After sparse sleep, and waking up to morning sickness, Hikari was left dragging at work. Of course, she still dedicatedly finished any work her manager had to give. She couldn't help but notice he seemed fidgety today, but she brushed it off as nothing important.
When she caught the manager watching her with a strange look on his face, she asked him if anything was wrong. He denied her, as she thought he might.
There was no word of Gill or the CEO visiting today, so the department was relaxed. Despite that Hikari still remembered Gill's words before he left. Perhaps it was the way he said it, as if he was agreeing to a challenge.
There was no point in stressing over it now, though.
At the end of the day, Hikari gathered her things and left, heading for the harbor to catch a boat to the island. She was surprised to see Pascal already waiting, smoking his pipe and staring out into the sea. "Pascal, did you bring someone to the mainland?" She called as she stood next to his boat.
He peered down at her, then gave her a warm grin. "No, I had that youngin' Chase ask me to come and pick ya up. Been waitin' for about thirty minutes or so. We'd better leave now if ya want to make it in time for the festival."
Hikari felt a small blush rise, and she smiled. "Oh he did, did he?" She asked as she boarded his boat, settling herself down on a bench.
"Not only that, but he paid extra for ya lassie. I don't usually travel on festival days, but he made me a deal I couldn't pass on."
Hikari tucked her chin, her smile growing as she twiddled her thumbs. He really did want her to come, it seemed. She was curious to ask how much it would take to convince Pascal to do this, but she figured she should just let it go and accept the kindness from Chase and Pascal.
It was already 7 in the evening by the time they reached the island. The sun was setting on the crests of the waves in the distance, creating a golden hue being overtaken by deep purples. She could see Chase as they approached the dock, waiting for her like he said he would be.
She walked out to him, the two locked in eye contact, both with small smiles.
He had dressed nicely today, suited for this festival, or date, whatever it was. He had worn a fancy shirt and slacks, his hair still pinned back with his hair clips. She felt bad she didn't have a chance to change out of her secretary outfit, but then again a pencil skirt and white button up could be considered formal enough, right?
"Chase." She greeted, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear. His smile broadened. "Hikari." He held his hand out for hers. "Let's head out, yeah?" He offered.
She eyed his hand, then peeked back up at him. She surprised both him and herself by taking his hand, stepping closer to him to encourage him to lead on.
He guided her out of the town and down the long, winding dirt roads. It took them a while, but they weren't rushing. Together they shared small conversations about their days, avoiding topics that might cause a rise in conflict.
Tonight wasn't the night to start a fight, the mood was too good to ruin.
By the time they reached the area where the festival was happening, it had already long been started. People lined along the side of the river, setting off floating paper lanterns. They were very decorative, some designed in the shapes of flowers, stars, or hearts.
Hikari saw Kasey standing with a blue haired girl, behaving strangely compared to last time. He looked embarrassed, and even timid. She caught him sneaking a look at the girl, giving her a meaningful smile that Hikari didn't receive last time they spoke. Not that she cared, regardless.
Chase guided her away from the rest of the town, taking them to a quieter place further down the river. There was a blanket laid out with two flower lanterns and what looked like two bento boxes stacked on top of each other.
"This festival of yours seems more like a date night than a day to honor your ancestors." Hikari noted, nudging Chase with her elbow. Chase chuckled, giving a half shrug as he stopped at their blanket. "I wanted to sit out here for a while, and I figured you'd be hungry. I'm still glad you came, though."
Hikari's heart began to pick up pace. She couldn't fight off the swell of affection she felt come over her. He had done a lot for this tonight.
Chase stooped and picked up the two lanterns, handing one to her. "Come here, I'll show you our traditions." He recaptured her hand, seemingly fond of the feeling it gave. Hikari didn't fight it, she enjoyed it almost as much as he did.
He walked her down to the water's edge, then stood still. He was quiet for a moment, staring at his lantern. He looked solemnly into the light, his eyes swimming in an emotion she couldn't identify. Hikari watched him quietly, then squeezed his hand gently.
