24 Under The Stars

Another day came to an end as the moon rose in the night sky. All activities had ended for the day, tutors and students had already headed to bed, by this time of the night. Except for two of them.

"So? What do you think about them so far?" Two silhouettes stood on the inn's balcony, gazing at the stars that surrounded them.

"I can already tell they're different from the last generations of students"

"What makes you think that?" The silhouette asked once more.

"I could tell as soon as I met them" He replied.

"One of your million talents? Then again you did rescue everyone from their coma back then. So I think something like that is believable coming from you Hajime." Hajime scratched his head as the other silhouette complimented him.

"Come on, I think you are overestimating me. I couldn't have done it back then without all of you, even you Fuyuhiko" Fuyuhiko let out a small sigh as he curled his mouth into a smile.

"To think you are pretty hopeless without us, kinda ironic don't you think?" Hajime let out a small laugh.

"It is, after all, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her," Fuyuhiko noticed Hajime's fist was clenching onto something he couldn't quite distinguish.

"After all these years you are still holding on to that?" Fuyuhiko asked as soon as he figured out what was in Hajime's hand.

"Of course... after all this is the only thing that's left from her" Hajime opened his fist to reveal a colorful Galaga hairpin laying in the palm of his hand. A few drops of dry blood tainted the edges of the pin.

"We all miss Nanami. I bet not a single day goes by without one of us thinking about her" Fuyuhiko stared down at the pool on the lower floor. "I bet she's somewhere looking down at us, taking care of us, as she always did"

"Huh? You think she can see me?"

Hajime made a silent head movement, side to side as if denying something.

"Well, I'm going back to sleep. You should do the same" Fuyuhiko pushed himself away from the banister he was leaning on.

"Sure, good night and say hello to Peko from me" Fuyuhiko slowly walked to the stairs while raising his arm, letting Hajime know he heard him loud and clear.

"Could you not do that when I'm talking to someone if I were to answer, it'll freak people out" Hajime started speaking to what for everyone else would be by himself, but not for him.

"I'm sorry Hinata-kun when someone speaks about me is normal to get curious about it" That person, that entity Hajime was speaking with.

Was just real for him.

He didn't even know if it was completely real. It could all be a product of his imagination. His repressed feelings. His never-ending depression.

This person started appearing a few years ago, every now and then. She talked to him and they held a normal conversation.

Even though it was clear for Hajime that she was just a product of his mind. Maybe one of his talents.

"You should try and resist that curiosity of yours. Remember that you live here." Hajime pointed into his head, tapping on his temple a few times. The girl puffed her cheeks and looked at Hajime while he stared at the stars.

"Hey…Nanami…"

"Hmmm?" This caught Chiaki's attention.

"Do you think part of yourself is up there, watching over us? Just as Fuyuhiko said earlier"

Nanami walked to his side and leaned her head on Hajime's arm since her height didn't allow her to reach his shoulder.

"Hinata, you know I'm always looking out for you all, even though you are the only one who can see me. I'm watching everyone as well." Hajime closed his eyes and nodded slowly. "I will always be with you Hinata, part of my consciousness is being held within you. There is no way I can leave you." Chiaki smiled as she turned her head around to look at Hajime, which had a troubled face.

"But, isn't because of me… that you can't rest in peace…?" Hajime's voice was trembling, just like his body. "I'm just being selfish"

Chiaki grabbed Hajime's cheeks with both her hands.

"Hinata do you remember what I said in my last moments?" Chiaki gave Hajime a comforting smile.

"I just want to stay with you all, even though you are the only one who can talk to me, see me and feel me…" Hajime's cheeks could feel the heat emanating from Chiaki's hands. "That's enough for me. Thanks to you I can be with everyone so closely. Thank you, Hinata"

Hajime sheds a single tear from his corrupted eye.

"You always know what to say don't you?" A small smile appeared on his face as he approached Nanami's hands with his. "It's amazing that I can feel you. I think I would've gone crazy if I couldn't feel your touch"

"My consciousness is one with yours. I live inside you. It's technically like having two people in your head, well technically three, but yours is the only physical one. That's why you can see me and feel me." Chiaki explained as Hajime grabbed her hands.

"You know when you say it like that is quite confusing" Hajime was blushing and was having a hard time understanding Chiaki's explanation.

"The only thing you need to understand." Chiaki walk looked at him deep into his eyes. "I am not an illusion. I'm real, at least for you, and you are for me."

Hajime turned away for a few seconds to gaze at the stars one last time.

"I really love you Nanami"

Chiaki reached out to Hajime's hand grasping on it tightly.

"And I love you Hinata" Chiaki looked at the stars with him. Both were hypnotized by the beautiful night sky that covered them.

"Say…Hinata, it has been a long time, so from today on" Chiaki looked at Hajime mustering up her courage. "Call me Chiaki!"

Hajime laughed as soon as she finished speaking. Chiaki puffed her red cheeks in discontent.

"What are you laughing about?" Chiaki pouted.

"Want to head back, Chiaki?"

Her attitude changed suddenly, and she smiled at him.

"Let's go, Hajime"

The couple walked together hand in hand, back to Hajime's cabin. The night sky covered them in a lunar glow as they walked.

"That was quite something else" A silhouette lurked in the night spying in the red-eyed tutor. "This is an interesting turn of events"