[The heavy iron doors creaked open as Ifrit and Leviathan entered the dimly lit corridor of their base. Fluorescent lights buzzed above, casting a pale hue over the reinforced walls. The tension was palpable—like smoke still clinging to their clothes after the skirmish.]
[Ifrit threw his coat against the wall, the fabric slapping loudly against the concrete before sliding down into a heap.]
Ifrit: Tch… damn it.
[His boots echoed as he stomped toward the weapon rack, jaw clenched and shoulders tight. He yanked off his gloves, eyes burning with rage as he examined his modified rocket launcher, now dented at the base.]
Ifrit: We had them cornered. One more minute—just one—and we would've wiped that turf clean. Now we've got another damn station breathing down our necks!
[He punched the locker beside him, the metal warping under his knuckles.]
[Leviathan, in stark contrast, leaned calmly against the doorway, arms crossed and expression unreadable.]
Leviathan: You're pissed because they interrupted your rampage.
[Ifrit turned sharply.]
Ifrit: Of course I am! This wasn't just a mission, Levicchi. It was ours to settle. They've disrespected us long enough.
Leviathan: Maybe. But something about it felt… different.
[He pushed off the wall and walked slowly into the room, footsteps controlled, measured.]
Leviathan: Yggil was there. So was her new squad.
[He stopped beside the workbench, glancing down at the soot-covered files and scattered weapon schematics.]
Ifrit: Don't start getting poetic on me now.
Leviathan: I'm not. But you know as well as I do—we weren't meant to last in this system. Yggil saw it. And I'm starting to see it too.
[Ifrit let out a bitter laugh.]
Ifrit: And what, you're gonna change sides?
Leviathan: No.
[He looked over his shoulder, eyes colder than before.]
Leviathan: I'm just saying… maybe there's more to this than blowing things up and taking orders.
[There was a pause.]
Ifrit: You're starting to sound like her.
Leviathan: She made a choice. I haven't made mine yet.
[Ifrit groaned and sat down, wiping his forehead with a rag.]
Ifrit: Whatever. I still have something left to do. After that, who knows. Maybe I'll get bored enough to care.
[Leviathan remained quiet for a moment, watching his comrade wrestle with the frustration.]
[After a long moment of heavy silence, Ifrit stood up from the bench without a word. He slung the modified rocket launcher over his back and walked down the corridor, shoulders still tense, boots thudding with every step.]
[Leviathan didn't stop him.]
Ifrit: I'm done for tonight. Don't knock.
[He disappeared around the corner, leaving only the lingering weight of unspoken frustration behind.]
[Moments Later—]
[The heavy security door slid open with a mechanical hiss. Inside the dim command room, screens flickered with real-time data, maps, and intercepted police signals. At the center, standing over a console lit in red and blue hues, was Vlad, the overseer of the Four Fiends.]
[Vlad didn't even turn around when Leviathan entered.]
Vlad: Report.
[Leviathan stepped forward calmly, removing his gloves and placing them on the edge of the console.]
Leviathan: Sector 7G's turf has been neutralized. The target cell was eliminated before they could make contact with outside dealers. However… the police arrived sooner than expected.
[Vlad finally turned, sharp eyes narrowing beneath his dark glasses.]
Vlad: Casualties?
Leviathan: Minimal. We avoided open conflict with the responding units. But we were forced to retreat before full incineration. Ifrit wasn't pleased.
Vlad: He rarely is.
[Leviathan gave a slight nod, his tone still neutral.]
Leviathan: The clean-up was partially compromised, but we achieved the objective. No data leaks, no survivors from the opposing side.
Vlad: You said the cops came sooner, are those certain ones came too?"
Leviathan: Yes.
Vlad: And Yggil?
[Leviathan's gaze flickered for a second.]
Leviathan: Still a wildcard. She didn't hold back… but she also didn't aim to kill.
[Vlad's fingers tapped the console thoughtfully.]
Vlad: Interesting. Keep your distance, but continue observing her. If we're going to decide the future of SoveCle… we'll need to understand where every pawn is headed.
Leviathan: Understood.
Vlad: Dismissed.
[As Leviathan turned to leave, the static buzz of the monitors grew louder behind him. His thoughts lingered on Sera's expression during the fight—how resolute she looked, how unafraid she was to face her former comrades.]
[And for the first time in a while…]
[He didn't know which side of the board he was really standing on.]
