Sitting on the bean bag with his small legs underneath him as he has to listen to another yet his follower's stories that never got his interests.

It is hard for him to not yawn in from of his weeping follower.

Another boring day from yet another follower.

Nothing new about that.

Usually, he just listens to them as he's pretending to care then gives them advices at the end but this time he barely hears him nor his story. He honestly doesn't want to do this: he wants to go out and move around and have fun instead being cooped up in his chamber all day, dealing with his follower's sob stories. Never he thought he consider outdoors to be a daily activity for him that he desires to go, but he can't due to the fact his parents forbid him so. He has a active bone in his body that he needs to release. He doesn't want to sit still all day. He wants to explore. Especially with Kotoha. He knows he has 3 more hours left before everyone sleeps, he just has needs to wait little more. He sighs and starts to fidgeting his fingers underneath his black cloak, feeling his small body to be moving side ways a bit. He needs to get up and walk before his tension increases. He then suddenly remembers.

"Oh man today is our anniversary and I haven't even got her a simple gift....how am I gonna get her gift in short amount of time!"

"Tell me what should I do my lord?"

Douma has been brought out from his mind. He recollected himself and proceeded of what is going on or what is he talking about. He look at his fellow member who is all in knees with their body on the ground. It has seems he had shed tears a lot since he come here.

"Well..."

That's all he could say. He didn't listened to his entire story since Douma couldn't concentrate from the lack of outdoors and his no-gift problem. He has to quickly come up with something to make it seems like he understood what is happening with his life and how he is gonna help him. He then cleared his throat.

"If you think you are realizing how you can do it and how you are gonna make your life a little different. You need to make real changes in life, you have to make it a habit to apply action with your decision that you think it's the best. What's right for you that will bring benefits to the future? Any possible outcomes of the actions you're making? Give a think before proceeding but make sure you know what you are doing is ."

The follower's tears has stopped falling and he quickly wiped all the tears away with a rush of relief washed over him once he realized of what his master had said.

"I-I have never thought of that....I was so focusing of the 'what ifs' that I didn't even see the possibilities...thank you so much, Douma-sama you know what pure saying." He stands up form his crouching position and goes over to him then gives him a big hug.

"You really helped me!"

Douma nodded as he pat his back with a fake smile planted on his face.

"Of course I did."

——————

Sun is going down but the sky is red orange spread across the sky. Thank goodness he is able to get out of his chamber when Hisashi was ordered to get couple of supplies for the temple and since the followers haven't come to him lately, Douma asked his parents if he could join with him. They approved. After all, this is the perfect opportunity to get something for something special tonight.

Both of them headed to the merchant area, Hisashi is keeping his close on his leader making sure he doesn't get lost in this area especially when a lot of consumers are here. Douma walked around the merchant stands to find what he needs as Hisashi is catching up to him to make sure he didn't lose him through the crowd.

"My lord please slow down...!" He said as he running out of breathes.

Of course Douma slowed down and laughs, "My bad Hisashi! I guess I was stuck in a room all day that my legs needs to do a little running...."

Hisashi nodded, "Don't be sorry my lord. I know you enjoyed being outdoors for quite sometime now. I am
sorry you could no longer go out as much as you want anymore." He said with empathy on the tone.

"It is important for me to be here with you guys, so it is okay for me no longer to keep doing my selfish things that are keeping me away with my duty!" Douma in a falsely cheerfully way.

But something tells Hisashi based on his response it isn't right. For some reason his smiles seems a bit...

Off.

Before he could conclude his behavior, he heard him gasped loudly and he ran off.

"W-wait!..." Hisashi ran after him, going though the busy crowds, passing them by, bumping into them and accidentally stepped on their feets. He did apologized but he is more worry about Douma than going over through people. Fear of losing the only prodigy is the last thing he will ever do. It will be the big fate for eternal paradise.

"Douma-sama!" The bald headed servant calling out the young boy as he's searching through the crowds, hoping to stop him.

Lucky finally came to him when he spotted a little yellow oak hair standing in front of a jewelry merchant stand.

Hisashi sighed and ran over towards him with a huge wave of relief.

"Douma-sama!"

Douma turned his head over his left shoulder.

"Oh hey Hisashi!"

"My lord, you shouldn't wonder off on your own like that...you don't want to get lost through this many of people. Merchant areas tend to be real busy." He said as he walked up to him and notices Douma picking out a jewelry as he's discussing with a merchant man. The little prodigy turned his head again to his bald servant.

