Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

October 17th.

That's today's date.

For most people, it's just another square on the calendar.

But for me, it means something else.

Inside our dimly lit headquarters, the scent of smoke lingered in the air as Zack and I leaned back on the couch, casually puffing away and chatting about nothing in particular.

Then—BANG!

The door flew open with a loud crash.

"Arche!" Arthur shouted, his voice almost echoing through the room.

I blinked and turned toward him, unfazed. "Ever heard of knocking? Maybe try coming in like a normal person?"

But he was already striding toward me, eyes gleaming with excitement. "I've got great news for you!"

"Wait—don't tell me... parfait prices dropped?" I asked, deadpan.

Arthur looked slightly heartbroken. "...They actually went up," he muttered.

"But that's not the point!" he snapped, cheeks flushing as he waved his arms like a flustered windmill.

He paused dramatically, then grinned.

"I saw Elaina."

My heart skipped a beat. It took me a moment to process his words.

Elaina... It had been a long time since I last saw her.

Too long.

I clenched my fist, trying to keep my voice calm. I want to see her again. Even if it's just to say goodbye—before we head to war.

"Oho~ Is that your crush, Arche~?" Theresia teased, smirking as she rested her chin on her hand.

I shot her a glare. "I told you not to read people's minds without permission."

"I wanna meet this Elaina!" Chronia suddenly yelled, practically jumping up.

"I'd be interested too," Zack added, casually exhaling smoke like nothing happened.

The difference in energy between them was... painfully obvious.

"I want to see what the girl you have crush on!" Chronia said her face serious.

Ah, that's right—Chronia's never met Elaina before.

"I didn't expect you to be interested too, Zack," Lycaon said, raising an eyebrow.

"Chronia being curious is normal.. but you? That's surprising," Cathy asked immediately closing her book.

"Arche, don't you have a thing for Riviere?" Murphy asked, tilting his head like a curious puppy sniffing gossip.

"Oh-ho~ So many girls, huh?" Theresia leaned in with a wicked grin.

"So, you're aiming for the legendary Harem Ending, huh? Bold move, Mister Protagonist~"

Zack shrugged coolly. "What? You guys aren't curious?"

"We're very curious!" they all shouted in perfect unison.

"I already know what she looks like," Zack said calmly, taking another drag from his cigarette.

"I just want to see her in person."

"Wait—how do you know what she looks like?" Oris asked, confused.

"Because Arche gave me a long-term job," Zack said casually. "If anyone tries to hire me to kill Elaina, I have to kill them instead."

"And if I run into Arche again, I'll report it to him—and get paid for it," he added with a shrug. "Well, so far… only two people have tried."

"T-That far...?" Cathy whispered, her face pale.

"Fufufu~ What a protective man," Theresia teased, flipping her hair dramatically.

"Elaina's really lucky to have you, Arche," Valeria added with a mocking smile.

My head throbbed. "All of you... shut up!"

I stood up and stormed out of the base.

"I'm going to find her."

I wanted to ask Arthur where exactly he saw Elaina. But then... the others showed up. Loud, nosy, and full of questions.

So I decided—forget it. I'll find her myself.

I leapt onto a nearby tower, my coat fluttering behind me as I scanned the streets below.

Then—there. A familiar figure caught my eye.

Ash-gray hair swaying with the breeze. That graceful walk. That presence.

"...That is her."

My heart skipped. My hands trembled slightly.

Wait... how should I act when I see her again? It's been so long since I've done anything silly... or teased anyone.

Not very "me" of late, huh?

Well... I'll just do what I can.

A smile tugged at my lips.

I descended into a nearby alley using my grappling hook. Landed clean.

Before anything else, I pulled out my emergency mouthwash and the water I always carried.

No way I was meeting her with cigarette breath—I'm not that hopeless.

Once I was satisfied, I casually stepped out from the shadows of the alley and pretended not to notice her.

Just a guy... walking without purpose.

Then—

Tap.

Someone touched my shoulder.

"Good morning."

My whole body jumped in surprise.

Nervous. Stiff.

I turned slowly...

And there she was.

Elaina.

