Haruki exited the mansion. He went into the forest. It was evening. Haruki had nowhere to go except one place. So, he retraced his footprints towards the place. After 20 minutes of rustling in the bushes, Haruki arrived at the first place he went after exiting the mansion before, it was the lake.

Haruki took a sit near the same big tree he sat on last time. He curled up his legs and started to doze off. Ever since he arrived here, it was just him running. The only time he got proper sleep was when he lost too much blood or when he was drugged. It was the first time he could have a natural sleep.

*Growl*

Haruki: Uhhh…...I haven’t eaten, have I?

Half-sleeping Haruki woke up to the grumbling noise of his stomach.

Haruki: Its night time already, huh. Hmm, the moon…is red?

The red moon was shining vibrant red lights towards the lake. The wind was howling, leaves of the trees were swaying. Truly, what a magnificent view.

Haruki, who was still laying on the bark of the tree, looked around him. He wanted to find some food to eat. Then, near the roots of the tree was a bunch of mushrooms.

Haruki: They look harmless…...

Haruki took the mushroom and inspected it. His grumbling stomach sounded again. Starving Haruki slowly brought to his open mouth before

You sure you want to eat that? It's poisonous, you know?

Haruki stopped his hand. He then looked up where the source of the voice came from. And then he saw it. A beautiful woman sitting on the thick branch of the huge tree. Her beauty was amplified even more with the help of nature. The howling wind made her hair sway to its rhythm, the leaves rusting her silky hair and the red lights shining down upon her like a goddess coming down from heaven.

Haruki was looked with his eyes widened in admiration. He never knew he could meet someone as stunning as her. Haruki, realising what he was doing, quickly shook his head and recovered his composure. Then he looked at the mushroom in his hand, He crushed it with his right hand and threw it aside

Haruki: Tsk… how did you find me?

Claire: Following footsteps are not that hard.

Claire then jumped down from the branch and sat beside Haruki. Haruki nudged away from her.

Claire: Still don’t trust me?

Haruki: Doesn’t take a genius to find the answer to that

Then Claire took out a picnic basket and opened it beside Haruki. She opened it and inside was filled with food. Claire took out a sandwich and hand it over to Haruki.

Haruki narrowed his eyes. Claire realised that Haruki won’t eat as he is still doubting her so she took a bit of the sandwich and ate it.

Claire: See. No poison.

Claire smiled at Haruki while handing over the half-eaten sandwich. Haruki didn’t want to grab it.

But…

*growl*

His stomach was growing impatient. Claire heard the grumble pushed the bread into his mouth. Haruki wanted to take it out but his mouth and hands moved on their own. So, he ended up eating the bread.

Haruki: …thank….you.

Haruki said it in a low voice. Claire smiled softly. Claire took another sandwich from the basket and hands it over to Haruki.

Claire: Here. All of it is for you.

Haruki, who had his legs curled up to his chin and looking at the lake, extended his hand toward the sandwich slowly while looking at the lake. He didn’t want to make eye contact. He then took the sandwich and nibbled it slowly.

Claire chuckled.

Claire: You don’t have to be so reserved around me. Eat as how you see fit.

Haruki nodded and took a big bite. He continued to eat. One by one, Haruki took out food from the basket and ate it in mere seconds. Claire was attentively staring at Haruki. She looked at his messy silver hair that was reflecting the red moonlight. Swaying in many directions. It made her chuckle.

*Claire: What a mess. Fufufu*

Haruki reached out his hand one last time to reach out the last sandwich. Rather than guiding his hand towards his mouth, he guided it towards Claire. Claire was shocked but smiled softly. He then took it out and glanced at Claire, who was smiling at him.

Haruki: …take it.

Claire: Hmm? Ara, all of it is for you. Didn’t I tell you, you don’t want to have to be reserved around me?

Haruki clicked his tongue and shoved the bread into Claire’s mouth. Claire immediately snapped. Claire chocked on the bread so she pulled it out.

Claire: WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!

Haruki: I TOLD YOU TO EAT IT!

Claire: You fool! It’s for you, why don’t you eat it?

Haruki: BECAUSE YOU WERE STARING AT ME! I thought… you wanted to eat some too….

Claire was shocked. Haruki glanced away, hiding his embarrassed face. Claire couldn’t help but chuckle.

*Claire: He acts tough…but he is still a kid.*

Claire was looking at Haruki sympathetically. Haruki glanced at Claire.

Haruki: … You don’t have to look at me with sympathy. I know I am pathetic.

Claire was looking at him, puzzled.

