Location: Yukihana Village, Nagano Prefecture – Two Weeks After the Love Confession

  “Welcome to Ryokan Yukihana,” greeted an elderly woman in the lobby of the inn, her smile warm. “Reservation name: Yamada and... Tanaka?”

  Ruby nudged Fitran’s arm, stifling a laugh.

  Fitran nodded flatly. “Correct, I’m Yamada. And this is my wife, Tanaka.”

  The elderly woman chuckled, completely unsuspecting.

  A few days earlier, Ruby had suggested a secret vacation.

  “Somewhere far from cameras, far from fans, far from... the world,” she said, leaning on Fitran's shoulder.

  “So we’re running away?” Fitran asked.

  “It’s not running away,” Ruby replied. “But... hiding to love.”

  The ryokan was nestled between pine forests and patches of snow that had yet to melt completely. At night, the sound of the wind and the splashing of the onsen mingled like a song that could only be heard by two people truly at peace. The scent of cedar wood and the fragrance of blooming cherry blossoms filled the air, creating an atmosphere that seemed to invite them to lose themselves in the beauty around them.

  They stayed in a room styled in classic Japanese tradition: tatami floors, shoji sliding doors, and a single large futon. The room was adorned with traditional paintings depicting spring scenery, adding warmth and tranquility to the ambiance.

  “Just one futon?” Ruby whispered upon entering. With eyes sparkling like those of a child, she imagined how later that night, they would share warmth under the same blanket.

  Fitran turned to her, his smile genuine and warm. “Do you want two?” His question was accompanied by a soft laugh, radiating the calmness he always exuded.

  Ruby turned her face away, her cheeks flushing. “N-no, not really...” In her heart, she prayed that tonight would be a night they would never forget, a moment when they would share more than just space and time.

  Day One: They walked to the village market, dressed in thick jackets and masks. Ruby introduced Fitran to taiyaki filled with chestnuts and roasted barley tea. Among the bustling crowd of vendors and customers, the sweet aroma of traditional snacks filled the air, enveloping them like the warmth of childhood memories. Ruby laughed softly, her eyes sparkling as she showcased the intricate and beautiful details of each stall, as if the world spun solely for the two of them.

  “It feels like nostalgia,” Ruby said.

  “I don’t have nostalgia,” Fitran replied. “But I want this to be the first.”

  Ruby smiled, holding his hand tightly. Autumn brought its own charm, with red and yellow leaves falling, dancing in the wind. In that moment, Fitran felt a tranquility that could only be described by these small moments, where their feelings intertwined in an unexpected warmth.

  “Fitran... the sound of the water here is like the sound of the rain when we first sat under the cherry blossom tree.”

  “When the tree wasn't in bloom yet?” Fitran asked, a gentle smile blooming on his face as he reminisced about that moment, his longing deepening. Ruby nodded, her voice soft as if inviting memories. “Yes, it felt like time stood still.” In the tranquility of the onsen, Fitran felt the warmth of Ruby's body close to him, and at that moment, their gazes met, causing his heart to race.

  “Yes... But now one blossom has bloomed.”

  “Our hearts too, right?”

  Day two: They hiked to a small temple atop a hill. There, an ancient kitsune statue stood alone, and a peach tree curved gracefully as if sheltering the sky. The gentle whisper of the wind carried the sweet aroma of peach blossoms, caressing their skin like soft fingers. In the distance, the sound of trickling water created a soothing melody, inviting weary souls to rest.

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  Ruby tied her hopes written on paper to a wooden post, her hands trembling slightly. Each knot she tied in the thread felt like a binding of hope and prayer, sending a message to the clear sky. Fluffy white cumulus clouds gathered softly above them, as if not wishing to disturb this sacred moment.

  Fitran read her words after she walked away. The soft rustle of the wind bore silent witness to his emotions as he read each word etched on the paper, cherishing every phrase as if it held the world's most beautiful secret.

  “I don’t want this to be a dream. I want to wake up every day knowing you are still here.”

  Fitran wrote nothing.

  He simply stood beneath the tree and whispered something to the wind, his heart filled with unspoken longing and desire:

  “If time demands payment for this love... take it from me. But not from her.”