Elaina let out a quiet chuckle, clearly trying—and failing—to suppress her amusement at my startled reaction.

"Long time no see, Arche," she said, her voice soft and familiar.

I gasped dramatically, placing a hand on my chest like I'd been struck by cupid's arrow.

"I'm sorry, Gorgeous... I've forgotten your name," I said with a theatrical sigh.

"So... let me call you mine."

She rolled her eyes, the corners of her lips twitching. "You haven't changed at all."

"Still Elaina, by the way," she added dryly, playing along with my nonsense.

"Thank you," I replied, placing my hand over my heart with mock sincerity.

"I shall cherish that name deep in here."

I paused, then widened my eyes. "Oh! It's already in there."

Elaina shook her head, but the small smile that escaped betrayed her amusement.

"You're as ridiculous as ever," she said, voice trying to sound annoyed—but it was laced with something warmer

As Elaina looked up at me, her gaze lingered for a second longer than usual.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, scanning my face with that sharp attention to detail she always had.

"You got a new haircut?" she asked, one brow raised.

I blinked, only now realizing it myself. "Yeah... what do you think?"

Elaina tilted her head, lips pursed in mock contemplation.

"Hmm... a bold half-commit haircut," she said flatly.

"...Half-commit?" I echoed, my voice deflating.That was not the praise I was hoping for.

"It looks messy," she added with a smirk, crossing her arms. "That's it."

"Hey, at least lie and say it suits me," I whined, clutching at my pride like it was bleeding.

Elaina let out a soft laugh, unable to hold it back."Fine, fine," she said, shaking her head. "It suits you, Arche. Happy now?"

"Very," I grinned.

But then—something in my peripheral vision shifted.

Behind one of the buildings, just beyond Elaina's line of sight, a figure emerged and subtly waved.

My eyes narrowed.

That was—Saya.

She signaled me to come over, her gestures swift, calculated... and oddly specific.

No words. No voice. Just a code.

One that clearly said: Come alone. Don't bring Elaina.

The message was vague—maybe too vague for most.

But somehow... I understood it perfectly.

She caught the flicker in my gaze—the way my eyes shifted past her, focusing on something behind her shoulder.

"What are you looking at?" she asked, already turning her head to follow my line of sight.

Saya vanished in an instant, slipping behind cover like a shadow in daylight.

Yeah... definitely urgent.

"Oh? You don't like it when I look away from you?" I teased, smirking.

Elaina let out the most theatrical sigh known to mankind. "Oh, how horrible," she said, voice thick with sarcasm.

"You're not giving me your full attention? I might break down and cry right here."

"Oh, poor thing," I replied, leaning forward with mock sympathy.

"Here, I'll give you all the attention you want. Unlimited Arche, just for you."

She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might fall out. "How kind of you," she said sweetly, a dangerous sparkle in her eyes.

"Truly, just what every girl dreams of—being showered in attention by a dramatic flirt with questionable hair decisions."

"Ah, you wound me," I clutched my chest dramatically again.

But truth is, I live for these little exchanges. The banter. The sarcasm.

This chaotic, silly dance between us—I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I cleared my throat. "Jokes aside... I should go."

I turned slightly, casting her a casual glance. "Y'know, busy man things."

Elaina let out a small laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Oh, so busy, are we?" Elaina said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

She crossed her arms, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "And where exactly is Mr. Important heading off to?"

"To where all busy people go," I replied with a smug grin. "Unfortunately, I can't take you with me."

I leaned in just a little, my tone shifting into a playful tease. "But don't worry... I'll take you to the wedding stage someday."

Her eyes widened, caught off guard.

"Is that some kind of threat?" she asked, trying to sound horrified—but I could hear the laughter in her voice.

I chuckled, thoroughly entertained. "See you later, Witchie."

Elaina let out a huff of mock offense, arms crossed tightly. "Ugh, it's been a while since I've heard that annoying nickname..."

But the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her true feelings.

"See you around, Bakarche," she added, waving me off with a flick of her hand.

I paused mid-step, grinning wide. "Oho? I bet you've been waiting just to say that."

Elaina's eyes narrowed playfully, a devilish smirk forming."You bet I have."

