The afternoon sun spilled through the open windows, casting golden light across the old wooden floors. Boxes were stacked in the hallway, half-opened and spilling with clothes, books, and kitchenware. The once-quiet house now echoed with voices, footsteps, and the shuffle of furniture being moved into place.
13teen-year-old Luna knelt on the floor beside her mother, carefully unwrapping plates and placing them into the kitchen cupboard. Her long brown hair kept falling into her face, and she pushed it back with a sigh.
"Be careful with those, Luna," her mom reminded gently. "Your grandfather's plates are older than both of us combined."
"I know, Mom," Luna said with a small smile, setting another plate neatly into the stack. "I'm being careful."
Her mother gave her a grateful look before reaching for the next box. The two worked quietly for a while, filling the kitchen with the soft sound of clinking dishes and the faint hum of the city outside.
This wasn't where Luna expected to be at 13teen. She thought her life would continue in their small hometown, where everything was familiar. But her parents had decided the move was necessary—they were starting fresh in the city, and her grandfather's house was big enough for all of them.
The house itself was… enchanting in its own way. It stood at the end of a leafy lane, with ivy crawling up the stone walls and a sprawling garden out back. It felt old, yes, but also alive—like it had been waiting for them.
"Luna," her mom said after a while, brushing dust off her hands. "Why don't you go check the garden? See if it needs cleaning up. Your grandfather hasn't been able to take care of it much."
Luna nodded, wiping her palms on her jeans before heading out the back door.
The garden greeted her with the smell of earth and wildflowers. Roses tangled with vines, and tall trees shaded the path of uneven stones that wound toward the far wall. Despite the overgrowth, it was beautiful—like something out of a forgotten fairytale.
As Luna wandered, her eyes caught movement near the rosebushes. She bent down and gasped softly.
A small puppy, golden-brown with floppy ears, lay curled in the grass. Its eyes fluttered open when it sensed her, and its little tail wagged weakly.
"Oh, you poor thing," Luna whispered, kneeling beside it. She reached out carefully, her hand brushing over its soft fur. The puppy leaned into her touch, letting out a tiny sigh.
Luna's lips curved into a smile. "You're so sweet… you must be living here."
Luna was still crouched down, petting the little puppy as it wagged its tail happily against her leg. The soft fur under her fingers and the tiny whimpers made her smile. For a moment, the world felt calm.
Then she heard it.
A voice. Low, familiar, almost as though it had been calling her for a long time.
"luna?"
She startled, her hand freezing on the puppy's back. Slowly, she rose to her feet, her heart thudding in her chest. The voice had come from right behind her.
But when she turned, she realized the person was much closer than she expected.
So close that she gasped, her body stumbling backward in shock.
Before she could fall, an hand wrapped around her arm—steady, firm, yet gentle. She felt herself being pulled forward, safely against someone's chest.
"careful," the voice whispered again, warm and soft by her ear.
The sun hung behind him, spilling gold light around his figure. For a moment, Luna couldn't see his face—only his silhouette, tall and steady, like something out of a dream.
He gently pulled her upright, holding her for only a second longer than necessary, before letting her go. The warmth of his hand lingered against her arm as he stepped back, the sunlight shifting just enough for her to finally see him clearly.
Her breath caught, her heart' started to beat rapidly
Because the man she's seeing is none other than her childhood crush—the only one she has ever set her heart on, never once looking at another man.
Tall, with broad shoulders and a lean frame, he stood like he owned the space around him without even trying. His dark brown hair fell naturally across his forehead, swaying slightly in the breeze, and the fading sunlight caught in his eyes—deep, dark brown, so sharp yet soft that it felt like they could see straight through her.
His skin seemed to glow under the golden light, smooth and pale, almost too perfect. He wore a simple white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows, paired with dark jean and clean sneakers—effortless, casual, but striking in a way that made him look like he had stepped out of another world.
Luna couldn't move, couldn't even breathe properly.
