The third evening's dinner was steak, cooked from the premium sirloin of a locally raised cattle using traditional methods on the planet. Before starting the meal preparations, Remi suddenly changed into a yellow hoodie and jeans. She then informed Eda and Jun.
"Eddie, Jun. Benzel is here on this planet. I'm going to meet him. Have fun while I'm gone!"
"Huh? Remi, wait a moment..."
"See you later!"
Trying to stop Remi, who was suddenly making excuses and rushing out, Eda was left bewildered. Eda blinked her eyes and looked at Jun, who spoke to her.
"Well, Remi probably has her reasons. She said Benzel is here."
"Yeah... Then maybe we should go and see him..."
As Eda was about to follow Remi, Jun added.
"Considering how she ran out like that; she might want to meet him alone."
"Hmm... You think so?"
"Let's trust Remi, and for now, the two of us should handle dinner."
Eda nodded in agreement, and they both put on simple outerwear. They sat across from each other at a table on the terrace on the first floor. As the sun was setting, and only illuminated by several candles with no electric lights, the surroundings of the terrace were dimly visible. Only the two of them were visible.
Without saying anything, they sat there for a moment, gazing at each other's faces. The atmosphere became subtle. Perhaps due to the last light of the setting evening sun and the glow of the candles, Eda and Jun's faces seemed to turn reddish. As they admired each other's flushed faces, a warm feeling arose from their hearts.
At that moment, an elderly chef appeared with a bottle of red wine in hand. He held the bottle's neck with his right hand and wrapped the lower part with a white cloth using his left hand.
"Lady and gentleman, I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Oh, it's okay."
"This wine is..."
The elderly chef continued his long and elaborate explanation about the wine, but Eda and Jun didn't pay much attention. They only understood it as something good to accompany the steak.
After the chef filled their wine glasses and stepped back, Eda and Jun simultaneously chuckled, lightly clinked their glasses, and took a sip.
"Hmm... is it supposed to be drunk like this?" Eda asked with a puzzled expression. Jun responded with a light laugh.
"Well, I'm not really sure. I'm not into this kind of thing. But it seems good when I drink it with you. I'm sure that drinking plain water with you will taste better than drinking the finest wine alone."
"You're something. You know that?"
Eda covered her mouth and chuckled in response to Jun's words. Riding on that momentum, Jun continued the conversation.
"Eda, do you remember when you first arrived in East Ocean? There was a huge crowd, right?"
"Oh, right. The crowd was packed beyond the horizon. It was the first time I saw so many people."
"And..."
Eda and Jun shared memories of the five years since they arrived at East Ocean. The story continued even after the steak was served as their main course. Jun couldn't fully appreciate the taste of the meat as his mind was filled with different thoughts.
Behind Jun's right ear, a tiny earphone was hidden, and through it, the voice of Remi flowed.
- Everything is ready. Come whenever you want.
Jun nodded lightly in response to Remi's message. The taste of the steak was not significant to him; his heart and mind were already occupied elsewhere.
While chewing the food, Jun turned to Eda and spoke.
"I'm really fortunate to have you by my side, Eda."
Eda smiled and replied, "What's with the sudden sentiment? Just realizing my gratitude now?"
/
After the meal, Eda and Jun went for a night stroll along the beach. Since it was night and quite chilly, they changed into warm clothes before heading out. Jun wore gray cotton pants with a plain shirt, topped with a vivid red coat. On the other hand, Eda wore a black dress that reached down to her ankles, cinched with a white belt at the waist. Over the dress, she draped a light, white overcoat fastened with a single button.
The beach sand was bathed in a soft light from the starlight. The sea surface sparkled with starlight, and the gentle sound of small waves created a mysterious atmosphere. A cool breeze gently blew along the beach, and the waves reaching the shore lightly touched their toes, providing a refreshing sensation.
The night sky was adorned with numerous stars. Walking along the beach felt serene and tranquil. In the distance, seagull cries could be heard, and the quiet sound of the waves merging with the shore created a peaceful ambiance.
