The butterfly lands delicately on the flower. It doesn't know that I'm watching it. The majestic creature gently drinks sweet nectar from the flower. The butterfly is unaware of my presence and that I plan to continue watching it.
I lean in and get closer. "Such beauty is found in a single one, don't you think?" I ask my brother. I look away from the butterfly for only a few seconds to look back at my brother.
"What do you think about the butterfly, Yua?" My brother, Asahi sits down beside me. He looks almost identical to me with black hair and grey eyes. Asahi has always been there for me. He comforts me when I'm sad and I appreciate it greatly.
I lean over, plopping down in Asahi's lap. I look up at my older brother and smile. "Don't you like butterflies?"
Asahi laughs at my words. He's like my father; he only finds war exhilarating. "I don't hate them. I simply don't give them as much attention as you do," my brother pauses, "Would you like me to tell you a story about butterflies?"
I look up at my brother with curiosity. "What is it?"
Asahi smirks. "It's about two lovers and a butterfly."
I look to my brother with confusion. "What does that have to do with butterflies?"
Asahi smirks. "I heard it from someone who's visiting Kyoto. He told me that he was visiting from China. I could tell he was from another country because his clothes were quite different. He told me that he was from a noble Chinese family and that things in his homeland are different than those here. For example, we use butterflies to symbolize a huge change or transformation; in China, they use it to symbolize eternal love. Did you ever think of that?"
I shake my head. I'm only about fifteen years old and in all my life, I never thought like that. I tilt my head to the side, confused. "Asahi, you seem quite close to this man. Are you?"
My brother smiles at me again. "I am. I invited him over for supper. He and his family will be joining us. I expect you to learn some things from them." Asahi ruffles my hair.
I stand up and walk back inside. I'm so excited to meet my brother's new friend. I go straight to my room and look through my clothes. I pick out a kimono with cherry blossom designs.
The door to my room is slid open.
"Yua, are you ready?"
I turn around and find my mother standing in the doorway. "Of course. I was just finishing up." I sit down by a desk and start fixing my hair.
My mother comes over and helps me. "Yua, you must be on your best behavior. A noble family is coming to visit and we aren't quite at their status." She finishes pinning my hair in place.
I stand and follow her to the main room of our house. I watch the door, anticipating our guests.
Asahi opens the door with a big smile on his face. "Come and meet my friend and his family." He takes my hand and drags me outside. Asahi leads me past a couple and down to the bridge in our yard that leads to a pond. He stops at the peak of the bridge. Asahi points down towards the pond.
Before I see it, I hear beautiful music being played on a flute. I also see the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.
He has long black hair; some strands are pulled back in a braid. His hair is decorated with a silver decoration. He wears an outfit I'm unfamiliar with in dark grey. The man sets his flute down and turns to us.
The man waves at my brother.
My brother waves back. Asahi bends down to whisper something in my ear. "That's my friend. Want to go meet him?"
I nod my head. I want to meet Asahi's friend.
Soon our parents and the other couple join us on the bridge.
"What magnificent music!" My mother smiles.
The woman I don't know nods. "Yes. Yifan is quite talented. I don't know where he gets it from." She has hair like the man's— black as night, and she wears extravagant clothes. Her face seems to be caked in makeup.
The man beside her has his hair tied back. He also wears quite extravagant clothes. He smiles at my brother. "Thank you, Asahi, for inviting us. I am quite honored to learn more of the Japanese culture. Yifan is also quite intrigued."
I feel the man's gaze on me. I have turned away from the conversation and watch Yifan play.
"It seems that your daughter is quite taken with our son. Perhaps we should introduce them," the man says.
"We should," my father replies.
Asahi grabs my hand. He takes me the rest of the way over the bridge. Asahi walks me to Yifan.
The young man stands, picking up his flute and fixing his clothes. He walks to us. "I apologize, Asahi. Seeing the pond and the beauty around it inspired me to play."
"Worry not. You are always welcome to play here, Yifan." My brother bows.
I watch nervously as Yifan's eyes fall on me. I look to my brother.
Asahi smiles. "This is my sister, Yua. She adores your playing. She couldn't take her eyes off you." He gently shoves me towards his friend.
I hesitate, but make eye contact with Yifan. I find it hard to look away as he smiles at me.
"It's such a pleasure to meet you, Yua. You are more beautiful than your brother described." Yifan takes my hands and holds them gingerly in his. His smile warms me.
Asahi is smiling beside me. He then leads Yifan and me back to the house. Asahi attempts small talk. "So, how much longer are you staying in Kyoto?"
"We will most likely be leaving tomorrow morning when the sun rises. My father received word that there may be a break out of war in Japan. I assume that he wants to return before anything happens. I believe he is making the right decision." Yifan's words are spoken like a prince. He is serious about this.