"Well," Hotaru began, glad that the topic was no longer focused on dark memories, and instead on the Etsukoes. "You see, it used to be the other way around. I followed them."
He brought both of his palms into the air, drawing them together to create a bowl with his hands. Three of the twelve fireflies quickly swooped down and into his palm. Before they landed, they "put out" their lights, so that they would not burn their friend.
"Back when I was all alone, in the forests surrounding Kakrio. It was dark one night, and I got lost," he said, his tone icy and lonely as if he was recalling a night of painful isolation. "It was these guys that found me. And they led me to safety, back to the town...where I met Aiko."
He looked ahead, at Aiko.
"I guess the Etsukoes understood how glad I was that they helped me," Hotaru said, as a small smile could be faintly seen on his face. "...because since then, they have never left my side. I know it may not make logical sense...but I think that the purpose of the Etsukoes is to bring light into people's lives."
For a moment, he worried that Kiyoko would criticize him for his theory about the fireflies, but when he noticed the caring, attentive expression on her face, he knew that would not be so.