We both walk through the forest. Like before, I'm in the front position with the cellphone flashlight illuminating the way, while Hana is behind following me. The fireworks display is over, because it's too late at night, uh, it's not late anymore, it's literally midnight. My cellphone shows the time 01:15. The day has changed. Speaking of days that change, isn't it the year that's changed now?

I am now only focused on the road without thinking about it. Because if I'm not careful, even though I'm experienced, I might take the wrong path if I'm too deep in my thoughts. Undeniably, in my heart, there is a feeling that is strange but familiar.

The contents of my heart involuntarily ejected, "Feels like Déjà vu" I said quietly.

Hana's voice who heard these words entered my ear, "Eh, what is it?".

My voice is small, but she still hears it even though there are many sounds like the wind blowing, the sound of crickets, and our footsteps that could block my voice.

"Ah, nothing. It's just that this feeling is similar to when we first met” I expressed my weird feelings while remembering the first time I met Hana.

“Haha, that's right. At that time I was lost in this forest and met you. At the time…".

Hana start telling a replay about us who met that night. I just listened and didn't turn my back to pay attention. Of course, so I don't take the wrong path. This forest has many branching paths, therefore if someone enters but doesn't know the direction, they will definitely get lost. This forest itself when compared with the area of the city is relatively small. If I'm not mistaken, I've read in a newspaper, the area of Ilutu city is around ±250 km². Meanwhile, the forest takes up 30% of the area, so around… Ah, ±75Km². So, if a person goes missing in this forest it will be troublesome because the forest is wider than I thought. Thankfully Hana met me at that time.

“…By the way, how is Hiro?” Hana suddenly cut her own story during the part where she lost her way. I never thought she would even ask about the animal that made her lost.

“… Hiro, huh?” I answered long while remembering the last time I sees him. "He came to me when I was relaxing during semester break last week". At that time, he came to me while I was sitting reading a novel. He meowed quite loudly, maybe still angry with me for not giving him snacks. Since it was annoying, I finally gave up and get him some cat food.

"I see" Hana answered briefly.

After that, Hana didn't talk much. Because maybe she has run out of topics to talk about. And I didn't add anything either. We keep moving, our feet stomping almost in unison. From a distance, the light began to be seen at the end of the darkness of this forest. That's the exit gate.

I set my feet outside the forest. The feeling of relief I feel is palpable. Streetlights and buildings that illuminate as far as the eye can see. I turn around to check if my follower were still faithfully following. And of course, Hana is still behind me. I exchange glances with her, seeing her blue eyes reflecting the light from around her.

"This is where our parting is" I said. Since I'm a little worried, I asked, "Will you get a pick-up?".

"Ah, no, I'll walk alone" She said.

"Are you sure you can go home alone? It's late, it's past midnight, you know”.

Part of me said that just as a joke, but the other is truly worried.

"Haha, you really are concerned, huh? If so…” Hana laughed then held back her words. “… Will you accompany me home?” She said in a very light tone.

…

Eh?

Hana just smiled after she said that. I just stare into the abyss, and cannot say anything.

...

I walked, but getting farther and farther away from my house, "Even though I didn't say I would accompany you" I said firmly. As usual, even though I lowered my voice, Hana could still hear it.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Come on now, there's nothing wrong with knowing a friend's home address, right?" Her grinning lips really make me wanted me to pinch it.

That's not the problem, but if any of her family members see Hana coming home with a boy like me after midnight, they would definitely get suspicious. I could imagine how I would be intercepted and then interrogated by his family, “Who are you?! Why are you with Hana at this time of night?!” Then I would be accused of being a stalker and ended up in court. Of course, it's just my exaggerated imagination, but I can't stop dwelling on it.

“Hufft…” I sighed loudly.

"Eh, why are you Arkan? Sleepy?" Hana turned around asking.

It's called yawning, I'm sighing. I continue, "Nope. Apart from that, Hana, is this really okay?”.

"What?".

