Under the light of the lantern-trees

ㅤ Their cheeks always flushed the moment their eyes met. They rarely had heart-to-heart talks, often remaining silent together. And each of them never took their eyes off the other during their presentations, admiring their facial features, savoring the intonations of their soft voices. And for those students seeing them for the first time, it was strange to hear that they weren't together. "They've never even been on a date!" their classmates shrugged with ironic laughter. 'A date…?" Jude overheard gossip once and considered. "Is it worth it? Will I bother her? Will she agree…?' He could easily say for himself that he wanted to be with her, that he was so drawn to her. But he was afraid to guess what she was thinking. What if his glances alone bothered her, like any other young man, given her naive purity? Or was she confused about her feelings, and so hesitant? Or what if he irritated her, but out of politeness she kept silent and looked away, just to avoid being together again? 'You never know until you try. Come on, be a man, Jude!' "Mi… Mint," he barely managed to utter her name, catching her after classes and practice. "Y-yes?" was all she could muster. They were silent, looking into each other's eyes, searching for themselves, for their mirrored feelings. Each knew what they wanted, but saying the simple words out loud seemed an impossible task. He hesitantly extended his hand, palm up, inviting. It sounded quiet and sensual: "Shall we go?" Mint nodded with a gentle smile, taking his hand. No matter where, she was ready to follow him. It was as if she had found the other half of her heart, which had never been whole before. They were so alike that it seemed as if they were about to merge into one whole like two drops. 'The whole… Me and him…' Mint was embarrassed by her thought. Innocent, but with a hint of ambiguity creeping into the subconscious. Having bought some mint cocoa with cream to ward off the chill of the sunless city, the couple settled down on one of the benches under a tree. The warm light seemed to envelop them, stimulating romantic thoughts. But not conversation… Nighty Fennmont itself set the right mood. Mint fell in love with the lantern-trees at first sight, even trying to learn how to light them. It wasn't that she failed, but an accident quickly restored her desire to help people with her healing skills. A small cut—she'd dealt with it in no time, but she'd learned a lot. And now, looking at this beauty, she found the strength to strike up a small conversation: "You know, I love lantern-trees so much that I almost became a luminologist once." "Really?" Jude was surprised. It seemed so natural to see her as a medic. "Honestly, it's hard to imagine," he smiled good-naturedly. "White clothes suit you so well, as if you were born to wear them." "White clothes?" Mint caught her ear, taking a moment to form an image. But eventually, Mint and Jude came to this image at the same time, turning away, blushing again. They hadn't yet fully developed their relationship, but the wedding dress had already become a persistent presence in both their thoughts. Words wouldn't come. But Mint's hand was so comfortably supported by the bench that Jude decided to risk everything and cover it with his own, still looking away. Mint squeezed his fingers in response—their first and most intimate physical contact. They didn't need words. Glances, touches—the awkwardness gradually dissolved in the light of the lantern-trees, leaving behind only a feeling of aching comfort. The cozy happiness of simply being near the one your heart has chosen. And they both shared one desire—for this happiness to last forever. ㅤ