𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒

〶

The next morning, Toku awoke with a smile on his face. Despite all the challenges and conflicts he had faced in the past days, Kiri was the only thing on his mind. 

Thoughts of her captivating presence, her flowing hair, and her radiant smile filled his thoughts. He couldn't help but admire the way she viewed the world, with a sense of wonder and curiosity. The memory of her soft lips and the melodic sound of her laughter echoed in his mind.

Even Eywa herself could see Toku had fallen deeply for Kiri, and he embraced it wholeheartedly. With a renewed sense of purpose and a growing affection in his heart, he eagerly anticipated the day ahead, filled with the possibilities of being with the girl who had captured his soul.

Tokus family including his parents were still asleep brushing back his mess of curls that had fallen out of their braiding he got up and wandered outside

As Toku watched the sun slowly ascend into the sky, he couldn't escape the heavy weight of his conflicting emotions.

His mind was torn between the expectations placed upon him and the undeniable connection he felt with Kiri. While Ayani was kind and gentle, he couldn't shake the feeling that their future together would be lacking the depth and authenticity he desired.

Kiri, on the other hand, ignited a fire within him. Her presence brought him joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging.

She understood him in ways that no one else did. The thought of a life without her felt empty and devoid of true love.

But the reality of their situation loomed over him. His parents' expectations and the traditions of their tribe stood as formidable barriers to their relationship. How could he possibly navigate through this maze of cultural expectations and follow his heart's desire?

Lost in his thoughts, Toku gazed out into the distance, searching for answers. Deep down, he knew that pursuing a future with Kiri would come with its challenges and sacrifices. Yet, the mere thought of a life without her felt unbearable.

Toku felt a jolt of surprise as his tired-looking father's hand rested on his shoulder, momentarily breaking him out of his thoughts.

"What are you doing awake?" his father asked, his face showing a mix of confusion and concern.

"Just... thinking," Toku replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

His father nodded, understanding the weight of his son's contemplation. "And what exactly is troubling you?"

"It's this whole marriage thing," Toku confessed, his words carrying a hint of unease.

His father's eyes softened with understanding, and he let out a sigh. "I went through a similar experience when I met your mother. In the beginning, she didn't seem to like me very much. But over time, as we built our life together, our love grew stronger."

Toku furrowed his brows, trying to grasp the meaning behind his father's words. "So... you didn't really love her at first?"

His father chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, no, of course I did. It's just that love can take time to develop and deepen. It's not always an instant spark or a fairy tale beginning. Love is a journey, son, and it evolves as we navigate through life together."

Toku pondered his father's words, a mix of relief and understanding washing over him. Love didn't always have to follow a predetermined path or conform to societal expectations. It could grow and transform, given the opportunity and commitment.

"So, what should I do?" Toku asked, seeking guidance.

His father smiled warmly, placing a hand on Toku's cheek. "Follow your heart, my son. Trust in your feelings, and let time be your ally. Love has a way of revealing its true nature when we embrace it with patience and sincerity."

Toku's eyes filled with gratitude as he nodded, feeling a renewed sense of hope and determination. He realized that his journey with Kiri was just beginning, and with his father's words as a guiding light, he was ready to navigate the complexities of love and forge his own path.

"Thank you, Dad," Toku said, his voice filled with sincerity.

"And besides, you'll have plenty of time to hang out with Ayani today," his father said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Toku's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what?"

His father chuckled, walking away with a casual wave of his hand. "Ah, yes, I forgot. Ayani's parents have organized for the two of you to spend the day together. Make a good first impression, my boy!"

"Damn it..." He whispered to himself.

Toku and Ayani found themselves in an awkward exchange on the sandy beach, struggling to maintain a natural flow of conversation.

"So...do you like sand?" Toku blurted out, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him.

Ayani looked at him with a puzzled expression. "What?"

Realizing his awkwardness, Toku chuckled nervously. "I mean...did you bring your Ilu with you?"

Ayani's face lit up with a bright smile. "Ah, yes, I did! Let me show you." She signaled to her Ilu, and it gracefully emerged from the ocean, swirling around her with excitement.

Toku's grimace turned into a genuine smile as he observed the interaction between Ayani and her Ilu. The Ilu's joyful clicks filled the air, creating a cheerful atmosphere.

"She's named Gangu," Ayani said, her voice filled with pride as she affectionately stroked her Ilu's sleek skin.

Toku couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of Ayani's Ilu. "She's beautiful," he complimented, the Ilu responding with a happy chirp.

Ayani's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you. Shall we ride together?" she asked sweetly, extending an invitation.

Toku nodded eagerly and called his own Ilu to join them. As they mounted their Ilus, a sense of anticipation and curiosity filled the air. The awkwardness from earlier slowly dissipated as they embarked on their shared journey.

Side by side, Toku and Ayani rode along the coastline, their Ilus gracefully moving in sync. The gentle rhythm of the ride and the refreshing sea breeze created a soothing ambiance.

Engaging in easy conversation, Toku and Ayani discovered shared interests and exchanged stories of their island experiences. Their initial awkwardness gradually transformed into genuine laughter and a growing sense of comfort.

The pair returned to the sand only to witness a chaotic scene unfolding before them. Aonung, along with his friends, was engaged in a heated fight with Kiri's brothers. Amidst the commotion, Kiri stood nearby, her amusement evident as she watched the boys playfully tussle, pulling each other's tails.

