Sitting by the house, listening to the humming sound coming from the pond, Hajime's worries finally dissolved. He found that focusing on the sound calmed his mind and heart, a welcome peace reminiscent of the days Kenji was in his life, and a soothing contrast to the insomnia that followed their break-up.
He sighed, breathing deeply. "It would be great if I could live in this little house all my life and listen to this humming." He closed his eyes, leaned against the wall, and began to whistle along with the humming tone.
Michio came out of the house. "You can do it after you help us save Tangzang," he said, sitting next to Hajime. "It's not just you; every one of us thinks the same." He stood up. "I'm going to prepare dinner."
Hajime instantly opened his eyes and jumped up. "Why are we sitting at home when they're having all the fun in the market? I bet they're probably enjoying a treat right now."
"Even if we go to the market, we don't have money," Michio reasoned.
"We don't need to buy anything, we are just going sightseeing," Hajime insisted.
"But the sun will set soon," Michio worried.
Hajime took Michio's hand. "Although you are a monk and reciting Buddhist scriptures is very important, you also need time to enjoy life outside of books occasionally."
As Hajime and Michio walked down the street, they noticed a large crowd surrounding a stall.
"Michio, let's go see what they are doing over there," Hajime urged.
"Why?" Michio asked.
Hajime grabbed his arm. "That's what sightseeing is all about! Turning your nose up at other people's problems. Come on..."
Meanwhile, Yul, Yun, and Bi were making their way to the same crowd, following U-ri and Abrafo.
Walking side-by-side with Yun, Yul felt an unexplainable happiness. His heart was trembling, a sensation he'd never felt, not even with Abeba. He wanted to talk with Yun, despite her silence in the market.
When two men ran past them, Yul suddenly stopped, instinctively grabbing Yun's hand to prevent her from stepping forward.
Yun looked up at him, smiled, and said, "Thank you."
Bi cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "Dear Sir, you can let go of my lady's hand now."
Yul quickly apologized and released her hand.
U-ri turned around. "Hey, come on."
Yul, Yun, and Bi stopped a few steps from the crowd. Abrafo turned back. "What are you doing standing there? Come here quickly!"
"I'm staying here. You two go on," Yul insisted, unwilling to leave the women.
Abrafo walked back. "You're so boring, let's go take a look." He grabbed Yul's hand and dragged him toward the stall.
Yun and Bi had no choice but to follow. Abrafo pushed people aside, clearing a path to the front of the stall. On the table lay beautiful handmade combs, small round mirrors, lip balms, paper lanterns, and sandalwood folding fans.
Teacher Li announced, "As you all know, tomorrow is the day we celebrate love. The things you see are not for sale, but if you can come up with a love poem that satisfies me, I will give it to you."
Abrafo nudged U-ri. "Hey old man, this is your domain! Quote some love poems so we can win some free stuff!" He then looked across the table and saw Hajime and Michio standing on the other side.
"Michio!" Abrafo shouted, waving wildly.
Michio looked up. "Hajime... Hajime... the others are on the other side," he whispered.
Hajime saw Yul, Abrafo, and U-ri. "I told you, they're here to have fun, not for work," he said.
"Should we go over there?" Michio asked.
"No, the table is not that big; there's no need to stay next to them."
A man stepped forward near Hajime. "I got one for you."
Teacher Li quieted the crowd. "Alright, let's listen to this gentleman's poem."
The man looked at the young woman next to him and quoted: "You are my love, my life, the air I breathe. You are my soul, my happiness, everything I need."
He bowed. "Thank you, my lady, for agreeing to my hand in marriage."
Teacher Li clapped. "Very good... this teacher is very satisfied! Go ahead and pick something for the young woman."
The young woman said, "Your poem is your prize. I like whatever you choose." The man picked a small round mirror and gave it to her.
"I'll give it a try," U-ri said, stepping forward.
Teacher Li smiled. "Sir, there is no age limit. Please share your poem."
U-ri quoted: "If you were my rose, then I'd be your sun, shimmering sunlight when the rains come. If you were my fish, then I'd rather be your pond, immersing in love from old sun to new sun."
Teacher Li applauded. "Well done, sir, well done! You choose your prize." U-ri reached out and grabbed a comb.
