Yamato stood admiring the bright colored leaves of the autumn trees that stood beside the apartment complex in which he was now moving into. Unloading the last box from his car he walked up the stairs and into his new home that was being made cozy already by Claire. “Look, isn’t it coming along lovely. I’ve already unpacked your dishes and placed them in the cupboards. Oh, you’re going to need soap and scrubbers and do you have toilet paper? Anyway we’ll go shopping just in case” she said excitedly.

Yamato placed the box down and retired to the floor “Shopping? Can we do that tomorrow? I’m beat, I don’t have anymore energy left in me.”

“Yamato! You can’t be so lazy anymore, you’re finally independent and that means going shopping even when you don’t want to. Come on, it’ll be fun! Plus lunch is on me!” she said with a circus smile. Yamato was bested “Fine.” he said tiredly.

The day was chill and the sun shined brightly on the skin, Claire and Yamato walked down the street with bags filled with “important daily household necessities” as Claire had put it. Cars slowly hissed and mother's walked in leisure with their children, enjoying the ambiance of the weekend. Lydian was a small town, one could easily drive from one end to the other in no less than 15 minutes, be it the traffic conditions permit, of course. 

Yamato and Claire were both born and raised here, it was all they had know for all their lives, it was like that for nearly everybody. The town was charming and the people were welcoming, it was seated between metropolises but it retained it’s own special neighborly feel to it. It was a great escape for the busy city folk that skirmished around in anxiousness from corporate duties and deadlines. 

“It seems more people from the city are coming here now.” Yamato said.

“I’ve noticed that too, I wonder why.”

“It’s probably all the renovations that are being done downtown and the new museum that opened up. Lydian is becoming a real tourist destination isn’t it.” 

“I supposed, but I don’t know how to feel about it.” 

“It’s not like they’re going to run us out” said Yamato assureignly. Claire smiled “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Hey, look! Let’s go eat there!” Claire said racing towards a restaurant. 

“SUSHI??” Yamato thought to himself “and here I was thinking she was taking me out to eat somewhere I like.”

They entered the restaurant and were treated eagerly by a waiter who lead them to a table. “As soon as you are ready, place this card on the edge of your table and I will come and take your order.” he said hurringly along to the rescue of other tables.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“I’m famished” Claire said “what do you think Yamato, should we get the spicy rolls? Or how about the salmon, I think I’m going to get a soup too.”

“I think I’m just going to go with the bento box.”

“Why don’t you try something new, Yamato. Like this special roll here, look.” she said holding up the menu.

“You know I don’t like sushi. Anyway, I know you only want to mooch off of my plate.”

“What? Of course not! I only wanted to try something new with you, but if you don’t want to then-”

“Fine, I’ll order the special roll.” Yamato sighed.  

Often he found himself giving in to Claire, but she always meant well. It was all light-hearted and Yamato found her gleefulness enjoyable. She placed the card in the edge and the waiter came with his eager air and took their orders with delight.

After the food and some drinks they walked about a while until dawn began to settle. Finally, the bright lights of the buildings began their awakening and crickets were heard over the thinness of the traffic. They  got into Yamato’s car and were off to the edge of town, where Claire lived. 

“So, Yamato. Tomorrow did you want me to come over and help you with unpacking?”

“Sure, but don’t you want to rest?”

“I can rest at your place.” she said with a smile

“Yeah, I guess you can now.” 

A realizing smiled rushed across his face.

How deep is sorrow, how deep is love, only as empty as you are. He was glad it was love that had filled his voids, Claire was, in a strong sense, his pillar of the Earth. Everything he knew and loved so dear was held up by her. The very nurtures he required were put up through her. So more than happy for himself, he was happy for her. Their car passed by the newly built museum and from their windows they admired the beautiful architecture of the building. 

“It looks kind of cool doesn’t it.” Claire said

“Yeah, maybe we can go soon.” 

“Please, I really want to” she said.

They arrived at Claire’s home and Yamato walked her to the door, said his goodnights and sealed them with a kiss. He drove in the stars twilight and thanked them for the day. Pulling up to his building it was strange and new to him, cold even, but it  started to feel like home a little. There was some familiarity to it now. “I guess this is home now.” 

He passed the tree that laid still now in the calmness of the night, but the air was so much fresher now. He made his way passed him and up the stairs. The hall was bright with lights and the crickets were heard even louder now, from up the railing he could see two cats chasing eachother and disappear into the bushes and the moon was glorious from his perspective. It was indeed a proper ending to the day, but like a flash, it was gone.

The door to next to him opened, and there he saw Rein. 

“Rein? What are you doing here?” He flustered, eyes open like the moon.

“I live here.” She said.