The sun had set, leaving a soft, velvety darkness everywhere outside, but small flickers of warm, yellow light emerged from the windows of nearby houses, casting long shadows. Tree branches swayed gently in the soft wind, their leaves rustling like whispered secrets.
Both Nojiko and Alex sat on the worn, comfortable sofa, the soft fabric against their skin, feeling a slight chill from the evening breeze coming through the still-open window. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting a gentle silver sheen across the room, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.
"I'm going to close the window," Nojiko said, standing up, the floorboards creaking softly beneath her bare feet.
Alex nodded, watching her movements.
She gripped the cold metal of the window handle, feeling the chill seeping into her fingers, and shut it with a soft click. As she walked back, her silhouette framed against the moonlight, she passed Alex, who watched her curiously, his eyes following her every move.
She opened the old wooden wardrobe, its hinges groaning softly, and took out a thick, woven blanket, the fabric slightly rough against her hands.
"I can handle the cold. You need it more," she replied, avoiding eye contact.
"You're going to make me cry," Alex said with a playful grin, reaching for the blanket.
I grabbed Nojiko's hand, her skin surprisingly soft and warm, and pulled her down onto my lap, the sudden movement taking her by surprise.
"Ah! What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice a mix of surprise and indignation, glaring at me, her eyes wide.
I was mesmerized by the way she looked into my eyes in the dim moonlight, the lavender-blue seeming to deepen in the shadows.
"Creating a solution," Alex said softly, his gaze holding hers.
I took the blanket from her hand—she was still sitting on my lap, the warmth of her body pressing against mine—and wrapped it around both of us.
"How do you feel now?" Alex asked, enjoying the moment.
"Is this really necessary?" Nojiko questioned.
"You're my woman. Of course, I want to be close to you," Alex said, possessiveness in his gaze.
The soft glow of the moonlight spilled through the window, casting a gentle silver sheen across the room. Wrapped snugly in a thick, warm blanket, she nestled against him, her body fitting perfectly against his as she siting on his lap.
The faint scent of her hair—sweet like blooming jasmine—floated up to him with every small shift she made.
He could feel the steady rhythm of her breathing, warm and calming against his chest. Outside, the world was hushed, with only the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional whisper of the night breeze brushing against the glass.
The blanket cocooned them in a shared warmth, its soft fabric brushing lightly against their skin. Under the tender embrace of the moonlight, everything else faded away, leaving just the comforting weight of her presence and the silent song of the night.
Nojiko felt completely relaxed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so at ease. Sleepiness began to overtake her.
"Do you want to see something amazing?" Alex asked excitedly.
"What?" Nojiko replied, disinterested.
With one hand, he carefully shifted under the blanket, feeling its soft fabric brush against his skin.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, cool device. The smooth surface contrasted sharply with the warmth of his hand.
As he adjusted his grip, the faint click of the buttons broke the comfortable silence between them.
The screen lit up with a soft glow, casting a bluish light that danced across their faces, mixing with the silver hue of the moonlight.
She stirred slightly at the sudden brightness, her fingers tightening around him beneath the blanket.
She gasped, a soft, surprised sound escaping her lips, her whole body jolting in a surprised reaction, and tried to get up, the blanket slipping slightly. But I held her waist gently yet firmly to keep her seated, the warmth of her body radiating through her thin shirt.
"Just relax," Alex said, tightening his grip on her waist.
"What is this?" Nojiko asked, her eyes full of curiosity, her eyes wide and questioning.
She was mesmerized by how it looked, the light emanating from the small device captivating her attention.
She had never seen anything like it; the smooth, glowing rectangle seemed to possess its own inner light.
The screen glowed with a soft, steady white light, smoother and brighter than any flickering paper lantern she had ever encountered. A flood of tiny, intricate, colorful symbols filled the surface—strange square pictures arranged neatly in rows, a miniature world contained within the glass.
Nojiko blinked, her eyes adjusting to the unfamiliar light, instinctively leaning closer, drawn in by the captivating display.
The cool light brushed her sun-warmed skin, like a breeze made of light.
"It's called a smartphone. It helps me waste time," Alex said with a chuckle.