"I apologized Hisashi for leaving you! I saw a merchant stand and I need to get here to get what I need." Douma explained.

"Oh really? And what would that be Douma-sama?" Hisashi asked in a curious tone.

"Here you go kid!" The friendly merchant said as he carefully handed the wrapped covered object to him which he grabs the object with his one hand and the other with a small bag of gold coins.

The merchant took the bag with a excitedly look on his face, "t-this is a very generous payment I ever received...thank you so much!"

Douma nodded as he turned on his heels and walked towards his servant.

The merchant's eyes are glowing in glee with a big grin on his, "I'm gonna closed my stand early and head out and celebrate with this!!" He packed up His jewelries for the night and began heading out excitedly.

"Just a special jewelry." Douma said with a smile. For minute there, Hisashi felt this smile is a bit different than his usual smiles. But he took his mind off it.

"I see. Well, let's get you home now. It's getting dark." Hisashi noted and he looked up the sky.

"You don't need to tell me twice." Douma places the cloth jewelry inside his kimono as his servant leading him through the now less crowds.

———————-

The night is deep, the bright moon is completely out. The stars of the sky play with each other. The beautiful stars that shine in the sky, although not as brilliant as the sun, are not as clear as the moon, but they sprinkle the dreamy light into the world, turning the earths Trang's  into a beautiful world.

That's what Douma love about the night time.

"What a lovely night we have." Douma said as he's sitting in the ground next to their growing tree, looking up in the sky in awe.

"It really has. The moon is also very beautiful." Kotoha stares the long distance, the night is very deep, the beautiful moon is swimming in the sky. The bright moon brings out the night well.

Douma nodded as he keeps staring at the dark sky.

They have been out there for at least an hour now. They been sneaking out in the night time for them to play. Even though it isn't the same as day time but hanging around with each other is still good.

They hardly play since it will be difficult for them to around in the dark time. They usually sit on the ground and talk and sometimes roll on the ground but that's it.

To Kotoha, it's really boring to not do anything.

And Douma feels the same way.

"Hey Douma? I'm bored." Kotoha huffed and leaned her head back in boredom.

"So do I. But what we could possibly play? Not in this dark." Douma pointed out as he's picking some grass..

"Hmm we could at least play something?" Kotoha tried to think of right game that will keep them entertained before the gift giving. A right game that fits in this night.

Game. Night.

"I know!"

Douma flinched abut at her sudden burst and turns his head at her.

"And What will that be?" He asked in a cruise tone with a raised eyebrow.

"Predator and the prey." Kotoha told him with a grin on her face.

"But it's night...how are we able to play when we can't see each other in the night." He pointed out.

"I know but this kind of game suits well for night because predators always lurks their prey at night because that's how they are able to get their prey to them. Plus we haven't play this game for a while. Please and maybe after the game we can opened our anniversary gift! I promised." Kotoha begs to him. She grabs his hand in a pleading matter, hoping it will convinced him.

Douma looked at her hand connected to his and sighed, "Fine but please don't try to get lost or cry if you get scared. You already know what you're getting yourself into."

"Yes okay!" Kotoha pulled herself up along with Douma. Which made him surprised at the sudden action because he almost lost his balanced when she pull him up. He quickly heck his kimono to see the gift is there and it is. He sighed in relief.

"So you wanna be a Predator or the prey?" Kotoha asked as she let go of his hand.

Douma was gonna decide to be a prey but he figured Kotoha will get herself lost when she is searching for him. She can be pretty mindless when it comes keeping up to her tracks.

"I'll be a Predator. But don't try to lose my eyesight when we are in the woods."

"Got it!" Right after she said it, she ran away, heading towards the woods.

"Come and get me!"

She could at least give me a heads up....

He began to sprinting his legs, following Kotoha behind. They both entered the woods, running with a big smiles on their faces. An activity that involves chasing someone, it is such a thrill to be in for Douma. This constant running and chasing will help exercise the muscles of your child's entire body and hence strengthen it in return. He will also change directions because the bubble might go in any direction or he tries to catch another bubble which is in another direction, hence developing his sense and skill of changing direction frequently.

