Chapter 2

Things remain quiet for some time. Hiro is still in shock to hear that Lumina has basically proposed to him. And Lumina is embarrassed out of her mind. At this moment, she feels that it may have been a bad choice to have asked so suddenly. However, she doesn't know if she had much of a choice in the matter. She knows that she needs to do this as soon as possible.

After a while has passed, Hiro clears his throat and thinks for a moment. He knows that nobody asks for marriage unless that there is a very good reason for it, or she has completely lost her mind. Rather than making assumptions, he asks, "Lumina, why on earth do you want to have an arranged marriage?"

Lumina doesn't know what to say to him. She thought that she had the words before she arrived at his farm, but she can't let out what she wants to say. Rather than saying nothing at all, she pulls out a letter from her pocket, and slides it on the table towards Hiro.

Hiro takes the opened letter, and takes a look inside. Inside the envelope, he finds a letter that explains why does she need to get married so quickly. The letter reads:

Dear Lumina,

If you are reading this letter, then it means that the flames of my live has faded away, and I've passed on to the next life leaving you all alone. As you may already know, you are the last living member of our family bloodline. Your mother and father has tragically passed away when you were only a little girl, and you were left in my care. You are now a full grown woman, ready to carry on our family inheritance.
However, I've grown concerned about your romantic life as you've grown older. As the member of our family, it is your duty to get married, and give life to a child that will pass on the family bloodline. I had high hopes in your relationship with the boy from the inn, but that ended too soon. With so few people that you can meet in Forget-Me-Not Valley, I worry that you may remain single, and never continue our bloodline.
I wanted to have an arranged marriage performed, but I am too old, and I do not have enough time to live to handle the lengthy paperwork. So instead, I'm going to ask you to find a husband on your own. Please find a good man who is kind and generous who will honor our family, and make us proud.
This may seem cruel or cold, but I have asked Sebastian to take over the family business, and ask you to leave the villa so you may go on a journey to find the perfect husband. Until you find a good husband, I cannot allow you to inherit the family heirlooms. Please understand that this is for the benefit of both yourself and the family.

I wish you good fortune,

Your grandmother, Romana.

After reading the letter, Hiro takes a deep breath and sighs. He then looks at Lumina, who's face is still red in embarrassment. He hardly knows what to say to her, the situation is unique, and they both have no idea what to do in this case.

"So, your grandmother needs you to get married?" Hiro asks stating the obvious. Lumina nods, but she remains silent. "How long ago did your grandmother die, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Summer of last year." she responds shyly.

Hiro sighs again, and says, "I get it. It's been pretty close to a year since you got this, and you're not married yet. But I have to ask, why me?"

Lumina fidgets with her fingers nervously for a while. Hiro knows that she's quite speechless at the moment, so he gives her enough time to calm herself before answering. "Well, you see Hiro. I have the impression that you are a nice, gentle, and generous guy. I know that I acted a bit rash to ask you so suddenly. But for some odd reason, I feel that you would make a good husband. Someone that would make my mother, father, and grandmother happy in heaven."

Taking a second look at the letter, Hiro scratches his head in confusion, and asks, "Something in this letter tells me that you're from a well known family. What's the deal with that?"

Lumina nods and says, "Yes, I am from the Starlynn family. My family has done important business with other well known groups and families."

"Yes, I think I've heard of the Starlynn family." said Hiro. "But this doesn't make sense. I thought high class families only marries other high class families. I'm just a simple farmer. How on earth did you get the idea that I would make your relatives happy?"

"Well, it is our family tradition to wed with non-exalted families. My father married my mother who was a daughter of a fisherman. This union of different classes shows that we do not discriminate on a person's wealth or rank. We believe that everyone is equal, and should be treated that way."

Hiro smiles at Lumina and says, "That's quite noble of your family to believe in that. But. . ." Hiro then returns Lumina's letter and says, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you Lumina. I don't want to be a part of this arranged marriage business."

Lumina takes the letter back, and sighs sadly. "I understand. You must think I am strange for coming to your home, and asking such a strange request. I apologize for troubling you."

"Please don't misunderstand Lumina." responded Hiro. "I think your a kind and good natured person. But I just don't know you at all. We only met yesterday after all."

