It was a gloomy day, and a small boy was looking up at the sky with happiness in his eyes. Suddenly, a voice called out:
"Hey, Kevin!"
The voice was sweet. Kevin turned toward the one who called him. It was his friend, a girl the same age as him.
"Oh, Reina…"
She was a sweet and beautiful girl.
"Kevin, look! I brought the things you asked for," she said.
"Oh? Then let's dig a hole and plant the Tree of Promise," Kevin replied.
Together, they dug a small hole to plant the sapling they called the Tree of Promise—a name they had chosen themselves.
"Done! Let's make a promise," Reina said.
"Yes," Kevin answered with a smile on his face.
"We will be together forever. Promise."
Both of them repeated the same promise, smiling at each other.
"Now let's water it," Kevin said.
Reina nodded. "As the tree grows, our promise will never be forgotten."
She looked at him with a gentle smile, and he smiled back.
—
Years passed, and Kevin was drafted into the war as a soldier. Before leaving, he went to meet Reina one last time at the place where they had planted their Tree of Promise. The tree had grown halfway by then.
There, he saw Reina standing silently. A sad expression rested on her face—an expression that didn't suit her at all.
"Reina…" he called her softly.
"Can't you just stay here with me?" she asked, her voice trembling as if she was about to cry.
"Sorry, Reina… but I must ensure the king's safety," he said with a faint smile.
"Then who will save you? There's no guarantee of your safety!" she shouted.
"I know," he replied quietly.
"Then why?" she asked helplessly.
"It's just as I said earlier," he answered.
And with that, Reina broke down. Tears streamed down her face.
"I hate you… I hate you… I hate you!" she cried, but Kevin didn't reply. Instead, he pulled her into a hug.
"Hate you… hate you… hat—" Her voice cracked as she cried like a child. Kevin held her, gently patting her head.
"We made a promise to stay together forever, didn't we? Don't you believe I'll do everything to return safely?"
"But… bu—"
Kevin looked into her eyes with a serious expression.
"…please be safe," she whispered.
He nodded, gave her one last smile, and left as she silently prayed for his safety.
—
Kevin fought day after day. The war dragged on for six long years. He was an adult now, and the only thing that kept him going was Reina and the promise. He had lost everything else—his family, his home, his childhood.
"It's been six years since I last saw her face," he murmured as he returned to the place of their promise.
The tree was fully grown now, blooming beautifully. As he approached, he saw someone standing by it.
It was Reina.
His heart filled with joy. But before he could step closer, another figure appeared—a man. Reina and the man held hands gently, smiling at each other like newlywed lovers.
Kevin watched silently. Then, slowly, he smiled.
"So… this is the Sakura Tree. It's blooming magnificently," he whispered.
Indeed, the tree was blooming more beautifully than ever—a symbol of a promise that time had washed away.
Kevin looked at them one last time. Then he turned around and began to walk away.
"Farewell," he said softly.
He said nothing about the Tree of Promise or their old vow. He only saw the happiness and love she had found. Deep down, he knew that some promises are not meant to last—no matter how strong the symbol is.
With a gentle smile on his face, he walked away, thinking only one final thought:
Live a happy and healthy life. I will pray for you both.
---
THE END