The evening sky was painted in golden hues as they finally arrived at a vast plantation stretching as far as the eye could see. A gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of soil, mingling with the fragrance of leaves still damp with dew. The warm air wrapped around them, bringing a sense of tranquility rarely found elsewhere.
Before them, rows of grapevines sprawled, heavy with clusters of ripe purple fruit, hanging as if waiting to be picked. Bright red strawberries peeked from between lush green leaves, while large, glossy-skinned watermelons sat firmly in the soil. Not far away, a tea plantation stretched like an endless green carpet, undulating along the curves of the land. In the distance, sturdy coffee trees stood tall, releasing their signature aroma—one that evoked memories of peaceful mornings.
Mei's eyes widened, her lips slightly parted. "This… is incredible. So many fruits and vegetables," she murmured in disbelief, her voice thick with awe.
Navies, who had been watching her closely, crossed his arms over his chest. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he took in Mei's expression of pure wonder. "Do you like it?" he asked softly.
Instead of answering, Mei stepped further into the plantation, her fingertips brushing against the fresh, dew-kissed leaves. Then, as if unable to contain herself, she let out a small laugh and spun around, her light dress twirling with her movement. Her laughter rang through the evening air like a delicate bell—clear and melodious.
Navies raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by the sight of the usually reserved girl acting so carefree and cheerful. A strange warmth filled his chest—subtle, yet undeniably real. Until now, he had only known Mei as someone calm, sometimes too serious, as if an invisible wall separated her from the world. But here, surrounded by the lush greenery and fading golden light, that wall seemed to crumble.
"Take whatever fruits and vegetables you like," he finally said. "Bring some home for your mother. I'm sure she'll love them."
Mei's eyes sparkled as she turned to him before eagerly plucking strawberries and grapes. She grabbed one, popping it into her mouth, and immediately, her eyes fluttered shut, savoring the burst of sweetness on her tongue.
"I'm taking them all!" she declared with her mouth full, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel hoarding food for the winter.
Navies chuckled quietly, almost unable to believe how different she seemed. Watching her like this, it was hard to imagine that behind her carefree laughter, Mei carried so much pain.
Without much thought, his hand lifted naturally, and he gently ruffled Mei's hair. "No rush. Eat slowly," he said.
Mei froze.
A wave of heat rushed to her face, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. She couldn't move. She couldn't think.
Navies, still wearing his relaxed smile, seemed unaware of how much his touch had shaken her. To him, it was simply a natural gesture—something done without a second thought.
But for Mei, that touch alone was enough to send her heart racing so hard she feared Navies could hear it.
She lowered her head slightly, hiding her now crimson face behind the strawberries in her hands.
Navies said nothing. Yet somehow, as the evening deepened and the light grew softer, something had shifted between them. Something indescribable yet undeniably real.
Mei continued picking fruits with renewed enthusiasm, her fingers swiftly selecting the ripest ones. The fabric bag she carried grew heavier with each addition. Under the slanting rays of the sun, the green leaves shimmered softly, creating a soothing atmosphere.
Navies, who had been observing her from beneath a tree with his usual composed expression, finally joined in. He selected a few perfectly ripened fruits, his movements quick yet careful. His gaze occasionally flickered toward Mei, who kept smiling as if she never tired.
Amid their excitement, an old man dressed in simple clothing approached, carrying a few extra bags. His face was lined with wrinkles, but his eyes radiated warmth and kindness.
"Use these, child. It'll be easier to carry everything," he said, handing the cloth bags to Mei and Navies.
Mei accepted them with a broad smile, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Grandpa!" she exclaimed cheerfully before eagerly returning to filling the bags with fruits and vegetables.
However, amidst her busyness, Mei began to take in her surroundings. The vast plantation stretched endlessly, trees neatly arranged, swaying gently in the evening breeze. Curiosity crept into her mind, making her glance toward Navies.
"Navies, does all of this belong to you?" she asked spontaneously.
The old man was about to speak, but Navies answered first. "It belongs to the people here," he said casually. "They let me pick as much as I want because I work here part-time."
Mei looked at the old man, seeking confirmation. He only gave a small smile and nodded slightly without saying a word. There was something unspoken in his gaze, but Mei chose not to dwell on it. She shrugged, then eagerly tugged at Navies' arm.
"Let's find more fruit! I want to bring something unique for Mom!"
Navies chuckled at the girl's enthusiasm. Without much protest, he followed her lead. They continued exploring the plantation, weaving through rows of trees and bushes brimming with ripe fruit. The golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky, casting long shadows between the trees.
After wandering for quite some time, their bags were finally filled with a variety of fresh harvests. Mei looked satisfied, occasionally peeking into her bag to make sure all her choices were there.
"Is this enough?" Navies asked, glancing at Mei's nearly overflowing bag.
Mei nodded brightly. "Yes! I think Mom will be really happy!"
The sky had darkened by the time they made their way back to the main road. Navies pulled out his phone and, without saying much, ordered a taxi for Mei.
"You'll go home in this," he said, pointing to the taxi that had just stopped in front of them.
Mei stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Thank you, Navies. I really had fun today."
Navies simply nodded slightly, his expression as calm as ever. However, just as Mei opened the taxi door, she hesitated and turned back to him.
"Tomorrow… can I come here again?" she asked hesitantly.
Navies was silent for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "Of course. Anytime you want."
Mei's face lit up with a wide smile. Then, without thinking, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Navies in a tight hug. He was caught off guard. Warmth. So close that he could feel the faint rhythm of her heartbeat. His breath hitched for a second.
Navies wasn't used to being hugged like this. Yet, strangely, he didn't pull away. Something stirred within him—something unfamiliar but not entirely unwelcome. Like a soft electric current running through his body. Without realizing it, his hands slowly lifted, hesitantly returning the embrace.
Feeling his arms wrap around her in response, Mei hugged him even tighter. Without realizing it, tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down, leaving tiny damp spots on Navies' uniform. She wasn't sure why her heart felt warm yet melancholic at the same time.
A few silent seconds passed. Then, with slight reluctance, Mei finally released her hold. She wiped the corner of her eyes and smiled softly.
"See you tomorrow," she whispered before stepping into the taxi.
Navies remained standing there, watching the car's red taillights fade into the night. The evening breeze carried the lingering scent of the orchard they had just explored. He took a deep breath, then without a word, turned and walked away, leaving faint footprints on the soil now dampened by the night's dew.