Claire: Then if you don’t want sympathy, do you need this…?

Claire sat with her legs folded. She then tapped her lap, indicating Haruki to lay his head on it.

Haruki: A-are you dumb or what? Why in the world would I want to do that?

Claire: Just shut up…

Claire grabbed Haruki’s head-

Claire: …and….

Claire dragged his head towards her lap-

Claire: … sleep.

She placed Haruki’s head on her lap. Haruki was struggling to get up but Claire gently placed her right hand on his forehead. Haruki was losing strength until he stopped struggling.

Haruki: *pant* do you have to drain my energy?

Claire: It’s just to make you calm.

Haruki, who was out of energy couldn’t fight back. So, he just laid his head on her lap. He turned his head towards the lake. Claire and Haruki were just listening to the lake. Howling of the wind blowing through their ears and the sound of the leaves falling onto the surface creating soothing beats. Both of them didn’t utter a word. Just indulging themselves in the beauty that is presented in front of them.

Haruki: … Hey, I know you didn’t come here to just find and feed me.

Claire: And if I said that was the truth… would believe me?

Haruki: No.

Claire smiled behind Haruki’s head.

Claire: True. Then I do have something that I want from you.

Haruki was silent. He didn’t utter a word for a while. Then…

Haruki: Under normal circumstances, I would turn it down, but since you fed and took care of me, I’ll listen.

Claire: I won’t hold back, you know?

Claire said cheekily.

Haruki: Just ask it already!

Claire: OK, ok… I want only one thing from you…

Haruki: Which is…?

A moment of silence followed. Every second in the silence made the atmosphere heavier. Haruki felt uncomfortable. Then-

Claire: …. I want you to tell me about the dream that you had when you first woke up.

Haruki froze. His muscles tensed up and couldn’t move a muscle. Then he slowly turned his head upwards. He saw Claire looking down on him, eye-to-eye. Her red fury eyes were gentle. Like a sea of flames, but the flames were just to warm him. He felt his heart thumping hard. He wanted to keep his past on to him but couldn’t. The secrets he wanted to keep are now at the edge of his tongue, waiting to spill out.

*Haruki: Why? Why her? Why the secrets I locked away are edging out of my mouth. I don’t want to! She is just going to show empty sympathy to me… there is….no….way….she wants to listen…, right?

Haruki looked closer to the eyes that were looking at him. He saw Claire, wearing a worried face. Her eyes were not shaking. No tears. No sign of sympathy. She was honestly sincere to hear his story. Haruki was felt his heart was lifting softly. He felt….relieved for the first time.

*Haruki: Ahh, this woman….*

Haruki: … Fine, I will tell you.

Claire: Thank you

Haruki: You don’t have to thank me, its just to repay my debt for the meal.

Claire: Understood.

Haruki turned his gaze back to the waters.

Haruki: We’ll have to rewind 5 years…

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Years Ago,

*I was 10 years old boy. Born in the slums, I had 2 parents who worked as part-timers who worked day and time to pay for the living expenses. But even though their hardships, they loved me dearly and I did too. But my love for them wasn’t as strong as he had for my younger sister, Yuna. She was 7 years old at that time. She had black twin-tail hair. As weird as it sounds, Yuna and I have different hair colour because I inherited my hair colour from our mom while Yuna got hers from our dad.*

*We had many differences. I was outgoing and cheerful and I guess I was a loud boy meanwhile my sister was the total opposite. She hated the outside, timid and quiet girl. All she wanted to do was to cuddle with me.*

Haruki: W-what are you doing?

Yuna: ~Hehe~

*She always sits in between my legs and rubs her hair with the bottom of my chin. Even though I always seem to be annoyed by it, inside I was happy.*

Yuna: Hey Onii-chan [1], can you promise me something?

Haruki: What is it, Yuna?

Yuna: Promise me that you will stay by my side forever?

Haruki: No!

Yuri: Huh?! Why Onii-chan… *sob*

Haruki puts his arms around her neck and rests his head on her shoulder.

Haruki: Because we will stay together.

Yuna: Onii-chan!

Yuna rubs her head with Haruki’s.

Haruki: Ok, ok. Stop it already… But can you promise me something?

Yuna: I promise!

Haruki: I didn’t even tell you my promise…

Yuna: I don’t need to hear it. I will promise anything and everything to you.

Haruki: Is that so? Well, I tell you anyways…

Haruki nudges his head with Yuna’s…

Haruki: Promise me that you will let me protect you and in return, you stay by my side.

