“I’m glad we did, too,” I say. “I should try to get lost more often.”
Haru leans back and smiles. If only we had met each other sooner. I wish I could stay with him longer, explore the rest of the festival together. It’s funny how some people walk into your life. A few hours ago, we didn’t even know each other. Maybe we’re meant to take the wrong train sometimes.
We finish our tea and head outside. As we step into the street, Haru turns to me and says, “If you have time, there’s one more thing I want to show you. It shouldn’t take too long.”
“You said that a couple hours ago,” I remind him.
Haru grins. “I thought you were having fun.”
“Yeah, but I really do need to get back.”
“The Chuo line comes every ten minutes,” he says. “I promise we’ll make it back in time.”
I think about Daniel again. He’s probably wondering where I am. But I’m sure he can wait a few more minutes. “Alright, if you promise.”
Haru smiles as he motions me to follow him. We turn down the side street, moving through the narrow space between the shops. Normally I wouldn’t follow a stranger like this, especially through unfamiliar alleyways. But it feels like we’ve known each other longer, maybe in another life or something. I can’t really explain it.
Haru leads us across the road and through the trees. There’s a stone path lined with red lanterns that look like tiny houses. I keep looking around, wondering where he’s taking us. Then the gates of the temple come into view. All the trees have been decorated with colorful slips of paper, hundreds of them, tied up with white strings.
There’s a wooden table at the end of the path. Haru walks over and picks up a slip of paper. “This is a tanzaku,” he says, placing it in my hand. “During the Star Festival, we write wishes on them and hang them in the trees. I thought you should make one before you leave.”
“What are we supposed to wish for?”
“Anything you’d like,” he says.
Haru grabs a slip for himself. Then he leans over and starts writing. I stare at the piece of paper, thinking of what I want. It takes a moment for something to come to me. I grab a pencil from the table and write it down. Haru drops some coins into a wooden box, then steps toward the line of trees. I watch as he ties his wish to one of the branches. Then he turns to me, waiting for me to do mine.
As I stare at the trees, a breeze comes through, blowing white petals across my path. I turn toward them, wondering where they’re coming from. On the other side of the gate is a wall of white flowers, covering the stones like a curtain. A few wishes have been tied to them as well.
“It’s jasmine,” Haru says from behind me.
I glance at him and back at the flowers. “Yeah, that’s my sister’s name,” I say. “They’re her favorite.” I find a spot on the wall and tie my wish tightly to a vine. A few petals fall to my feet. Then I turn around.
“That’s a good spot,” Haru says.
“I think so, too.”
We look at each other again. I notice he’s holding something.
“What’s in your hand?” I ask.
“Nothing.” Haru shakes his head, slipping it into his back pocket.
I give him a suspicious look. Then my phone vibrates in my pocket. There’s a few new messages from Daniel.
where are you??
You’re supposed to be back by now
we’re going to miss the ferry
I glance at the time again. Then I turn to Haru, letting him know I have to go. Haru nods and takes out his phone. As he’s checking the train schedule, his brows furrow. “That’s unusual,” he says. “Looks like there’s a problem with the Chuo line. The last train it’s showing comes in six minutes.”
“How often does that happen?”
“Around here? Never.”
For a second, I think the universe is interfering. Maybe I’m meant to spend more time with Haru so we can get to know each other better. But the memory of my kiss with Daniel rises to the surface and I feel a knot of guilt. I can’t keep him waiting for me longer. “My friend is gonna kill me,” I say.
