I stand under an open store roof in front of the forest entrance, waiting for someone. All the other buildings beside this are closed, only a few vehicles have passed by since I stand here for around 10 minutes.

We promised to meet at 10 PM. In front of the forest entrance. I arrive early at 9:45 PM, so the one I'm waiting for doesn't have to wait. I know I'm super early but I just feel like chilling at this store since I actually know the owner and their drinks are quite cheap. I also brought a sling bag filled with some novels to kill time when I have to wait for the fireworks performance. After waiting for 10 minutes...

"Ah, hey" An expected voice of a girl greets me.

I turn just to see the girl I've been waiting for. She wears a really nice outfit. A pink dress that reaches her waist, with a white blazer covering, a long cream-colored skirt that elongates to her ankles, a type of sandals that girl usually wear that I don't know the name of, and a sling bag wrapped around her back.

"Yo" I answer the greet short.

Meanwhile, I only wear my casual uniform. My blue polo shirt, black pants, flip-flops, and tote bag that I use to bring my belongings.

"What is this? Why are you so early?" She asks.

"I was expecting you will arrive early, so I counter it with arriving earlier" I answer.

Hana's face became weary for a moment. "Well, aren't you a nice guy".

"I invited you this late at night, Aren't your parents worried? I told my parents I went to see the fireworks display and since tomorrow is a holiday, they gave permission".

"You're asking that now? It's okay, I'm fine" She answers with an annoyed tone.

...

"Well, Let's just get there, shall we?" I said.

"V-very well..." She answers rigidly.

We start to walk crossing the road and then entering the forest. We both set foot inside the forest, with me in front and Hana in the back. I look forward, there's only darkness, but when I look back, there are still lights. The surrounding starts to feel gloomy, I take my cell phone from my pocket and then turns the flashlight on. Even with the flashlight on, the situation hasn't changed. The darkness still envelope this forest. Leaves from the tree interact with the wind which creates an abstract sound yet calming but disrupted by the sound of insects. The forest is so dense that even the moonlit can't breach through.

Following our only guide of path, a brown-colored dirt trail extends to the darkness. With the flashlight showing the rest of the trail, we follow it through. I can feel the path started to climb. But, it's not really that elevated.

After spending time walking through the forest for 10 minutes, we finally reach our destination.

Just like the last time visiting this place, I got greeted by the open landscape of the city and also the dark sky filled with stars and moon. The lights from the city reach my eyes. As for me, my reaction is flat but still amazed by the breathtaking view of this cliff edge. I don't know Hana's reaction though.

Turning my way to an old tree that I always use as shelter when relaxing here. As usual, I grab a cha- Wait, Hana is here so I should just use the mat.

I take out the mat that is tucked away under the fairly big old tree. The staff is always been there such as a small chair, a foldable desk, a mat, a hand-held flashlight, Hiro's snacks, and a first-aid kit. Pretty full to be honest.

And I just realized, Hana has been completely silent throughout our walk until now too.

I turn my look to her just to see her standing there. "What are you doing, sit here" I said while showing the mat that is already put on the ground.

"O-oh y-yea..." She answers.

She starts walking towards me, slowly. Nodding her head down. I don't know why, she won't show her face to me.

She wears off her sandals and sits on the mat I also sit down to. We both take our look at the landscape view.

It's all silent from this point though. Me and her do not talk a single word. Because not knowing what to do, I end up taking a book from my tote bag to read while distracting myself from this awkwardness. But, how about her? Does she feel this awkwardness or is it just me?

Now that I think about it. I invited her to a tour inside a forest at night. No ill intention or not, I'm still amazed by my own action stupidity.

...

OF COURSE SHE WILL BE SILENT ALL THE TIME. A RANDOM GUY LITERALLY ASKS HER TO GET INSIDE A FOREST AT NIGHT. A CERTAIN ANSWER SHE WILL BE NERVOUS. WHAT WAS I THINKING???

Now, I remember what Tomi says when I invite a girl to her.

I SERIOUSLY NEED TO ASK HER TO FORGIVE ME.

"U-uh, Ha-Hana" My words are stiff as heck.

"Y-yeah?" I can hear her words trembling. Well, mine too.

"I-I'm sorry I invited you into a place like this. I didn't mean any ill intentions. I-If you want, I can lead you out of here".

"W-what? N-no, it's fine. I don't mind. I purely want to go here because I want to view the landscape here once again".

"I'm truly sorry for my stupidity" I ask for forgiveness while standing up and bowing my head to her.

"P-please get your heads up. I forgive you, okay?".

