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Sweet Dreams Are Made Out of These Shapes
‘There is smoke and fire everywhere… The pretty blue sky I had seen before is all dark now… The buildings of the big city are broken and crumbled. I hear so, so, so much crying everywhere. Mr. Traveler kept telling me that they are really bad people, even the innocent people… He told me doing this with my powers will help the poor people like the nice ones from the village. This is the right thing and the only way to save them, but it doesn’t feel like it is right… My chest hurts so much… I can´t move my legs…’
“Papa! Mamaaah!”, a child cried desperately in the distance. It tried to pull out two unmoving bodies, which were buried beneath the rubble of a broken charred building. It used to be a store, but the signs were burned away during the fire blast.
The child turned its face to Koharu’s direction. A look and its expression broke down now entirely in tears, wailing loudly at the realization of the lives lost because of her.
“I did that… My fire powers did that…”, Koharu clutched her chest. Her heart tightened unbearably in face of the pain she brought upon everyone. She wanted to fall into pieces but couldn’t. “Everyone was right. I am a Monster. I will always be a Monster! I shouldn’t even be alive in this world in the first place!”, Koharu cried in grief at the realization of atrocity she had committed.
Her friends must hate her so much for what she did. She can’t go back to them ever again. ‘But Senri… He would hate me the most for this…’ She wanted to disappear. Suddenly someone put a hand on her shoulder.
“Koharu! Wake up!”, an unmistakably familiar voice could be heard somewhere in the distance.
“Koharu. You did well”, Shiro praised her. “With your tremendous strength and my guidance, we have proven to the entire world to what happens to those that stand against us. Those who justify their cruelties inflicted upon the ones under their oppression, just to maintain their farce of peace.”, He said the latter with evident derision. Shiro changed his tune, “You belong here with me.”
‘Mr. Traveler… He looks really happy but…’ The face of Senri and all of her friends popped up in her mind.
Everything started to shake.
‘But… Is this where I belong? Doing awful things like now?’
The shaking got even stronger.
“Mr. Traveler is this really tru-”
“Koharu!”
Everything turned bright.
“Aahh!”, Koharu woke up screaming while being shook.
“Koharu it’s just a nightmare! I am here!”, Senri called to her. Immediately he stopped his shaking and took Koharu in a hug. “Nothing whatever has happened in this dream is real… You’re safe in your room Koharu…”, her told her quietly to sooth her.
She clutched him tightly, “Senri…”, she sobbed. She could feel how cold and shaky her body is. Her face is wet. At least she started to feel how her fast-thumping heart, her breathing started to slow down as well.
Senri’s patting her back helped her great deal. He only let her go after she had calmed down. She tried to wipe her face dry with the sleeves of her pajamas.
Koharu finally looked up at Senri. His worry for her was clearly reflected in his expression. The bright light behind him streaming into her room means that it is morning.
“Thank you, Senri. I feel a lot better now.”, she smiled at him. Tiredness was hanging over her now. She looked at the clock up the wall “Oh. It’s almost for time for breakfast.”
Her smile reassured Senri somewhat, his tense expression relaxed into his usual smile again. He had noticed that Koharu wasn’t entirely fine from the scare, he’s glad that Koharu brightened up again though.
He had to try to broach that topic, “…Koharu, breakfast can wait. T-This is the second time that I had to wake you up in this way.” he risked dampening her mood again. Senri held his other arm out of slightly returning anxiety, “M-maybe you can tell me if this had been going on for longer. Or just started recently…”
Koharu’s face clouded over Senri’s worry for her wellbeing. She wants to explain as good as she can. After gathering the right words in head she started, “I-I had been dreaming about very scary things… About the horrible fighting I had seen… Because of these dreams, it is very hard to fall asleep… Sometimes I think, I don’t even want to sleep at all Senri…”
“It is okay, Koharu. You don’t have to tell me everything at once” Senri didn’t want to push her further than she was ever comfortable with. He won’t ever forget what he and everyone else had experienced, because of this war and the trickery of that damn Shiro Yuiga.
Koharu didn’t say anything. She just smiled sadly at him. Senri hated to see his beloved Koharu downtrodden like this. First, he had to get her out of her head. “Uhh… Koharu don’t you want to get changed first? We are going to miss out on breakfast. We might have to starve until dinnertime.”
“Huh? Ah!” Koharu just realized her tardiness and jumped out of her bed.
“…I will go outside and wait till you are done.”
With that Senri left Koharu’s room. He had no issue sleeping to the last minute if that meant seeing Koharu’s face first in the morning and in turn doing the same for her, when they’d agreed to take turns in waking each other up in the mornings. Each time it felt like true alone time just for him and Koharu. Especially for himself.
