Pino’s Return

Hana pedals with efPino’s Returnfort.

Under the pale evening light,

she finally reaches the house covered in jasmine flowers.

The house of the old woman…

but now it’s not the same.

The young girl is sitting on the steps, knitting.

She’s weaving a long scarf,

with colors like mist, like memory.

Hana walks up gently.

– “You… are still waiting?”

The girl smiles.

– “Always… some people come back. Some don’t.

But waiting, itself, is a kind of love.”

Hana lowers her head.

– “I didn’t find the Crystal Tear…”

The girl places a hand on her shoulder.

– “You were the tear yourself.

The very moment you cried for him.”

A shadowed sound from afar…

Tired footsteps, a heavy voice.

Pino—the same old man who was once by Hana’s side—

now appears as a wounded young man,

in torn clothes, face covered in dust,

he opens the door… and collapses inside.

Hana screams.

The girl runs.

Together, they lift him, lay him on the bed.

The girl’s hands tremble, but she remains calm.

She brings a bowl of water to his lips.

Pino, now caught between wounds and light,

half-opens his eyes…

a small smile,

and a silent tear rolls from the corner of his eye.

– “You… waited for me…”

The girl brings a soft cloth,

wipes the blood.

Places the scarf on his shoulders.

And the night,

brings silence…

but this time, a silence full of love.