October Forever: Let Us Go Then, You and I

Snow still capped the pointed tops of the distant mountains. The air was cool at first breath, as the frigid remnants of true winter clung to moisture and coated lungs with each inhale. Sunlight bathed the rolling pink hills in welcome warm respite, welcoming the hints of spring and the crowds of visitors that had arrived to see the plum blossoms. Amid the unaware visitors, two young people entered the plum grove for the last time.

Naoe and Hazuki were dressed in volunteer shirts like the others who were to work the festival. Naoe’s face was gaunt and exhausted, but her smile was sincere as she looked out at all of the strangers.

“There are so many people here!” she remarked.

“I’ve never seen it this full. Good work, Sayane!” Hazuki said as he scanned the crowd.

Matsumoto waved to them from the volunteer check-in booth, where a small group of other volunteers had already gathered.

“Hazuki! Naoe! Good morning!” Matsumoto said in forced happiness.

To the general public, it was believable. To the young couple, they saw the slight pause in his cheeks as his smile took a moment to catch his tone.

Booths lined the park’s many walking paths, with informational displays highlighting the variations of plum trees and flowers that now painted the landscape in a kaleidoscope of color. Sayane’s final surprise was a display center that started at Naoe’s tree and gave a comprehensive summary of the park’s origin and growth. That’s where they found her and Arthur.

“Awwwww,” sighed Naoe as she looked at the kiosks of film photos and informational text that lined the area around her tree.

There was a table and two chairs at the edge of Naoe’s tree, to which Arthur beckoned the young couple to sit.

“We thought you’d most enjoy sitting here today,” Arthur explained as he held Naoe’s hand to help her into her chair.

“You are our resident park history experts! We figured you could tell the story of this place better than anyone else. So whoever wants to learn about the park they’ll come here. You two, just stay put and, well,” Sayane’s voice trailed off in a slight shake, and she paused to force a smile.

“It’s beautiful, thank you,” said Naoe.

“It’s perfect,” agreed Hazuki as he sat in his chair and admired the historical pamphlets that were laid out before him.

Arthur patted their shoulders, then stepped away. Naoe inhaled and closed her eyes as she tilted her head back. Her tree was in full bloom now. Thousands of small pink flowers burst forth from their branches and enveloped the two of them in dazzling pink and fuchsia.

“I missed you,” Naoe whispered to the tree as her hand reached behind her to feel its bark.

Hazuki closed his eyes and luxuriated in the scent and sound of the familiar spot. After all they’d been through, after all they’d seen and explored, this was the best place to spend their last day.

Crowds were enthusiastic for the entirety of the day. Ceremonies were held. Drums were played. Local politicians spoke. Then Sayane took the stage, not far from Naoe’s tree. Hazuki and Naoe stood to get a clearer view of her.

“This park is a jewel for our city,” Sayane began.

“More than its picturesque trees and vibrant views, this is a place of peace. In my time learning about this park, I’ve come to understand that this pristine, vibrant nature is not here for us to merely photograph. It is here to nurture us. To calm us. To give us a place to exist without worry. If these trees and flowers can give that to us, it is up to us to take care of them. It cannot be one person or group, but all of us. All of us should put in effort to nurture and tend to this park, so that these trees, these plants, this soil, can thrive! Thank you!” she said to applause from the audience.

“Awww, she’s good at this,” smiled Naoe.

“That was special,” she added as she blinked away a sting in her eyes.

“That was kind of her to say. Your trees will be in good hands,” said Hazuki.

“They will,” Naoe agreed.

After Sayane’s speech, there was a rise in interest for Matsumoto’s conservation presentation, as well as Naoe and Hazuki’s history display. Dozens of visitors of all ages came to their table to ask about the park. Both Naoe and Hazuki were able to discuss the many decades of growth and cultivation that led to the beautiful place they were now sitting. Only once did Naoe slip up.

“I remember when these trees first bloomed. It was such a lovely sight to see the pink arriving,” she said without thinking, to which her elderly listeners raised their eyebrows.

“Or, the pictures looked beautiful!” she said in quick correction.

Towards the latter part of the day, Hazuki saw a young girl in a pink wheelchair making her way through the park with her parents. Her eyes were wide with excitement and admiration as she looked at the blossoms. When she reached a volunteer sign-up table, Hazuki noticed she hesitated. Her father spoke, and she shook her head in sad nervousness as her hands pulled her wheels away. Before he realized it, Hazuki was standing and slowly limping towards them.

