Chapter 48: Sweetheart

After telling her to follow the west route of the stream, she clothed herself behind the trees and ran towards the magical cave.

"This world really is filled with magic," Haru smiled as he put Ali down. "Alicia would surely be delighted to know about this. She was worried about Castellia Fort and Tale Park's lack of medicine and technology, after all."

Ali looked up to him and touched his hand. "Hmm? What is it?" Haru asked.

Ali pointed behind him. When Haru turned around, he saw the old man, Mr. Wang.

There was silence at first. It was awkward and uncomfortable. But soon, the old man initiated the conversation.

"Glowglass Woodland, is it?" Mr. Wang confirmed.

Haru nodded. "Yeah, that's what it's called."

"You found the continuation of the devil's journal already?"

"Yes."

"That's good, then. Is there a place I could rest here?"

Haru hesitated. But he eventually told him everything. About the cottage, the hot springs, and the cave. "Those are the only features we found so far. And I haven't read everything in the journal yet. I'm telling the truth."

"Alright." Mr. Wang was about to walk away when Haru stopped him with another word.

"What's… her name? That girl you fell in love with when you were young?"

Mr. Wang looked down with a pair of melancholic eyes. "Chu Hua. She's… still the most beautiful girl until now."

Haru responded with silence, unsure what to say next. He didn't think much and didn't mean to actually go on with the conversation. But he really wanted to know more about the old man's memory. He wondered about it.

"If you're thinking how the girl messed up my life, don't think about anything grand. It's not as heart breaking as Alicia's story. She's still alive and she's living a good life. That's the same for me. We're both living a good life."

"Then why did that show up to us as well? It's your… trauma, isn't it? Mr. Wang."

"…yes, it is."

The old man walked away, not intending to go further talking with Haru anymore. But the memories wanted to speak for themselves, so it went on even if the conversation wouldn't keep up.

--

The girl noticed the young Mr. Wang and approached him. "What are you doing here?" She asked him. Her voice was as sweet and pretty as her.

"I… I'm lost," He replied. "I got lost here while supposedly walking home."

The girl chuckled, "That's silly! Hahaha!"

He blushed from embarrassment. "W-Well, I was deep in thoughts and I got a lot in my mind! H-How about you, then? Why are you here?! Do you know this place? Can't you lead me out back to the town?"

"But I also got lost here…"

There was a moment of silence, until the young Mr. Wang burst into laughter. The girl followed with a giggle and they're both laughing at each other. The girl suggested that they should just try to walk around and explore until they see a path that's familiar to them.

He agreed and so, they both went on a little, insignificant journey. They held hands, ate street foods, and played with the other kids.

When they saw the town that was familiar to them, they both pretended not to know about it so they could spend time together longer. They asked each other's name and walked until they ran out of excuses. Both going home late, they were scolded by their parents, but they couldn't care less, of course.

They wanted to meet each other again.

It was the first time that he had ever experienced how to have fun. Not the kind of fun where others, such as his siblings or family, would benefit. It was the kind of selfish fun that he didn't feel guilty of for the very first time. And he was hooked at that feeling.

Since then, he studied harder, making the girl his motivation and drive to strive for the best. She became one of his inspirations.

They met several more times and spent their hours together playing along with innocent love and pretty moments.

And Mr. Wang obviously didn't regret those memories.