I pick my head up and sit down again. Trying my best to not stutter but no can do it. So, I end up reading my novel again. Even though we cleared up the misunderstandings, The awkwardness is still there. Neither Hana nor me trying to talk. Since it won't go away, I try to use my phone to tune up some music. Using my fingers to click whatever is in the music app option and let it play with a rather high volume so at least it can cover up this quietness.

It played for around 15 seconds or so, it's all an instrumental part. The vocal start now.

...

"!!!"

"!!!"

Hearing lyrics that absolutely shouldn't be heard in this kind of situation, I immediately shut the music off.

Gosh, what is this? Is the universe trying to mess around with me? Why play romantic music in this awkward situation? If she knew this song, I'm gonna go freaking insane.

"S-sorry, that was a weird song..." I talk with a really stiff tone.

...

She's silent.

"Ha..."

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A girl's laugh can be heard from her.

"HAHAHAHA-" Hana burst out of laughter.

She suddenly laughs.

What the hell?

She seriously burst out of laughter, meanwhile, I'm embarrassed thinking I did something that, well, embarrassing. I think my face ended up blushing a little.

She keeps laughing, her eyes ended up dropping tears.

"H-Hana?" I try to call her.

"... Hahaha. I'm sorry" Said her while wiping the tears that dropped from her eyes. She continues. "At first, I thought you are a cool, composure kind of guy. But, after seeing you struggle. I can see your childish traits after all".

It turns out it is embarrassing. I hide my face, don't want her to humiliate me even more.

"Hahaha... Well, I don't hate it" She said.

"...".

"I feel like this side of yours can make you become more open to other people". She continue, "You said you don't really have many friends, right? I don't really understand, but I feel the same too".

...

"Go on, let the song play" Said her while pointing my cellphone, "It's on your liked playlist, right? That's why it ended up playing when you clicked randomly. I also know that song too" She resumed.

She knew the song after all... Well, can't be helped. It's rather popular. The song then played until the end. After it ended, the rest replace it. At least it helped to reduce the awkwardness.

"You sure you don't want to watch it from the Town Center? There are a lot of things besides the fireworks display" I said.

"I'm already here. Even if I said I want to watch it there, you wouldn't come with me, would you?".

"... Yes".

...

It's 11:30 PM. Half an hour left until New Year. Neither of us is talking, we're doing our own thing like reading and playing with a cellphone. But, I guess our distance is a bit closer than last time. I'm glad. I can actually have one more friend.

...

I turn back towards the city to sink into my thoughts.

One could not believe that meeting this girl in a forest a month ago can end up with me and her being in the same place once again. Not only that, but I can be friends with her at the same school too. I'm really grateful. She's such an energetic girl. Though I can feel sometimes she sinks herself into deep thoughts in her heart. Back then, when I revealed that Chika is a former bully. Her body suddenly froze. Her breathing becomes faster and faster. Did something happen to her back at her old school?

It's not my place to ask.

Suddenly, a voice wakes me up from my deep thoughts. "By the way, what do you like about fireworks?" She asked.

It took me a little while to regain my consciousness. "...Oh me? My love for fireworks should be normal though?" I answered.

"Lies, when we first met there was a fireworks display, right? Well, your reaction to that time when we watched it together is what makes me curious".

"Did I make a reaction? I don't remember".

"Yes, you did... Ah, never mind, what do you think about fireworks?".

Hana changes the question. Was my reaction when we watch the fireworks weird?

"What the heck? What are these questions about fireworks?" I said.

"No, I'm just curious, hehe. And you know, we're about to witness a show of fireworks too, so why not?" Hana replied with a slightly mocking smile.

Hmm. Very well. I start to think. What do I think when I saw a fireworks display? I once again dive into endless thoughts.

Fireworks... Lights Sparkles... Dark Blue Sky... Explodes...

...

I look upwards to the stars then took a deep breath, sighed, and answered. "Those fireworks reminded me of... The Universe".

"Wow... it's really deep" Hana slips into my speech.

"Do you want to hear it or not?" I cut back.

"Oh yes, sorry, please continue".

"As I said, the fireworks remind me of the original theory of the universe. Yep, the Big Bang theory".

"How do you link them together?" She asked.

"Just listen".

"...".

"I link fireworks with the Big Bang theory which states that the universe was just a point in the vastness of dark space. Until that point exploded and made the universe we know, our home. A very beautiful home, filled with stars inside millions of galaxies. Our home could possibly be only one in other millions of homes to other existence. Whether it's from the past or the future, it's our home. Our big home".

I continue, "Fireworks are like that too, right? It starts from a small ball filled with chemicals until it explodes into small, shining grains. It looks very beautiful and full of color. However, that beauty is only temporary. That beautiful gleam of light will disappear in seconds. The universe will also be like that, one day, the light of the stars will also disappear, and the universe will be devoured by darkness... everlasting".

