Volume 1. Chapter 43

Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting golden patches on the ground. The forest was alive with birdsong and the gentle rustle of wind in the leaves. Ken and Lily walked side by side along a winding path, enjoying the ease of the morning and the warmth of each other’s company. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, like a cheerful stream that could not be stopped.

“Ken,” Lily suddenly said, gazing thoughtfully ahead, “how do… well, relationships work in your world?”

Ken paused for a moment, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

“Relationships?” he echoed, then, narrowing his eyes playfully, added, “You’re not asking about something specific, are you, Lily?”

Her cheeks immediately turned a delicate shade of pink, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.

“N-no! I’m just curious…” she mumbled, quickening her pace to avoid his gaze.

Ken grinned, catching up with her. He wasn’t about to miss this chance to tease her.

“Well, if you insist, I’ll tell you,” he said, pretending to be mildly burdened by the request, though his eyes sparkled mischievously. “Usually, it starts with someone confessing their feelings. For example, a guy tells a girl that he likes her. If she feels the same, they start dating.”

“Confess? Out loud?” Lily asked, turning her head toward him slightly.

“Of course,” Ken nodded. “Usually something like, ‘I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?’ or something along those lines.”

Lily frowned slightly, as if trying to picture the scenario.

“And if the girl says no?”

“Then the guy moves on to find his destiny elsewhere,” Ken shrugged. “It might hurt, sure, but the pain fades with time.”

Lily nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “And what does ‘dating’ mean? Do they marry right away?”

Ken couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“No, no! Dating is like… getting to know each other. They spend time together: go for walks, talk, go on dates. It's time to figure out if they’re right for each other.”

“Dates?” Lily tilted her head, thinking. “Is that like hunting together?”

Ken laughed so hard his voice echoed through the forest.

“Well, it’s pretty similar in some ways,” he said, smiling. “Only instead of hunting an animal, you’re trying to ‘catch’ each other’s interest. Sometimes, though, the goal isn’t even a person — it’s dessert at a café or tickets to a movie.”

Lily frowned, trying to wrap her head around that.

“So a date is… just enjoyable time together?”

“Exactly!” Ken nodded. “And with no need to hunt for dinner, if all goes well. It’s when two people decide to spend time together — like going to a café, watching a movie, or walking along the beach.”

Lily stopped, furrowing her brows.

“Movie? Is that like theater?”

Ken pondered how to explain and waved his hand.

“Sort of, but the pictures move, and people watch them on a screen.”

Lily nodded again, though her eyes showed she still didn’t fully understand.

“And how do people meet in your world?” she asked after a pause.

“In all sorts of ways,” Ken replied, looking at her curious face. “At school, university, work, exhibitions, concerts, beaches. Some even meet through the internet.”

“The internet?” Lily raised her eyebrows. “Is that some kind of magic?”

Ken laughed.

“Well, you could call it that. People send each other messages, share pictures, and then decide to meet in real life.”

“That’s… strange,” Lily said quietly, staring at the ground.

Ken smiled and added:

“Oh, and there’s Valentine’s Day. That’s when people give chocolates and confess their feelings.”

Lily looked up, curiosity lighting her eyes.

“Chocolates? Why?”

“Because they’re sweet,” Ken chuckled. “Usually, girls give them to boys they love. But lately, it’s become more common for guys to give chocolates too.”

“And did you… have you ever given someone chocolate?” Lily asked cautiously, trying to sound calm.

Ken looked at her with a soft smile.

“Only to my mom. She always looked forward to that day,” he admitted. “What about you? Do you have anything like that in your world?”

Lily shook her head.

“No, we don’t have such a holiday. But… it sounds nice.”

Ken noticed her cheeks flush again and decided to tease her a bit.

“If there were one, would you give chocolate to someone?” he asked with a grin.

Lily stopped, looking down in embarrassment, then mumbled:

“M-maybe…”

Ken laughed and waved his hand.

“Don’t worry, I won’t ask who. But just so you know, I’m always happy to accept chocolate.”

Lily looked at him, smiled, and lightly hit his shoulder.

“You talk too much, Ken.”

“And you blush too easily, Lily,” he countered, leaning slightly closer. “Maybe I should write a book: ‘How to Make Lily Blush in Three Easy Steps’?”

Lily’s eyes widened, and then she burst out laughing, her laughter echoing through the forest. The moment was so light and genuine that Ken couldn’t help but smile in response.

Their journey continued, and their conversation didn’t pause for a moment. They talked about everything — how Ken once tried to bake a pie and burned it, how Lily got lost in the forest searching for a rare plant. Every story was filled with laughter, smiles, and playful banter.

Ken felt incredibly at ease around Lily. Her laughter, her honesty, and the way she blushed at his words made every moment with her unforgettable.

“Maybe this is what happiness means,” he thought, watching her excitedly talk about local birds. “Finding joy in simple things and in those who are by your side.”

Lily was happy too. Ken had become not just a companion, but someone special — someone who brought joy into her life, made her laugh, and made her feel alive. She looked at him, and a warm feeling spread through her chest that she couldn’t yet fully understand.

“Let this journey be long,” she thought with a smile. “I want many more days like this.”