I must admit that I was a little surprised at how quickly we fell in love. Reina was still a little shy, but much more accepting of us acting like a couple in public. While a little intimidating at first, I also became more familiar with her uncle Mako. Summer was quickly approaching and I had something very important to discuss with him before returning to the city. One day I recruited Nori to distract Reina all day so I could talk to Mako without fear of being overheard. Once I knew that it was safe, I headed to his house and took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

Today is the last day that I have with Mikhail before he returns to the city for the summer. I know that he will only be gone for one season, but I'm going to miss him terribly. We spent the day together and even went to Howard's café in Bluebell before stopping at to see what Cam had for sale. He played his violin to me in his room and we stayed there talking until he came to have dinner with Mako and I. We went upstairs together afterwards and he stayed until ten. Before he left we shared a passionate kiss and I slipped a flower into his pocket for him to find later. He promised to write to me, and then he was gone.

It's just for one season.

Ina wished me luck when we finished talking and I took the keys to my new home. My things had already been dropped off in a large cart and I decided to go in and look around. Yun and Ina had been kind enough to clean the place up before my arrival so I decided to put a few things out. I made the bed and put my dishes in the cabinets. It took a lot of work to pay for the expansions I ordered from Eileen over the summer, but the house was beautiful and I could tell that the money was well spent. I headed out to the mountains to search for Reina; I arrived back in Konohana a few days early partly to surprise her. It wasn't hard to find her, for she was singing the same song that made me fall in love with her.

Aki no yuuhi ni teru yama kouyou
koi mo usui mo kazu aru nakani
matsu woirodoru momiji ya tsuta ha
yama nofumotono suso moyou

Kei no ryuu ni chiri uku kouyou
nami niyurarete hanare te yotsu te
aka ya kiiro no shoku samazamani
mizu no ueni mo oru nishiki

I was in a good mood, Mikhail would be back in two days and I had a lot to show him in my lab. The flower seeds that he bought me before he left had been doing quite well. Since I knew that no one was on the mountains I began to sing. I won't deny that I screamed when I finished and was suddenly attacked from behind.

"Surprise my flower, I came back to you a little early," Mikhail whispered into my ear.

I clutched my chest. "You scared the life out of me you idiot!" I turned around in his arms and frowned up at him.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry Reina but at least I waited until your song was over."

I sighed but couldn't help smiling. I lifted up on my toes to kiss him before admitting,
"I missed you and it is nice to have you back early."

He nuzzled into my neck and responded, "It's good to be back. I have a surprise for you."

"Oh?"

"Come on, I want to show you right away!" He excitedly took my hand and led me back to Konohana. When we reached the gates he pulled out a strip of fabric, and with a sigh I allowed him to tie it around my eyes. I could tell that he was leading me in different directions so I would lose track of where we were going but we finally began to walk in a straight line. I could hear a door open and could feel the dirt below my feet transition into a wooden floor. The blindfold fell from my eyes and I looked around at my surroundings. It didn't take me long to realize that we were standing in the, previously abandoned, farm house on the edge of town. Mikhail smiled at me as he asked, "What do you think of my new home?"

I asked excitedly, "New home? Did you buy the farm!?"

Mikhail nodded. "I decided that summers might not be so bad here, as long as you promise to spend them with me."

I giggled and nodded.

"You know," he said as a blush began to creep across his face, "you could spend every day here with me." He dropped down to one knee and pulled a blue feather from his jacket.

"I spoke to Mako before I left for the summer and he gave me his blessing."

I clapped my hands over my open mouth in surprise. Then I lunged at him, wrapping my arms around his neck as I said, "Yes! I would love to."

He laughed as we fell over onto the floor wrapped in each other's arms.

Sunset on the mountains, the fall trees aglow,
Brilliant shades of autumn - crimson red, tan, yellow.
Maple leaves and ivy adorning the tall pine trees
Weave a beautiful pattern here at the foot of the mountains.

Autumn leaves at sunset on the mountain streams afloat,
Each leaf a shade of autumn - crimson, brown, yellow.
Maple leaves as they drift near the bank and away
Weave such beautiful brocades as they go by.

Here's a link to the song: ?t=es&p=2471&c=85