Meeting on their usual spot at the river one evening, something felt different about Yuliy. His face was pale, and his hands were trembling.
Her voice, thick with concern, as she hurried next to him, "What's wrong, Yuliy?"
She could see the force that he was fighting himself, struggling to find the beginning. Then, he finally spoke. "Years ago, I made a promise... one I couldn't keep. The moon reminds me of that failure," holding his breath, "...of everything I've lost."
Haru listened as Yuliy shared his story. When he lived in Vladivostok, he had fallen in love with a woman named Aiko. But tragedy had claimed her life, and Yuliy had blamed himself ever since. Stricken with guilt, he wandered around Japan to reach this countryside, searching for a way to atone for his perceived sins.
"She was going to be my bride," the thought had him shaking.
"I learned about her ways," he tried swallowing, "Dango-jiru was her favourite. She made it for me once. I remember seeing her.... " his voice shattered.
With husk in his voice, "I should have given her more when I was with her, so that she didn't feel so isolated, I should have reassured her, I should have..." Haru looked at him as he was figuring out what normal breathing was.
"I thought coming here might bring me peace," he admitted, a deep, unexpected confession, "But instead, everything reminds me of her," holding his hand out to reach her face, "...even you."
Haru's breath hitched. She reached for his hand, her touch grounding him, for she knew that with peace, a storm needed to take place. "You don't have to carry this alone, Yuliy. Let me help you."
"Help?" Startled, he stood up firm, showing his back to her and moving away. Haru fell backwards, looking at his shoulders that once had so many burdens, now holding so much pride. Clutching his fists, "If I thought you left this Earth, I would probably have done the same thing."
The truth was finally revealed.