38th Dawn - Dreams, Oh Dreams

For some time, Lewis and I just continue exchanging looks before he eventually voices out another apology, face filled with sincere regret.

Already satisfied with the number of times he begged me pardon, I hand out the beret. He's surprised upon laying eyes on it again, a smile slowly forming as he finally gets the chance to touch it. I then tell him it's supposed to be another thank you gift for yesterday, but it now turns out to be a farewell present as well.

"Seems like you and Julius haven't seen it before, after all. It's called a beret. Artists like you would look good in it," I started with a smile.

"Thank you, Lily. May I try it on?"

"Of course!"

Enraptured, Lewis then puts the hat on. I feel relieved when it perfectly fits his head. He's also delighted as he continues to grope the fabric and utters out words of gratitude to me. A while after that, he finally proceeds to open up the topic about my new apprenticeship.

"Oh boy, I can't believe this is happening!" I enthused, suddenly getting hyped up as I imagine finally working as an apprentice.

"Are you sure that this is truly what you want, though? Have you found your passion?"

At his question, I recoil in surprise. I then mull over my answer for a moment while Lewis patiently waits. I don't want to blurt out just anything since I've been seriously looking for my passion for a long time now. I have to be certain about this.

"When Baron Pierre praised my creation, I was ecstatic. When Madeline liked the hair tie, I was overjoyed, and when you complimented my headband, I felt really glad. But you know, Lewis, it's probably not about what kind of work you do..."

Lewis only tilts his head at me, puzzled by my last words. Enlightened from this newest realization, I just muster a small grin and express my innermost feelings.

"...It's about making people happy by doing your best in the things you want to do. Well, there's that... I may like drawing and fashion, but if you'd ask me what exactly is my passion, I'm still not a hundred percent sure."

Passion is probably something that isn't ambiguous and fleeting, after all. That's why I know that what I'm going through now is but the leading edge.

Since I'm still new to fashion and designing - one which isn't just about goofing around and drawing what comes to mind, I find myself enjoying, perhaps blindly. I'm not sure if this feeling will last. I'm still hesitating despite how eager and exhilarated I am to try everything out. Like someone who's merely put into trial, my decisions at this point aren't final yet.

"I may back out in the future once I learn how draining this field is, or worse, find myself wasting my time on something that wasn't really meant for me after all," I added, a bit sullen.

Lewis only stares at me with an inscrutable expression before standing up and peering at the horizon. His back is now facing me. Once again, silence sprawls all over as a gust of wind gently passes by. lt takes a while before he finally swerves around again and beams at me.

For some reason, at that very moment, he appears ethereal in my eyes.

"Shall I cast a magic spell on you, then?"

Cloaked by the warm rays of twilight, his figure illuminates a sense of mellowness that solaces me. All I can do at that moment is gaze at this compellingly beauteous facet of his - one that's often made inconpicuous by his reserved persona. He's usually not this expressive, yet for some reason, he suddenly starts speaking eloquently.

"What's with that look? You don't believe in magic?"

Then, I chuckle.

"It depends. There are many kinds of magic. Which one are you referring to?" I asked, propping my chin over my palm as I stare at him with amusement.

It's meant to turn out as an impetuous passing comment. I only wanted to play along, but then, he just has to rack my brain with thoughtless ideas again when he suddenly scoots closer and leans towards me, our noses almost touching.

"A magic that'll make your dreams come true," he mumbled, voice low and smoky.

"If there's indeed one, I would've already used it ages ago," I managed to retort despite the weird tingles running down my body.

If he acts this way any longer, I'm afraid I might get misled and come up with a wrong assumption. For the hundredth time, that is.

"This one's special, though. I'll be the one casting the magic. Don't you want to find your passion?"

Again, I chuckle at him.

As soon as he dropped those words, I figured out that he's just doing all these to comfort me. After all, he has become my living diary by now. He knows what I'm going through, so he's just probably solacing me after all those mischiefs I've gotten myself into. Even so, I didn't expect he'd be the type to treat magic as a consoling concept. He turns out to be more peculiar than me, it seems.

My thoughts then abruptly halted when I suddenly feel his soft, warm lips land on my forehead.

"H-Hey, what are you-?"

Flustered and taken aback, I can only flail my hands aimlessly. The contact lasts for a few seconds before he finally backs away. Then, he just beams at me with a dazzling smile, an enigmatic glint dancing in his irises.

"May all your dreams come true, Lily. I'll be cheering for you..."

For a while after that, I remain gaping at him in astonishment.