I let out a short laugh and took off, sprinting past her with a wave. "Bye~!"

"Try not to get into any trouble!" she called out behind me."At least try!"

I turned my head slightly, flashing a wink. "No promises!"

I slipped behind the building and found exactly what I half-expected... and half-didn't.

Saya stood with her arms crossed, looking mildly irritated as usual.

Mina leaned against the wall, but what caught me off guard was seeing two familiar faces—Amnesia and Avilia.

"Oh? A full cast gathering today?" I said with a grin. "What's the occasion?"

"You're so slow," Saya snapped, clearly unimpressed.

"I'm not the fastest man alive, y'know," I shrugged. "So? What's up?"

Saya folded her arms tighter. "Do you know what day it is today?"

"Uh... Monday? Or... Wednesday?" I guessed, rubbing the back of my neck.

"That's not it!" she groaned, clearly two seconds from smacking me.

Mina let out a long sigh and shook her head. "Just get to the point, Sis."

Amnesia chuckled gently, and Avilia tilted her head, looking adorably puzzled.

Then Amnesia stepped forward, her smile soft. "Today is Elaina's birthday."

My eyes widened. "Oh no... You're right!"

I smacked my forehead—how could I forget? Guess being a busy heartthrob does that to you.

Avilia stepped up beside her sister, nodding. "So, we're planning to throw a birthday party for her."

"I'm in!" I declared without hesitation, my eyes lighting up.

I cleared my throat dramatically. "Alright then! Operation Witch Birthday Surprise begins now!"

Saya squinted at me. "Why did you suddenly become the leader?"

"Because," I smirked, puffing out my chest, "every great mission needs a charismatic genius at the helm."

"Yeah, yeah..." Mina muttered, already regretting her life choices.

I clapped my hands together, full of excitement. "Okay! Here's the plan—"

I took a deep breath, eyes gleaming.

"I want you to distract Elaina and keep her away from her hotel room," I said, pointing at Saya.

Then I turned to the others. "Avilia, Mina—you two are in charge of decorating the room. Make it look like a proper birthday party."

"And while you're doing that, Amnesia and I will handle the cake," I added. "Easy enough, right?"

Everyone nodded. Mina gave a short, confident response. "Alright."

"That's a great idea, Arche!" Saya chimed in, smiling.

Her eyes sparkled a little—maybe too much. She must be thrilled to have some alone time with Elaina.

"I'll do my best!" Amnesia beamed, her excitement practically radiating off her.

"Let's do this!" Avilia joined in, her voice brimming with the same energy.

"LET'S GO!!" we all shouted in unison, full of enthusiasm.

Saya, Mina, and Avilia immediately headed off toward Elaina's hotel, leaving me and Amnesia alone.

"Okay, Amnesia," I said, pulling out a small slip of paper and scribbling something on it.

"Here's a list of the ingredients we need. Can you handle shopping while I look for a place to bake?"

She took the note without hesitation. "Alright! Leave it to me!"

"I'll meet you at the market later," I said with a grin, trying to sound as reliable as possible.

After she dashed off, I exhaled and turned toward the alleyway. "Alright then... time to find the perfect kitchen."

In the alley, nine figures stood watching—my team. They'd been there for a while.

I stopped walking and met their gazes, unfazed. "So? You thought I wouldn't notice you?"

Chronia looked visibly irritated. Murphy, Cathy, and Theresia stared at me like I'd just grown wings.

"What's going on?" I asked flatly, tone clipped.

Arthur stepped forward. "They're... surprised... By how you acted."

"I had to restrain Chronia, you know," Lycaon muttered. "She almost charged in when you started flirting with that ashen-haired girl."

"So that's her, huh?" Zack smirked. "She's even prettier than in the photo."

Valeria crossed her arms. "I thought you'd changed—that the teasing Arche was gone. But no... you were just bottling it up."

"You've got a silver tongue, I'll give you that," Oris commented.

I narrowed my eyes slightly. "And? Why does that surprise you?"

"OF COURSE IT SURPRISED US!" Murphy, Cathy, and Theresia yelled in unison.

