After a short walk, they arrived at a modest, single-story house built from Solunar stone, shimmering faintly under the dimming light. Vines crept along its walls, and a small porch with a wooden bench sat at the front. It was simple, but it had a certain charm.
Jim unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Jim: "Welcome, I guess. Not much to see."
Naomi followed, and her eyes immediately scanned the room. It was cluttered â empty food containers on the table, scattered armor pieces leaning against the wall, and a pile of books and training manuals sprawled across the couch. Dust lined the shelves, and the smell of forgotten laundry faintly lingered in the air.
Naomi: "...Wow."
Jim shifted uncomfortably.
Jim (grumbling and half-blushing): "Yeah, yeah. I know. Itâs a mess. Been⌠busy."
Naomi chuckled lightly.
Naomi: "More like youâve been living like a lone wolf."
She stepped around the clutter, carefully picking up a few empty cans and placing them aside. Despite the chaos, the place felt lived-in â a reflection of Jimâs rough and restless life.
Naomi: "You know, if you ever decided to have guests over, they might think twice before stepping in."
Jim sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Jim: "Itâs not like I ever have guests."
Naomi paused, setting down a piece of metal that looked like a broken training dummy.
Naomi (softly): "But now you do."
For a moment, neither said anything. Jim avoided her gaze to avoid those deep feelings surging from inside him, shifting his weight awkwardly. Then, Naomi straightened up, hands on her hips.
Naomi: "Alright, I canât just stand by. This place needs saving."
Before Jim could protest, Naomi began organizing the room. She dusted the shelves, collected the scattered papers, and stacked them neatly. Jim stood there, arms crossed, watching her with mild disbelief.
Jim: "You donât have to do that."
Naomi (grinning): "And yet I am."
Jim scowled playfully but didnât stop her. A part of him was almost⌠grateful.
_ _ _
After a while, Naomi finished clearing most of the room. It wasnât perfect, but it was certainly better. She wiped her hands and turned to Jim with a satisfied smile.
Naomi: "There. See? Not so hard."
Jim glanced around, mildly impressed despite himself.
Jim: "Guess itâs not bad."
Naomi laughed softly.
Naomi: "You know, whoever ends up being the lucky one in your life is going to go mad keeping up with you."
Jim blinked, caught off guard.
Jim: "What?"
Naomi (teasingly): "I mean, if you ever get married or something. Keeping this place clean would be a full-time job."
Jim frowned, his expression darkening slightly.
Jim: "That wonât happen."
Naomi's smile faltered.
Naomi: "Why not?"
Jim shrugged.
Jim: "Iâm not meant for that kind of life. My journey is my own. Marriage, family, all that... itâs not for me."
There was a weight behind his words â a cold certainty. Naomi bit her lip, the ache in her chest intensifying.
Sheâd already known that Jim viewed himself as a warrior before anything else. But hearing him say it aloud, with such finality, hurt more than she expected.
Naomi (softly): "You donât think you deserve a happy life, do you?"
Jim stiffened but said nothing. His gaze was distant, refusing to meet hers.
Naomi: "You think you're just a tool. A weapon meant to fight. Not a person who can... love or be loved."
The silence that followed was deafening. Naomi clenched her fists, wanting to argue, to tell him he was wrong. But instead, she forced a small smile, pushing down her own feelings.
Naomi: "But... I get it."
Jimâs eyes flickered with surprise.
Naomi: "And even if you think you're not meant for that, I'll respect it."
Her words were kind, but the ache within her only grew. She knew her feelings for him were undeniable, but she also knew heâd never see himself the way she did.
Naomi (forcing a chuckle): "Besides, Iâm not exactly the best choice for someone like you."
Jim frowned.
Jim: "Whatâs that supposed to mean?"
Naomi shook her head, the familiar pang of self-doubt echoing through her.
Naomi: "Nothing. It doesn't matter."
Jim wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, the silence hung between them once more, unspoken truths lingering in the air.
Naomi (smiling faintly): "Well, your house is officially livable now. Try not to destroy it before I visit again."
Jim gave a half-hearted nod, still troubled by the conversation.
Jim: "Yeah. Thanks."
Naomi moved toward the door, pausing briefly. For a moment, it seemed like she might say something else. But instead, she gave him one last, bittersweet smile before stepping outside.
Jim stood alone in his now-clean house, the echoes of their conversation replaying in his mind. Despite everything, he couldnât shake the lingering warmth she had left behind.
And though heâd convinced himself that happiness wasnât meant for him â a part of him wondered why it suddenly felt so close.
After a few minutes...
Jim sat on the edge of his bed, his head resting in his hands. The once-cluttered room now seemed emptier, the silence pressing against him.
His thoughts swirled endlessly â Naomiâs words, her laughter, the warmth she brought into the room. It was as though a light had briefly shone into his dark, isolated world.
But now that light was gone.
He clenched his fists, the weight of his own thoughts dragging him down. He knew the truth â he wasnât meant for love, not even friendship like this. A Solunar hybrid, a walking contradiction, a constant reminder of what the universe never intended. No Solar woman or Lunar woman could ever truly understand him.
And Naomi?
She was Edwardâs daughter. A fierce, determined warrior in her own right. She deserved so much more than someone like him. The thought of ever pursuing his feelings for her felt like an insult to everything he had convinced himself to believe.
Yet, no matter how hard he tried to suppress it, the truth remained.
Jim: "I want her in my life."
The words escaped in a whisper, and his chest ached at the admission. He hated this â the longing, the vulnerability. Tears welled in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away, as if rejecting even the act of crying.
Jim: "No⌠I canât. This isnât how itâs supposed to be."
He sobbed quietly, his shoulders trembling. His body ached from years of battle, but the emotional pain ran deeper. He was a warrior â a tool for Solunaâs protection. Nothing more.
Meanwhile...
Naomi wandered through the vibrant streets of Soluna, the golden sun hanging low in the sky. She had opted to explore the capital alone, giving herself time to clear her thoughts.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Solar and Lunar people walked side by side, chatting and laughing. Couples strolled together â Solar and Lunar pairings â their hands intertwined as though nothing else in the world mattered.
Naomi smiled faintly, feeling a strange sense of peace. She noticed how many families had two children â one Solar and one Lunar. That was the norm here. A reflection of unity.
Naomi (thinking): Solar and Lunar⌠two different worlds, yet they thrive together.
Her father, Edward, had often spoken about Soluna with admiration. He told her stories of it's history and later told how it looked like. But being here was far more meaningful than the stories.
Yet, as she walked, her mind couldnât help but drift back to Jim.
She remembered how his green hair shimmered. It was a color that seemed to symbolize both the Solar and Lunar sides of him â a balance. And then there was her own bright red hair, fiery and bold, a stark contrast to his.
Naomi (softly): "We⌠complement each other."
The thought struck her unexpectedly, making her pause. She shook her head, feeling embarrassed at how easily her heart betrayed her.
Naomi (thinking): No, he doesnât want that. He said it himself. He has no plans for romance.
But even so, Naomi couldnât deny the way they naturally balanced each other.
It was as though they were drawn together, even when they tried to stay apart.
Her technology and his combat skills also previously mentioned by Mike and Heidi.