Part 2: Countless Encounter
Travis
Weeks passed, but I still couldn't get Hiro out of my mind. No matter how much schoolwork I had or how busy I kept myself, his face, his smile—they always came back to me, like a song stuck in my head.
And the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to see him again. I didn't even know why. Was it just curiosity? Or was it something more? Either way, I couldn't ignore it. Then, out of nowhere, an opportunity showed up.
"Hey, Travis," Ivan called as we walked out of class together. "Would you be up for taking photos at our event next week? It's for a project." I stopped walking. "Your event?"
"Yeah, for our department," he said, shifting his bag on his shoulder. "We need good pictures for our final submission, and you're better at this than anyone else."
My heart picked up speed. Department of Arts and Design. Hiro's department. It was a long shot—there was no guarantee he'd be there—but still, it was a chance. I didn't even hesitate. "Sure. Just send me the details."
Ivan grinned. "Awesome! I'll message you later." As he walked ahead, I let out a slow breath, trying to steady myself. It was ridiculous to get this worked up over something so small, but for the first time in weeks, I felt like I was actually getting closer.
Even though the event was still days away, I started preparing like it was happening tomorrow. Excitement buzzed in my chest as I went around town, picking up a few things I might need. I bought an extra memory card—just in case—and even splurged on a new lens. Did I absolutely need it? No. But I told myself that better shots were always worth the investment.
By the time I was done shopping, I was exhausted. Without thinking, my feet led me to my usual spot—the café. The moment I stepped inside, the familiar scent of coffee and fresh pastries wrapped around me, warm and comforting. It wasn't too crowded, just the way I liked it. I ordered my usual drink and found a seat near the window, sighing as I placed my bags down. As I was about to relax, the café owner walked over, greeting me with his usual friendly smile. "You look tired, Travis. Long day?"
I chuckled. "Yeah, did some shopping for an event I'll be covering." He nodded, his eyes flicking to my camera. "Ah, photography as always." Then, as if remembering something, he reached into his pocket. "Here, take this." He placed something small in my hand—a tiny charm shaped like a flower. A forget-me-not. I turned it over in my fingers, tracing the delicate details. "What's this for?"
The owner smiled. "Thought it'd be a nice addition to your camera. A little good luck charm." I looked down at it again, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. "Forget-me-not, huh?"
"Yeah." He gave my shoulder a light pat before walking away. "Something tells me it suits you." I watched him go, then glanced back at the charm, letting the name sink in. Forget-me-not. Somehow, it felt meaningful.
Without thinking too much about it, I carefully attached the charm to my camera, making sure it was secure. It looked small and simple, but for some reason, it felt important—like it belonged there.
I ended up staying at the café for about an hour, sipping my drink and absentmindedly playing with the forget-me-not charm. The place was peaceful, the quiet hum of conversations and the smell of coffee filling the air. It felt nice to just sit there, letting my thoughts drift without any rush to be anywhere.
Before leaving, I walked up to the counter where the owner was wiping down a glass. "Thanks for the charm," I said with a small smile. "I'll take good care of it." He chuckled, setting the glass down. "Good. I have a feeling it'll bring you luck."
I nodded, slipping my camera strap over my shoulder before stepping outside. The sun was starting to set, painting the streets in warm shades of orange and pink. A gentle breeze passed through, making the evening air feel cool against my skin. As I walked home, my thoughts wandered to the upcoming event, the possibilities it held. Would Hiro be there? Would I get the chance to talk to him?
For the first time in weeks, it felt like I was moving toward something instead of just waiting. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone familiar. I slowed down. Hiro.
My heart instinctively skipped a beat. A rush of excitement spread through me—until I noticed he wasn't alone. There was a guy walking beside him. Someone I didn't recognize. And they were holding hands.
I stopped in my tracks. The sounds of the street—the chatter of people, the distant honking of cars—faded into the background. They looked happy. Laughing softly as they walked together, completely lost in their own world.
I clenched my fists. Why does this hurt? It didn't make sense. I barely knew him. I'd only seen him once, exchanged no words, and yet... seeing him with someone else made my chest tighten in a way I couldn't explain. I should've just looked away. Kept walking. Pretended I didn't see anything. But for some reason, I couldn't.
I forced myself to look away and kept walking, my steps feeling heavier with each one I took. That excitement I'd felt just moments ago. Gone. The energy that had carried me through the day? Completely drained.
By the time I reached home, exhaustion settled deep into my bones. I tossed my bags to the side, barely paying attention to where they landed, and headed straight for the shower.