Murphy looked at me like I was a stranger. "Arche... you can speak like that? So sweetly?"

"A flirtatious clown is our leader...? The outside world really is twisted," Cathy sighed.

"I never imagined the cold guy who reeks of smoke could act that silly," Theresia mumbled.

My gaze shifted to Chronia. She wasn't hiding her frustration.

"So, that's your type? She's not even that impressive..."

She clenched her fists. "I'm better in every way—height, chest..." Her voice trembled. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"I love her," I said, voice quiet but firm, "not because of how she looks."

Chronia flinched. "Whatever. I hate you."

She turned away, mumbling, "What was with that wedding stage, anyway..."

Ah. So that's the part that really hit her.

I said it without thinking—just got carried away by the atmosphere.

"Arche, control yourself," Theresia muttered, reading my thoughts like an open book.

"You're not even dating yet, right?!" Chronia snapped, her eyes sharp with frustration.

"As long as you two don't have anything official, I still have a chance!"

"I'll steal your heart, just wait and see!"

She pointed at me, practically trembling with emotion.

"...Sure," I replied, voice low, not quite sure how to react.

Trying to shift the mood, I cleared my throat. "Anyway, I was thinking of using our base to make the cake. It's got a kitchen, right?"

"Eh? Then what about us?" Murphy asked, tilting her head.

"Go to work, obviously!" I barked, rubbing my temples.

"We've got a mountain of requests, remember?! Stop slacking off!"

Groans of complaint echoed around me, everyone clearly unmotivated.

Arthur, ever the dependable one, pulled a crumpled request paper from his pocket and scanned it quickly.

"Alright, first request—take down a kidnapping group," he said calmly, already slipping into command. For now, he was the leader.

As he passed by, he leaned in and whispered, "Tell Amnesia I said hi."

I gave a silent nod in response.

...But Theresia was faster.

"Who's Amnesia?" she demanded, already narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Arthur's crush," I answered casually.

"What?!" Theresia looked genuinely shocked. "I want to meet this Amnesia!"

Great. Now she's acting just like Chronia.

"Move it," Arthur muttered, grabbing her arm and dragging her away before the situation escalated further.

After they all departed for the mission, I made my way to the market.

That's when I spotted her—Amnesia, struggling with shopping bags in her arms.

I walked toward her, watching as she struggled with the bags in her arms, her brows slightly furrowed from the weight.

"Sorry I took so long," I said quietly. "Here, let me help you."

Without waiting for a reply, I took almost all of it from her hands. The load was heavier than I expected—but nothing I couldn't handle.

"Thank you, Arche," she said, her voice soft, yet sincere. "Did you find a place to make the cake?" she asked.

"Yeah," I nodded. "My house. It's quiet, and no one should bother us."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Saya, Mina, and Avilia stood in front of Elaina's hotel room.

Mina and Avilia quickly ducked out of sight the moment Saya raised her hand and knocked on the door.

There was a long pause. Then the door creaked open.

Standing in the doorway, Elaina blinked in surprise. "Saya...?"

"Good morning, Elaina!" Saya said, flashing a smile that was just a little too bright.

Elaina tilted her head, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.

But it didn't last long—soon replaced by a warm, familiar smile.

"Good morning," she replied, stepping aside. "So, you're in this city too, huh?"

Saya stepped inside casually, trying her best to keep it natural. "Actually... I was hoping to take you for a walk."

Elaina raised an eyebrow. "A walk? This early?" she asked, her tone playful, but curious. "And what about Mina?"

"She's... busy with something else," Saya replied, trying not to sound too rehearsed.

Elaina narrowed her eyes slightly but let it go. "Well... I suppose a walk wouldn't hurt."

She turned and headed back into the room. "Give me a moment to get ready."

Saya nodded and sat down, stealing glances at the clock as she waited. Every minute counted.

A few moments later, Elaina stepped out, now dressed and ready.

They left the room together. Elaina locked the door with a click that echoed faintly down the hallway.

And just like that—they were gone.

From around the corner, Mina and Avilia sprang into action. "She's gone," Mina whispered.

Avilia nodded, her eyes focused. "Let's move."

