The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the park. Kaito sat on the familiar stone bench, sketchpad in hand. It had been exactly one year since Hana had left, and though time had dulled the ache of her departure, it hadn't erased it.
He glanced around the park, now a little livelier with new greenery and a freshly painted mural on the side of a nearby building. The mural, depicting children playing and families picnicking, was one of Kaito's first completed designs—a collaboration with the city's youth center.
Life had changed for him in the past year. He'd enrolled in a pre-architecture program, balancing rigorous studies with his growing passion for design. His once-mischievous demeanor had softened into a quiet determination, though his sharp wit remained intact.
Flipping open his sketchpad, he started working on a new idea—a pavilion inspired by the archway Hana had drawn in her sketchbook. His pencil moved smoothly, lines coming to life under his practiced hand.
"Kaito?"
The voice froze him mid-sketch. His pencil slipped, leaving a jagged mark on the page. Slowly, he turned, his heart racing.
There she was.
Hana stood a few feet away, her dark hair catching the sunlight and her expression a mix of surprise and nervousness. She clutched a tote bag filled with art supplies, and her lips curved into a hesitant smile.
For a moment, Kaito just stared, unsure if she was real or another figment of his imagination. Then, his voice returned, hoarse but steady.
"Hana."
She took a step closer, her movements tentative. "I thought it was you. I almost didn't believe it."
Kaito set his sketchpad aside and stood, his gaze never leaving her face. "What are you doing here? I thought you were abroad."
Hana shrugged, her smile growing. "I was. My dad's job transferred him back here last month. I've been meaning to call, but… I wasn't sure if you'd want to see me."
"Are you kidding?" Kaito said, his voice breaking into a laugh. "I've been waiting for this moment for a year."
Hana looked at him, her eyes glistening. "I missed you, Kaito."
They sat together on the bench, the awkwardness melting away as they talked. Hana shared stories of her time abroad—the art classes she'd taken, the people she'd met, and how much she'd missed Japan. Kaito listened intently, hanging onto every word.
"And you?" Hana asked, turning to him. "What have you been up to?"
Kaito grinned, pulling out his sketchpad. He flipped through the pages, showing her his designs. "I'm in a pre-architecture program now. You kind of inspired me, you know."
Hana's eyes widened as she examined the sketches. "These are incredible, Kaito. You've really improved."
"Thanks," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But it's all because of you. Your sketchbook, your art—it made me realize what I wanted to do."
Hana looked down, her expression soft. "I didn't think I had that much of an impact on you."
"You had more of an impact than you know," Kaito said, his tone earnest. "I wouldn't be who I am today without you."
As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Hana reached into her tote bag. She pulled out a small, wrapped package and handed it to Kaito.
"What's this?" he asked, unwrapping it carefully.
Inside was a framed painting—a vibrant depiction of the park bench, with two figures sitting side by side, their faces turned toward a bright horizon.
"It's us," Hana said quietly. "I painted it while I was away. I didn't know if I'd ever get to give it to you, but… here we are."
Kaito stared at the painting, his throat tightening. "Hana, this is…"
"Cheesy?" she teased, her smile playful.
"No," Kaito said, shaking his head. "It's perfect."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching as the park grew quieter with the setting sun.
"Do you think we'll pick up where we left off?" Hana asked suddenly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Kaito turned to her, his gaze steady. "I don't want to pick up where we left off. I want to start fresh, with everything we've learned and everything we've become."
Hana's eyes met his, and for the first time in a long while, she felt the weight of her fears lift.
"Okay," she said softly, her smile reaching her eyes.
As the first stars appeared in the evening sky, Kaito and Hana stood from the bench. They walked together toward the mural he had helped design, their steps in sync.
It wasn't a perfect ending—it was a beginning, full of possibilities and dreams yet to be realized. And for the first time in a year, Kaito felt whole again.