Toward The Lost Flame

Mika waited until Naoru calmed down during their walk through the royal gardens, where his hypnotized movements carried him like a puppet. She stepped closer to him. Naoru stood still, his body tense and mechanical—his eyes void of their true light.

Mika (softly, yet firmly): “Naoru… do you hear me? Remember who you are. Remember your friends, your duty, and what is just. Akihiko, Aiko… they need your strength, your heart. Don’t let anyone control you.”

Mika began to weave small reminders of their past—inside jokes, memories of training, moments when they laughed together or planned strategies side by side. Each memory was like a faint echo of truth, breaking through the fog of hypnosis.

Naoru slowly shook his head, as though something deep inside was stirring. His gaze grew more focused, his eyes flickering with life—the chains of hypnosis loosening. Mika felt it: if she kept reaching out to his heart, she could awaken him completely and bring him back as an ally.

Mika (steady, resolute): “Naoru, listen to me… you know who I am. Even if you don’t feel it now, I know your true self is still there. This force binding you is not yours—you are someone who fights for justice, for your friends… for what is real.”

As Naoru’s resistance grew stronger, Mika chose to take one final step.

Mika (her voice trembling slightly): “Naoru… please, look at me. You are mine… I can’t lose you.”

Her hands reached for his, gentle but insistent. Her presence—her breath, her warmth, her energy—began to awaken something buried deep within him. And then, as her last and most desperate act, she kissed him—softly, yet with resolve.

Naoru flinched, as though the kiss had pierced through the spell. His heartbeat quickened, his body relaxed, the tension leaving him. Color returned to his face. His eyes—blue and clear—finally focused on Mika.

Naoru (still dazed, but slowly emotional): “Mika… what… what’s happening?”

Mika (smiling faintly, but firm): “This is real, Naoru. It’s me… and you must find your true self. Don’t let anyone control you again.”

At that moment, Noirelle’s hold began to falter. Mika knew the first step had been taken: Naoru was awakening his own will. Her intuition, courage, and emotions had broken through the curse, and Naoru’s soul was his again. His eyes filled with life, his body regained its strength, and his heart beat freely—not under anyone’s chains.

Naoru stared at her in surprise, gratitude flickering in his eyes.

Naoru: “Mika… did you really… kiss me?”

Mika blushed faintly. “You were slipping away, Naoru…” Her gaze dropped, unable to meet his.

But Naoru gently lifted her chin, his touch steady. Their eyes locked as he leaned closer and kissed her in return—gentle, yet filled with unspoken longing.

Time seemed to stop. The world around them faded away. Their kiss carried everything they hadn’t dared to say—yearning, relief, and the unbreakable bond that had survived battles, hypnosis, and Noirelle’s influence. Mika exhaled softly, her hand resting on his shoulder, clinging to the warmth of his presence.

Naoru (whispering): “You don’t know how long I’ve wished for this… but I never had the courage to take the step.”

Mika: “Me too, Naoru…”

Their closeness, their touches, spoke louder than any words could.

But Mika soon realized that Naoru’s memory of Aiko was still fractured. He could recall only fragments of the truth.

“Naoru, you must believe me,” she insisted. “Not only were you under Noirelle’s control—she also erased our memories and cast us back into the past.”

Naoru frowned, thoughts racing. “So… this really is the past.”

Mika gave a grave nod.

Mika (determined): “Naoru, we must find Aiko. She’s the key—not only to Noirelle’s defeat, but to restoring everything that was taken from us. We must go to Earth and find her. Together, we’ll make a plan.”

Naoru looked at her, the weight of responsibility settling back into his chest. He nodded slowly. “Then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll find her.”

Scene: The royal chambers on Akarihoshi.

Naoru and Mika stood by the wide window, the sunset casting golden light across the city below.

Naoru (gazing at the horizon): “Mika, officially, we are traveling to Celestia for the diplomatic summit.”

Mika (with a faint smile, though worried): “I just hope we find her. We need her strength… only she can stand against Noirelle.”