[The hallway was quiet now—eerily so. Only the soft hum of the facility's backup generators accompanied Leviathan as he walked with steady steps toward his room. The door slid open with a gentle mechanical whir, and he entered the dimly lit space. His room was sparse—practical. A steel desk, a data terminal, a rack of blades, and a simple bed with gray sheets.]
[As the door closed behind him, silence returned like a curtain falling over the stage of the world.]
[Leviathan sat on the edge of the bed, pulled off his coat, and let it fall across the back of the nearby chair. His gaze lingered on the floor for a long moment—then drifted to the corner where an old, worn-out scarf lay. It was a faded green…Yggdrasil's color.]
[He picked it up slowly, the fabric whispering between his fingers.]
[And the memories began flooding in.]
[A younger Leviathan, still unscarred, standing alongside Yggdrasil, Ifrit, and Behemoth. The Four Fiends were once united—not just by mission, but by survival. The four of them laughed under the moonlight after a hard-fought mission. Yggdrasil had just pulled a reckless stunt to save a group of civilians, and Ifrit berated him for it.]
Ifrit: You idiot! We're not heroes!
[Yggdrasil just smiled.]
Yggdrasil: No... but they needed saving.
[Leviathan remembered being annoyed at the time—but deep down, he had admired that clarity. That compassion, even as a 'monster.']
[Flashback – Later]
[The day Yggdrasil vanished. No word. No trace. Just a single data spike on the monitors, and then nothing. Some called it betrayal. Others believed she was dead.]
[But Leviathan knew better.]
[He had seen the way Yggdrasil hesitated in their last mission. The way he stared out the window of their hover transport, quiet, conflicted.]
[She wasn't betraying them.]
[She was choosing something else.]
[Present – Leviathan's Quarters]
[Leviathan sighed deeply, leaning back against the bedframe, the scarf still in his hand.]
Leviathan: muttering to himself …Even if we're monsters… that doesn't mean we have to dig deeper.
[Those were Yggdrasil's words, whispered to him during one of their last conversations—before everything changed. Before he disappeared. Before they became splinters of what they once were.]
[Leviathan stared at the ceiling, mind awash in questions.]
Leviathan: What am I doing... What do I want... Could I really… switch sides?
[But every time he tried to imagine fighting against SoveCle, something stopped him. Habit? Loyalty? Fear?]
[He didn't know.]
[And for the first time, that uncertainty gnawed at him.]
[He placed the scarf gently over the edge of the bed and closed his eyes.]
[Sleep never came easy.]
[And tonight, it didn't come at all.]
[Next Day—Investigation Office Unit]
[The morning sun filtered softly through the office windows, casting gentle beams over the quiet room. The hum of computers and murmurs of focused voices filled the air as the team prepared for the day ahead.]
[Ryou slipped into the office, his steps hurried and a bit off beat. He was late—again. His usual composed demeanor was slightly ruffled as he tried to avoid drawing too much attention.]
[Just then, Sera's calm voice called out, drawing his attention.]
Sera: Good morning Ryou-san, could you please come to the Captain's office? Reina-san is holding a meeting right now.
[There was a polite firmness in her tone, gently but clearly urging him to hurry.]
[Ryou nodded silently, feeling the weight of the moment, and made his way toward the Captain's office, wondering what awaited him inside.]
[Ryou pushed open the door and stepped inside the Captain's office. The room was spacious but tense, the air thick with quiet authority.]
[Seated around the polished conference table were three figures: Officer Shin, his usual calm but watchful expression in place; Captain Reina, who commanded the room with a sharp gaze and poised presence; and Captain Zak, his imposing figure leaning slightly forward, eyes locked on Ryou the moment he entered.]
[The three looked up as he entered, their attention shifting fully to him.]
Reina: Ryou, glad you could finally join us.
[Her voice was steady but carried a subtle edge, the kind that demanded respect.]
Shin: We were just discussing some urgent developments. It's good you're here.
Zak: Take a seat. We need to bring you up to speed.
[Ryou swallowed, nodding slowly as he moved toward the empty chair, bracing himself for what was coming next.]
Reina: About our last encounter with the Four Fiends—only Leviathan and Ifrit appeared. The others were nowhere to be seen. It's unusual, and it raises more questions than answers.
[She paused, her sharp eyes scanning each face around the table.]
Reina: Leviathan's attacks were more coordinated than before, and Ifrit's presence means their strategy is evolving. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next.
