Story Reader / Festival Event Story / The Destined Surprise / Story
It's been a long time since I last wrote. You have my deepest apologies.
I heard you planted the branch I'd given you by the window. It should be blooming by now making for a beautiful piece of decoration at your place.
Speaking of which, I guess I should refer to your place as the "lounge"... and I'd love to see it for myself someday if I ever get the chance to.
Oops, sorry for digressing... Actually, I heard from Pulao that it's your birthday today. I've been looking forward to this day, too, and I have something to show you.
Could you come to this place for a rendezvous today before dusk if you're not too busy?
With your terminal in hand, you can see that you're slowly approaching your target location as you pace forward.
Having received Hanying's invitation, you followed the coordinates and arrived here.
...As you round a moss-covered boulder, you suddenly stop in your tracks, eyes widening at the sight before you.
There you are.
Hanying turns around to face you.
I could tell it was you by the sound of your footsteps.
Behind Hanying is a lush green valley, with a waterfall that, cascading from what seems to be a severed mountain peak, forms a narrow river.
Remember I told you that there were still a lot of clean paradises free from the Punishing in Kowloong? There are deserts, rainforests, mountains, and snowfields... I was planning to invite you to see them later, but...
I decided to take the liberty of taking you to this valley first since a birthday is an exceptionally important occasion.
You can see the entire valley from here. I hope you like it.
You produce a small photo from your bag and hand it over to Hanying.
Hmm? What's this?
The photo captures the windowsill of the lounge, with artificial sunlight gently illuminating a flower pot on the windowsill.
The flowers in the pot have already bloomed, their layered white petals reflecting the soft light.
They're beautiful. Seems like you're doing a good job taking care of them.
Thank you for showing me the picture. It means a lot to me.
Hanying accepts the photo. Holding the photo to her chest and taking a deep breath, she seems like she's trying to work up the courage to say something.
By the way... did you notice when they bloomed, Commandant?
Then... I think they bloomed quietly when you weren't paying attention.
Hanying's gaze shifts to the valley. A timely wind blows through, swaying the vegetation.
I asked you to come here by dusk for this very reason.
And with it...
The green before you sinks as specks of pure white flowers suddenly emerge from the valley in the evening breeze and a faint fragrance. Moments later, the specks merge into a sea.
Hanying takes your hand and walks into the sea of flowers. Up close, you see that these flowers are the same kind of flower as the one you have on the windowsill.
A symbol of respect, purity, and loyalty, the flowers sway before you and Hanying.
Some say the soul is the Creator's most precious gift to humanity. You are a person with a soul, Commandant, and I can't think of a gift that can compare to that.
I've been growing these flowers since I met you, thinking that I'd be happy to have you look at them on a day as special and important as this.
If you like it, that's great. But... I have one more small gift for you, Commandant. Could you hold out your hand?
With it, Hanying places a silver bracelet on your wrist. The bracelet is engraved with delicate double-petaled flowers, matching the field of flowers and the branch in your lounge perfectly.
Once again, Happy Birthday, Commandant.
"What better way to express our bond than with a bracelet?" People from Kowloong show their feelings for one another with bracelets, and I hope you like it, too, Commandant.
My feelings, too... shall remain by your window.
Now, I present my feelings to you once again, and I hope... to have you by my side for the rest of eternity.
