Chapter Text
LUMINE
This time round, Lumine isn’t anyone special.
She isn’t a princess. She doesn’t have any sort of upper class standing or responsibility. She’s just Lumine.
(And, Archons, she can only hope that maybe this time round, Ayaka is just Ayaka too.)
After a three year stint in the city to get her agricultural sciences degree, Lumine escapes to the countryside with her brother. There’s something about the town that draws her in when she and Aether are huddled around her laptop one night scrolling through endless listings for two bedroom flats to rent. She sees it, sees the name of the town and tells Aether with no room for debate, “we’re going here.”
As it turns out, it’s rather the perfect place for them. A small town nestled between sprawling fields and woodland, a lovely, independent coffee shop advertising for a new full time barista that Lumine immediately applies for and a travel agent that allows Aether to put his new tourism management degree to good use. On Facebook, there’s a chestnut coloured mare looking to be rehomed that Lumine claims with barely a thought, finding a stable on the outskirts of town to board her new horse so she can visit her every day. Her previous owners didn’t give her a name, which is a shame. Lumine calls the horse Celeste.
Lumine understands why she was so inexplicably drawn to the town two weeks after moving. Before her, tucked away down a side street, is a store with “Kamisato Flowers” emblazoned above the window in blue and gold.
This is the first time she’s explored the town since arriving. Between her new job, getting the new flat set up, and daily walks to see Celeste, Lumine had remained in just one part of town. However, she finally found herself with a full free day that she delegated as her sightseeing day.
She doesn’t care about sightseeing anymore.
Heart in her throat, she peers through the window, praying she looks like an interested customer admiring all the brightly coloured floral displays rather than desperately scanning the store to see if there’s anyone inside. There’s no one behind the counter. Lumine takes a deep breath to steel herself and pushes the door open.
A bell jangles above her as she steps inside. It’s a lovely little shop, bursting with fresh spring blooms from every corner. Usually, Lumine would take longer to admire the space, but at the sound of the bell, a figure stands up from behind the counter and smiles at her.
“Good morning!”
After traversing multiple lifetimes, Lumine’s memories of Ayaka’s voice had slowly faded into nothing but an imagined approximation. She knows, rather than remembers, that it’s warm and sweet, like an early summer’s morning and golden honey on her tongue. And when she hears that voice for the first time in an eternity, it feels like coming home.
Unbidden tears prick the corner of her eyes as Lumine stares, speechless, at her soulmate. She’s even more beautiful than Lumine can recall in the lingering memories that she clings onto, all blurry around the edges. Instead of a luxurious gown, Ayaka is dressed in a knee length, purple pansy-patterned dress, covered by a stained, dark blue apron embroidered with the same “Kamisato Flowers” logo as outside. Her platinum hair is tied back with a purple ribbon that matches the pansies on her dress and her crystal blue eyes hold the beauty of sunlight dancing on the surface of the ocean. Lumine wants to drown in them.
“Are you alright?”
It’s then that Lumine realises she still hasn’t responded. Rather, she has just been staring at Ayaka without speaking, looking like she’s about to cry. Yeah, great re-first impression on your beloved, Lumine.
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, Lumine nods. “Yeah, sorry. It’s been a long week.” A long year, a long lifetime without you.
Ayaka’s concerned expression softens. “I hope next week is better for you. For now though, perhaps some flowers will cheer you up?”
“I– that would be nice.” Lumine hadn’t been planning on buying flowers of all things today, but Ayaka could sell her anything if it meant Lumine got a few extra minutes with her. “I just moved here the other week. Wanted some flowers to brighten up my new place.”
“Is that so?” Ayaka furrows her eyebrows. “You look so familiar that I thought I must have you around town. Have you been here before?”
Lumine shakes her head, mouth dry. “No, this is my first time here. Must look like someone you’ve met in the past, or something.” She laughs awkwardly.
“Oh! That must be it then. I’m sorry, wherever have my manners gone?” Ayaka’s lips morph back into a friendly smile. “Welcome to the area! I hope you like it here. How are you settling in?”
“Thanks, I’ve been settling in alright. It’s nice, what I’ve seen of the place anyways. I’ve just been super busy unpacking and starting my new job at the coffee shop – do you know Venti’s? – so this is the first time I’ve been able to explore the town proper.”
Ayaka nods in understanding. “I can imagine it’s overwhelming moving somewhere new. I’ve been here my whole life. Venti’s Coffee Shop is a lovely little place, though I don’t go often since it’s on the other side of town. If you ever want any recommendations for the best places for food, or the prettiest routes to walk, just let me know.”
“I might have to take you up on that.” Admittedly, Lumine cares less about the food and more about an excuse to talk to Ayaka again. “Kamisato Flowers then, is it a family business?”
“Yes! My parents owned this place, and now my brother and I own it since they passed a couple of years back.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” And she really is. Lumine knows how much Ayaka loved her parents back in their lifetime together and how hard their passing had been on her. She’d hoped that maybe this time, Ayaka would have longer with them. It’s cruel that out of everything, this is one of the details that carried along from their previous life.
“Thank you. I can’t pretend that it isn’t still tough, but it’s a wonderful comfort to know that we can carry on their legacy through this shop. Ah!” Ayaka looks apologetic. “I don’t mean to go on about myself. You’re here for flowers, not my life story. Are you looking for anything in particular?”
You. I’m looking for you and absolutely everything you want to tell me about yourself. “No need to apologise. I’m sure your parents would be very proud of you,” Lumine says instead. “As for flowers, I dunno. Something bright and colourful.”
Ayaka beams, a delicate blush on her cheeks. “How about some tulips?” She walks over to a display of premade bouquets and picks up a rainbow of tulips. “They’re fitting for the season since spring is finally beginning.” Lumine follows her, brushing her fingers across the soft petals as Ayaka holds the bouquet out to her.
“So pretty.” And if Lumine is talking more about Ayaka’s smile than the flowers, that’s her business alone. “I’ll take these, please.”
As Ayaka wraps up the bouquet, tying it off with a purple ribbon per Lumine’s request, there’s a sudden scratching noise and a piercing meow from behind her. Ayaka chuckles fondly.
“Apologies, give me one moment.”
Lumine watches as Ayaka goes to the door behind the shop counter and opens it a crack. From behind it bursts a fluffy bundle of fur, bolting across the floor and up onto the window sill. One of the floral displays sways dangerously before settling. The cat, dappled brown, black and white, licks its paw haughtily.
“That cat! I love her but she can be a menace sometimes.”
“Hah, she’s very cute. What’s her name?”
“Her name is Estella!”
Lumine’s jaw drops. There’s no space in her mind to consider how strange her reaction might be to Ayaka; instead she’s overwhelmed with images of rolling, frosted lawns sparkling like a million tiny diamonds as the sun rose on a winter’s morning, the pounding of two horses’ hooves across the grass, a sugar-sweet voice repeating the names back at the horses when Lumine introduced them, Celeste and Estella.
It can’t be a coincidence, surely. There must be something, anything, even just a fragment of a memory enduring somewhere in Ayaka’s head.
The way Ayaka’s blinking at Lumine in confusion isn’t exactly helping that theory, though.