He remembered that one time, when he accidentally let it slip out, it would be easier to just share the same bed with her. The worst thing was Koharu heard him say that, but at the same time, the implication for them as a boy and a girl of their age to do that (Especially in a romantic relationship), shot right above her head beyond the sky. The embarrassment still haunts him to this day. Senri wanted to cringe himself out of existence at that memory.
Well, I got to spend an entire night Stargazing with close with Koharu from that…
“Senri I’m done!”
The door behind him opened and he turned to the girl, he came to love so wholeheartedly, stepped out and eagerly took his hand.
“We can make it on time if we run fast!”, Koharu shone brightly with her cheerfulness of the sun.
Senri felt like his heart would burst up in flames. He hated running but he would run as fast as he could for her. Koharu is the most important person in his entire life. He’s determined to make her the happiest girl in the whole wide world and he will ensure that she will stay the happiest girl in the future.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the best of making Koharu the happiest girl in the world.
Fortunately, Koharu and Senri made it barely on time to the dining hall for breakfast.
Koharu felt much better now after Senri had given her a long hug, after being woken up by him from that scary dream.
She felt tired and wasn’t really hungry like she normally would be in the morning. She knew that eating properly was important, especially when they had to do their duties on the ship, the work of collecting and destroying weapons around the world as well.
Akito always put his best into cooking meals for everyone when he was on kitchen duty.
In the last months he and Akito were getting along amazingly in comparison to how they used to be in the beginning, since then Senri complaints about Akito’s dishes ceased (He does when someone else cooks though). Koharu is happy for that they are on much better terms now.
So, she must keep eating well, but her food kept slipping off from her chopsticks. Senri was sitting beside her eating his food without a complaint. Seated in front of them were Mikoto and Nanami. Itsuki used to be there too, but he got shooed off by her seatmates moments ago.
“Unbelievable that Itsuki had the nerve to ask you such an indecent question first thing in the morning! Next time he is getting a good smacking from me!” Mikoto was agitated, her hands were perfectly still while she held her chopsticks.
“Agreed.” Nanami went back on her meal.
“Damn pervert! When he asks you something like this again Koharu, tell me and I make sure, he will never speak a word again.” Senri stabbed his food. The sudden outburst startled the girls. “Uhhh… sorry…”, he mumbled in far quieter tone.
Itsuki had only asked if a certain special someone kept her awake throughout the whole night. For Koharu it sounded like an innocuous question about her sleeping habits. So far only Senri knew about that about the bad dreams, she didn’t really want to talk with her friends about that to not make them worry even more than they already did.
“Umm… I have some troubles sleeping at night recently… Not always but it happens. When it happens, I read my books to know more about important things and it does help to fall asleep easier…”, Koharu said to Mikoto.
In the evenings Koharu was reading the books, she had checked out from the library and they do help to get a night’s sleep at least. She has fun learning more about things about the world, fun stories and staying informed.
“Well… You do use your time efficiently to learn more about important subjects. You did improve in more areas now Koharu. If your sleep difficulties continue, you must go to the sick bay to get yourself checked. Lest it might be a serious condition.”, Mikoto made her concerns clear.
“Thank you Mikoto. I will go there if it won’t get better soon.” Koharu is happy with Mikoto praising her hard work of learning. She is glad to have a friend like her.
Nanami nodded in in silent agreement with a hum.
Senri looked down in thought with a sullen gaze.
I am happy for Koharu to have the girls around. Way the most preferable scenario to any of the guys! I am aware that she doesn’t want to worry anyone about the cause. If I hadn’t seen her crying and turning in her sleep that one time when I came to wake her up, she might have kept it secret from me… No! No! No! No! No! I have to come up with an idea on what to do now! Being unable to do anything is the worst!
“Senri! We have to go now to the fields. Your bowl is empty and it will get all scratchy!” Koharu put a hand on his shoulder to get him out of his head. For her his rambling was barely audible.
He hadn’t noticed how long he spent ruminating. For any outside onlookers Senri Ichinose looked like a fish out of water gasping in the dry air. A comparison that the more outgoing members on board had dropped on him more than once in the past.
After clearing up their table, Senri and Koharu went to do their work on the fields for the day.
What no one had noticed was that the second guy from the table round managed to sneak back unnoticed to the dining hall. His portion of the breakfast was taken away already.
“Damn, I messed up here big time, didn’t I? This kind of ‘getting no sleep the whole night’ was very likely of not so fun reasons… Might turn into a bigger problem if nothin will be done about it. Hmmmh…” Itsuki Kagami closed his eyes in thought. He rubbed his neck, groaned and drawled to no one in particular, “Aahhhh… A helping hand will be needed for that trouble…”. Then he left the room to attend his business for the day.
Maintaining the fields and watering crops went smoothly. The hours passed by quickly while the group of four did their labor. Kakeru and Senri were annoying the hell out of each other for the sake of fun, while Koharu was busy happily watering the crops and Toya tilling the soil.
