AN: "Sometimes the questions are complicated but the answers are simple." This is the chapter full of questions from Saya. But what exactly is happening to Hero? What is he doing?
I went to school extra early the next day. I ate a hearty breakfast, had my long golden-brown hair neatly brushed and my school uniform well ironed. I enjoyed my walk for the first time and I didn't even care about the other people who were watching me. I did exactly what Hero told me to do and it felt great. Speaking of Hero, he was late that day and I didn't know why. I just figured that maybe it was because he was out on the field too late last night that he woke up late. Anyway, we spent the day together, as usual—breaks, lunch and of course, after class ended. We went to the same abandoned football field and hung out there doing absolutely nothing but chilling and talking. We then left the school grounds just as it was about to get dark.
"What a day huh?" I said as we walked along the streets.
"Yep! And tomorrow is another," he agreed in a yawn.
Just then, he stopped.
"Oh! I forgot I have something else to do. Do you mind if I go ahead?"
He seemed to be in a hurry and I wondered what he was going to do. I guessed it would be chores and other errands.
"Oh sure, go ahead," I said, smiling, "It's alright."
He grinned and saluted before he dashed away. I sighed and shook my head as I watched him disappear from my sight. What a silly boy... He was right though; tomorrow came quickly and it was one heck of a day. School got tougher and well, people were still cold to us; we just laughed it off. All we looked forward to was going to the field right after classes. We spent most of our time in the afternoon there and we made sure that we would never get caught. The weeks passed and things continued on the same. I was getting more and more curious though; every time Hero and I went home, he always rushed for something he said he had to do. I wondered what he was up to although he kept on saying that it was just errands. In the morning, he was always late. I was kind of worried but he told me to trust him so I kinda accepted that routine everyday for the past two weeks.
One big day, it all changed. School work flooded me that I didn't even have time to go the field. I explained to Hero that I needed to finish all of my work before the day ended and that he should go on ahead without me. I really don't know why, but he was happy about it. Anyway, I didn't have time to think about his reaction so I just went straight to do my work. I said to myself that I didn't have time to think about it but it really bothered me deep inside...what was happening to Hero? Has he grown tired of me? Maybe he couldn't take how the townsfolk treated him much more. I kept on reminding myself to trust him but there was a greater part of me that insisted that something was wrong. Oh Fate, how you tease me.
After 5 hours of long hard work, I had finally finished everything. I looked around and I noticed that it was already dark and no one seemed to be around the school anymore. I was thinking of whether to drop by the field or not but I quickly decided to just go home and call it a day. Night had already fallen and I was sure Hero went home already. I tiredly walked out of the main building and reached the school gate. I was on my way out when I stopped, hearing someone call me.
"Saya! Saya!"
I quickly turned around and saw Hero, running towards me.
"Hero?" I said, "You're still here?? But its almost 7!"
He bent down and tried to catch his breath first before answering me. It looked like he was really tired.
"Are you alright?" I asked, crouching down to check on him.
"You've got to come with me now!" he quickly spoke.
Before I could object or even say anything, he grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him. Boy, this was getting to be his usual hobby.
He was running so fast that I, myself, could barely keep up.
"Hero, slow down!" I said, panting.
"Don't worry," he replied, "Were almost there!"
I was surprised when he took me to the passageway that we always took when going to the field.
"What are we doing here?" I worriedly asked, "It's really late and the guards will be checking soon."
"That's why we got to hurry," he said, "Trust me."
I looked at him with curiosity before finally agreeing to go. We reached the abandoned field and I sighed when all I saw were the same tall grasses and flowers, swaying in the wind, and a very bright full moon that illuminated the place.
"O...kay..." I said in a somewhat disappointed tone with a weird expression on my face.
"Shhh! Just come with me." He took my hand and gently led me all the way to the tall grasses. I had no other choice but to follow. I let out a small laugh as I wondered what on earth he was doing.
"What are you up to?" I asked him.
We stopped in the middle and he looked at the bright night sky as if he was waiting for something.
"Wait for it," he told me as he covered my eyes with his hands.
I chuckled but stood still. I wasn't sure what he was going to show me but I patiently waited. What was really happening was that he was waiting for the clouds to cover the moon. Apparently, he needed the bright light to be covered for a little while. As soon as the moon was shadowed, he uncovered my eyes. He stepped back and waited for my reaction with what I was about to see.
I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. Awe filled me when I saw hundreds of little fireflies encircling the both of us. I could just touch them if I wanted to—it was that close. The fireflies danced around us in the melody of the wind. Some of them landed on the flowers, which made them look like they glowed. I was dumbfounded with the scenery—it was so beautiful.
After I had taken in what I was seeing, I turned to him with teary eyes.
"What is this?" I asked.
"This is for you," he answered, smiling.
I could do nothing but smile back at him.
"Is this what you've been up to the whole time?"
He nodded in reply. I've come to realize that the past two weeks where he kept on rushing for the errands he spoke of was to prepare all of this for me. I've also answered the questions in my head especially about his reaction when he was happy that I couldn't join him at the field earlier. It was all to get this place ready.
"How did you do all of this?" I wondered, looking around.
"Well...it wasn't easy," he said as he sat down on the grassy ground.
I followed and sat beside him.
"Remember the afternoon last two weeks ago when you went ahead and I stayed behind here?" he asked me and I quickly nodded in reply.
"Well, I saw a couple of fireflies here but they were so few," he added, "I thought that if there were more, this abandoned field might look better so...I spent those errands I told you about trying to get as many fireflies as possible."
I couldn't say anything at all; the words escaped my mouth. I could only listen to him and watch the fireflies around us. Silly! Silly, naive boy!
Just then, a cold wind blew hard. It was the type of breeze that can give a person chills that run up and down the spine.
"Boy is it cold tonight or what?" he said, rubbing his hands together.
I looked around and I spotted a bunch of twigs that were scattered on the ground. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. As I breathed out, I let out a huge flame and sent it towards the pile of twigs. In a few seconds, we already had a small bonfire.
"How's that for a bonfire?" I asked in a victorious sneer.
"How did you do that?" he smirked.
"Well, you told me to develop my skills right?" I answered, "So that's what I've been doing for the past weeks."
Hero chuckled and shook his head in amazement.
"Incredible," he said.
We both gave out a laugh and continued to watch the view. Even the fireflies seemed to enjoy the bonfire I created as well. It was, after all, a cold night. I never expected that the old run-down field could give so much.
"Do you like it?" Hero asked, turning his head to me.
I turned to look at him.
"Yes, so much..." I answered with a soft smile.
Unknowingly, we were already sitting so close to each other. Hero slowly leaned closer towards me.
"Hero..." I said, in a whisper, "Why did you do this...for me?"
"It's because I..."
I felt it—his lips pressed against mine. It was a soft kiss...something like a lover would give. He gently held me close to him. I could feel my heart beating faster each minute. I could not explain what I was feeling—emotions that I have not yet come across before. As our lips gently parted and our eyes met, I felt a warm aura fill my entire body. The fire inside me slowly flickered down as the aura took control. What was this?
"I'll never let anything happen to you Saya," he said.
I fell silent and just listened to him. His words were so comforting to me and at the same time, it made me strong. He softly cupped my face with his hand and smiled. I gave a soft sigh and placed my hand on his.
"I love you, Saya." he spoke.
I closed my eyes as we shared one more kiss.
Aside from my mother, he was the only other person who ever said those words to me. I can never forget that moment and I will always treasure it. If only we could stay like that forever...