a gift under the moonlight

Kaito: Did you say today is Rin’s birthday?

Park: Yeah, what’s wrong? Surprised I know her birthday? Or that I know you’re secretly watching her?

Kaito: Secretly? What do you mean?

Park: I saw you two walking together before school. It was obvious from the way you looked at her.

Kaito: Really...?

Park: I know you better than anyone.

(Kaito’s thoughts)

Yeah, Park really does know me... but today’s Rin’s birthday, and I don’t even have money to buy her a gift... What should I do?

Park: Come on, Kaito! We’ll be late! Or are you still thinking about what to buy your future girlfriend?

Kaito: Shut up, or I’ll punch you!

Park: So should I start supporting you two now?

Kaito: I said shut up!

(In class)

Kaito: I’m in class now, but I still don’t know what to get her... Think, come on!

Rin: Kaito, are you okay? You look tired again like last time.

Kaito: No, no... just thinking about something. I can’t decide what to do about it.

Rin: What is it? Tell me. Maybe I can help.

Kaito: It’s nothing. It’s not worth bothering you.

Rin: Now I really want to know.

Park (from the back): He’s thinking about what gift to get you for your birthday.

Rin: Really...?

(Kaito’s thoughts)

Park... I hope you enjoy the last few minutes of your life, because I’m about to send you straight to hell.

Park (nervously): Uh, well... I should get to class now.

Rin: It’s okay. Just bring me anything like everyone else. I don’t care about gifts, really.

Kaito: Okay...

(Kaito’s thoughts)

Yeah... Rin never cared about gifts. She’s always been like that.

But she once mentioned a place she always used to go that healed her heart.

She never told me where it was. Every time I asked, she avoided answering—like she was teasing me.

I think she said the only one who knows is Misaki. She’s in the next class...

(School bell rings)

Teacher: Okay, let’s begin the lesson, everyone.

(Break time)

Kaito: Park, where are you?

Park: Oh no, I’m dead...

Kaito: There you are! Hiding behind the bench, huh?

Park: Look, I just wanted to help—

Kaito: I don’t care about that now. I need to know where Misaki is.

Park: Misaki? Are you planning to go after the two prettiest girls in school now? Don’t get ahead of yourself! Rin’s out of your league, let alone Misaki.

Kaito: Just tell me.

Park: You’ll find her in the library.

Kaito: Thanks... but I’m not done with you about what you pulled in class!

Park: I’m so dead...

(In the library)

Kaito (quietly): Misaki, can I talk to you for a moment?

Misaki: What is it?

Kaito: I want to ask you something about Rin.

Misaki: Rin?

Kaito: Yeah... about the place she used to go. The one where the moon meets the lake.

Misaki: Why do you want to know?

Kaito: It’s... a secret.

Misaki: That place holds no secrets.

Kaito: Why do you sound so angry?

Misaki: Tell me.

Kaito: It’s for Rin’s birthday.

Misaki: Her birthday...? Okay. You have until sunset, right? So you don’t mind going around with me a bit, do you?

Kaito: Fine.

Misaki: Let’s go to this store first—it’s a handmade doll shop.

Kaito: Dolls? Why would we go there?

Misaki: Just hurry!

Kaito: Look at this little teddy bear—it’s kind of cute.

Misaki: Want one?

Kaito: Yeah... it’d make a good gift for Rin.

Misaki: Then make it yourself.

Kaito: Excuse me?

Misaki: You heard me. Make it yourself. This shop lets you craft your own doll.

Kaito: But I don’t know how!

Misaki: Don’t worry, you’ll learn.

(15 attempts later)

Kaito: Ugh, I give up! Misaki, this is impossible! I can’t finish it, and we’re running out of time!

Misaki: Hand me the needle and thread. Listen, making something isn’t just about skill—it takes patience. If you keep at it, you’ll do better. Like this...

Kaito: Wow! You finished it perfectly!

Misaki: Yeah, now let’s buy it and go to the next spot.

Kaito: There’s another place?!

Misaki: Stop complaining. I’ll explain.

Kaito: An aquarium?

Misaki: Yes, let’s go see the fish.

Kaito: Look at this smooth fish—I wanna touch it!

Kaito: It’s so soft! And look at the penguins swimming around!

Misaki: Look who’s excited now! Weren’t you the one wanting to finish quickly?

Kaito: Okay, okay...

Misaki: Final stop—a little souvenir shop near the trees.

Kaito: Why a souvenir shop?