[Ryou listened intently, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.]
[Minutes passed in tense silence until the door softly opened again. Officer Sera returned, carrying a small tray with cups of coffee and set it gently on the table.]
Sera: Here, this should help us stay alert.
[She offered a polite smile as she handed out the steaming cups, her calm presence easing some of the tension in the room.]
Reina: Thank you, Sera. Please, join us if you can.
[Sera nodded as she took an empty seat, quietly observing as the meeting resumed.]
[Captain Zak took a sip of his coffee before leaning forward, his tone low and steady.]
Zak: Ifrit's brute force is one thing, but Leviathan's movements were too precise. Someone's feeding them intel—or worse, coordinating from the shadows.
Shin: I've reviewed our data logs. There were energy spikes prior to their appearance—identical to those recorded weeks ago in Sector 4. It's possible they're moving between dimensions again, but the signatures are different this time. More refined.
Reina: That confirms it, then. We're no longer dealing with a brute invasion. They're adapting… planning. We need a contingency that doesn't rely on raw firepower alone.
[She turned her gaze toward Ryou, her expression calm but direct.]
Reina: Ryou, I want you to work with Shin to analyze the residual energy left behind by Leviathan. Trace the path backward—if we can pinpoint their origin, we might get ahead of the next strike.
[Ryou gave a small nod, the pressure slowly sinking in as responsibility settled on his shoulders.]
Zak: I'll mobilize the Delta Unit. If the two Fiends show up, we're going to need more than one frontline.
[The air grew thick with tension again as silence blanketed the room, each of them deep in thought.]
[After a moment, Captain Reina shifted her eyes toward the quiet figure by the door.]
Reina: Sera, stay behind. I need a word with you.
[Sera blinked once, briefly surprised, but gave a respectful nod.]
Sera: Yes, Captain.
[The rest of the team slowly began gathering their documents and standing, the meeting adjourned for now—though none left without a weight in their hearts.]
[As the door shut behind them one by one, only Reina and Sera remained in the quiet room.]
[The room was still. Only Reina and Sera remained, the door shut behind them. The Captain folded her arms, expression unreadable but firm.]
Reina: Sera… what exactly happened during your clash with Leviathan last night?
[Sera's gaze drifted slightly, her breath catching before she finally responded—not with words, but with a haunted silence. Reina didn't press. Not yet.]
[After a moment, Sera slowly stepped forward and placed a folded report on the desk.]
Sera: …The report won't make sense without context.
[Reina raised an eyebrow.]
Reina: Then give me the context.
[Sera nodded once, slowly. She looked down, gathering her thoughts. When she spoke again, her voice was low.]
[After she said the regarding scene, the silence hung heavy in the room.]
Reina: …So he's the one feeding intel. Guiding us.
Sera: quietly
Yes. But he's not an ally… and he's not an enemy either. Not yet.
Reina:
And you believe him?
[Sera hesitated. Then nodded.]
Sera: I believe he wants us to find the truth—his way. And that's what scares me more than anything.
[Captain Reina sat back slowly in her chair, fingers steepled in thought.]
Reina: Then it's time we find out what Leviathan is really after—before someone else does.
[Captain Reina leaned back, her eyes locked on Sera with a sharpness that pierced deeper than rank or protocol.]
Reina: There's more to this than you're letting on.
[Sera didn't flinch. But she didn't answer either—not right away.]
Reina: You didn't just read him in that fight. You understood him. Anticipated him. You weren't just trained against him…
[A beat of silence.]
Reina: …You trained with him, didn't you?
[Sera closed her eyes. The tension in her shoulders finally broke as she exhaled slowly.]
Sera: …Yes.
[Reina stood still, but her grip on the edge of the desk subtly tightened.]
Reina: You were part of the Four Fiends, after all.
Sera: Before the title even meant what it does now.
[She took a step forward, her voice no longer shaky—just honest.]
Sera: We were operatives once. Ghosts. Tasked with dismantling threats before they ever surfaced. SoveCle treats us like tools, owned us, labeled us monsters when things went sideways.
[She looked Reina in the eye.]
Sera: Leviathan and I… we believed in the mission once. But when the orders stopped making sense—when the people we were sent to silence didn't deserve it—I broke away. He followed orders. I didn't.
[Reina absorbed every word, her expression unreadable but thoughtful.]
Reina: And now?
Sera: Now he's trying to get me to see it from his side. He's trying to drag me back across that line.
