SPOILERS!
Kai-A traveling restauranter.
Beach Café-A café on the beach, which is run by Kai.
Mei-A little girl who plays with Yu, Carter and Popuri.
Yu-A little boy who plays with Mei, Carter and Popuri.
Father Carter-A priest who watches over Mei and Yu.
One Summer, Popuri was busy playing with the only other kids in Mineral Town. She was no
a child, herself, but wasn't an adult. She was a teenager. Thus, she still played and watched over them.
She was just outside playing with them. They were playing, Red Light, Green Light.
Popuri hid her face behind a tree. Then, she peeked.
She caught them both moving.
"Mei! Yu!" she yelled. "You both lost!"
Mei was a little girl in black hair tied in a bun with red thread, dark blue eyes, two white and yellow flowers with three more on her green and yellow dress with a pink trim, white pants and red shoes.
Yu was a little boy in brown hair and brown eyes, a blue shirt under a red and yellow vest, dark blue pants, black socks and brown shoes.
"You played against the rules!" Yu grumbled.
"I did not! " Popuri said, appalled.
"You looked when we weren't ready!" Yu argued more.
"The rules say I may look whenever I want!" Popuri .
Yu clenched his fist. "Let's visit Carter, Mei! He's more fun!"
"Sure!" Mei agreed.
"The priest, again?" Popuri asked.
"Yeah!" Mei said.
"Then I'll leave for elsewhere!" Popuri said. "In fIact, I'll head for the beach! My sister-in-law might be there!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Popuri didn't find Kyaren at the beach. She saw a restaurant. The place was usually closed in Fall to Spring, but something caused her to knock on the door. The door opened with enough strength to open it.
Inside, she found three tables, each with blue and white checkered clothes and two chairs, and a kitchen behind a counter.
A young man was behind the counter. He was in black hair under a purple hat, purple jacket, purple eyes, purple shoes and white shorts. He also had dark skin.
"Hey, I'm Kai!" the young man said as way of introduction. "What would you like?"
Popuri throught of Mei and Yu. About Kyaren. "May I have popcorn?"
"You may!" Kai said.
"I'll have two bags!" said Popuri, thinking of the fact that Kyaren would be working in the general store.
Popuri watched as Kai got out some corn and put it in a microwave.
"I appreciate it!" said Popuri when Kai was finished.
She was about to leave, when Kai decided to speak casually to each other.
"So! How are you? Sup?" he asked.
"Um, I'm fine. I was supposed to deliver popcorn to my friends, " Popuri said. "But, I guess I may stay for a while since they weren't expecting anything."
"What's your name?" asked Kai.
"I'm Popuri, Kai!" she said.
"Want to stay with me and help with the restaurant?" Kai asked.
"Sure!" said Popuri. "I'm off of work, today, anyhow."
They began to sit on a table and talk some more. Popuri ordered an omelet. Kai ate one, as well.
"So! You have any family?" Popuri asked.
"Nah, I'm an orphan," said Kai. "But I always dreamed of traveling. You?"
"A brother, mother and father. But my father is also overseas right now, because my mother is sick. He's looking for a magical flower to heal her, but my mother and brother have basically given up on him, " said Popuri.
"Hmm," said Kai, wistfully.
"What are you thinking about?" asked Popuri.
"Nothing. I'll tell you later," said Kai.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
That night, Popuri and Kai walked home . Kai went to the inn. He was standing outside the door of the inn with Popuri with him.
"Goodnight, Popuri," Kai said.
"Maybe tomorrow, you may help out with my family's business? Our chicken business?"
Kai grinned. "Sure!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next day, Kai worked with the chickens with Lillia and Popuri's help. He did mostly egg collecting. Popuri showed him the thermostat to keep the chicks warmer.
Then Riku arrived.
"I'm back from the general store!" he called out. "Who's this?" he said as he pointed to Kai.
"This is my new friend!" said Popuri.
Kai saluted.
"He's been helping us!" Popuri said.