"About I'm accompanying you home. Is it really okay if you are seen by your family together with me?” I asked.

"Ah... it's okay, really. Besides, I live alone” Hana answered in a slightly weak tone. Especially the last part. Her last sentence took me by surprise.

Live alone? Are you serious?

I'm curious. Hana said she lives alone. According to Hana's own story, her mother is indeed passed away, but she should still have a father. But she lives alone. Is there a problem in her family? Geez, this girl's background is too mysterious!

It's better if I don't bring this up again. It seemed that she didn't want to talk about it.

Wait a minute... If she is true lives alone. Does that mean she doesn't have parental permission when going out at midnight with me?!

I hastily tap Hana's shoulder. "Ha-Hana, you got permission to see the fireworks display tonight, right?" My voice sounded stiff.

“…”.

"You had, right?".

“Ehe” Hana said cutely while hitting her head with her hand.

Ah… Unbelievable.

This is really bad. If there is someone, no, even worse, a police who might question us, it might have me taken into custody for bringing other people's children in the middle of the night without the permission of their parents. I never thought my exaggerated imagination could come true...

"Gosh…".

We walked simultaneously. Unlike before, Hana is now in front, guiding me to her house. Meanwhile, I can only follow and hope we don't run into a police officer while on the way. The journey takes maybe ten minutes until we arrived in front of a pretty nice two-story house.

You're saying that Hana lives in this house alone? No matter how you look at it, this is too much for a high school student!

“This is my house, no, the house that is lent to me” Hana explained while correcting her own sentence.

Lent? Weird sentence.

"Seriously?" I can only stare.

"Hard to explain. Anyway, it's not mine. I'm just freeloading" Hana looked really didn't want to talk about it. Well, I'd better just shut up.

But still, the idea of someone living here alone, a high school student, had never even crossed my mind.

Hana's house has minimalist modern architecture. The outer paint is white with a bit of solid black mixed in. The design of the house is rigid, of course, the sharp edges form a 90° angle. In front of us, there is a concrete fence, on the right there is a small gate for people to walk in, while on the left there is a fairly large road, presumably for car parking. All the windows were closed and it was dark. Proof that it was true that she lived alone.

Hana takes out the key to the house gate and opens it then closes it in front of me, "Then this is where we part".

"Yes" I answered briefly.

While watching Hana walking through the narrow yard toward the front door of her house. I'm thinking, Hana is a mysterious girl. Her family, even herself raises a lot of questions for me. How can she live alone like this, Why does she suddenly like fireworks, and How can her heart be filled with sadness and… joy at the same time. Though, All of it gives its own characteristics to Hana. And I think those are the things that make Hana who she is now.

I stare at Hana who almost closes her front door and my heart suddenly moved to call out her name, "Hana!" To my surprise, my voice is quite loud.

Hana who was suddenly called, slowly open the door of her house and exchanged glances with me.

There's something I forgot to say, that is, “… Thank you for today! Happy New Year! See you later" I shout with a smile.

Hana shows her surprised face, she looks up and then raised her index finger to her chin in a thinking pose. And finally, she shows a face like she's getting a brilliant idea and then smiled. "Happy New Year! I'm very happy too, thank you very much! See you again!" Hana thanked me while waving her hands left and right.

While waving my hand, I see a sincere smile from Hana. This time, the smile is truly a smile of pleasure. She's no longer smiling but laughing happily.

Having said goodbye to each other, I step out of front of Hana's house. After that, there's a sound of a door closing and locking. I smiled.

No matter how many questions I have about Hana and her family, I'm sure they will all be answered someday. And I wish I will be there to witness it. Wait no, I think Hana herself said that fireworks resemble her mother. A sparkling happiness that, unfortunately, goes out way too quickly. Before Hana can even comprehend it herself.

I walk through a gleaming street lamp that covers the road from the dark. I'm under it, getting showered by the surging light. Thinking...

…

Wait a minute, where is the route to my house again?