The forest creaked softly as a strong gush of wind blew by.
Rhea shivered. A soft sigh escaped her. Her hands were swirling the tag she kept. Which reminded her of Kael every time she looked at it.
"So...I have a feeling this forest is really affecting you."
Daichi said softly. He felt the warmth of Rhea's hands resting on his arm.
"Yeah?. Who'd have thought?" She paused. Sighing again as her frame sagged slightly against Daichi. "Yeah...it's not the best smell y'know."
"Yeah. Brings back bad memories. From the day we met..."
Daichi looked at the fire. Its flames are small and content. Crackling with soft embers flying around it.
It contrasts the whole memory of Rhea's village. Massacre. Violence. Death. Sorrow. And loss.
"Y'know. Micah would really like someone like you."
"That Naïve little boy"
Rhea said. Her eyes were fixed on the little fire.
"Micah?. Who's that?"
Daichi inquired.
"Oh...Micah's my little brother."
"Same kid you saw me with back then..."
Rhea said softly. Her voice broke slightly as she stopped fiddling with the tag. Fighting back tears.
"Oh...."
"He's your brother..."
Daichi looked down at her. Slowly wrapping his hand around her.
"You..."
"You've lost a lot..."
"Haven't you?"
He said softly. Rhea hugged him. Sobbing as her tears damped his clothes.
"E-Everything..."
Her arms tightened around his waist.
"The elder."
"Micah."
"Mama."
"Serlow."
"The twins."
"They're all gone..."
She sobbed even more. Pulling on Daichi's shirt. Heaving heavily.
"They're..."
"all gone."
She said again. Slower. Her voice sounds as if it were being restrained. Like her words were fighting through thorns to escape.
Daichi hugged her tighter. Resting his chin atop her head.
"You've been strong, Rhea. Very strong."
You endured much more than anyone should..."
Rhea sniffled. Looking up at Daichi slightly. Her eyes were red. And her cheeks flushed and wet with tears.
"Please..."
"Don't die too."
Her words made Daichi freeze. Looking down at her.
"I won't..."
Daichi said after a minute of silence passed.
"You mentioned you have a son."
"Will you...forget about me when you find him?"
She asked. Looking away slightly. Fiddling with the watch again.
"No."
"I won't forget about you." He stopped. Looking up at the stars. " And I have this feeling that you and Mori would get along well."
He responded reassuringly.
Does he...really
Care?.
Rhea's eyes are fixed on Daichi. Seeing him properly for the first time. His ruffled, black hair. The faint mix of desperation and hope his bright, brown eyes carried with a hint of tiresome longing.
"The tiny box you call a Phune"
"Why do you look at it so often?"
She asked. Curious to find out what it actually is. Despite not caring enough to ask about it any time before.
"It's called a Phone."
"And Uhm...It reminds me of Mori."
"So I keep it close."
He sighed. Feeling his pocket for it. And taking it out as he looked at the frame.
"How?"
"I don't get how that thing reminds you of someone."
"Or is that how your son looks?"
Rhea was confused. Looking at it in his hand.
"I have a photo of Mori on it-" Rhea interrupted. "A Photo?. What's that?"
"I'll just show you."
Daichi said as he powered on his phone.
ZZZZT.
Rhea jumped.
!!!!
Frightened by the notification. Looking at the bright light on the phone's screen.
The light slowly dimmed as a photo popped up. Same photo Daichi took with Mori holding a stick.
Rhea looked at it. Seeing Daichi on the phone. And right next to her.
"You're...two places at once?" She mused aloud. "Not quite. This is just...a moment in time. Captured to be seen again." Daichi said. Trying to explain as simply as he could while looking at the photo.
"That doesn't make any sens-" Rhea cuts herself. Noticing the other figure next to Daichi. A boy with a stick. His smile is small and gentle.
He had Daichi's bright brown eyes. But Rhea noticed his hair had an orange-red color.
"He has your smile..."
"And his hair. It's very pretty."
Rhea took her own hair in her palms. looking at it. She had tall, silky black hair.
She looked up at Daichi's hair. Noticing the similarity.
"Why is your son's hair so fierce and unique. Yet you have simple black hair."
Her curiosity was justified. Seeing the contrast between Daichi and Mori's hair.
"Well. The little guy got that from his mom."
"She has hair just as beautiful as his."
"My two redheads."
Daichi laughed as he responded.
Rhea looked at him. Sighing contentedly as she got comfortable in his embrace.
"His mom?"
"You haven't said much about her since we've met."
"Have you?"
She inquired. Resting her head on his chest. Looking at his phone.
"No. Not really. We sorta just. Ended on unfavorable terms." Daichi paused. "About when Mori was eight. And the world dying wasn't really helping with anything at all."
Rhea flinched slightly at the mention of Earth. Remembering that thing that seems to be after the survivors.
"Oh..."
"Well. From the looks of it. You've been a good father." She said softly. then added under her voice. "A very good one..."
"Hm?" Daichi hummed. "Oh, nothing. Don't worry. Just talking to myself."
She answered. As Daichi powered off the phone. Hoping to save the remaining fourteen percent.
"Mmh, it was me and my kid against the world."
Daichi looked at the fire. humming softly.
"I know."
"I know all too well."
Rhea responded in a low tone. Almost a whisper as she sighed.
Several hours went by. The fire slowly went out. All the wood was replaced with ash. Adding to the scent of the forest. Which wasn't as much of an issue to Rhea as before.
The night sky slowly left them behind.
While daybreak peeked through the forests.
The warmth of the sun illuminated their features.
Daichi leaned against one of the warm trees. And Rhea's arms were latched to his waist like a belt. Her head was resting on his chest.
Her eyes opened slowly. Feeling Daichi's arm relax around her. As if to keep her safe.
She looked up at his sleeping face.
She's never seen him so relaxed and at peace.
She slowly slid out of his grasp. Standing next to him. Stretching slightly as she yawned.
Looking around.
She noticed the burnt sprinter on the ground. And the other one, Daichi, said he'd prepare in the same state.
"What would you do without me?"
Laughing as she spoke to herself. Feeling much lighter. Jumping slightly to properly wake her muscles.
Looking back at Daichi's sleeping form. She picked up her bow.
"I need to go get us water. Or anything drinkable."
"I'll be back. 'Kay."
She said. Knowing he couldn't hear. But she didn't care.
Sighing as she looked to the forest. She sprinted off.