The afternoon sun dipped low, spreading warm orange colors across the village. Shinji's strength had returned fully, and he spent the day helping Father mend fences near their rice fields. After finishing, Shinji returned to the village to help Ren clean the smithy. Hana came along too, carrying a basket of fresh herbs she'd collected nearby.
They gathered quietly near Ren's house, tired but content. Shinji stood back, carefully sweeping charcoal dust from the smithy's floor. Hana sorted her herbs neatly, humming quietly to herself. Ren polished metal tools, looking thoughtful and distracted.
"Ren, you're quiet today," Hana finally said, noticing his thoughtful expression. "Something wrong?"
Ren glanced carefully around, checking to make sure no one else was nearby. Then he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "Come with me. I want to show you both something."
Shinji and Hana exchanged curious glances, but followed Ren as he led them toward the grain shed behind his family's home. The small wooden building was old, the walls slightly leaning with age, but still sturdy enough to protect the harvest.
Ren pushed open the creaky door, stepping inside carefully. Shinji and Hana followed closely behind, blinking as their eyes adjusted to the dimness inside. Ren quietly closed the door, leaving just a small gap of light from outside.
"What's this about, Ren?" Hana asked softly, looking around with mild confusion.
Ren hesitated briefly, his face serious. "You remember when we talked about chakra?"
Shinji's heart quickened slightly, warmth gently rising again in his chest. Hana glanced curiously between them, nodding slowly. "Of course."
Ren carefully reached toward a shelf, picking up a small iron rod and holding it gently in his hand. "I found something strange yesterday. Watch closely."
Shinji and Hana watched carefully as Ren focused quietly, his brow furrowing in concentration. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, tiny sparks crackled faintly around Ren's fingertips, small bright points flickering quietly in the darkness.
Hana gasped softly, stepping back slightly in surprise. Shinji felt his chest tighten with quiet wonder, eyes wide and amazed. "Ren, that's...?"
Ren's concentration broke, and the tiny sparks faded quietly away. He looked slightly breathless, eyes bright but unsure. "I don't understand it yet. It only happens when I try really hard."
Shinji moved closer, staring thoughtfully at Ren's hands. "Is that chakra?"
Ren nodded slowly, carefully placing the iron rod back on the shelf. "I think so. But I didn't tell anyone else yet. Not even Father."
Hana stared thoughtfully between them, her voice gentle but serious. "Why are you telling us?"
Ren glanced carefully at Shinji, his face uncertain. "Because Shinji talked about chakra before. I thought maybe he knew something more."
Shinji hesitated briefly, his heart quietly racing. He'd never talked openly about the warmth inside him, worried no one would understand. But seeing Ren's sparks made him quietly hopeful. Maybe they weren't alone in their confusion.
"I felt something too," Shinji admitted softly, gently meeting Ren's eyes. "Not sparks like yours, but warmth. Strange warmth inside."
Hana looked quietly between them, her eyes thoughtful but slightly worried. "So you both have something strange happening?"
Ren nodded carefully, glancing quietly around the shed. "I didn't want anyone to know yet. It feels like it should stay a secret."
Shinji quietly agreed, his voice gentle but firm. "You're right. People might not understand. We should figure it out first."
Hana sighed softly, shaking her head gently. "You two always make things complicated."
Shinji smiled faintly, comforted by her gentle teasing. "You don't have to help if you don't want to."
She quickly shook her head, gently touching his shoulder. "No, I want to. Someone needs to make sure you two don't do anything foolish."
Ren laughed quietly, nodding gratefully. "Thanks, Hana. I knew we could trust you."
She smiled faintly, her eyes warm with quiet care. "Always."
They stood quietly together, the shed softly filling with gentle shadows. Shinji felt calm now, comforted by their quiet agreement. It felt safer, easier, having friends who shared his quiet confusion.
"What should we do now?" Hana asked gently, glancing carefully around the small space.
Shinji thought quietly, carefully choosing his words. "Maybe just practice secretly. Try small things first, like Ren's sparks."
Ren nodded eagerly, quietly determined. "If we can understand it better, we'll know what it means."
Hana smiled softly, carefully adjusting her basket. "Then we meet here sometimes, in secret. Practice quietly, and figure it out together."
Shinji nodded quietly, feeling warmth rise gently inside him again. "Together."
They carefully stepped outside, gently closing the shed's door behind them. The village was quiet, softly darkening into early evening. Shinji felt peaceful now, comforted by the secret shared quietly between friends.
They walked slowly back toward their homes, gently saying goodnight. Hana slipped inside first, smiling softly at Shinji and Ren before disappearing quietly indoors.
Ren paused carefully, glancing back toward the shed. "Do you think we can really understand it, Shinji?"
Shinji nodded quietly, gently touching the bent nail in his pocket again. "We can try. It's worth trying."
Ren smiled faintly, nodding firmly. "Then I'll see you tomorrow."
Shinji watched him quietly leave, walking slowly toward his own home. He paused briefly outside, looking quietly up at the gentle stars beginning to fill the sky. The secret felt heavier now, important but not frightening. With friends beside him, questions seemed easier to face.
Inside, Hana and their parents sat quietly, softly talking about simple daily things. Shinji joined them gently, quietly grateful for their warmth and safety. The strange warmth still lingered gently inside him, but now he knew it wasn't something he faced alone.
That night, he lay quietly awake, staring thoughtfully at the ceiling. Questions remained, gentle but persistent, quietly waiting for answers.