[Hydro City Lower District – Festival Grounds]
The festival was a riot of colors, smells, and sounds. Streamers of blue silk hung between the white-stone buildings, and the air was filled with the scent of fried sea-bread and honey-glazed skewers.
Techyon and Alya sat at a small, crowded table near a canal. For the first time in six months, Techyon looked truly relaxed. He wasn't scanning for mana signatures or calculating counter-vectors; he was just enjoying a meal.
As they talked and laughed, Techyon suddenly paused. He leaned in closer, his blue eyes locking onto Alya's. He moved slowly, his face inching toward hers until they were only breaths apart.
Alya's heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. Her face turned a shade of crimson that made the festival lanterns look dim. Is this it? she thought, her mind spinning. Is he finally...?!
"T-Techyon..." she stammered, her voice trembling. "Wait... there are... there are too many people watching!"
Techyon didn't pull back. He just gave her a puzzled look, his face still dangerously close to hers. "So what?" he whispered.
Alya felt like she was going to melt. If he was this bold in public, who was she to argue? She took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes shut, and tilted her chin up slightly, waiting for the moment her life would change forever.
"Okay..." she breathed.
She waited. One second. Two seconds.
Instead of a kiss, she heard the soft clink of a glass bottle moving.
Alya opened one eye. Techyon was already sitting back in his chair, calmly pouring a thick dollop of tomato sauce onto his skewer from the bottle that had been sitting on the table right beside her head.
"The sauce at this stall is surprisingly good," Techyon said, taking a huge, satisfied bite. "You should try some, Alya. Why were your eyes closed? Did you get some dust in them?"
Alya sat there, frozen, her lips still slightly puckered. Her face went from red to a ghostly white, and then back to an even deeper red. She slowly lowered her head, hiding her face in her hands as a small wisp of steam literally rose from her hair.
"I... I hate you, Techyon," she muffled into her palms.
Techyon paused, a piece of meat halfway to his mouth. "Huh? What did I do?"
[The Walk Back]
The walk back to the palace was quiet. Alya walked a few paces ahead, still clutching her cheeks and occasionally muttering something about "clueless speedsters" and "condiments."
"Alya? Are you sure you're okay?" Techyon asked, tilting his head. "You've been walking unusually fast since we left the stall. Did the sauce have too much spice?"
"I am fine, Techyon!" she squeaked without turning around. "Let's just go to the Hydro Palace now. It's getting late!"
"Okay, okay," Techyon laughed, catching up to her.
[The Hydro Palace – Evening]
As they crossed the threshold of the grand palace gates, the usual hum of evening activity seemed strangely absent. The torches were dimmed, and the guards gave Techyon a respectful, yet oddly knowing, nod as he passed.
Techyon rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a long yawn. The six months of intense training and the long day at the festival were finally catching up to him.
"I'm going to my room, Alya," Techyon said, his eyes half-closed. "I'm feeling really sleepy. I'll see you at training tomorrow morning?"
Alya paused, a tiny, secret smile playing on her lips. "Okay, Techyon. Have a good rest."
Techyon walked down the long, silent corridor of the guest wing. He reached his door, pushed it open, and stepped into the darkness of his quarters.
SNAP.
Suddenly, the room erupted into a brilliant display of enchanted cyan light.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TECHYON!"
The booming voice of Neweland led the charge, the King standing front and center with a wide, proud grin. Surrounding him were dozens of palace maids and attendants, all wearing celebratory sashes, holding a massive cake that shimmered with edible mana-crystals.
"Happy Birthday, Sir Techyon!" the maids shouted in unison, their voices filled with genuine affection for the hero who had saved their city.
Techyon froze in the doorway, his Master Auto-Counter twitching for a split second before realizing there was no threat—only love. His jaw dropped, his sleepiness vanishing instantly as he looked at the decorations, the food, and the glowing faces of the people who had become his second family.
[The Birthday Celebration]
The cheers died down as the room grew still. Techyon, the warrior who had stared down a cosmic god without blinking, stood in the center of the room with tears streaming down his face.
Neweland stepped forward, his smile softening into a look of concern. "Why are you crying, Techyon? Did we startle you too much?"
Techyon wiped his eyes with his sleeve, but the tears kept coming. "No... it's just..." His voice cracked. "I've never had anyone celebrate my birthday before. I was lonely from the beginning. I lost my father, I lost my mother... and until recently, I didn't even know if my sister was alive. I've always been alone on this day."
The maids looked down, touched by his words, and Alya stepped closer, her own eyes shimmering with sympathy. She reached out, gently taking his hand.
"Techyon, don't cry," she whispered, her voice firm yet tender. "You aren't alone anymore. We are your family now, aren't we?"
Neweland placed a heavy, comforting hand on Techyon's shoulder. "She's right. A hero shouldn't spend his birthday in tears. Stop crying, Techyon—today is a day for joy, not for the past."
Techyon took a deep breath, composed himself, and looked at the massive, glowing cake. A small, mischievous glint returned to his blue eyes. "Okay. But... there's one more thing."
Neweland blinked. "What is it?"
Techyon pointed at the purple frosting decorating the tiers of the cake. "I actually hate blueberry flavor," he said with a sudden, dry chuckle.
The room went silent for a second before Techyon grinned. "But today, I'm not going to look at that! It's the best cake I've ever seen because you all made it. Let's eat, everyone!"
The palace erupted in laughter and cheers as Techyon took the first slice. For the first time in his life, the void in his heart wasn't filled with mana—it was filled with home.