Chapter 35: Bouquet of Forever

"Looks like a nice family," Tsukiko murmured.

Haruki followed her gaze, his expression softening. "Yeah."

Tsukiko hesitated before asking, "Other than your brother… do you have any other family members living in the city?"

"Well..." He looked down at his drink briefly before continuing, "My parents live out in the countryside. I live by myself here." 

"I see.." Tsukiko responded.

Haruki looked down at his drink briefly before continuing, "But I do have a younger sister though. She lives in the city just like me. And she got married, believe it or not. I don't know why anyone would want to marry her."

Tsukiko laughed lightly, shaking her head. "That's a pretty harsh thing to say about your sister."

Haruki shrugged nonchalantly, a grin tugging at his lips. "She knows I'm joking. She's a handful. Has a kid now, actually."

Tsukiko raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh, really? You as an uncle? That's hard to imagine."

Haruki tilted his head, intrigued. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Tsukiko's smile turned teasing. "Hmm…Nothing."

Haruki noticed her playful expression and chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't say I'm a doting uncle. But I have to admit, the little guy's not bad. My sister's still as chaotic as ever, though."

Tsukiko leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "What's your sister's like?"

Haruki laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "She's... a little childish, always has been. Since she was in high school, she's been jumping from one mess to another. You wouldn't believe the trouble I had to pull her out of back then."

Tsukiko grinned. "Sounds like you've got a lot of stories to tell. But you must love her, right?"

Haruki sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Love? Sure, if you mean enduring her chaos with patience. Good thing her husband gets to deal with it now."

"You're so mean," Tsukiko said with a laugh. "I bet she's matured a lot now that she's a mom."

"Has she?" Haruki arched an eyebrow, his tone skeptical. "Let's hope."

Tsukiko leaned back in her chair, arms crossed as she studied him. Her voice was light, but there was a quiet curiosity beneath it. "What about you, then? Are you planning on getting married?"

Haruki seemed caught off guard, the question hanging in the air between them. Then, after a brief pause, a smirk tugged at his lips, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Hm… maybe?"

"Maybe?" Tsukiko echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Instead of answering right away, Haruki leaned back, tilting his head toward her until their eyes met. His usual playful demeanor softened, replaced by something more thoughtful.

"What?" Tsukiko frowned slightly, confused by the shift in his expression.

"Tsukiko," he murmured, his voice quieter now, almost introspective. "I've been thinking a lot lately. Ever since I met you, you've been on my mind. I always wondered if fate would let us meet again."

A strange feeling settled in Tsukiko's chest. 

Haruki exhaled, his gaze never wavering. "And when our eyes met earlier, it became even clearer." His smirk faded, replaced by something earnest. "I like you. I like you Tsukiko. That's why… if you're okay with me—" He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "Would you like to be my bride?"

Tsukiko blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, to her own surprise, a soft laugh escaped her lips.

"What kind of joke is that?" she said, brushing off his words with a casual wave of her hand.

But Haruki didn't laugh. His grin had disappeared, leaving behind something quieter—something real. His gaze held hers, steady and unguarded.

Then he looked forward, his gaze distant yet thoughtful.

"Tsukiko," he murmured, his voice softer now. "I've always loved nature. Of all the things I photograph, it's what draws me the most. The way the wind moves through the trees, how the sunlight filters through the leaves… there's a quiet beauty in the way nature simply exists."

His fingers brushed against his camera, as if recalling the images he had captured. "But during our mission together, somehow I was mesmerized by you." 

Tsukiko's breath hitched.

"You belong to nature in a way I've never seen before," he continued, his voice carrying a quiet reverence. "The way you walk through the forests like you understand the whispers of the wind, how the earth seems to welcome you, the way the flowers bloom just a little brighter when you pass by. It's like you become a part of it."

He exhaled, a faint, self-deprecating smile on his lips. "I guess you didn't notice," he admitted, "but I've fallen for you."

Haruki let out a soft chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Funny thing… tonight wasn't even my assignment. I wasn't actually supposed to be covering the event for the press." He gave a small, almost sheepish smile. "I mean, my specialty is nature photography, after all." His fingers grazed the strap of his camera as he admitted, "But when I heard you'd be there… I kind of took over my friend's task. Guess I just wanted an excuse to see you again."

His voice softened, a flicker of uncertainty beneath his usual confidence. "I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable."

Tsukiko's laughter had faded entirely now. Her heart beat unsteadily in her chest, his words wrapping around her like the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind.

She opened her mouth, but no words came at first. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet. "It… doesn't make me uncomfortable."

She hesitated, old wounds pressing against her ribs, memories stirring like autumn leaves caught in a breeze. "I…" Her expression clouded as she exhaled slowly, forcing a faint smile—one that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I've been married before."

Haruki blinked, caught off guard by her answer.

"After I graduated from high school," Tsukiko began, her voice low, her eyes distant, "I proceeded with my studies in Scotland."

Her words triggered a flood of memories, pulling her back to a moment she had tried to bury, yet could never fully forget.

The airport was crowded, people hurrying in every direction, each consumed by their own journey. But for Tsukiko, the only thing that seemed to matter in that moment was the person standing before her, the person who had become her entire world in the time they had been together.

"I'll miss you," Kai said, his voice barely above a whisper as he held her hands tightly. "But I'll wait for you. I'll wait for however long it takes."

Tsukiko's eyes were filled with a mixture of excitement and sadness. "I'll miss you too, Kai. I'm sorry for leaving…"

Kai replied, squeezing her hands. "That's okay Tsuki. We've got this."

They shared a final, long hug before Tsukiko walked toward the gate, leaving Kai standing there, watching as she disappeared through security.

The first year of their long distance relationship was difficult. They both had to adjust to new routines, new environments. Tsukiko was buried in her studies, sometimes staying up late in the lab working on research, while Kai was working hard to establish his career back home. But despite the challenges, they found ways to make it work.

They called each other regularly. Sometimes multiple times a day. Every conversation was a small lifeline that kept them connected to each other. They sent letters and surprise packages. Kai would send her little trinkets from home, small things that reminded her of their time together. And Tsukiko, whenever she had the chance, would share pictures of her new life and the progress she was making in her studies.

Every time they spoke, it was as if no distance had come between them. Their love remained as strong as ever.

"Did you eat yet?" Tsukiko would ask every time they talked in the evening, her voice always filled with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kai would reply, his tone teasing. "But I miss your cooking."

Tsukiko would laugh softly, knowing how much he appreciated her cooking. "I'll make you a home-cooked meal when I get back."

And though she couldn't cook for him, she sent him care packages filled with homemade treats, cookies, chocolates, and small snacks that reminded him of their time together.

The visits they managed to arrange were always something to look forward to. Kai would take time off work to visit her during school breaks, or Tsukiko would come back home for a few weeks. 

Those short visits were precious, filled with adventures and laughter, but each time they said goodbye, the ache of being apart returned, a feeling that never quite went away. Yet neither of them wavered in their commitment.