Hajime looked at the items, thinking Yul might like the sandalwood fan. "I have one," Hajime announced.
Yul, U-ri, Abrafo, and Michio were all surprised. Michio grabbed Hajime's arm. "Are you sure?"
Teacher Li looked at Hajime. "Oh, young gentleman, let us hear your poem."
Hajime looked directly at Yul and quoted: "I've been through a lot of sorrow, I've been forced to endure pain. I have had some secrets that I never could explain. So, if I give you my heart, please handle it with care. Don't go throwing it to the ground and leave me in despair."
Teacher Li clapped his hands. "This is also a happy poem! Secret love poems are always happy. Please give us another one."
Hajime negotiated. "If I quote you another poem, can I get two prizes?"
"Yes," Teacher Li agreed.
Hajime thought for a moment, the crowd waiting patiently. "Oh, okay, here we go!" He cleared his throat. "You are my heart, my lungs, the brain that helps me thinking, You are my arms, my legs, my boat that keeps me from sinking. So, if you are my rose, then I better be those thorns, protecting you from others' evil tones. If you were my fish, I would rather be that river, protecting you never ever to suffer."
U-ri smiled. "You little rascal..." he whispered.
Teacher Li clapped loudly. "Ah, I have never seen anyone do this! You took the words of these two gentlemen and reversed the words and order. Smart move, very smart move!"
He smiled. "What are the two items you like?"
"I want that fan and mirror," Hajime said.
Teacher Li handed them to him. "Young man, maybe this year you will find true love. Best of luck."
Hajime chuckled. "Thank you, I really want to find my true love. This is for you," he said, handing the mirror to Michio.
Michio smiled. "For me?"
Hajime replied with dry humor, "Everyone is tired of being your mirror when you are shaving your head."
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness," Michio said, taking the mirror.
Yun then stepped forward, looking at the Lantern of butterfly and flower on the table. In a voice heard clearly by everyone, she quoted: "In the tapestry of destiny, we were entwined, as soul mates, our hearts forever aligned. He was made for me, a perfect match divine, our love written in the stars, destined to shine."
The crowd was shocked. Yun, who was known to be mute, had spoken, quoting a poet.
Yun reached out, grabbed the lantern from the table, and handed it to Yul. "For you," she said softly. "If you are lost, light this lantern, and it will show you the road back home."
Yul took the lantern. "Thank you," he said, completely taken aback.
Yun smiled at Yul and left with Bi.
The five Tanzanies started walking home, Yul and Hajime following the other three.
Hajime nudged Yul's shoulder. "She surely is pretty. What is her name?"
"I don't know. I didn't ask," Yul admitted.
Hajime smiled brightly. "If your heart wants to know her name, you should ask, instead of continuing to doubt like now. Although you are a big strong man, in terms of courage, you lost to her."
"How?" Yul asked.
"She dares to express her feelings for you in front of so many people, but you don't even dare to ask her for her name."
"There's no need to know," Yul maintained, trying to sound indifferent.
Hajime looked at him pointedly. "Are you sure on that?"
Yul didn't answer but continued walking, leaving Hajime behind. Hajime looked at Yul's retreating back and murmured, "Are you afraid that I will refuse to leave your side? Or are you afraid that if I know that you have feelings for someone else, I won't help you get that white dragon tail?"
Yul suddenly stopped, turning around. "Did you drop something?"
Hajime smiled brightly and quickly ran to him. "No. This is for you," he said, handing the sandalwood fan to Yul. "When I saw this, I thought of you."
"Why me?" Yul asked.
"You often light fires," Hajime said. "With this fan, it won't take long to light a fire."
Yul reached inside his robe and handed Hajime a small, wooden comb. "Here, this is for you," Yul said.
Hajime held the poorly made comb. "Did you buy this?" he asked. "If you bought this, you were cheated."
"No," Yul said, a rare flush of awkwardness on his face. "I had nothing else to do while I was selling hairpins, so I made it."
Hajime smiled genuinely. "Thank you. Although it is not as good as other combs on the market, it is more valuable than any comb on the market shelf." He carefully stuffed the comb into his robe.