Volume 1. Chapter 42

The sun was rising higher, filling the forest with soft light. Ken and Lily walked along a narrow path that twisted between the trees like a ribbon. After a delicious breakfast, their spirits were high. Lily spoke about the plants and animals they might encounter along the way, while Ken interjected now and then with witty remarks.“Is it true that in your world all plants are boring?” Lily asked with a gentle smile, looking at Ken.“Well, not exactly boring,” he answered thoughtfully. “They’re just... predictable. Roses are red, daisies are white, that sort of thing. No surprises.”Lily chuckled softly, but then Ken suddenly stopped, his attention caught by something off the path.“Wait,” he said, leaning slightly forward. “What is that marvel?”Lily followed his gaze. Amidst the green grass grew a flower, bright scarlet, with petals that shimmered as if made of precious gems. Its beauty was stunning — it seemed to glow from within.“That’s…” Lily began, but her voice faltered, and she suddenly fell silent. Her eyes widened, and her breathing quickened as though she didn’t know how to respond.Ken glanced at her in surprise but didn’t think much of her reaction. He stepped forward, crouched, and carefully picked the flower, trying not to damage it. Then he stood, turned to Lily, got down on one knee, and held out the flower.“The most beautiful flower in the world — for the most beautiful girl,” he said with a wide smile, looking straight into her eyes.Lily froze. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked away, nervously clasping her fingers. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared Ken might hear it. Finally, pulling herself together, she carefully took the flower from his hands.“This…” she took a deep breath. “This is a special flower, Ken.”“Special?” He raised an eyebrow. “You mean it’s poisonous?”Lily shook her head, still avoiding his gaze.“No, it’s not poisonous. But it’s… rare. Very rare. This flower is traditionally given to a girl… by a man who wishes to marry her,” she finally said, her voice trembling. “But you didn’t know that, of course, so… forget it.”Her last words were quiet and tinged with sadness. Lily turned away, but couldn’t hide her expression. Her heart, which had been racing wildly, now sank.Ken realized he had to act quickly. He held up the flower but decided to explain first.“Hey, Lily,” he said gently, looking into her eyes. “In my world, flowers are just a way to show someone that they’re important to you. It doesn’t mean anything… deeper. You’re important to me, and I just wanted to make you happy.”Lily slowly turned toward him, her gaze still a little shy, but calmer. Ken’s words warmed her, and she felt her heart begin to beat faster again.“Really?” she whispered.“Absolutely,” he nodded. Then, with a playful smirk, he added, “But, milady, since I’ve already made this blunder, might I ask for a chance to correct it?”Lily looked at him in surprise, but he continued with a completely serious expression.“I’m far too young for marriage - perhaps we could delay such decisions? Let’s see how things develop before rushing into anything.”Lily blinked in confusion, then suddenly burst out laughing. Her bright laughter echoed through the forest, and Ken grinned, knowing his plan had worked.“You… You’re impossible,” she said between laughs, covering her mouth with her hand.“It’s part of my charm,” he replied, giving her a theatrical bow. “My mission is to bring you joy, Lily.”She shook her head, trying to stifle her laughter, and looked at the flower in her hands. Its petals continued to shimmer in the sunlight, reflecting her joy.“Thank you, Ken,” she said softly, her voice gentle. “I’ll treasure this flower.”With that, she carefully placed it in her bag, as if it were something incredibly valuable. Warmth filled her body, and her heart once again beat with joy.They continued their journey, chatting again about various things. Lily asked questions about Ken’s world, and he told her about his school days, how he once accidentally burned an omelet, and why cars in his world broke down so quickly. Lily laughed, occasionally asking for details, and their conversation flowed easily and freely.Time passed, and the sun continued its journey across the sky. Lily couldn’t stop thinking about the flower now resting in her bag. Every minute spent with Ken felt special - filled with light and warmth. She felt their bond growing stronger with every step, every word, every glance.“I’ll treasure this flower,” she repeated to herself, feeling joy blossom inside her. That joy was quiet but warm, like the morning sun’s rays lighting their path.