Lillian awoke with a knock on her door. She sat up slowly and looked at her alarm clock. It was only 7 in the morning. She sighed and got up out of bed, and walked over to the door. She opened it slowly and saw that it was Kana behind the door.
"Morning, sleepyhead! I thought I would come by and wish you a happy fall!"
"Thanks, Kana. So, why are you up this early?"
"Well, why aren't YOU up this early? I have work later on, I just thought I would come by and give you this." He handed her a flyer. Lillian took it and began to read it.
"Music festival? Sounds lovely! Who's performing?"
"His name is Mikhail. He comes here to stay in the fall, winter and spring. He hates hot weather so he travels somewhere else during the summer. I really don't blame him, I hate hot weather myself! He plays the violin! He's a pretty nice guy, he just keeps to himself most of the time."
"Wow, the violin.. I'll definitely show up, I've gotta hear him play!"
"Yeah, well the music festival is on the 15th this month. I just thought I would stop by and give you this information, I gotta get to work. Feel free to come by and see me, okay?"
"Alright, I'll stop by sometime today. I need to pick up a companion!"
"Well, I have plenty of them! I'll catch ya later, okay?"
"Alright. Have a good day, Kana." She shut her door and then walked over to her dresser. "Hmm, what should I wear.. Ah, I know!" She picked out her classy outfit that the Oracle made for her. She got dressed quickly, fixed her a nutritious breakfast, and headed out the door and straight to the mountain. She had a few items that she needed to pick up for a couple of request, and exercise sounded more fun to her than being lazy at home. She began to climb the mountain, stopping every now and again to look at the flowers, and search stumps for ingredients and valuables. She made her way up to the start of the summit and heard a faint noise. She grew curious and decided to find out what it was.
As she got closer, she could tell it was the sound of a violin! She snuck closer to notice a man sitting down at the peak of the mountain, playing the beautiful melody. She hid behind a tree and decided to be a stalker. She could only see his back, and his snow white hair. 'I really don't want to interrupt such a beautiful song..' She sat down by the spring and laid herself down on the soft grass. She closed her eyes and soaked in every note that was played. After a few moments, the man stopped playing. Lillian sat up quickly and hid behind the tree again. She noticed he was on the tall side, with black rimmed glasses, an orange shirt and a tan jacket that fit perfectly onto his shoulders. "I wonder if that's the man Kana was talking about.." She stayed behind the tree for a few moments, and then decided to head back home. But before that, she had something she had to take care of. She walked into Kana's shop, a smile shining brightly across her face.
"Hey you! You're just in time, I'm closing up in a few!" Kana came from behind the counter and greeted Lillian with a hug.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to show up so late, I went hiking today and.. well, I got distracted."
"Distracted? By what?" Kana let out a short laugh and looked down at Lillian, who was blushing softly.
"Music."
"What kind of music?"
"Violin music. I think it was that guy you were talking about earlier. If so, he's amazing!"
"Ah. It probably was. Did he have white hair?"
"Yeah! Oh my gosh, Kana! He was amazing! I have to meet him!"
"Heh, yeah." Kana turned his head and looked back at the cash register. "So, are you looking to buy a pet or.."
"Yeah! I was looking for a cat." Lillian ignored the change of subject.
"Alright, well I have this little white kitten right here, or a dark grey one." He kneeled down to two sleeping kittens who were cuddling together. "They're sisters."
"Aw, well I don't' really want to separate them.. I'll adopt both of them!"
"Really? That's very kind of you, Lillian! He picked both kittens up and placed them in a box. He handed her a couple of toys and treats. "You know what.. don't worry about paying me. I was looking for someone to adopt them anyways. I found them without a mother the other day on the mountain so-"
"Oh thank you Kana! You're the best friend a girl could have!" She practically glomped Kana, but he didn't mind. He hugged her back and soon let her go.
"Alright, well you better get home. They're probably hungry." He handed her the box of kittens and their toys and treats.
"Thank you again, Kana. You're so sweet." She held the box carefully and walked out the door.
"Oh, and Lillian?"
