Chapter 2 — Under the Same Moon
The river was their place.
Every night, when the village lights went quiet and the world seemed to breathe slower, Hana walked the narrow path toward the water. The moon followed her steps, reflecting softly on the flowing stream.
Kai was already there.
He always was.
They didn't rush into each other's arms. They never needed to. Their closeness was built from years of shared silence.
Hana sat beside him, close enough to feel his warmth, far enough to respect the world around them. The sound of water filled the space between their words.
"You're quiet tonight," Kai said softly.
Hana smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I'm just tired."
Kai looked at her longer than usual. He had learned her silences the way others learn words. He knew when something was wrong.
She rested her head lightly against his shoulder. It was a small gesture, but it carried everything she couldn't say.
At home, her mother's cough had grown worse.
Medicine cost more each week.
And her father's work barely covered food.
Hana was strong — but even strength has limits.
"I'm scared, Kai," she whispered.
He didn't ask why. He gently took her hand instead, his thumb brushing over her fingers, grounding her in the moment.
"I'm here," he said. "You're not alone."
She looked up at him then. The moonlight softened his face, made him look almost fragile. In that moment, she wished love was enough to fix everything.
Kai felt it too.
He loved her — deeply.
But love didn't pay for medicine.
And love didn't silence the pressure building around them.
They lay back on the grass, side by side, staring at the sky. No promises. No plans. Just two hearts beating under the same moon.
"Do you ever think about leaving?" Hana asked quietly.
Kai closed his eyes for a moment.
"Sometimes," he answered. "But not without you."
Her chest tightened.
The river kept flowing, unaware of their worries.
The night stayed beautiful, unaware of the choices waiting for them.
For now, they had this moment.
But both of them knew —
moments don't last forever.