Yuna: Pfft. Hahahah! Stupid Onii-chan!

Haruki: Hey, why are you laughing?

Yuna: You want to know. Then…

Yuna turns her face towards Haruki and kisses his cheek.

Haruki: W-Wha-

Yuna: You didn’t even ask my permission when you protected me before. Why do you need it now? You are my older brother and you will always protect your younger sister. And as a younger sister, I will stay by your side…forever.

*Yuna’s smiled at me. I was mesmerised by my own younger sister. Her gentle smile tugged my big brother’s heart while her maturity almost stole my role as an elder sibling.*

Haruki: Is that so? Then, “younger sister”. For forever together…?

Yuna: Sure, “big brother”. For forever together…

*For forever together, my ass*

*The next day, I had a sports competition. Even in my younger years, I was athletic and never second to anyone. As expected, I won another gold medal. *

Yuna: Another gold medal for Onii-chan!

Haruki: Hehe, you do you think I am.

Yuna: Onii-chan won another gold. That means another ice cream for me.

Haruki: Ehh? I won…

Yuna: You won’t…* fake cry*

*I couldn’t refuse his younger sister. But now… I wish I did*

*I took the savings I saved up from doing part-time jobs and winning competitions. It wasn’t much but enough for me and Yuna to get a cone of ice cream each. Even though we buy 2, she still likes to lick mine. Hehe…*

*As we were walking down the street in the city, we were walking hand in hand. I didn’t want to lose her in the crowd. I was holding her tightly but suddenly, Yuna let go of my hand. At least, that is s what I thought. Instead, I saw her being dragged by 3 masked boys, who looked to be the same age as me, by her other hand into an alley*

Yuna: Onii-chan! HELP ME!

*Even though she was screaming at the top of her lungs, her scream was falling on deaf ears or people. They continued to walk on without even turning their heads. I wanted to call the police but… her pleas were getting softer and softer. She was getting farther. Knowing I had no time, I went into the alley. There was a sharp left turn. I run into the corner without thinking and… my face was clattered by a baseball bat. My head was dizzy. They took the chance and 2 of the boys pinned me to the wall. The other one was holding my sister by her hair. *

Haruki: Who are you! Let her go!

Boy 1: Oooo, I’m scared!

Haruki: Tsk! What do you want…? If you want money, I can give-

Boy 1: Money?! HAHAHAHA. You? Scum of the scum land wants to give ME money? Good joke!

*I was surprised that he knew about my background. So, I figure he must have been from my school. Even his voice was familiar to me but at that time, but I was hot-headed at that time. I couldn’t think*

Haruki: Then what do you want?

Boy 1: Hmm, what DO I want? Good question. Hah! I know…I want you…to beg. Or not, your sister chastity might be lost.

Haruki: Stop it!

Boy 1: Ahh!

Boy 1 pulled Yuna’s hair even higher.

Yuna: Onii…chan….*crying*

Haruki: Grrrr…. I understand.

*I had no choice. It was either protect my dignity or protect my sister. Anyone in my place would choose the latter. So, when those 2 let go of me. I lowered my head and hands onto the floor. I even rubbed my forehead onto the floor and begged without shame.*

Haruki: Please, let go of my sister.

*Like a dog asking for a bone, I had to bow down to protect my dear sister. But of course, nothing goes my way…*

Boy 1 walks up to Haruki and pulls his head up by his hair.

Boy 1: Uwu, what an ugly face. Hahaha….but it’s a nice face. I always wanted to see you suffer…ever since you humiliated me.

Haruki: Please, I will do anything. Just let my sister go.

*At that time, I was trying to uphold one part of my promise…to protect my sister. Even though we might not be together forever, I didn’t care about it. Losing her is more painful for me. But that bastard….*

Boy 1: As much as I want to, but ummm…. I don’t fill satisfied at all.

Haruki: W-what do you mean.

Boy 1 was starting to walk away from Haruki and towards his sister.

Boy 1: Maybe your sister…

Haruki: You….BASTARD!!

*First time I ever swear. Blood rushed into my head. Hence, I charged at him. But he knew how to fight. He gave me a roundhouse kick right to my face and I fell to the floor. Even though I had a strong body, it didn’t matter since I don’t know how to fight. Then the other 2 jumped on me to pin me down. He had experience in fighting meanwhile back then I had none.*

Haruki: LEAVE HER ALONE!