"So, if we do get to know each other. . . Then will you change your mind?" asked Lumina.

Hiro is quite amazed that Lumina has not given up on him just yet. But because of the unique situation, there is no way that he could predict what Lumina may do or say next. "Um, I guess. Maybe if we learn to like one another, then it may be possible in the future. But it will take a lot of time."

Lumina then stands up, and bows gracefully at Hiro. "Very well then. I will do my best to get to know you, and I hope that you will try to get to know me as well. Now if you would excuse me, I will need return to my room to make preparations."

Lumina then heads out. But before she walks out the door, Hiro asks, "Um, Lumina, what do you mean by 'preparations'?"

"Preparations for us to get to know each other!" she said cheerfully as she walks out the front door. But even though Lumina has told him that, Hiro isn't quite sure what she meant. He assumes that she meant that she'll be coming over a lot, and talking about each other's likes and interests. Thinking about it for a while, he feels that maybe Lumina may be going about it the wrong way.

After Lumina leaves the farm, he walks over to the living room where he can go to the bookshelf. He then pulls out the framed photograph of himself standing next to a young girl. As flashes of memories fill his mind, he says to himself, "An arranged marriage huh? Kinda reminds me of what happened to you. . ." He then remains quiet for the rest of the afternoon holding the photograph in his hands. The photograph causes him a lot of sadness, but he can't let it go. He always wants to remember the girl in the photograph, and keep her in his heart.

The next day, Hiro goes off for another day on the farm. After dealing with the chores, he goes off to forage for random items he can find in the wild. Takakura told him that he cannot put flowers, herbs, and other like goods in the shipping bin, so he'll need to sell them himself.

However, he found that Van had already set up his shop next to the inn. He learns that Van comes to sell his own random goods every day that ends in either a 3 or an 8. Hiro feels disappointed that he cannot sell his own goods, but he can always try again tomorrow.

Van is selling some apples that he brought from another town. Apples are Hiro's favorite fruits, so he takes advantage, and buys a few. He feels quite fortunate, because the apples contain seeds he can use to grow in his farm. The apple seeds that the nearby farm sells are a bit expensive, and he cannot afford them just yet. But since Van has sold him some apples, he can use the seeds from them instead.

Hiro returns to his farm chomping down on an apple. But as he walks around the pasture taking a look at the green healthy pasture, he hears Lumina's voice call him. He's been almost expecting her visit, especially since what she told him yesterday.

He then turns around, and faces Lumina so he can greet her. However, as he is saying hi, he notices something unusual. Lumina has brought with her some luggage filled with her possessions. Almost as if she is going somewhere.

"Okay, I'm ready!" said Lumina.

"Ready? For what?" asked Hiro just before he takes a bite of his apple.

"To live together!" said Lumina.

Hiro then chokes on his apple out of shock. Lumina drops her luggage, and runs to Hiro who is coughing out a lung, and chunks of apple pieces. "Oh my god! Hiro are you okay?" she asked.

"Okay?" asked Hiro before coughing a few more times. "What do you mean 'Live together'? When did we agree on that?" Hiro then continues to cough for a while. Lumina then brings him into the house where she can get him a glass of water.

They are now back in the kitchen. Hiro is sitting down trying to catch his breath after nearly dying from both shock and choking to death. Lumina is once again embarrassed telling him something unusual which caused him to choke on an apple.

After taking a few deep breaths, Hiro asks, "Okay, what's going on Lumina? When did we agree that we should live together?"

Lumina looks down shamefully, and begins to fidget with her fingers again. She knows very well that she made no arrangements to live with Hiro, but she feels that she has to do this. "Well, we did say that we should get to know each other. What better way to get to know one another than to live under same roof?"

Hiro sighs and says, "This is not what I meant by 'getting to know each other'. I was thinking more like talking to each other every now and then. Start off as friends, and maybe do something of festivals or something. You know, that type of stuff. . ."

Lumina sighs deeply and says, "I know what you're trying to say. But. . ."

Hiro scratches his head, and continues, "Listen Lumina. I know that you need to get married quickly, but I'm afraid that forcing it is not going to help. What would people think if we live together so suddenly?"