Done by afternoon, they had their free time to use as they wanted for the rest of the day. Meanwhile Senri had gotten an idea of what he can do to cheer up Koharu further.
Something she loved to do for him countless of times, yet he hadn’t done the same for her yet. To get even started he had to find Shukuri later.
Naturally Akito Shukuri was in the kitchen. Senri found him right away at the sink washing fruits.
In the last months Senri came more often to him by during the afternoons, he had learnt that it was Shukuri’s usual time to make snacks for everyone here on the ship.
There is so much stuff on the counters… It’s spacious enough in here for multiple people, asking him won’t hurt, but he looks so concentrated…
“Umm… Shukuri!”, Senri called to him from behind.
“Ah. Senri!” Akito turned to the younger boy, positively surprised to see him in the kitchen at this hour, “You’re here too early, I just started with the prep work you know. Or do ya want something else?”, he inquired.
Usually, Senri comes by to get his and Koharu’s share of Akito’s self-made snacks when Akito was done and called for the crew to pick their portions up. Today was different.
“Yeah, yes actually. I want to make baked sweets for Koharu.”, he went straight to the point.
“You wanna bake sweets for your girl!” Akito did not expect that answer. Senri did use the kitchen when it was his team’s turn for cooking duty. What he just said was a first. “And do you know what you wanna make?”
“Cookies. The simple ones…”
“Do you know how to make’em?” Akito already knew the answer.
“…No, but I want to try anyways Shukuri!” Senri was determined to put in the effort for it even when he has to learn it from scratch right now.
Akito took a second to think about it. He smiled at Senri, his answer was no-brainer, “Alright I show ya how to make it the right way! I planned to make some anyway.” He placed his hand on Senri’s head and ruffled his ash gray hair.
“Hey!” Senri didn’t expect that display of affection from his senior. He’s relieved that Shukuri will help him through the entire process. He’s great friend.
The master-disciple duo readied the additional utensils and ingredients, since Senri portion will be made separately from the batch that Akito wanted to make. He explained to his junior what the order of steps are and the importance of the right measurements as to not waste ingredients. Senri made sure to follow Akito’s suggestion to bake sugar cookies, since they are beginner-friendly for him and easy to do.
Senri followed Akito’s lead by paying attention to his movement by his best ability. His arms felt tired and would probably fall when he’s done that’s for sure, his legs too. The hope of seeing Koharu smile as a result of hard work will be absolutely worth the effort. She does bake on a regular basis, now it’s his turn to stand for hours in a kitchen.
“Important thing is while mixing the wet ingredients first before you add the flour.”
Senri cracked an egg into the butter-sugar mixture, then added the oddly brownish substance that gives sweets their vanilla flavor. He kept beating it with his whisk. Finer handwork was no issue to Senri thanks to his nimble fingers.
“Now ya have to put flour through the sieve into the bowl. Or it gets all clumped up!”, noted Akito. “Now keep beating it with the whisk!”
“Yes!” Senri kept the beating until it all got doughy. “Hrrrrngh… This got so firm!” he gnawed under his breath.
“Senri, watch the angle of ya wrist! Put your strength from your lower arm Wait…” Akito left his station to fix Senri’s posture, “That’s better! Keep going. Now use ya hands for scraping everything off and get to the kneading.”
It did get easier, but my arms are getting number with each minute! My hands are kneading the dough. It feels so sticky, soft and moist. Not that I hate it or anything! He kept kneading it on the worktop.
“A man has to know his own strength to use it the right way!” Akito rolled out his dough out on his station. “Senri, do not forget that an apron is not for wiping hands. Only grubby slobs do that! Wash them off, then dry them with right towel.”
“Yes!”
They continued until all bowls of the dough were worked on and the trays were put into the refrigerator afterwards. Thanks to Akito’s direct and patient teaching the whole ordeal of making the cookie dough passed.
The next steps are definitely easier for him. Finally, Senri had a chance to take a break, while Akito showed no signs of exhaustion. Senri sighed.
“So had you and your girl a fight and now you wanna make up with her?” Akito’s question went straight to the point.
“I believe that might’ve been better…” A fight with her would have been resolved easier. A lovers spat would have ruined his day though.
“She has been out of it lately. You don’t have share anything if it’s a very touchy subject.”
Senri needed a moment to gather his thoughts on what he can share with Shukuri. Staying quiet seemed an option. Saying nothing might change things for ways for better, worse or lead to a standstill.
He remembered Kuga’s words from this morning that Koharu’s sleep troubles might be a sign of a condition.
