Mystery 4: -If you hold hands with someone at exactly 7pm at the shed near the train station, the place will be filled with lights -

Being the village as it was, the only manner of transportation to get there was via train or personal car. But since there was nothing much in the village compared to other tourist spots, few tourists would waste their effort in even visiting. This was the reason why even the usage of the train is very seldom. In fact, the train only arrives every 4 hours from 10 in the morning to 10 in the evening.

"So, we are going to wait for about 2 hours here?" I asked with just a bit of anticipation. I was planning to head home and sleep but because Arya insisted, we went to the said train station to wait. As the hot summer air blew past us, I felt like I shouldn't have agreed to Arya.

"Yep. The mystery says that it should be around 7pm after all." Arya replied with her carefree voice as she balances herself while walking on the yellow painted line indicating the boundary between the waiting area of the station and the train rail.

"Stop that. It's dangerous." I complained as I let out another sigh. I tried grabbing Arya but she just evaded my hand before skipping towards the empty seats on the waiting area. I sighed once more.

"How about we talk about stuff?" Arya suggested as she looks at me in the eye.

"Suit yourself." I replied unenthusiastically before sitting down just a sit away from Arya.

"Hey, do you remember the last time we played here?"

"Why are you asking that suddenly?"

"Aren't we going to have a chat?"

"Ah, right. Well, I don't think I remember."

"Well, it's been like 10 years ago anyway. But, I can still clearly remember how much fun we had at that time." Arya laughed softly before letting out a sigh filled with nostalgia.

"What are you talking about?"

"When I think about it, every single fun thing that has happened to me, you were there." Arya continued without paying any attention to my question as she blankly stares at the sky. "We are always together, aren't we?"

"Arya? Why are you suddenly saying that kind of stuff?" I asked in confusion. It was very rare to see Arya like this much more to hear her say this kind of thing. It made me feel embarrassed and anxious at the same time. Whenever Arya gets all meek and polite, she would always demand something outrageous.

"Nothing. I just want to thank you. That's all." Arya said with a smile.

"That is really unlike you." Seeing her smile like that, it made me feel like she really just wanted to thank me. But this was Arya we're talking about. I shouldn't let my guard down.

"What's the deal? Here I am seriously expressing my gratitude to you." Arya cutely pouted.

"Well, you're welcome I guess." I said as I give a rather sarcastic reply.

"Ah, you are making fun of me!"

It was our usual exchange. Somehow, even if this was just our usual conversation filled with teasing, my heart can't help but beat faster. Despite the fact that I know I should be on guard since Arya was acting this way, I can't help but to enjoy the situation. It's probably because of the fact that it was only the two of us or probably because of the mood, but Arya was extra beautiful that night.

"The way you protected me from the boxes a while ago, you were really cool."

"It just so happen that I was nearby. There's nothing much to it. But yeah, thank you for reminding me. You should be careful. You're always like that." To suppress this feeling that's forcefully trying to come out, I decided to lecture Arya.

"Reve, do you still remember your promise to me when we were kids?" Arya said in a rather gentle but shy voice.

"Huh? What are you talking about? You're changing the topic again?"

"Well, you said that when you grow up, you'll marry me. You were really cute at that time."

"Wha-"

"I can still remember how red your face was back then. I think I said yes at that time." Arya started teasing me. The topic came out of nowhere that I was totally caught off guard. Even though I knew Arya was up to something, this was totally unexpected. And because of that, I was blushing like a freshly picked tomato.

"Hold on, what are you sa-"

"Ah, you are blushing." Arya pointed out before laughing. She really was enjoying this.

"No, I'm-"

Without even giving me a chance to say anything, Arya drew closer. Her beautiful sparkling eyes looked directly at me making me blush even more. After seeing my reaction, she mischievously smiled and said, "Say, Do you still feel the same way?"

"Huh? I don't get you. Why are you suddenly-?" It's not like I don't get what she was saying. But given our current situation, I can't even think straight. Her face was too close to mine. My heart was pounding extremely fast like a drum being hit really by multiple persons. I can feel every beat telling my soul to say the words of affirmation.

"Come on. Get a hint already. It's also embarrassing for me, you know?" Arya said, but this time not with her usual cheerful tone, rather she said it with a hint of embarrassment.

"As what I said, I really don't get what you are trying to say." I tried to deny even more to silence the loud beating of my heart. But the harder I try to deny it, the harder it was for me to breathe. It feels like the truth was grabbing me by the throat, squeezing my vocal chords to utter the words I needed to say.

"Do you still want to marry me?" Arya asked shyly.

She really asked me that. Even I can't bring that up so upfront because I'll be embarrassed as hell. But she just asked me that with our faces so close to each other. I could no longer hear anything except the soft breathing of Arya and the sound of my heart. As the pounding of my heart got faster and faster, I decided to yield. "Well, I guess-"

Again, before I could even finish my words, Arya interrupted me. But this time, she was shouting. "Ah, look at the time! It is about 7pm already. Hurry, we need to hold hands."

With no warning or such, she reached for my hand. Softly and gently, our fingers intertwined. And as if trying to complement that very moment, the area was suddenly surrounded by lights. Fireflies danced in the air, illuminating the dark night sky. With the golden light from the fireflies painting the purple and dark blue canvas of the evening sky, the area turned into a masterpiece so picturesque that it feels like a dream. In the mid of that scenery, I was holding Arya's soft and delicate hands. The beating of my heart a while ago didn't calm down, but I can finally breathe. Was it because I accepted the fact? I didn't know. But one thing was for sure, Arya was especially beautiful tonight. I can't even fully appreciate the scenery in front of me as I focus all my attention towards the beauty beside me.

"How long are you going to hold my hand?" Arya asked shyly.

"Ah, sorr-" I was about to let go when I was interrupted by Arya.

"No. Please, don't let go. Let's stay like this for a while." It was rather an unusual request coming from the ever so cheerful Arya.

"It's so beautiful." Arya said as she immerses herself with sight in front of her.

I silently gaze at Arya for a moment, and the words just left out of my mouth. "Ah, it really is a beauty."

No matter how much I want this very moment to last forever, it would surely come to an end. As the lights died out and the scenery vanished, we let go of each other's hand.

"Well, I guess that's it for this day." Arya declared softly.

"Uh, yeah. I guess so." I replied with a slight brush of red on my cheeks.

"Well, see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah. See you tomorrow."

And thus the two of us went home feeling a little bit embarrassed by how close we were a while ago. But before we totally parted ways for the day, Arya stopped.

"Reve!"

"Yes?"

"Let's enjoy our adventure!"

"How silly. Sure!" I shouted in return as I enter my house.

After lying on my bed, I started fidgeting. Damn! We were so close that we almost kissed! What was that? Is that some kind of romantic comedy? I couldn't keep my cool. But really, her hand was really soft. That was so embarrassing that I might die. I hope tomorrow won't get awkward. Well, it's Arya after all. Surely, this won't bother her so much. Yes, as if nothing happened.