shoulders without disturbing your thoughts.

You seemed oblivious to the leaves' touch, numbly following Mark's footsteps. He noticed the leaves on your shoulder and gestured for you to stop, gently removing them. For some reason, his hand trembled slightly, causing the leaf tip to brush against your neck. It felt tingly yet not painful, but you sensed a pang deep in your heart, as if a knife had stabbed it, leaving a sharp ache.

There were also many locals visiting Arashiyama. You encountered a group of elementary school students out for a picnic, chattering excitedly while singing a nonsensical nursery rhyme, adding a new vitality to the vibrant scene.

As dusk fell, the sky over Kyoto was as described in Yasunari Kawabata's *The Sound of the Cherry Blossoms*: "Last New Year's Eve, I watched the evening glow in Kyoto and felt that it was exactly the same red used by the great potter Chōjirō. I had seen Chōjirō's famous tea bowl called 'Yūgure' (twilight). Its yellowish red glaze truly reflects the colors of the Japanese twilight, and it seeps into my heart. It was in Kyoto that I looked up at the real sky and remembered the tea bowl."

The sky was painted with intertwined shades of yellow and red, thickly layered, proudly showcasing its beauty. Yet, at that moment, no one was willing to spare a thought to appreciate it.

The two of you seemed determined to grasp the last moments, filling the remaining time to avoid leaving any space for thoughts about the future. It was as if you had cast aside the pride that kept you in your comfort zone, pushing yourselves towards each other. Under the moonlight, you passionately kissed, free from prying eyes, societal prejudices, and the unimaginable future without companionship.

As Mark finished his shopping list, you helped him carry the bags back to the inn and assisted in packing his belongings. After returning from Arashiyama, the two of you were mostly silent, unable to bear breaking the quiet.

You had a flight booked for the next afternoon, and there was no rush. You both deliberately slowed your pace on the way to Kansai Airport, but the journey was limited, unable to stretch infinitely as people hoped.

The airport was quiet, reflecting the unique style of the Japanese. Pushing the luggage cart, you waved goodbye to Mark at the security check and hurried inside without looking back, afraid others would see the tears streaming down your face.

Returning to home, it was already night. The first thing you wanted to do when you got home was to inform Mark that you had arrived safely. You took out your phone only to realize that you were staying in separate rooms and your only means of contact was through conversation, as you had completely forgotten to exchange WeChat information. Laughing at yourself, you began to unpack your bags one by one, only to find a small box neatly tucked in the corner of your suitcase. Opening it, you discovered a bracelet inside, along with a card that read: "The moonlight tonight is truly beautiful."

Holding the bracelet, you stood up and walked to the window, drawing the curtains aside. You gazed outside: the sky that night was so blue, the wind swept away the clouds, leaving only a crescent moon and a flickering star beside it, shining brightly like the diamonds on the bracelet, etching themselves into your heart.

=The End=