That morning, soft sunlight streamed through the windows of the training room. Arou, Nova, and Airi sat side by side, the atmosphere slightly awkward yet filled with quiet hope.
"Arou… can you ask Nora if she can bring Airi's family back?"
Nora raised an eyebrow, looking at Airi with curious eyes.
"And… how did your family pass away?"
Airi lowered her head, her voice soft.
"They… drowned."
Nora gave a faint smile, though there was sadness behind it.
"I… can't."
Arou and Nova exchanged glances, confused.
"Why not?" Arou asked.
"Yeah, you can, right?" Nova added.
Nora shrugged casually, her tone light but certain.
"I'm… a cat. And cats are afraid of water."
For a moment, the three of them fell silent. Airi looked slightly surprised, but slowly a small smile appeared on her face, sensing Nora's attempt at humor despite the serious situation. Nova held back a laugh, while Arou let out a long sigh, unable to hide a faint smile.
Nova leaned closer, bringing her face near Nora's ear, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Nora… can you do something for Airi's family?"
Nora glanced at her, her eyes sharp with focus.
"What do you mean?"
Nova leaned in even closer.
"I'll be the one who dives… to find their bodies."
Nora paused, then whispered back gently.
"Are you sure that's the right thing to do?"
Nova nodded firmly.
"I'm sure. As long as Airi can be happy, I'll do anything."
Nora lowered her gaze, her expression turning serious.
"But… if her family comes back, we might lose Airi. She'll go with them."
Nova swallowed, then gave a small, bittersweet smile.
"…Yeah. You're right."
They looked at each other, their hearts heavy yet filled with quiet hope, while Airi remained unaware of the plan forming for her sake.
Nora turned to Airi, her gaze soft but serious.
"Airi… I'm sorry. I can't bring back people who have been gone for a long time."
Airi lowered her head, sadness and disappointment surfacing on her face. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she covered her face with her hands.
"I… I just wanted to see them one more time… just once…"
Nora let out a long breath and gently patted her shoulder.
"I know… but there are things we can't change. Still, I'll always be here for you. I'll protect you… so you won't be alone again."
Airi looked at her, slightly comforted by those words, though the ache of loss still lingered.
From the side, Nova and Arou watched quietly, both feeling the weight of her pain but understanding Nora's limits.
"She's still strong… even if she can't change the past," Nova whispered.
"…Yeah. And we'll stay by her side," Arou replied softly.
Nora smiled gently and patted Airi's shoulder again.
"Hey… Airi, do you want to come with me to buy some food supplies?"
Airi turned, her eyes still damp from tears.
"…Can I?"
Nora nodded warmly.
"Of course."
Airi gave a small smile.
"…Then I'll go."
They stepped outside together. Nora walked steadily, while Airi followed behind, looking at the damp path reflecting the morning light. The lively voices of vendors and the scent of fresh food welcomed them at the market.
At the supply shop, Nora began picking out ingredients—flour, dried meat, spices, and vegetables. Airi stood slightly to the side, watching with quiet interest.
Nora glanced at her and smiled.
"Airi, don't you want to buy something? I'll pay."
Airi looked surprised.
"…Really?"
Nora nodded.
"Yeah. Don't hold back. Today's a relaxed day."
Airi smiled faintly and walked over to the snack section. She picked up a few bags of chips she liked, imagining their savory taste. Her heart felt lighter, as if the weight from last night had eased just a little.
Afterward, they went to the counter. Nora paid for everything, while Airi held her snacks carefully.
On the way home, Airi opened one of the bags and tried a piece. It was crispy, and she couldn't stop a small smile from forming.
"Today… feels a little lighter than before."
From a distance, Nova and Arou watched them, smiling warmly.
"Look… she's really starting to smile again," Nova said softly.
Their steps felt lighter, the morning air refreshing. Though memories of the past still lingered, that day, Airi found a small piece of happiness.
When they arrived at Arou's house, he suddenly appeared at the door with a wide grin.
"Hey… you're already grown up, but you're still eating chips on the way home?"
Airi looked at him, slightly embarrassed, then at the chips in her hand.
"…And what's wrong with that?"
She popped another chip into her mouth anyway, enjoying the crunch. Arou laughed and gently patted her shoulder.
"Haha… nothing wrong with it. Just be careful, or your stomach might hurt if you eat too much."
Airi smiled again, this time more genuinely, feeling at ease with Arou beside her.
Nova, walking behind them, smiled quietly.
"She really is smiling again."
Airi looked at her chips, feeling a sense of relief. It was a simple day, but it felt like one of the lightest she had had in a long time.
When they entered the house, the warm scent of wood and the cozy air welcomed them. Airi placed her chips on the table and sat down slowly, her expression far calmer than before.
Nora set the groceries in the kitchen and turned to her.
"Airi, want to help me organize the ingredients?"
Airi hesitated, then nodded.
"…Yeah. I'll help."
Nora smiled, like an older sister who felt proud.
---
In the kitchen, Nora took out vegetables and flour while Airi placed spices on the shelf. Though her movements were slow, she tried her best.
"You seemed really happy about those chips earlier," Nora said.
Airi pouted slightly, a bit shy.
"Hehe… they're my favorite. I used to eat them alone."
Nora nodded.
"But now you're not alone, right?"
Airi looked at her, a small light returning to her eyes.
"…Yeah. I'm not anymore."
---
In the living room, Arou stirred a cup of hot tea while Nova leaned back on the sofa, watching Airi from afar.
"She's starting to move without that weight on her shoulders," Nova said softly.
Arou nodded.
"She just needed a place where she feels safe. We just have to make sure she never feels alone again."
Nova smiled gently as she looked toward the kitchen.
---
Nora decided to cook something simple—warm soup and toasted bread. She gave Airi small tasks: washing vegetables and cutting the easier parts.
Airi looked nervous.
"I'm afraid I'll mess up…"
"It's okay. Take it slow. I'm right here," Nora reassured her.
Airi took a deep breath, picked up the knife, and began cutting carefully. Her hands trembled at first, but gradually steadied. When she managed a clean cut, Nora gently tapped her shoulder.
"Good job."
Airi looked at the neatly cut piece and smiled, a rare, genuine smile.
"Hehe… I can actually do it."
---
At lunch, the hot soup was served, its aroma filling the house. Arou handed out bowls while Nova prepared the bread. Airi sat at the edge of the table, a little shy but comfortable.
"Airi, eat well. You worked hard today," Arou said.
She nodded and took her first spoonful. Her eyes widened slightly.
"It's really good…"
Nora chuckled softly.
"I'm glad. I made it for you too."
Airi looked at them—Nora, Arou, Nova—and for the first time in a long while, she felt warmth… like a home she had never truly had before.
---
After eating, Arou stood and lightly tapped the table.
"Alright. Let's rest for a bit. Later this afternoon, if you want, we can take a walk to the hill behind the house."
Airi tilted her head.
"The hill?"
"It's a nice place. The wind is calming. Perfect for you," Nova added.
Airi smiled softly, her heart feeling lighter.
"…Then I'll come."
Arou laughed, relieved.
"Good! That's what I wanted to hear."
Airi picked up the chips she had brought earlier and held them close for a moment.
For the first time in a long while…
the day felt normal. Calm. Warm. Not frightening.
And maybe, she thought…
starting today, I can learn how to live again.