“Is there something… surprising about that name?”
I can’t believe out of all things, you remembered the name of my brother’s fucking horse and gave it to a cat, Lumine wants to say.
“Oh no, it’s just a funny coincidence. You see, I have a horse called Celeste and my brother was looking into getting one himself. He was gonna call her Estella to match the name-theme. Clearly it’s a popular name!” It’s only a white lie. Aether doesn’t actually have any intention of getting a horse these days. Ayaka doesn’t need to know that.
Luckily, Ayaka doesn’t question it, going back to ring up Lumine’s flowers on the register as she speaks. “What a funny coincidence, indeed! It’s strange, I don’t remember where I got the inspiration for the name from. When my brother and I got her, I took one look at her and just knew that had to be her name. I couldn’t tell you why.”
“It’s a pretty name. You made a good choice.” Lumine grins, patting herself on the back mentally for a relatively smooth recovery. And now, “for me, it fits with the celestial theme of mine and my brother’s names. I’m Lumine and he’s Aether.”
“Lumine! What a lovely name.” How Lumine has longed to hear her name caressed by Ayaka’s lips once again. “I’m Ayaka, it’s wonderful to meet you.”
“Likewise, Ayaka.” When Ayaka passes over the wrapped bouquet, their hands brush, just for a second. It sends a bolt of lightning coursing through Lumine’s veins, every life they could have lived and might still live together flashing in her mind’s eye at once. It sets her body alight, and she really fucking hopes that she’s controlling her expression right now so she doesn’t look like a lovesick weirdo, moony-eyed over the woman in front of her who should only be a stranger.
“Thanks,” Lumine manages. To her surprise, Ayaka takes a beat too long to react, staring at her with a complicated expression. But under it all she almost seems… wistful?
Before Lumine can read any further into it, Ayaka blinks and ducks her head with a small smile. “My pleasure. I hope you like the tulips displayed in your home.”
“I’m sure I will.” Lumine steps back from the counter and over to the door. For a moment she hovers, considering. Would it be too forward to offer Ayaka her number? Would Lumine be able to restrain herself from inserting herself into Ayaka’s life as much as possible straight away, with a direct line of contact?
Would Lumine even care?
One step at a time, Lumine.
“See you around?” Lumine settles on. She phrases it like a question, trying not to sound too eager. To her delight, Ayaka nods without hesitation.
“See you around, Lumine.”
AYAKA
That night, Ayaka has a dream.
She doesn’t remember it all that well when she wakes up the next morning. Only fragments, floating on the insides of her eyelids.
A grand ballroom packed with dancing couples. A gentle hand on her waist, another holding her own hand. Blue satin against pink silk. Twirling round and round and meeting golden topaz eyes…
Ayaka sits up and scrubs her hands against her face. The images are already disappearing as the last dregs of sleep melt off her.
It nags in the back of her mind all day as she works. Every time the bell above the door tinkles, she looks up hoping to see golden eyes gazing back at her in something akin to awe.
Ayaka doesn’t understand what it is that has her so hung up on Lumine. She spoke to her for all of ten minutes – exchanged pleasantries and welcomed her to the neighbourhood, barely anything more – and yet… And yet she can’t stop thinking about the way Lumine smiled at her as she left, that “see you around” that felt like a question and a promise all at once, full of hope and maybe, inexplicably, longing.
Not to sound full of herself or anything of the sort, but Ayaka has become rather perceptive over the years. Working in the flower shop for so long, she deals with people and their wide array of emotions day in, day out. She knows there was something strange about the way that Lumine reacted to her. Not strange in a bad way, though certainly new.
She wonders if Lumine felt the same thing that she did. The incomprehensible pull that tugged on Ayaka’s heart as soon as Lumine spoke, the electricity that sparked when their hands touched so briefly, the familiarity that struck her in the aureate depths of her eyes.
Over the next few days, Ayaka thinks of little else other than Lumine. She hasn’t come back to the flower shop yet. It’s silly, this secret feeling of disappointment. It’s not like tulips are going to wilt in the span of four days – there’s no reason for Lumine to return so soon!
(Still, Ayaka can’t help but hope that Lumine might come back just for her.)
On the fifth day, Ayaka decides to take matters into her own hands. Perhaps if she sees Lumine again, she’ll be able to calm her scattered thoughts. The morning has been slow, so it probably won’t be an issue to go on a slightly longer lunch break than usual. It’s been a while since she went to Venti’s Coffee Shop and they do a rather nice blend of jasmine tea.
It’s just past half one when Ayaka arrives, meeting the tail-end of the lunch rush from the state of the half-full coffee shop. She joins the short line in front of the till, her excitement and nerves building in equal measure as she spots Lumine behind the counter serving customers.
Lumine’s face lights up when Ayaka gets to the front of the queue. It’s a quiet wonder, an almost-stranger so elated to see her.
“Hi Ayaka! Fancy seeing you here of all places,” Lumine says with a teasing edge.
“Yes, well.” Suddenly, Ayaka feels a little embarrassed. She’d already admitted to Lumine that she didn’t go to Venti’s often, and now she’s turned up a few days after Lumine told her that she worked here? Maybe it’s too forward of her, after all. Not that Lumine seems at all bothered by Ayaka coming to her workplace. “I thought a change of scenery for lunch was in order. You reminded me how much I like the jasmine tea here.”
Lumine’s grin is all too knowing, but she mercifully elects not to comment. “One jasmine tea for the lady, then?”
“Yes, regular size please. And one of those focaccias too, thank you.”
“To eat in or take out?”
For a brief second, Ayaka contemplates getting them take out in delirious hope that Lumine might scribble her number on the cup like in a cliche romance. However, the desire to stay in and hopefully engage more with Lumine wins out. “I’ll eat in, please.”
Ayaka pays and Lumine hands her the receipt, instructing her to wait at the other end of the counter. As Ayaka waits, she notices that Lumine switches with the teal-eyed man – Venti himself, if Ayaka remembers correctly – who had been making drinks and plating food beforehand. They exchange a few words that Ayaka doesn’t catch, but she can’t help but be curious when Venti wiggles his eyebrows and Lumine lightly slaps his arm. A few minutes later, Lumine slides a tray over to her, looking surprisingly determined.
“Here you go! I hope the jasmine tea lives up to expectations.”
“I’m sure it will,” Ayaka smiles. “Thank you, Lumine.”
Lumine returns her smile. “No problem. It’s nice to see you.”
“And you, too.”
There aren’t many free tables, but Ayaka manages to find one angled towards the counter so she can sit at it and cast furtive glances towards Lumine over the rim of her teacup without being too obvious. It turns out that she gets caught a couple of times. Though, Ayaka thinks dreamily, it’s only because Lumine keeps looking at her too. She can only hope that Lumine is looking at her in an equally interested way, and not because she’s wondering why Ayaka keeps glancing over.
When she’s finished, Ayaka takes the napkin that was very carefully folded and tucked beside her plate and wipes her lips of crumbs. She can practically feel Lumine’s eyes burning into her at the motion. She has no clue why.
Then, she takes the tray over to the bin, disposes of the napkin (a sudden, choking cackle comes from behind the coffee machines) and places the tray on the counter to hopefully save the employees a job.