Boy 1: Don’t~want…HAHAHA

*He started stripping her. Taking her top off, exposing her bare chest. Yuna was trying to run away but that bastard pinned her down. As a pervert, he started to sniff her. I was screaming at the top of my lung for help…but nobody heard me.*

Boy 1: Ahhh… you are too noisy. Shut him up.

*The next moment, I felt a familiar feeling. It was the baseball bat. One of them smashed it onto the back of my head. My vision started to be blurry.*

Yuna: Onii-chan!!!

Haruki: Yuu…na…

Boy 1: Your “Onii-chan” won’t be waking up soon, so let’s have some fun to past the time, shall we?

Yuna: No…no…

Haruki: You bastard…

*Just before I was fully unconscious, Yuna’s and my eyes met. Her face was filled with tears. The tears were flowing throughout her whole face. Her eyes were screaming for help from the person who gave his word to protect her….at that moment, I couldn’t breathe. The pain I felt, the despair I felt, the burden of the promise I gave, all were attacking my heart and like a fool, I became unconscious, leaving my sister behind*

* When I woke up, I saw my sister. Her clothes were all torn into pieces. Her body was exposed and her body was covered in white. I tried to wake her up, but her body was cold. I tried to wake her up, she wasn’t breathing. I tried to wake her up, her heart wasn’t beating. I tried to wake her up…she didn’t. She died. Right there and then, I lost a piece of my heart. Wailing and shaking her body to wake up, hoping a light will give her life back…but that’s just how far fantasy will go.*

*I took her body to the street and someone called the ambulance. An ambulance, can you believe that? They tried to call an ambulance for a dead person. An ambulance came, the doctors did their autopsy and as expected she died due to the rupture of her genital. Heavy loss of blood. My father was holding my mom in his arms, consoling my mom who was crying in his chest. My dad was no better, he was also crying his eyes out. Next came her funeral. Only me, my parents and some of her schoolmates attended. They were a lot of cries and screams while I didn’t utter a word, didn’t weep a single tear. We buried her on top of a small cliff that overlooks the whole slums, the place I found for her before and her favourite place. It was truly a beautiful view especially with her around. But with her gone, it became a distant memory. I placed my hand on her grave and sat there. I sat there and said “I’m sorry” a hundred times. Pretty pathetic, right? Even though it won’t bring her back. But I didn’t care. I needed to strengthen my heart to atone for my mistake, so I prepared myself to carry the burden and regret that caused the death of my dear younger sister, but what I wasn’t prepared for is what came after.*

*I went home later than my parents. There stood my parents. My mom stood behind my dad, while he stood with his head low.*

Haruki: I’m home

Dad: Welcome home. Listen, Haruki there is something we need to ask you.

Haruki: What is it, dad?

Dad: …leave

Haruki: Wait. W-why? Is it because of Yuna?

Mom: …yes.

Haruki: no...no…no…NO, Mom. I know she died because of me, but please don’t-

Dad: YES, because of you, Yuna is not with us. IF you would have just protected her.

Haruki: I know but I couldn’t! They-

Mom: Why? Why didn’t you protect her? She was just a delicate girl. She wanted nothing but to be with us, be with you. She wanted to be protected by you but-

Haruki: I tried! But they outnumbered. I screamed for help but nobody came rushing in for help. I even-

Dad: …

Mom: …

*Both of them were averting their gaze away from me. It was already painful as it losing my sister but losing my parents too on the same day…?*

Haruki: No…no…PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME TOO!

Dad: Don’t make it hard on us… it's better if you leave…

*My dad had a cold expression while my mom looked at me like some kind of monster. They pushed me out of the house*

Haruki: No…please….don’t

*My dad pushed me down on the dirt while my mom threw a bag which had some money and some clothes. Dad didn’t even look at me when he said…*

Dad: Never come back…

*Like how I abandon my sister, my parents abandon me. Scared and helpless, heart filled with anxiety. Abandoned by the people you love. I must have felt what my sister felt before. So I believed that I deserved it. “I couldn’t even protect my sister, what would anyone do with a useless son like me?“ is what I thought.*

*I walked away from home and headed towards the orphanage. There were a lot of eyes on me since I was holding a bag. For survival in the slums, they would resort to anything. Even stealing from a child. My first ever encounter happened on the same day. A boy who was younger than me run towards me and snatch the bag away from me. He took off with my bag. Like a wuss, I fell on my knees, trembling. But then, I remembered my incompetence. Unable to protect what’s dear to me, unable to protect me. I hated it. I loathed it. A blazing fire set my heart on fire and my trembling legs were still like calm water. Then the next second, I stood up and ran after him. With my speed, I managed to catch up to him. I ran beside him and tripped him down. Downed and out, I took my bag. I walked away with my newfound confidence. Fuelled by my burden, pain and regret, I promised myself I would use it to survive and protect myself*

