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“You are so beautiful. What’s your name?”
“It’s—”
He awoke when the lady was abruptly cut off. Arataki Itto has been having recurring dreams about this young lady for months. Every night, his dreams begin with Itto visiting the park, where he runs into this lovely woman. He only knows how she looks; he has never known who she is. She had beautiful features: side-swept bangs flowing down her face, short raven hair, and amber irises.
Itto was an artist who lived in a world of colors and images, seeing beauty where others only saw the mundane. He turned to art as an escape from the harsh realities of life. He remembers to paint or sketch the woman in his dreams every time he sees her. It was almost as though he were looking at a photo or a memory because he captured every aspect of her beauty so perfectly.
He named the woman "muse," and because of her, he was inspired to pursue his passion. This woman captivated him in every stroke and detail. Though he'd painted her so many times, he'd never actually met her. He was always happy to see her again, and they sat on a bench together while she wrote in her small diary. They would discuss a range of subjects, such as their jobs, pets, and interests. Her diary entries, surprisingly, were unintelligible. He tried to ask about it, but her responses seemed censored.
Panting, Itto got up from his bed. He didn’t realize he was spacing out. His attention was drawn to his room, which was still disorganized from last night, as he scantily glanced around. He wanted to give up trying to find this woman. Why would he spend so much time trying to locate someone who was probably not real in the first place?
Itto entered the kitchen and began preparing his breakfast. He started by making the scrambled eggs, then used his leftovers to make the fried rice. After cooking, he sighed and put the food on a plate. He picked up his phone and scrolled through his social media apps. He ate his food and washed his dishes.
He turned his attention to the refrigerator. Itto was reminded to meet his friends at 11 am by the sticky note. He can then go grocery shopping after that. After quickly drying his hands, he dashed to his room to get dressed.
Itto can't place it, but something about this day felt so out of the ordinary. He put his things inside his favorite messenger bag, put on his shoes, and went out. He shut the door behind him and turned the knob to ensure it was secure.
He tried to forget about the "muse" and focus on something else. Itto walked to the bookstore to look for any new light novels, but he noticed a newly opened café just across the street. Itto went inside, curious. He took in everything around him, as it was chilly inside. But one of the customers seemed so familiar. She reminded him so much of his muse. Was that really her? They exchange glances as he tries to approach her. There can't be a way, right? He must be dreaming right now. She sets down her pen and notebook as her eyes widen in shock. It was the same as the lady’s diary in his dreams! He strolls in her direction; he’s in disbelief at what’s happening. His hands tremble, and he sits in front of her.
“Are you…”
“You’re...”
They talk at the same time, overlapping each other’s words. The woman relaxes her tense shoulders and holds out her hand to Itto.
"...My name is Kujou Sara."
Itto finally knew her name, and he smiled.
“I’m Arataki Itto!”
"You have a lovely name, Itto."
He blushed and extended his hand to shake her hand. It feels so natural to meet her, but he's unsure if it's fate. Sara gives him a gentle smile and releases her hand.
"Are you... him?"
He turns to face Sara as he considers his response.
“...The person in those dreams I've been having?"
She continues, and Itto nods.
“Y–yeah…!”
Sara sighs in relief as she relaxes her tensed shoulders.
"I thought you were just a figment of my imagination; I never thought I'd have dreams with a real person!"
Itto chuckled and opened his bag to show her his sketches. Sara looked at them with awe.
“I’d write about you, although I find it hard to properly describe you."
"Really? To be honest, I'd always draw you when I woke up in the morning so I wouldn't forget your face, and I'd even paint you!"
Sara looked at her diary and then back at Itto. There may be similarities between them. The idea made her flush at the thought. Were they destined to cross paths today?
“I'm glad we met, Sara. Do you mind if I get your number? I just remembered I have to meet some friends, haha!”
“Sure.”
Sara jots down her phone number on a sticky note as Itto scratches the back of his head. She hands him a note, which he accepts and places inside his phone case before he begins to pack his sketchbook. As he handed her a page from his sketchbook, he waved goodbye and left.
He met up with his friends, but his mind was occupied by the thought of Sara. Itto took out the note he kept in between his phone and its case. He texted the number once he got home, and it took only a few minutes for Sara to reply. Archons, he hadn't felt this way in a very long time.