After the crisis with that damn war and Koharu’s disappearance due to my mistake… She must have been through the worst of it from us all. Staying quiet and doing nothing might end up worsening the problem. We can finally live free and in peace with our powers and I don’t want to see her pain continue, because the exploitation of that bastard is still keeping a part of her heart trapped…
Senri took a breath, “… I take a good a guess that Koharu hasn’t told you of her sleeping troubles yet... When I came to her room this morning, I had to forcibly wake her up. She turned and even cried in sleep while mumbling… It wasn’t the first time I had witnessed that and I don’t know how often that had happened Shukuri…”, he told him in his soft and firm tone.
Akito needed to process Senri’s revelation about the weight of the situation. Senri’s trust in him was invaluable to him. The young boy had proven multiple times his courage and determination to go above and beyond for the girl he loved. Entrusting Senri with his half of his powers was the best decision he made in his entire life.
From the time spent with the younger pink-haired girl he knew how her cluelessness and soft-heartedness made her one of the most emotionally vulnerable members in this place. She had the status of a younger sister to him. He remembered the way she told everyone her experiences that happened to the point of her rescue by Senri. The toll it had taken on her was an undeniable fact…
Akito gave his answer, “…Senri the most important thing you can do is to make her clear that she’s not alone in this and she has support. Especially from you, since you’re the closest to her. Think about the stuff, only you can do for her Senri when she’s on her lowest point. Grab the chance when it comes up for doin some deep talk!” To emphasize his encouragement, he placed a hand on Senri’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Shukuri. You are a great friend…” Senri took Akito’s advice to heart.
Akito only smiled in response to his gratitude. He looked at the clock, it was time to continue with the baking. “Senri, ya can take out the trays outta the fridge. I’ll go to heat up the oven right now.”
“Yes, I’ll get to it!” Reinvigorated went Senri back to cookie business.
The next steps were the easiest for him and he could feel his arms again. After getting the cookie cutters out of their storage space, Senri picked out the ones with cute shapes. The shape of flowers, hearts, stars and decorated with colorful sprinkles.
The image alone of Koharu squealing up in joy, when he will present the sugar cookies to her later, made the physical labor so far absolutely worth it for Senri.
He and Akito continued in silence until the entirety of the dough was cut out and the trays were shoved into the oven. The timer set for the countdown.
“So… it’s time for more waiting again, or not Shukuri? Koharu got an amazing amount of patience to deal with that every time…” Senri could see his own reflection on the squeaky-clean surface of the oven door.
“Duh! Senri ya gotta bring in the patience for baking. Damn, for cooking in general! The more often ya do that, the more ya get used to it!” Akito brought the vital patience to clean up after his own messes in the kitchen.
They were too absorbed in looking at the fruits of their labor rise up in the heat, to notice the reflection of the girl standing behind them.
“So, you are making cookies?”, the girl made her presence known with her quiet even voice.
“Uhhhgh!”
“Waagh!”
Senri and Akito jolted up in surprise at the sudden remark and turned around to look behind themselves.
“Nanami! What the hell was that!” Akito wasn’t a fan of greetings like these.
“I followed the fragrance wafting out into the corridor. I was there a short while ago to see what you were making Akito. I went out, since you were busy in teaching Ichinose your techniques, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”, gave Nanami as an explanation. She smiled as if it would suffice.
“M-my heart… I thought my he-eart stopped… I could have died!”, said Senri weakly, he held on for dear life, his hand clutched the chest area of his apron.
“I am sorry for scaring you Ichinose…” Nanami bowed in sincere apology.
“I-It is alright Shiranui. I am fine… I am fine… nothing happened!” This can’t be a common occurrence here or not Shukuri?!
Akito asked her seriously, “Popping in and out every few minutes without saying anything just not to be a disturbance sounds like excuse Nanami. Something is troubling you or not?”
He had noticed her awkward behavior from the shadows during the lessons he gave to Senri. His first thought was that Nanami wanted to grab a snack when she went to the kitchen to him, a habit developed when the ship became her new longtime residence. She didn’t need to be reserved about a non-issue.
Her subtle smile sank and her purple eyes gleamed in worry “I am worried about Koharu. For you as well Ichinose…”
They didn’t know what to say and lowered their gazes. Naturally Nanami was worried about her friends.
“Did Koharu tell you something?” Senri had to ask.
“What Koharu told me were about the nightmares related of the armed conflict we’d been and the time she’d led away to what I assume to be a cover identity of Shiro Yuiga…”
Koharu, Nanami and Mikoto continued their rotation of sleeping over in of the other girl’s room. Albeit with unregular frequency currently. The arrangement made it impossible for Koharu’s problem to go unnoticed by the latter two girls forever.
The previous week Koharu had slept in Nanami’s room. Koharu told her about the nightmare after waking up in the middle of the night. Based on Senri’s reaction this morning about Itsuki’s comment, she’d deduced he knew about it too already. Mikoto not yet so far.