Eda slowly dragged her feet on the sand, savoring its soft texture. Suddenly, as she lifted her head, she noticed a mysterious blue light shimmering on the beach under the night sky. It seemed to twinkle in harmony with the flow of the waves, as if the blue light were dancing in sync with the rhythm of the waves.
The glow was different from the luminescence of Lumen. While Lumen emitted a light closer to green, this blue light felt like scattered twinkles on the water. Jun, noticing Eda's gaze, spoke up.
"Oh, that's one of the planet's greatest attractions, bioluminescent plankton. Also known as sea sparkle. They have the ability to emit light when subjected to physical impact. It could be an environmental concern if there were too many of them, but here, it's considered normal for this amount."
As Jun explained, he approached the water's edge. Placing his hand into the blue light, the small plankton responded to his touch, emitting a radiant blue glow. With each wave of his hand, the blue ripples spread out around Jun's hand like a dancing wave. The sea sparkles created magical moments in the sea, and their astonishing luminescence shone even more fantastically in the darkness.
Eda, fascinated by the sight, approached Jun, took off her sandals, and joined him in putting her hands and feet in the water to appreciate the bioluminescent plankton. Amidst this, the waves silently approached, forming small sand dunes at their feet, infusing a leisurely atmosphere into the beach. It felt as if they were directly touching the mysterious beauty of the sea.
"It's beautiful..."
In response to Eda's words, Jun cupped his hands, gently collecting the water with glow bugs, and then playfully sprinkled it out towards the distant sea. Instantaneously, the surrounding ocean lit up with a radiant blue glow. Eda, captivated by the beautifully undulating clusters of blue light, became lost in contemplation. There was a distinct feeling that she had seen a similar scene somewhere before.
Then, the answer flashed through Eda's mind. It was when they found and activated the Lumen Ziggurat, rescuing Jun and bringing him back to the place. The activated facility adorned the surrounding space with a beautiful display of Lumen, reminding Eda of her home and the sea of flowers around it. In that moment, she made a promise to Jun. If they ever leave Thousand Peaks, she will take him to the place where the flowers were always in full bloom.
Moreover, Eda recalled another fact. After following Jun to the East Ocean, for five years, she had not sung a single starsong.
Not singing a starsong didn't seem immediately significant right now to Eda herself. What mattered was that she hadn't fulfilled the promise she made to Jun. There were reasons for it, of course. Jun poured all his passion into reviving the clan, and Eda herself was busy adapting to the East Ocean and assisting him.
However, Eda acknowledged that these were all just excuses. While Jun had diligently fulfilled every promise he made to her, she hadn't kept a simple one. It left her with a sense of disgrace.
So, Eda decided to speak up, turning to Jun with an open mouth.
"Jun, I'm..."
"Eda."
However, simultaneously, Jun also seemed to want to say something and spoke up at the same time. Their words collided, causing a momentary pause in the conversation. Eda decided to yield the floor first.
"Oh... Jun, you go first."
"Well, then, shall we go over there for a moment?"
Jun pointed to the bushes behind them. Eda noticed a path through the bushes where his finger pointed. However, it was quite dark as it was nighttime, and there were no streetlights. The light was obstructed by the bushes, making it a rather dim place. Perfect for stumbling over something while walking.
"Don't worry. I brought a flashlight."
Jun pulled out a flashlight from his pocket. Impressed by his preparedness, Eda admired, and Jun responded, saying it was a runner's habit.
"Sure. Let's go. It would've been nice if Remi had come too."
"We can come back tomorrow if we like it."
With that, Jun extended his hand to Eda. Feeling her heart beating rapidly, Eda hesitated as she attempted to take his hand. The memory of being told to grab each other's wrists as part of the East Ocean tradition when she held his hands during the Banshee expedition flashed in her mind.
"...You don't mean grabbing wrists, right?"
"Huh? Oh, no, no. I meant holding hands."
Jun, understanding Eda's concern, chuckled and waved his hand. Only then did Eda smile and take his hand. Sharing warmth through their hands, the two walked into the bushes.