Mina placed her palm gently on the door. A soft glow of magic spread across the handle, and with a faint click, the door swung open.

They slipped inside like shadows, both of them carrying bags filled with colorful decorations.

"Let's make this perfect, Avilia," Mina said, determination in her eyes.

Avilia smiled. "Right. Let's give her a birthday she'll never forget."

Back at our base, Amnesia and I walked side by side along a quiet street.

The wind was gentle, carrying the faint scent of early morning dew.

Eventually, we stopped in front of an old but well-kept house.

"...This is your place, Arche?" Amnesia asked, tilting her head curiously.

"No, not really," I replied. "We found a lost child a while ago."

"After we helped him reunite with his parents, they let us stay here for a while. Just temporary."

"'We'? Are you living with your friends, then?" she asked, her tone light and curious.

I blinked. I hadn't meant to say that. My mouth really does run faster when I'm around her.

"Yeah... something like that," I mumbled as I unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The house was quiet—too quiet. Everyone else must still be out on assignments.

Amnesia stepped inside, taking a slow look around. The air was still, save for one thing-her nose twitched, just slightly.

There it is... the faint scent of old tobacco.

She didn't say anything right away, but I saw her subtle reaction. She noticed.

"...I see," she murmured, walking further in, eyes tracing the furniture and old walls. "Do... any of your friends smoke?"

That question. It sounded casual, but there was a gentle caution behind her words. She was trying to be polite.

My heart skipped. Damn it. She caught it. There's no way I can admit the truth outright.

"Y-Yeah, some of them do," I answered quickly, placing the bag of cake ingredients on the table to distract myself.

She didn't respond at first. But then, curiosity flickered in her eyes.

She looked at me-not accusingly, but with quiet, genuine interest.

"...Do you smoke too, Arche?" she asked.

I froze.

My mind raced for excuses, for escape, for something clever. But in that moment, I couldn't say yes.

"Of course not. What do you think I do?" I replied with a small scoff, feigning offense.

Amnesia's eyes widened. "Ah! No—I was just curious," she said quickly, placing the ingredients she carried onto the table with gentle care.

She looked up again and added with a soft smile, "Smoking's bad for your health, you know."

That smile—warm, genuine, unassuming. It hit me harder than it should've.

"...Thanks for worrying," I muttered, rolling up my sleeves to hide the slight awkwardness in my voice.

"Of course," she replied, moving closer to the table. "We're friends, aren't we? And friends worry about each other's health."

Her words carried no hidden meaning, no agenda—just sincerity. That made them hit even harder.

I cleared my throat, trying to switch the topic. "Speaking of friends... Arthur sends his regards."

At the mention of his name, her eyes lit up instantly.

"Arthur?" she echoed, a spark of nostalgia in her voice. "How is he? I haven't seen him in ages."

"He's doing just fine," I said, watching her smile grow wider.

"I'm glad," she said softly. "Tell him I said hi when you see him again."

"I will," I nodded. "Anyway—shall we start baking?"

"Right," she said, her eyes shining with determination. "Let's make this the best cake Elaina's ever tasted!"

I chuckled under my breath as we got to work.

Elsewhere, in the gentle bustle of the city's market district, Saya and Elaina walked side by side.

The morning sun filtered through colorful awnings, casting warm patterns on the stone-paved streets.

"Elaina, is there anything you want to buy?" Saya asked, glancing at the witch beside her.

Elaina scanned the lively market, her violet eyes dancing across the rows of shops and stalls selling everything from spices to souvenirs.

"Hmm," she mused softly, folding her arms behind her back.

"Not particularly... though, I have been craving something sweet lately."

"Oh?" Saya perked up. "Sweets? Then let's head to a café!"

Without waiting for a reply, she took Elaina's hand and tugged her toward the plaza.

Elaina blinked, a little surprised by the sudden enthusiasm—but she let herself be pulled along.

"All right, all right," she chuckled. "But don't blame me if we end up too full to walk."

The two arrived at a quiet café tucked between bookstores.

A bell chimed as they stepped inside, and the scent of sugar and roasted beans filled the air.

