We Have Lingered in the Chambers of the Sea

Trees hurled by in incredible speed, whizzing by so quickly that they were merely grey and brown blurs against the January sky. Naoe and Hazuki both watched the world flying by with pure excitement. Their journey had only just begun, but joy was already vibrantly coating their hearts as the bullet train safely hurled them towards Kurashiki’s waiting beaches.

Sayane had gifted them her fast-processing polaroid camera, which produced tiny rectangular photo prints with every snap. Naoe was amazed by the technology and thrilled to document every moment of the trip. Soon her lap was full of small mementos of the first two hours.

She had not revealed her plan to Hazuki, and her conversation with Naoe had only created even more anticipatory tension in her chest. Hazuki tried to contain the illicit knowledge in his mind that had arisen from his discussion with Arthur. Neither slept for a single moment as they traveled. All the world felt wondrous.

At the station, Arthur had reserved a courier to transfer their luggage to their reserved onsen, leaving them free to explore without concern. Hazuki kept a single backpack that was loaded with a few supplies. The two of them connected to a local train and then continued on for a few extended legs before the main city’s density began to thin. Their car rounded a curved line and Naoe let out a quiet gasp of joy. Their entire left side view was now of the ocean. Vast and blue, with barely a cloud overhead, the water stretched out until it met the haze of the horizon.

“It’s beautiful!” Naoe exclaimed as she squeezed Hazuki’s hand.

“It’s the ocean,” she whispered as she blinked tears away.

Hazuki’s thumb grazed along the back of her hand.

“Happy tears,” she sniffled with a laugh.

“I figured so,” grinned Hazuki.

Moments later they were at their destination, with only a moderate walk to their secluded destination. To Hazuki’s great happiness, the weather was warm. Still, the water being cold from the winter would likely help keep any strangers from wandering into their idyllic escape. Barely maintained paths snaked through the trees that lined the edge of the train tracks and roads. Soon the noise of the world faded and all that could be heard was the lapping of the waves. Steady, strong, repetitive and hypnotic. Even Hazuki felt himself becoming excited. Naoe was silent as she soaked in every sound and smell of salt water.

The walkway opened and revealed a hidden cove that was the size of a medium-sized lawn. Grass ended and white sand met their feet as rocks and trees curved above in smoothed arches and barriers that drifted into the sea, blocking the real world away from sight. They were seperated from all others and truly alone. It was their own small pocket of heaven. Naoe let out a squeel of joy and ran forward to the water. Hazuki’s joy overtook his restraint, and he rushed forward as quickly as he was able, letting out a howl of excitement.

Naoe’s feet struck the water, sending glistening splashes of cool Pacific into the air, causing her to let out a shriek of excitement.

“It’s the ocean!!!” she cried out as happy tears returned and Hazuki wrapped her in his arms.

To her surprise, he hoisted her up on one arm while still balancing with his cane, then held her against his waist as he slowly spun around. Then he lowered her back into the water and kissed her. It surprised Naoe for a brief moment, but then her fingers were clasping his face to hers as water ebbed back and forth against her feet and ankles.

“You made it. You’re at the ocean! We got to go together!” he whispered.

“Thank you,” she replied, sensing he truly did not remember her joke.

That made her happy. It didn’t change her mind. Now, she merely had to decide when the time was right.

Hazuki set out a blanket and some food. Naoe had packed the books of poetry he bought her last year. Hazuki stripped down to his trunks and set his cane in the sand. Naoe watched as he slowly limped forward to the water, then she remembered a long-lost detail about him.

“You used to love swimming…” she said.

Hazuki paused and turned to her.

“I did. I don’t think I can swim anymore, but it would be nice to submerge, even for a moment. Do you want to join me?”

“I will, in a moment. I wanted to watch you and admire you for a moment, if that’s okay,” Naoe said.

Hazuki nodded. When he turned back to the water, Naoe did admire his lean, muscular body as it worked in earnest to force its way through the sifting sand. Ocean water framed him in a giant blue canvas as the sun set high above. He reached the water and tensed at the chill very briefly but did not stop. Unsteady, slow steps moved him deeper into the water as the waves bounced against his chest and arms. Hazuki pushed off from his good leg and dove beneath the water. Naoe never looked away.

Beneath the waves, sound muted and energy churned as the currents pulled and pushed the fluid world in rhythmic pulsing. Hazuki pumped his arms forward and pulled the water through cupped hands. His good leg kicked. He was able to move. It was almost familiar.Strokes moved him forward as he stayed beneath the waves. Memories of a youth long lost drifted by. Feelings beyond sadness or acceptance coursed through his chest and legs and he continued as far as he could before settling his feet on the ocean floor and rising for air.

Hazuki’s head broke above the waves facing away from the beach. He allowed himself to drift onto his back with his eyes to the sky as the waves carried him slowly to shore. Moments paused and he exhaled. Then Naoe spoke.

“Hazuki? Could I ask you to do something?” Naoe asked from dozens of meters away.

Her voice was soft, and something felt more mature in her tone. Hazuki settled and started to turn.

“Don’t turn yet,” Naoe said softly.

Hazuki froze and waited. Seconds passed then Naoe spoke once more.

“I… I wanted you to see me. To truly see me… But then I realized, I wanted to see you too. If I asked you to do that, would you let me truly see you?” she asked.

Memories returned to Hazuki, and he smiled gently to himself.

“Your joke. Back then?”

“I don’t want it to be a joke anymore.”

Hazuki turned and Naoe was standing at the water with a towel wrapped around her body. He understood her request and nodded to her. They did not look away from one another as he returned to the shore and slowly removed his trunks, exposing himself fully. His chest tensed slightly against the cool air, but he did not hide. His hips curved in sharp contour from his waist to his legs. Muscle tensed and relaxed in the chill and under the strain of support. His shoulders were broader than they seemed. Naoe’s gaze stayed on his. She nodded and he made his way back into the water until it was at his stomach once more. Then, he turned and waited.

“You’re the most beautiful thing in my world,” he said.

“As are you,” she replied with an inhale.

Her hands relaxed. The towel slid slowly, catching on her skin for a moment before falling away, revealing all of her to him. The scar on her body truly covered the entire side of her face, arm, chest, stomach, and hip. Her stomach and legs were pale and soft. Her ribs could be seen subtly curving out with each inhale. A gentle breeze held her hair to the side in a slight wave. Her hands held the propagation vial while crossed in front of her waist before coming to rest at her side.

Water lapped along her legs as she made her way to Hazuki. The cold caused her to flinch as it splashed against her stomach, but she did not stop. Hazuki met her when the water when it reached her chest.

Droplets of water slid down her arms as she lifted them from the waves to feel Hazuki’s skin. He kissed her head as it came to rest on his chest. There they stood, skin to skin, clasping the vial together, surrounded and embraced by the sounding sea.