*After I entered my orphanage, I trained myself up. Building my body, fighting off anyone who disturbs the peace of my home or get into fights. I selfishly fought anyone and everyone, big or small, old or young. I would use any methods to win. Underhand or pure brute. I didn’t even care.*

Haruki: After that, I became undefeated in the slums. Of course, I didn’t abandon my studies. I continued middle school and entered Mazuharu High School through a sports scholarship. I started to gain my former self bit by bit. I made friends, had a best friend and a loving girlfriend. Then before I came here, I had a sports festival…

Haruki explained the sports festival to Claire from the start till the moment he had himself transported. He also continued after he was transported, how he was tricked and left on his own by his classmates and how he was betrayed by his closest companions whom he thought he had an unshakable bond

Haruki: … and that’s how I ended up here.

Claire: …

Haruki: *sigh* Nothing to say? Well, that’s how I expected it.

Suddenly, Claire closed in and placed her forehead on the side of Haruki’s face.

Haruki: Wha- What are you doing? I don’t need your sympathy. Get your-

Claire: …is that what you want?

Claire asks gently. Haruki was couldn’t utter a word. He tried but only dust came out of his mouth.

Claire: If that’s what you want, I will leave. If you don’t say anything, I won’t budge.

*Haruki: Just say no. No! NO! WHY!? WHY….can’t I say anything against her?*

Claire: … why do you act strong?

Haruki: But I am-

Claire: YOU ARE NOT!

Haruki got startled. His muscles tensed up around his mouth. He tried to deny the fact he wasn’t strong but he was only mouthing it.

Claire: You are not strong… You are just wearing a husk of false strength.

Haruki: False strength? If I did, how could I have survived in that wretched place all alone?

Claire: That’s just your brute strength. The strength I was referring too was your heart’s. Why do force your heart to beat like an adult’s when you are only wearing the skin of an adult?

Haruki: What are you on-

Claire: YOU ARE JUST A CHILD! Don’t act like you’re an adult.

Haruki was getting cornered. He didn’t know why. Every word that comes out of her was striking Haruki like a spear impaling a heart. Haruki felt like crying. He hated it so he snapped. He stood up and looked down on Claire.

Haruki: SHUT UP! Don’t act like you know everything about me! I was all alone. If I didn’t step up like an adult, I would have given up and died there and then when my STUPID parents abandon me. I had to work hard just to-

Claire: I can stop your suffering…

Claire smiled gently at Haruki.

Haruki: Huh? As if you can-

Claire stood up. She started to walk towards Haruki. Haruki stepped backwards and put his hands up to guard himself.

Haruki: Stop! Don’t come any closer. I won’t hesitate to fight you even if you are a woman.

She showed the same smile once more

Claire: You don’t have to work hard anymore…You already worked hard enough to make someone proud of you…

Haruki’s knee’s and arms started to waver.

*Haruki: Huh? Why am I shaking? Its just sweet words. They don’t mean anything! They aren’t anything…but empty words. But WHY…why do I feel happy? *

Tears started to flow down from Haruki’s eyes and his knees gave out and he collapsed onto the floor. Claire bent down and hugged him and whispered to his ears.

Claire: You did your best enduring the pain. Now, let it all out…

Haruki: Huh?*sob*… Let what out? ...*sob*….did my best?….*sob*….what do you know about my….*sniffle*….pain?….You have no idea…

Claire: Let it all out…

Haruki: AHHHHHHHHH! *gasp* WAAAAAAAAAA!

Haruki screamed, cried and wept at the top of his lungs like a child. It was all due to the ever-so gentle voice of the woman who was hugging Haruki that was navigating through the maze of his heart to find the chest that locked his lost emotions. The emotions of a child that he buried the day he was abandoned. The words that acknowledge his effort, not the result. The words that acknowledge his pain, not his smile. The words that allow him to take off the fake mask of the strong adult he was wearing and show his true colours, the sweet and innocent boy he was before. These words from her tongue were the key to the chest. A single turn of the key,

*CLACK*

-and his pent-up emotions burst out of the chest.

Haruki: *crying*

Sadness,

Haruki: *hugs Claire tighter*

Insecurity,

And,

Haruki: WHY!? WHY!? WHY?! WHY DID EVERYONE ABANDON ME?!

Loneliness.

