Chapter 4: Eternity – A Love Vowed Under the Moonlight
The autumn festival had ended, and silence returned once again to Shinmei Shrine. The trees were turning shades of red and yellow, and fallen leaves danced in the wind.
Anna reflected deeply on Saeki’s return and the newly found connection between their hearts. Though Saeki continued to travel between Tokyo and the town for treatment, his health was much improved.
His complexion had regained its healthy hue, and the shortness of breath that had once plagued him was now almost entirely gone. Like fresh leaves unfurling in spring sunlight, he radiated vitality and renewed strength.
One evening at twilight, Anna was fetching water at the shrine’s purification fountain, as she often did. The water, illuminated by the setting sun, shimmered like jewels. The sweet scent of osmanthus drifted on the breeze from somewhere nearby.
The deepening autumn air enveloped the shrine grounds with a melancholic yet serene atmosphere.
Suddenly, a familiar voice—a voice Anna cherished above all else—called from behind her.
“Anna-san.”
She turned to find Saeki standing there. Gone was the crimson coat he used to wear; instead, he had on a subdued yet refined jacket. His expression was much calmer than before, carrying an air of newfound confidence.
In his hands was a package wrapped in the same pale pink cloth as the cherry blossom-shaped sweet buns he had once given Anna.
“Saeki-san…! Welcome back!” Anna greeted him with a joyful smile, her face glowing even more brightly under the sunset’s warm light.
“I’m home. And… this time, it’ll be the last time I say ‘I’m home.'” Saeki’s words caused Anna to tilt her head in confusion.
“The last time? What do you mean?”
“Yes. The truth is…”
Saeki gave a slightly bashful smile and gently took Anna’s hand. He placed a small but weighty and elegant wooden box in her palm.
“What’s this?” Anna looked curiously at the box. Saeki opened his mouth slowly and spoke.
“This time, my tests showed… I’ve been declared fully recovered.”
Anna’s eyes widened in surprise. She looked at Saeki, her expression one of disbelief.
“Really…? That’s wonderful…! Truly wonderful!”
Tears of joy welled up in Anna’s eyes. Saeki gently placed his hand on her cheek and wiped her tears away.
“Thank you, Anna-san. It’s because of you that I was able to persevere until now. I’m truly grateful. And… this letter, I’ve read it countless times.”
Saeki took out a well-worn letter from his chest pocket. It was the letter Anna had written to him in the past.
“Saeki-san…” Anna smiled shyly.
“And… inside this box…” Saeki opened the wooden box. Inside were a beautifully carved cherry blossom comb and a small hand mirror. The comb was a delicate pink, and the back of the mirror was adorned with intricate cherry blossom patterns.
“This is…” Anna gasped, speechless at its beauty.
“This comb was crafted by an artisan from my hometown. The cherry blossoms represent our meeting, and the mirror symbolizes my wish for you always to see your beauty reflected in it. And as for these sweets…”
Saeki unwrapped the pink package to reveal two sweet buns, identical to the ones they had shared before.
“These are…?”
“Do you remember the first time we met here, when I dropped the offering buns? It was a chaotic moment, wasn’t it? With everything soaked and covered in sweet bean paste…”
Saeki smiled playfully, and Anna couldn’t help but laugh along.
“Yes, I remember well. You called it ‘the sweet bean paste connection,’ didn’t you?” Anna said, her eyes twinkling.
“That’s right, the ‘sweet bean paste connection.’ Though it caused trouble back then, it’s a memory I hold dear now. And this time, I wanted us to properly share these buns together.”
Saeki offered one of the buns to Anna.
“Thank you. I’ll gladly have it,” Anna said, accepting the bun with a bright smile.
The two sat side by side, eating the sweet buns. The gentle sweetness filled their mouths, and a warm, comforting atmosphere surrounded them.
“And… Anna-san…” Saeki softly took both of Anna’s hands in his.
“Will you marry me? Will you share your life’s journey with me, now and forever?”
With tears streaming down her face once more, Anna nodded firmly.
“Yes…! Of course…! I’ve always wished for this. With you, Saeki-san, I feel I can overcome any challenge.”
Anna threw herself into Saeki’s arms. Saeki embraced her tenderly in return.
Beneath the twilight sky, their silhouettes became one.
(To be continued)
