Chapter 11 Light Below Moon Garnet (2)
After that, Rinoa went back to blowing soap bubbles, watching the transparent orbs float in the air as if she hoped to carry away all her worries from her face. Yet, amidst the dimness of the atmosphere, a poignant sadness lingered in her glimmering eyes. Before long, Hernandez approached her cautiously, noticing the fragments of emotions reflected in her hidden smile.
"You're acting unusually. Is that really your true nature?" Hernandez asked, his voice gentle yet filled with deep curiosity. "This is the first time I've witnessed the true softness and beauty of Rinoa Alfrenzo," he continued, his gaze full of admiration as if he had just discovered something precious in Rinoa's eyes and smile, highlighting her uniqueness among other girls.
"Why are you saying that?" Rinoa responded, her voice laden with emotion, her eyes narrowing as if trying to comprehend something shocking. "Are you mocking me?" she added, her tone mixed with confusion and a hint of defensiveness.
"I felt both surprised and delighted when you invited me for a walk together. Even though we can't call it a date, my heart truly blossomed in this moment. Everything feels so sweet, as if the world around us paused for a while, and it was just the two of us enveloped in the warmth of the atmosphere."
"So, do you really feel happy?" Rinoa said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Of course," Hernandez replied, his voice brimming with confidence, each word flowing like light illuminating the space between them. He felt a burning happiness within his heart, as if warm sunlight was seeping into the depths of his soul. Yet, in the deepest corner of his heart, he realized that Rinoa was doing all of this not just for him, but to help him complete the thesis that had burdened him, showcasing the extraordinary dedication of this girl.
"You know, humans are not perfect," Rinoa said, gently twirling the stem of the flower given by the little child earlier. She continued to twist it until she heard a soft crack as the stem broke, and the beautiful flower crown fell gently to the ground. The gray sky served as a backdrop for this scene, making the moment symbolic of the imperfection she mentioned, as if reminding us that even beauty can be fragile.
Then, Hernandez gently picked up the fallen flower crown, gazing at it as if it were a precious treasure. The bright and soft colors of the charming petals contrasted starkly with the gray background, creating a moment filled with meaning and beauty amidst sadness.
"Reach out your hand," Hernandez said gently, handing over the shimmering crown. "Humans may not be perfect, but they can be truly human," he continued, his voice filled with hope and understanding, encouraging Rinoa to embrace the imperfections and beauty within themselves.