A year has passed since Yuliy left Haru's side, and life in Taketa has returned to its quiet rhythm. Yet, for Haru, everything felt different. The memories of Yuliy lingered, like a shadow—at night, she was reminded that even in the deepest darkness, the moon could illuminate a path.
And so, each full moon, Haru stood by the river, though heartbroken. She chucked stones at the river some days in boredom, other days in anger.
She decided to walk to the river and shout her frustration into the abyss, "You come into my life and disturb my peace", throwing the first pebble into the lake, "Then, you tell me all your secrets and I fall for you." Her voice growing angrier, "When I actually fall for you, you leave me and go on a stupid journey by yourself!!" She through all the stones she had in her hand, "Why didn't you take me with you?" picking a bigger stone, "WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?" and chucked it into the lake. She started stomping her feet. "AAAHHHHHHH!!!" Pointing her body to the lake, fisting her hands, "DID YOU JUST USE ME FOR MY BODY AND THEN LEAVE!!?"
Falling to the ground, "I'm so fucking stupid".
Holding her hand in her face, shielding herself from the marks that were left behind for her.
"The waters are especially clear tonight", she heard a voice coming from behind her.
The minutes stopped. Haru raised her head and wiped her face, but by then, the figure was already sitting close to her.
She looked up in anticipation, only to find a random stranger she had never met before.
"Who are you?" she blurted.
The man's face perturbed, "I bought a house in town, thought I'd take a night tour."
She stood up and cleaned her clothes. "Please enjoy the night sky; the water here is refreshing."
As she turned to leave, "Would you care for a swim?" he called behind her.
Navigating the rocks back to the stairs, she heard him speaking, but she left the man to talk to himself. Halfway to a stable path, in a soft, familiar breeze that floated to her ear, she froze, "Haru."