“It is nice to see you as well”
//He reached out for the cup before him, and took a sip from the beverage. It was warm and sweet, not really his favorite kind, but… he couldn’t help to like the taste, as well as the gentle feeling that came along with it.
“I’ve been quite busy this past weeks”, he said with an apologetic smile at the mention of his letter. “And coming here was something I decided at the last minute…”
//In an attempt to drop the subject, Lyserg started taking another sip of his drink, letting the Maiden continue with her talk. But as soon as the word “Tanabata” was heard, he almost choked.
“T-tanabata?” he muttered during his coughfing fit, trying his best not to sound nervous at all. “Y-yeah, I do remember you mentioning it in one of your letters… I did a bit of research on it too, actually” he laughed a little, due to embarrassment.
//Suddenly, the increasing sound of explosions was heard. They turned their heads to the windows, curiously looking outside, as millions of lights started to cover the skies with different colors.
“Seems like the fireworks have started… we better hurry to a good sighthing place before it’s too late. I doubt Miss Jeanne wants to miss the spectacle” He smiled sweetly, looking back at her. ”Besides, we still need to hang our wishes on the bamboo tree, don’t we?”
[ he sits down glaring at the boy ] He didn’t really feel like taking any and he was feeling curious about the sudden arrival. It could mean something was wrong, knowing him something went wrong but he wouldn’t waste time asking as he knew Lyserg would eventually tell them.
[ looking at the window he readjusts his glasses glancing back to the maiden ]If you wish we could leave now Miss Jane, and for you Lyserg Diethel … as it’s getting late I suppose you will stay with us. [ he says as he stand up and walking upstairs he mutters ] I will prepare the room before we leave to have the celebration.
On their way, Jeanne couldn’t help watching with admiration the fireworks that lit up the sky with hundreds of colors. “How beautiful” she exclaimed, as her eyes sparkled reflecting the bright lights.
As soon as they arrived there, Jeanne felt fascinated. It was her first time attending to that kind of event, and everything seemed so amazing to her.
They spent most of the evening visiting food and craft stands; the girl thought everything was absolutely wonderful. At one point, she even had to stop saying how pretty were the crafts that were sold before Marco spent all his money buying them for her.
After some minutes of walking , they decided that it was getting rather late, and went to the most important part of the festival.
“I think it’s time for us to write our wishes” she said as they approached the bamboo trees.
Jeanne picked up a paper and did not take long to decide that to write on it.
After all, there was only one thing she could ask for.
//During their walk, Lyserg would glance at the illuminated sky once in a while. It was a beautiful sight indeed, but there wasn’t anything that he enjoyed as much as the maiden and the man’s company. It reminded him of those days when his parents would take him to the carnival… he’d been longing for that kind of company since long ago. For people he’d be able to, once again, call “family.”
//He was already feeling tired after walking for hours, checking the stands alongside Jeanne. She handed him the paper where he was supposed to write his “wish”, which he just stared at for a while. There was something he did wanted to accomplish, a desire that have remained inside of him since that horrible night years ago. But… no, wishing something like that didn’t seem appropiate, especially right now, when he was feeling so much at ease. He glanced at two people beside him and smiled, knowing what to wish for.
//After writing his wish and hanging it alongside the others, he realized how late it was already. It was surprising how fast the evening felt while having fun in the company of someone. He wanted to stayed here longer, to try to make this perfect moment together last more. But he knew better than anyone that nothing in this world ever lasts, and probably Marco would mention they had to leave anytime soon.
“Miss Jeanne, Marco… thank you so much for inviting me here today, I haven’t had so much fun in a long time.” he scratched his cheek, blushing a little.“I hope… we can celebrate Tanabata next year too”
//He backed away a little, surprised. Although seeing the tall man before him was something already expected, he couldn’t help but feel a little nervous under his serious stare.
“M-Marco…”
//As soon as he muttered the man’s name, his gaze suddenly drifted to the inside of the house, where he saw the young maiden coming from behind, calling him. Lyserg smiled without noticing, since for some reason, just the sight of her was enough to make him feel at home.
“I’m sorry for coming so abruptly, Miss Jeanne, I… I just arrived” he lied about the last part, but didn’t want the maiden to worry over something so small like where he slept the night before. He looked back at Marco, nervousness creeping back.“J-Just wanted to visit, since it’s been such a long time.. but unfortunately, I couldn’t find a place to stay…” his voice faded, with a hint of sadness.
[ he stares at him and fixes his glasses one more time before stepping away from the door ]Come on in, Lyserg. Miss Jeanne seems to be very happy seeing you again.
“It is really nice to see you, Lyserg Diethel” she said as she poured a cup of tea to the young boy, who was already sitting in the living room.
She poured another cup of tea for herself and sat in front of him.
“But I must say, I’m quiet surprised … you didn’t mention anything about leaving London in your last letter”
Jeanne actually felt somehow relieved to see him again.
She hadn’t heard from him for weeks, and already begun to worry that something bad could had happened to the boy. After all, Lyserg was a very dear person to the Maiden, and she only wished the best for him…“However” she said, after taking a sip of her tea “…is such a lovely coincidence that you had just arrived on a day like this, Lyserg” she said smiling, as she remembered that celebration Tamao had talked about a some days ago…
“Today is Tanabata, remember?”
