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The clouds fluctuated in random patterns as the radiance of the sun bounced off a reflection of its energy around their silver lining. It was a perfect mix of both sunny and cloudy; it's neither too hot nor too gloomy. The forest greenery, bathed in the golden glow of sunlight, helps create a more lively atmosphere.
Below the peaceful horizon, a party of three strolled around the dense forest. An odd team that consisted of a cheery priest with a lazy cat, a needy druid, and a headless artificer. All from different worlds, but they found each other in this one after a mysterious time warp. Though they had only just met a few months ago, their bonds with one another continued to grow in strength. And soon enough, the three of them became inseparable.
Searching for a solution in getting back home to their respective worlds, they embark on a perilous journey all over the world to find answers, attempting to unravel the truth on why they are here.
Now, the group finds itself in the middle of a heavy forest. They walk across bushes and dead leaves with caution, but even with their suspicions, the place felt light and devoid of anything dangerous. There were no threats and the day went on smoothly.
But they shouldn't let their guard down. They had to expect the worst of the worst.
After a while, something strange appeared in their line of sight, and Maine was the first to speak up to the other two about it.
“Hey, don't you see something yellow in the distance?”
“Huh, I see it, too… Should we go check it out?” Turning towards the artificer, Bloom asked him a question.
‘Sure, I don't mind!’
At least, that was what Herb was trying to convey, but he had no head to speak up with. So, he raised his shoulders and gave a slight shrug.
“All right! Guess we're going!”
Slowly stepping closer into the scenery ahead, their vision starts to change as they attempt to investigate what’s ahead. A harsh glare from the sky reaches their pupils, and a flash of white light momentarily blinds their view. When they regained their senses, they were met with a mesmerizing sight. There stood before them a field of sunflowers, blooming just in time to celebrate the opening of the summer solstice. Bright colors of yellow and orange fill the air with eternal joy and bliss as they face the radiant sun with hopeful smiles.
“S-Sunflowers! Near this place?” Bloom couldn't believe it herself. What's a family reunion of sunflowers doing here in the middle of the forest? Either way, she's not complaining. She's seen a lot of plants and flowers before, but to see such in the wild—all healthy and perfectly good in shape—she was astonished.
While the druid was busy admiring their condition, the artificer behind her was perpetually swinging his fists up and down in excitement. His non-existent “eyes” darted around the vast field, observing the flowers flow with the gentle breeze in synchronous motion as he peacefully relished the moment in silence.
“Meow…” It was a familiar sound. The lazy purrs of a certain critter that belonged to someone among the group. Maine’s cat, Stern, slowly emerges from the tall crowd of young sunflowers, shaking off the petals from their dark, furry body and leaping and nestling onto Bloom’s arms before dozing off to the warmth of the atmosphere.
Bloom releases a deep sigh before breaking into a soft smile—Stern appears to be more comfortable and active around them now.
“This cat…” A light chuckle comes from her breath.
Suddenly, Herb tapped Bloom’s shoulder, frantically trying to get her attention.
‘Bloom! Have you seen Maine!? I think she went missing!’ Without a mouth, he tries to pass the thought to Bloom that Maine is nowhere to be found by anxiously looking around in every possible direction she could have wandered.
“Wait, she’s gone!? Where did she go!?” Bloom seemed to catch on pretty fast, and she, too, started searching around the field looking for her.
They got so distracted with the view that they totally forgot about Maine, who was with them just a minute ago. If Herb had a head, he would be twisting and turning his face around the place, trying to spot their missing member in a panic. If she got lost in a place like this, maybe it won’t be so bad, but losing her here would still be incredibly devastating.
“Hehehe! Guys, take a look at this!” The woman in question finally showed herself in the direction Stern originally came from, gripping the body of a healthy sunflower with her pure hands. She skips over to their direction, her mood merry and high-spirited, unaware of the initial distress the group had been experiencing earlier.