[She looked down, hand brushing over the faint scars on her wrist—memories not easily buried.]
Sera:
But I'm not going back. I'm staying here. Because if we don't stop them—if we don't uncover the truth about what SoveCle really buried—this whole city will be dancing in the dark… until someone decides to burn it all down.
Reina: …You should've told me sooner.
Sera: I thought I buried that name—'Yggdrasil, Storm of the Four Feinds.' I didn't expect him to dig that up again.
[There was silence. Then Reina spoke, quieter this time.]
Reina: Then let's make sure she stays buried… by finishing what they started. But this time, on our terms.
[Sera looked up—and for the first time in days, her shoulders lifted just slightly.]
Sera: Yes, Captain.
[Late Afternoon,—City Bookstore]
[The scent of old pages and warm coffee lingered in the air as soft classical music played in the background. The chaos of last night felt like a distant echo—replaced by the quiet calm of a cozy neighborhood bookstore tucked between two old alleyways.]
[Mio walked between the aisles, her fingers tracing the edges of the shelves. Her eyes scanned the titles one by one until she stopped at the very end of a tall wooden shelf. There it was—"History of Subsurface Anomalies: The Forgotten Chapters." Exactly the book she'd been hunting for.]
Mio: muttering to herself
There you are…
[She rose onto her toes and stretched her arm upward—but the book sat just beyond her reach. She tried hopping slightly, fingers brushing the spine, but it didn't budge.]
Mio: …Come on, don't be stubborn.
[Just as she was about to give up and look for a step stool, a quiet rustle beside her caught her attention. A hand reached past her shoulder—calm and effortless—and plucked the book from its perch with ease.]
[Startled, Mio stepped back slightly. Her eyes trailed upward to meet the stranger's face… and recognition flickered across hers instantly.]
Mio: Thanks, mister. Wait—You again?!
[The young man blinked, as if also realizing the coincidence at the same time. His voice was calm, almost amused.]
Young Man:
Huh. Small world.
[He handed the book to her. Mio took it cautiously, blinking.]
Mio: You're the guy I… accidentally bumped at the sidewalk.
Young Man: Yeah. You nearly knocked me into a noodle cart.
[Mio flushed slightly, clearly embarrassed.]
Mio: I said I was sorry!
[He chuckled—more amused than annoyed.]
Young Man: I didn't say I was mad.
[She clutched the book to her chest awkwardly, avoiding eye contact for a second. His presence felt oddly familiar now—less like a stranger and more like a strange twist of fate.]
Mio: …Thanks. For the book, I mean.
Young Man: nodding No problem. Didn't think we'd cross paths again so soon.
[There was a short pause before Mio glanced up again.]
Mio: …Are you always hanging out in dusty old bookstores?
Young Man: Only on days when mysterious girls with terrible balance show up.
[Mio rolled her eyes but couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at her lips.]
Mio: I have excellent balance, thank you very much.
[He tilted his head, studying her for a moment.]
Young Man: What's the book for?
Mio: …Research. Something I'm chasing.
Young Man: grinning faintly
Sounds like trouble.
Mio: smirking Only if you're on the wrong side of it.
[The silence lingered for a moment longer—comfortable, surprisingly. Mio shifted the book in her hands, glancing toward the window where the orange light of late afternoon spilled onto the pavement outside.]
Mio: …There's a café next door. They've got good coffee.
[The young man raised a brow, half-curious, half-surprised.]
Young Man:
Are you inviting me?
[She looked at him directly, not flustered this time—just thoughtful.]
Mio: I mean, you did rescue a book for me. I think that earns you at least a drink.
[He smiled at that. Not smug, not teasing—just a soft, genuine smile.]
Young Man:
Well then. Lead the way, mysterious researcher girl.
Mio: snorting softly
Please don't call me that in public.
[They walked out of the bookstore side by side, the bell above the door chiming gently behind them. The café was just a few steps away, tucked between a flower shop and a quiet record store. It was the kind of place where time felt slower—faint chatter inside, the scent of roasted beans, and soft lo-fi music in the background.]
[Inside, they found a quiet spot near the window. The light cast a golden hue over the table, and Mio set her book down as they waited for their orders.]
Young Man: So… are you always this impulsive? Inviting strangers to cafés after two accidental meetings?
Mio: resting her chin on her hand Only when those strangers somehow show up exactly where I happen to be.
