As night began to fall, the forest grew silent, the distant sounds of animals settling as Akiko, Takeshi, and Riku made camp. The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow over them as they sat, each lost in thought. Riku seemed quieter than usual, his gaze fixed on the flames as if he were somewhere else entirely.
After a few moments of silence, Akiko glanced at him and smiled softly. "You're quieter than usual, Riku. Is something on your mind?"
Riku hesitated, glancing at Takeshi, who had already leaned back and closed his eyes, preparing to rest. Turning back to Akiko, he sighed. "I guess I do have something… or rather, someone… on my mind."
Akiko leaned closer, intrigued. "Is this someone a girl, by any chance?"
Riku's cheeks flushed as he nodded. "Yeah… she's someone I care about a lot. Her name is Hana."
"Hana, huh?" Akiko smiled, her tone light but warm. "How long have you two been together?"
"A little over a year now." Riku smiled fondly, memories of Hana brightening his eyes. "We met at a village festival. She was trying to balance too many trays of food, and I ended up helping her. We just… clicked."
Akiko's expression softened. "That sounds sweet. You know, you're really young, and it's not easy to find a meaningful connection at that age."
Riku looked at her, surprised. "But you're not much older than me, Akiko. How is it different?"
Akiko thought for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Well, being a little older just… changes the way you think about things. People sometimes look down on younger relationships, thinking they're fleeting. But age isn't the only factor that determines how real a connection is."
Riku's gaze fell to the ground, his expression serious. "I think about that a lot. Hana and I know people don't always take us seriously, especially since we're young. But I don't care. She makes me feel… seen. She understands me, even when no one else does."
Akiko placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That's how it should be. A relationship built on understanding is rare. I think what you and Hana have sounds genuine."
Riku nodded, then looked away, his voice lower. "I just… I wish she didn't have to worry about me so much. When I left, she was scared, and I didn't want to promise I'd come back if I wasn't sure I could."
A pang of sadness flashed in Akiko's eyes. "Love comes with fear, Riku, especially when you're facing something dangerous. But that fear doesn't mean she doubts you. It means she loves you deeply."
Riku looked up, nodding. "You think… she'll wait for me?"
Akiko smiled. "If she loves you the way it sounds, she'll wait."
Their conversation fell quiet as Riku seemed lost in thought, reassured but still pensive. The stars shone above, casting their gentle light on the camp as the fire crackled on.
"Thank you, Akiko," Riku said softly. "Talking to you… it helps."
"Anytime," she replied. And as they sat by the fire, a deeper bond formed between them—a friendship rooted in understanding and trust.