Chapter 1

Destiny can take us all into different places. One person can be born into he city and dream of returning to the country life. Others are born into sleepy villages who will someday lead productive lives in the bit city. We sometimes follow the path started by our family, while others forge their own path. In this huge vast world, anyone can be anything they put their minds into. As long as you have a dream and a desire for something great.

Popuri was born in Mineral Town, a small farming town far away from any cities. She grew up in a chicken ranch filled with birds and family. This caused her to have a strong love and respect for all birds, especially those that live in her family’s ranch. Because of her strong love for birds, Popuri dreams of taking over her family’s business in her father’s place.

Unfortunately for Popuri, her mother Lillia has fallen ill. Because of this, her father Rod has traveled far away chasing a clue to the location of a rare flower that can cure his wife. But he has been gone for many years, and nobody knows where he is. Because of this, Popuri’s older brother Rick is now working in the ranch in their father’s place.

Popuri tried hard to convince her family to let her work on the ranch. But the ranch has always been run by men, so Rod entrusted all his knowledge of chicken ranching to Rick instead of Popuri. As a girl, Popuri has always been expected to grow up, marry, and have children. While she has no issues with being a wife someday, she also wants to work in the chicken ranch along with her brother. She feels that is it unfair that she is left out of the family business because she is a girl.

Years pass, and Popuri grew into a beautiful young woman. Her long pink hair catches everyone’s eye around town. Her figure is the envy of the other girls. Her light creamy skin is flawless and glows with the light. Her white blouse, black corset, and her red long skirt can turn heads as she walks around town. There has been many young men who has tried to take her hand in marriage, but she won’t give in to anyone. Only a man who respects and sees her as more than a housewife can ever touch her heart. She wants to be free as a bird, and will only be interested in someone who will let her be be that way.

One summer day, a young man named Kai decides to open up a diner on the beach of Mineral Town. Since the moment Kai stepped foot there, he has become the most popular guy in Mineral Town. Women flock the beaches every morning to get a chance to flirt with the tall dark and handsome traveler. None more so than Popuri herself.

Popuri sees Kai for more than another handsome face. What makes Kai so interesting is that he is everything Popuri wants to be. He is free like a bird. He travels from town to town setting up a place for people to enjoy his cooking. He goes where he wants, he leaves when the weather gets cold. Popuri can only imagine all the wonderful places he has ever visited.

Popuri’s feelings are not one sided. Kai has also taken a keen interest in Popuri as well. After becoming friends, they found that they have a lot in common. Their friendship blossomed into romance soon after. Even after Kai leaves during the fall, Popuri waits until he comes back the next summer. Each time he comes back, butterflies form in her stomach as she watches his boat sail towards Mineral Town. She only hopes that someday he’ll take her with him and make her his wife.

Once again, fate was not kind to Popuri. Kai’s popularity with the women of Mineral Town has caused many problems. Many of the women are married, and many of the men become jealous and upset of his yearly visits. Even Popuri’s brother Rick has caused issues for Kai. He doesn’t like Popuri dating him, and does everything he can to stop her from seeing him. But even with the hostility of the men of Mineral Town, Kai continues to come back to Mineral Town each summer. Even if only to see Popuri.

Kai and Popuri’s relationship is difficult. They can only meet at night in secret, and Kai gets harassed all the time by residents. He is not welcome in any summer festivals or other village activities. Once he tried to hang out at the inn, a fight almost started between himself and the other men. Even with so many issues, Kai and Popuri does their absolute best to make things work. But time wears their bond thin, and Kai wonders if it is worth so much drama for Popuri’s love.

Kai loves Popuri, but he is afraid to take her with him. Mineral Town is her home with her family. Her dream is to take over her family’s business, not something he can help her with. If he marries her, she will only be a wife to a traveling cook. Even though he loves her, he doesn’t want to take her freedom.

One summer evening, Kai meets up with Popuri at their usual spot at the beach. Popuri was expecting him to charm her with fancy words or a romantic love letter for her to read when she gets home. Maybe even a heartfelt proposal so they can run away together. Instead, Kai tells her something that makes her very sad.

“You’re breaking up with me?” asked Popuri. “But why?”

“I’m so sorry,” answered Kai. “Things are not working out between us. I can’t keep coming back here if I am not welcome. So tonight, I am leaving and never coming back.”

“Then I’ll go with you,” cried Popuri. “That way we can be together all year long. I can help you with your business and-”

Kai shakes his head no and explains, “you can’t come with me. You have so many beautiful dreams and goals. You can’t fulfill them following me around the world cooking for random people. That is my dream. I want you to stay here with your family and create your own path.”

Popuri covers her mouth, then sobs and weeps. Never in her life did she expect to get her heart broken so suddenly. Since meeting Kai, all she has cared about is being free and traveling the world with the man she loves. She doesn’t care about the chicken ranch, she wants Kai. Now he’s leaving for good without her. It is too much for her to handle.

Kai holds Popuri and wipes a tear from her cheek while looking into her large red pupils. “I just want you to know that I still love you. And as long as I live, I will always love you. No matter how far away I go, my feelings for you will never change. Do you understand that?”

Popuri nods sadly. Kai then kisses her one last time before slowly releasing her. He then walks away to climb into his boat. Just before he leaves, he says, “farewell my love.” He then unties his boat, causing it to drift into the night following the summer winds.

Once Kai vanishes, Popuri runs home and cries all night long in her bed. She is filled with grief, and she doesn’t get a single wink of sleep all night long. The love of her life just left town, vowing to never return. Not even a clue to where he is going so she can find him.

Popuri doesn’t leave her room for about a week. Her mother tries to comfort her, but she won’t let anyone in. Even after she comes out of her room, her family knows she will never be the same. During the fall, she has trouble eating and she loses a lot of weight. As she walks through town to get medicine for her mother, the residents of Mineral Town sees such sadness in her eyes. The only thing she has left are the chickens of the ranch, the same birds she is not allowed to care for.

Time passes, and Popuri’s heart slowly begins to heal. Winter passes by, and all the villagers are bundling up in their houses celebrating the many festivals. The famous dog races that fills the people of Mineral Town with excitement. The winter Thanksgiving Festival which girls give chocolates to boys. Starry Night Festival is an evening where everyone bundles up with their loved ones on Mount Moon and stare at the stars. And the New Years Eve Festival where the residents of all ages celebrate the passing of a new year. Only person not celebrating this winter is Popuri, who just stares out to the ocean hoping Kai will change his mind and come back for her.