Young Man: Maybe I'm just stalking you.
Mio: dryly If you were, you're doing a terrible job at being subtle.
[He chuckled, then leaned back in his seat.]
Young Man: Alright, fair's fair. You get to ask the first question.
Mio: …What's your name?
Young Man: grinning Ace.
Mio: Ace?
Ace: Yeah. Short and sweet. People tend to remember it.
Mio: softly amused …Or because you sound like someone who doesn't play by the rules.
Ace: with a sly grin Guilty as charged.
[He took a sip of the coffee that had just arrived, watching her over the rim of the cup.]
Ace: And you? Still gonna stay mysterious?
Mio: Mio.
Ace: Alright then, Mio. What kind of trouble are you chasing with that book?
[She gave a small smirk, tapping the book's cover with one finger.]
Mio: The kind that might turn into a real storm.
[Their eyes met across the table—curious, unspoken questions hanging in the air.]
[And for just a moment, the city outside quieted down.]
[Ace stirred the sugar into his coffee, giving it a taste before leaning back with a satisfied sigh.]
Ace: Not bad. Not the best I've had, but definitely beats vending machine sludge.
Mio: smirking Your standards are dangerously low if you've been drinking vending machine coffee.
Ace:
It builds character. He took another sip So, Mio. What kind of books do you usually hunt down at old bookstores like that?
Mio: Old anthropology records. Psychology journals. Obscure case studies. Boring stuff.
Ace: raising an eyebrow
Can't tell if you're trying to impress me or scare me off.
Mio: I'm just honest.
[She glanced at the book in front of her—the one he helped her grab.]
Mio: …Though I also collect rare editions of illustrated folktales.
Ace: grinning Ah. There's the twist. You're secretly a folklore nerd.
Mio: pretending to be offended
I take offense to the word secretly.
Ace: Let me guess—your shelves are full of ancient stories about cursed blades, lost spirits, and doomed lovers?
Mio: deadpan …That's… not inaccurate.
Ace: chuckling Alright. I respect that.
[He set his cup down.]
Ace: You into manga, too? Or is that too 'modern' for a folklore nerd?
Mio: raising an eyebrow Depends. I don't touch the mainstream stuff unless someone threatens me.
Ace: Bold. So no 'shonen power fantasy'?
Mio: Only if the villain has a tragic backstory and good fashion sense.
Ace: grinning wider now
Okay, now I'm curious—what's your go-to?
Mio: without hesitation
'Shadow Garden Chronicles.'
Ace: snaps his fingers
The one with the underground society and the masked vigilante? That's actually fire. Didn't expect that from you.
Mio: And what did you expect?
Ace: I don't know. 'How to Hex Your Enemies in 10 Easy Steps.' Something spooky.
Mio: snorts softly That's on my wishlist.
[They shared a light laugh, the air between them growing more relaxed with each word. Outside, the city moved on in its usual rhythm—but inside this small corner of calm, time felt like it had slowed just a little.]
Ace: Y'know… for a self-proclaimed folklore nerd, you're surprisingly easy to talk to.
Mio: smiling faintly And for a guy named Ace, you're not nearly as cocky as I expected.
Ace: raising his cup in mock toast Don't worry. I'm just pacing myself.
[Just as Mio reached for her drink again, a faint buzz rattled on the wooden tabletop.]
[Ace's phone lit up—just a name on the screen and no ringtone, only the quiet hum of vibration. He glanced at it once, and the easygoing smile he'd worn slowly faded. Not tense, not worried… just distant, like something real had pulled him back from the quiet comfort of their moment.]
[He sighed through his nose and picked up the call, turning slightly away.]
Ace: low voice …Yeah. Got it.
[A short pause. Mio watched him, her fingers gently tapping her cup.]
Ace: Understood. I'll be there in ten.
[He ended the call and pocketed the phone before turning back to her, his usual smirk slightly dulled but still there—worn like a polite mask.]
Ace: Looks like I'm being pulled away early.
Mio: curiously Important?
Ace: shrugging lightly Let's just say… life doesn't always let me sit still for long.
[He stood, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves with casual ease. But there was something unreadable in his eyes now—like the warm, joking guy from a moment ago had stepped just slightly out of reach.]
Ace: Thanks for the coffee, Mio. And the folklore confessions.
Mio: You still owe me a second round. Next time, I'm making you drink something bitter.
Ace: grinning again You say that like it's a threat.
