The embassy staffs farewelled their princess and stepped aboard their unique ship, went into the night of the ocean. Waving to Ilona, Dianne took a deep breath then turned to Neri:

"We have to come back to ORCA. Why don't you come with us, my dear?"

"Yeah, Neri. We'll do something fun, what do you think?" Brett tried to cheer her up.

Standing beside Brett, Cass nodded frantically.

But Neri shook her head:

"Maybe tomorrow, mother. I just need some space."

No one could see Neri's face clearly but everyone could tell she was a bit tired. Neri stood at the edge of the water, her hair and flap were fluttering from the wind. Her slim figure was so gentle, also lonely.

"Are you sure, Neri? You shouldn't stay here on your own." Jason took her arm worriedly.

Neri smiled reassuringly at Jason, urging:

"I'm fine. You guys just go. And please be careful, it's very late at night."

The visitors hugged Neri tightly then came aboard the boat, heading for ORCA.

A part of the island suddenly turned quiet. There was only the singing of insects mixing the wind sound overhead. The crescent moon grew lighter and brighter, shining the path leading to the hut which Jason had built in the early rainy season.

Not too long later, a boat reached ORCA's pontoon, dropped a couple of people off. Then it turned back, forcefully ripped through the night...

Jason turned off the engine, picked up his flashlight then got off the boat.

"The Ocean people have a fatal weakness of their deep dependence on the water environment, but when it comes to physical, they have many advantages." He thought while walking on the island, being careful with every step. "See how excellent Neri's sight and motion were even in the dark."

Although she tried to show that she was alright, eventually Jason wasn't assured yet. A part of him was still not ready to talk to her something, but honestly, the time of evasion was too enough for him, he missed the talks with her. And at that moment, he cared for Neri more than his own issue. In spite of what she said, Jason just knew he shouldn't leave her on her own.

As he expected, Neri was still awake. She was sitting in the hut with her back to the door, looking at the fire. Being reflected from the fire, her shadow fluttered on the wall.
Jason stopped in the doorway, he knew she'd always sensed his appearance.

"Hi, I just want to make sure you're fine. How have you been?"

"Not quite fine!" Neri answered very softly, as if she talked to herself, still looking at the fire. Her voice was like a whisper. "Since I'm missing someone."

Sure, it was why he was there. She had just farewelled her blood family which she has just found out.

Jason smiled, comforting her: "Of course, I know. It's normal to feel a little lost when your..."

But she cut him off: "Maybe you don't know!" She suddenly turned around, looking at him. And he saw in her eyes a deep sadness, a pair of eyes sparkling with tears. "It's you I'm missing now."

In normal, Jason's heart would have melted with the last sentence. But right now, seeing Neri's sad face, he just could not be happy. Jason blushed slightly, awkwardly reply:

"Well, Neri. I missed you too!"

Neri shot back immediately:
"Did you? So why did you avoid me? Why did you leave my island right after every... political discussion? You rarely come here..." She locked his eyes with her very confused eyes, choked. "You don't really want to meet me?"

In few seconds, Jason feels speechless. It turned out that she did realize he tried to avoid her. She always tried to be gentle and smiling when meeting him. It made him not realize that she could be sad and disappointed... because of him. Right, how can she be aware that he avoided her lately, just because she means too much to him? All she saw was Jason suddenly became cold to her. Why didn't he even think about it?

A sense of guilt mixed with love rose in his heart. Jason sat down, took Neri's hand:

"Neri, it's totally my fault. Won't happen again, I promise."

Neri didn't answer, she squinted at him, waiting for more explanation.

"It's because... I struggled with my own feelings that I forgot to think about your feeling, or what you would think about my ... silly behavior. I really blame myself."

"If so I know. I blame you, too."

Jason laughed at her honesty. Neri looked at him, her face lit up a little:

"So, you still want to stay with me?"

"Yes! Yes, I do. What are you thinking?"

Jason smiled and stroked her cheek, pleased to see relief in her face. At that moment, he suddenly knew, it's time. He must tell, he wanted to tell.

Without waiting for her to ask for the reason, he looked deeply into her eyes:

"Neri, How much I missed you! I thought of you a lot these days, only to listen to my heart, it's calling out you. I always want to be with you, take care of you not for a while but forever!" The anxiety choked him, but Neri's gentle glance and the hands holding his hand tighter encouraged him! He took a deep breath and finished the sentence "May I?".

Neri said nothing, which made Jason worry more and more. But after an immobile moment, she leaned against him, buried her face in his shoulder. And in Jason's happiness, she lightly nodded.

"Jason, I'm happy now!"

The gentle kiss on her forehead said he felt the same. Feeling her smile on his chest, Jason closed his eyes with relief, enjoyed the scent of her hair - the smell of the sea, of plants, and flowers.

"I missed my mother and sister, of course. But I know well that I will meet them again, one day." Neri sighed lightly. "I missed you in another way, Jason. I feel the pain by the thought that you and I are slowly getting apart...".

Jason held her even tighter, wonder how long since they had had time to sit together leisurely like this:

"Silly! No matter what happens, I will never leave you!"

The island was so peaceful at night. And in the hut, dry firewood crackled in the warm fire. With the tight embrace, he just knew everything turned out to be so simple. Like Brett said once, as long as they put each other in their hearts, it didn't matter the way they confess.

Jason grinned when calling back the memory. And in questioning, Neri looked up, slightly easing her arms around his waist.

He put his hand on her cheek and bent down.

"It's good that no Brett, Mera, Mum... or anyone in our families around!".

And the beautiful girl grinned happily. It was the first time they kissed in private.