Morning in Celestia feels slower than his usual.
No alarms.
No orders.
No voices shouting through comms.
Just light.
Warm.
Quiet.
Akane opened his eyes.
For once—
He didn't move immediately.
He just sat there.
"…What now…"
No mission.
No objective.
The question stayed—
But it didn't feel as heavy as before.
The Meeting
They met again without planning it.
Same overlook.
Same place as yesterday.
Heavy was already there.
"…You're late."
"…There was no time set."
"…Still late."
Assault arrived next.
"…Good, I'm not the last one."
Aira came shortly after.
"…Why do you all gather like this…"
"…Habit," Heavy said.
"…We're used to preparing before something," Assault added.
Aira crossed her arms.
"…This isn't a military mission."
"…Yeah right" Akane said.
"…It's not."
A brief silence.
Then—
"…So what do we do today?" Assault asked.
Akane thought.
Then—
"…We'll try more things."
Assault grinned.
"…Now that's what I like to hear."
They moved through the city together.
No plan.
Just—
Trying things.
Different stalls again.
"…Pick something random," Assault said.
"…That's how you end up regretting it," Aira replied.
"…Worth the risk."
He picked something.
Took a bite—
Paused.
"…Okay this one's actually good."
"…That's surprising," Heavy said.
"…You expected me to fail?"
"…Yes."
Akane tried something else.
"…Different."
"…You say that about everything," Aira said.
"…Because everything is different."
She didn't argue with that.
Assault grabbed another random drink.
"…This one looks safe."
He drank it.
Instant regret.
"…IT'S NOT SAFE—"
Aira took a sip.
"…It's strong."
Heavy drank it.
No reaction.
"…It's fine."
"…You're broken," Assault said.
"…Possibly."
They stopped at a game stall.
"…Let's try this," Assault said.
"…You're going to lose," Aira replied.
"…Confidence is key."
He tried—
Missed completely.
"…It's broken."
"…You missed," Akane said.
"…No, it's broken."
Heavy tried—
Won instantly.
"…Of course you did," Aira muttered.
"…Skill."
"…Luck."
"…Skill."
"…Annoying."
They kept walking.
Then—
Stopped.
A massive pool stretched out ahead.
Bright.
Clear.
People swimming.
Laughing.
Diving.
Free.
"What is that?" Assault asked.
"…A swimming pool," Aira said.
" A swim- what now?"
….
Heavy looked at it.
"lets go in." akane said
"…I hope it's fun."
"…We don't know how to" Akane said.
The squad stared at Aira.
She sighed.
"…I know how."
"…Of course you do," Assault muttered.
"…Then you will teach us," Akane said.
"…That's going to be difficult."
"…We've done worse," Heavy said.
"…Fair point."
At the booth.
They paid.
Got wristbands.
Walked in.
"…That was too easy," Assault said.
"…It's not a military facility," Aira replied.
"…Still suspicious."
They stood at the pool.
Watching others swim.
Effortless.
Natural.
"…They make it look easy," Assault said.
"yeah it is" Aira replied.
"I doubt that," Heavy said.
"…So," Assault said.
"…Who's going first?"
"…Not me," Aira said immediately.
"…You know how," Heavy replied.
"…Exactly."
"…Then him," Assault pointed at Akane.
"…Why me?" akane replied
"…You're calm."
"…That doesn't mean I want to go first."
Silence.
Then—
Heavy moved.
Shoved Assault forward—
Splash.
"…YOU—"
Assault resurfaced.
"…YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE—"
"…You volunteered."
"…I DID NOT—"
Aira laughed.
"…That was deserved."
Assault climbed out dripping in water.
"THAT WAS COLD DAMN YOU"
"Alright then"
He lunged straight at heavy catching him off guard.
Pulled him in—
Both fell—
Splash.
"…THIS IS UNSTABLE—"
"…WELCOME TO IT—"
Akane stepped back.
"…I'll wait."
"…No you won't," Aira said.
Aira lunges straight at akane.
Pushing both to the pool.
Direct.
Splash.
Akane surfaced slowly.
"That's so cold."
"You're welcome," Aira said
As they went forward the pool.
They tried to stand—
Then suddenly—
Dropped.
"THERE'S NO GROUND!," Heavy said whilst drowning.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN"
Assault stepped forward.
Also dropped.
"WHY IS IT DEEP HERE—" whilst drowning.
Aira sighed.
"It changes depth."
"THAT! WOULD'VE! BEEN USEFUL EARLIER" assault said whilst trying to gasp air.
They panicked.
Splashed.
Grabbed each other.
"STOP PULLING ME"
"YOU'RE THE CLOSEST THING TO STABILITY"
"I AM NOT STABLE"
Heavy grabbed the edge.
"This area is safe."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT FIRST-"
"I just discovered it."
"…Stop panicking," Aira said.
"…We're not panicking," Assault said—
Immediately slipping again.
"Okay we are panicking."
"…Listen."
She demonstrated.
"Relax your body."
"That... sounds impossible," Heavy said.
"It's not."
"Watch carefully"
Akane watched carefully.
Then tried.
Paused—
Relaxed slightly—
And stayed afloat longer.
"That worked."
"Yes," Aira said.
"I don't like this," Heavy muttered.
They improved slowly.
Still bad.
Still awkward.
But not drowning.
"This is manageable," Akane said.
"Barely," Assault replied.
"Still needs improvement," Aira said.
Assault splashed Heavy.
"Don't."
Too late.
Heavy shoved him under.
"WORTH IT—"
Aira laughed.
"You're all like children."
"You're laughing," Heavy said.
"That doesn't count."
"…New rule," Assault said.
"…No pushing."
Everyone nodded.
Literary Two seconds later.
Aira pushed Heavy.
"You started it," she said.
"That is inaccurate."
Akane dodged—
Still got pushed.
"Expected."
Eventually—
They stopped fighting.
Just floating.
Resting.
Talking.
"…We've never done this," Assault said.
"…No," Heavy replied.
"…We never had time," Aira added.
Akane looked at the water.
"…We never tried."
Silence.
Not heavy.
Just real.
They sat at the edge.
Soaked.
Tired.
But different.
Akane looked at them.
Arguing.
Laughing.
Alive.
"We... should do this again akane said.
pause.
Then-
"Sure" Aira replied.
Akane leaned back.
Closed his eyes.
For once—
He didn't feel like he was sinking.
Even without the water.