  Night two: They slept side by side on the futon. The lights were dim. Breaths were calm. In the silence of the night, the softness of the futon seemed to embrace them, creating a safe space where connected hearts could blossom without fear.

  “Fitran,” Ruby whispered, her voice reminiscent of a hopeful night song. “Are you happy?”

  Fitran turned, his deep eyes glimmering in the soft light. “I don't know a word that could express my feelings better than that.”

  Ruby chuckled softly, her laughter merging with the sounds of the night before falling silent. In that stillness, their closeness formed an invisible bridge, linking two curious and hopeful souls. Then she leaned in. Her face was only an inch away from Fitran's. Her hand gently touched his cheek, as if afraid to break him.

  “If I... kiss you first tonight... would you be angry?”

  Fitran gazed at her for a long moment, his look as if reading the entire story behind Ruby's eyes. He could feel a vibration in the air, something waiting to be unleashed.

  “If it's because you love me... then that's not something I can refuse.”

  Ruby closed her eyes, and their lips met — warm, slow, sincere. Their kiss caressed their souls, awakening deep, unspoken emotions. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, defying the constraints of the outside world, as they became immersed in the wonder of a love just revealed.

  This kiss was not about passion, but about the closeness of two souls finally feeling enough. Around them, the gentle sound of flowing water seemed to sing a peaceful song for the couple sharing this beautiful moment. The scent of the wet earth from the recently settled rain enveloped the air, adding to the warmth already existing between them.

  Day Three: Rain was falling. They remained indoors, reading books, playing shogi (Ruby won three times because Fitran forgot the rules), and making a small list:

  Things we want to do as a couple:

  – Write a book together

  – Create songs for our children

  – Open a small tea shop

  – Plant our own cherry blossom tree

  The entire room was filled with the soft glow of hanging paper lanterns, casting gentle shadows on the walls. The soft sound of rain outside the window added to the intimate atmosphere. Ruby wrote below it in lowercase letters:

  – To stay with you, even if the world forgets who we are.

  “But… I don’t want to return as Ruby the idol,” she said.

  Fitran turned to her. “Then as who?”

  Ruby smiled, her eyes sparkling. “As Ruby who is loved by Fitran. That’s enough.” Behind her smile was a hope that, out there, the world would accept them as they are.

  Fitran took her fingers in his hand and kissed the back of her hand gently. The traditional accessories Ruby wore shimmered in the evening light, enhancing the beauty of their simple moment together.

  “And I… will continue to love you as the person you only know. Not as the Voidwright. Not as the world’s savior. Just… me.”

  “A couple that doesn’t need words,” he said. “You understand each other just through silence.” Her heart quivered upon hearing that phrase, feeling the depth of its meaning. Ruby gazed outside, watching the cherry trees beginning to bloom, their delicate petals floating softly like hopes carried by the wind. She smiled, imagining souls who share their love without uttering a thousand words.

  Ruby hugged her doll. “She knows we’re not Yamada and Tanaka, right?” she asked, her voice soft and full of curiosity. Inside her, there was a yearning to be part of a greater love story, as if they were characters in a vividly colorful chapter. A ray of sunlight illuminated her face, highlighting the gentle smile that made her look radiant.

  Fitran turned and said, “But she knows we love each other. And that’s what matters.” A spark of belief glimmered in his eyes, and with a gentle touch on Ruby’s arm, he invited her to reflect on the beautiful moments they had shared. They fell silent for a moment, able to feel their connection without saying anything, as if the world around them had faded away, leaving only the two of them and the vibrations of love that hung in the air.

  There was only one photo from their vacation. It wasn’t a romantic pose.

  Just two pairs of sandals in front of a ryokan, soaked by the rain—simple yet full of meaning. In the background stood a traditional ryokan with a pointed roof and wooden walls, adorned with lush climbing plants. The rain had just stopped, leaving shimmering droplets on the leaves, creating a cool atmosphere as they walked along the path surrounded by blooming wildflowers.

  But for them, it symbolized a living love:

  Silent. Simple. Yet never fading.