"Try touching it here," Alex added, guiding her hand.
Nojiko touched the screen with her index finger, her touch light and hesitant, a sense of wonder filling her. The glass felt smooth and cool beneath her fingertip.
Alex grabbed Nojiko's hand and helped her slide her finger across the screen.
Icons began to move. Nojiko felt the smooth glide of the screen—the motion was oddly satisfying.
"Is this thing alive?" Nojiko asked, wide-eyed.
"No, dear. It's just an advanced machine. I am not able to show you all its features, but I can show you how to use the basics," Alex said, knowing he couldn't demonstrate calling, internet, or other functions while away from Earth.
I leaned on her shoulder, my cheek touching hers—smooth and warm.
Then I scrolled down on the screen. The cool, muted glow of the smartphone's control panel spread across the dim room.
"Touch this section," Alex said, pointing to the flashlight button, the icon small and clear on the screen.
Nojiko touched the button with a delicate tap of her finger, her breath held in anticipation.
At her lightest touch, a crisp, mechanical click echoed through the darkness—so precise it felt like a secret being unlocked. In an instant, a slender beam of white light blossomed from the phone's lens, cutting through the dark.
Her eyes widened, pupils dilating as if trying to drink in the brilliance. She'd never seen anything like it—no torches or lanterns, nothing that could summon light from thin air. The beam trembled for a heartbeat, then steadied into a pure, unwavering pillar of luminosity that seemed to hum with its own quiet magic.
"How did it do that? I just touched it and it summoned this beautiful white glow," Nojiko asked, her voice filled with pure, unadulterated awe, her gaze fixed on the beam of light.
"I'll explain later," Alex replied, unsure how to explain it all.
"This section is called a button. When you press it, it turns the flashlight on and off. Try pressing it again," Alex said, guiding her finger once more.
"Huh…" Nojiko clicked the button, the small, satisfying click echoing again. The magical light disappeared, and the room returned to the soft, diffused glow of the moonlight, the sudden darkness making her blink.
"It feels like I was dreaming a moment ago," Nojiko sighed.
"Can we do it again?" she asked with excitement, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.
"Sure, just press that button. It turns the flashlight on and off," Alex said with a smile.
She clicked the button, and the flashlight turned on again, returning her to her magical moment.
"Wow," she whispered, eyes sparkling with pure delight.
Nojiko gasped, a sudden, sharp intake of breath, her whole body jolting in surprise at the stark contrast of light and shadow.
The walls, the ceiling, even Alex's smiling face, now sharply defined and illuminated, were all painted in stark, silver-blue shadows, creating a dramatic effect.
Her eyes widened further with wonder, pupils dilating even more against the sudden brightness, her gaze darting around the room, taking in the newly revealed details.
She tapped the button again, her finger light and quick.
Click.
The room bloomed with light once more, chasing away the shadows.
It was like catching a star in her hand—and then letting it go, only to call it back again.
On.
Off.
On.
Off.
The soft mechanical clicks of the button created a simple yet enchanting rhythm that filled the quiet room with a sense of wonder and playful magic.
Each time the flashlight came to life, she twirled her fingers in its glow, watching her own shadow dance on the walls.
Each time darkness returned, she gasped in mock shock, pretending the star had escaped—only to summon it again with a single touch.
Alex watched her with a mix of fondness and amusement.
He said nothing—just smiled quietly, letting her explore this tiny miracle in her own time.
After what felt like a hundred playful clicks, Nojiko finally slumped against him, breathless and grinning so wide her cheeks ached.
"It feels like… like I'm controlling the moon," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine wonder and awe, a sense of magic having touched her world.
Clicking the switch repeatedly, she took pleasure in the way a mere touch could illuminate the entire darkness.
"Nojiko, why don't you turn off the light? It's already late. My eyes are going to lose all their power after watching blinking lights for so long," Alex pleaded.
"Haaa… Why?! It's getting so fun…" Nojiko turned off the light reluctantly, the small click echoing one last time before the room was bathed solely in moonlight again.
"Don't worry. I'll show you other features of this device," Alex said, and Nojiko lit up with excitement, her weariness forgotten.
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BONUS CHAPTER - 500 POWER STONE 😇
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