“You shouldn’t wander off like that! We were genuinely worried something had happened to you!” Bloom gripped her chest in relief, whilst slowly dropping Stern to the ground, where he could continue wandering along the area.
“Uuuu… I just got a little excited and wanted to see the flowers. I’m really, really sorry for scaring you two!” Maine expresses her regret and profusely apologizes to her friends for giving
‘No, no! It’s all fine! We understand.’ Herb gestures with his hands that he holds no grudge about it.
“Nah, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” Bloom follows, brushing it off as an honest mistake. “Is that a sunflower in your hand?”
“Yeah! Don’t you think it’s pretty?”
“Mhm.”
For a moment, they stared at the young plant. Their petals spread confidently as they bask in the gentle touch of the sunlight. It had a more vibrant yellow shade than the rest of the other sunflowers in the field; its energy symbolized a positive outlook in life, and its cheerful personality radiated through the gentle breeze of the morning.
Then…
Hug!
Out of nowhere, Maine suddenly hugs Herb. And after a while, they break out of their embrace.
Hug!
Following that, she wraps her arms around Bloom and buries her face in her chest.
“Wh-What are you doing?”
“I know it’s only for a few months that we’ve been together, but…”
“...Thank you for finding me.”
With a single sentence, the joyful atmosphere was replaced with a more melancholic energy.
“It was only by chance that I was able to meet both of you. Even if we’ve come from different worlds, I can’t help but ask myself every night… What would my story be if we hadn’t crossed paths? What lies ahead for the three of us that we don’t know?”
“Those questions in my head, I prayed for an answer, searching for a reason. I couldn’t find it. That’s why today…”
“I will forever remember this moment with you three, so when I get back home, I’ll make sure to cherish this memory and remember the time fate brought us together. I couldn’t be more grateful for the gods to bring us together here…”
“Maine…”
“S-Sorry. Today, I just feel so happy…”
“I just wish that this moment would never end.”
Maine’s grip on Bloom gets even tighter. But Bloom was fine with it; it didn’t feel like a bear hug or anything overly pressuring. Her embrace felt clingy, but she felt the care and warmth it brought.
Bloom realized that Maine was getting emotional. She can feel the part of her chest that Maine hid her face earlier, all soaked from her tears.
“A-And maybe… when this is all over…”
“I’m going to miss you two.”
“And I hope that… in the future. We’ll meet again somehow…”
“...”
Both Herb and Bloom were silent. They didn’t want to speak a word, but they knew; once they returned, they wouldn’t be able to see each other again.
“I-I’m sorry. We should probably stop hugging now. I’m sorry I ruined the moment for you both.” She apologizes again as she slowly breaks from her embrace.
But Bloom hadn’t let go yet. Her arms were still firm around Maine’s back, with no intent of ever letting go.
“Don’t…”
“Wh-Wha?”
“Don’t… Don’t let go yet…”
“Let’s stay like this, for a little longer…”
“Bloom…”
And so, Maine decided to let Bloom embrace her until she was satisfied. They continued hugging for what felt like an eternity, the positive scenery contrasting with their silent sobbing.
Next to the two, Herb lay his palms on both of their heads and gently patted them to give their spirits comfort. He, too, is hurt that they will depart in their separate ways in the near future, but as the man of the party, he’s got to stay strong—not that he has any tears to excrete anyway.
Maine and Bloom eventually separated from their hug, but they were still messy from crying so much. Meanwhile, Herb regroups with the two with Stern on his “head”, his palms gripping two beautifully crafted flower crowns he wrapped up earlier.
‘For your heads!’ He raises and waves his hands in happiness after he slowly puts the crowns on them. The atmosphere was slowly shifting back to being jovial and merry. Though the sadness hadn’t really left their minds, a nostalgic, bittersweet tone didn’t feel so bad.
‘Yeah, you’re right.’
‘...Thank you for finding me!’
In this blissful weather, where all fragile hearts heal.