Kotoha felt the rush coming toward her not because he's chasing her but also the night makes the game even better than in day time. Especially the suspenseful it has been going. Even going in the woods just the cherry of on top of this. However, she was so focusing on the excitement of this game that she took a wrong turn, leading her through the bushes and trees. She realizes she got herself into a situation. She looks back to see if Douma is behind her.

He isn't.

She widened her eyes in shock and in fear.

She looked at her surroundings and sees that she's in nothing but dark. Bushes and trees made it even a bit worse as it appears.

"D-Douma..." Kotoha worriedly calling out his name.

She then heard a twig break near her, causing her jump instantly and holding the small bag of gift tightly against her chest and ran. She ran fast as she could with heart beating rapidly and her huffing her breathes. When she took a another turn, she look for her another way out however her surroundings seems to be no way out.

She's lost.

"Oh no...I'm...lost...Douma!" Kotoha shouted. She's slowly looking for any other light out or hopefully a village.

However luck arrive.

She sees a small light distance to her. She felt a big wave a relief then ran straight to the light. However she heard some footsteps quiicky following her behind. She started to panic and quicken her pace, fearing of her life.

Please please please!

Once she finally reaches the light, she came out of the woods. She saw was a cliff not to far from she is. She took couple of breaths and walked towards the cliff. When she's near it, she placed her gift for Douma on the ground and continued to walk until she was on the edge. She took 3 steps back and looked down.

"Wow, this is cliff is....deep...very deep..." she kneel down on her knees and took a look the depths of the cliff. Feeling a bit of anxiety raising up as how far the bottom of the cliff is.

"I couldn't imagine how you could fell or throw something in this cliff...." Kotoha said quietly unaware of what's coming behind her.

"Boo!"

Kotoha immediately jumped up from the sudden burst, causing her whole body to fall on the edge of the cliff.

However, she felt something pulled on the back of her kimono. Looking down she is no longer on the ground but hanging on the cliff. Immediately she is scared for her life and starts to ball her eyes out.

"Help me!"
She also felt she was being pulled back and bringing her back on the ground. She felt grass underneath her body. She flipped over and looked at her surroundings. She finally on the ground.

She looked up and widened her eyes.

"That's the good thing I caught you on time. You were a bit heavy than I thought but I was able to pulled you out." Douma said with a smile.

"W-where were you! You left me alone, jerk!" Kotoha began to cry even more as she kept hitting him on the head.

"Ow!" He rubs his head from the sore she gave him.

"I-I actually didn't left you. I made you think I did that way I can creep up with you as I'm hiding. Like how predators do with their preys. It worked but I almost made you fell so I guess that'll be the last time I will do something like that." Douma explains while rubbing.

"That is still a jerk move to do!" She hit him again.

"Ow stop!" Douma covered his head from her hitting on him. He sees her that she's still streaming tears down to her face.

"Why are you still crying? I told you not cry if you get lost in the woods." Douma said with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"B-because...I-I thought I lost you....I thought I was done for when I fell off....I thought I wa-was gonna d-die!" Kotoha placed both of the palm of her hands on her eyes as she continues to cry.

For some reason, seeing her like this is unsettling. But in a dishearten way. Not because if he knows she's going be okay. Usually when he sees his followers balling in tears after telling their stories, he worries if they are gonna be okay but with Kotoha is irrelevant. Seeing her this upsetting because of him made him ached.

He's trying understand what that meant.

But he does knows he need to do something about her crying.

He crawled over to her and as he's near her, he sit up and wrapped his arms around her. Kotoha stops crying at the sudden hug she received, instantly calming her down and hugged him back.

"Promised me...don't leave me...." Kotoha quietly cried out as she's placing her chin on his shoulder.

Douma blinked at her request.

"Eh?" He looked at her with confused look on his eyes.

"Please...I don't want us to be apart...."

But she we always see each other at night. Why she is asking me such thing? We already here together....does she means being together forever? If so, should I?....

Douma took a moment of thinking before he decides.

He pulls his other arm out and bring it towards her with a hand that only has a pinky,

"Ok." He closed eye smiles brightly which Kotoha responded with the same smile and gladly connected his pinky with her own.

"And I will promise too to never leave you!" Kotoha added as she tightened her pinky with his.

Both of them stayed at the position for a few more seconds before both of them felt heavy on their eyelids as Douma yawned softly.

"It's getting late Kotoha-Chan. I must get going to get a lot of sleep for my followers." Douma let's go of her pinky and stands up.