"Are you okay?" She whispered. He blinked, then glanced over at her. "Yeah, sorry. These lanterns are supposed to carry your thoughts and wishes to your ancestors, sort of like a way to communicate with them." He released her hand, crouching down to set his lantern in the water and hold it there.
He waited until she had followed in suit next to him, her lantern resting beside his.
"The islanders here pray to the Harvest Goddess for a safe journey for the lanterns, but if you don't want to, you don't have to." He added, his finger running over the paper petal of his lantern.
All Hikari could think of was her pleas for her father to be miraculously cured. She knew it had happened before, but it was a 'miracle' for a reason. It didn't happen often, and the chances of it happening to her father were closer to zero.
Despite the negativity, there was no harm in wishing on her silly little lantern before her. So she did, and for some reason it even made her feel a smidge better. She looked over to Chase to see his troubled expression as he stared a hole into his lantern.
She couldn't imagine how hard it was for him, not having either of his parents at such a young age.
"My biggest wish," Chase began, picking slightly at the tips of the paper flower, "is that they'll see me and all that I've accomplished, and be proud. Even with you, Hikari, and the baby." He looked up to her as he finished.
She was speechless at the intensity in his eyes. He seemed so emotional in that moment that she didn't dare speak. Instead, they wordlessly released their lanterns, letting them float down the river towards the expanse of the ocean.
They stood next to each other, watching the lights of the lanterns fade into the distance.
Chase kept his hands stuffed into his pockets, and Hikari gave him the quiet that she felt he needed in that moment. There was a pleasant atmosphere between them, without the stress or worry of their uncertain future.
Hikari didn't want to break this feeling just yet. His hand settled on the small of her back, and he walked with her back to the blanket.
Once they had settled down, Chase handed her one of the bento boxes. "Thank you, I hadn't had a chance to eat dinner." She said gratefully.
"Just try not to puke it up, okay?" Chase said with a grin. Hikari huffed, reaching out to swat his arm. He laughed for a moment, then snatched her hand in his when she went to pinch him. She watched as he took her hand in both of his, toying with her fingers.
He seemed to relish in the simple touch. Perhaps he was more physically affectionate than he had first come across?
The look on his face made her believe that he expected her to pull away at any minute, and he was partially correct.
"I can't properly eat without both hands." Hikari teased, withdrawing her hand from him slowly. She was trying not to hurt his feelings, but he still looked disappointed. It was a lie, of course. She could manage well enough with both hands.
She just didn't want these stirring emotions to take reign. It would only complicate things.
Chase lounged back, his ankles crossing as he looked up into the sky. "Are you not going to eat?" Hikari questioned, having already started wolfing down his food she admitted to missing dearly.
"I don't have much of an appetite right now." He mumbled, but despite his words he began picking at his food and munching.
Hikari didn't question it. She could only assume that it had to do with his parents.
By the time they had finished eating, nearly all of the other villagers had left from the main area. The few that remained were cleaning what was left of the festivities.
She saw a familiar glint of platinum hair, and she sucked in a sharp breath. She had forgotten to tell Chase, but maybe he already knew? She turned to tell him, but stopped when she saw him laying back, his eyes closed.
He wasn't asleep, was he?
"Chase?" She said softly. No response. She rolled her eyes. Of course he would fall asleep on their date.
She found her curious fingers brushing against his unruly curls. Her canvas did him no justice. She couldn't accurately capture every detail of him. His face was practically glowing in the moonlight. She felt sappy for thinking so.
Her fingers whispered against the skin of his cheek as she touched the luminescence on his face. He really was the most attractive man she had met. Her hand retracted, stopping herself just before she traced over his lips.
She closed her eyes for a moment, a sigh escaping her. What was she doing?
Her heart was pounding even though nothing was happening. The thrill of touching him sent giddy butterflies to her stomach, and she blamed her vivid dreams of him for that.
Her tummy fluttered. Even her baby was becoming restless from her thudding heart. When she looked back to Chase, his lips stared glaringly back up at her. She found herself blushing. She wanted to, she really did.