It's relieving to know Koharu wasn’t entirely alone with her fears… But I wish she could’ve told me sooner instead of keeping it to herself until she can’t hide it anymore… “Shiranui… I am grateful that you stood by Koharu when I couldn’t be of any help to her in that moment…”, Senri truly meant it.
Nanami smiled at Senri’s honest gratitude,” I am glad to be able of being of help.”
Akito finally broke his silence, “It’s great that you showed the girl to not keep her trouble bottling up and there are people for her to rely on, Nanami. You know what just take these to her to get her mind off from this heavy stuff a while longer.”
He handed to Nanami the washed off fruit to share with Koharu. “The cookies need still time before they’re done for good, you know when to come back again!”
“Understood Akito!” Nanami then went out with the acquired snacks.
With that Akito sent Nanami off out of the kitchen with his own way of showing his care for those important to him. A rare sight for Senri to be in the vicinity of Akito’s and Nanami’s exchange.
“Shukuri, how much time is left to get the trays out of the oven?”
“Wait… In about half an hour. After that the sweets need to cool off too before you can grab yours”, Akito said after checking the timer.
Senri groaned.
Akito added on, “Senri, work in the kitchen isn’t done while when the oven runs. I wash off the used kitchenware while you can wash and cut the fruits.”
“Auuugh…” Senri won’t ever forget how Akito had drilled the importance of a clean work environment and the of usage waiting time into him during his lesson.
Today was one of the times that Senri Ichinose wanted to do work even when it was hard. He thought of what he could have done else instead, but he never will regret his decision to seek out Akito Shukuri’s help today. As long as Koharu smile stayed truly genuine, it will be worth any strenuous effort.
Koharu was sitting in the library at the table with a stack of books placed on it. She was looking through them to decide which to check out later. She wasn’t alone there, aside from the librarian Hiyoko, Mikoto and Sakuya were present. They were sifting through the shelves with very complicated topics, like politics and modern history.
Koharu would have needed multiple dictionaries to understand the advanced technical terms. Fortunately, the library had acquired a large number of new books during their world travels. She was amazed at the newest and very fun discoveries to read up on, but even she has gotten tired of browsing without finding an answer to her problem.
Insomnia sounds similar and not the same time for my problem… I didn’t know there were so many different kinds of sleeping troubles. Medical books used to be hard to read but now I can comprehend more the content they convey to me. This one is very easy too at least…, She sighed.
“Koharu, from the amount of sighs you have made today so far now, might my assumption of weeklong heavy rain be correct, or not Sakuya?”
“I haven’t seen any sign of that happening anytime soon, Mikoto.”
“Ah! Mikoto and Sakuya! What kind of books did the two of you take?”
Mikoto and Sakuya sat down at the same long table where Koharu was currently sitting. The duo of childhood friends placed down their own book stacks down. Koharu enjoys talking to them for a change of pace.
“Me and Sakuya picked out guidelines on the manners and etiquette of the countries we haven’t visited yet. This is important to know how to properly converse with the representatives from different cultures”, told Mikoto her friend. Sakuya agreed silently.
“Woah! that’s amazing Mikoto!” Her friend was one of the best to handle the talks with high-ranking leaders. Koharu wondered if she and Itsuki had made up after Mikoto had gotten with angry with him this morning. “…Mikoto did you and Itsuki make up?”
Mikoto harrumphed, “Itsuki?! He should have held his tongue and what does he- asks you an inappropriate and rude question regarding your relationship with Ichinose. I didn’t expect him to blow up at Itsuki that way…”
She and Itsuki shared a special relationship, never would she let him pass his nonsense, especially not if it concerns her female friends. “Itsuki has to blame himself for that. Hmpf!”, she concluded.
That means a no… Well, it won’t take too long for them to get along again. But Senri, he did calm down afterwards and I know he only got so upset at Itsuki out of worry… I hope he enjoys what he’s doing now. Senri told me to meet him outside of my room later…, Koharu thought. She looked forward to seeing him, they always had fun together, especially since they became a couple.
The door leading inside the library opened and fourth person entered the room. Koharu, Mikoto and Sakuya looked in the direction of the newcomer.
“Ah! Nanami!”, Koharu lit up at the sight of her lilac-haired friend.
“Good to see you again, Nanami.”, Mikoto followed. Sakuya did the same.
Nanami greeted them and took her seated herself besides Koharu. She held a bag to her chest and went to empty out the contents of it. “Here. Akito gave them to me for us to share.” It was a colorful variety of shiny fruits.
“Aww~ thank you Nanami! And Akito too, for giving us these tasty-looking fruits!”, Koharu remembered something important, “…But Nanami. Eating in the library isn’t allowed. The librarian might get mad at you for packing food out there…”
“Koharu is right Nanami. Food and drinks are prohibited in the library. It’s unsanitary and could damage the books within here”, Mikoto pointed out.
