She sat in the backseat next to me placing Kenji beside Kai.
He was the one driving along that empty highway, with loud music playing through the speakers.
She extended her hand out the car window, letting it dance with the wind stronger than usual because of the car's speed swaying her small frame gently to the rhythm of the songs.
Then, she leaned out, letting the breeze tangle and tease her silky strands.
"We're here!"
she exclaimed, her eyes wandering with curiosity as the car gradually came to a stop minutes later.
We stepped out, Kai and I carrying our own bags, heading toward the house with the white wooden panels.
It was a large house big enough to hold all of us comfortably.
Bongi added playfully, tugging Kenji by the arm,
"Kenji, you and Kai handle our luggage. Seiji and I are going to get a few things ready."
She winked at me as she pulled me along with her.
We each grabbed one end of a deep red blanket and spread it across the grass, which was a tall blend of yellow and green.
She placed the large basket full of fruit in the center, pulling out some forks and plates.
Then came the cake she had made herself topped with white cream, carefully decorated with dozens of hand-drawn flowers in vibrant colors.
She sat down gracefully on the blanket, smoothing out her yellow dress, its edges trimmed with delicate white lace. The sleeves, mid-length, fluttered slightly in the wind.
She then placed a woven straw hat on her head, gently calming the rush of her light caramel hair that danced with the summer air.
We all sat on the red blanket, decorated with intersecting white lines.
We ate cake together while taking in the breathtaking beauty of the nature around us.
Then Seiji stood up suddenly, smearing whipped cream across Kenji's face.
She retaliated, getting both Kai and me as well. Laughter filled the air as she ran,
Kai chased after her,
and I ran after Seiji, trying to get him back.
All that could be heard then were our echoes of laughter.
Later that day, I sat on the bed in the shared room with Kenji, drying my hair.
I wore a white dress tight around the upper body, flowing out loosely past the waist.
I braided my hair carefully into a soft plait.
Kenji wore a white t-shirt and loose gray sweatpants, her hair tied into a high ponytail.
We ran through the open field covered in long grass, wildflowers, and golden wheat.
"There are horses over there!"
cried Kai, pointing toward them. We headed in their direction.
There were several horses eating from the tall grass, with an old man sitting beneath the heavy shade of a large tree.
He was dressed in full denim, parts of it patched with mismatched fabric.
A straw hat shaded his face, and he held a wooden toothpick between his lips.
He rose slowly, walking toward us.
"You must be our guests! Welcome to our orchards and farm… I hope you'll join us for dinner tonight!"
Kenji responded, looking over at us with excitement,
"Yes, yes! Let's go!"
Kai nodded politely,
"It would be an honor."
The man smiled warmly.
"Would you like to feed the horses?"
he asked.
My gaze shifted back to the horses.
"Yes, sir, I would love to!"
He chuckled softly, picking a few apples from a nearby tree and handing them to me.
I approached one of the brown horses, gently feeding her and running my hand across her head, stroking her slowly.
"She's one of the calmest we have in the stable. She opens up only to those she feels safe around. Her name is Kyoli."
"She's just like you calm and at ease around those she likes,"
Kai teased, clearly trying to get a reaction.
It worked I started chasing after him, trying to kick him playfully.
Was he comparing me to a horse?!
There is beauty in the faces of the quiet ones… beauty that doesn't need to speak to be seen.