As they headed toward the hangar, Naoru glanced at Mika, speaking softly:

Naoru: “We’ll manage it together, as always.”

Mika gave a small nod, squeezing his hand briefly. The air between them was heavy with determination, fear, and longing. Their ship slowly lifted into the skies, leaving the golden sunset behind, setting its course toward Earth.

They had the coordinates Aiko’s home.

Meanwhile, Aiko’s restlessness grew. She paced her room, sensing time slipping away, though she didn’t know what was happening on Akarihoshi or with Akihiko.

Suddenly, the boy at her side collapsed into a fit, his body trembling and flickering as if fading from existence. Aiko panicked, rushing to him, cradling him in her arms.

Aiko: “What’s happening to you? I have to take you to a doctor—”

But the boy grabbed her hand. “Don’t worry… it will pass. Doctors cannot help with this.”

Aiko held him tightly, and the boy’s condition calmed as if nothing had happened. Yet as relief washed over her, she felt something approaching—an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar presence. She hurried to the window, only to see a ship from Akarihoshi landing on the grass outside.

Naoru and Mika stepped out. Mika gave Naoru’s hand a reassuring squeeze—something told them they were on the right path, though neither knew exactly what awaited them.

Naoru: “Coordinates confirmed. She should be here.”

Aiko and the boy came out of the house. Her eyes lit up with joy the instant she saw them. Her heart leapt, a wave of relief washing over her—it felt like coming home.

Naoru’s memories rushed back at the sight of her. “Now I remember everything. How could I have forgotten?”

Mika: “Noirelle is terrifyingly powerful.”

Aiko ran straight to Naoru and Mika, throwing her arms around both of them in a fierce embrace.

Aiko (voice trembling with joy): “Mika… Naoru… you’re really here! I didn’t believe we’d ever be together again!”

The boy quietly watched from Aiko’s side, his gaze calm yet protective, as if proud his task had succeeded.

Naoru turned to Aiko, serious now. “We have to save Akihiko. He’s slipping deeper under Noirelle’s control.”

But then his eyes lingered on the boy. He studied him intently, something in his heart stirring—a flash of recognition he couldn’t yet name.

Naoru: “Greetings, young one. What are you doing here with Aiko?”

The boy’s blue eyes glimmered with calm determination as he answered simply: “I guide her.”

Naoru hesitated, his instincts screaming that there was more to this child than met the eye. He leaned closer, his voice steady but probing.

Naoru: “Young man… I don’t know where you’ve come from, but your strength, your presence… it feels familiar. How did you get here?”

The boy tilted his head slightly, but his voice remained quiet and sure: “Time and energy allowed me to come. What matters now is saving Akarihoshi.”

Naoru studied him a moment longer. He couldn’t place it yet, but he knew this boy was important. Still, his priority lay elsewhere. He clenched his fists and looked back at Aiko.

Naoru (firmly): “Then let’s go. We must save Akihiko first—questions can wait.”

The boy nodded silently, stepping back to let Naoru and Aiko lead, though his watchful presence never wavered.

Aiko: “He has to come with us.”

Naoru and Mika exchanged worried glances, but Aiko’s determination silenced their objections.

Naoru eyed the boy again. The aura around him, the piercing blue eyes, the strange familiarity—it gnawed at him. “This isn’t just some child,” he muttered.

Mika added cautiously: “Still… it’s dangerous. This isn’t a place for children.”

But Aiko only smiled faintly, her voice firm: “Don’t worry. He’s no ordinary boy. He has power… and he knows how to use it. Trust me.”

The boy remained still, quiet, yet his presence filled the air with a steady strength. Naoru sighed, skeptical but unwilling to oppose Aiko further.

Naoru: “Fine. But once we’re there, we won’t have time to watch over you.” He leaned closer to the boy. “Understand? This isn’t a game.”

The boy nodded, his calm smile unshaken. “I understand.”

Naoru’s Inner Monologue (as he glances at the boy one last time):

There’s something about him… this energy… it feels like Aiko’s flame. And why does his presence remind me of Akihiko?