After their lunch, Mikhail and Lillian sat around and talked for hours about farming, music and love. Lillian felt at ease when she was with Mikhail, and she believed that he felt the same way. Mikhail paid for her meal, and bought them dessert, but the night still wasn't over yet in his book. It was around 4:30, and the sun was about to set. Mikhail cleared his throat and looked over to Lillian.
"The sun's setting, I think we've been here for awhile." Lillian looked behind her and then back at the white haired musician. He nodded and then stood up from the table.
"Would you like to go to the mountain summit with me and watch the sun set?"
"Sure." Lillian felt her heart skip a beat, and then had butterflies in her stomach that were rattling on like they never have before. 'Watching the sun set? This really is a date!' She stood up and accompanied Mikhail. The two of them walked out of Yun's tea house, and straight down the dirt path towards the first mountain slope. As they were walking by Kana's house, Lillian noticed that the lights were out in his house. She couldn't help but feel that she really hurt Kana, but shook it off. She was on a date with the most handsome guy in town! There's no way she could feel down about anything right now. As they began walking up the mountain, Lillian stopped and picked up a lightening bug that was sitting on a blade of grass in front of them. She turned around and showed Mikhail.
"Wow, what a pretty color! You don't see lightening bugs much in the fall." He watched her put it back on the same blade of grass that she picked it up from, and then they continued their journey to the summit. It took them around 15 minutes to reach the top, and the sky was beginning to turn a pink and orange shade. Mikhail led her to the summit's edge, and sat down. She joined him by sitting next to him.
"I love it here. There's beauty in nature, and it has it's own distinct melody at night and during the day. That's where I get my inspiration from." He looked to the sky and then back at Lillian. He noticed that her face had a beautiful glow to it, that shone just like the setting sun.
"Yeah, I agree. In the city, there's too much noise, you can hardly enjoy nature. But when I used to live on my family's farm, I would stay up all night just to look at the stars."
"Sounds like fun. You know you can do it at your place."
"Yeah, I know, but it's no fun now. Both of my parents are gone."
"Hey, so are mine. Maybe I can join you sometime."
"I'd like that." She smiled softly and watched the sun sink lower and lower to the ground.
"Hey, Lillian?" Mikhail turned towards her with a serious look on her face.
"Yeah, what is it, Mikhail?"
"What do you think of love?"
"Well, it can be a wonderful thing, but it can also cause a lot of heart ache."
"Have you ever been in love?"
"I wouldn't call it love, exactly. More like.. puppy love. I've only dated 2 guys in my life, and I never really fell for either one. I was too busy with work all the time.
"Ah, I see."
"How about you? Have you ever dated anyone?"
"Like you, I've dated a couple of girls, but both of them weren't interested in me like I was them. I've only kissed a girl once. So, to be in love with a human, I'm not sure about. I do love my violin very much, though."
"It must be nice, to play an instrument. I used to play flute when I was a teenager, but gave it up because I lost touch with my musical roots."
"That's too bad. I bet you were great." He smiled brightly.
"Eh,I guess you could say I was good. I was lead flute player in my school band, so I guess that counts as something."
"It most certainly does! I wish I could hear you play."
"That would be nice. We could duet if I had a flute!"
"That we could." He looked back at the sun, the sky began to grow darker as each minute passed. Lillian laid back onto the plush grass and looked straight up at the sky.
"Wow! I can see the stars perfectly! It's so beautiful!"
Mikhail laid back beside her and looked up. "That it is.." He glanced over to look at her and noticed that her eyes were shining brightly like the stars above them. 'She really is gorgeous.'
"So, Mikhail. Do you ever picture yourself staying here during the summer?"
"Ah, well not really. It's not impossible, but I just hate the heat and the buzzing of the insects. But perhaps I might try it out sometime."
"Well, I think you should. After all, it's beautiful here in the summer. And the insects are just playing their own music!"
"I like how you think, Lillian. I'll have to consider it sometime." He sat up and looked down to her. "Are you ready to go? It's getting late."
"Not really, I enjoy it here. But it you are, then I will join you." She stood up steadily, and then held her hand out to help Mikhail up. He took her hand and pulled himself up, and then wrapped his right arm around her shoulders.
"Well, we should. The cooking festival's tomorrow. I didn't have a chance to go last time, so I'd like to attend."
"Oh! It is tomorrow I completely forgot! I'm going to compete tomorrow. I'm glad you're going to come, I was going to ask you if you would."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He took her hand and walked down the mountain straight towards Lillian's house. She loved the feeling of his warm palm against her, and the cool fall breeze brushing against her skin. She began to get cold. She let go of his hand for a second to rub her arms. Without hesitation, he whipped off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. "Feel better, now?"
"Yes, thank you, Mikhail." She blushed and took his hand in hers again. As soon as they approached her farm, she felt her heart sink a little. She had so much fun; she didn't want the night to end! Mikhail was such a good friend to her. As they approached Lillian's front door, she turned to face Mikhail and bowed to him.
"I had a lot of fun tonight, thank you so much for hanging out with me and for lunch."
"Oh, it's no problem at all. I enjoyed myself as well. You should get inside now before you get sick. You can hold on to my jacket for awhile." Lillian wrapped her arms around him and embraced him in a tight hug.
"But won't you get cold, too?"
"Nah, I'm wearing my sweater. It's quite warm." He laughed softly and stared down at Lillian.
"Well, goodnight Mikhail." She turned to open her door, and felt his hand on her shoulder.
"Lillian, wait."
She turned around to face the tall musician, and without warning, he leaned down to kiss her softly. He could tell that her cheeks were a bright red afterwards, but he decided to keep that in his memories. "Goodnight, sweet dreams."
"Y-You too." Lillian entered her house and ran over to her window. She watched him walk away from her farm. She turned away from the window and put her fingers to her lips. "He.. he kissed me.."