"W-wait!" Kotoha quickly stands up and stops him before he leaves.

"Our gift!"

Douma eye's widened, forgot about their anniversary gifts for each other. It has been somewhat a long night. They did played thrillingly so it must've took the reminder out of his thoughts. He should strengthen his memory more.

"I will go first!" Kotoha insisted as she went to the cliff and get the small bag she left. Douma nodded and sits down, not feeling like standing since his body is almost shutting down from how tired he's getting.

Kotoha rushes back to him and sit across of him with a excited look on her face.

"Okay I actually got you two things: one is hand made by me and the other is made by my heart." She said with a small blush forming on her cheeks.

Douma raises his eyebrow, "Are we supposed to have our gifts like that?"

"N-not really I mean you don't have to make it on your own. I-I just enjoy crafts that's all and it is a best way to make such lovely gifts! So I'm gonna start off the one I made..." Kotoha took out the bag and carefully reached the gift inside.

"Close your eyes!"

Douma implied. Even though he was gonna peak but Kotoha caught him and he closed his eyes again.

He felt something touches his head and the movements going on. He wanted to open his eyes but Kotoha kept telling him to keep closing. He's hoping she's not pulling some prank on him.

"Tada!"

Douma opened his eyes. He touched some peculiar hat that is made out of a branch around his head.

"I can't see it." Before he gonna take it off to look what the gift is, Kotoha shoves a small mirror to his chest.

"There! Now you can!" Kotoha cheerfully said with a smile.

Douma hold the small circular mirror with both of his hands on each side and take a look of what his gift is.

It's a garland flower crown, the design looks remarkable as around the vines are full of colorful big lotuses flowers, blooming gorgeously making this headpiece to be beautiful.

His eyes widened and touched his head piece, feeling the smooth and real pedals of the lotuses.

"This is amazing..."

Kotoha smiles and nodded, "I made it myself!"

He looks up from the mirror to her light green eyes.

"You really made this?"

She nodded, "It took me quite a long time to get the vines and the flowers together and making sure the flowers are still fresh...but I was able to crafted
them together!"

He smile, "I love it. You don't me a well job with this. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. I still got one more present to give you...." Kotoha cleated her throat but is getting a bit hesitating.

"You seemed anxious." Douma pointed out with a blank face.

"Y-Yeah I am...I'm kinda nervous for what I'm gonna do to do....." She took a deep breathe in and out.

"Ok here it goes....."

She closes her eyes and rest her hands on her lap, the moonlight reflects her so well that it made Douma dawn at the sight.

"You make me smile,

You make me calm

You make me happy.

You have a sweet side that I enjoyed.

It's amazing how I know I can always depend on you.

No matter what mess I am in il

Or what trouble I have gotten myself into

I know you will help me out.

Because you're a good guy.

You never judge. Because you haven't e heart to accept ones who they are.

That's what I admire.

What I love.

Kotoha's lovely vocal tone has stopped as the song ended. She took one deep breathe and put, we her cheeks reddened of what she did. Her eyes are still closed not daring to open them to see her best friend's reactions of the song she wrote for him.

"That was beautiful...you actually wrote the song for me?" Douma finally spoke with eye's widened.

Kotoha finally opened her eyes and gave a big nod.

"Yes! It took me awhile to come up with good words and I even have to stay up to make sure my song for you is good for you...I hope it did."

"Yes it did! And I absolutely love it! You're singing voice is beautiful. I'm truly honored you sing for me. It really makes me happy." Douma graciously said with a closed eye smiled.

"I'm glad you do...." Kotoha shyly said.

They both have become quite for a little bit until Douma finally spoke, "Now it's my turn. You too close your eyes."

Kotoha shut her eyes but have one her eyes peaked open to see the gift as Douma walking towards her but he immediately covers her eyes, "no peaking kotoha-Chan!"

She pouted with her lips. She also felt something sliding in the side of her indigo short hair, pulling couple of her strands in one piece douma is putting it on her hair. He made sure it stayed in the right place and it fits. He took a couple of steps back.

"Ok you can open your eyes now!"

Kotoha opened them but was meted with the reflection of herself as Douma holding the small mirror in front of her. She took a closer look at herself and sees what douma had putted in.

It's a Handcrafted blue lotus hair pin. Flower is make from jewelry resin. Ir looks so glossy and transparent as the thinnest glass. Wire Wrapped Hair Pin Resin Flower made the pin look well crafted.

