perfectmatch | week three

Spring.

[ She answers quickly, thinking her choice won't be terribly surprising... but she has more reasoning for it beyond just 'liking flowers.' ]

That's the time of year when everyone's spirits are highest. You make your resolutions and wishes on the New Year, and spring is when you start to move forward with them. You let go of what's clung to you from the past year... and begin anew.

[ along with all the plants and animals in nature. With the butterfly safely transferred to her hand, she lifts her finger and lets it flit away, where it goes to circle the blossoms pinned into her hair. ]

Those sorts of traditions were a big deal in my village, especially wish making.

[it isn't! not at all. her color scheme in and of itself gives it away, as well as the preferred season for her flower of choice. but he is interested in her explanation anyway, and listens with obvious interest even as another butterfly settles cutely between his tufts of hair]

We have similar practices back home. . . on the first of the year, it's tradition to visit a local shrine and make a wish for the upcoming twelve months.

[even if that day falls in the middle of winter where he comes from, and not spring]

What kind of things did you wish for, when you were growing up?

[since she has confided in him that she is not he wishing fairy she held herself out to be]

[ She looks up in thought. ]

Well, when I was young, I'd wish to get my powers faster, so I could grant everyone's wishes!

[ But of course, as she explained to him... that was all a fairy tale, made up by her family to soften the blow of her past. ]

Other times, I'd also wish for cute clothes for this girl in the village who loved them... or for extra money to come in to help my uncles who were struggling with debt. It changed year to year, but I was always really grateful to everyone who brought me up. So my wishes were usually about them.

[aaaaah those selfless wishes. . .]

You really cared about them, didn't you?

[heh. . . what he says next is a little sheepish]

I'd usually wish for money, or good grades. Sometimes for that girl from the other class to look my way.

[god, what trivial wishes. what a silly, carefree kid he was. . .]

. . . when I got older, all my wishes would be for my mom. Some of them came true.

[but obviously the big one-- the one of which he does not speak-- did not]

Hahaha.... so you were more of the shy type when you were younger...

[ Wishing for a girl to notice him... that is so cute. Too cute, in fact, so she has to tease him a little bit about it. Purposefully leaning in a bit, all secret like: ]

Isn't there anyone you're wishing to notice you right now...~?

[ It's a more lighthearted break from the topic of family that's passed on — maybe something they need, before things get too dour. It's not forgotten, far from it. But she's got to do recon, too! ]

[turning a little pink when she leans in, lifting a hand to his mouth to clear his throat, gaze flickering down. another butterfly flutters its way onto his shoulder, settling there gently. he doesn't shoo it away, either]

. . . well. Maybe a few people.

[he does not name names!]

But in the end, it's better for someone to look at you because you were yourself, and not because of a wish. Right?

Of course! A wish can't make someone fall in love with you... these sorts of things are better settled by a person themselves.

[ Getting a girl to look his way — going out and pursuing her himself would always be the best way, in her opinion. Wishes like that, while cute, she always had to tell people she wouldn't be able to grant so easily. ]

Rather than hoping in silence... why not just tell them how you feel directly? That's a faster way to grant your own wish.

[ she says this all like it's easy??? ]

[SHE SAYS IT LIKE IT'S EASY??? but he just smiles, gaze growing a bit distant, a bit pensive, as they continue to walk. the next time a butterfly floats towards him, he extends one of his own fingers to allow the bug a small perch]

There are a lot of factors, aren't there? Like whether they're openly interested in someone else, or just not that into me at all.

[. . .]

Or whether wanting them to look my way means I just want to spend time with them to see where things go, or whether I actually—

[. . . have feelings?]

Want to be together?

[ She asks, tilting her head. There's a difference between the two — just wanting someone's attention because you want to be closer, versus really pining for someone. ]

. . . yeah.

[she gets it without him having to find the words, and he appreciates it more than he can say. all of this has been deeply trying for someone him, even if he has gone into it with his genuine best]

How. . . do you know the difference, Yingying?

Hmmm... there's a difference between "wanting to spend time together" and "wanting to be by someone's side."

[ Slight, but important. At least, that's the way she sees it. ]

Do you have an idea for what that might be?

[he shakes his head, giving a little helpless shrug]

Not in the slightest.

week three | dates

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