Night blanketed the base. The entire team had fallen asleep, their breathing steady in the quiet. Soft lights illuminated the room, casting long shadows across the walls.
In the training corner, Arou was still moving. Red and blue blades gleamed in his hands, each swing cutting through the air with a steady rhythm. Sweat dripped from his brow, but his eyes remained sharp, focused on the invisible enemies before him.
Unable to sleep, Airi quietly walked toward the training area. She stopped at the edge of the room, watching him. The dim light softened her face, but her eyes shone with genuine admiration. Every movement, every step, every arc of his blades—she took it all in, and it warmed her heart.
For a while, silence filled the space. Arou didn't realize he was being watched. He kept striking, turning, refining his speed and precision.
Airi lowered her gaze slightly and took a deep breath. "Arou… you're really… amazing," she murmured, barely audible. Still, it was enough for her to feel that admiration flow within her.
From another corner, Nova—who was still awake—smiled faintly as she observed the quiet moment. She could tell Airi was slowly beginning to feel more at ease around Arou.
Arou paused for a moment, steadying his breath as he glanced up at the ceiling, as if calming himself. He still had no idea that Airi had been watching him this whole time, or that her soft smile had added a gentle light to the night.
Silence returned. The night remained still, yet a quiet warmth flowed between them, marking a peaceful but meaningful moment.
Airi took a few slow steps forward, approaching Arou as he continued training. The sound of his blade slicing the air softened as he finally sensed her presence behind him.
"Why are you still awake, Airi?" Arou asked, lowering his blue blade as he turned to her, his gaze gentle yet steady.
Airi looked down for a moment before meeting his eyes, which reflected the soft light. "I… couldn't sleep. I just wanted to watch you… train."
Arou nodded and set both of his swords down beside him. "The night is quiet. It's a good time to focus—but you should be resting too. Your body is still tired."
Airi gave a small smile, steadying her breath. "I… just wanted to be near you for a while. Nothing more." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
Arou smiled faintly and gestured beside him. "Then sit here. I'll keep training, but you can watch safely." He patted the space next to him.
Airi sat down slowly, her eyes drifting to the dim glow of the red and blue blades. "You've really grown, Arou. I… admire you."
Arou looked at her, holding back a smile before speaking softly, "And I'm… glad you're here to see it. You… mean a lot, Airi."
Airi lowered her gaze, a faint blush forming on her cheeks. "I'm… happy too… to see you like this," she whispered.
They fell into silence again, letting the night bear witness. Only the sound of their breathing and quiet heartbeats remained. It wasn't an awkward silence—it was calm, comforting.
Arou looked at her gently. "Tomorrow… we'll continue your training, Airi. I want you to grow stronger. But tonight… just rest. Just us."
Airi smiled softly and nodded. "Yeah… just tonight… just us."
That night, in the quiet glow of dim lights, they shared a moment that could never be repeated—a moment where warmth and togetherness felt real.
Arou resumed his movements with full focus, his red and blue blades flashing with precision. He was so immersed in training that he barely noticed anything else.
Not far away, Nova watched with a slight frown. Then she spoke, curiosity in her voice.
"Arou… why are you still training? Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Arou paused, took a deep breath, and looked at his blade before answering quietly.
"I've recruited so many strong people… but if I'm not strong enough myself, I'll just become a burden. I have to keep training."
Nova nodded, then glanced toward a nearby bench. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Wait… she fell asleep here?"
Arou turned, only now realizing that Airi had quietly drifted off to sleep. A soft smile appeared on his face.
"She's a kind girl… even after everything she's been through, she still waited until I finished training."
The quiet night was filled only with the soft sound of Airi's breathing and the faint scrape of Arou's blade. Nova smiled, knowing Arou had only just noticed.
Arou slowly lowered his sword, his gaze lingering on Airi. There was a calmness in his expression that hadn't been there before. He walked over quietly, making sure she was comfortable.
Nova watched from nearby, raising an eyebrow. There was a hint of jealousy—but also a smile.
"She's asleep… and you're still going to take care of her yourself?"
Arou glanced at Nova.
"She waited for me. I can't just leave her like that."
Nova nodded softly, her eyes returning to Airi.
"She really is amazing."
Arou leaned slightly closer to Airi and whispered,
"Don't worry. Tomorrow we'll train together again. But tonight, your rest comes first."
Nova sat beside him, both of them quietly watching over Airi. For a moment, the weight of battles and expectations faded away. There was only stillness, a pair of resting swords, and the soft breathing of a sleeping girl.
The training room fell silent. Dim light cast their shadows across the floor as the three of them sat side by side on a long bench—Airi in the middle, with Arou and Nova beside her. Her body slumped slightly, her eyes closed, but her expression was troubled.
In her sleep, she saw her family again—her father, mother, and older sibling. Their smiles were gentle, but the longing in her heart cut deep. The grief she had buried for so long rose to the surface, and she began to cry softly in her sleep.
"Dad… Mom… Brother…"
Nova turned to Arou, worry in her eyes as she looked at Airi's fragile state.
"Airi… what's wrong?"
Airi slowly opened her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"I… I dreamed of my family… and now I miss them…"
Arou looked at her gently, sensing the depth of her pain. He placed a hand on her shoulder, offering quiet comfort.
"Airi… you're not alone. Nova and I are here. It's okay to cry."
Airi lowered her head, letting the tears fall freely. Nova gently rubbed her back.
"I feel guilty… because I couldn't protect the people I love…"
"You did everything you could," Arou replied softly. "What matters now is that you're safe. And we're here with you."
They sat in silence for a while, listening to the rain outside. Slowly, Airi began to calm down. The pain in her chest eased, even if only a little, simply because she wasn't alone.
After a quiet moment, Arou looked at her and spoke in a lighter tone, though there was curiosity behind it.
"By the way… why didn't you ask Nora to bring your family back?"
Nova immediately turned to Arou in shock, her eyes widening at the unexpected question.
Airi lowered her gaze, staring at the floor as she took a slow breath.
"…She can do that?"
Arou nodded, his tone more serious now.
"Nora was the one who brought Emi back. If you want… she might be able to help you too."
Airi looked at Arou and Nova, her tearful eyes now holding a faint glimmer of hope—yet hesitation still lingered in her heart.
The three of them fell silent once more, the rain outside deepening the emotional stillness of the night.