“Thank you!” she calls over to Lumine, who is half hidden behind the coffee machines, suddenly looking a little miserable. Next to her, Venti seems to be holding back a fit of laughter as his eyes flick between the two of them. Ayaka decides that it would be best not to question it. “See you around?” She says earnestly.
This gets Lumine to perk up a bit. “Yeah, see you around.”
LUMINE
So Ayaka threw the napkin with Lumine’s phone number on in the bin. Okay. Cool. She still said “see you around” when she left. Lumine can work with this.
(Venti gave her shit about it for the next three days though. He thought it was bloody hilarious.)
Lumine has a day off on Saturday, and although she has been diligently taking care of the tulips so they’re still presentable, she figures it wouldn’t hurt to add some extra colour to the flat. Aether has a really ugly chest of drawers in his room – a vase of flowers is just what it needs to draw attention away from its tacky drawer knobs.
When Lumine enters Kamisato Flowers, to her dismay, she isn’t greeted by Ayaka. Rather, it’s Thoma behind the counter, his shaggy blond hair and striking green eyes instantly recognisable as Ayaka’s best friend. Between her disappointment at not seeing Ayaka, she marvels at how Thoma has, unknowingly, found his way back to the people he called family multiple lifetimes ago.
“Hey! You wouldn’t happen to be Lumine, would you?”
Lumine’s eyebrows jump up her forehead. “You know who I am?”
Thoma chuckles. “Only from Ayaka. Don’t tell her I told you that. She should be back any minute if you’re wanting to see her, she’s just making a delivery down the road to an old family friend.”
Lumine is rarely rendered speechless. Presently, there are too many thoughts racing through her mind to give an immediate response. She doesn’t know what to contemplate first – that Ayaka apparently has talked about her, despite only meeting twice, that Thoma expects without question that Lumine is here to see Ayaka, or that Ayaka will be back any minute now.
“I’m just here to buy flowers,” Lumine tries weakly. Thoma doesn’t look convinced in the slightest.
“So you don’t mind me serving you and letting you go on your way before Ayaka gets back?”
Why is Lumine getting read to filth by a man who doesn’t even know her? Does Ayaka just talk about her that enthusiastically, or is there a deeper certainty, a certainty that he doesn’t even realise why he has?
If Thoma’s like this, Lumine hates to imagine what an encounter with Ayato would be like.
“Okay, maybe I am here for Ayaka. I do want flowers too.”
Thoma grins smugly. “She’ll be happy. She’s been fretting that it was too weird that she went to Venti’s just to see you all week. Don’t tell her I told you that either.”
Lumine mimes zipping her lips just as the door swings open. “Hello Thoma, oh, Lumine!” Ayaka beams. Her dress is patterned with white and yellow primroses today. “How wonderful to see you!”
“Hi, Ayaka.” Lumine suddenly doesn’t know what to do with herself, presented with Ayaka’s radiant beauty before her. It remains quite incomprehensible that she can now approach Ayaka whenever she likes, however she likes, with no concern of outside judgement or punishment. It makes her nervous, and more determined than ever to do this right. “It was nice seeing you at Venti’s the other day. Thought I’d come by and say hi, get some more flowers as well.”
Ayaka brightens further, if possible. What a delight it is, to see her joy unrestrained and so open on her face. It’s the least she deserves after a lifetime of hiding, even if she knows it not. “I’m glad you came. What are you looking for today?”
“I was thinking of getting a gift for my brother. The walls and carpet in his new room are, honestly, pretty dull. It needs some colour.”
Ayaka giggles. “I know just the thing. How about some freesias?” She leads Lumine over to a few bouquets of yellows, whites, oranges and pinks. “They’re a spring staple and tend to last over a week. I think they’d make a lovely addition to bring a splash of colour to a room.”
“Then I’ll take a bouquet of freesias, please.”
They chat whilst Ayaka wraps the bouquet up and ties them off with an orange ribbon at Lumine’s request. Thoma has mysteriously disappeared into the backroom, leaving them alone in the store together. Ayaka asks how Lumine’s job is going (well, though befriending her boss may have been a mistake because he has a habit of teasing her a lot. About what, Lumine refuses to tell), how Celeste is doing (despite only owning her for a few weeks, Lumine bonded with her instantly and when she’s not at work, she’s usually at the stables), and if she’s been horse riding for long (several lifetimes, it feels like). In turn, Lumine asks Ayaka how her week has been (busy but enjoyable), if she knows the meanings of all the different flowers she sells or if she just picks them on vibes (she does know most of the meanings, but that’s more because she finds them fascinating than anything else. Thoma tends to pick flowers based on “vibes”), and if Lumine will see her at Venti’s again sometime (certainly, the tea made by Lumine was particularly fragrant. Lumine tells Ayaka she should try one of their cakes or cookies next time, since she helps bake some of them in the mornings, to which Ayaka enthusiastically agrees).
When Lumine leaves with another “see you around”, she’s only a little disappointed to see Ayaka hasn’t written her number on the paper wrapped around the flowers. Maybe next time.
This goes on for the following couple of weeks. Lumine and Ayaka go back and forth from each other’s workplaces – Lumine is sure that she hasn’t bought this many flowers in her life. It would help if Ayaka finally got her number, but she never seems to notice it on the napkin that Lumine has taken to folding into fun shapes whenever Ayaka visits Venti’s. And yeah, Lumine could make her life easier by leaving her number visible on the napkin at first glance, or straight up say, “Ayaka, here is my number,” but Lumine may or may not be a tiny bit afraid.
Lumine isn’t afraid of many things. She’s seen so much across her lifetimes that she has become numb to a lot by now in order to cope. However, other than losing her brother, her biggest fear has always been that she would never see Ayaka again, and forever be left with the fading memories of what could have been, unable to know what it is to be the source of Ayaka’s happiness for an entire lifetime. It could be selfish, but Lumine doesn’t know if she’ll ever have another chance. Whether they’ll keep meeting in lifetimes after this, or if this is her final shot at the happily ever after she has always desired by Ayaka’s side. She cannot, under any circumstances, screw this up.
When it reaches a month with no more real progress, however, Aether ambushes her just before she can leave for work.
“You’ve got to suck it up and get on with it,” he says pointedly, hands on his hips. Lumine feigns innocence.
“Get on with what?”
Aether throws his arms up in the air. “Just ask her out, man! Or at least give her your number. And none of that ‘I’ve tried’ bullshit!” he adds when Lumine opens her mouth to protest. “Give it to her properly, so you know she’s actually seen it. Otherwise you’re gonna spend half your wages on flowers for the rest of your life and our flat will be more garden than home.”
Lumine casts a cursory glance behind her into their living-dining room area. Almost all of their surfaces have a vase of flowers, or a potted plant, atop them. In fact, she’s bought so many that she’s had to start using drink glasses in place of vases, since they hardly expected to have more than two bouquets of flowers in the house at any one time.
“Isn’t it nice to have a flat so full of colour and life, though?” Lumine pushes back, just to be difficult. Aether heaves a sigh and grabs Lumine’s shoulders, looking at her straight in the eyes.
