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Bunzō promised Lilibet that he would come as promised, but he was late.
Because he kept thinking about that day he had to leave Lili after accidentally turning into a werewolf. He holds a white paper lantern. The candles flickered in the round lantern like a million fireflies making the moon so white and bright that it illuminated the forest path he was walking on. He kept thanking the gods that today's moon is not a lantern, but a pair of lovely horns. The feeling of freedom to walk through the night had him humming a light rhythm and letting the air rush into his lungs. How cool, how fresh, serener than the air was during the day; peaceful like a zen garden; hugs of stones; cold but not bone-chilling. He could feel the anxious waiting of the young lady by the window, which was the last sight he could bear to see. Taking out his pocket watch from his brown checked waistcoat, the hour and minute hands dutifully remind him that he should hurry up; over streams, over shrubs, over countless trees. Holding the top hat that almost slipped off with his left hand, he was racing against the ravens. When at last he stopped, he saw a fine cottage of stone, with a florist's daisy yellow gate, and four bushes of thistles brighter than violets.
Blowing out the candle flame of the lantern, he gently put the lantern on the ground. Seeing Lilibet open the door happily and eagerly, Bunzō's heart was like a maple leaf falling on a peaceful lake, causing ripples. It feels like it's never been there before, like the lake was there just to exist. At the same time, his aqua eyes kept reflecting what happened on that full moon night. Even though it was two weeks ago, it felt like yesterday. Whenever he recalled this incident, the three scars on his right forehead were like burning. He is a cursed man, a sinner, and a disgrace to his family. He couldn't explain to Seiichiro and Yone that he missed their father as much as they did. He disappoints his mother, his grandfather, and even Lilibet. For this reason, he is all the more grateful for Lilibet's company. When he feels lost, it is Lilibet's voice that guides him back to his human self. He held out his right hand and hugs Lilibet.
“Lili, I am very sorry that I am late, but I will never miss your invitation,” said Bunzō, rather sincerely, since he didn't want to upset his best friend. He folded his hands and apologized; he looks at her like a puppy doing something wrong. “Please don't feel guilty about it,” said Lilibet, with her feathery voice, like the oriole of heaven, extremely beautiful, clear blue eyes, fair skin, curly red hair, and good manners. She is also 15 years old but she has an indescribable beauty. “I'm just worried if you're dancing with the stars,” said Lilibet, with a smile like honey. He couldn't help laughing and dropped his stiff shoulders. Lilibet cups his face; they looked at each other and smiled.
Sitting by the lake, they felt the slight breeze blowing at night, and the branches of the willows made the sound of the harp. When they talk to each other, he constantly thinks about their relationship. He's never talked about his own feelings before. His thoughts rise like the smoke of burning incense; ethereal, constantly rising, but without fragrance. The only time he shared his feelings was with Lilibet that he has a strange curse, even though he had transformed in front of her. She chose to stay instead of fleeing, which surprised him. She explained to him the origins of werewolves, magic, the wizarding world and everything. She solved the doubts in his mind but the answers brought more questions. His anxiety becomes like stars in the sky until he can't take it anymore, so he has to flee, before he hurts her. What will remain between them is a question that has lingered for a long time. They can be the closet friends, adventurous partners, or even be in a romantic relationship together—he doesn't dare think about it. The difference in their status in Lochving was bound to raise eyebrows from some eager neighbours. He's been called a heretic or a cursed boy by some of the people in town for his beliefs, but his senses have been numb. “Quidnuncs,” that's what grandpa called them. He is able to form a relationship with someone so beloved that starting a family is a luxurious aspiration. He holds Lilibet's hand implicitly; it's the emotion and support they can give to each other only by avoiding the public gaze. Unlike the daytime in St. Andrews Park, the moonlight makes Lilibet's sapphire eyes shine brighter. The tears in her eyes made her even more charming.
Their happy chat time was clouded by another apology from him. He tried to stay calm and suppress the trembling of his lips. From Lilibet's furrowed eyebrows, he could tell she was worried about him. Her fair face was already like apple blossoms in mid-April. He couldn't help lifting her face and touching her cheeks tenderly. He gazed into the universe in her eyes, and all he could return was the pitch-black blue void. The curse of being a werewolf made him almost forget his happy childhood, as if all the happy memories had been taken away. “Your company made me feel the sun shining into my heart again, and your holding my hand made my existence in this new home meaningful,” said Bunzō, looking sincerely into her eyes. “Your friendship is like a white Peruvian lili to me, rekindling my longing for life,” he said. He then moved his hands back to his knees and shrugged his shoulders. The black sack coat and silver-white bow tie set off his melancholy face. “Lili, If I hurt you then I can never forgive myself, neither does my heart,” said Bunzō in an awed and tender voice, staring earnestly ahead, and placing the right hand in front of his heart. Lilibet could no longer control her tears. She wiped her tears with one hand and held the hem of her emerald dress with the other.
“Bun,” cried Lilibet, as if she’s calling her lover afar. Her eyes betrayed her, and her chic little mouth couldn't go against the thrill of her heart. “I could never fear you or leave you because...,”she said. She stopped what she was going to say; like carefully holding a newly bloomed rose, afraid that it would be crushed in her hands. “Please, Lili, please let me know how you feel like you want me to feel safe telling you how I feel,” said Bunzō. He regretted that he hadn't written more to Lilibet during this time to care about her feelings. He is aware of his selfishness and hates himself for it. He leaned forward slightly and took off his top hat. He gently pushed his black hair back and exposed his reddened ears. He took out his handkerchief and wiped away her pearly tears. “Because these are who you really are, and I like you the way you are,” she said. She put her left hand on his right hand and brewed the words she had kept in her heart for a long time. Her eyes sparkled like comets, which made Bunzō felt his heart beating like a million horses running. “And because—because I in love with you, the full you, werewolf and all of you. I don't know why I can't just be your close friend as I used to be. I've tried, but I can't deny how I feel, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love you,” said Lilibet, with a tone of hope amidst despair. She could feel the freeze of time and could even see Bunzō's large blue eyes watching her like a warm spring breeze.
“Lili, I am flattered,” shyly exclaimed Bunzō. His cheeks were as red as a tomato. He held her hands cautiously and gently cupped Lilibet's chin with his left hand. He never seemed to look at a person's face so closely. She has a beautiful starry sky on her cheeks, and her dress has the lushness of the forest, sets off her jade-like arms. The lilies looked like they had just bloomed on her hat. He can still smell its aroma. “In fact, I thought I'd never hear such beautiful words spoken to me,” he said. Since he was cursed, he no longer dared to contact people from the outside world. He used to be adventurous but he's not the boy he was anymore. He had discussed with his best friend Kōzaburō about becoming a politician in the Imperial Diet, a gentleman, or writer in the future, but he hadn't considered himself attractive. “Please allow me to agree with your proposal cautiously, dear”—this is the first time he has made such a major decision for his life—a decision that will bring him infinite joy and an unexpected journey. A meteor flies by, but they don't notice it at all; because they dedicated their first kiss to each other.