Sora exited the Secret Place. Once he was outside, he noticed that Kairi was sitting on the raft. She was fiddling with something that jingled in her hands. "Hey, Kairi!", Sora greeted, "What's that you got there?"

"This?", Kairi asked, "I'm making necklaces of thalassa shells. In the old days, sailors always wore thalassa shells. They were supposed to ensure a safe voyage. In fact, I've already finished one. See?"

She held an unfinished star-shaped charm out to him. "It's a charm to help us find each other if we ever get separated", Kairi continued, "The three of us will always be together."

As she put it away in her skirt pocket, Sora laid out what he had spent the day gathering. Kairi smiled happily and said, "Thanks, Sora! What do you say we call it a day?" Sora nodded and replied, "Yeah, let's go home."

Suddenly, Sora got an idea. This was his chance to share a paopu fruit with Kairi! Thinking fast, he added, "But, later, I want to watch the sunset. Would you do that with me?"

"Okay!", Kairi agreed enthusiastically, "Let's meet back at the dock!" As she ran off, Sora pumped a fist in the air and thought, YES! Now's my chance to ask Kairi to be my girlfriend! Slowly, a devious grin came over his face as he continued, And I think know just how to do it.

Kairi was making her way out to meet Sora, when, suddenly, she felt a crunch underneath her shoe. Looking down, she saw it was a thalassa shell with a note taped to it. Dear, Kairi, it read, Before we go to the dock, I have something important I want to ask you. Follow the shells to the paopu trees if you want to find out what it is.

With her curiosity piqued, Kairi followed the shells. As she came closer to the dock, Kairi could hear the faint strumming of a ukulele. Looking up, Kairi saw Sora sitting in one of the paopu trees, playing a tender tune. Looking down at her, Sora smiled and began to sing,

A long long time ago

There was a volcano

Living all alone in the middle of the sea

He sat high above his bay

Watching all the couples play

And wishing that he had someone too

And from his lava came

This song of hope that he sang out loud

Every day

For years and years

I have a dream

I hope it will come true

That you're here with me

And I am here with you

I wish that the earth, sea, and the sky up above

Will send me someone to lava

Kairi's heart began to beat faster and her cheeks heated up. Did Sora LIKE her? Once he was finished, Sora dropped down onto the sand and said, "That was just a little something I've been learning to play. But I didn't have reason to play it, until now."

Sora took a few steps toward Kairi and nervously spoke, "Kairi, y-you mean a lot to me. E-Ever since Riku and I found you n-nine years ago, you've been an important part of m-my life. You're smart, sweet, and b-beautiful. I guess w-what I'm trying to say is...I really like you, Kairi. Maybe even love you. What I know for sure is that you're in my heart. And I don't want to let you go. Even if you don't feel the same way, I want to ask you two things."

Sora promptly hit the tree with his elbow causing a paopu fruit to fall into his outstretched hand. "Will you share a paopu fruit with me? And will you go out with me as my girlfriend?" Sora was too afraid to look at Kairi now, so he closed his eyes prepared for the worst.

He felt Kairi take the paopu from his hand and slowly opened his eyes. She was looking at it rather intently before she set her gaze on him. Then she smiled, tossed the fruit over her shoulder, and tackled Sora with a hug. As Sora landed on his back, Kairi planted several kisses on his cheek and whispered in his ear, "Of course I'll be your girlfriend, you sweet silly bum!"

Sora's face lit up and he nervously asked, "R-Really? D-Does that mean I can kiss you?" Kairi didn't even bother answering him. Instead she leaned down and pressed her lips to his. As their kiss deepened, the new couple began to get a bit grabby with each other. Kairi tangled her hands in Sora's hair and he ran his along her back.

It was the most exhilarating thing either of them had experienced. When they parted, Kairi asked breathily, "Does that answer your question, cutie?" Sora nodded happily and gently caressed Kairi's cheek. "Still want to watch the sunset?", he asked, to which Kairi nodded back.

So they got up and walked over to the dock. They were now sitting on the edge of it. Sora had Kairi placed between his legs and lying back on his chest, while he had has arms wrapped around her stomach. He idly played with her belly button, which made her giggle.

"You know, Riku's changed", Kairi said. Sora looked down puzzled at his new girlfriend and asked, "What do you mean?" The girl suddenly grew silent, which made Sora concerned. "You okay, Kairi?", he asked as he rubbed her shoulder.

"Sora, let's take the raft and go! Just the two of us!", she suddenly blurted out. "Huh?", let out Sora. Kairi started to laugh and said, "Just kidding!"

"What's gotten into you?", Sora asked, "You're the one that's changed, Kairi." She shrugged and said, "I think we all have a little."

After a bit of quiet, she continued, "You know, I was a little afraid at first, but now I'm ready. No matter where I go or what I see, I know I can always come back here."

Kairi then shifted around in Sora's lap so she was facing him. "Also", she continued, with her arms around his neck, "I know that no matter where I go, you'll always be there. Right?"

"Yeah, of course I will!", replied Sora. Kairi beamed, kissed him on the cheek, and said, "Sora, don't ever change."

As they cuddled closer, Kairi whispered in Sora's ear, "I just can't wait. Once we set sail, it'll be great."