Flashback
The garden was bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon. 6-year-old Luna sat on the old wooden swing tied to the branches of a sturdy oak tree, her tiny legs kicking lazily as she hummed to herself. Her parents had left her at her grandfather's house for just one day—they had urgent work in the city—and Luna had been left to explore on her own.
The air smelled of grass and roses, the wind brushing against her cheeks as the swing rocked gently back and forth.
And then she saw him.
A boy, older than her, stepping into the garden. He wore a neat school uniform—white shirt, navy blazer, dark blue pants—and the sunlight seemed to follow him as he walked. His hair glistened softly, his steps unhurried yet confident. He was so striking, so handsome, that Luna's little heart skipped without understanding why.
She stared.
And stared.
Something about him pulled her in, like she couldn't look away no matter how hard she tried. It was the first time she had ever felt this way, a feeling so unfamiliar it made her nervous.
The boy stopped in front of her swing, lowering himself to one knee so his eyes met hers. He studied her softly, a gentle smile curving his lips as he tilted his head.
"Do you remember me?" he asked.
His voice was low, warm, like honey. It wrapped around her, giving her a comfort she couldn't explain.
But Luna, caught off guard, froze. Her cheeks grew warm, and after a long pause, she quickly shook her head in nervousness.
The boy chuckled quietly, not upset at all. Instead, his smile deepened, kind and patient.
"I used to play with you," he said gently. "When you were three years old."
Luna blinked, her small hands tightening around the ropes of the swing. Her mind scrambled for the memory, but it felt just out of reach.
The boy reached forward—not roughly, but carefully—and tugged lightly at her sleeve, coaxing her to stand. His touch was soft, reassuring.
"Come inside," he said.
Something in his voice made her want to trust him instantly., and Luna slid off the swing, her tiny shoes landing softly on the grass. He walked beside her, steady and unhurried, until they stepped inside her grandfather's quiet house.
But the house was empty. The living room, usually filled with the faint sound of her grandfather's radio, was silent. The boy glanced around, then turned to her.
"Where is everyone?" he asked softly.
Luna's voice was small as she hugged her bunny doll. "Grandpa and Grandma went to buy groceries. They said they'll come back soon."
The boy nodded, crouching a little so he could meet her eyes properly. "Did you eat?"
She shook her head. "No… not yet."
For a moment, he just looked at her, then his expression softened even more. "Come on then," he said with a soft smile. "I'll make you something."
Luna followed him into the kitchen, curious. She sat at the table, her feet dangling above the floor, as he moved confidently around the space—finding flour, eggs, and milk like he had been there a hundred times before.
The smell of warm batter soon filled the air.
Her eyes followed every movement as he carefully flipped the pancake in the pan, his sleeves rolled up, tiny sweat appear. When he placed the plate in front of her, the pancake was golden and fluffy, steaming gently.
"Here," he said. "Try it."
Luna took a cautious bite, then her eyes lit up. "It's yummy!"
His quiet laugh filled the kitchen, light and comforting. "I'm glad."
After she finished, he led her into the study where her grandfather kept old photo albums. Pulling one off the shelf, he placed it on the table and flipped it open.
Luna leaned closer, gasping softly. Among the faded photographs of family gatherings and holidays… there she was. A much younger Luna—just three years old—smiling with messy braids. And beside her, the same boy.
"That's me," he said quietly, pointing at himself in the picture.
Luna's eyes widened. "We really played together?"
He nodded, his smile never faltering. "I told you. You just don't remember."
"by they way what's your name" she asked while looking at the photos
"Haru"
She stared at the picture, her little fingers brushing over his face on the photograph. Strangely, she felt calm. He never once made her feel nervous or unsafe. Every word, every gesture, carried a warmth that wrapped around her like a blanket.
That day, in her 6-year-old heart, a memory was carved so deeply she would never forget it—
the boy who made her pancakes, showed her their pictures together, and smiled at her like she had always been someone important.
Flashback end
She never thought that would see him again- and yet he stood like forgotten chapter reopening itself ~
to be continued