The Bamboo Test
"Teacher," Rias said softly now, sincerity replacing her earlier excitement, "this place… it feels like home. I really like it here."
Wind from the window curled into the room, skimming her skin like something barely spoken. A single thread of red hair rose, wove midair, then rested on her face. Fixing it was not worth the effort.
Just then, her calm slipped away. She stopped holding it together.
A quietness sat in her gaze now, where sparks once jumped. Not held back, not trimmed by court rules or watchful looks. Open. Still… ease.
Each word came straight from her heart.
For a moment, silence came from Leon. Then nothing more.
He watched her.
It wasn't only her face - there was a quiet change underneath. Her shoulders sat differently now. Her voice moved without strain. At the beginning, every smile kept a distance, like words unspoken were hiding behind it.
Now it had vanished.
Out of its place came a softer presence.
Something real.
Peace.