"Yeah, what is it, Kana?"
"Ah.. it's nothing, forget it. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Alright, have a good night, Kana!" She left without hesitation. She had her mind wrapped around the violinist, and her new kittens.
Kana closed up his register and walked into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter and stared out the window. "Why can't I tell you how much you mean to me."
As soon as Lillian arrived home, she let her kittens out of the box. She placed a few treats on the ground and threw their toys away from them so they would chase after them. She then walked into her bathroom and turned the water on warm for her bath. She got undressed and laid in the tranquilizing water. She still couldn't get the violinist out of her head.
"His music was so lovely. I don't understand why he's stuck in my head, I don't even know him!" She picked up her wash cloth and soaked it in the hot, soapy water and began to lather her body with it. "I wonder what Kana wanted to talk to me about, and why he changed his mind so suddenly. Ah, I guess I'll find out sometime or another. Tomorrow I need to work all day! I'm not going to make any money by just having fun all the time." Lillian rinsed herself off and got out of the warm bath. She quickly grabbed a towel and dried off. She picked out her most comfortable pj's and walked over to her bed, flopping down on it a moment later. "Whoever he is, he won't get out of my head, that's for damn sure." She turned off the light and soon fell asleep after tossing and turning for a bit.
The next morning, her sleep was interrupted by none other than a knock on her door. "Lillian? Are you awake? It's me, Ina!"
Lillian jolted out of bed and got dressed quickly. "Just a second, I'm getting dressed!" She shouted as she began to brush her hair. She walked over to the door and opened it, letting Ina inside. A tall, white haired man with glasses followed her. Lillian froze and stared directly at the snow haired man. He looked even more dashing up close!
"Good morning Lillian! Sorry to barge in so early, but I have someone I'd like you to meet! This is Mikhail, he's a traveling violinist and he will be staying until the end of spring!"
The young man stretched out his arm towards Lillian. She reluctantly took his hand and softly shook it. 'His grip is so gentle..' she thought to herself as a soft blush formed across her cheeks.
"It's nice meeting you, Lillian." He smiled brightly towards her.
"The pleasure's all mine." She said softly, as she stared up into his eyes. He smile stretched across his face and he let out a small chuckle.
"Your voice has a beautiful tone to it. I hope we can become good friends while I'm here!"
"Yeah, same here! Hey, I think I sa-" Lillian stopped herself mid-sentence. 'I can't tell him I was spying on him! That would be rude..' She cleared her throat and started over. "I look forward to chatting with you again."
"Well, you two seem like you are compatible! Just remember, the music festival is on the 15th of this month, so why don't you come and listen to Mikhail play at the town hall?"
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it! I'll be there!" Lillian smiled brightly, thinking about the beautiful music she heard just the day before.
"I look forward to seeing you there, Lillian." Mikhail bowed to her, which made butterflies start knocking together in her stomach.
"Alright, well, we will be on our way! Have a good day, Lillian!" Ina opened the door, and the two of them left quietly. Lillian stood in front of the door for a few moments and then began squealing with joy. "Oh my god! I've never met someone so polite as him! I must know more about him!" She put on her shoes and ran straight to Kana's house. She burst through the doors and ran straight to the kitchen.
"Well, hello Lillian. You look excited, what's up?"
"I'm sorry for bursting in, Kana. But you were right! That was Mikhail I saw yesterday! Ina came by and introduced me to him, and oh my god he's so handsome! And polite!"
"Heh, yeah he's a good guy." Kana sipped his tea quietly.
"You okay, Kana?"
"Yeah, just not feeling well today, that's all.."
"Ah, well I'm sorry to bother you. I need to find out more information about him so we can become good friends! When's his birthday?"
"I don't know."
"Okay.. well what's his favorite food?"
"I don't know, Lillian." Kana said firmly. "I've never really had a heart to heart talk with him. Why don't you go talk to Yun, he visits her for food a lot while he's here."
"Good idea, Kana! You're the best!"
"Yeah, I try." He smiled softly and took another sip of his tea. Without hesitation, Lillian ran out the door and towards Yun's Tea House.