“Lumine. I spent an entire lifetime married to that woman against all of our wishes and you and her were both fucking miserable. You are meant to be together. Don’t get cold feet after you’ve spent so long waiting for her.”
Letting out a long breath, Lumine relents. “I hate it when you’re right.”
Aether grins. “I’m always right.”
“No you’re not.”
“Just make a move, okay?”
“Fine.” Lumine side-steps Aether so she can open the front door. “If I see Ayaka today, I will give her my number. Properly.”
Aether looks appropriately appeased. “Alright, good luck! Feel free to thank me when you guys start dating again!”
Lumine doesn’t dignify him with a response, leaving the flat and shutting the door in his face.
AYAKA
The flower shop has been unexpectedly busy today. Usually, when Ayaka goes across town to Venti’s Coffee Shop, she likes to take a longer lunch break so she can enjoy Lumine’s presence, even if it’s sometimes from across the room. However, Ayaka has found that if she arrives at Venti’s a little later in the afternoon, Lumine will be just about to go on her break so she can join Ayaka at her table.
Ayaka ends up being early because she really needs to rush back to work. It would have been easier if she’d picked up food from a cafe or supermarket just down the street, but whenever she sees Lumine, she always feels energised. She needs that pick-me-up today.
“Can I get my usual order to take-out, please?” Ayaka asks Lumine at the counter after she’s greeted her.
“Of course. You in a rush today?” Ayaka isn’t certain if it’s just wishful thinking, but Lumine looks a bit disappointed.
“I’m afraid so. We’ve had an influx of online orders, as well as preparing flowers for a wedding. I can’t stay.”
Lumine nods in understanding. “I see. Well, I’m honoured you still made time to come all the way over here. I’ll make sure your tea is extra special today.” She throws Ayaka a wink.
As usual, Lumine slips away from the counter to prepare her order and passes it across to her a few minutes later. There’s a second paper bag with an item that Ayaka doesn’t remember ordering. When she looks up at Lumine to question, Lumine is already answering, “it’s on the house. I made red velvet cookies today. Think of it as an extra encouragement to get through the day.”
“Oh!” Ayaka ducks her head, smiling bashfully. “Thank you, that’s very kind.”
“Good luck with the rest of your day! And let me know what you think of the cookie.” There’s something determined in Lumine’s gaze when she speaks, a look that Ayaka vaguely recognises from weeks before. Her eyes flicker down to Ayaka’s takeout cup and then up again. Ayaka follows her gaze and gasps when she sees the numbers scrawled across the lid. So that’s what she meant by “extra special”.
“Oh. Oh!” Ayaka repeats. Her smile widens, cheeks heating up. “Yes, definitely, I will do. Talk to you later?”
Lumine returns her smile. It’s difficult to tell, but Ayaka thinks her ears look a bit red. “I look forward to it.”
Even though Ayaka is busy throughout the rest of the day, her mind keeps straying to the number she’s saved in her phone as “Lumine” with a yellow heart and a tulip emoji. She gushes to Thoma when they have a spare moment in the back room, splitting the red velvet cookie between them as Ayaka recounts their brief interaction in the coffee shop.
“Way to go, Ayaka!” Thoma congratulates her and takes a bite of the cookie. “Damn, that’s delicious. Do you reckon she’ll bake you more stuff if you date her?”
Ayaka bumps her shoulder against his. “Shush, you.” She bites into the cookie as well and lets out a pleased hum. “She really is rather talented at baking, isn’t she? I will have to buy an extra one next time.”
“Maybe you could pay for more cookies in dates and kisses?” Thoma prods cheekily.
“Thoma, please! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I don’t even know for definite if she’s interested in me.”
Thoma gives her an unimpressed look.
“Alright, so it might be rather likely considering the past few weeks, but still! I will not be hasty!”
Thoma snorts, patting her arm and wolfing down the rest of his half of the cookie. “Okay, but don’t hold yourself back, yeah? You deserve to be happy.”
Ayaka deflates, chewing on the cookie thoughtfully. “Yes, I will do my best. Thank you, Thoma.”
That evening, after much contemplation and drafting messages and deleting them again, Ayaka finally texts Lumine.
Ayaka
Hello, Lumine! Thank you very much for the red velvet cookie. I shared it with my best friend Thoma and we both agreed that it was divine! You are a masterful baker indeed.
Lumine’s reply comes through about twenty minutes later when Ayaka has settled down on the sofa with a book.
Lumine
hi ayaka!! happy you enjoyed it :) ! they’re a favourite of mine
i’m glad you messaged, tbh i wasn’t sure you wanted to before
Ayaka furrows her eyebrows. What does Lumine mean by that?
Ayaka
If I’m honest, I’ve been hoping we could exchange numbers for a while. What gave you the impression that I didn’t?
Lumine
^^;; well
you did throw my number away the first time i gave it to you lol
Ayaka
????? Really???
When was that?? I don’t remember ever getting your number before now.
Lumine
when you first came to venti’s
i wrote it on your napkin
and the time after
,,, and all the other times after that haha
Ayaka has to take a moment to place her phone face down on the arm of the sofa and cover her face with her hands in despair. After all this time, it turns out she could have been texting Lumine weeks ago?
Ayaka
Oh Lord.
I’m so sorry, I never saw it. You should have said something!
Lumine
dw i thought so :p
i should’ve said something before now but i was nervous
Ayaka
You were nervous to talk to me?
Lumine
a little
i think you’re really lovely ayaka
do you want to go out sometime?
Ayaka can’t suppress the audible squeal that escapes her lips. Ayato sticks his head round the doorway that leads into his room and snorts at her expression. “Lumine texted you back, hm?”
Ayaka clears her throat. How embarrassing. “Ahem. Yes, she did. She also just asked me out.”
“Excellent! I will leave you to your lesbian-ing, then.” He disappears back into his room.
Ayaka
I would love to! Did you have anything specific in mind?
Lumine
maybe we can compare schedules and grab lunch or dinner together?? i’m free next thurs after 2pm and sat all day
Ayaka
As it happens, I have next Saturday off as well. Shall we meet for lunch then?
Lumine
sounds perfect!!
i’ll have to tend to celeste & take her out for a short ride on sat, but i can do it in the morning before we meet
Ayaka
Or I could join you? Of course, I completely understand if it’s something you would prefer to do alone, but I’m interested in trying out horse riding! I would love to meet your Celeste as well.
Lumine
i’d love your company!! just a warning, it will be pretty muddy. might be best to go after lunch. i can show you how to look after her as well, if you want?
Ayaka
Duly noted! I will be your enthusiastic student.
Lumine
then it’s a date :D
Ayaka
Indeed. I look forward to it :)
A date! Ayaka can hardly believe it as she stares at the words on the screen. Being in Lumine’s presence felt right in a way that she’d never experienced before. From the moment they met, it was as if something had just clicked when they started speaking. Being the hopeless romantic that she is, Ayaka has entertained dreams of love at first sight and being swept off her feet by a beautiful woman. But that’s all they ever have been – dreams. She never thought they held any realism.
This connection she’s felt with Lumine from the beginning, though. Is that what people mean when they make bold claims of love at first sight?