The warm water cascaded down my back, easing some of the tension in my muscles, but it did nothing to quiet the storm in my head. I exhaled slowly, letting my forehead rest against the cool tiles. And then, without warning, I felt it—hot tears slipping down my face, mixing with the water. I didn't know why.
I didn't understand why my chest felt so tight, why my stomach twisted uncomfortably, why my eyes wouldn't stop stinging. I barely knew him. So why did it feel like something inside me had cracked open?
I stood there for a while, letting the water run over me, hoping it would wash away whatever this was. But even after I turned off the shower, even after I dried myself and stared at my reflection in the mirror, that ache was still there.
My eyes were slightly red, my face tired. I let out a quiet sigh and rubbed my hands over my face. Maybe I was just exhausted. That had to be it. There was no real reason for me to feel this way. No reason for this strange, hollow feeling in my chest.
I switched off the bathroom light and dragged myself to bed, not even bothering to check my phone. I just wanted this feeling to disappear. Maybe after some sleep, it would. Maybe when I woke up, it wouldn't matter anymore.
I pulled the blanket over myself, shutting my eyes tightly, hoping—praying—that by morning, this pain would be nothing more than a distant memory. But the moment my eyes closed, I wasn't in my room anymore.
I was somewhere else.
A vast garden stretched out before me, filled with flowers in full bloom. The scent of roses and lilies lingered in the air, carried by the soft breeze. The sky above was a soft golden hue, as if caught between day and night. Everything felt peaceful, warm. Familiar.
Ahead of me stood a grand mansion—elegant, refined, the kind of place that looked like it belonged to royalty. But even as I stared at it, my attention was pulled elsewhere. To him.
A man stood at the edge of the garden, watching me. His features were blurred, just out of focus, but something about him made my heart tighten. He wasn't a stranger. I knew him. I just didn't know how. He called out to me, his voice soft, full of warmth. But the name he spoke wasn't mine. "Haru."
I blinked. Haru? Who was Haru?
But before I could question it, my body moved on its own. My feet carried me toward him, my hands reaching out as if they had done this a thousand times before. Without thinking, without hesitation, I cupped his face, my fingers brushing against warm skin. And then—I kissed him.
The world around me faded, leaving only the warmth of his lips against mine. His breath mixed with mine, soft and familiar, as if we had done this a thousand times before. It felt right—natural. Like I belonged here. Like we belonged together. For a moment, everything was still. But then, I felt him tense.
He pulled away suddenly, his expression filled with worry. His voice, usually gentle, carried a hint of panic as he scolded me, "What if someone sees us?"
I didn't flinch. Instead, I smiled, reaching up to brush a strand of hair away from his face. "It's alright," I murmured, my voice steady. "I don't care who sees. I want the world to know that I love you."
His eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face. For a brief second, I thought he might push me away again. But then—his gaze softened. The corners of his lips lifted into a quiet smile, and a gentle chuckle escaped him. And then, in the softest voice, he whispered, "I love you too."
This time, he was the one who reached for me. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, and our lips met again. But just as warmth bloomed in my chest—just as my heart pounded with something so raw and real—
Everything shattered.
The world around me cracked like glass. A loud ringing noise filled my ears, dragging me back to reality.
I gasped as my eyes flew open. I was back in my room. The dim light of morning barely seeped through my curtains, and my chest rose and fell with my uneven breaths. My heart was racing—as if I had actually been there, as if I had really felt him.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, struggling to process what had just happened. The dream—it had felt so real. Too real. My phone vibrated on the nightstand, its screen flashing with an incoming call. But I barely noticed it.
I swallowed, my lips still tingling with the memory of that kiss. And then, barely above a whisper, I spoke the name that still lingered in my mind. "Haru..." As soon as I said it, a strange feeling settled in my chest. Why did that name feel so familiar?
**********
The day of the event had finally arrived. I stood outside the venue, gripping my camera tightly, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to step inside right away. There was a strange weight in my chest, like something was holding me back.
I didn't know why I felt this way. Maybe it was because I was still thinking about that dream. Maybe it was because I wasn't sure if I was ready to see Hiro again—if he was even here. But I had already promised Ivan I'd do this. Taking a slow breath, I pushed my doubts aside and walked in.
The venue was massive. Warm lights illuminated the walls, highlighting the beautiful artwork displayed throughout the hall. Paintings in every style and color stretched across the room, each one telling its own story. Sculptures stood tall on pedestals, their fine details making them look almost lifelike. Miniature models of buildings, landscapes, and abstract structures were placed in glass cases, carefully arranged to showcase the artists' skill. The space was crowded, yet there was a peaceful atmosphere—quiet murmurs of admiration filling the air. It was the kind of place that should've been inspiring, that should've made me want to capture every piece in my camera.
