𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 | 𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒖 & 𝒌𝒆𝒊𝒋𝒊

𝒆𝒖𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒖𝒔

March 14th

"So why can't I go back home?" Hikari asks once the two have finished their meal.

Scratching the back of his head, Atsumu avoids eye contact with her.

"You see, because of the storm a few days ago, the power surrounding the forest grows extremely more powerful. It makes it hard for those who are inside to get out. Especially if you aren't a guardian."

"So, you can't even get out, Atsumu-san?" Hikari asks.

"Yeah... big storms like these also weaken our abilities the further we get away from the center of the forest and I can't guide you out without those abilities because the forest changes its pathways."

"N-no way!" Hikari exclaims and pouts. "I don't want to worry anyone..."

Seeing her worried expression, Atsumu sighs.

"Don't worry. It usually takes five days for the power to subside and two days have already passed. In three days, I'll take you back home," he reassures.

"Really, Atsumu-san?" she asks as he nods. "Thank you so much! During my hardest times, you're always here to save me, huh?" she lightly chuckles.

Atsumu just stays silent. He didn't understand why he always happened to be there to save Hikari from her troubles either. It was probably because the day he heard her cries that one night, she had taken a part of his soul with her and now, he felt spiritually connected with her. That was his hypothesis, but now he was almost certain that was it. When he's near her, his powers blossom even more.

"Want to know something funny, Atsumu-san?" Hikari giggles to herself. Usually, she would be a nervous wreck around unfamiliar males, but when it came to Atsumu, all of those feelings disappeared.

"What's funny?"

"This might be random, but you were my first love!" Hikari sheepishly grins.

Blush covers his face but he isn't sure why.

"What's love?" he genuinely asks.

"Eh? You don't know?" Shyly, she scratches her cheek and turns away, "never mind then. It's kind of embarrassing! I was just a child!"

"You don't just say something and ignore it, Hikari-chan!" he pouts and lightly flicks her forehead.

"Ouch!" she yelps and rubs the injured area. "W-well..." she hesitates. "Love can have a different meaning to everyone. Some people are afraid of it and others feel happy about it." Her hands move to her hair and she plays with it. "I personally get excited and happy when I fall in love!" A smile grows on her face and Atsumu's fox ears turn pink. "I don't know how to accurately explain it, but love is the feeling of deep admiration and appreciation for someone or something. Ultimately, that something or someone should make you feel happy. Eventually, when your love grows for that person, you start to notice the little things that they do that they may not even realize. Whether it'd be playing with his fingers, his eyes sparkling and lighting up at the sight of food, or when he licks his lips when he's nervous." Without her even realizing, she starts listing the things Akaashi does. "Noticing those little things makes me happy and I start to appreciate him even more because I'll know what makes him happy... Also, everything about him eventually just becomes more adorable." As she's thinking about Akaashi, Hikari blushes and stops herself. "W-well, that's just an example!!"

Atsumu doesn't realize her flusteredness and nods. 'So that's what love is.'

"I guess you can say, you're my first love because you were the light who saved me when I needed someone the most! Even if you are a fox, I really appreciate you being there back then," Hikari explains and puts a hand over her chest. "And ever since that night I met you, I have never felt as cold as I had once before. I always feel so warm and I love it!" Hikari closes her eyes as she contently feels warmth radiate throughout her body.