I was studying when I heard the sound of the soles of feet hitting the ground. I thought at first it was someone I knew but what I see was...

"Ah".

A girl holding a cat on her chest like a baby. Her hair is black colored, in contrast, her eyes are bright blue. What a fascinating mix. The girl is wearing a white shirt with black stripes and a black long skirt that reached her ankles. Her height is probably the same as mine while having a slim body. She carries a cloth bag on her right shoulder while holding a cat on her chest and right hand as a holder so the cat doesn't fall. I see her being doused by the moonlight, and she looks back at me, it seems that we are both confused by what is happening. I wonder what a girl, maybe my age would be in a forest like this. And maybe she wonders the same thing about me.

"Ah, excuse me, what are you doing here?" I asked. Of course, the very first thing that I should confirm is what the heck a girl my age would do in a place like this. Well, the same thing can be said of me too.

The girl replied, "Uh... I got lost in this forest. What are you doing in a place like this?".

The girl speaks politely even though we are probably the same age. Well, it's also weird to immediately pretend to be friendly with someone you just met, in a forest too.

I replied, "I see, you are lost... I could escort you out of here. But, you probably need to wait for my work to be done".

"Work?" The girl asked again.

"Studying" I answered short.

The girl said while giving a confused look, "Studying? in a place like this? That's something else. I got lost because I was chasing this cat".

"Cat?" I asked in a confused tone.

I turn my face to the cat in the girl's arms. "Ah, that cat? Come here Hiro" I called the cat named Hiro.

Hiro is a domestic cat. He is not mine but a certain someone who has a store near here is. Sometimes Hiro wanders around the forest. That's how I ended up knowing about him. I also have cat snacks in the old tree. But, I won't give him this time, for making a girl lost in a dark-pitch forest.

Hiro got off the girl's hold and came to me.

"No treats for you this time" I whisper to Hiro.

"Nya....".

"Woah, he came to you" Said the girl while moving her body downwards, crouching, so she could see at the same level as me.

"That's because we already know each other. You said earlier that you got lost? Do you want me to help you get out of this forest?".

"Ah, can I trouble you? Aren't you studying?" She said.

I replied, "Well... can you wait a little longer? I'm working on some troublesome questions".

The girl replied, "Okay, I will wait. Ah, my name is Hana Binatha, please call me Hana, nice to meet you" The girl introduced herself.

It would be rude and awkward if I didn't introduce myself huh...

"Ah... My name is Reza Arkan, just call me Reza or Arkan, nice to meet you" I continue, "I've never seen you around here? Are you from out of town?".

"Yes, I moved to this town three days ago" She replied.

I see, no wonder I've never seen her around this town.

"Then welcome to our little town, I hope you can feel at home" I said.

"Pfft, you act like a travel guide hahaha. But, thanks for the warm greeting, I hope we can get along well with each other" Said Hana while covering her mouth with her fingers.

"Ah... Yes".

I feel a bit awkward after she said that. She said something like she was predicting that we will be met again. I get up from my seat and take out the mat that is folded under the old tree.

"I'll give you a mat to sit on in a moment" I said.

Suddenly standing, she's waving her right hand left and right. "No need to bother, I'm fine standing".

'Fine' my head. You've been wandering around the forest. God, I can't bring myself to blame her. It's all Hiro's fault.

Said my mind.

I stare deeply into Hiro's eyes. Meanwhile, he just sitting there, under the old tree. Indicating he wants some treats, but nope.

"You've been walking through the forest, didn't you? It must be tiring, just wait".

"Ah... thank you".

I widen the mat so that she could sit. it's also impolite to make someone wait while standing. After putting the mat on the ground, I return to my seat to continue studying while Hana sits on the mat.

"Sorry for interrupting..." She said as she took off her slippers and sat down.

"Haha, no need to be so polite, this isn't my house".

"But this is your private place right? Then, I shan't be careless".

"Fine, you do you".

