CKREK
The small sparrow was captured by Sae through her camera. Sae, who managed to take a photo of the sparrow, smiled a little. Satisfied, she then went back to looking for objects that she could photograph.
During this one day, she really wanted to spend her time just hunting for interesting objects to be immortalized through her camera. He used to spend his days off just staying in his room. Now he has changed his habits since moving to this small town. Her days off are often filled with going to new places, while taking pictures of the objects she encounters.
It had been almost a year since Sae had lived in this small town. To be honest, almost nothing had changed from her work and routine. But since moving to a small town, Sae has learned to appreciate her life more and do what she wants to do.
After taking a picture of the bird. Sae then chose to take a short break. She then sat on a bench and put her camera away. She took her water bottle from her bag and drank it quickly. Luckily, the weather wasn't too hot today so her picture-taking activities could take place quite comfortably.
Feeling rested, Sae put her water bottle back into her bag. She smoothed her hair, which was blowing in the breeze, and looked around the garden, which still looked fresh with green leaves and blooming flowers. Her eyes fell on another bench across the garden, where a young woman was sitting reading a book. The woman looked so serene, with her long black hair down and simple yet elegant clothes.
Sae's heart suddenly pounded incoherently like there was something familiar about the woman when she saw her.
Oh my God, what is happening to me? Sae thought in surprise. The moment she saw the woman, her mind automatically recalled the figure of her first love back when she was in middle school.
Sae recalled the face of her first love that she hadn't seen in a long time.
The woman's name was Mika, a girl who used to fill her days with laughter and happiness. They were separated when Sae had to move abroad to continue her medical studies. Since then, they've lost touch, and the memories have been tucked away in Sae's heart.
Sae tried to ignore her feelings and refocused on her camera. However, her gaze was constantly drawn towards the woman. Her growing curiosity made her unable to hold back any longer. She decided to approach the woman. I don't know why the urge felt so strong. Even though Sae herself had promised herself, since moving to this city she didn't want to get involved with any woman for a while. But when she saw that woman, somehow she felt an urge that was so strong and unbearable. It made him break the promise he had made to himself.
With hesitant but steady steps, Sae walked towards the bench where the woman was sitting. The closer she stepped, the clearer the woman's face became. When they were close enough, the woman lifted her gaze from the book she was reading. Her eyes met Sae's. There was a moment of silence, as if the world around them stopped for a moment.
“Mika?” asked Sae in a trembling voice, barely believing what she was seeing. After being separated for so many years and almost giving up because it was hard for them to see each other. It left Sae in disbelief that she would one day see Mika again.
The woman smiled softly, a smile that Sae was very familiar with and it was clear that the face had turned very bright and more cheerful, “Sae? Is this really you?” she asked in an equally surprised tone. It didn't take long for the woman to recognize Sae easily.
As it turned out, the woman was indeed Mika, Sae's first love who had long since disappeared from her life. The woman who was famous for being very cheerful and having excess energy during her school days. Now she seemed to have changed into a much more elegant and mature woman.
Both of them stood transfixed, still unable to believe this unexpected encounter. Sae finally ventured to get closer and they both embraced each other. Sae who was usually always cold towards the opposite sex and could only go easy on a woman when really getting close to each other first like when with Ririka back then. Now he was easily warm and open to the woman he had just met.
“I thought we'd never see each other again,” Sae said with a hoarse voice holding back emotion. Sae would never believe that she could meet Mika again.
“Me too,” Mika replied. “It's really a miracle. I moved to this city a few months ago for work. Never thought that I would meet you here. It's like the luck I've been using all my life.” Who would have thought that his move to this city would lead him to reunite with his first love?
“I really missed you,” said Sae who was still hugging Mika tightly.
“So did I,” Mika replied warmly.
Conversation flowed between them, filled with nostalgia and laughter. They reminisced about the good times they used to spend together, sharing stories about their respective lives during their time apart. Sae felt her heart come back to life with Mika's presence. After he had felt hopeless after his breakup with Ririka. Now he was reunited with a woman he had loved in his teenage years.
“Do you like photography now?” asked Mika when she saw the camera in Sae's hand.
“Yes, this is now a new happiness for me. I feel like I've found new happiness through it,” Sae replied with a smile. “And it looks like I now have more reasons to take beautiful pictures to immortalize.”
“Ow... Sae after all these years we haven't seen each other. It seems like you've started to change and talk more now, is it just me?” Mika pinched her own cheek. The Sae she used to meet was much more quiet and rarely spoke but the Sae she saw now seemed to have some changes.
Sae pinched Mika's cheek fondly. “Of course, I must have changed. You see, you're much fuller now than before. Your cheeks are getting fatter.”
Hearing Sae's joke made Mika certain that Sae must have missed a lot in her life. And that must have changed her personality.
“Tell me about your life experiences. Because I really want to hear it from you,” Mika pleaded.
Sae smiled at Mika gently. “It's a long story. So you just listen carefully.” After that Sae began to tell Mika all of her life experiences.
The day passed quickly. They spent time together, strolling in the park, and telling each other about their experiences until the sun began to set. This unexpected encounter gave Sae new hope. Life in this small town turned out to give her surprises that she had never imagined before.
At the end of the day, Sae felt that her move to this small town was not just because she wanted to escape from the past. But she also believes that fate has arranged everything. Now, Sae not only has old memories to relive, but also a chance to build new ones with Mika.
Ririka may be the end of his dark love story. But Mika is a new story for him in his current life.