Haruki continued to cry and scream. Claire was holding him in her arms, while Haruki wiped his tears on her shoulders. Tears flowed like a river on a rainy day. His emotions were bursting out like an erupting volcano.

Haruki’s cry was easing up. He was still sobbing but wasn’t crying. He then pushed himself off from the hug while still looking down.

Haruki: …why…?

Claire: Huh?

Haruki: …why are you doing this? Nobody goes this far.

Claire: You remind me of the moon…

Haruki: the moon…?

Haruki looked up to Claire with a puzzled look. There were tears in his eyes and snot coming out from his nose. Claire took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears and dirt on his face.

Claire: Yes, the moon.

Claire points to the moon that was over on the other side of the lake. Haruki turned around to see the red crimson moon. The red moonlight was shining upon them like a spotlight.

Haruki: …why?

Claire: You and the moon are alike. The moon shines the brightest in the darkest nights like how you always shining with your light of kindness on someone in their darkest moments. You are always helping others like how a moon pulls the tides of the sea.

Haruki: … but I never-

Claire: You said “fight off anyone who disturbs the peace of your home”, didn’t you?

Haruki: Yeah, but I do it out of pure selfishness.

Claire: Do you know the difference between a house and a home?

Haruki: A house or- Aren’t they the same?

Claire: There is where you are wrong. A house is where you live and survive… while a home where you live with the people you love and adore. The warmth they give you makes you happy, makes you want to protect them. Even if you said it accidentally, it doesn’t explain why you wanted to protect the place. You said you wanted to protect yourself but why did you put yourself in a dangerous position when you could have just run away and find another place to dwell but instead you stayed. You stayed and protected whoever was “disturbing the peace of your home”. In other words, you were protecting the children of the orphanage, who were your home and your peace.

Haruki: … how do you-

Claire: -know? You can’t hide your true intentions from me no matter how much you try to mask them…...

Claire smiled. But her expression turned into a disgusted one.

Claire: …but that’s something I hate about you

Haruki: Huh?

Claire: Why are you, a child shadowing his kindness with self-proclaimed selfishness?

Haruki: What-

Claire: Like a moon without its light, you continued to help others without them realising. People are not always perceptive like me. They tend to mistaken your kind-heartedness for selfishness. They scorn you, they ignore you…they abandon you. You are a moon without its star. A light of a star is filled with compassion, hope and love. Your star is someone who knows your kindness and shines it for the whole world to see. But instead, you didn’t choose your star. You turned your back on it.

Claire grasped both of Haruki’s shoulder. She looked Haruki in the eye.

Claire: Don’t you understand?! You chose to be alone. You didn’t choose a star when your sister left you and you chose a star that was shining a false light upon you. The pain of loneliness was the naivety of your own choices.

Haruki looked down. He couldn’t face Claire as she pointed out something Haruki always overlook. He always thought that he was alone because people abandon him. While actually, he chose to be alone which caused him pain even when he was surrounded by people who loved him. Deep down he knew but he chose to ignore it. He didn’t want to create bonds that might stab him in the back the next moment.

Claire grabbed Haruki’s chin and lift his face. A single tear flowed from his face.

Claire: You really love to cry.

Haruki: Shut up…but…. I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…

Claire: You don’t have to apologize for cryi-

Haruki: *sob* not that…Even though I was running away from you, you still chose to find me. You didn’t want to hurt me while I doubted your intentions. You were protecting me while I was just pushing you away. I’m sorry *sob*

Claire gently smiled and hugged Haruki. Haruki buried his face into her chest and flung his arms around her waist. Claire gently patted his silver hair. The scene was almost like a mother consulting his son.

Claire: You might doubt my actions, you might not trust my words or you might not believe me entirely, but I want to be your star. I want to bask you in the light for the whole world to see. Your actions and kindness will be seen and felt by many so you will never be alone.

Haruki: *sob*…you want… to be…my star? I scared…if I accept I might … be hurt again…*sob* but…

Haruki looked up into Claire’s eyes.

Haruki: Please….be my star….don’t abandon me….please

Haruki was getting tired. He was getting more and more drowsy.

Haruki: Like the moon…I will help you….shine the light….onto the world….you want to shine….

Claire: Don’t worry. I won’t abandon you. Now sleep tight, my moon.

Haruki’s grasp lightened up. He closed his eyes into a deep sleep. Claire gently placed Haruki’s head on her lap and continued to pat his head.

Claire: You want to shine the light on the world that I want to shine, huh?... I’m sorry, my child but the world you want to shine upon is the world that I cannot be in…