End Credits

“Ooo! The sunset kiss! Great idea!”

Mele beamed as Fali outlined their plans for the day, her skin practically glowing in the morning light, shinier than normal.

“I can’t wait… it’s been a dream of mine to do something romantic like that…”

There was a faraway look in her eyes, soft and dreamy, filled with little fantasies he couldn’t see. He hoped one of them was connected to the small box hidden away in his belongings.

The furniture was due to arrive the next day, the shop equipment and records within a week. Everything was coming together, and it felt wonderful - peaceful, even. He smiled.

“I’m glad you’re looking forward to it. We’ll leave late afternoon and come back in time for dinner. How does that sound?”

She grinned.
“Perfect. I’m gonna be excited all day.”

And she was.

Throughout the day, it was all either of them could think about. Even as Fali painted, the thought stayed at the forefront of his mind - the soft glow of evening light, her smile, the words he’d been holding onto for so long. The hours crawled by, the ticking clock almost teasing them both, until finally Mele threw up her hands.

“Alright, let’s just go a bit early.”

It was about an hour sooner than Fali had planned, but he felt the same anticipation tightening in his chest, so he nodded.

“I agree. Let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll drive over.”

She perked up immediately.
“Ooo! Is it a special location?”

He nodded, and she grinned wider.
“I’ll get ready then! What’s the weather supposed to be like? Cold?”

He shrugged.
“It might be chilly on the way back, but it should be warm and sunny while we’re there.”

She nodded.
“Then I’ll bring a puffer just in case. And I’ll put on some lipstick too, I guess…”

With a playful grin, she turned and rolled toward their room to search for something special to wear, leaving Fali alone in the unfurnished living room.

His heart thumped.

He slipped a hand into his pocket, feeling the small cube resting there - and beside it, another flatter, wider one. He drew a slow, steadying breath. The moment was coming.

“Did we have to walk up a hill for this?”

Mele glanced back at Fali, who was pushing her wheelchair up the gravel path toward a lookout over the ocean. He’d researched the location for days and found that it offered the best sunset views in the region. A little effort seemed like a fair trade.

He grunted between breaths.
“Yeah… it’s supposed to be beautiful.”

“I’m sorry you have to push me. I promise I’m trying to build up my muscles…”

He chuckled, voice a little strained.
“Don’t worry about it… I don’t mind at all. Besides, we’re almost there.”

And they were.

The incline leveled out, flattening into a small plateau that overlooked the coast. Below them, a village nestled quietly in the cove, its rooftops glowing amber beneath the falling sun. At the edge of the hill sat a single wooden bench painted gold by the light.

Mele gasped as they approached.
“Wow. You weren’t lying when you said it was beautiful.”

He grinned.
“I’m glad. Looks like the hill was worth it after all.”

“Worth it? This is incredible! If I’d known how amazing it looked, I would’ve found the strength to wheel myself up here!”

He laughed, parking her chair beside the bench.

“I want to sit with you,” she said softly.

He nodded - he’d expected that. Leaning down, he let her wrap her arms around his neck as he lifted her carefully from the chair. She was light, but he still moved with care, lowering her gently onto the bench before sitting beside her.

The sun hovered low now, its bottom edge just brushing the horizon. Mele leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder as a gentle breeze swept by, carrying the faint scent of salt and wildflowers.

“I really like this place,” she murmured. “It’s… so natural. Easy-going. I feel like I’m meant to be here.”

He smiled, wrapping an arm around her.
“I know what you mean. It’s like a world of our own.”

She giggled.
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”

He smirked.
“Really? ‘Cause you could walk into any of those shops down there and they’d give you whatever you asked for, no charge.”

Her lips curved slyly.
“Walk?”

He froze, then slapped his forehead.
“Right, sorry! I meant roll!”

She laughed, her voice lilting in the evening air.
“I don’t mind. It’s funny. And cute.”

He chuckled.
“You’re the cute one.”

“This argument again?”

“Why not?”

She grinned.
“Baka.”

The sun dipped lower, its light deepening from gold to honeyed orange. Clouds above caught the glow and held it, their edges rimmed in fire. Mele sighed softly.

“So… when do we kiss?”

He blinked, heart thudding.
“Whenever you want.”

