A Moment Between Storms

One day… The sun of Akarihoshi was illuminating the manicured gardens, the flowers giving off a gentle fragrance, the water in the fountain softly splashing, and yet there was a tension in the air that anyone who came close could feel. Aiko and Akihiko walked slowly, their hands lightly clasped, each touch of their fingers a silent reminder that their bond was stronger than anything they had endured.

Aiko trembled slightly as memories crept back: trials, dangers, moments when she had feared she would lose him. Her heart ached, yet she was warmed by the feeling that he was here, beside her. I can’t imagine ever losing him again. Without him, I wouldn’t be me. He is my peace… my home. If fate were to take him from me again, I don’t know if I could keep living.

“Akihiko…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Every moment… every argument, every danger… it has all taught me how much I need you.”

Akihiko looked at her. His eyes were full of longing and tenderness, yet behind them lay a weight only he could feel. Even though we are together now, I must not forget. The world is unpredictable. Every corner can hide a shadow, every moment of peace could be a prelude to a storm. My duty is not just to be her husband… but her shield. She is my greatest treasure. If anyone tried to take her, I would stand before her to my last breath. I would rather sacrifice myself than allow her to feel pain.

He shivered slightly at her voice and whispered, “Aiko… I too… every moment I thought I was losing you, I longed to hold you and never let go. I want us to live without fear from now on. I want you to be happy.”

Aiko looked at him, her heart pounding. There was more than love in his eyes. There was weight. A battle he bore alone. She smiled faintly. “Only with you do I feel safe… and able to truly enjoy what’s to come.”

If he is with me, I can survive anything. He is the light in my darkness, the air I breathe. Let whatever comes… come. As long as he holds me, I am not afraid.

They paused for a moment, their hands gently clasped. In the air there was longing, a sense that everything they had endured had led precisely to this moment.

“I’m glad we are together,” Akihiko whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. I will never let her doubt herself. She is the reason I live, breathe, the reason I am both a prince and a man. If she ever breaks, I will be the one to hold her upright. If she cries, I will be her laughter. She is my heart. “No matter what, Aiko… I will always be by your side.”

Aiko responded with a smile full of trust. Whatever happens, I will always return to him. Our world is unpredictable, but the love we’ve built is stronger than any shadow. He is my treasure, just as I am his. “Always with you, Akihiko.”

For a moment, it seemed as if the world had stopped—past, dangers, doubts—all merging into peace and closeness. Just us, just now, just love. Yet somewhere deep in the corner of Akihiko’s mind, a quiet alert whispered, Not everything is as calm as it seems. Shadows stir even in bright light… I must stay vigilant, no matter how peaceful this moment feels.

Akihiko gently looked at her, fingers playing with her hand, almost whispering, “You know, Princess… yesterday, when I held you in my arms, I first truly imagined what it would be like if we… had a family.”

Aiko flinched slightly, but her expression softened. Her eyes shone, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips. “I’ve thought about it too…” she admitted, blushing. How is it that I so clearly want something I once feared? Perhaps because I know he would be there with me. That our child would be part of us, proof that we survived every storm. “I imagined what it would be like if I ever… had a child. Your child.”

His deep, sincere smile always made her knees weak. “My child… our child, Princess,” he corrected gently, stroking her hair as if afraid the moment might vanish too quickly. How I long for this. To see her in the light, with our child in her arms… That would be the moment I know I’ve fulfilled my destiny.

Aiko shyly lowered her gaze, but her eyes danced with sparks. “Do you think he would look more like you or me?”

Akihiko laughed, leaning close to her face. “I hope he has your smile, because it could light up the entire planet. And your warmth…” Then he grew serious. “And I hope he also has some of my stubbornness, so he will never give up.”

If he has her smile, the world is safe. If he has my stubbornness, nothing can defeat him. This will be our legacy.

Aiko gasped with joy at his words and whispered, “Akihiko… this is the first time we’ve spoken about this out loud. It feels… so real.”