“It is nice to see you as well”
//He reached out for the cup before him, and took a sip from the beverage. It was warm and sweet, not really his favorite kind, but… he couldn’t help to like the taste, as well as the gentle feeling that came along with it.
“I’ve been quite busy this past weeks”, he said with an apologetic smile at the mention of his letter. “And coming here was something I decided at the last minute…”
//In an attempt to drop the subject, Lyserg started taking another sip of his drink, letting the Maiden continue with her talk. But as soon as the word “Tanabata” was heard, he almost choked.
“T-tanabata?” he muttered during his coughfing fit, trying his best not to sound nervous at all. “Y-yeah, I do remember you mentioning it in one of your letters… I did a bit of research on it too, actually” he laughed a little, due to embarrassment.
//Suddenly, the increasing sound of explosions was heard. They turned their heads to the windows, curiously looking outside, as millions of lights started to cover the skies with different colors.
“Seems like the fireworks have started… we better hurry to a good sighthing place before it’s too late. I doubt Miss Jeanne wants to miss the spectacle” He smiled sweetly, looking back at her. ”Besides, we still need to hang our wishes on the bamboo tree, don’t we?”
//Standing before the big wooden door, Lyserg was still indecisive for what he was about to do. It was the afternoon, and the place he had chosen to go to was the least likely to accept such an abrupt visit, but he had to try. After all, he had traveled from England just for this, and he didn’t had money on him to rent a hotel room anyway. There was nowhere else for him to stay… and sleeping on the cold concrete streets was something he didn’t want to experience again.
//He sighed, before looking up at the door, trying to take enough courage. Morphine floated around him, giving him a reassuring nod, as if saying that everything would be all right and he shouldn’t be worrying needlessly. He nodded back, feeling more confident, and finally knocked at the door.
[ taking a sip of his tea while reading the local news paper he hears the knock coming from the front door; standing up walks straight to the door and without hesitation opens the door to find Lyserg standing there with a scared face ]
Lyserg?…
[ he pauses to fix his glasses as his face turns very serious ]
What brings you here? We haven’t seen you in so long.
Jeanne heard the creaking sound of the door being opened, and left her room to find out who had come to her house.
She could recognize the silhouette of a familiar person standing at the door.
“Lyserg Diethel!” she exclaimed with joy as she came down the stairs to welcome the young boy.
“I did not expect to see you here so soon … when you did you arrive?”
//He backed away a little, surprised. Although seeing the tall man before him was something already expected, he couldn’t help but feel a little nervous under his serious stare.
“M-Marco…”
//As soon as he muttered the man’s name, his gaze suddenly drifted to the inside of the house, where he saw the young maiden coming from behind, calling him. Lyserg smiled without noticing, since for some reason, just the sight of her was enough to make him feel at home.
“I’m sorry for coming so abruptly, Miss Jeanne, I… I just arrived” he lied about the last part, but didn’t want the maiden to worry over something so small like where he slept the night before. He looked back at Marco, nervousness creeping back. “J-Just wanted to visit, since it’s been such a long time.. but unfortunately, I couldn’t find a place to stay…” his voice faded, with a hint of sadness.
//Standing before the big wooden door, Lyserg was still indecisive for what he was about to do. It was the afternoon, and the place he had chosen to go to was the least likely to accept such an abrupt visit, but he had to try. After all, he had traveled from England just for this, and he didn’t had money on him to rent a hotel room anyway. There was nowhere else for him to stay… and sleeping on the cold concrete streets was something he didn’t want to experience again.
//He sighed, before looking up at the door, trying to take enough courage. Morphine floated around him, giving him a reassuring nod, as if saying that everything would be all right and he shouldn’t be worrying needlessly. He nodded back, feeling more confident, and finally knocked at the door.
//Lyserg glanced back towards the Palace of Westminster, for one last time before starting on his journey. Leaving his homeland was always so difficult, but wasting time was something he just couldn’t afford, especially tonight. With Morphine by his side, and a small suitcase on hand, he proceeded on his way to the airport.
Seated by the plane window, he wondered how everyone would react for this unexpected visit. Although just the thought of seeing them before him made him cringe a little, it’s been a while since their last encounter… what if they forgot him already? what if he ended up being a nuisance? He reached for his coat pocket, as an attempt to clear his mind, and find something to keep himself entertained during his twelve hour flight. But ended up taking a piece of paper.
It was a letter, which he stared at for a few seconds before finally unfolding it, and then reading its content with a faint smile. The last paragraph being read over and over again. But the words that were highlighted on his mind were the same: “Tanabata”, “July 7th”, “Missed you”, “Love, Jeanne.”
Exchanging letters might seem old-fashioned to most people, but for Lyserg, it was a especial way to communicate with Miss Jeanne, after all, she was concerned about his well-being, ever since the day he went back to London.
It was night once again when they arrived in Tokyo, and with determination on his mind, he headed to the only place he could possibly be welcomed. Or at least, that’s what he hoped.
