Just when he thought that the waves were the only things capable of carrying his thoughts away, just like that little flower which now seemed as far away as it had been a few seconds earlier, he was taken by surprise. What a surprise it was!

A cloud like silhouette hovered not too far away. His heart raced — what should he do, having been caught so off guard? Besides, what could this visitor's intentions be? Turned when he heard a soft, comforting voice reach his ears. Even if the person were a threat, he would never know it from the gentle way she spoke.

Hotaru sighed, searching for words to reply. Forgive me. I didn’t mean to interrupt your night-time stroll. He seemed more like a nuisance than anything else, and he wished he weren’t seen that way.

I thought this place would be lonely, but I see I’ve gained some company. He bowed his head to show the young lady that, even as a stranger, he was still a gentleman. When he looked up again to meet her eyes shining in the moonlight, he finally realised that, if he didn’t want to seem like a stranger, an introduction was necessary.

Hotaru – my name is Hotaru. I didn’t think anyone else would be here. By this point, he seemed anxious; if there were others with this girl who had come to meet him, he alone wouldn’t be able to do anything. He thought that showing her respect was the best way out of this, and he knew better than anyone what that entailed. Well, maybe I should leave. I’m really sorry if I upset you in any way.

He was determined to leave for good. He was looking for somewhere to belong, even though he didn’t know where it was. Even though he now had company, albeit very briefly, he didn’t feel worthy of that person’s attention, especially after invading her personal space.