Kotoha widened her eyes at the beautiful kanzashu and slowly touched the edges of the rims with a teary eyes.

"You got this beautiful kanzashi for me...."

He nodded his head without hesitation.

"Of course. You told me how much you wanted your pwn kanzashi and I know a merchant who sells the most lovely ones." He pointed her blue lotus kanzashi.
"He said that this was the most rarest hair accessories on this country. Luckily I was able to get it before anyone else got to it!" He said cheerfully.

"R-really? Wow this must've been so expensive if it was the rarest one..." Kotoha kept admiring her beautiful hair pin with awe.

"I guess since it costed ¥43 809,73 but I didn't mind." Douma said with a smiled.

Kotoha looked away from the mirror, now at Douma with concern eyes, "W-what!? That much!? Douma....you never have to buy me expensive things even when it is for something simple like our friendship anniversary...."

"Like i said I didn't mind. Besides my family and I have a lot of yen's so dont worry." He said still smiling as he lowers the small circular mirror down.

Kotoha still feels bad for getting such a luxurious gift she doesn't deserve but the fact he seems okay just put her little ease but not entirely.

"This is the best gift you gave me Douma...thank you so much...." Kotoha blushes with a smile.

"You're welcome." He took another look on her kanzashi on her hair. "I told you."

She slightly leaned her head to her side in confusion, "of what?"

"That lotus looks real good on you. It fits even better when it matches you pretty hair." Douma said with a closed eye smile.

"You really think so?" She ducked her head down as she's stroking her small pony tail.

"Absolutely! You look so beautiful." He said.

Douma realized that was surprisingly truth out loud.

Kotoha brings he head up a bit with a soft smile on her face.

"You're so kind and honest. Thank you."

The next thing she knew that her small little feet went up closer to him, she's now standing in front of him with a smile. The same height level. Douma noticed how close she is, but has no clue why she doing. Kotoha slowly leans her face in as she's closing her eyes as Douma stares at her in confusion of what she's doing. He wants to say something or maybe pushed her a little for more personal space that she's already invading. He was gonna speak but suddenly his eye's widened.

Kotoha pressed her lips against his left cheek. Douma didn't know what to do or even say as she's doing this. Her lips on his cheek made seems a bit abnormal.

He felt weird.

For a couple of seconds, she pulled away, still her eyes closed and her face had become redder. She connected her two hands together in front of her as lowering her head up and opening both of her light green eyes.

She sees his face is expressionless. Not even a single reaction occurred. Anxious spieling forming in the pit of her stomach. She doesn't know if it is a good sign or not. Neither of them spoke  until Douma did.

"Why did you do that?" He asked nonchalant.

Kotoha has no idea what to answer or how to make it sound that she doesn't look like a complete weirdo.

"I-I don't know! I-I...I-I am sorry if it weirded you out..." Kotoha blabbered, already regretting and now completely embarrassed.

Douma didn't say anything as she is staring at her, with no reaction at all. He's not either or mad or weirded out. In fact, it felt strange. He then looked up.

"It's getting really late. We better go home and get a lot of sleep." He turns in his heel and look at her.

"Goodnight Kotoha Chan." With that he began to walk away. Not even looking back or even give her the smile after a farewell.

This made her think she had gone too far.

Oh no....what have I done!...I hope I didn't messed it up...I hope he doesn't dislike me now because of the kiss!....I'm so stupid! Why do I always do something without thinking....

I'm sorry Douma....I hope he comes tomorrow night.....

————————-

The shoji door to his room has quietly slide open. Tip toeing to his room and shut the door. Making sure not to step on the creak part did the floor to not disturb anyone's especially his parents' slumber.

He took off his headpiece and went to the right corner of his room. He kneel down and opened a small secret cabinet and placed his headwear there then shut it. He encountered this when he was wandering around this room that was given to him to be near to his chamber.

He knew this secret spot will come in handy someday.

Once he puts it away, he crawl towards his cozy futon, slide under the blankets and lays.

Looking up in the dark ceiling, wondering in his thoughts in confusion.

He wanted to sleep but he couldn't help but think of what Kotoha did was

Out of his line.

But not in a bad way.

As at least he think it is.

He placed his left hand on his left cheek where she pecked.

"I don't know what to really say or think about this

But it is somehow intriguing...."