Ice and Warmth

It was midnight.

Rania somehow managed to leave her tent and approach that rock. She could already see Hiroshi sitting on top of it, staring at the stars. The environment around was silent: the absence of people and noise created a very serene, almost magical atmosphere. Cold air, dark night, and starry sky.

Rania also climbed up and sat next to Hiroshi.

"Are you looking at the stars?" Rania asked.

"Yes."

"Are they beautiful?"

"They are points of light scattered across a dark mantle called the universe. Emotions depend on the eye that observes them."

"I see."

A moment of silence.

"What will you do now?" Rania asked.

"I don't know. I'm just a stranger without you here."

Silence again.

"You know, that day you fought really hard. Everyone was amazed and I was left speechless. It was incredible."

Hiroshi turned toward the girl, looked directly into her eyes, and said, "And you? How did you feel?"

The words were direct, but here it wasn't about the context of words but of gazes. Two different gazes: one absolute ice, the other a warm spark.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Rania asked in a low voice, but with a very feminine expression.

"I apologize for my boldness." Hiroshi turned his eyes away again.

"There was no need to turn your eyes away."

"You didn't answer my question."

Rania took a breath, stretched her arms, and said, "Hmm... it was reassuring."

"Good."

"I want to ask you how you did—" Before Rania could finish, Hiroshi said, "I know what you want to ask me, and for that I'll tell you a true story about a man. Do you want to hear it?"

"Alright, tell me."

"Well, this man was born poor. Parents died because of poverty, raised by others, but he didn't let poverty overcome him. He worked hard, very hard, and a time came when he was the richest man in his city."

"Did you take inspiration from him?"

"Yes."

"Then he's a wonderful man, his story is moving."

"No, I don't recommend becoming like him."

"And why not?"

"Because he was unjust. Pleasure overwhelmed him, he became blind, he became a slave to pleasure. He couldn't see right from wrong. Countless lives were sucked dry by him."

The words were cold, dark, and direct, and this intimidated Rania for a moment.

"In the end, what happened to him?" she asked.

"I don't know. The ending hasn't been written yet."

"But there will be a moment when he can change his destiny?"

"No one knows."

Just at that moment, Hukuro appeared from somewhere: "HEY YOUNGSTERS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT THIS HOUR? HERE ALL ALONE, HUH?"

"Hukuro, why are you here?" Rania asked.

"Hiroshi knows why I'm here."

"He's present here because of a sensation that keeps him alive even today: the memories of a living being that wake him up every day."

"What do you mean?" Rania asked, confused.

"He's referring to love, the love I have for my wife. She also loved the starry sky, so I watch it too."

"I understand."

Then Hukuro said jokingly, looking at Rania: "I'm seeing a new love being born here."

Rania blushed and said, "STOP JOKING, HUKURO! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE THAT I COULD LOVE HIM!"

"I never said you love him."

Rania, irritated, ran away, while Hukuro laughed watching her.

The next day.

It was morning.

Hiroshi had decided to leave his tent and show himself in public. As soon as he came out and people saw him, they all gathered in front of him.

This is why I didn't want to come out, was his first thought that appeared.

People were congratulating him for his victory, greeting him, shaking hands. Everything was nice but uncomfortable for Hiroshi. Rania also arrived in the meantime and saved Hiroshi from that discomfort by taking him away, toward the stream.

"Thank you for the help," Hiroshi said.

"I didn't do anything."

"So, how are you?" Hiroshi asked.

"Random question."

"I felt like asking you."

"I'm fine."

"Are you staying here or going back to the city?"

"I don't know yet, but I'm starting to like staying here a bit." She paused and looked at him. "Only because you're here with me."

"I didn't think I could be so useful."

"You are."

At that moment, from behind, Duraan appeared like a colossus and put his heavy hand on Hiroshi's shoulder, almost making him stagger.

"HIROSHI NAKAMURA!"

The two turned around.

"Duraan, how are you?" Hiroshi asked.

"Not well, after losing to you."

"Okay."

Then Duraan said, "I gave you my word. Come with me, I need to apologize to you in the middle of the village."

"I don't need your apology, it's useless to me. If you want to take Rania, take her."

"The word was given to you, not to Ranikson... I mean, Rania."

"Your apology won't change anything. I want something else."

Duraan thought for a while and said, "What do you want?"

"Can you give me the answer to my question?"

"I'll try."

Hiroshi looked directly into his eyes.

"What does it mean to be a human being?"

For a moment, silence appeared. Neither Rania nor Duraan could understand what it meant. The question forced them to reflect, at that moment when light, cold air was circulating.

"In my opinion, the meaning of being human means being strong to protect those you care about," Duraan said.

"And in my opinion, it means knowing how to understand others' pain and respect it," Rania said.

"Good, thank you for answering."

Just at that moment, the sound of drums was heard, and this meant that everyone had to gather at the camp: there was news to announce.