Melodies of Memories

As Hugo and Stella made their way back to Oakwood Village, the morning sun cast long shadows over the road. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant woodsmoke. Hugo walked with a relaxed stride, his harmonica in hand, playing the same haunting melody from before. The tune drifted through the air, soft yet lingering, as if carrying a weight only he understood.

Stella, walking beside him, listened intently. She had heard it before—back when they first met. Something about it unsettled her, not in a frightening way, but as if it held an untold story.

After a few moments, she finally asked, "What does it mean?"

Hugo lowered the harmonica slightly, exhaling through his nose. "It's just something someone taught me," he said, his voice even, but there was something distant in his tone.

Stella frowned. "You don't seem like the type to just pick up a tune for no reason. Who taught you?"

Hugo was silent for a moment, then lifted the harmonica back to his lips, playing again as if to drown out the conversation. But Stella wasn't going to let it go that easily.

"Was it… someone important?" she pressed.

Hugo continued walking, his expression unreadable. "Yeah," he finally said, his voice quieter than before. "Someone I haven't seen in a long time."

Stella didn't push further. She could tell whatever it was, it wasn't something he wanted to talk about—not yet, anyway. Instead, she let the melody fill the space between them as they continued toward Oakwood Village.

Stella sighed in exasperation. "So what are we gonna do now?" she asked, trying to get Hugo to focus on the situation at hand.

Hugo, without missing a beat, casually stretched his arms and said, "I think I'll have ramen for lunch."

Stella groaned. "Seriously? I told you, we haven't sold ramen in five years!"

Hugo smirked. "Tragic. Truly."

She shot him a glare. "Can you at least pretend to take this seriously?"

Hugo simply shrugged, placing his hands behind his head as he walked. "Hey, I just risked my life helping you blow up a Dominion base. I think I've earned some ramen."

Stella huffed. "Well, unless you can magically bring back the old ramen shop, you're out of luck."

Hugo let out a dramatic sigh. "This world really has gone downhill."

Stella pinched the bridge of her nose. "Unbelievable…"

Despite her frustration, she couldn't help but smile.

As Hugo and Stella arrived back at Oakwood Village, they were immediately greeted by curious and concerned villagers. The village chief approached them, his expression tense.

"You're back," the chief said. "What happened?"

Stella stepped forward, standing tall. "The Neo Arcana Dominion's base near the village is gone. We took care of it."

Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd. The chief's eyes widened in shock. "You… destroyed it?"

Hugo casually leaned against a wooden post, arms crossed. "Yeah. Let's just say they won't be bothering you anymore."

For a moment, there was silence—then, one by one, the villagers erupted into cheers. Relief and joy filled the air as they realized the threat looming over them was no more.

That night, the village held a celebration. Tables were set up in the town square, filled with food and drink, as people laughed and shared stories. Children ran around excitedly, and for the first time in a long while, Oakwood Village felt at peace.

Stella watched the festivities with a warm smile, but when she glanced at Hugo, she noticed he was sitting off to the side, watching quietly. She walked over and sat next to him.

"You're not joining in?" she asked.

Hugo exhaled, playing a few notes on his harmonica before lowering it. "Not really my thing."

Stella nudged him playfully. "You did something good. You should at least enjoy it."

Hugo smirked. "I'm enjoying it just fine from here."

Stella rolled her eyes but let it go. For now, she was just glad the village was safe.

The celebration continued around them, but Hugo and Stella remained in their quiet corner. The distant laughter and clinking of cups felt like background noise to the weight of their conversation.

"You know," Stella started, staring at the firelight dancing in the night, "even after what we did, the Dominion is still going to cause problems elsewhere."

Hugo leaned back, letting out a sigh. "I told you—I'm not a hero anymore."

"But the world needs you, Hugo," Stella pressed, turning to face him.

Cosmos chimed in with a knowing tone. "So what are you going to do?"

Hugo closed his eyes for a moment, then exhaled sharply. "Fine. But this is going to be the last time I do this." He sat up straight, his expression serious. "And if I'm going to do this, I'm not doing it alone. I need help."

Stella furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

"I'm asking you to join me," Hugo said simply, looking directly at her.

Stella's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected that. Her mind raced. This was huge. A journey like this…

"I..." She swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably. Her fingers curled into fists on her lap.

Everything in her heart screamed that this was what she had been waiting for—to fight, to make a difference. But at the same time, fear gripped her. Was she really ready for this? To leave the life she knew behind? To step into a war that had taken so much from her already?

"I..." she tried again, but the words caught in her throat.

Hugo watched her patiently, but he said nothing.

Stella looked down, inhaling shakily. "Give me one night to think about it."

Her voice wavered slightly, and she hated that it did.

Hugo nodded. "Fair enough."

She stood up quickly, almost too quickly, and turned away before he could see the turmoil on her face. As she walked off toward her home, her legs felt heavier with each step.

Hugo, meanwhile, leaned back again, playing a few solemn notes on his harmonica, waiting for the answer he already suspected was coming.