They both ordered parfaits-tall glasses layered with fruit, cream, and ice cream. When the waiter brought them over, Elaina's eyes lit up with quiet delight.

"In the mood for a parfait?" Saya asked, watching her.

"Yeah," Elaina replied, taking the long spoon and stirring the layers together gently.

Elaina took a slow bite of parfait, savoring it before continuing, "So, Saya"

"Hm?"

"I wonder what Mina is doing? Usually she will always stick to you, right?"

Saya stiffened. She tried not to show it, but her fingers gripped the spoon tighter.

"Nothing" she said. "She just has an important job, which only she can do."

Elaina raised an elegant brow, sensing the change in Saya's voice. "Oh? Really?"

Saya's mind scrambled. If she answered too casually, Elaina might get suspicious. But if she hesitated too long...

"Why do you ask?" she deflected, trying to keep her tone light.

Elaina smiled over the rim of her glass. "No reason. Just making conversation," she said simply.

Saya squinted, not entirely convinced. "Ah I see?"

The air between them settled into a strange quiet, only broken by the gentle clinking of spoons against glass.

Elsewhere, the room was slowly transforming into a cozy celebration space.

Streamers draped from corner to corner, and soft ribbons fluttered under the breeze of the open window.

Mina stood back for a moment, brushing her bangs aside as she surveyed their work. "Avilia, have you finished blowing up the balloons?"

Avilia sat on the floor, surrounded by a sea of colorful orbs, her cheeks slightly puffed from all the effort.

She let out a small, exhausted sigh.

"Almost... just a little more," she muttered, voice breathy from the exertion.

Without a word, Mina knelt beside her and took one of the uninflated balloons, a rare softness in her usually calm eyes. "Let me help you."

Avilia looked at her for a moment, then nodded gratefully. "Thanks. After this, we need to hang them up, right?"

"Yes," Mina replied, tying off a balloon with practiced hands. "We'll place the clusters by the windows and near the table."

The two continued in unspoken rhythm, the kind of synergy that only came from years of understanding.

Back to me and Amnesia—we were halfway through baking the cake.

The kitchen smelled like sugar, butter, and impending chaos.

"Hey, Amnesia," I said, licking frosting off my finger. "Should we put on a little show at the party?"

She looked up from mixing the batter, tilting her head like a confused puppy. "A show?"

"Yeah. Like, a performance. Something flashy."

She blinked. "What kind of—?"

"I can dance," I declared with absolute seriousness... and then promptly started dancing.

Yes, dancing.

Spinning, twirling, throwing in finger guns, a dramatic moonwalk that nearly sent me crashing into the cupboard.

The most unserious interpretive jazz-pop-chaotic hybrid ever performed in a kitchen.

Amnesia froze mid-stir, her jaw dropping as she watched me go full Broadway with the grace of a sleep-deprived flamingo.

Then—she lost it.

Bursting into laughter, she covered her mouth but couldn't stop the giggles from escaping. "W-What are you doing?!"

"I told you—I can dance!" I said, dramatically pointing to the ceiling as if an invisible spotlight just found me.

"You're unbelievable!" she laughed, nearly dropping the whisk.

"You're seriously dancing in the middle of baking?"

"Life is short, Amnesia! Dance while the oven's preheating!" I spun again, nearly knocking over the flour.

With a reluctant smile and a playful sigh, she stepped beside me. "Alright, alright, but if I trip, I'm blaming you."

And so, we danced. Like two idiots.

Flour in our hair, laughter echoing through the house, and the cake batter quietly judging us from the bowl.

The cake could wait. This moment? This was art.

Back to Mina and Avilia, the decorating was almost done.

The room now looked like a party supply store had exploded in the best way possible—balloons, streamers, and confetti were everywhere.

"By the way," Avilia asked while adjusting a banner that read 'Happy Birthday Elaina!' in glittery letters, "what gift are you giving her?"

Mina froze mid-balloon puff. "I... forgot!"

Her eyes widened in panic as she slowly stood up. "Wait, how could I forget?! And how about you?"

Avilia just chuckled, already wearing a sparkly birthday cone hat. "I've got mine ready."

