After we finished our meal, Emi and I continued for some more time in the store, talking. We were getting to know each other more and more, and I felt we were getting closer too. We ordered a drink to accompany our conversation; Emi ordered a strawberry juice while I ordered a tomato juice.
By the way, the tomatoes from this world were strangely tasty and sweet, quite different from my old world. In the meantime I spent with Emi, I also noticed that she likes strawberries a lot. Although, in general, she likes sweet things, everything she ordered included strawberries, so it wasn't too hard to notice this.
After we finished our meal, Emi and I left the restaurant and continued walking around town. Clearly, there was no specific place we were going or what we were going to do. The only thing I had in mind at this point was to make this day special for Emi. Also, although I had said that I hadn't prepared anything before, that was actually a half lie.
I hadn't really prepared the beginning of our "date" but at least I had prepared the end of it. Besides, I hoped that this ending would make Emi remember me even a little.
"You know... it's the first time I've done something like this"
Said Emi as she walked beside me. Hearing her words, I wondered what exactly she was referring to.
"What do you mean?"
I asked, confused. Hearing my words, Emi showed a small smile.
"It's not like I've never been out before, but this is the first time I've done it with another perspective in mind"
Said Emi as she looked at me. But even then, I still couldn't understand what she meant.
"Sorry, I still don't think I understand what you mean"
I said as I apologized. Hearing my words, Emi shook her head and told me.
"It's okay, that's better"
She looked certain of something. Hearing her words, I decided not to touch the subject anymore. We didn't have much time left anyway. We walked a lot, and it was already starting to get dark, so I wanted to show Emi a place I recently discovered right away.
"Looks like it will soon be the end of the day"
I said as I looked at the horizon where it was no longer possible to see the sun. But even so, the orange rays were still clearing the horizon. The weather was a little better compared to this morning, and although it was still a little cold now, it was much more pleasant.
"Yes... you are right"
Said Emi as she looked at the horizon as well; her gaze was practically indescribable, so I still couldn't tell what she was thinking or how she was feeling. But the impression I got when she spoke was that she looked a little sad.
"Could you stay a little longer with me? There's a place I want to show you"
I said as I extended my hand to Emi. I was actually quite nervous, but something told me that this was how I should act.
"Sure, I'd love to"
Emi said, holding my hand right away. After that, Emi and I moved around for a few minutes before we came to a small tree-covered area.
"Up ahead, there is a lake. There is something in it I want to show you"
I said with a soft smile on my face. Emi just nodded, and soon she and I headed to the place I mentioned. As soon as we passed some trees, we came to a long lake. The water, although not crystal clear, was quite transparent.
"What did we come here to do?"
Asked Emi as she looked around. Hearing her words, I looked up at the sky and noticed that some stars were already visible. The place was also starting to get dark, so I thought it was about time. Without saying anything to Emi, I let go of her hand and picked up a small stone that was near me. After that, I threw the stone into the lake using all my strength.
The stone went quite far. I noticed that Emi was looking at me with a look of doubt on her face, but that lasted only until a blue light started to take over the place. With each passing second, the light intensified, and in the end, the whole lake glowed in a bluish color.
"What is that?"
Asked Emi as she looked surprised at the lake. To tell you the truth, I was also quite surprised when I first saw this. After all, this is a phenomenon that happened in my old world as well.
"I call it a sea of stars... although we are not in the sea"
I said with a weak laugh. Emi was looking at me intently, which made me realize that she was quite curious about this.
"Well... this phenomenon is caused by microorganisms called dinoflagellates... actually, this light is a means of defense for them against predators. But I have already apologized to them before by throwing some food into the lake"
I said as I smiled. Hearing my words, Emi nodded and turned her gaze back to the lake again. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the blue lights coming from the water.
"It's beautiful"
Emi said. I turned towards her face but was surprised at what I saw. Emi was smiling. Not that she didn't smile, but that smile she had at that moment was unlike any other I had ever seen before. While I was still looking stunned at Emi's face, she turned to me.
"Thank you, thank you so much for today, Ren"
Emi said with a smile on her face.