The summer passed, and Raito and Aimi's bond grew deeper. They spent countless nights lying under the stars by Lake , talking about their dreams and fears, their voices mingling with the soft rustling of the wind. Aimi slowly opened up about her life in Tokyo—the isolation she had felt despite the city's bustling energy, and her longing to find a place where she truly belonged.
One night, Raito brought her to a secret clearing in the forest, a place he had discovered as a child. It was lit by hundreds of fireflies, their glow reflecting on Aimi's face as she watched in awe. They held hands for the first time that night, their fingers intertwining naturally, as if they had been meant to find each other. The next morning, Aimi surprised Raito with a delicate origami crane, a symbol of happiness and hope in Japanese culture, as a token of her gratitude for his friendship.
They grew closer each day, and by the time the vibrant hues of autumn arrived, they had fallen deeply in love. They took long walks through the town's gardens, their feet crunching the fallen maple leaves, and attended the local festival, celebrating the end of the harvest season. Raito's restless heart had found peace in Aimi's presence, and he knew that he wanted to share his life with her forever.