It might be ridiculous. Lumine might not even feel a fraction of what Ayaka does through their limited interactions that haven’t yet strayed outside of their workplaces. But she undoubtedly likes Ayaka, and that alone makes her heart flutter in excitement.
LUMINE
Even though the next week drags on, each day is significantly brightened now that Lumine is able to text Ayaka. She’s not one to be hesitant when pursuing what she wants, but with the constant fear of making an unsalvageable mistake looming in the back of her mind, she’s unsure at first how much would be considered appropriate to text Ayaka. However, the morning after Lumine gives Ayaka her number, she wakes up to a message from her wishing her good morning and a nice day at work. From then, they converse through the day and the rest of the week. Ayaka sends her photos of the various bouquets that she makes to order for customers and is very enthusiastic to fulfil Lumine’s plea for cute cat pictures. In return, Lumine sends her photos of Celeste and the interesting wildlife that she sees along her walk to and from the stables (including a variety of birds, a couple of rabbits and on one memorable occasion, a pair of deer).
The only downside to Lumine’s regular conversation with Ayaka is that she’s never been more glued to her phone and everyone around her has noticed. When the coffee shop quietens down past mid-afternoon, she crouches behind the counter and shoots off a text to Ayaka, smiling like a fool at whatever Ayaka has shared with her since the last time she checked her phone. It’s because of that she doesn’t notice Venti approaching her until he taps her hip with his foot.
“You texting your girlfriiiend?” he teases, drawing out the last word in a sing-song tone. Lumine doesn’t look up, merely flicking her middle finger at him. “Rude! I am your boss, y’know. Shouldn’t you be working, hm?”
“You’ve been too chill with us, we don’t respect your authority anymore,” Lumine retorts. At Venti’s offended gasp, she grins up at him. Despite being her boss, she’d become fast friends with Venti and confided in him about the pretty girl that crossed town twice a week just so they could have lunch together. Though quite frankly, he’s too nosy for his own good. “She’s not my girlfriend yet.”
“Yet. I like your determination. Go get your girl! Although I’m gonna have to be a dick and stop you from staring all lovesick at your phone for now because there’s more customers coming in.”
“Boooo.”
Eventually, Saturday arrives and Lumine spends far too long contemplating a variety of outfits as she rifles through her wardrobe. They’d decided that they would stop off at Lumine’s after lunch to change into riding gear since Ayaka doesn’t own any and Lumine is sure they would both prepare to dress up for their first date before they get muddy at the stables. Despite it being a bit damp outside from rain the previous evening, the clouds had cleared overnight, making way for the sun’s warmth. Lumine ends up opting for a black pleated skirt and a deep blue satin blouse, unbuttoned just enough to tease a bit of cleavage but not enough to be too slutty. Tantalising, perhaps.
She accessorises with a silver chain hooked on her belt loops and several rings on her fingers, then dabs on some lip gloss and wings her eyeliner. Giving herself a quick once over in the mirror, she nods in satisfaction and swings her tote bag over her shoulder, heading towards the door before the time creeps too dangerously towards “risk of being late”.
They’re meeting for lunch at a cafe that Ayaka recommended since Lumine hasn’t explored many of the food options in town yet. Ayaka is already standing outside when Lumine arrives, but Lumine’s automatic, apologetic question of if she’s been waiting long dies on her lips as she takes in Ayaka’s appearance. She’s wearing a white blouse with lace detailing and her skirt falls just below her knees, billowing layers of pink tulle embroidered with tiny daisies. Her hair is done up in an elaborate plaited style and dotted with daisy clips that match her skirt. She looks positively magical, like some sort of dainty flower fairy. Lumine wouldn’t be surprised if Ayaka had cast a spell on her, because she’s enchanted, every thought falling out of her brain other than the escalating need to kiss those shiny pink lips.
“Hello, Lumine,” Ayaka says. “You look lovely.”
Be normal, Lumine. She blinks back to reality. “Thank you. You’re absolutely beautiful, I love your skirt.”
“You’re too kind.” There’s a soft shimmer across Ayaka’s eyelids that enhances the sparkle of her eyes. After spending too many years in Ayaka’s presence unable to kiss her, Lumine’s carefully constructed self-control is beginning to crack. She’s too pretty. Thankfully, Ayaka seems oblivious to Lumine’s internal crisis. “Shall we go inside?”
The cafe is smaller than Venti’s, placed on a street corner with two long windows running along each side. Inside, the walls are a mixture of navy blue paint and wooden panelling, lights hanging low over the long, bar-style tables in front of the windows and the lower, round tables surrounded by cushioned seats. The atmosphere is relaxed, a chill indie playlist playing over the speakers and the surfaces tastefully decorated with lush greenery.
“Even though I tend to favour tea, the hot chocolate that they make here is delightful. Chocolate is their speciality, but they have a variety of drinks and some food options as well,” Ayaka explains. “I do enjoy the ambience here. It’s always quite quiet. Perfect for us to chat without interruption.”
“It’s really nice here, I see why you like it.” They approach the counter together and Lumine turns to Ayaka. “What would you like? My treat.”
Ayaka’s eyes widen. “Oh, are you sure? There’s no need to pay for me too.”
“Please, I’m the one who asked you on a date. Let me treat you.”
“Alright, but it’ll be my turn to treat you next time.”
“Yeah?” A teasing smile plays on Lumine’s lips. “Already planning the second date when we’ve barely started the first?”
“I– ah– apologies if I’m getting ahead of myself–”
Lumine waves her off, smile only widening. “Get ahead of yourself as much as you want, I’m definitely not complaining. I’m honoured to go on as many dates as you’ll give me.” She mentally does a triumphant fist pump at the deepening blush on Ayaka’s cheeks.
As per Ayaka’s recommendation, Lumine gets one of their vast array of hot chocolates along with her food. It’s rich and just the right amount of sweet with berry-flavour undertones. It’s without a doubt the best hot chocolate Lumine has ever had.
The conversation between them is effortless. Lumine feels like she could spend forever huddled in the corner of this cafe with Ayaka by her side, sharing stories and rambling about their interests and people watching and laughing and falling a little deeper with every word and fleeting touch exchanged between them. At some point, when they’ve finished their food and are sipping their second round of drinks, Lumine lays her hand over the top of Ayaka’s resting on the tabletop. Ayaka pauses briefly mid-sentence – in the midst of telling Lumine about the ballroom dance classes she goes to with Thoma every fortnight – before flipping her hand over so she can intertwine her fingers with Lumine’s and continues what she was saying. Archons above, it’s going to be painful for Lumine to ever let go of her hand again after this. Ayaka’s hands aren’t quite as smooth as they were when she was a princess, scattered with the odd scratch and scrape from thorny flowers and her mischievous cat, but they’re still soft and the exact shape that has been burned into Lumine’s memory, fingers long and slender. She even has the same moles on the back of her wrist and between her knuckles.
Afterwards, they stroll back to Lumine’s house so she can lend Ayaka some riding gear. As Lumine is unlocking the door, she has a brief flash of embarrassment remembering the amount of vases and glasses filled with flowers that are scattered across the house. It’s dampened, however, by how elated Ayaka looks when she sees them.
“You have all the flowers you bought displayed,” she says, a pleased little smile on her lips.
