In this desolate place, apart from the sound of flowing water, the surroundings were exceptionally quiet.
Shinobu was led by Yoizumi step by step, carefully sensing the movements around her.
She seemed to detect a subtle change: Yoizumi's breathing became a little hurried, as if due to nervousness.
Kochou's heart stirred, and she couldn't help but wonder what kind of surprise awaited her.
Although she didn't know exactly what it was yet, she thought that no matter what it was, she would be delighted.
Because this surprise came from Yoizumi, and he always brought her unexpected warmth and emotion.
"We've arrived," Yoizumi said, releasing Shinobu's hands and coming behind her, his slender fingers untying the band covering Shinobu's eyes.
The pitch-black vision finally met with light. Slowly opening her eyes, and after seeing the scene before her, those magnificent purple eyes suddenly widened, and her heart paused for a moment.
The high-hanging moonlight spilled onto the lake, the ripples stirred by the night wind reflecting the clear, shimmering light. The sky and the lake, once clearly separated, had now been gently blurred by this soft glow. The moonlight silently sank into the water, permeating the entire lake.
The moon fell into the water, like a cool white jade bi, gently crumpled and spread by the ripples, then slowly gathered again in an instant. Yet, it could never be pieced together as perfectly round as before.
When the wind brushed across the center of the lake, the moonlight shattered, breaking into countless tiny silver fragments that danced, flickered, and glimmered unsteadily on the dark water.
Yoizumi's lips curved slightly into a faint smile. With a gentle flick of his finger, as if by magic, countless fireflies suddenly appeared like shooting stars, twinkling with faint light in the air.
These fireflies, like stars in the night sky, emitted a faint luminescence. They danced gracefully in the air, weaving into a dreamlike spectacle.
Shinobu's gaze was completely captivated by this wondrous sight. Her eyes widened, watching everything before her in disbelief.
It was only then that she realized she was standing in a cluster of Purple Roses.
These Purple Roses, illuminated by the fireflies, appeared exceptionally delicate and vibrant. The dewdrops on their petals, highlighted by the faint light, were as crystal clear as pearls.
Although the faint glow of the fireflies was not enough to illuminate the entire flower bed, it perfectly showcased the exquisite beauty of the Purple Roses.
Shinobu was so overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery that she was speechless. She felt that no words could describe the feelings in her heart at that moment.
She slowly raised her head and looked at Yoizumi, only to see that his eyes were even clearer and brighter than the moonlight, gazing intently at her. His gaze seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words.
Being looked at with such a gaze, Shinobu felt a searing heat in her chest. She leaned down slightly, gently inhaling the fragrance of the roses.
"So fragrant... Shinobu... seems to like it."
Yoizumi searched among a cluster of roses for the most vibrant one. His fingertip grazed against the sharp thorns of the rose stem, and ignoring the almost imperceptible prick, Yoizumi plucked this single bloom.
He slowly brought it before his lover. The Purple Rose still had dew clinging to it, and water droplets rolled down its petals.
"For you," Yoizumi said softly.
"..." Her breathing was trembling, but her hand steadily received the Purple Rose. Shinobu realized that this rose should not have grown here.
Some silly person had painstakingly transplanted it from elsewhere, and the same went for the fireflies.
Where would so many fireflies come from in winter? Someone had collected them one by one, just for these few moments of stunning beauty.
So, that's what he was doing all morning when he disappeared.
Shinobu lowered her eyelashes, gazing tenderly at the rose in her hand.
Her nose approached the Purple Rose, and her every breath was filled with its fragrant scent.
She tucked it behind her ear. The Purple Rose complemented her black-purple hair, as if she were a flower spirit born from that Purple Rose.
Shinobu smiled as she asked her lover, her soft voice full of joy.
"Yoizumi, do I look good?"
His sapphire eyes clearly recorded the beautiful scene before him. He raised his hand and brushed the strands of Shinobu's hair that had been blown by the wind behind her ear.
"You look good..."
The moment he first saw this Purple Rose, he felt that it resembled Shinobu.
It was winter, yet it bloomed so beautifully.
Its color was like Shinobu's eyes, captivating and impossible to look away from.
The preparation time this time was too short.
Next time... next time he would definitely... prepare an even larger flower field for Shinobu.
As for the fireflies, he had discovered them before, but there were so few in winter. He had spent an entire night running through several mountains to catch just over a hundred.
Well... as long as Shinobu liked them, that's all that mattered.
Yoizumi stared at Shinobu's joyful smile, and his own eyes curved into a smile as well.
Shinobu's heart was more at peace than ever before. She used to hate the night.
Because as soon as night fell, man-eating demons would appear.
She hated the moonlight illuminating the pale faces of the dying.
But because of Yoizumi's presence...
She began to fall in love with the night... She loved the moonlight reflected in his eyes.
She loved his golden hair, which was captivating even at night.
She pulled her lover's collar, initiating a lingering and delicate kiss.
"Mmm..." Caught off guard by Shinobu pulling him down, Yoizumi couldn't react and could only close his eyes first.
This was a longer kiss than before.
After a long moment, Shinobu gasped softly as she pulled back, looking at Yoizumi's lips, which were stained the same color as her own. She touched her lips with her fingertips, smiling.
Yoizumi's face was flushed red like never before, his eyes staring at the ground in confusion.
Just now..
What was that... It wasn't like this before... Such a strange feeling... Shinobu chuckled and kissed the Purple Rose in her hand.
She remembered.
Roses bloom all four seasons, so they have a flower language...
It is... eternal love.
She looked at Yoizumi, who was still in a state of confusion, and whispered:
"I'm so happy..."
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