"It's from me and my sis." She pointed to a neatly wrapped box with a bow too big for its own good.

"I'm such a mess—Avilia, I'm counting on you!" Mina cried dramatically, slapping the birthday hat on her own head before dashing out the door like she was running from the law.

Meanwhile...

Elaina and Saya strolled out of the café, each holding a small bag of sweets, their parfait cravings fully satisfied.

"That was a good choice," Saya said, patting her stomach gently.

"I told you parfaits never fail," Elaina replied, proudly.

They were deep in lighthearted banter when Elaina accidentally bumped into someone at a corner.

"Oh! Sorry—" she turned, and her eyes landed on two people.

One man with sunglasses halfway down his nose, and a woman with unmistakably orange hair and exhausted eyes—it was Murphy and Cathy.

The two of them stood frozen.

"B-Boss's crush!" Murphy blurted out before Cathy slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Ahaha, f-forgive us!" Cathy stammered, dragging Murphy back by the collar like a panicked stagehand yanking someone offstage.

Elaina blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her elegant features.

"Boss's crush...?" she echoed softly, eyebrows knitting in genuine puzzlement.

The phrase hung in the air like a misplaced sentence in the middle of a calm book.

These strangers clearly knew something about someone... and somehow, that someone might've been her?

But rather than pressing the issue, Elaina simply gave a small, polite smile.

"It's fine. No need to apologize," she said graciously.

"Murphy... the boss is going to kill you," Cathy hissed under her breath, side-eyeing him with growing panic.

"Ah! Right—uh, I apologize!" Murphy bowed quickly, nearly losing his sunglasses in the process.

Elaina glanced at the two again, her curiosity only deepening. There was something oddly theatrical about them.

"I said it's nothing," she repeated, voice calm but her eyes sharp.

Cathy didn't wait for another awkward slip. She grabbed Murphy by the wrist. "Come on, now, Murphy."

As she dragged him away, Murphy turned his head over his shoulder and blurted, "Don't go near the alley over there, it smells like something died!"

Cathy yanked him faster.

Elaina stared after them, blinking once more. "What a strange encounter..."

Saya chuckled nervously beside her. "I thought the crush they meant was you..."

Elaina shook her head gently, her silver hair catching the breeze. "I doubt it. I may never even meet their boss."

"...Yeah, true," Saya nodded a little too quickly—just in time to catch a familiar figure bolting through the crowd.

"Wait—isn't that Mina?" Elaina asked, pointing ahead.

Saya turned and froze. Sure enough, there was her sister.

"Uh, yeah," Saya laughed, a little stiffly.

"Should we go talk to her?" Elaina offered.

"N-no! We don't want to bother her, right? She looks, uh... busy! Yep—let's go somewhere else!" Saya waved her hand dismissively, trying to steer Elaina away.

Elaina raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering with amusement. "Hmm..."

She paused, "Very well," she said, voice smooth as silk. "Lead the way."

Back at my place, after the impromptu dance session, Amnesia and I were practically wheezing from laughter and effort.

"That's good, isn't it?" I said, still catching my breath.

Amnesia gasped for air, resting her hands on her hips. "That was actually fun," she said between breaths, her face flushed but smiling.

"But... what were we dancing for again?"

I blinked. "Huh? Oh, right... why were we dancing?"

"For Elaina's birthday party, Arche! How did you forget?" Amnesia stared at me like I just forgot my own name.

"Ah... Riiight." I awkwardly chuckled.

Then, silence.

Our gazes slowly drifted to the kitchen table... where the half-finished cake sat like a forgotten child.

We both screamed.

"How could you forget, Amnesia?!" I shouted dramatically.

"HEY! You're the one who started dancing in the middle of baking!" she snapped back, sticking her tongue at me playfuly.

"Alright! My bad!" I threw my hands up.

The two of us scrambled like panicked chefs on a cooking show finale, rushing to get the cake back on track.

Meanwhile, in the bustling marketplace...

Mina darted from one stall to another, eyes scanning for anything good enough to be called a present for Elaina.

Her face twisted in growing frustration.

"Can I help you, little girl?" came a calm voice from behind.

