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We ran away from Tracen. One more time. The sun was so bright today. It shined through all day, it felt even warmer than usual. And now the sun was smiling and singing. She was bumping into her as they passed lonely summer streets. The road was getting rougher as they left the city. Walking right into the patches of sun rays, tall buildings often hid them too much. Each time they stepped in one, the sun seemed to giggle and cheer the traces of its warmth cast on the road. She was happy to see her smile this bright. She knew this smile was preserved only for her, not known by the world around. One could argue it was selfish of her not to share this light. No, she was protecting it. Carefully orbiting around her, looking at how the corners of her mouth formed a soft image. The two circled around one another as they walked further and further from the big city, following the setting sun that was so close today, almost in arm's reach.
— Skipping classes so often is still pretty bad. Sorry, I didn't want to ruin the mood, just…
— Grades, schedules, training…’tis all worldly, mine dearest. Sometimes, one must let their spirit wander from the earth, even if our kind is bound unto it.
— Still, I just don't want us to end up in the director's office again.
She stopped, turning back to look at me. Looking around, the world became so bare. Buildings, cars – even highways we saw before – seemed to end. How far did they go? Maybe the world itself gave them space for two? All that was left from the loud, busy streets was a field of sunflowers before them. Did it always grow there? She could almost believe that the universe itself gifted them tiny land they could run into, to hide away from a multitude of all those people around peeking at their bond.
— And if only we could leave this mortal world, but for a mere moment. Would thou come with me? Would thou share in solitude with the Overlord?
— I don't want to leave it… It's really sweet, no matter what. I could be the worst klutz known to umakind…but I would prefer to stay.
— I see.
— …I would still follow you anywhere. Even more than a “moment”, if you asked. I, uh…maybe would weigh you down, though…
Walking right into this endless realm.
My fiery heart was burning as I led you into its depths.
My weary heart was grabbing onto your arteries as they entwined with each other.
I burned yours, so unapologetically. I always made it melt as mine burned even brighter. And yet, you prevailed. You told me that I'm the one who needs the rest and love the most. Did flames blind you so you had no fear to cast yourself onto me? Or was it truly me who lost her sight all along?
— It's so quiet here. I don't think I was in this silent place for so long… I think I can hear my heartbeat…
— I think I could hear it too.
— O-oh…I hope it's not distracting, then.
— No. It sounds just right.
We walked closer, looking around at tall plants around us, petals glimmering from the sunlight. No, they did not fear losing each other here. The world would always redirect their paths in such a way that they would connect. You feared that your path must be lone nonetheless. Don't worry, my steps will be careful. Chasing you, even if you would try to take your crown at the world's edge. You will look around. You would say all those grand words. Still chasing you. No matter how dense or small the crowd will form around, no matter how much strength we'll both have. Chasing after more and more. Until I catch you.
The redhead girl ran her fingers in one of the sunflowers. Its head was lowered due to a damaged stem. Like petting it. The other girl came up to her, both looking at the flower. A loud laughter broke the serenity.
— Haaaa ha ha ha! Look, even the flowers do kneel before mine beauty! Poor souls they are!
The girl placed her hand too, as she let out a giggle in response to such a claim. Both giving it light pats, smiling at such a precious being. Their fingers met each other in the process. The timid uma tried immediately to hide it, yet her partner followed it, holding onto them.
— …Your hands are…soft today…
— Thou may take mine hand whenever thou desire. I would give myself to thee, down to every fibre.
It's only natural that sunflowers always look up at the sun. Simple botany couldn't give the full answer to the universe's intricate little details. To look so similar and to look in the way of a radiant star, even if it took effort to turn. She looked at the sun. Trails of her brightness punctured the sky, making it appear in flaming colors. She looked deeper into the sun. How could it shine from day to day consistently? Your nature, it often scares. Why do we take the sun's light for granted? It burns for us, it burns for her.
— I don't want to take it. I want to share it with you.
I wish to say “thank you” for what you are doing. And sometimes, I wish to say “I adore you so much”. And sometimes, I say, “you helped me to shine”, but I wish to say “let me shine brighter, give me a stage for it”. If you can hear how my heart beats, please, calm the fire inside yours to have a proper listen.
She chuckled.