[He turned to go, but hesitated—then looked back at her.]
Ace:
Take care, book hunter.
[And with that, he disappeared out the café door, the bell chiming faintly behind him.]
[Mio sat back in her seat, eyes still fixed on the now-quiet entrance. Her fingers traced the rim of her cup absentmindedly.]
Mio: softly to herself …Who are you, really?
[The late afternoon light spilled across the tabletop, her reflection flickering against the window glass. And outside, the world kept turning.]
[Shirou's House, —Late Afternoon]
[The soft hum of the electric fan spun lazily in the corner, casting a slow rhythm over the quiet living room. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting golden patches across the floor.]
[Shirou lay sprawled out on the sofa, one arm draped over his eyes, fast asleep. His usual jacket was thrown carelessly over the armrest, his chest rising and falling steadily with every breath. A half-empty glass of water sat on the table beside him—long forgotten.]
[On the floor, sitting cross-legged over a mess of pillows and snacks, Shizuka and Ryokou were deep in girl talk. Empty chip bags, a neglected magazine, and a half-written to-do list surrounded them like battle trophies from a casual, chaotic sleepover.]
Ryokou: teasingly, flicking Shizuka's shoulder
Okay, but really—are you telling me you didn't notice how he looked at you when he said your cooking was 'surprisingly edible'?
Shizuka: laughing quietly, covering her mouth He didn't say that to be mean! I think it was a compliment… sorta.
Ryokou: He basically told you that you've leveled up from poison to tolerable. Honestly? Savage.
Shizuka: shrugging
Hey, it worked. I made pancakes the next day. With syrup.
Ryokou: Progress.
[Meanwhile, near the foot of the couch, Kei had completely passed out, lying face-down on the rug. His phone—still playing a flashy RPG battle scene—rested beside his limp hand, the characters frozen mid-attack as the battery warning blinked in the corner.]
Shizuka: glancing at him
Should we… do something about him?
Ryokou: softly
He's fine. Let him rest. He was up past 3 a.m. again last night grinding rare drops.
Shizuka: He's gonna get digital burnout at this rate.
[They both giggled, careful not to wake the boys. The room, despite its little messes and scattered belongings, felt warm—like a pocket of peace in a world too often filled with chaos and unknowns.]
[The sun dipped a little lower, painting the walls in shades of soft amber.]
[The clock on the wall quietly ticked past 5:03 PM when the front door creaked open.]
Mio: calling out as she stepped inside Sorry I'm late!
[Ryokou looked up first, brushing crumbs off her lap. Shizuka turned her head from the pillow she was hugging, a soft grin already forming.]
Ryokou: Three o'clock, huh? Must've been some very heavy traffic.
Shizuka: smirking
Or did someone get caught in a shoujo manga moment again?
Mio: flustered, waving her hands W–What?! No! I just… I… Okay, maybe!
[She tossed her bag near the shoe rack and hurried over, practically glowing with excitement. Shirou stirred slightly from the couch but didn't wake, and Kei remained face-down and unaware of the world.]
Mio: kneeling dramatically on the floor You guys won't believe what happened—I saw him again!
Ryokou: raising an eyebrow
The sidewalk guy?
Shizuka: The one you crashed into while you were walking backwards?
Mio: grinning wide Yes! Him! I was reaching for this book at the top shelf in the bookstore—you know the one near the plaza—and I couldn't reach it. Then suddenly—bam! There he was! Just… reaching up like it was nothing and handing it to me!
Ryokou: grinning knowingly
Ahh. Tall-boy save trope. Classic.
Mio: pouting Don't call it that! It was cute! And—get this—we even had coffee after! There's this quiet little café a block away from the shop, and we just… talked.
Shizuka: softly You seem really happy.
Mio: hugging a pillow now
I mean… I am. He's nice. He knows a ton about books and manga too—he even brought up Blades of Havenlight! Who even remembers that series?!
Ryokou: Was he flirting?
Mio: blushing
I don't know! He was… mysterious, but kind of playful? Like, he jokes, but there's something serious under it too.
Shizuka: gently teasing
So, when's the wedding?
Mio: hurling the pillow at her Shizukaaa!
[Laughter filled the room, soft and comforting. Even Kei mumbled something in his sleep as the game on his phone finally dimmed to black. The sun had dipped low now, casting the room in orange and lavender hues.]
[And in that quiet, glowing moment, everything felt like home.]