It was 10 p.m. and Hajime was playing bowling with his teammates. The message he had received a couple of hours earlier was from Kimiko , an invitation for a moment of peace and relaxation after all those training sessions and minor missions, especially to distract themselves from what had happened in the southern district.
At that moment, Hajime and Kuro were competing to see who could score higher, inevitably ending in a tie.
"Wow, you're actually really good. I thought you two would suck at this." (Kohaku)
"Maybe their neurons only activate when they're insulting each other." (Kimiko)
After an hour and a half, the group of teenagers changed location, heading to a park. Hajime was with Chloe, getting drinks from a vending machine.
"…so… how have you been feeling lately?" (Hajime)
Hajime tried to break the ice. Chloe had been through hell even though she hadn't been captured , she had almost died, and Hajime wanted to help her somehow, especially after learning she hadn't been able to help her friends who were locked in cells. Chloe felt even more useless than she already believed herself to be, though she would never admit she was hurting, even as Hajime wanted to support her.
"Me? I-I'm fine, don't worry."
From her words alone, Hajime could tell she wasn't fine. Not at all.
He knew that despite being the strongest in the group and the one with the most magic, Chloe was mentally fragile. He wanted to help her in some way.
The silver-haired boy felt a strange sensation in his chest , a warmth and a dull ache at the same time. Chloe seemed embarrassed, looking at Hajime in a way she never looked at anyone else.
(Could it be that she…? No, what am I thinking… Calm down Hajime, just find a way to help her.)
As he opened his can and took a sip, an idea struck him.
He decided to text Kohaku to ask for a favor. Since he didn't want people around, he wanted to speak with Chloe alone. After reading the message, Kohaku smiled and agreed to help him.
"Kuro, Kimiko, what do you say we go to the cinema?" (Kohaku)
"What? But Chloe and Hajime aren't—" (Kuro)
Kohaku leaned close to Kuro's face and whispered, cold and firm:
"We're going to the cinema. They'll join us later, okay?" (Kohaku)
"Y-yeah…" (Kuro)
Kimiko didn't say anything. In fact, she supported Kohaku's suggestion, having understood quickly enough what was going on — despite her limited attention to detail.
A couple of minutes later, once the others had left the park, Hajime turned to Chloe.
"Would you… umm… come with me somewhere? I want to show you a place with a beautiful view."
Even though Chloe noticed Hajime's sudden change in behavior, she nodded and followed him to a particular area of the island.
***********************
After about twenty minutes of walking, Hajime and Chloe finally arrived at their destination , an abandoned lighthouse on the beach, in the highest area of the central island.
Chloe could see the clear, calm sea under the moonlight , an unknown world to explore and discover.
One of Hajime's dreams was to explore the world, to travel to different places and make new friends and acquaintances. A childish dream perhaps, but one he longed to fulfill. Like Chloe, and many others their age, he had been trapped on the island, unable to see the outside world.
They stood in the room where the lighthouse's beam once shone. Nearby was the old bed of the keeper, with some drawers next to it , not unusual, since some keepers slept near the lighthouse in case of emergencies.
"It's… it's beautiful." (Chloe)
"My father was the keeper of this lighthouse, and I basically lived in the house below it with him and my mother. It was a small refuge for me. I used to look at the sea reflecting the sunset, and it calmed me. My father traveled a lot when he was young. He told me all his stories right here, every time I had a bad day. I don't even know if all of them were true but… I loved them. When he died… everything fell apart in my life, and so… well, here we are." (Hajime)
"I'm sorry… Why did you bring me here?" (Chloe)
"Sometimes I come on weekends to remember the past and forget the present. I think about what the outside world might be like: Asia, America, Europe, the other continents… I'd love to see them someday. I brought you here because… maybe it could make you feel better. I wanted to understand why you've been so restless.
When I talk to you, I feel calm and safe… like the sea reflecting the full moon.
I don't really know how to explain it." (Hajime)
"You… weren't thinking of something else?" (Chloe)
Her cheeks were red, her breathing unsteady. She looked away, embarrassed to meet his gaze.
"Mmh? What do you mean?" (Hajime)
"I-I don't know how to explain it… Hajime, whenever I see you in danger or when you almost died, I felt… worried. Worried for you.
I wanted to help you, to support you… but I couldn't. Every time I feel so useless.
I can't accept it. When I use my powers I can't fully control them… I feel like… I'm not needed by you… like I can't stand by your side." (Chloe)
"Chloe, your powers don't control you! you control them. You're the reason they're strong. What Kohaku said that time doesn't matter to me.
Because you can break free from all of it.
I know you can. You're an amazing girl with a kind heart." (Hajime)
"Is it possible for you to be this stupid? You still haven't understood!?" (Chloe)
"What do you mea—" (Hajime)
He didn't finish the sentence.
Chloe had already moved close to him, and the moment he turned toward her, she kissed him.
The silver-haired boy froze. He couldn't think, couldn't process, couldn't believe what was happening in those few seconds.
The kiss lasted for a moment before she pulled away. Hajime's face was completely red.
He gently touched Chloe's cheek with his right hand, speaking in a soft, trembling voice.
"C-Chloe…" (Hajime)
This time, he kissed her , a deeper, more passionate kiss, as if he had become addicted to something he had never experienced before, something called "love."
His heart wanted more, endlessly more.
Their bodies grew warm, their hearts raced, their breaths trembled.
Their actions, even without words, clearly meant one thing:
"I love you."
*******************
Chloe lay on the lighthouse keeper's old bed, and Hajime leaned over her.
They were close , closer than they had ever been , both overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment and the feelings they had been holding back for so long.
"You're beautiful… Chloe." (Hajime)
"…I-I want to be with you… Hajime…" (Chloe)
Their foreheads touched as they held each other tightly, letting their emotions speak louder than words.
The night became a memory they would never forget , a moment of pure connection, warmth, and tenderness.
They stayed close, sharing whispers, kisses, and the comfort of being finally understood.
It was the first time Chloe had felt such deep happiness in a long time, as if she had finally rediscovered something precious she thought she had lost: joy.
" I love you so much… Hajime." (Chloe)