Ayani's expression filled with worry as she looked at the scene unfolding before her. "What is going on?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Toku's immediate instinct was to intervene and restore peace. He rushed towards the fray, calling out to Aonung, hoping to bring an end to the conflict. "Aonung!" Toku shouted, urgently pulling his brother away from the fighting boys.

Aonung, covered in cuts and bruises, appeared furious as he shrugged off Toku's attempts to calm him. With a forceful shove, he sent Toku stumbling backward before storming off, "Skxawng..." Toku mumbled

Toku stood there, momentarily stunned by his brother's actions. He felt a mix of anger, disappointment, and confusion swirling inside him. However, his concern for Kiri and her brothers quickly brought him back to the present.

"Kiri...are you okay?" Toku asked, quickly making his way over to her side.

"I'm fine, but... who is that?" Kiri inquired, noticing Ayani standing at the shore.

Toku let out a sheepish smile. "Ah, that's just Ayani," he explained.

Ayani, sensing their attention, began waving eagerly with a wide smile on her face.

Kiri's expression turned slightly worried as she observed their interaction. "Okay... but I was looking for you today. Were you with her?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

Toku paused, searching for the right words. "Yeah, but that's just because..." He struggled to come up with an excuse.

Suddenly, Ayani interrupted, linking her arm with Toku's. "Hello!" She greeted with enthusiasm.

"Hi..." Kiri replied, her tone carrying a hint of distaste.

Sensing the tension, Ayani awkwardly let go of Toku's arm. "I think my parents will want me home now..." she said, waving the pair goodbye and quickly hurrying off.

Kiri's tone turned sarcastic as she commented, "She seems nice."

Toku sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "Well, she is."

"I bet," Kiri replied, her voice filled with bitterness, as she began to walk away.

"Kiri, wait!" Toku called out, reaching for her hand.

"What!?" she snapped, her anger evident in her voice.

"Why are you so upset?" Toku asked, his voice filled with confusion.

Kiri let out a frustrated sigh, her eyes rolling. "Oh, I don't know, maybe because of 'Oh my god Toku, you're so hot, let me touch your big arms!'" She mimicked in a high-pitched voice, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"It wasn't like that!" Toku protested, feeling misunderstood.

"Yeah, right," Kiri scoffed, pulling her hand away from his grip and attempting to walk off.

Toku hurriedly caught up with her, blocking her path. "Kiri, please listen. You know my feelings for you, she's just... she's... she's who my parents want me to marry."

"What?" Kiri exclaimed, a laugh of disbelief escaping her lips. "You're joking, right?" She tried to walk away again, but Toku pulled her back gently but firmly.

Toku took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he placed them on her shoulders. "I wish I were joking, Kiri. But it's the truth. My parents have arranged for me to marry Ayani."

Kiri's eyes widened, her smile fading. "No, this can't be real," she whispered, her voice filled with disbelief and disappointment.

Toku looked into her eyes, the weight of the situation evident in his gaze. "I see you, Kiri. You're the one I want."

A mix of emotions flickered across Kiri's face. She reached out and gently placed her hand on Toku's cheek, her touch filled with tenderness. "I see you too, Toku."

Toku gently brushed a strand of hair behind Kiri's ear, his touch eliciting a smile from her. The pair shared a tender kiss, their hearts filled with both joy and uncertainty.

Kiri pulled away slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "What are we going to do?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Toku sighed, his forehead resting against hers. He suddenly pulled back. "Can I ask... what exactly was that fight about?" he said. Instantly, a look of sorrow appeared on her face.

"Don't get mad... but your brother was just... giving me a hard time. That's all, really. It's fine," she replied, her voice filled with apprehension.

"That skxawng..." Toku said with an angry look, his frustration evident.

"Toku, please just calm down..." Kiri pleaded, reaching out to him.

His fists balled up, his anger consuming him. "I'll be right back, okay?" he said, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before walking away.

"Toku, don't!" Kiri called out, attempting to pull him back.

Ignoring her pleas, Toku angrily stormed into his Marui to find Aonung tending to his bruises. His eyes widened at the sight of his enraged brother.

Without a second thought, Toku threw a punch, striking Aonung squarely in the face. The sound of yelling filled the Marui as the two brothers engaged in a heated argument.

Hearing the commotion, a few of Toku's friends rushed over, desperately trying to pull him off Aonung and defuse the situation.

"Don't you ever go near her again!" Toku yelled, his voice filled with anger and protectiveness.

"You broke my nose!" Aonung cried out in pain, clutching his injured face.

Tokus' parents soon joined the group, their voices raised in anger, causing everyone else to scatter out of the room. "Toku!" His mother yelled loudly. "What is the matter with you!?"

"He started it, he..." Toku began to defend himself, but his words were quickly cut off.

"Don't tell me this is about that girl... Toku, she's only a girl. Aonung is your brother!" his mother scolded, her tone filled with disappointment.

"You don't understand, Aonung treats them all terribly!" Toku protested, his frustration evident.

"You're lucky I don't treat you terribly and make you sleep on the sand tonight!" his mother retorted, her words laced with a threat. Toku looked away, feeling a mix of annoyance and defiance.

Toku, still seething with anger, stormed off outside the Marui, heading towards his friends' secret spot. He needed some time alone to clear his head and calm down.

〶