Text message — 8:00 PM
"Sayuri, meet me in the garden."
— Jun
She frowned at the message. So late? It had to be something serious.
She grabbed a coat and quietly crossed the street to Mrs. Midori's garden.
When she stepped inside, she saw a small table with a rose placed on top. Jun was standing nearby, waiting for her.
"What's going on?" she asked, surprised.
"Come, sit here," he said, pulling out a chair for her.
She walked over and sat down, picking up the rose.
"Jun… why all this all of a sudden?"
He sat beside her and took her hand. He looked nervous.
"Well… I'm not really good with feelings," he laughed softly. "You already know that… and because of that, I hurt you, even though I never meant to."
"Jun… we don't have to talk about that right now."
"But I need to," he took a deep breath. "There are things in my life that are really complicated… when my mom left, I promised myself I would never love anyone. It was like a rule for me… until you showed up."
She squeezed his hand.
"You… with just a smile… broke that rule. And after that, I couldn't hold back anymore. I tried… I really did. I was scared. I thought I didn't belong in your world."
"I know," she said softly, touching his face.
He looked straight into her eyes.
"I'm complicated… maybe a little difficult… stubborn…"
"Just a little?"
He smiled.
"And you… you're so perfect," he continued. "I can't promise I'll never mess up… but I can promise I won't run away from you anymore."
He reached into his jacket pocket and slowly pulled out a small velvet box. Her heart skipped.
"What is this, Jun?"
"So…" he took a breath. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Looking at him with teary eyes, she gave the easiest answer of her life.
"Yes… of course I will!"
He gently took her hand and placed a bracelet on her wrist—beautiful, decorated with cherry blossoms and tiny crystals.
"It's so pretty, Jun… I love it."
"It's nothing too flashy… I just wanted you to have something of mine."
"You're full of surprises, you know that?"
"And I still surprise myself sometimes," he said, laughing.
They stayed there, looking up at the stars.
"Sayuri… do you want me to tell Kenji? About us?"
"No… I'll tell him after New Year's. I know it's not right to hide it… but I need to do it properly."
Jun grumbled.
"So I have to spend the whole vacation away from my girlfriend… that's not fun at all."
"You don't have to stay away… we just have to be careful until I tell him."
Jun made a face but eventually nodded.
"Fine…"
She smiled.
"You're really cute when you're jealous, you know that?"
"Jealous? Me? No way."
She stepped closer and hugged him.
"I love you," she said, making him completely vulnerable.
She felt proud of herself for saying it first… but then he leaned in and whispered in her ear:
"I love you too, Sayuri."
Her eyes widened, shining like the stars above them.
Everything felt right. No hiding. No denying. Just them.
"What are you two doing out here at this hour?" Mrs. Midori's voice cut through the night.
"Grandma? I thought you were already asleep."
"And may I ask why you're hugging in the dark in my garden?"
Jun froze.
"Uh… well…"
"Inside. Now. Have you lost your minds?"
"Yes, ma'am," Sayuri answered quickly.
"It's better if I go, Jun."
"No, stay… let's go to my room."
Mrs. Midori gasped.
"Absolutely not! Have you lost your mind, boy?! Inviting a young lady to your room?"
"Grandma… it's warmer inside…"
"Inside! Both of you!"
Jun didn't argue. He immediately went inside.
"Jun, come here."
"Yes, Grandma."
"Do you have something to tell me?"
He hesitated… then sighed.
"Boy… don't you have manners? Didn't I teach you better?"
"Grandma… we were just talking…"
"And a dark garden at night is a place for talking?" she sighed. "Sit down."
"Jun… when did you grow up? It feels like just yesterday you were crying in the middle of the night because of nightmares… and now look at you… in love."
He looked down at his hands.
"I love her, Grandma…" he said quietly. "But I'm still scared of losing all of this."
Mrs. Midori smiled gently and touched his face.
"Then don't lose it, boy."
She knew exactly what he feared… and with the kind of warmth only a grandmother could give, she calmed his heart.