Who wrote it?

Chapter 17: Love language.

Lines slowly formed between the different stars, which turned into a small game of connect-the-dots. Then, the rough drawings slowly faded into light blue drawings of a fish, a crab and a scorpion. The drawings were swirly and elegant. ''This can't be real,'' Marihu whispered, ''Something this beautiful can't be real.''

Kazuichi didn't know what to say, so he just stared at the beautiful animals floating in the midst of the galaxies, moons and planets. Perhaps he didn't want to leave, either.

Marihu sat up and climbed on top of him, with her hands next to his shoulders and her knees next to his hips. Only a teddy bear and a camera separated the two of them. Kazuichi's heart started beating faster. What was she doing? Why was she on top of him? Didn't she... didn't she think he was weird or pervy or useless? He was aware that Hajime had told him that she might be crushing on him, but now more than ever, he doubted Hajime's words. But, then, why was she so close to him? He couldn't see the night sky anymore and the light had cast a shade over her face, and probably over Kazuichi's, too. Suddenly, they were in a small, dark chamber together, and not against their will. Kazuichi could almost feel her breathing. Her pale, freckled skin looked smooth and soft up-close and Kazuichi wished he had the emotional strength to run his fingers through her hair. It looked almost as soft as polar wool.

''H- Hi there,'' he eeped. His face was searing. He couldn't think anymore. He felt like his brain had taken leave to another planet. Either that, or it had been completely steamed.

Marihu's pink lips pulled into a little bit of a smile. Her eyes were friendly. Had Kazuichi ever been this close to a girl before? His nerves were shot. All he could do was grip the teddy bear tightly and stare into Marihu's face. Was he being creepy? What expression was he making at that moment? What if he looked really weird to her? Marihu's face slowly inched closer. Wait a minute, wait a minute, hold on, was she really going to do what Kazuichi thought she was going to do? She couldn't do that! That wasn't the way things worked! Girls were supposed to push him away and exclaim that he was being weird, that he was a weak bitch, that he was useless or soft, not... not kiss him... right? Then why was Marihu inching closer? And why did she close her eyes? Her eyelashes were long and pretty, her small face was adorable as she kept her eyes closed. Kazuichi felt her breath on his lips. This was weird. This was weird. He didn't know if he wanted it or not. He'd always wanted to kiss a girl, but now that it was actually happening, he wasn't sure if he was ready. He wanted to. He really wanted to. But he felt like his body would explode if it happened. Kazuichi squeezed the teddy bear tightly to his chest. He could feel his heart beating against his ribcage, against his back, in his ears, in his neck... his entire body was stiff with nerves. Kazuichi scrunched his eyes shut. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to, he really wanted to. He was just going to bite the bullet and do it. No matter how much his body stiffened, how loudly his heart raced in his chest, how cold the night or how sweaty his hands. He wanted to do this. Even from back when he was very little, he wanted to do this. Marihu's nose slightly touched his and he whipped his head to the side. As if pulling your fingers away from a burning hot pan. Marihu backed away a little bit. She sighed and got off of him. ''We're too young, anyway,'' she mumbled.

Hajime and Chiaki ate their ice cream as they watched the waves roll on the beach. The sounds of the ocean were really nice and calming to Hajime. Well, not at first. Along with Nekomaru's snoring, the sounds of the ocean would keep him up at night, like an annoying radio static that could never be turned off. He couldn't ignore it. It kept reminding him how he was trapped on a strange island, helpless at the hands of a stuffed bunny in a dress that said that she wanted all the best for them, but could be lying for all they knew. It was strange. He was going to miss the sounds and the scent of the ocean when he'd returned home, as if this island had become his new home. As if this was all there was. His true home, his mom and dad seemed so far away. He tried to remember when he stood in front of Hope's Peak Academy on his very first day, not knowing his Ultimate, not knowing why he was even allowed inside, but he was, and he walked through the halls in search of his classroom, but when he did... he felt really dizzy. Disoriented. As if he'd just been transported to a different universe. The others, then nameless classmates, reported feeling the same dizziness he had. And then, their world turned upside-down. Golden rays spread out over the horizon and reflected off of the waves. If he could show his parents how beautiful this place was, how weird and enigmatic, how absolutely perfect... He wanted them to be there with him, to see what he'd seen, just to make them feel the magic of Jabberwock Island. Chiaki took his hand. She was almost finished with her ice cream, as was he. ''This place,'' he breathed, ''It's so beautiful.''