"If there are... I want to see the bloom of ever-shining fireworks, for a year, a hundred years, a thousand years... forever" I presume.

"...".

"But well... that's impossible".

"...".

"...".

I've been trying my best to convey my thoughts of fireworks and she just went silent. Her sudden silence always makes me feel awkward. I turn my face to Hana, and she also has her face towards me. After a few moments of looking at each other faces. Hana comes back to reality with a little shock then looks away. "Uhhh, why did you suddenly become silent? Even though I've told you my feelings about fireworks. If you keep on silent, I consider the act of not listening" I let out my frustration.

"Ohhh... Sorry, I was consumed by my own thoughts" Hana replied.

Does that mean she didn't hear anything that I'm talking about? "I don't think you're listening to my story..." I said in an annoyed tone.

"I heard all of it.... just need time to digest it".

"Is it that strange???".

"Ah no, just didn't expect it to end like that" Hana spoke in a languid tone.

...

...

Usually, I like quietness, but somehow this time it makes me feel sick. Need to find another topic of conversation or I might pass out. "H-how about you?".

"What?".

"Your thoughts of fireworks. The reason why you ended up liking fireworks so much" I asked.

"Ah... that..." She said firmly.

After all, I've been so throughout with the question she throws at me, not fair if she's not doing the same, right? "You made me tell you what I thought about the fireworks and this time it's your turn, otherwise it won't be fair".

Hana looked a little troubled, but with me forcing her she said, "Okay, okay... fireworks reminded me of...".

As if turning her face away from me to hide it, Hana lifted her face towards the sky which are filled with dozen of stars.

"...My Mother" She said in a quiet tone.

At that moment, it didn't take a second to realize that I was stepping on a landmine. "Ah... if that makes you uncomfortable it's fine, don't push yourself. I'm sorry".

"It's okay, I'm fine".

...

Hana took a deep breath and sighed and then begin to tell the story. "My Mother is a very cheerful person, she shines brightly every day. With her gentle nature and kind heart, Mother is a very precious person to me. Life with Mother is always colorful, whether it's bright or dim. Mother always encourages me and always protects me. There is no other happiness that can match my Mother".

Since the situation getting kind of awkward again. I decided to ask her something. "Your mother seems like an amazing person, how is she?".

"... She's no more here" said Hana while nodding her head up towards the sky.

AHHHH I'M SUCH AN IDIOT, WHY DO I ALWAYS ASK THE UNNECESSARY

I curse myself in my mind.

"Arkan? Why do you suddenly look so gloomy? Are you sick?".

I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT HER.

"Oh sorry, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I didn't know. I shouldn't have asked".

"Haha, no need to apologize" Said her. I can tell she's trembling with her words. Though, she continues, "Mother passed away 4 months ago. She has Leukemia which devoured her body".

...

"Mother was fighting for her life with stage four Leukemia. The doctor had told her about her condition, but Mother still won't give up. Mother said before I grew up, she would never leave me. However, fate had its own plans. Mother died after being in the hospital for 3 months. When she died, I had the same feeling as your description about the end of the fireworks. It was like I was eaten by darkness and all the light in my life was gone. However, I can't give up, I still have my Father and surely Mother wouldn't want to see me depressed because of her".

Hana got up from her seat, and then stand in front of me. I just sit in front of her, can't do anything. Meanwhile, the fireworks display begins and the light of the fireworks is blocked by Hana's body. However, somehow it makes her even more beautiful. With her back full of light, her hair reflects all the shines it gets.

She is truly the one with the most light in her soul.

I see Hana's lips moving, "I have to be strong". She smiled while shedding tears.

I can only spectate.

She sit back down and did not even look away from the fireworks dancing in the sky. I'd rather not talk to her now...

After a while watching the fireworks display, we were getting ready to go home. And I start tidying up the stuff. Turn my look to Hana and she smiled at me. No idea how to respond to that one.

"Hey Arkan, what's your favorite kind of fireworks?" She asked me, suddenly.

"...".

"Come on, just tell me" She convinces me to talk.

"My favorite fireworks huh... Honestly, I don't have a preference" I replied.

"You don't want to tell me? That's unfortunate".

"Not that I don't want to, it just doesn't exist" I said. "What about you? Do you have a favorite type of fireworks?" I asked back.

"Mine, ehhh...".

Hana seemed to smile a little.

"The fireworks I like and what I want to be is a firework with an everlasting light and color, that can stay bright ever for a million years".

"..." I'm shocked and amazed at the same time after hearing those words. How can she be this shining?

She smiled. But I can see her crying face being masked with that smile. A smile that can outshine any darkness in a person's heart.