“…Oh” Nanami had forgotten that rule. “We can eat them later outside then”, she offered as an alternative.
Nanami’s suggestion was approved by Mikoto and Koharu as well. Sakuya only watched in silence. Enjoying himself at the sight of the girl’s exchange. Mikoto in particular.
The group had a fun time during their stay in the library until the sun went down. They left when it was time for dinner. The rest of the evening had the espers for themselves.
Senri was walking down the path to the area where the living quarters are located. It was dark outside, thankfully the lamps illuminated the area. He carried the neatly wrapped cookies with of both his hands.
The more the distance to Koharu’s door lessened, the more his tension grew of presenting his gift to her. He heard how his heartbeat grew louder.
I hope Koharu will like the cookies. No! She will love them! Urggh… I don’t know what to do if she doesn’t want to eat them now and might forget about them later. No! Koharu wouldn’t ever forget about anything I made for her so easily! Wait… Is she-
Koharu stood outside waiting. She still wore her uniform at this hour. She looked around, spotted him and called him over, “Senri, here! Come in!” She waved to him.
Quickly hid Senri his present and quickened his pace. I am happy that Koharu is happy to see me! But does she have to call my name out loud at hour?! Unwanted onlookers might waltz up! “Good evening Koharu…”, he mumbled his greeting. A stark contrast to his inner turmoil.
“Senri, you look so tired! Come get in, it’s better to sit down!” Koharu opened her door for him. Poor Senri quivered so much… The day must had been very hard on him…
That is what it seemed to her.
Senri finally sat down on the chair. Koharu closed the door behind her and sat down on her bed facing him. They sat in awkward silence. The awkwardness of the situation hit her. Why had Senri even asked me to wait outside for him? He could’ve just knocked instead… Not that I mind it…
Senri gathered his courage to speak up, “Koharu… I know very well that you are carrying the heavy weight of the memories of your experiences and this might not be much…”, he took out the wrapped cookies of his jacket inner pocket, he stood up and reached out his present to his dearest Koharu with a bright blushing face, “I know they might be as good yours, but I made these just for you today…”
Koharu took it, placed the bag on her lap and untied the ribbon. Her eyes lit up at the contents, “Wooah- Senri you made these cookies! That’s amazing and they all look so cute and pretty!” She picked one up and took a bite. “They taste super delicious! Senri you are the greatest!”
Senri turned beet red at being showered by her praise. Seeing Koharu so happy right now made all the pain of the standing around the whole day absolutely worth it. He felt like he could just lie down on the floor and fall asleep tight now. He showed his gentle smile in response.
Koharu stood up and held one of the sugar cookies out to him, “You had put all the hard work into making these cookies for me… It would be unfair to not share them with you, Senri”, she offered him the cookie with the brightest smile he loved so wholeheartedly.
Senri knew that passing up the offer would be impossible. Koharu had cursed his heart with the charm of her entire self. He took it and bit into it. The pair ate the entire batch of sugar cookies together.
It was close to midnight. The two of them enjoyed their company in content silence after they had eaten their late-night snacks. Tiredness weighted on them heavily and it was past their bedtime.
He was dead tired, so was she. Senri stood up from his seat to leave Koharu’s room. The second he turned his back to her and reached for the door handle. He heard Koharu’s small voice reaching his ears.
“Senri… Can you stay here? I am scared of another bad dream happening. I don’t want to be in here alone…”
Instantly he froze. The implications of her innocuous request to stay the night made his mind jump in wild directions before he properly processed what she actually meant. This is Koharu for heaven’s sake!
The image of her crying in sleep flashed before him. The one from that time when they had slept under the same blanket too. It was on the floor but still!
The Nervosity boiled him from the inside, the need to comfort Koharu won out.
The words were stuck in his throat and he returned to Koharu’s side on the bed. She already wrapped herself in the blanket, too tired to change out of her uniform. Senri laid down beside her. Senri felt like he could die from heart failure at any moment. She turned off her nightlamp and the darkness of the night filled everything around them.
“Senri… I am really grateful that you are here…”
“It’s alright Koharu…” He turned on his side to wrap his arms around her smaller frame.
They felt the most at ease when they were sharing each other’s warmth. The light from outside streamed through her window. Only their calm breathing can be heard in the dark room.
“Senri…”
“Yes…”
“The bad dreams that keep coming back… They are about frightening things that might have happened if you hadn’t come to take me home, when I went away with Mr. Traveler…”
Senri listened to her. He tightened his arms around her and nudged her on to continue.
“I believed him that what we were doing was right to save people from the very bad people hurting them… But it never felt right to me to use my fire for hurting more people even the really bad ones… He told me that even innocent ones are really bad…” her voice cracked, “and that everyone and everything from that big nation deserved to be burned down by me… What scared me the most was that I was willing to do that, if you hadn’t brought me back to my senses and flew away with me through the sky, Senri…” Her tears started to flow down her face.
