"Still awake?"
Kaori's soft voice came from the doorway. She held a small candle, her face glowing in the warm light.
Haruto turned quickly, hiding the flower behind his back. "Ah—sorry, I couldn't sleep."
Kaori walked in and smiled. "Festival hangover, huh? Happens every year."
She sat on the edge of his bed, the candlelight flickering between them. "You've settled into this place nicely," she said. "I was worried at first."
Haruto smiled faintly. "I was too. But now, it feels like I've always been here."
Kaori looked at him kindly. "Evermere has that effect on people. It's quiet, simple, but it has a way of staying in your heart."
Her words lingered in the air for a moment. She looked thoughtful, almost distant, as if remembering something from long ago. But then she stood up and said softly, "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll bake something new."
"Okay," Haruto said, smiling. "Goodnight, Kaori-san."
She smiled back and closed the door gently behind her.
Haruto sat there for a while, holding the glowing white flower in his hands. The light flickered once, like a heartbeat, then slowly faded away. He placed it beside his bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling until sleep finally found him.
Haruto woke to the smell of baking bread and birds chirping outside. Warm sunlight peeked through the window, painting soft golden lines across the room.
The flower on the table was still glowing faintly—a soft shimmer, like it was breathing. He touched the petals carefully. They were cool, but alive.
He smiled a little. "Guess you're not done yet," he whispered.
Downstairs, Kaori and Ren were already busy. The sound of clattering trays and gentle laughter filled the bakery.
"Morning, Haruto!" Kaori said, brushing flour off her hands. "Come help us. We're making honey rolls today."
"Good morning," he replied, tying his apron and joining them.
The bakery was bright and full of life. The smell of fresh dough and butter filled the air. Haruto worked beside Kaori, shaping the dough while Ren stirred the honey glaze.
"Make sure they're even," Kaori said, watching him with a grin.
Haruto puffed his cheeks. "I'm trying!"
Ren laughed. "You're improving, though. When you first came here your bread looked like rocks."
"Hey!" Haruto said, pretending to glare at him.
The three of them laughed, and the sound mixed with the gentle hum of the oven and the morning breeze that came through the open window.
Outside, people were walking by—children carrying baskets, an old man waving as he passed, and a group of girls giggling by the fountain. The town felt alive, warm, and calm.
But when Haruto glanced outside again, he noticed something odd.
The sunlight caught on the river far away—and for a second, he saw that same faint shimmer again, just like before.
It disappeared quickly, but it made his heart skip.
He looked down at his hands, covered in flour. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just the water reflecting again. Still, he couldn't stop thinking about it.
After lunch, Ren went out to check the beehives again. Haruto decided to join him, carrying a basket of tools.
The sky was clear and blue. The grass brushed against their legs as they walked. The bees buzzed softly in the warm air, dancing around the flowers. Ren pointed to the fields. "Look how well the flowers are growing. It's going to be a good season."
Haruto nodded. "They're beautiful."
Ren smiled. "Kaori says Evermere's soil is special. That's why everything grows so well here."
Haruto looked around. It was true—everything seemed full of life. The trees were tall, the air smelled clean, and even the wind felt kind.
He thought about the flower in his room again, still alive after all this time.
Maybe this place really was special.
By the time they walked back, the sky had turned orange. Kaori was lighting lanterns outside the bakery, her hair shining in the sunset.
"You're just in time," she said with a smile. "Dinner's ready."
They ate together outside—bread, cheese, soup, and sweet honey. The air was cool and cal,. Children's laughter echoed from down the street.
Ren leaned back and sighed happily. "Another good day."
Haruto nodded. "Yeah. It feels peaceful."
Kaori smiled softly. "Peaceful is good. Sometimes people forget how precious that is."
They sat there until the stars began to appear. The lantern light flickered, and Haruto felt something warm in his chest—like he truly belonged here.
But when he looked up at the night sky, he thought he saw a small, glowing shape moving across the field—faint and white, like the light from his flower.
He blinked, and it was gone.
Maybe it was a firefly. Maybe it wasn't.
Either way, the night felt a little more alive than usual.