Misaki: Let’s pick a charm for the bear you made.

Kaito: Why?

Misaki: To make it a memory.

(We bought the charm and attached it to the bear)

...Though I still didn’t understand why she took me to all those places.

Misaki: And we’re here. This is the lake you were looking for.

Kaito: This is it?

Misaki: Yep. Beautiful, isn’t it? Rin used to come here every year with her grandfather.

They’d make a bear together, visit the aquarium, pick a charm, and come to this lake when the moon reflected on the water.

...That was her grandfather’s way of telling her they’d meet again—on her birthday.

(Kaito’s thoughts)

I suddenly remembered... when I visited her room, I saw fifteen bears, each holding a memory.

Now I understand why she never told me. She didn’t want me to share her pain.

Misaki: I sometimes went with them too. I loved her grandfather just as much. His passing hit me hard, just like it did her.

Kaito: Then... Misaki, will you help me today?

Misaki: With what?

Kaito: For Rin.

(Before Rin’s birthday)

Kaito: Rin, here.

Rin: This?

Kaito: It’s a stuffed bear... I couldn’t decide on a gift, so...

Rin: Thank you.

Kaito: Rin, are you free this Saturday?

Rin: Yeah, why?

Kaito: I want to show you something.

Rin: Nothing weird, right?

Kaito: Of course not! Why do girls always jump to that?

Rin (smiling): Okay.

(Saturday)

Rin: Kaito, you’re late!

Kaito: Sorry. Let’s go.

Rin: Where are we going?

Kaito: A shop nearby.

Rin: There’s nothing here... unless it’s that shop—

Kaito: Let’s make a bear.

Rin: You already made one?

Kaito: Hold on—I’ll make another one.

*(After making the bears, we went to the souvenir shop, got flowers, and then...)

Kaito: This way, Rin.

Rin: Are we visiting a relative of yours?

Kaito: No, not mine... you’ll see.

(At the destination)

Rin (eyes widening): This is...

Kaito: Hello, Rin’s grandpa. I’m Kaito, Rin’s friend. This is my first visit, but your granddaughter has something she wants to tell you.

Rin: What are you saying? How do you even know about my grandfather? Misaki told you, didn’t she?

Kaito: Yeah.

Rin (angrily stepping back): So this is what you planned for me? This has nothing to do with you. Let’s go!

Kaito: Rin... you’re not afraid of what happened years ago. You’re afraid of the darkness... the way he’d cover your eyes with both hands so you wouldn’t see the place until you got there. Right?

Rin (freezes): Who... who told you that?

Kaito: I figured it out.

Rin: This isn’t your business! You have no right to see inside someone’s heart!

Kaito (putting his jacket on her): I know... I’m the worst person in the world to you right now. But please listen...

First: don’t hold back your tears. They’ve hurt your heart long enough.

Second: you never visited him after he passed. You just went to the lake—waiting.

But Rin... he was the one waiting for you.

Every year, he waited.

And because of the pain in your heart, you couldn’t come.

But those we lose stay with us—not in the places we went, but in our hearts.

Don’t let a place you love become your sorrow.

Rin: Stop! Who are you to say these things? Who are you to speak of things that aren’t yours?!

Kaito: I’m sorry... but I found this letter at Misaki’s place before I came.

I’m not meddling in your life, but... would you read it and let me stay until you’re done?

(It was a letter written by her grandfather, given to Misaki to deliver at the right time.)

Grandpa: Misaki, how are you, dear?

Misaki: I’m good. And you?

Grandpa: I’m doing well... they just won’t let me go, afraid someone might take me away.

Misaki: Who would want to steal an old man like you? Just get up, I’ll protect you!

Grandpa: I’m not old! I’m only 82!

Misaki: Still old.

Grandpa: I was planning to marry you, you know!

Misaki: I was waiting for you! So get up already!

Grandpa: Don’t worry, I feel stronger now. But... will you keep this letter and give it to Rin when the time is right?

Misaki: Okay. But when is that?

Grandpa: You’ll know.

*(He passed soon after. Misaki never found the right moment—until now. As Rin read the letter, the tears she’d held in for years finally fell. She placed the bear beside the flowers and said...)

Rin: I never forgot him. I never hated him. I won’t let sorrow own this place. I’ll make the lake a happy memory for us.

(She hands Kaito back his jacket)

Rin: Listen... you told me, “Do whatever you want after this is over.”

So... don’t tell anyone what happened here.

Don’t show me your face again.

And from now on... don’t act like you know me.