His heart ached immensely at her confession. Koharu was truly the kindest person he had ever met in his whole entire life and the guilt she carried in her heart for months, due to his mistake of leaving her alone when she’d needed his support the most. A mistake that he’ll never ever let repeat again for as long as he lived.
“It’s alright Koharu… The guilt you are feeling only proves that you have a kind heart. You were tricked into burdening on to yourself a responsibility, one that was never yours in the begin with…”
Their original reason for the journey was meant to bring peace to everyone, not to fight in someone else’s war for whatever their goals were. Their new duty was the same, even when he wanted not to work at all, except everyone stayed together.
He took her smaller hand into his. “But I did come for you and we flew to where you, I and everyone, truly belonged, here. We make sure that something like that never ever happens again in the future. You have nothing to be afraid of anymore, Koharu…”
His soft whisper went straight to her innermost. Her heart and mind lightened, soaring gently into the starlit sky above the ship and farther like a feather carried by the wind. In this moment she truly felt happy to be alive and there in this world and era. The fear of loneliness was left behind in the past.
“I am really glad, grateful and happy, everything good at once right now… that you are here living in this world, Senri... Senri?” Koharu slowly turned her face to him.
Senri fell asleep. His breath even and his warmth seeped through her back. Drowsiness weighted on Koharu. She closed her eyes, drifting slowly into a delightful and pleasant dream linked together…
“As far as I can see there is only sand everywhere. Everything is so dry and barren... At least the sky is so pretty…” She looked up in the blue expanse stretching out in distance, “The blue is beautiful and the clouds go high and tall with their pure white… The sun shines so strong, I don’t really feel hot at all… I take a look around maybe I find something here.”
She found only sand with dark spots and a charred smell wafting around.
“It smells like burned earth… I see still some little flames there and there. I just got here so it couldn’t have been me. Or did I do that?” A sinking feeling crept up on her at the possibility of being the cause of the burning fires.
The daylight suddenly dimmed. Koharu raised her head up. Dark clouds covered the sky. Before she could say anything, the rain began to pour down heavily on the scorched sand. It was futile to search for a cover, so she continued her walk.
The raindrops dampened her clothes, but the sensation felt quite pleasant. Good thing that the fires were extinguished. The rain kept falling, the clouds drifted apart and the sun shone through the cracks.
“A sun shower. The raindrops are sparkling so pretty…” The rain weakened to faint drizzles. The light of the sunbeams was split up to create an arc of shining colors. She gasped at the spectacle of nature, “A Rainbow… I don’t remember the last time I had seen one!”
The rain stopped. Koharu was standing, noticing that the water wasn’t sinking into the sand. Instead, the water level had risen on the surface of the desert ground.
It’s height reaching up above her knees, her pace wasn’t slowed down by it. The clear blue water spread out in the distance, a different shade of blue than the sky. She splashed it with her legs.
“Maybe I can try out to lie down on the water, this might be really relaxing!”
“If you do that Koharu, you might end up getting washed away into the big nowhere and fall off the edge of the world.”
Koharu instantly turned in the direction of that all too familiar voice. “Senri!”
Senri pulled up with his float that was strung along by a swarm of big fish like a horse carriage.
“Koharu, get on. Walking around like that just tires you needlessly out.”, he prompted her to get on the float.
She stood agape at the sight of Senri vehicle or fishicle for a better word. Senri let out a sigh and stretched his hand out, “Koharu, take my hand and get on, we have to keep going.”
“Yes! I am coming!” She grabbed his hand and he pulled her up onto his float.
They swam straightforward with their ride. Koharu took in her surroundings in wonder from her elevated position. Senri was content to be surrounded by so much water; he really wanted to jump and take a swim on the spot. Koharu would join him too, even when she’s total beginner as a swimmer.
“Koharu, did you know there exists a fish species named ‘flying fish’?”
“Oh, I know of them! They jump out of the water into the air and back in!”
For reasons unknown Senri had the impulse to go the opposite way of down into the water. He steered his float high up into the air. The fishes spread out their winglike fins, took flight and the float ascended into the sky.
Koharu shouted in amazement, “Senri, we are flying! Unbelievable that can make fish do this!”
With pure confidence he responded, “Of course I can do this here Koharu! Watch me!”, he urged his flying fishes on to follow his lead.
The float flew higher until Senri steadied the angle and it stabilized again to fly in a straight direction. For him it felt like the most natural thing to do in the world like swimming in the water.
The bright blue day suddenly darkened into an ink-black night, twinkling stars spread out above. Their white light was reflected from the water surface under. Koharu was speechless at the sight. Senri pulled her closer to him to bask in the moment of her sheer wonder.
Between the two layers blue expanses a bright yellow light lit up. The sea of the starlit night sky was washed away by the rising sun on the horizon.