But I felt distant, like I was here in body but not in mind. Then, someone called my name. "Travis!"
I turned to see Ivan and Seth heading toward me. Ivan waved as they got closer, but his expression shifted the moment he got a good look at me. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, frowning. "You look kinda tired."
I forced a small smile and adjusted the strap of my camera. "I'm fine." Ivan didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You look like you haven't been—"
"I said I'm fine," I cut in, sharper than I meant to. I didn't want to talk about it. Not here. Shifting my camera in my hands, I pretended to check the settings. "I'll go ahead and start taking pictures," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "I want to get some shots before it gets too crowded."
Before they could question me further, I turned and walked off, weaving through the displays. The truth was, I wasn't fine. No matter how much I tried to focus on my work, my thoughts kept drifting—to him. The boy I had only met once, yet couldn't get out of my mind. The boy who had appeared in my dream, calling me by a name that wasn't mine. I wasn't sure what I had been expecting when I came here. But deep down, a small, foolish part of me had been hoping to see him again.
I wandered through the hall, snapping pictures of the artwork. Most of the pieces were incredible—bold strokes of color, delicate carvings, intricate designs that spoke of patience and passion. But some of them felt... different. Something felt off.
A few sculptures had jagged edges and hollow eyes that seemed to watch me as I passed. Some paintings carried an unsettling feeling, as if something was hidden beneath the layers of paint, waiting to be noticed.
I tried to shake the strange feeling off and kept moving. Then, my eyes landed on a particular painting. I stopped.
It was beautiful—breathtaking, even—but more than that, it was familiar. The scene depicted a vast garden, overflowing with flowers of every color. Lush greenery stretched across the canvas, painted with such care that it almost felt alive. The soft blend of colors, the intricate details—it all seemed too real. Too familiar.
It looked just like the garden from my dream. My fingers tightened around my camera as I lifted it and took a picture. The shot turned out perfect, but I still couldn't look away from the painting. Something about it was calling to me. Without thinking, I took a few steps closer, drawn in by the gentle brushstrokes and the peaceful atmosphere it captured.
Then, before I even realized it, I whispered under my breath: "Kaze no Niwa..."
The words slipped from my lips without warning, quiet and instinctive, like they had always been there—like I had always known them. I blinked, a sudden chill running down my spine. Why did I say that?
The name echoed in my head, sending a shiver through me. It felt important, but I couldn't place why. Then, a voice spoke from beside me. "How do you know the name of that place?"
I turned sharply, startled by the question. Standing next to me was Hiro.
His gaze was locked onto me, his expression unreadable as his eyes scanned me, as if he was studying me. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. He's here.
I swallowed, trying to steady myself. "I... I just had a hunch," I said quickly, my voice a little shaky. "I didn't know it was right." Hiro's lips curled into a soft smile. "That's interesting," he mused. "It's a name I've only ever shared with a few people."
He turned back to the painting, his expression thoughtful. "This piece—it's inspired by a dream I had," he explained. "A dream of a beautiful garden, one made for royalty. A place filled with countless flowers, untouched by time. I called it... Kaze no Niwa."
He glanced at me again, curiosity lingering in his gaze. "That's why I was surprised when you knew the name." I stared at him, trying to process his words. A dream? So, this painting—this place—came from his dream?
A strange feeling stirred in my chest, something I couldn't quite name. That's... too much of a coincidence, isn't it? I finally managed to speak. "That's... beautiful."
Hiro's smile grew a little brighter, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded. It was just the two of us, standing there, caught in something neither of us fully understood. Then, his eyes flickered to my camera.
"That charm," he said suddenly. "Where did you get it?"
I blinked, momentarily thrown off by the change in topic. I glanced down at the small forget-me-not charm hanging from my camera. "Oh... the café owner gave it to me," I explained. "He said it would be a good luck charm."
Hiro looked at it, his expression softening. "It's meaningful," he murmured. "Forget-me-nots represent remembrance." I nodded, feeling an odd warmth spread through me at his words.
Before I could say anything else, Hiro straightened, as if making a decision. "Well, I should get going," he said with a small smile. "It was nice talking to you."
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, he turned and walked away. My heart sank as I watched him step outside—only for it to sink even lower when I saw him.
The same guy from before. Hiro walked up to him, slipping his hand into the other man without hesitation. They exchanged a few words, then laughed together, completely at ease. I clenched my fists at my sides.
My chest tightened, the ache settling deep. I didn't understand why it hurt so much. I barely knew him. But as I watched them disappear into the crowd, hand in hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had lost something important.