Stepping through the gates of Kalm felt like entering an entirely different world. The town was built from a blend of warm natural stone, sturdy timber, and neatly laid cobblestone streets. Its architecture radiated a lush, rustic charm. A small canal of crystal-clear water cut through the town, slowly turning a waterwheel as wooden boats drifted lazily along its surface. Lining the streets, rows of market stalls offered a vibrant array of fresh fruit and blooming flowers. Yet, the beating heart of Kalm was a giant Machine Tank and a towering Clock Tower.
In stark contrast to Sector 7, the residents of Kalm seemed far more relaxed and welcoming to outsiders. The town's atmosphere was brought to life by the melodies of street musicians—a chorus of cello, violin, and guitar weaving a perfect harmony in the air.
Johnny parked his sidecar motorcycle in a shaded alley not far from the inn. He pulled a tarp over the vehicle to keep it from drawing too much attention.
Beside him, Aerith gave her brown hair a quick toss. Her eyes immediately sparkled as she took in her surroundings. "This town... it's so beautiful, Johnny."
Johnny offered a faint smile, adjusting the collar of his leather jacket. "No giant steel plates or Mako reactors here. Every morning, people wake up and can look straight up at the sky."
Aerith tilted her head back, gazing at the white clouds drifting freely. "Do you think... we could see a blue sky like this every morning when we wake up?" she murmured softly, her voice laced with hope.
Hearing this, Johnny turned to face Aerith, his expression dead serious. "Of course we can. I'll look for a real estate agent. With a few installments, I think we'd have enough to buy whichever house you like best."
Aerith gasped. "E-eh?! That's not what I meant, Johnny! Oh my gosh!" She let out a soft laugh, waving her hands dismissively. "I still want to live in Midgar. I don't want to be far from my mom... or your parents. Besides, my flowers are there. I was just daydreaming, don't go buying a house just yet."
Johnny gave a quiet snort, his features softening. "Alright. In that case, let's just enjoy this sky as much as we can while we're here."
They walked side by side down the main street. A profound sense of peace permeated every corner. Residents strolled by without a care, children ran around chasing balls without the fear of falling debris from above, and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from shop windows.
Aerith stopped every few paces. She brushed her fingers against the textured stone walls of the houses, admired the flower boxes sitting on windowsills, and greeted passing stray cats. For a girl who had spent her entire life trapped beneath a steel plate, the normalcy of Kalm was nothing short of a miracle.
Overjoyed, Aerith tugged and swung Johnny's hand like a child visiting a theme park for the first time. She walked with a spring in her step, occasionally resting her head against Johnny's massive arm, completely unbothered by the young man's slight awkwardness. Her eyes kept shining, accompanied by a sweet hum that slipped effortlessly from her lips.
They eventually stopped at a classic, wood-paneled restaurant. A mouthwatering aroma greeted them as their food arrived: a flat, crispy breaded beef cutlet served warm alongside potatoes and a fresh salad. For dessert, a slice of chocolate cake layered with apricot jam awaited. At the corner of the table, they hadn't forgotten to set aside two small plates specifically for Puck and Ivalera.
Just as Johnny was about to cut into his steak, a fork suddenly paused right in front of his face. Aerith leaned forward with a mischievous smile. "Come on, open wide... Say 'ahh'~" she teased.
Johnny glanced around awkwardly. Suppressing his embarrassment, he opened his mouth and accepted the bite. The contrasting sight drew some attention; a few locals at nearby tables who had initially been intimidated by the massive sword resting beside Johnny were now offering warm smiles at the two young adults' antics.
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After finishing their meal, they continued their leisurely afternoon by boarding a small wooden boat, gliding down the canal to experience Kalm from a different perspective. The boat drifted smoothly through the narrow waterway before finally opening up into a wider expanse.
With a soft laugh, Aerith splashed water toward Johnny. "The water is so cold! You should dip your hand in. It feels completely different from the water in Sector 7."
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Johnny reached his hand into the water. Then, with an uncharacteristic flash of mischief, he splashed her right back.
The cool droplets dotted the tip of Aerith's nose. She blinked in surprise, then giggled and retaliated with a larger splash. A miniature water fight broke out on the boat, leaving the oarsman shaking his head in sheer bewilderment.
The boat slowly pulled up to the bank in the town center. They disembarked, instantly greeted by the massive shadow of Kalm's most iconic structure.
DONG... DONG... DONG... The deep, resonant chime of the bell swept across the entire town. Aerith looked up, staring at the giant clock hands in awe.
"It's so grand, isn't it? I heard this clock tower has been standing since before Midgar was even built," Aerith said. "Its chime... it's as if it's telling everyone that time will keep moving forward, no matter how bad the outside world gets."
"Yeah," Johnny replied, his voice heavy. He looked up alongside her, his gaze fixed on the ticking hands.
Leaving the docks, Aerith pulled Johnny up the spiral staircase leading to the tower's balcony. From that height, the view was breathtaking. On one side, an expanse of green grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see. On the other, far off in the hazy horizon, the dark silhouette of Midgar peered through.
Aerith leaned against the balcony railing, letting the wind catch her hair and pink ribbon.
"It's funny, isn't it," she murmured softly. "Looking at Midgar from here... it seems so small. Yet when we were inside it, it felt like the entire world."
Johnny stood beside her, resting his massive arms on the stone balustrade. "The world is vast, Aerith. Midgar is just one tiny speck on this Planet."
He then raised a hand, pointing straight past the grassy plains toward a distant mountain range. "The Junon Ridge Mountain."
"Are we heading there?" Aerith asked.
"Yeah. Once we cross those mountains, we'll reach Junon."
Aerith stared at the craggy peaks with a hint of worry. "Is the route safe, Johnny? Are we going to have to climb a mountain that high on the motorcycle?"
"No. Shinra built a highway tunnel that cuts right through the belly of the mountain," Johnny explained. "We'll arrive on the other side by nightfall, then stay the night in Under Junon."
Beneath the shadow of the giant clock hands, they fell silent once more, soaking in the comfortable quiet.
"We need to stock up on a few supplies," Johnny said, breaking the silence. "Fresh food, clean water, and gas."
Aerith nodded in agreement, wrapping her hands around his arm once again. "Let's go. But after that, you're buying me that bread we've been smelling this whole time, okay?"
"As much as you want," Johnny answered without hesitation.