Her gaze stayed on the horizon.
“I think we can wait a little longer. When the sun’s exactly half gone. That’s when.”

He nodded, swallowing the nerves that threatened to rise.
“Alright.”

Now he had a timer - a countdown - something to focus on as his heartbeat quickened and the horizon began to swallow the light.

“A family?”
He looked at her in surprise, but she just nodded.

“Yeah. I do want a family.”

His heart stuttered. She was just talking openly about something like that? Then again, the boundary between them had already long been crossed. He smiled.

“How many?”

Her body was warm against his side, the knit fabric of her clothes soft beneath his arm.

“Two, I think.”

“A boy and a girl?”

She shrugged.
“I don’t really care. As long as they’re friendly with each other.”

He chuckled.
“That’s a big ask.”

She smiled.
“I know. But a girl can dream, no?”

He nodded, grinning.
“Yeah, she can. I’ll dream with her.”

She giggled, sighing contentedly.
“What about you? What do you want from… from this?”

He smiled.
“Would you call me an idiot if I said that you were enough?”

She chuckled softly.
“Yes.”

He laughed, his heart hammering against his ribs as he glanced at the lowering sun.
“Fair enough. Then I won’t say that. Instead I’ll just agree with everything you say, because as they often say, ‘happy wife, happy life.’”

She giggled, then blinked in surprise.
“Happy wi-”

But then he stood up, causing her to straighten on the bench, and stood before her. His smile was warm, his nervousness barely hidden. Mele’s heart thumped. She knew what was coming.

“Fali…”

His smile deepened.
“Mele… you’re the prettiest girl I’ll ever know. And you’re the strongest, bravest woman I’m lucky just to talk to. You’re amazing in every way. I love you more than you think.”

He chuckled.
“Even if you’ve thought you were a bother to me, I never really minded. Through every hardship, you’ve kept pushing forward. You’re incredibly strong, Mele. Stronger than I am. You’re everything to me. And so…”

He lowered himself to one knee, fishing something from his pocket. Mele covered her mouth as he revealed a flat, velvet-wrapped ring box. He cracked it open.

“Will you marry me?”

She gasped. Inside wasn’t a ring, but a black string holding two flat gold plates - his dog tags. But they’d been remade. Instead of military information, each bore a single name: Fali and Mele.

Her voice trembled.
“Fali… but they… they were…”

He nodded.
“They were something I needed to let go of. So I changed their meaning. Now, instead of a record of death and victory, they’re a symbol of our love.”

Tears welled in her eyes.
“So I can feel it instead of a ring…”

He nodded again - then pulled out a smaller, cube-shaped box. When he cracked it open, the sunlight caught the small diamonds in the golden band, scattering light across her face.

“I got you a ring too, just in case.”

Her hands flew to her mouth again. She’d dreamed of this, but fantasy was nothing like the real thing. It took everything she had to nod, lowering her trembling hands.

“Yes. Yes! Yes, I will!”

His grin widened as he held up both boxes.
“Which first?”

She laughed through her tears, pointing.
“Tags, of course.”

He nodded, gently lifting them out. She bowed her head, and he slipped the cord around her neck. When she looked up again, he took the ring and carefully eased it onto her immobile finger, holding her hand in both of his.

Her smile was radiant. He sat back beside her, heart racing as her bright brown eyes met his. They leaned in naturally - and kissed.

The world stilled. The sunset deepened, a soft breeze rippling through the grass. Birds began to quiet. Their lips parted, their bodies still held tight, their eyes still locked. It felt like the previous night - only this time there was no desire, only love.

Mele’s sweet voice filled the air like honey.
“I love you. Take good care of me, okay?”

He smiled softly.
“Of course I will. You’re my everything.”

“And you are mine, but,” she grinned, “I won’t make it easy for you.”

He laughed.
“I’d hope not. I wouldn’t know what to do after how difficult it’s been already.”

She gasped in mock offense.
“Hey! That’s mean!”

He stared at her for a moment too long, and she blinked nervously.
“...What?”

He smiled.
“You’re cute.”

“That’s my line!”

He laughed again.
“I’m just borrowing it. I love you, Mele.”

She smiled, her voice trembling.
“Kiss me again, please.”

And so he did. As they held each other close, the rest of the world disappeared.

It was just him and her.
Fali and Mele.