/
The journey through the path between the bushes was short yet felt long. Nothing could be seen on either side, and the surroundings were concealed by tall overgrown bushes, with only the sound of insects echoing through. Trusting only Jun's guiding hand, Eda moved forward. After what felt like 5 to 10 minutes, Jun stopped.
Jun turned off the flashlight and tucked it into his pocket. It didn't matter because there was something with a light source ahead. As Eda looked past Jun's shoulder, she discovered things she could not have imagined seeing here.
Amid the night bushes, there was an open space, and through the faint rays of light spreading in the darkness, beautiful white flowers, Fragrant whites, were blooming profusely in the open space. It created a fantastical scene as if starlight had fallen onto the ground.
Fragrant whites on the ground emitted a faint luminescent glow, illuminating the space around Eda and Jun as they walked toward the clearing. The open space emphasized the quiet tranquility of the night, and the flowers, with their dim light, gave a sensation as if they had passed through the touch of the gods.
Eda widened her eyes and asked Jun, "Wow, what is all this? Was there something like this nearby?"
"Yeah, by luck, there was."
Jun, looking at Eda, released her hand and calmly made a request.
"I'd like to hear your starsong after a long time. Is it possible now?"
In response to Jun's request, Eda unconsciously scratched her neck and walked into the midst of the flower field. She responded in a self-conscious tone, indicating uncertainty.
"It's been so long, I'm not sure if I can. Just a moment. Oh, um..."
Watching Eda concentrate to sense the lumens around her, Jun noticed something strange only when a strand of her hair, which had been covering her neck, fluttered in the breeze. It dawned on him that there was no vocalizer amid her long hair.
While Jun knew that Eda had been doing well without the vocalizer lately, he hadn't expected her to sing without it. Ready to intervene, he began, "Eda, just a moment. I brought a spare vocalizer..."
" ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~(singing)"
However, Eda, as if implying she didn't need the vocalizer anymore, raised her voice and began singing starsong. Jun, unaware of the absence of the vocalizer around her neck, attempted to stop her.
"Eda, wait. I brought a spare vo..."
However, Eda started singing, as if she no longer needed the vocalizer. Jun, oblivious to the change, hadn't noticed, but the six dots on Eda's neck had vanished without a trace long ago. Responding to Eda's voice, the activated lumen of Fragrant Whites began fluttering around, seemingly obeying her melody. Even the flowers that had been withering intermittently started to bloom widely, as if yielding to her singing.
The numerous lumens circled quietly around Eda, as if they were obedient to their master. Approaching her gradually, they clung to her outer garments, twirling as if affectionately teasing her. It resembled a reunion between a long-lost mother and child.
Though unseen by anyone, even beyond the bushes where the line of sight did not reach, flowers blossomed widely around Eda.
Jun was greatly bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. He then tapped his tiny earpiece twice, signaling a request for an explanation.
The original plan between Jun and Remi was as follows: Jun had prepared in advance, burying a mechanical device utilizing lumens with Remi at the predetermined clearing. On top of that, they had planted numerous Fragrant Whites. On D-Day, when Jun brought Eda to this place, Remi, who had hidden in the control room, would manipulate the machinery to enhance the mystical atmosphere for Jun's proposal. This had been a collaborative plan between Jun and Remi since the time they planned the vacation.
However, the current situation was different from what Jun had planned. According to the prior agreement with Remi, the significant activation of lumens was unexpected. Furthermore, Eda singing without the vocalizer was beyond anyone's imagination.
Remi, observing the situation from the control room, was equally taken aback. With wide-open eyes, Remi urgently conveyed the situation to Jun.
-Jun, I didn't do anything just now. Lumens bloomed on their own before I even manipulated the single device.
Upon hearing Remi's words, Jun found himself momentarily immersed in profound confusion. However, prioritizing concern for Eda's throat, he decided to address that first. When Eda finished singing starsong and opened her eyes, the mass of lumens that had clung to her dispersed in all directions, soaring into the sky, creating a celestial display..