"I know. . . But I. . ." Lumina said nervously. She knows what Hiro is trying to tell her, but she was never good at explaining her points. She gets very nervous, and freezes up.

Hiro crosses his arms and finally says, "Lumina, I'm afraid that Ill have to say no. We can't live together. You know just as well as I do that it's not a good thing for two strangers to live in the same home. Think about that may happen if we don't get along at all? If you want to get to know me, then you'll have to do it from your home. Am I making myself clear?"

Lumina nods silently. At this point, she feels that Hiro has already made up his mind, and any relationship with him is impossible. This makes her feel a bit sad and disappointed, but she thought that this may happen. She has already prepared an alternate plan in case this happens.

Afterwards, Lumina stands up and says, "I understand. I deeply apologize for causing you trouble." She then bows at Hiro and says, "Goodbye Hiro. I wish you plenty of luck in your farm. I won't bother you anymore." She then turns around, and heads to the door to leave the farm.

"What do you mean by that? It's almost like if we won't see each other again. I'll come visit you in the mansion when I have some spare time." said Hiro before she leaves.

Lumina turns around and says, "Hiro, did you forget? I don't live in the villa anymore. I've been living at the inn ever since my grandmother passed away."

"I don't see a problem. You live pretty close then, so we should be able to see each other often."

Lumina shakes her head no and says, "Hiro, I already checked out of the inn. Since we can't live together, I'm going to be leaving Forget-Me-Not Valley."

The news shocks Hiro, so he asks, "Why are you leaving Forget-Me-Not Valley?"

"You see Hiro. . . Living at the inn for as long as I already have drained most of the money I had on me. I can no longer wait here until someone else moves into the valley. I'll have to go to another village, and find a job somewhere. And hopefully, a good husband. So that's why, this is farewell. . ."

She then walks out of the house, and closes the door behind her. She feels sad and worried, but she knows that this is something that she must do. She looks up at the clear Spring afternoon, and prepares herself for the long trip to the next town.

At the same time, Hiro sits on his table, and thinks for a moment. He feels pretty bad for Lumina who now has to travel from village to village looking for a good husband. It doesn't take long for him to start to worry about her. He can only imagine Lumina asking some random stranger to marry her. The thought of her getting married with a low life who seems nice floods his mind. He keeps asking what if Lumina finds a guy who will only use her for her family fortune.

Hiro has no obligation to Lumina, but his conscience bothers him too much to allow her to leave. Before he regrets allowing her to leave, he gets off his chair, and runs out of the farm. By now, Lumina has already left the farm, but not the valley. The only pace he thinks of finding her is the path leading outside the valley.

He runs to that direction passing by the farm next door. Just as he thought, he finds Lumina walking out of the same entrance he came in just a few days ago. Without much thought, almost like instinct, Hiro calls out to her. This causes Lumina to stop, and wait for Hiro.

After a minute, Hiro catches up with Lumina. She is confused as to why is he running after her, so she asks, "Hiro? Is anything the matter?"

Hiro takes a moment to regain his breath after running to her. He then says, "Lumina, are you sure that you know what you're going to do out there? Are you sure that you're going to be safe?"

"Well, I am worried about traveling on my own. But I have to do this, for the sake of my family." she answers.

Hiro shakes his head no and responds, "If you're worried, then you shouldn't go. You should just stay here, and search from the valley. Walking around village to village blindly is not the best thing to do. You should think about this a little more, plan ahead!"

"But Hiro, I already told you. I cannot stay here any longer. Until I find a husband, I cannot return home. I already tried to find some form of income in the valley, but I cannot find a job here. So I have to leave." she answers.

Hiro takes a deep breath. He is not sure if this is the most responsible decision to make, but he tells her, "You can stay in my house. I have an extra room you can live in, so if you want, you can stay there."

Lumina gasps cheerfully and yells, "Really?! I can stay in your home?!"

"However. . ." interrupted Hiro. "We are not getting married. I'm just offering you a place to live where you can find a husband. Afterwards, you must return home. Is that a deal?"

Lumina bows and responds, "I understand. Thank you so much Hiro."

To be continued.