Both of us sit in a different place, I sit on a chair meanwhile she sits on a mat. Her body is being held my her two folded legs, while her hands are above her thigh, giving her gaze to the phenomenal view of this cliff. It's understandable.

"How did you find this place? The view here is astonishing".

I answer the question while focusing on a question with my pencil giving grey marks everywhere. "Actually, my parents found it. They have known this place since their school days. Then they brought me here. Since then, I always come here when I want to chill".

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Aren't your parents worried?".

"They were the ones who told me about this place. And I'm not one for wandering into unknown places, therefore, they would know I'm here if I'm not home".

"Oh, I see...".

I continue my studies. So focused in fact that I even forgot the time and ignored the girl I just met sitting beside me. All that company us were the sounds of insects, wind, and the bright light of city sparks. After about 30 minutes of mostly reading and solving problems...

She turn to me and said, "Um... can we go now? It's too late at night".

I take a look at my cell phone clocks. Ah, I've been making her wait for too long, didn't I? "Ah... sorry I'm late in my study. Alright, I'll take you out of this forest, but please wait a moment, I'll tidy up my things first" I say while folding the makeshift table.

"Oh, please let me help".

"Do not bother".

"Nothing is, just folding this mat".

"Oh... well, thank you".

"Hehe, you're welcome" Said her chuckling.

She really chuckled to help me, even though we just met.

A good, kind person, aren't ya?

Said my mind.

I start folding the table and the chair then stacking them on top of each other. Hana also gives the mat that had been folded by her. When I want to take the mat from her hand, our fingers accidentally touched.

"Ah".

"Ah".

Just the right timing...

We were both a bit surprised and the atmosphere started to get awkward.

"S-Sorry, my fingers slip" I said with a rigid tone.

"Ah... that's fine. I'm also sorry to startle you".

Sorry for what? Even though she was surprised too. It was clear that we were both in the wrong and indeed we both apologized to each other but, Yep, this was awkward. I'm trying to find a topic that can be discussed so that this awkwardness dissipates.

"B-By the way, if you moved three days ago, that means the twelfth huh?" I asked in a slightly rigid tone.

"Eh? Today is the sixteenth, that means I arrived in this city on the thirteenth".

"Huh?".

Wait, today is the sixteenth???

Even though I remember very well yesterday was the fourteenth... Wait, if today is the sixteenth that means...

I shout in a loud tone calling Hana. "Hana! Wait!".

"Ah, huh?! What? Calling out loud all of a sudden" She was surprised and let out a high-pitched voice.

"Ah sorry, can you please wait for a bit?".

"What? Did you miss something?".

"No, please just wait a bit longer, five minutes is fine and take a look at the center of town. It will soon become lively".

"The town?" Muttered Hana in a confused tone.

...

Ah, it's started...

The sparkling lights of the town against the pitch dark-blue sky are no longer the prettiest thing but are dethroned by the fireworks display that fills the dark sky with beautiful colorful lights. This is one of the specialties of our town, with the name known to people as Ilutu City with other nicknames such as the City of Sparks and the City of Bright Night.

Hana doesn't even look the other way as she watches the performance. She seems captivated by the fireworks that are above the horizon. Her eyes glistened from the glow of the fireworks that shine upon them. Her eyes that never blinked seemed to have become nests of fireworks light, always sparkling.

I... also enjoy this view.

I immediately turn my gaze to the fireworks display, I feel my face moving without awareness, but so be it. Then, I turn back to Hana and said. "Welcome to our city...".

Hana finally turn her eyes towards me.

"... A city that is always bright even at night. A city that is always lively when it is dark at night. I hope you enjoy living here" I finished talking.

Her eyes are blue and it's like there's a spark of fireworks inside her eye pupils, maybe because the light of the fireworks from the city touched her very bright eyes...

This first meeting, somehow, I'm grateful. Because I can know... and remember the name of Hana Binatha.