"Eda, you just sang without the vocalizer. Are you okay?" Jun asked, approaching her in the middle of the flower field. Eda responded with an expression that suggested she wasn't sure herself, mixing uncertainty with her answer.
Eda, wearing a somewhat uncertain expression as if she herself wasn't sure, responded, "Um... I just felt like it might work even without it."
As Eda raised her right hand in front of her eyes, lumens responded to her gesture, gently enveloping her hand.
Although Jun still couldn't fully grasp the situation, he decided to consider it a fortunate outcome, better than what was initially planned. Under the night sky, the luminescence surrounded Eda and Jun. Jun looked into her eyes and began speaking. Eda, standing gracefully in the middle of the Fragrant White field, seemed like Terra, the goddess of music and flower from the Myria mythology of Thousand Peaks. At least, that's how Jun perceived her.
"Eda, do you remember our promise? The one where we said we would go see the sea of flowers together. I believe we'll be able to go together eventually, but I wanted to see it with you even if it's just like this. I've kept you tied down because of my circumstances."
Eda felt sorry. She felt responsible for not keeping the promise because of her. And at the same time, she was glad that Jun, too, continued to remember it. She confirmed the reflection of herself in Jun's eyes. Even in the glow of lumen, her face was red enough to be noticeable. Her lips slowly parted, and she responded to Jun's words.
"...What are you talking about? Where's that coming from? I was the one who suggested we go, and now you're saying sorry? And now, about your circumstances and mine... I'm now part of our clan, right?"
Jun nodded as if acknowledging the truth in those words.
"Yeah, Eda. You've always been there for me. Since the day I met you in Migrant's bazaar, picking me up when I had nothing, exploring every corner of Thousand Peaks back then. And then coming back to Lee Clan, reviving the clan together, up to this very moment. Who I am now is thanks to you, Eda."
"Really... Why are you suddenly saying these awkward things? It's so out of the blue."
Eda turned her head slightly away from Jun, scratching her reddened cheek with her right hand. With her knees slightly bent and her left hand hanging loosely, she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. Right now, she seemed to be expecting something vaguely.
Looking at her like that, Jun, with a smile on his face, knelt down in front of Eda, being careful not to disturb the flowers.
"So, I hope you'll continue to be... with me in the future."
Jun pulled out a small box, carefully hidden in the flower field, the perfect size for a ring. Eda's heart started pounding as if it was about to burst. Thump, thump. Eda worried that Jun might hear this sound.
Remaining on his knees, Jun held the box with his right hand and opened it with his left. Inside, a high-purity lumen crystal ring with the symbol of Red Chamber engraved.
Jun paused for a moment, holding his breath, and raising his gaze. It was the pinnacle moment he had thought about and rehearsed countless times. Returning without the Phoenix, from the moment he decided to take her to the East Ocean, leaving behind her goals and witnessing her sorrowful tears, Jun had made up his mind. He vowed never to let her slip away, to dedicate everything he had to make Eda happy. Without hesitation, Jun opened his heart and confessed his feelings to Eda.
"I love you, Eda. Will you be on my side for the rest our lives? I want to see the sea of flowers with you."
As soon as Jun's words fell, a sudden updraft occurred. Strands of Eda and Jun's clothes, hair, flower petals, and the Lumen entwined among the flowers on the ground shot into the air. Remi, feeling she couldn't just stand by, orchestrated this performance by rolling her head.
Blushing as if her face would explode, unsure of what to do, Eda alternated between looking at Jun and the ring. Finally making up her mind, she slowly approached Jun and gracefully accepted the ring.
"Yes... absolutely. I would love to."
As if her words were the permission he sought, Jun slowly stood up, facing her. Amidst the fragrance of blooming Fragrant Whites, Eda and Jun captured each other in their eyes. Without any need for discussion, their lips drew closer. In the middle of the beautiful field of flowers where lumen gracefully floated, a short but eternal vow was sealed with a kiss. To fulfill everything they couldn't achieve in their previous lives.
Watching the entire scene from the control room, Remi lightly shed tears. "I shouldn't cry on such a joyful day," she said.