"Nice meeting you!" Riku said with a hand.
Kai shook it. "You, too!"
"How's Kyaren?" Popuri asked.
"Her family is out of popcorn to sell and, well, eat," Riku said. "She likes the stuff a lot."
"I'm selling the stuff at my place!" said Kai. "I could sell her the stuff! Actually, maybe I should sell it free!"
Riku squinted. "What was your name, again?"
"I'm only just telling you. I'm Kai!"
"Riku frowned. "THE Kai?! The Kai who travels the world, not caring who he leaves behind?!"
"Well, I wouldn't-"
"Leave our house!" Riku yelled.
Kai ran outside.
"Why, Riku?!" asked Popuri.
"He's just like our father! He left behind and never returned! You're just getting yourself into trouble!" Riku said.
Popuri turned to he mother. "Mama? May I please go after Kai?"
Lillia turned to her daughter. "I don't trust men like that anymore, Popuri. I forbid it."
Popuri went to bed.
What should she do, now?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next day, Popuri was looming around the house when she heard a knock.
It was Kai!
"I'm not allowed to see you," she said.
"Well, we had so much fun yesterday, I thought I'd see you today!" Kai said. "How about we go on a walk in the woods?"
"That sounds even more fun!" Popuri said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Riku and Kyaren finished their work early that same day.
They went to the chicken farm and no one was there.
"KAI!" yelled Riku.
"Who?" asked Kyaren.
"This guy I think wants to date my little sister," Riku said.
"So?" asked Kyaren.
Riku frowned. "He's a lot like my father."
Kyaren held his hand. "Let's find them, than."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
They went to Kai's shop. There was a sign.
"'Closed for the day. Free food in the meantime'," Riku said with a clenched fist.
Kyaren instantly was busy eating popcorn left out for loyal customers.
"What are you doing?!" yelled Riku.
"Hey, it's good!" said Kyaren.
Riku stared.
"Fine," said Kyaren. "But I we should wait here until they return."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kai and Popuri just returned from one of the two forests. Kai decided to walk Popuri to her home, first.
"I won't go in," said Kai. "I need to be sure to gain your family's wishes, first."
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow!" Popuri said.
It was dark. Lillia approached her with a candle. "Where have you been? Where's your brother?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kai walked all the way back to the beach. His door was open. As usual.
Then he discovered the lights were still on! That was strange!
Riku and Kyaren approached him.
"Where's my sister?!" Riku said in interrogation.
"W-we were on a stroll through the woods! Then I walked myself to the shop to remove the rest of the free food I left out!"
"Well, our mother forbid Popuri from seeing you, so I'm forbidding you from seeing her!"
Riku went to leave, but Kyaren told Kai over her shoulder, "And thanks for the popcorn!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Where have you been?!" Lillia asked Riku.
"I'm not the one you should be worried about!" said Riku.
"I know," said Lillia. "Popuri left to see Kai, again."
"I don't know why I may decide on who my friends and boyfriends, anyhow," said Popuri.
"Your BOYFRIEND?!" yelled Riku. "You barely know him! And he's just like Dad!"
"And you want to fill in for Papa! But you never will!"
Popuri stormed off to another end of the house.
She tried to figure a way out of her dreadful situation.
Then she got it!
"Father Carter should help me! He's good with advice!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next day, Popuri walked to the church.
Mei and Yu went up to her.
"You-" Yu tried to say.
"I brought snacks!" Popuri said as she handed the popcorn. "Please leave for a bit. I'm about to talk with Father Carter in private."
The kids left. Popuri went in.
"Um. Father?" she asked.
Carter approached her.
He was in blue and white priestly robes and hat, dark red hair, black shoes and a relaxed face. He also had a red and yellow necklace.
"What is the problem?" he asked.
"Why do you think it's a problem?" Popuri asked.
"It usually is," said Carter. "And babysitting children. Also sermons on Sundays. So! What is it?"