— Fret not, for there shall never be a paucity of mine beauty.
— Even if it's infinite…I will preserve every part of your shining. Remember it, please. I am with you
— Heh, of course thou do.
Going even deeper in this maze. All sunflowers around us are gazing toward a radiant star, resting on the horizon line. Soon it will set. Looking around at the clear, burning sky, a silhouette of the moon could be seen. It timidly looked down, waiting for its turn to take upon as the beacon of the sky. She remembered thinking, still a child, that the moon had to be so lonely in the sky. The sun always greets the people all day long. Brightening their days.
— Of late, I often find myself drawn to these peaceful places. Is that not odd? I hope thou do also enjoy lands scattered on the Overlord's path.
But isn't that the sun who feels most lonely? The moon has its stars. It brightens through the night along with so many shining stars, who couldn't even rival close. The sun only sees humans from afar, much further even than the moon. It never hears them, it could only hope that they are grateful for its job.
— I like them. A lot, actually… I sometimes feel like the world is too fussy for me. Like I can't keep up with it. But when you're here you…you can just stay for as long as you want.
— These flowers are surely beautiful, verily?
— They are. Thank you for taking me here…How did you find out about this place?
— I did not. I followed thee, and vice versa. We both beheld this path.
— Ehhh? I…don't really get it.
— ‘Tis simple. We are bound to each other. And thus, our steps are led by threads of fate. Only together could we arrive here, do thou see?
— Ohh. Yeah, I. I think I do. It's…woah…that's cool!!
It's more complicated, you see. The sunset is the way the sun expresses itself. It shrieks, takes all the sky around, showing not its heating might, but a beautiful vision drawn by its will. Look around, the world is engulfed in burning colors as of now. Soon, this scenery, saved for us, will fade away. No other soul would remember it like this, as the pair of girls were the only ones in this flower field. And one day, even they will forget the details of this bright sky, no matter how much the sun worked to paint it in such a unique way.
— You always find a way to talk so elegantly about…everything. I always find it so, uhm…cute, hah. You really are! Sorry, I'm always bad with words, unlike you…
— Thou words always find a way to stir my heart. I think ‘tis why they held such beauty, too.
The sun hid more and more. As the sun felt being seen too intimately, it felt the need to take its canvas down until the rise of another day. The sun is mighty. The sun is too warm to shine. Would you look at this picture a little more? Well, you probably could watch a bit longer. Don't overstay, promise. The brown-haired girl looked at her partner as the sun fell on her cheeks, making them look soft like a pillow. Her companion was standing back to the sun, covering the star with her head, as it made her bright hair almost blend with the sky.
— What brings you smile, my dearest?
— Hehe…No, it's nothing, just. U-uhm. Hehehe, it's where you stand, it's… like you are the sun here… I know it's dumb, sorry, hah.
I was looking at you so much today. I swear it almost made me cry. It's so unfit for my role, you know? Please, be brighter for me like today. I don't think I have that much time, oh dear. You are tearing me apart. You are invading my sole scene. Please, oh please, shine more for me. Dazzle me all you want, I yearn to see this look on you every moment we are together. Can you stay here for a while?
— Haaaa ha ha ha! Oh, ‘tis only natural, as the sun is mine own kin! We gleam as one for this world, yet I do so with brilliance, verily!
They both laughed, gazing at each other afterward. The sky was now the brightest before it fell into darkness. Not sharing a word, the brighter girl reached her hand, and the other one carefully put her palm onto it. They shared one more look around. At the never-ending rows of sunflowers, at the sky that seems to burn everything around them, leaving the world to be their safe space, which they could roam only devoting to one another, and as the sun shared its greeting with the Earth's satellite. They carelessly laughed. This moment felt eternal.
They began to run while tightly holding hands. As of now, even the sun or the moon was not of their interest. Even when the world was covered in flames, the tongues of which spread across the vast field. They continued to run and laugh about it even when flames reached the ground, following their sights. They could feel the heat grasping their tender bodies, almost engulfing them as well. But it only made them hold tighter, even when it felt like their hands were melting with each other. It was fine. It just made their hearts easier to connect.
— I'm so glad to have you, Opera O.
— I share this feeling, mine dear Doto.
The sun finally settled. The moon welcomed the pair sooner.