Chapter 21: Gift
Aijin and Yasmine walked side by side on the way toward the station. The morning breeze was gentle, and their footsteps echoed lightly on the pavement.
"Yasmine," Aijin spoke quietly, glancing at her.
"Wanna eat something before we go to Hoyashi?"
Yasmine blinked, a soft pause between her thoughts.
"...Sure."
They entered a small café and took a seat. Warm lights and a calm atmosphere surrounded them as they ordered their food and drinks.
Aijin rested his hands on the table and looked at her.
"By the way, Yasmine."
"Huh?"
"Happy Birthday."
Yasmine froze for a moment.
Her voice came out small, almost distant.
"...Oh. Yeah... I forgot... Today... is... my birthday."
Before anything more could be said, their order arrived, lightly breaking the moment.
They ate quietly, the atmosphere comfortable but soft.
After finishing, they stepped outside.
"So, tell me, Yasmine," Aijin continued.
"Wanna go somewhere else before we go to the park? We can give a tour to the whole Hoyashi."
"...I… means… sure."
"All right."
They walked onward.
---
Meanwhile, at Kei's apartment—
"I hope Aijin is okay with Yasmine there," Jirou muttered, staring at the floor.
Kei frowned. "I still don't know what you are talking about?"
Mui sighed and leaned forward.
"Jirou, don't overthink it too much."
"Why wouldn't I?" Jirou's voice cracked slightly. "Everything that happened was my fault. I don't want Aijin to think about that again."
Kei's thoughts flickered, a memory she didn't want resurfacing.
(What happened to Jirou…? Something really bad must've happened to Aijin in middle school… No, don't think about that again.)
Mui placed a reassuring hand on Jirou's shoulder.
"You're too naive, Jirou. But don't drown yourself in it. We all know Aijin well—and Yasmine is with him."
Kei nodded slowly.
"That's exactly why we didn't go when Aijin invited us."
Mui continued, "Jirou, listen. You've known him longer than we have, but Aijin isn't the type to just break. And Yasmine… she's helping him. I've never seen Aijin as happy as he is now."
Jirou exhaled deeply.
"...Yeah. You're right. And… thanks."
Kei looked at both of them.
"Would you mind telling me what happened in the past you're talking about?"
Jirou looked at Mui.
"We should tell her."
Mui nodded.
"Yeah."
---
Meanwhile, Aijin and Yasmine—
"So Aijin… where are we going?" Yasmine asked softly.
"You'll see when we get there."
Yasmine noticed something ahead.
"A school…?"
Aijin stopped and stared.
"Wait what—" He blinked. "Hoyashi Junior High."
Yasmine read the name aloud.
"Hoyashi Junior High?"
Aijin gave a faint smile.
"Brings back memories."
She looked at him curiously.
"This is the middle school I used to be in," he said.
"Oh… I see."
"This brings back some good memories."
(Some bad too.)
"Anyway… let's move on."
---
After a while, they began climbing a long mountain stairway.
(Why are we climbing a mountain…?) Yasmine wondered silently.
"We're almost there," Aijin said.
They reached the top.
"Look there, Yasmine."
Yasmine's breath caught.
The entire city stretched out below, shining under the sky.
But Aijin gently said,
"By the way, this isn't the reason I brought you here."
Yasmine looked at him, confused.
"Come with me."
"...Okay."
They walked a bit further—
and arrived at a wide field filled with blooming flowers.
Yasmine stopped, eyes widening.
She stepped forward slowly.
"It's… really beautiful."
Aijin watched her softly.
A brief flash of memory surfaced—
---
Flashback
"Wow Jirou, this place is really beautiful," younger Aijin said.
"I told you," Jirou smiled.
A girl laughed, running through the flowers.
"Aijin! Jirou! This place is the best!"
Aijin smiled quietly.
"Looks like she's also happy."
"Yeah," Jirou replied.
---
Present
"Aijin?" Yasmine's voice pulled him back.
He blinked.
Suddenly, something light touched his head.
Yasmine had placed a small flower crown on him.
"Well… yeah… I have… made it," she said softly.
Aijin chuckled.
"This is really nice. Oh—can you close your eyes?"
"...Why?"
"Just do it."
Yasmine hesitated but closed her eyes.
Aijin gently placed something in her hair.
"Now you can open."
She opened her eyes—
and saw in Aijin's phone reflection:
a white flower hairpin resting beautifully in her hair.
"This is so beautiful… but why…? You already gave me enough."
"It's your birthday," Aijin said simply.
"And everything from the city view… to this field… was a gift. I wanted your birthday to be unique."
Yasmine suddenly burst into laughter, full and bright.
"Sorry— I just— I can't stop," she laughed harder.
Aijin stared, quietly amazed.
He had never seen her laugh like this before.
---
After a while—
"Finally, we got to the amusement park," Aijin said.
"...Yeah."
"So let's get going."
They stepped inside together.
Let's see how their date will unfold.
---
Bonus
Before entering—
Yasmine paused.
"...Wait. Didn't you have… my picture… with my eyes closed?"
"Yeah."
"DELETE IT!!"
---
[ End of Chapter 21 ]