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The sun was setting behind the towering palm trees of Melemele Island, casting long shadows across the sand. The air was warm, filled with the scent of saltwater and the distant laughter of children playing along the shoreline. You had just finished another long day of training with your students at your dojo for Kapu Kuialua, your muscles sore but your spirit high. You were proud of the work you had put into the dojo, and even prouder of the students who had come to learn from you.
As you finished locking up the doors, a large figure appeared at the entrance, and you felt your breath catch. Standing there, his arms crossed and a warm smile on his face, was Hala, the Kahuna of Melemele Island. He had come to see your dojo.
"Kahuna Hala," you greeted, bowing deeply, your heart racing. You had admired him for as long as you could remember. The way he carried himself with wisdom and strength, the way he guided the people of the island with a firm yet gentle hand. Seeing him here, in your dojo, was almost surreal.
"Alola," he said in his deep, soothing voice, stepping inside. "I’ve heard great things about your dojo. Thought I’d see for myself what all the talk was about."
Your chest swelled with pride, though nerves gnawed at you from the inside. As he walked around the dojo, examining the training mats and the traditional weapons, you couldn’t help but steal glances at him. There was something about the way he moved, his calm demeanor, his sheer presence, that made your pulse quicken.
When he turned his attention back to you, offering praise for the dedication and discipline you instilled in your students, you couldn’t help but feel something stir within you. It was admiration, yes, but also something deeper, something more intense. It hit you like a wave, you were head over heels for Hala.
From that day on, you found yourself seeking him out more and more. You would run into him at the market, offering to help carry his groceries. You’d spot him by the docks and ask for pointers on your own training methods, though you hardly needed them. It became a routine, finding little excuses to be near him, to hear his voice, to bask in his presence.
Hala noticed, of course. He was a wise man, and he saw through your transparent attempts to spend time with him. But he never said anything, never called you out. He would smile that warm, knowing smile of his and engage you in conversation, always giving you the time of day, as if he was waiting for you to make the first move.
One evening, you were walking along the beach when you spotted him sitting on a bench near the water. The setting sun cast a golden glow across the ocean, and the air was filled with the gentle rustling of the waves. Without thinking, you made your way over to him, heart pounding in your chest.
“Kahuna Hala,” you greeted, trying to keep your voice steady.
He looked up from the horizon and smiled. “Ah, there you are. I was wondering when I’d run into you again.”
You chuckled nervously, scratching the back of your neck. “I guess I’ve been… around.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Around, huh?”
You sat down beside him, feeling the warmth of his presence beside you. The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sun dip below the horizon. There was something peaceful about being near him, something that made all your worries melt away.
After a while, Hala turned to you, his gaze soft. “You’ve been seeking me out a lot lately.”
Your heart skipped a beat. “I… I guess I have.”
He didn’t say anything, just continued to look at you with that calm, knowing expression. You swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the unspoken words between you.
“I… I admire you, Kahuna Hala,” you finally said, your voice barely above a whisper. “More than I can say.”
He smiled, a gentle, understanding smile. “I’ve noticed.”
You looked away, heat rising in your cheeks. “I just… I didn’t want to be too forward.”
Hala chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that made your heart flutter. “You’ve done nothing but be forward.”
You laughed, rubbing the back of your neck. “I guess I can’t argue with that.”
After that night, you continued finding ways to be near Hala. You’d help him with deliveries, run into him at the market, and spend long afternoons discussing the traditions of the island. Each moment with him only deepened your feelings, and though he never said anything, you could sense that he enjoyed your company as well. There was a quiet understanding between you, a shared bond that grew with each passing day.
Then came the Melemele Festival.
It was a night filled with music, dancing, and the scent of flowers. You had dressed in traditional garb for the festival, your clothes adorned with vibrant blooms that symbolized celebration and good fortune. As you moved through the crowd, your eyes instinctively searched for him, and there he was.
Hala stood near one of the bonfires, laughing with a group of islanders, his deep voice carrying over the music. The sight of him, dressed in his own festival attire, made your heart skip a beat. Without thinking, you made your way over to him.
“Kahuna Hala,” you greeted, your voice almost drowned out by the sound of drums.
He turned, his face lighting up when he saw you. “Ah, you’re here. Good.”
You spent most of the night by his side, laughing and talking as the festival carried on around you. There was something easy and natural about being with him, as if the rest of the world faded away when you were together.
As the night wore on, Hala turned to you with a thoughtful expression. In his hands, he held an intricate lei of plumeria flowers, their soft pink petals glowing in the light of the bonfire.
“For you,” he said, holding it out.
You blinked in surprise. “Hala, I…”
“Take it,” he said, his voice gentle but firm.
You hesitated for a moment before accepting the lei, draping it around your neck. The soft fragrance of the flowers filled your senses, and you felt your cheeks heat up.
“You should give this to someone special,” you said with a nervous chuckle. “A lucky woman, maybe.”
Hala’s smile softened, and he took a step closer, his large hands resting on your shoulders as he looked into your eyes. “I know.”
Your breath caught in your throat. “What do you mean?”
“I know that you like me,” he said quietly, his voice steady and sure.
You felt your heart race, your face flushing as his words sank in. You had tried so hard to hide your feelings, to play it cool, but Hala had seen right through you.
“I… I didn’t mean to—”
Hala chuckled, cutting you off. “You didn’t mean to be so obvious?”
You laughed nervously. “Yeah… that.”
His hands squeezed your shoulders gently, and he leaned in just slightly, his breath warm against your skin. “It’s alright. I’ve known for a while. I was just waiting for you to come to terms with it yourself.”
You stared at him, your heart pounding in your chest. “And… what do you think?”
He smiled, a slow, approving smile that sent warmth flooding through you. “I think I enjoy your company. And I think I wouldn’t mind spending more time with you.”
You exhaled, relief and joy washing over you in a rush. Hala’s hands lingered on your shoulders for a moment longer before he pulled you into a gentle embrace, his presence comforting and grounding.
As the festival lights flickered around you, you knew one thing for certain, you didn’t need any more excuses to be near Hala. You had found exactly what you had been searching for.
And from that moment on, you and Hala spent more and more time together, your bond growing deeper with each passing day. Whether it was intense matches in the dojo, long walks along the beach, or shared meals at the local market, every moment with him felt like a gift. You had found not just a friend, but someone who saw you, who understood you, and who returned your feelings in ways you had only dreamed of. And for that, you were eternally grateful.