"Once again, thank you for the warm greetings, I am very happy to see the fireworks display. Thank you!" Hana smiled, her smile was like hundreds of fireworks, so bright.

I reply, "Yes, you're welcome".

I welcome Hana to our town with a fireworks display in the background. Well, not bad I say. After watching the fireworks display for a while, I take the initiative to ask Hana to leave the forest immediately.

"Hana, it's time for us to get out of the forest, come on".

"Ah, okay but, may I ask something?" She asked in a low tone. Was she disappointed with the fireworks display?

"...WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT! SUCH A LUXURY FIREWORKS SHOW, I'VE NEVER SEEN IT. HEY, WHAT WAS IT? WAS THERE A BIG DAY IN THE IN CITY-".

I'm so surprised that I have to stop what she's shouting in a rather loud tone, "OKAY, OKAY STOP... If I answer all of your questions now, we won't move from this point. Therefore, I'll answer them as we walk down, okay?".

Such an energetic girl she is... Hopefully, she's not as annoying as a certain someone I know.

"Okay...".

We start our way out of the forest and I begin to wonder if she would continue her questions. But from that moment on, Hana remained silent. I'm confused, did I do something wrong? No, no, no, I just need to take the initiative.

"Uhh... do you want answers to some of your earlier questions?".

"Oh yeah, I was deep in thought, sorry. So, my first question is... What was that place exactly?".

Straight to the question that I don't want to answer, huh? "I told you, it's just my place if I want to relax" I replied.

"But what are you doing out there at this time of night?".

"You saw it yourself didn't you? That beautiful city view? With a landscape like that, anyone wants to be there, even if they only want to study".

"Your parents are not worried?".

"This question again? I told you they were the ones who introduce me to this place. If I wasn't at home they would know right away where I am".

"Well, that's amazing..." Says her in a rather low tone.

"What was it?".

"Ah, nothing...".

"Oh...".

After being bombarded with questions by Hana during the trip, I was exhausted. All this talk makes my mouth dry, at least she's not that talkative after that moment.

We walk our way out of the forest, with me in the front with cellphone flashlights. Silence yet again strikes. Neither of her and I are talking, both of us are focusing on the dirt road that guides us through the forest. Though finally, Hana speaks again.

...

"Hey, what show was that?".

"Ah... it's some kind of a ritual for people who have passed away, it's also called the Happy Rite of The Passing Ones. The ritual is to remember relatives who have passed away and are believed to decorate their nights with light".

"Oh, I see".

Hana looks a little gloomy, even though the ritual is to let go of those who are loved, happily.

"Fireworks show is the end of the ritual, actually there is another ritual that relates to this one. And there is also a puppet show and several food and games stalls at the launching place of the fireworks is in the Town Square, but I rarely go there".

Truth to be told, that "other ritual" is a really depressing process. I... don't want to involve in any of that. Well, it rarely happens anyway.

"Why? It sounds fun though".

"...I'm not really interested".

"Oh, I see...".

She goes into silent mode after the last question.

"Today is the 16th, and another festival will take place on the 6th and 26th of each month, though it's a new change. Back then, the festival only happens once a month on the 16th. There is also a very big festival that happens only once a year, and that already passed".

She just fall silent.

Hana is silent until we arrived at the mouth of the forest. This is our farewell.

"Hey, we've arrived, are you alright going home alone? It's quite late already" It's actually a bit impolite to offer such a thing to someone you just met, but it's already late, it would be dangerous for a girl to walk alone at this hour.

"Ah, thanks for the offer, I'll be fine".

"I see... then take care".

"Thanks for tonight, I'm very grateful".

That can be translated to a very bad thing if someone sees us get out of a black forest.

"Yeah, you're welcome" I said while facing my way home and start walking.

"Wait! Will we ever meet again?" She shouted.

I turn, "You already know where I can be. Come anytime. See you soon".

She smiled. "See you later".

The word 'See you later' indicates that we will meet again... Maybe later.

I took my steps forward.