As they traded pictures of their creations, their conversation went on for hours. While Itto sent the portrait he painted of Sara, she sent early drafts of the book about her dreams with him. They were having so much fun that they even started video chatting while they were still continuing their drafts.
To lighten the mood, Itto made an effort to joke around between conversations. By occasionally sending emoticons, Sara seemed to enjoy it. Yet his heart felt so void. He was hoping to see Sara again. Itto then requested that they meet later, at 4:00 pm. She appeared to like the idea, so they agreed on a location.
Itto was extremely happy. He prepared his things and went out to get a rose just for her. He skipped over to his friend Kokomi's flower shop. He went up to the counter to ask Kokomi because he was unsure which color of rose to select.
He left the store with a bouquet a short while later. He didn't intend to spend as much money on Sara, but he did. It was assorted and filled mostly with roses. His wallet was empty, and he did not regret his purchase. It was colorful and stunning, fitting Sara’s aesthetic quite well. Itto walked home as people stared at him.
Sara called him, and Itto panicked to answer it. He nearly drops the bouquet as he answers the phone. Her voice was so soothing that he could fall asleep on the sidewalk. He felt as if they'd known each other for a long time, allowing her to call him at this time. Itto puts on his earphones and listens to whatever she has to say.
But Itto did most of the talking. He had to share something about his life, right? He may be oversharing, yet Sara listened carefully to each word he said. They chatted until they went to their meet-up location, Uuyu Restaurant. They walk in together, ending the call and finding their desired seat. He handed her the bouquet, and she flashed a small smile at him.
Itto laughed awkwardly and let Sara choose their meal. They conversed, becoming more open to one another. They were destined to meet; Itto is sure of it. He gives her another drawing from one of his dreams as they wait for their meal. She is amazed and asks if she can keep it.
“Yeah! It’s all yours now!”
“Are you really prepared to let go of something that must have required a lot of time?”
“If it makes you happy, then I wouldn’t mind.”
“...That's—Thank you, Itto.”
Sara found it sweet. He was friendly, and she was falling for him more and more with each passing moment. She received a reassuring look from Itto. He'd lifted Sara's spirits, and she felt safe with him this evening. Shortly after their food arrived, they continued to get to know one another. Sara discovered that Itto's works were on display at their local museum. Funny enough, they both discovered that they were Teyvat High School graduates.
They left the restaurant about 45 minutes later. Itto offered to pay for the meal, but Sara insisted. In the back of it, the two strolled along the sand. Soon, they ended up rushing into Itto's house because the breeze was cold. Itto opens the front door after retrieving his keys from his messenger bag and letting Sara inside.
She recognizes the detailed paintings he created of her. She runs her fingers over the canvas's textured surface. She stares at him lovingly without saying a word. Itto approaches her and looks at the painting. He is pleased that he met his muse.
As their eyes met, Itto entwined his pinky finger with hers. Now he moves his hand to join their fingers together. Now that he is holding her hand, he is blushing. Sighing dreamily, Sara places her thumb on his.
Itto moves in closer, cupping her cheek with his free hand. He lightly kisses her cheek, and Sara feels her cheek getting warmer with each passing moment. He slides his hand to her shoulder and pulls their holding hands to his chest. Ba-dump ba-dump.
"Itto?"
"I'm so happy we met, my muse."
"Muse?"
It took her a while to realize this. He had called her 'muse' because he never knew her name.
"You're amazing, Sara. Y'know, I really can't believe we just met earli—"
She cuts him off with a kiss on his lips. She pulls out after him, and he continues his words.
"—er. Heh… wow…!"
She can tell Itto was speechless, and Sara can say she was too. He holds her hand a little tighter, and he awkwardly laughs.
They spent the remaining 30 minutes drawing each other. Sara tries to do him justice, but they end up laughing at the result. She's never had this much fun in her life.
They soon ended the "date." Itto guided her outside his house. They both didn't feel that it was raining, and Sara took out her umbrella to open it. She puts the umbrella above their heads.
"Aw, I can't believe this day ended! We were having so much fun!"
"I'll check my schedule for the week. I'll see if I'm available."
"You will?!"
Sara nodded, but the rain kept pouring, and he knew she had to go home soon.
Sara cupped Itto's cheek as he pulled her in for another kiss with a hand on her waist. She beams as he pulls away for a passionate hug. She'll never forget this moment.
He quickly finds her a taxi and waves her goodbye. Who would have imagined he would run into his muse on the day he was ready to give up looking for her?