SCARS & PETALS

One day, Tsukiko decided it was time to take a leap. With the impending distance of her scholarship looming, she knew she couldn't leave without letting Kai know how she felt.

She had spent hours, days, and countless nights wondering how she could possibly tell him how she felt. She knew she had to take the leap. If she didn't, she'd regret it for the rest of her life.

So, she called Kai. It's now or never, she thought.

Tsukiko waited for Kai in the same park where they met. Just the two of them, no distractions, no expectations. The air was warm with the remnants of the afternoon sun, and the park felt peaceful, as though the world was holding its breath.

In the distance, she saw him.

Kai was running.

His heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted through the streets, barely stopping to take a breath. He couldn't believe he was rushing to meet her—Tsukiko—at the park, on the day. After everything they'd been through together, he still felt this surge of excitement in his chest whenever he saw her, whenever he was around her.

'I'll never let her slip away', he thought.

He finally reached the park, and there she was standing near the bench, looking as calm and composed as always. But the moment she saw him, her expression softened, and she began walking towards him with that quiet grace of hers.

Kai slowed to a jog, trying to catch his breath as he reached her. He hunched over the bench, gasping for air, his face flushed from the run.

"Sorry," he managed to say, between breaths. "Did I keep you waiting long?"

"Why were you running?" she asked with a soft laugh. "It's not like it's an emergency."

Kai grinned, still breathing heavily. "Of course I'll rush to you! What if someone else takes you away from me?"

Tsukiko blinked in surprise, then smiled, the warmth spreading to her eyes. "You're ridiculous," she said, laughing lightly at his antics. "But, I'm glad you're here."

They both stood there for a moment, catching their breath, and then the laughter died down, leaving a comfortable silence hanging between them. The kind of silence that only happens when two people are completely at ease with each other.

After a few moments, Tsukiko broke the stillness. "So… what are your plans now that we've graduated?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.

Kai scratched the back of his head, his usual carefree demeanor returning. "Well, I guess… college, maybe?" He smiled sheepishly. "I'm not really sure what to do yet. Probably just go with the flow."

Tsukiko tilted her head, her eyes gentle as she chuckled. "Go with the flow, huh? That's not really your style."

"Yeah, I know," Kai admitted, a little embarrassed. "But… I think that's the plan for now. What about you?"

Tsukiko looked down for a moment, gathering her thoughts. When she spoke again, her words were quiet, but there was no hesitation. "I got a scholarship to further my study in Edinburgh. I'll study here for a year first, and then continue there."

Kai blinked, trying to process her words. The silence that followed felt heavy. He could tell this was a big moment, a turning point for both of them. "Edinburgh… Scotland, huh?" he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Tsukiko nodded, her gaze drifting to the ground. "Yeah…" she said softly, almost as if she was trying to make sense of it all. "It's what I've always wanted. But I'm not sure what happens after that."

Kai took a slow breath, his heart beating just a little faster now. "After that… what will you do?" he asked, his voice more serious. "Will you come back?"

Tsukiko was quiet for a moment, before looking up at him, her eyes meeting his. "I will," she said. 

Kai's heart skipped a beat. There was something in her voice that made him feel hopeful, as though she had already decided. Maybe without even realizing it, she was giving him the answer he'd been waiting for.

"Well, that's good," he said, smiling softly. "I'll see you again then."

Tsukiko blinked, caught off guard by his words. Her heart fluttered in her chest. "Kai…"

But before she could say anything else, a soft tear slipped down her cheek, surprising her. She reached up to wipe it away, but another followed, and soon, she was fighting back a flood of emotion she hadn't expected. "Is it okay?" she whispered, voice cracking slightly. "Is it selfish… that I want to be with you?"

Kai's eyes softened, and his throat tightened. Without saying a word, he reached out, gently cupping her face with both hands. "You're most welcome… Tsukiko."

The words lingered between them, and in that moment, they both knew what they had been too afraid to say.

Tsukiko's tears mixed with a soft, happy smile, and she stepped closer to him. "I didn't want to leave you behind," she whispered.

Kai smiled back, his own eyes growing misty. "You won't. I'll always be here, Tsukiko."

And without another word, she leaned forward, and for the first time in months, the tension that had kept them apart melted away. They hugged, and for a few moments, everything felt perfect.

After what felt like an eternity, they pulled away from each other, still smiling.

"Guess this means we're dating now, huh?" Kai said with a playful grin.

Tsukiko laughed softly, her voice light but filled with emotion. "I guess it does."

The two of them stood there for a while, simply taking in the moment. The world around them is quiet, as though even nature itself was letting them have this time together. The path ahead might not have been clear, and there would still be challenges to face, but for now, Tsukiko and Kai had one another.