Akira's lips parted, but no words came out. His throat tightened, like something heavy was lodged inside guilt, longing, maybe both. His shoulders trembled.
"I didn't ask for this…" he murmured. "I didn't want to feel this way."
"I know," Kaen said softly. "But feelings don't ask for permission, do they?" She reached out, placing a hand gently on his arm steady, grounding. "And you can't keep living in the shadows of memories, hoping reflections will be enough. Eventually… even mirrors break."
He drew in a shaky breath, voice low and cracking at the edges. "Then what am I supposed to do, Jiejie?" he whispered. "Just walk away? Forget her… the way she forgets me every time?"
"She never wanted light," she whispered. "She's always been drawn to the dark. She's a demon after all."
"…Half demon," Akira breathed.
"Yes," Kaen nodded, "and that's why you can't get what you want." His breath hitched. His grip tightened around her hand, just slightly as if holding on might somehow rewrite fate.
But just beyond the edge of the rooftop, hidden in the shadows behind a stone pillar veiled in moonlight, someone stood silently—unseen. Their breath hitched. Fingers twitched… then slowly curled into tight fists. They had heard everything. Every word. Every truth not meant for them. And though the night wind whispered softly around them, their heart thundered loud and unrelenting.
————————
Morning light spilled gently through the windows, golden and warm, casting soft patterns across the wooden floor. Birds chirped lazily outside as the Laughing Lantern slowly stirred to life.
Astra padded down the stairs, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Her fingers brushed absentmindedly over her arm—and stopped.
She blinked.
"…Huh?" she mumbled, frowning at the unmarked skin. "Where's my wound?"
She paused on the fourth step, inspecting the spot more closely. Smooth. Untouched. As if it had never been hurt.
Still groggy and half-lost in thought, she didn't notice her heel slip on the edge of the step.
"Ah—!" Her eyes flew wide as her body pitched forward. "Oh no, not again—!"
Her thoughts flashed in panic: I'm definitely getting another wound. On the face. Perfect.
But just as gravity yanked her forward, a sudden gust of wind cut through the air—sharp, clean, like a blade slicing the silence.
And in the blink of an eye, arms wrapped around her.
Strong. Steady. He caught her just in time, swinging her slightly before settling her safely against a warm chest.
Astra gasped, heart pounding. Her eyes darted upward, startled.
"…What the—? Who are you?"
The man frowned slightly, releasing her with a nudge back. His hand rose instinctively to his face as if expecting something to be there. His frown deepened when he didn't find it.
No mask.
"Anyway," Astra said quickly, brushing off her robes and smoothing her hair, "thank you for saving me from falling flat on my face first thing in the morning."
She gave a polite, if awkward, bow, and turned to walk away. But before she could take a full step, his fingers curled gently but firmly around her arm.
"You don't remember me?" he asked.
Astra turned back to him, puzzled. Her brows furrowed, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. "Should I?"
She scratched the back of her neck with an embarrassed chuckle. "I, uh… have a weak memory. I forget most things after a day. Everything from people I don't see often just sort of… blurs out after a week."
"Do I know you?"
The man blinked. Then blinked again. His jaw tensed, eyes wide in disbelief. "Your memory isn't just weak," he muttered, tilting his head slightly. "It's abysmal."
Astra winced, offering a sheepish smile. "Y-Yeah… I get that a lot."
He stared at her a second longer, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes—some combination of hope, frustration… and something else entirely.
Astra squinted, stepping just a little closer, peering up at him with a hand on her hip. "Wait a second…" she murmured.
Daita raised an eyebrow. "Now what?"
She leaned in slowly—until their faces were inches apart, her eyes scanning his with exaggerated scrutiny.
Daita blinked, startled, leaning back slightly. "What are you—?"
Then her eyes lit up with realization. She pointed an accusing finger right at his nose.
"You! Raita!"
His face went blank. "It's Daita," he said flatly, rolling his eyes and stepping back.
Astra blinked again, looking only mildly apologetic. "Oh… right. Daita. Totally what I said."
He stared at her, deadpan. "Unbelievable."
But before he could say anything else, she jabbed a finger toward him again, voice rising with irritation. "Wait—I remember now! You're the one who blamed only me in front of Ryoma! Even when I took the strike of that massive, ugly, hairy, demon spider thing!" She shoved him lightly.
Daita's brow twitched. "That's not exactly—"
"Do you know because of you, I've had ghosts clinging to me every night like lost puppies! My nightmares were already bad enough, and now those creepy spirit-things are draining my soul!"
He looked mildly alarmed. "They are already?"
"And it's all because of that stupid cursed flower!" she shouted, waving a hand wildly. "You used it on me! I'm the one carrying the curse now!"
Daita hesitated, guilt flashing through his eyes but he masked it with a scoff. "I didn't know it was cursed! I used it to save your life, abandoning my mission, by the way."
She narrowed her eyes.
He pointed a finger at himself with exaggerated dignity. "You should be grateful. I showed you mercy."
"Mercy?!" she repeated, aghast. "That's what you call dumping ghost energy into someone's soul?! And then you vanished like a guilty spirit yourself!"
Daita let out a low sigh, raking a hand through his hair. "I had to leave back then. What happened… it was a mistake. One I didn't even realize until it was too late."
His tone shifted—lower, more sincere. "And when I did… I regretted it."
Astra froze mid-glare.
"I sent a few guards back to Reikoku," he continued, avoiding her eyes. "To find you. Track your condition. But before I could get any answers from them…"
His voice trailed off.
"I met you again," he finished quietly. "You and your family… before the reports ever reached me."
Astra narrowed her eyes, studying him like he was a half-solved puzzle. "You sent guards after me?"