“Of course I do.” Lumine shrugs. “What else was I gonna do, throw them out? They’re really pretty.”
“Mm, Ayato and Thoma keep joking about how you buy all those flowers just to see me and come up with increasingly ridiculous ideas of what you do with so many of them. I think the most recent one was that you’re secretly a mythical being who is sustained off eating fresh spring flowers.”
Lumine snorts. “Afraid it’s nothing that exciting. It’s starting to drive my brother a bit insane, but that’s more to do with the fact that I was buying flowers instead of asking you out than anything else.” She gives Ayaka a sly look as they walk down the hall to her bedroom. “Not that I’m going to stop buying flowers, it really brightens up the house.”
“Do you have any favourites?”
Lumine hums in contemplation, pushing her bedroom door open. Thankfully, she’d tidied it the previous night, so it was in satisfactory shape for Ayaka to see it, with a recent bouquet of daffodils arranged on her windowsill. “I really like white lilies and bluebells. They’re really pretty. Here,” – she picked up one of the riding outfits that she laid out on her bed before she left (she’s really trying to impress, here!) – “even though you’re a little taller than me, they should fit.”
“Thank you!” Ayaka takes the clothes from her. “Lovely choices on flowers, too. There’s some woods just outside of town that should be blooming with bluebells in the next couple of weeks.” She suddenly looks bashful. “Perhaps we could go together and have a picnic, if you’re amenable?”
Lumine grins. “I am incredibly amenable.” She could get used to this – Ayaka asking for what she wants. It’s a good look on her. No more sneaking around, conceding to rigid social expectations and rules.
“What about you?” Lumine asks, twenty minutes later, on their walk to the stables. “What’s your favourite flower? Is it even possible to have a favourite, working in a flower shop, or is it like being asked to choose a favourite child?” Ayaka giggles.
“Indeed the latter, they’re all beautiful in their own right!” She then lowers her voice to a whisper, eyes alight with humour. “Although between you and me, I have a particular fondness for cherry blossoms. Of course, they aren’t the sort of flower that I can sell, but there’s a few cherry blossom trees in the park that I love seeing when they’re in full bloom, despite the short period that they’re there.” She’s speaking at normal volume again, face turning contemplative. “Much like our lives, they’re fleeting but so precious whilst they last. It always reminds me that I want to make the most of it doing what I enjoy.”
Quite unexpectedly, Lumine feels rather choked up, and she only just about manages to school her expression to remain neutral. She wants Ayaka to always be this hopeful, this determined to be in control of her life. She wants Ayaka to always pursue her happiness.
(Lumine hopes that she can be a part of that happiness, too.)
Lumine takes too long to respond, because Ayaka lets out an abrupt, self-conscious laugh. “Apologies, I’m rambling on, aren’t I? I didn’t mean to get so introspective.” Lumine shakes her head fiercely.
“No no, not at all. I don’t mind.” She glances at Ayaka and tentatively takes her hand. “So? Are you doing what you enjoy?”
A smile returns onto Ayaka’s lips, small and content. “Yes.” She squeezes Lumine’s hand. “I think I am.”
The next hour is spent taking turns riding around the field behind the stables. Celeste seems to fall in love with Ayaka instantly, nuzzling into her hands when Ayaka reaches out to pet her nose. Ayaka doesn’t go much further than a gentle stroll around the field, Lumine walking beside her and Celeste, ready to help if needed. Then, when it’s Lumine’s turn, she urges Celeste into a faster gallop around the field whilst Ayaka watches from the fence. Maybe she’s showing off a bit, but Ayaka is suitably impressed when she returns to her side.
They’re both rather muddy and sweaty when they return Celeste to the stable. Neither of them mind, though, and they fall into a comfortable back and forth of fond conversation and laughter as Ayaka helps Lumine take care of Celeste after the ride. As Lumine carefully picks out the stones trapped in Celeste’s hooves, she’s struck by an old memory of the first time they rode together, all those lifetimes ago.
“If alternate universes exist,” Lumine had said back then, a long-guarded secret she had never spoken aloud, shared in the warm and secluded space in Celeste’s stable stall. “I hope other-Lumine has her own farm.”
She doesn’t have the farm – not yet anyway – but she’s certain if she had known back then about the life in which she would meet Ayaka again, she would’ve been over the moon. She’d dreamed of contentment and domesticity with Ayaka for an eternity. Now that it’s in her grasp, her joy is immeasurable.
“Thank you for today,” Ayaka says, standing just out of view of Kamisato Flowers’s window later on. Lumine had insisted on walking her home after they returned to Lumine’s to change back into their regular clothes. Ayaka had initially protested, but it was clearly half-hearted and she relented at the opportunity to extend their time together further. They held hands the whole way, and they were still yet to let go. Lumine’s unsure she has it in her to let go of Ayaka ever again. “I had such a wonderful time.”
“Me too,” Lumine agrees. “Let’s do this again soon?”
“Absolutely.”
They pause there for several long seconds, smiling at each other softly. Lumine is absolutely bursting with the need to kiss Ayaka, but she doesn’t want to push too fast and overstep. That being said, she doubts she’s being subtle when her eyes slide down to Ayaka’s lips, as rosy pink as the flush on her cheeks.
“Lumine, if this is not too bold, may I,” Ayaka hesitates. Lumine takes a step closer to her, grasping her other hand as well.
“Yes.”
Ayaka giggles. “I haven’t even asked yet! You don’t know what I’m asking.”
“Don’t care. It’s a yes anyway.” Lumine gazes up at her through her lashes. “Although I think we both know what you’re asking.”
“I suppose we do.” They’re inches away from each other now, only a single short movement needed to close the gap. Ayaka visibly relaxes. “May I kiss you, Lumine?”
“Please do.”
When their lips meet, it isn’t anything like fireworks exploding, or stars colliding, or worlds changing. It’s relief. It’s serenity. It’s complete, utter contentment.
Nothing has ever felt so right.
AYAKA
Ayaka’s dream that night is cast in a warm, orange hue, like the cosy embrace of a fire in the darkness of midwinter. It comes back to her in pieces when she wakes up the next morning: the clinking of ornate glasses filled with red wine, laughing voices over cards slid across a table, whispered confessions that, no matter how hard she tries, she does not remember the contents of.
There was a kiss. A fierce, passionate meeting of lips, unyielding, all-encompassing, striking a match and burning down to her very core. And when her partner broke away, breathless and panting but no less wanting, she saw her eyes. Golden, lustrous, beautiful.
She doesn’t know what it means. What she does know, however, is the unrestrained joy she felt at Lumine’s side yesterday, the easy comfort around her like they’d know each other for their entire lives rather than a measly month or so, the way Lumine had so gently cupped Ayaka’s jaw as her lips moved with such aching tenderness against Ayaka’s own.
She also knows that she woke up to a sweet text from Lumine that morning, and that she’s been smiling giddily all day.
Since Ayaka’s working a shorter shift than Lumine today – Lumine told her mournfully that she’s working a closing shift at the coffee shop – she decides to surprise Lumine with a gift. Flowers may not be the most creative or interesting gift when Lumine has been buying so many of them from Ayaka over the past few weeks, but she puts together the bouquet herself, spending a while pouring over flower meanings to pick the perfect ones.
