Chapter 8: Orchids in the Dark

It had been one of those days where the weight of everything felt too heavy to bear. Training, missions, and the constant ticking of the clock—it all blurred together in the background. I didn't mind the monotony. It kept me busy, kept my mind occupied. But even in all that noise, there was one thing that kept gnawing at me.

Chou.

She'd been quiet lately. Not in the usual way—no, this was different. I couldn't place it, but there was something... off. Maybe it was just my imagination, but her usual bubbly self was subdued. And, well, I didn't know how to handle it.

I was in the armory again, sorting through the endless pile of equipment, trying to distract myself from the knot in my chest. The rhythmic sound of my hands organizing magazines into neat rows barely registered. What did it matter? None of this really mattered, not compared to...

"Hana!"

I jumped, my heart thudding in my chest. Chou. Of course.

I glanced up and saw her standing at the door, looking more like a ray of sunshine than someone who had been acting weird for the past week.

"What is it, Chou?" I asked, trying to sound indifferent, but failing miserably. My voice cracked slightly.

"You're seriously in here again?" she said, stepping into the room, a teasing smile on her lips. "You know, you don't have to spend every waking hour in this cold, lifeless place."

"It's quiet," I muttered, though I knew she wouldn't understand. "Keeps me focused."

She raised an eyebrow. "Focused? Or just avoiding the chaos?"

I looked away, trying to ignore the sting of her words. Maybe she was right.

"I don't avoid anything," I said, but my voice lacked conviction.

Chou's smile faded just slightly, her eyes narrowing. "I know you better than that, Hana." Her tone softened, but there was an edge to it. "Why are you pushing everyone away?"

The words hit me harder than I expected. "What are you talking about?"

"You've been distant," she said, taking a few steps closer, her gaze unwavering. "You can't keep hiding in here forever, you know. I know you've got your walls up, but..." She hesitated for a moment. "I'm still here, you know?"

I swallowed hard, the tightness in my chest growing. Chou wasn't supposed to see through me. She wasn't supposed to understand.

"Chou," I said, voice low, my hands gripping the edge of the table, "It's... it's complicated."

She tilted her head, taking a step forward. "Yeah, life's always complicated. But you don't have to face it alone."

There was something about the way she said it—so effortlessly, so confidently—that made me feel both relieved and terrified. The walls I'd spent so long building up were starting to crumble, and I hated it.

"Don't worry about me," I said, trying to push her away. "I'll be fine."

"You're not fine," she shot back, her voice rising with a mix of frustration and something else—concern, maybe? "You don't have to do everything by yourself. We're... we're a team, Hana."

I felt the sting of her words again, and this time, it was sharper. She was right. But I couldn't let her get too close. Not again.

"I can't... I can't keep doing this," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I can't keep pretending everything's okay when it's not."

Chou's eyes softened. She stepped closer, closing the distance between us. For a moment, I thought she was going to say something—something to make it better, to fix it all. But instead, she simply reached out and gently took my hand in hers.

"Hey," she said quietly, her voice like a soft breeze. "It's okay to not be okay."

The words hung in the air, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself breathe.

"I don't know what I'm doing anymore," I admitted, my voice small, fragile.

"You don't have to know everything," she said, her grip tightening just a little. "You just need to know that I'm here for you."

I blinked, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. Chou... She had this way of making everything seem lighter, as if the weight of the world wasn't such a heavy burden when she was around.

And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe it.

"Thanks," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Chou smiled, that familiar warmth returning to her face. "Anytime, Hana. Anytime."

We stood there in silence for a while, and I felt something shift between us. It was subtle at first, just a small change in the air. But I could feel it, like a spark waiting to ignite.

"Come on," Chou said after a while, giving my hand a gentle tug. "I have something to show you."

I hesitated. "What is it now? Another one of your random surprises?"

Her grin widened. "Oh, just trust me. You're going to like this one."

I let her lead me out of the armory, but my mind was still racing, tangled in the feelings I couldn't quite grasp. What was happening between us? Why did it feel so different?

We walked in silence for a while, and as we turned a corner, I realized where we were headed.

"Wait," I said, coming to an abrupt stop. "Where are we going?"

Chou looked back over her shoulder, her grin turning into something softer, more knowing. "You'll see."

She led me into a small, hidden room at the far end of the building. It was dimly lit, with only a single light casting a soft glow over the space.

In the center of the room was a display case. Inside, nestled among the velvet lining, was a single orchid. Its petals were a deep, rich purple, almost like it was glowing from within.

"What's this?" I asked, my voice hushed.

Chou's eyes shone with something I couldn't quite place. "It's a Midnight Orchid. They're incredibly rare, hard to find. But this one's special."

I blinked at the orchid, its beauty leaving me speechless. "Why are you showing me this?"

Chou stepped closer, her eyes never leaving the flower. "Because it reminds me of you."

I felt my heart stutter in my chest. "What?"

She met my gaze, and there was something in her eyes that made me feel exposed, vulnerable. "You've always been so strong, Hana. But even you need time to grow, to bloom. Just like this orchid, you don't have to do it alone. I'm here, always."

I swallowed hard, not trusting my voice. Her words settled over me, like a gentle rain washing away the dust.

"I..." I started, but the words didn't come.

Chou smiled, a soft, understanding smile. "I'm not going anywhere, Hana. I'll wait."

And for the first time in ages, I let myself hope.