The white light of dawn flooded their vision.
The rays of the bright morning sun shone Koharu in the face. She blinked and felt incredibly refreshed after she had finally gotten good sleep after a long while. She tried to get out of bed, to take a good stretch to start the day but couldn’t move. She noticed who still clung to her back.
“Huh…? Sen-!”, quickly covered her mouth. How can I forget that Senri is right behind me! I almost dragged him up from the bed with me! Dear me… Actually, today is my turn to go waking him up but he’s already in my room…
Koharu looked at Senri, who was still sleeping. Thinking about it him being here actually saves me a lot of time and that means… I can take the chance to look longer at his adorable sleeping face! I’m a genius! She gripped her fist in victory and continued to stare at his calm sleeping face for vitality points.
Unfortunately for Koharu, Senri was actually awake and pretended to be asleep. The situation was painfully awkward for the poor (or lucky?) guy to just get up and act as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.
Koharu continued to stare until it was the usual time for her wake-up call, when it was her turn to do that. “Senri, good morning!” He did not move an inch. Her face came closer to his, “Senri! It’s morning you will oversleep if you don’t get up now!” Her hands shook him gently.
If I keep my sleep-like-a-stone-act, Koharu will keep touching me. I can feel that she’s very close… But I can’t see her face like this and I want to see it! But opening my eyes right now means that I have to get out bed and doing that means to start working again and I h- “
The moment Koharu’s hand stroked his neck, he let out a choked noise. The small white hand moved up to stroke his red cheek. Senri trembled, that was too much for him first in the morning!
“M-morning Koharu.”, with a stutter he opened his eyes to face her.
“You are finally awake Senri! You have to get out my bed or we will be late for breakfast!”
“Yeah, yeah…”
In truth he had woken up way earlier than Koharu. He had seen her content and relaxed expression while she had been sound asleep. The memories of his dream were lingering in the back of his mind. He felt at ease that she finally found some peace again in her dreams.
During their morning talk, while they had walked along the road leading to the dining hall, Senri voiced his concerns to Koharu over the potential return of the nightmares and she better should consult with Dr. Hiyoko about them. He cited Mikoto’s comment the morning before to strengthen his recommendation. Koharu understood and promised him to make sure to make an appointment later.
Koharu showered Senri’s gift with honest praise from heart. He mentioned that he had learned how to make the sugar cookies thanks to Akito’s guidance. The wrapping and the red ribbon were chosen by Senri, it would have been too great a shame for Koharu to just dispose of them, so she kept them as memento.
Senri was flattered and slightly taken aback by Koharu’s gesture to keep used packaging around like a treasure, due to the fact that it was part of a present from him. The red ribbon by itself was fine though, the thought of it got an idea in Senri’s head rolling.
Breakfast went by without incident.
Mikoto and Nanami were relieved that Koharu was doing much better now than before. Senri returned to his usual demeanor as well.
Noticeable were his glances of suspicion he had thrown at Itsuki.
Itsuki made the smart move of keeping his mouth shut the entire time, only showing his usual lazy cat-like smile. Which also was change of pace for Mikoto’s nerves for once.
The days went by and Senri spend most of the time holed up in his room to work on his newest project…
A few days later.
Senri was done with his latest wood whittling project. The amount of time he spent on crafting this one was way shorter in comparison to the large family of wooden bunnies.
He and Koharu were in his room. Senri had invited her over to give her something special. For her it was hard to contain her excitement and gave her best not to come across too jittery.
“Keep your eyes closed, Koharu.”
“Yes.”
“Put up your hands and open them.”
Koharu followed Senri’s instructions to a tee. She felt something plopping in her hands. It was light and small.
“You can open your eyes now, Koharu.”
Released from holding out for her surprise, she opened her eyes. She let out a sound of wonder from the sight of the wooden charm with a heart and bird motif, neatly tied together with the red ribbon.
“Senri it’s so beautiful!”
“I made this good luck charm for you, Koharu”, he continued with his soft loving voice, “You can hang it up anywhere where you want. It is a reminder that you are able to live your life to the fullest, free of the burdens that were forced on you. I cursed it so the charm will keep the nightmares away, Koharu…”
Koharu embraced Senri tightly. Her tears almost welled up in her joy at the gift that her most special, most loved person had given her.
“Thank you, Senri… I love you…”
“Of course I love Koharu! I always will…” Senri reciprocated her hug.
Senri and Koharu didn’t need to put their love for each other into grand overblown declarations made of flood of words. An act of love brings its meaning across more than what thousands of vague and easily misinterpreted spoken out loud were ever capable of.
The wooden heart and bird charm hung wherever Koharu can see it.
It reminded her, always will, of the place where she truly belonged, a place where she can be her truest human self from the depths of her heart.