A mixture of delicate spring flowers, Ayaka ends up with a bouquet of purple lilacs, paired with forget-me-nots and blue violets. The purple lilacs represent the beginning of a new love; it could be presumptuous on Ayaka’s part, but she feels such a deep connection with Lumine, a growing bud soon to burst into bloom. The forget-me-nots were picked from Ayaka’s planter fixed to her bedroom window. She can’t quite place why they feel so important to include, but they pair well with the blue violets that hold the meaning of faithfulness and a promise to always be there by the other’s side.
As Ayaka finishes the bouquet off with a little greenery and swaddles it in pale yellow paper tied off with a golden bow, she wonders if Lumine will look up the flowers’ meanings. It feels a bit too much just to tell Lumine to her face. Not yet, anyway.
Later, Ayaka walks to Venti’s. She’s unsure as she approaches whether she should’ve given Lumine a head’s up – it is after closing time, now, since Ayaka wanted to arrive just as Lumine finished up. Equally, she doesn’t want to just stand around waiting outside like a fool if the doors are locked.
Mercifully, the doors are propped open, and Ayaka is treated to the sight of Lumine carrying a stack of six chairs inside like they weighed nothing. Gosh, she didn’t realise how strong Lumine is!
Clutching the bouquet closer to her chest, Ayaka waits until Lumine has placed the chairs down and turned around to call out to her.
“Ayaka!” Lumine explains in surprised glee. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I wanted to come and surprise you since you were working late.” Ayaka holds out the bouquet with a shy smile. “I made this for you.”
Lumine’s expression brightens even further, glowing like the most brilliant star. “You made it for me?” She reaches for the bouquet and cradles it with such gentleness, studying the different flowers attentively. “It’s so pretty, thank you.” She glances up at Ayaka, something abruptly unreadable in her expression. “I don’t remember seeing forget-me-nots in your shop.”
“They’re picked from my planter up on my bedroom window. They bloomed recently and I thought they’d look nice with the other flowers.”
The small smile that graces Lumine’s lips then is, inexplicably, a little sad, but still fond. “Flowers grown by you? That makes them even more special.” Before she can say anything else, a voice yells her name from behind the counter, leaving Ayaka wondering what the forget-me-nots could mean to Lumine.
“Lumine! Are you done with the chairs– oh.” The source of the voice reveals himself as Venti, his eyebrows climbing up his forehead and mouth breaking out into a smirk at the sight of Ayaka. “Didn’t realise your girlfriend was coming to pick you up. Suppose I should let you go now, huh?”
Lumine scowls at Venti over her shoulder without any heat, and Ayaka is secretly rather pleased when she doesn’t correct him on the “girlfriend” comment. “Yeah, I’m done with the chairs. Let me just get my bag then we can get going?” The second part is spoken back to Ayaka, who hums.
“Of course, take your time. Would it be easier if I held the flowers for now?”
Lumine pauses, like she’s not quite willing to part with the gift, then nods. “Actually, yeah please. I’ll be back in sec.” Once she’s passed the bouquet back to Ayaka, she disappears into the back of the cafe, Venti close on her tail.
When Lumine appears again, not only does she have her bag looped over her shoulder, but she also has a small box held in her hands. “I actually have a gift for you as well. Let’s trade?”
Ayaka chuckles, exchanging the flowers for the box. Peering inside, she’s greeted with the sight of two large, mouthwatering slices of millionaire’s shortbread. “These look delicious, Lumine, thank you. That’s very kind of you.” Lumine grins from where her face is hidden in the flowers, clearly having just been breathing in their delicate scent.
“I’ve been practising baking them recently and this is the first time we were selling the ones I made. Thought you should get to try the first perfect batch.”
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy them very much.”
They wander outside together and Ayaka slips the box into her own bag. “Do you… can I walk you home?” Ayaka asks. Lumine seems to try, and quite honestly fails, at disguising the way she perks up at the suggestion.
“You sure? I know it’s a bit out of your way.”
“Of course. It just means I get to spend more time with you, if you don’t object.”
“As if I’d ever object to your company.” Lumine holds her hand out and wiggles her fingers. “Let’s go?”
Ayaka beams, pink-cheeked, taking Lumine’s offered hand without hesitation. Their fingers slot into place together like there’s no other way they’re meant to be.
On the walk home, they arrange their next date for the coming Friday night. There’s a wood-fired pizza restaurant that recently opened up in the centre of town where they decide to make a reservation; they’ve both heard excellent things about it. Ayaka sees Lumine off on her doorstep, reminiscent of the previous night, with a chaste kiss, and smiles all the way home.
They text throughout the next few days leading up to their date. Ayaka remains on the receiving end of plenty of light teasing from Thoma and Ayato about how much she’s been smiling and blushing at her phone. She couldn’t care less. She’s never been happier.
On the evening of their date, Ayaka agonises for a long while in front of the mirror until Ayato barges in and helps her settle on an outfit. The dress she chooses is a floaty lavender number with a square neckline and short puff sleeves, and she uses her remaining time to plait her hair and do her makeup.
As she nears the restaurant, she spots Lumine walking a little further ahead of her and speeds up her pace.
“Lumine!” She calls. Lumine glances over her shoulder and grins when she sees Ayaka.
“Ayaka!” She turns around fully and stops in her tracks, letting Ayaka catch up. When Ayaka is in touching distance, Lumine leans in to give her a soft peck on the lips in greeting. “You’re looking lovely.”
Ayaka blushes, pleased, a feeling which only grows when Lumine slips her hand into her own. “As do you.” And indeed, she does. Lumine is also wearing a dress this evening – a black mini skater dress with sheer sleeves and patterned with intricate constellations. Coupled with the glitter across Lumine’s eyelids and the shiny red of her lips, she makes an absolute vision under the glow of the nearby streetlamp, more beautiful than any star in the night sky.
Even though they’re sitting on opposite sides of the table in the restaurant, there’s barely a few seconds that pass where they’re not touching. Ayaka’s hand rests atop Lumine’s on the table, and when their food arrives, their feet and ankles are continuously brushing against each other. It’s comforting, this easy physical affection that they fall into. It’s something that Ayaka has long craved but always been unsure of how to initiate. Somehow, with Lumine, it feels as easy as breathing. When they leave the restaurant a couple of hours later, Ayaka hardly falters before pressing against Lumine’s side, linking their arms as Lumine absent-mindedly kisses her cheek.
She doesn’t want the night to be over yet, so Ayaka decides to be brave.
“Would you like to come on a short walk with me? There’s a very pretty route down by the river that I always find calming.”
“I’d go anywhere as long as it’s with you.” Ayaka’s head whips up as Lumine seems to realise what she’s said, coughing awkwardly and averting her gaze. “Sorry, brain to mouth filter wasn’t working. Please ignore me. But I’d love that walk.”
Ayaka chuckles, squeezing Lumine’s arm in reassurance and ignoring her own blazing cheeks. “Come on, let’s go.”
The sun has long set when they wander along to the river, making way for the dark, star-spangled sky, unobstructed by clouds. It’s a route she’s walked countless times, but it feels brand new again with Lumine at her side.