He was asleep, there would be no harm in it. So long as it didn't wake him up. She could make it quick, then act like nothing happened if he woke.
She leaned closer, her breath stilling in anticipation. It would just be one second, no, even less than that. When she was inches from him, she stopped. Why was she doing this? She was feeding something she knew wouldn't work out.
Why was it so hard to stop trying to like him?
An arm being flung around her startled her from her thoughts. She was dragged down, their lips crashing together. It hurt initially, when their heads almost smacked together, but she pulled back enough to protect their skulls from colliding.
She could feel him smiling into their kiss. She should have known he wasn't asleep.
Chase rolled his tongue against her lips, prying for an entrance that she refused. His other hand lifted to wind itself into her hair, tugging her body closer to him.
Hikari was getting lost again. Lost in the trance he dragged her into. Her palm pressed against his chest, using it to push herself away from him. He didn't fight her much, letting her remove herself from the kiss, but not separating their bodies.
He was warm against her, and it was honestly soothing. "I didn't think you'd be the one trying to kiss me." He said with a smirk. Her cheeks burned crimson, her lips pursing in frustration. "I wasn't." She grumbled, turning her face when he tried to kiss her again.
She felt a smile against her cheek where his lips had landed. "Oh sure, now you play coy." He chuckled, then loosened his hold on her.
She separated herself from him quickly, straightening her clothes and fixing her hair that Chase had ruffled. Hikari turned to remind him that their relationship couldn't possibly work out with the way things were, but she stopped when she met his gaze.
The way he watched her made her believe he was already infatuated. His eyes bore into hers, searching for the emotions even she knew she was suppressing.
She darted her eyes away from him, afraid that if she continued staring… No, nothing would happen. She needed to make sure of it. This relationship wouldn't work out between them. She sat up, feeling the need to distance herself to breathe.
"Hikari." She felt his hand on her back, trying to get her attention. "Chase, we can't. I'm sorry." She pried herself out of his hold, pulling herself to sit up. She didn't look at him. She knew he would be upset.
"Why not?" He demanded, his firm tone catching her off guard.
"You know why. I've said it before, we have our separate lives." Hikari held her hands over her fluttering stomach. Her heartbeat was probably rousing the baby. "It won't work out in the end."
She heard his heavy sigh. "You don't know that."
"I do know that."
"Why can't you even give it a chance?" He snapped, pulling himself up beside her. He was glaring at her again, like the other night when she was sitting with Kasey. "It's not just about you anymore. There's a baby to think about, our baby. If it doesn't work out, fine, at least we tried. But I won't take this bullshit about 'It won't work' when you won't even attempt to make it work."
Chase stood with a huff, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he walked towards the river's edge.
Hikari sat there, stunned, her lips parted as she tried to form words that just wouldn't come out. She hadn't expected him to go off on her like that. She looked down at her stomach, her hands shaking slightly as she coaxingly rubbed it.
Who was she really trying to console, the baby, or herself?
Everything he said was right. In fact, she should have taken the same advice Yolanda gave a week ago. She felt horrible. She thought she was doing what was best for the baby, but in reality she was only doing what she wanted.
And she didn't want to risk being hurt in a relationship that might not work out.
That was no way for a baby to grow, with the father and mother living separate lives, having to split everything as evenly as possible.
Hikari felt tears welling up. She was so torn on what she should do, but she knew she had to think about her baby over herself.
With trembling hands she dragged herself to her feet, making her way to Chase's side at the river's edge. He didn't look over at her until her hand gripped onto his arm. When he caught sight of her glossy eyes his expression shifted to one of panic.
Before he could even begin to speak she latched onto him, tightly hugging his side. "I'm sorry, Chase. You're right." Her voice was soft. His mouth clamped shut, and his brows furrowed.
It was still for a moment, and she was afraid Chase was too angry with her. When he shifted around, turning so he could return her hug, she finally relaxed. He buried his face against the top of her head, pulling her tight against him.
"Thank you."