He held her tighter. “And someday, when the time is right, Princess… we will truly become parents. And believe me, I will be there with you every step of the way.”

She leaned against his shoulder, smiling and lighthearted. “Well, if he has your stubbornness, Prince, I will have to chase him around the castle to make him behave.”

Akihiko laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Oh, Princess, if he has your fiery spirit, I will be the one constantly running after both of you.”

And that would be the happiest trial of my life. No storm could take this moment from me… unless I let it.

Aiko blushed and nudged him. “And what if it’s a girl?”

Akihiko suddenly grew serious, his eyes sparkling. “Then she will be my greatest treasure. No one will dare approach her… except maybe Naoru, if he’s very, very careful.”

Aiko laughed so loudly she had to cover her mouth. “You’ll be so protective that no boy will even dare give her flowers!”

He leaned toward her, kissed her lips, and whispered, “That’s why she will have me… and you. You will spoil her, and I will protect her. Perfect combination.”

Aiko played with his fingers and looked at him warmly. “You know what, Akihiko? I think you’d be a wonderful father.”

Watching him now, with that smile and all that love in his eyes… I know he would be.

He pulled her close, his gaze shining. “And you would be the most loving mother the universe could imagine.”

Aiko closed her eyes and smiled. “Well, if it’s a girl, we could call her Hana. After your mother. A beautiful name, don’t you think?”

Akihiko looked at her gently. “A wonderful name, Princess. But if it’s a boy… I vote for Kaito. After my father.”

Aiko laughed and nudged his shoulder. “Oh, of course, typical prince—everything in royal style! But what if I gave him a simpler name, like Haru?”

Akihiko rolled his eyes thoughtfully, yet laughter danced in them. “Haru? Then our son would sound like a mischievous wanderer, not a future prince!”

Aiko leaned close and whispered in his ear, “And what’s wrong with wanderers, Prince? You were one once yourself, sneaking into my chamber…”

At these words, he nearly blushed, but quickly held her tighter. How does he still remember these moments… How am I the one who loves him? “If that’s the case, then the name will remain a secret… until I choose it!”

Aiko laughed, stole a kiss, and pulled back just enough to give him a teasing look. “Oh, forget it, dear Prince. Our child will have the name I choose. You know I always have the final word.”

Akihiko sighed, pretending to be defeated, and kissed her hand. “Alright, Princess… but under one condition.”

“Which?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.

He leaned closer and whispered, “That you give me a kiss now… as proof that you’ll be a fair mother and share the authority.”

Aiko looked at him with a mischievous smile. “A kiss? Hmm, maybe… but what if you have to earn it?”

Akihiko took a step back, raising his eyebrows playfully. “Earn it? Princess, I’m your husband and the future father of our children! I’m not some beggar for kisses!”

Aiko burst into laughter. “No, no, Prince, a little humility wouldn’t hurt you. If you want a kiss, you have to make me lunch today.”

Akihiko clutched his chest in mock horror. “Lunch? Do you know you’d risk the lives of an entire planet? If I cook, half the kingdom will flee!”

Aiko almost fell over laughing. “Fine, then… clean our chamber!”

Akihiko looked at her in shock, his voice serious. “That’s betrayal, Princess. The real battle begins only when you force me to clean!”

Aiko stuck out her tongue. “Then forget the kiss, dear Prince!”

But he quickly grabbed her around the waist, lifted her, and twirled her until she laughed like a child. “Alright, alright! Cleaning may not… but I will get that kiss now!”

Before Aiko could say anything, he stole a long, warm kiss. When he let her go, she pretended to be angry. “Unfair!”

Akihiko confidently whispered, “In love and war, Princess… everything is allowed.”

And in love with you, Aiko… I would go through every fire, every darkness, every war. Always. But I must always remember: the world may be calm now, yet the shadows wait. I will protect her, no matter what comes.