Popuri frowned. "My family won't let me be with this guy."
"Well, you are sort-of your."
"They say he's like my father!" Popuri said.
"Hmm. It's because he left to find a cure for your mother and never returned, right? Your brother told me. He asked for prayers," said Carter.
Popuri blinked. "He did that?"
"Yes," said Carter. "Now, about your new problem. You must not just tell people your new friend is good, you must show he's good! Show your family his good parts!"
Popuri smiled. "Good idea!"
Then she left for her family! To teach her family what for!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Popuri found her family outside her house/business.
"What's going on?" she asked Riku and Lillia.
"The mayor told everyone someone is leaving the island," said Riku.
"WHO?!" Popuri asked in worry.
The mother and son exchanged glasses.
"Kai," said Riku. "The mayor said that this morning. He's probably left already. I tried to tell you. Kai spends Fall to Spring traveling the world. He left you behind!"
Popuri raced as fast as possible to the shore.
She discovered a ship leaving. It was hard to see, but Popuri saw Kai waiting goodbye.
Popuri ran off the beach, all the way home.
"Kai has no good parts!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Months passed. It had turned full circle to Summer, yet again. A ship peered over the horizon.
Kyaren was the first to see it, out whale watching.
Kai went off the ship! And a man who looked like Riku also went on the beach!
"I want to go to see Popuri as soon as possible, Rod!" said Kai.
Rod grinned. "I also want to see my family! My dear wife, Lillia, my son, Riku and, yes, my daughter, Popuri!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Both men arrived at the chicken farm.
answered the door and nearly fell over from the shock! But Rod caught her.
"Who is it?!" Riku called from another room.
Both he and Popuri walked to the entrance and were immediately flustered!
"Hey, Kai-WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Popuri yelled.
Kai cleared his throat. "Both of us are here to help. We found the flower!"
Kai got out a plant he had been hiding behind him.
It was red with eight petals and five thorns on the stem, with two razor-ish leaves.
"When you told me your mother was sick, Popuri, I sent out to find it! And your dad! Your mother will feel so much better!" said Kai. "You may brew a tea from it!"
Lillia couldn't help herself. She embraced her long lost love. Rod kissed her.
Kai placed his hands in Popuri's. He kissed her hands.
"Both Rod and I decided we will stay here. Forever. No more traveling!" said Kai.
So, both travelers decided to stay.
Forever.
And Kai and Popuri got closer together!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A whole other year passed. Kai set up his shop and Popuri visited to eat and chat. They continued to walk to each others' residences at night.
"One day, Popuri asked Kai, "Why live in the inn, Kai? Why not live with me?"
"Well, we're not married, yet!"
"Yet!" said Popuri. "Now! Are you going to ask me a question?"
Kai knew what to do! He bent down.
"Popuri? Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" said Popuri with glee!
"Oh! I should ask your father!" Kai said in realization.
"Don't bother!" said Popuri. "Papa said he'd let Riku give my next suitor his blessing. It was because he was the man of the house for so long! And I think Riku likes you, too!"
And the wedding went as planned!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Father Carter officiated the wedding. Riku and Kyaren were married by a judge.
"The couple has chosen their vows!" Carter said.
Kai spoke first.
"Popuri, you bid me a home and a family, and I promise to never travel again, to stay by your side forever! I love you!"
He gave her a blue feather, which was for another ring.
'Kai, I appreciate your cooking and long walks in the woods. I love you!"
Then she handed him her own blue feather.
Everyone cheered!
Then Claire approached then.
"Have you ever met a little boy who liked to play in the woods?"
"I have," said Popuri. "I never knew his name, though."
Claire grinned. "Congratulations! And I needed to know that!"
Then Kai lead Popuri to the beach. There was a huge ship!
"I know you don't want me to travel, but how about the both of us? On a cruise? For two weeks? Together?"
Popuri smiled. "I would like to travel! A bit!"
So, Kai and Popuri spent a few weeks on the high seas, swearing to only travel this once!