When they reach Ayaka’s usual spot – the old willow tree, steadfast and reliable, its branches reaching down and brushing the water – Lumine freezes next to her.
“Lumine, are you–” Ayaka begins, concern washing over her as Lumine’s grip on her arm turns vice-like. However, when she meets Lumine’s eyes, wide and panicked, it’s as though she’s thrust into another life completely.
Ayaka could taste blood on her tongue from where she’d dug her teeth into her bottom lip, failing to fight back the tears that stung her eyes. Her partner, standing opposite her, was boiling with fury, with devastation. She’s protesting something Ayaka had said with increasing desperation until Ayaka replied with regretful, sorrowful denial. And as she slumped against the weeping willow’s trunk, all fight leaving her at once, Ayaka realises.
It’s Lumine, who gazed up at her with such broken vulnerability. It’s Lumine, who whispered four words that would bury their way into her very soul and make a home there forever.
“I love you, Ayaka.”
“Oh,” Ayaka breathes as she comes back to herself. In front of her, Lumine gazes at her with such eerily similar, trembling vulnerability. She’s now stood in front of Ayaka, no longer holding her arm. “Oh.”
“Did you just…” Lumine trails off. She doesn’t try to finish the question.
Ayaka feels like she’s half losing her mind – perhaps she’s hallucinating, or having very vivid daydreams rather like the ones she’s been having recently whilst sleeping. It sounds crazy just thinking about the implications otherwise. After all, who would ever seriously believe in– in past lives or alternative universes. Why, it sounds even more outlandish than soulmates.
Soulmates. Could that truly be a reality for her and Lumine? Meeting in a past life, and loving each other again, and again, and again through time?
Love is a strong word. Especially for someone Ayaka has only known for a couple of months.
But it’s been far longer than a couple of months, hasn’t it? A niggling voice in the back of Ayaka’s mind tells her. She laughs at the absurdity of it all. She laughs, because in that moment, she knows it can’t be anything but true.
“Did you know I’ve spent this entire time feeling like I’ve known you for much longer than just the past two months?” Ayaka says, laughing again in disbelief. “I’ve always felt so comfortable around you, like I’ve known you for a lifetime before this.”
Lumine’s jaw drops. Ayaka stifles the slightly hysteric giggle that almost escapes her at such intense shock. Lumine opens and closes her mouth several times before she finds her words. “You remember?”
“Not, not much,” Ayaka rushes to correct before Lumine can get her hopes up. “I’ve been having some strange dreams, but I didn’t think much of them because I only remember very little bits and pieces. This is the first time that I’ve had, well. If it’s real, then I suppose it would be a flashback? A proper memory?” She says it tentatively, like a question.
A million different emotions appear to flit across Lumine’s face at once. “Pretty shitty memory to recall out of all of them.” She huffs a dry laugh. “When it all ended.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Ayaka gives her a small, consoling smile. “It was the first time you told me you loved me, after all.” She doesn’t know how she’s aware it was the first time. She just is. “I think it’s something I want to remember.”
“The first and only time.”
“Then, all the more important not to forget.”
Lumine shakes her head in disbelief, wearing such a complicated expression that Ayaka isn’t sure if she’s about to start laughing or crying. Possibly both. “I was starting to think I would never find you again. I didn’t in my last life. Or the one before that.”
“You’ve been looking for me all this time?”
“Always.” Lumine reaches out again to clutch her hand with a frantic edge. “Always. Every second that I’ve lived since I met you the first time, I’ve been searching.”
Ayaka is almost dizzy with the intense emotion threatening to overwhelm her. A thousand questions are buzzing in her head – she hardly knows where to start. She recalls the feeling of such hopelessness in the memory that had just flashed before her eyes, and figures that is as good a place as any. “Why did things end between us? If we loved each other so.”
“We led very different lives back then, Ayaka.” The look in Lumine’s eyes is now distant and mournful. “It was a different time, a different world. We were not free to be ourselves, and after a close call you decided it was too dangerous for us to continue on as we were.”
“That’s…” Ayaka’s brow furrows, desperately trying to reach for any more remnants of memories lingering in her mind. What did she say after Lumine confessed her love? She was speechless, breathless, Lumine had said… What had she said?
“You don’t… have to say it back, but I thought you should hear it at least once,” Lumine was forlorn, resigned to their fate. “In fact, maybe it’s better that you don’t. I don’t know if I could let you go if you did.”
And Ayaka, did she not tell her then? Has Lumine ever heard those same words spill from her lips?
“Bu-but surely you have to know-”
“I know.” There was a ghost of a wistful smile on Lumine’s lips. “Don’t worry, I know.”
“I didn’t tell you that I– you didn’t let me–”
“You did,” Lumine cuts her off. “You ended up telling me a week later when, well, it doesn’t matter what was happening that day. But it was just before we promised to find each other–”
“In another life,” Ayaka finishes for her without thinking. She blinks, reduced to hushed awe. “Oh. We really managed it.”
“Yeah.” Lumine’s smile is a little watery. “Yeah, we did.”
“We’ll have to work towards the rest of it. The cottage on the farm, and such.”
Lumine chokes back a strangled sound half-way between a sob and a laugh. “How the hell do you remember that?”
“I don’t know!” There’s tears dripping down Ayaka’s cheeks before she even notices them building, a lifetime of locked up emotions bursting forth all at once. “I think I might need a hug.”
“I think I can manage that.” Lumine is crying too as she gathers Ayaka as close as she possibly can to her body and tucks face against her neck. They stand like that for a long while, tears flowing freely as they cling onto each other like lifelines, unwilling to let each other go ever again.
“Archons above,” Lumine chuckles wetly after a while. She lifts her head, just enough to glance at the tree above them. “The weeping willow really lives up to its name.”
“Did you know the weeping willow isn’t just associated with grief and mourning? Whilst it has that association in a lot of cultures, the way it bends to withstand harsh weather conditions makes it symbolic of our ability to endure loss and hardships. It’s a survivor, a symbol of new life and rebirth.” Ayaka pulls back so she can smile at Lumine. “It doesn’t have to be a symbol of things ending, not anymore.”
Lumine looks like she might start crying all over again. “It can be a symbol of our new life beginning together again. Where we’re finally free to be open and happy.” Ayaka nods furiously, her heart full to bursting.
“You have me forever this time, darling.” She cups Lumine’s cheek in one hand. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
With a muffled “fuck,” Lumine surges forwards to kiss Ayaka passionately, pouring every ounce of longing and devotion into the dance of their lips together. When they break apart, foreheads resting against each others’ as they breathe into the inches between them, Lumine whispers, “is it too soon to tell you that I’m madly in love with you?”
Ayaka laughs, her chest impossibly warm. She’s been laughing a lot around Lumine lately. The shock hasn’t quite worn off yet, but it’s gradually making way for a wave of intense, weightless joy, like she might float right off the ground with the force of her happiness and relief. “I did just promise to spend forever with you, so it probably isn’t overly outlandish.”
“Good. Because I love you.”
In that moment, it isn’t surprising how easily the words come to Ayaka. She vows to say them as much as she can. After all, they have a lot of lost time to make up for.
“I love you too.”