Naoe watched as he approached them with a gentle smile. He was no longer shrinking as he spoke to others besides her.

“Are you interested in volunteering?” Hazuki asked in a soft voice.

The girl’s eyes immediately went to Hazuki’s cane and rigid leg. Her parents bowed in appreciation when they understood his effort to encourage her. Behind them, Matsumoto joined Naoe as they watched Hazuki.

“I am, but I don’t know what I can do. I can’t work in the soil, and I can’t carry heavy things,” she replied.

“I can’t do either of those very well either, but I found maaaaaany other things I could do here that helped. Matsumoto-sama is an excellent volunteer organizer and could certainly find something you would enjoy and be really good at,” Hazuki said as he pointed to Matsumoto, who waved to the young girl.

“Would you like to speak with him?” Hazuki asked.

The girl nodded, and after a look of confirmation from her parents, they made their way to Matsumoto and Naoe. The girl’s gaze stayed on Hazuki’s cane and strained walk.

“I like your cane,” she said.

“Thank you, I like your chair. It’s a pretty color. It matches the trees.”

“I was just going to say the same thing,” said Naoe from the table.

With that, Matsumoto began chatting with the family about potential opportunities and events they could become involved with. Naoe spoke to the little girl about the age of her tree, what it’s favorite song was, and many other topics. The girl’s unfiltered gaze found itself on Naoe’s scars, and Naoe knew she was looking in admiration, not ridicule.

There were several other moments like that throughout the day. The park was humming with life and interest. When the sun began to set, the festival started to draw to a close, but not before Sayane’s and Hazuki’s final surprise. When the sunlight started to dim and dusk encroached on the valley, thousands of small lights clicked on at the base of the trees.

“Wow!” exclaimed Naoe as she looked out at the glowing orbs that lined the bases of the trees.

“A parting gift,” said Hazuki.

“What?” Naoe asked.

“I donated a portion of the money I had left from the trust to buy all of these. Sayane is going to work with the local government to offer some evening experiences here. Now your trees can have even more company.”

“Aw, darling, thank you, thank you,” said Naoe as she looked down at the golden orb that was shining its calming glow up onto her tree.

“It looks lovely,” said Guji.

The couple looked up, and there was Guji, in traditional dress, joined by Shinji.

Guji’s aura was much less intimidating now. His voice was natural. Hazuki noticed the grey in his beard for the first time. His smile was sincere. Shinji, as always, was in a vibrant lavender shirt and floral bucket hat.

“Thank you for coming,” Hazuki said as he stood to shake Guji’s hand.

Guji started to speak but stopped himself and merely held Hazuki’s hand for a brief moment before bowing to Naoe.

“We will be ready whenever the two of you are,” he said.

Tranquility flowed between the couple and overpowered the dread that was growing in their hearts. The two of them steadied their minds as dusk spread its fiery presence over the grove.

“We wanted to change first. We wanted to be in traditional clothes,” said Naoe.

“I’m not disappearing forever while wearing a volunteer shirt,” grinned Hazuki.

“Indeed. Suddenly, my centuries in a beautiful pink kimono didn’t seem so bad,” laughed Naoe.

“We will join you in your traditional clothes,” said Sayane, who was approaching from nearby.

Arthur and Matsumoto were not far behind.

“I live nearby and shall go change as well,” said Matsumoto.

Everyone looked at Shinji.

“Do not worry, I will be in my priest’s vestments. I know this hat is quite dazzling and did not want to distract anyone,” smiled Shinji.

Everyone was present now. Beneath the setting sun, death and disappearance drifted into the minds of them all. Night was coming soon, and with it, goodbye. Naoe’s hands were shaking now. Even with acceptance and surrender winning the battle in her mind, the reality of soon facing nothingness and watching Hazuki fade was almost more than she could tolerate. The familiar sensation of Hazuki’s touch calmed her ever so slightly as his hand came to rest on her back.

“Can we hold the ceremony here? At Naoe’s tree?” Hazuki asked.

“Yes. This is where we shall be,” answered Guji.

Naoe bowed her head, then looked to the boy she had once bumped into many lifetimes ago. Sitting there at that table, even though it was February, Naoe could not help but think of October. Their Autumn had arrived. Just like the color in the falling leaves, they were soon to fade and depart.

“Where it all began,” she said as the pink blossoms swayed above them.

A single petal fell from the tree and came to rest on her shoulder.