Volume 4 – Chapter 12: The Compass

Date: September 18

Last 13 Days. 

Too small were the boy's fingers to clutch the heavy brass compass, but he did so as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

“North’s this way,” Kaito said, crouching next to him. “No matter what happens… north stays the same.”

The boy—Tomo—solemnly nodded, his eyes aglow in the morning sunlight as his little sister clung to his sleeve, uncertain yet wide-eyed, gazing at Kaito.

A few steps behind them, Rika crossed her arms and smiled mildly. Kaito bothered her quite a bit, yet seeing him teach like that warmed and hurt her inside.

“He has changed,” Kanna said quietly beside her. “You both changed.”

Rika raised her head and looked at her.

Kanna gave a slight shrug. “Before, you merely survived; now you live.”

Were live meaningful between them so?

Maybe it was.

---

Later, they sat with Renji under the broken skeleton of the observatory dome, talking it all through.

“Come with us!” Rika urged. “The shelters… they’re underground. Reinforced. Safer than staying here.”

Renji hesitated, casting a glance at the children.

“Do you trust those shelters?” he asked.

“No,” Kaito said candidly. “But I trust the people who are building them.”

And silence fell over the room again.

At last, Renji nodded. “Then we go.”

A few small and careful cheers erupted from the children. Hope turned shy and staggering on their faces.

Not perfect. Not safe.

But something.

---

As the night wore on, Kaito and Rika sat on the cracked concrete roof, staring at stars.

"You think there's anyone else out there?" Rika whispered.

"Maybe," Kaito said. "Maybe not."

She turned her head to gaze at him with bright and inquisitive eyes, and spoke softly in silence as she understood the importance of her momentary discomfort, "Since you are here I don't mind."

He took her hand, crossing his fingers through hers.

"Then we'll find our way. No matter what."

And far above, the stars burned on, silent witnesses to their fragile, stubborn love.