Startled, she turned around-and froze.

Standing there was a tall man with messy black hair and piercing red eyes. Something about his smile felt off... yet oddly welcoming.

"Who are you?" she asked, instinctively taking a step back.

"I'm the owner of the souvenir shop over there," he gestured. "You looked a bit... lost."

Behind him stood a woman with long hair and cold eyes—Chronia.

Her arms were crossed, clearly impatient. "Zack, we should go."

"Our job's done, right?" Zack replied with a smirk, eyes still on Mina.

Of course, Zack wasn't the real shop owner. The real one was currently lifeless.

Turns out he was a slave trader, and Zack and Chronia had handled that situation.

But now, Zack was playing pretend.

"So, is there anything I can help you with?" he asked, tilting his head.

"I'm looking for a birthday gift," Mina replied.

Chronia, upon realizing who the gift was for, gave an immediate annoyed sigh.

"Tch. Her, huh?" With a dramatic pout, she turned away. "You deal with her, Zack."

"Be careful," Zack said to Chronia as she walked off, then turned his gaze back to Mina.

"Don't mind her attitude, alright? Let's just say… it's not exactly her favorite time of the month."

"Anyway, I have an idea for a gift," he added, his red eyes glinting with mischievous inspiration.

At the hotel, Avilia had just finished adjusting the final decoration, she wiped her forehead and sighed, "Where's Mina? She took so long..."

Just then, the door swung open dramatically like Mina had just returned from a secret mission.

She held a wrapped present triumphantly in her hands.

"You got it?" Avilia asked, raising an eyebrow. "What did you buy?"

"We'll see later," Mina replied mysteriously, giving her a sly grin.

"First, let's clean this place up before Elaina sees the war zone."

Both girls stared at the floor, which was covered in balloon scraps, glitter, tape, and mysterious bits of frosting that somehow got there.

They shared a silent nod and got to work.

Meanwhile, back at my and Amnesia's place...

"It's done!" I declared with a heroic grin, like we had just conquered Mount Cake.

"It looks beautiful!" Amnesia beamed, her eyes practically sparkling like an anime protagonist. "We did it!"

"Up top!" I held up my hand.

"Up top!" she mirrored me and we high-fived like victorious warriors of sugar and flour.

We untied our aprons with flair and tossed them aside like chefs in the final round of a cooking show.

"Alright, it's time to deliver this masterpiece."

"Right!" Amnesia nodded, practically bouncing on her heels. "I can't wait to see Elaina's face when she sees it!"

But the second we stepped out of the house...

Chaos.

The streets were absolutely packed. People everywhere. A parade? A street festival? A spontaneous goat convention? We had no idea.

"Wha..." I blinked, eyes darting across the crowd. This was going to take forever.

I glanced at the rooftops above us. I could just jump from building to building with the cake like some kind of pastry ninja... but what about Amnesia?

"What's going on?" she asked, her brows furrowed, clearly not prepared to crowd-surf with a cake in hand.

"Either everyone really loves Elaina," I muttered, "or this world trolling us."

Suddenly, a blur of motion landed right in front of us—blond hair glinting in the sunlight, blue eyes calm and composed.

Amnesia's jaw practically hit the ground. "Arthur!?"

He gave her a nod and a small smile. "Nice to meet you again, Amnesia."

"Arthur?" I echoed, "what are you doing here?"

Arthur gestured vaguely at the crowd clogging the streets. "That Lycaon made a scene."

Of course. It had to be him.

"That hairball..." I muttered with an annoyed sigh.

Arthur looked at the cake we were carrying. "Where are you two headed?"

"Hotel," Amnesia said without missing a beat.

Arthur gave a confident grin. "I'll show you the way. Got a route that'll avoid the madness."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a way to get past all this?"

"Sure do," he said, turning with a swish of his cloak like a dramatic novel character. "Follow me!"

Meanwhile, up in the sky...

Elaina and Saya soared over the crowd on their brooms like elegant witches surveying their kingdom.

"Hey, Elaina, do you wanna stop by the clothes store first?" Saya asked casually.

Elaina, ever graceful, considered the idea—but her exhaustion won out.

"I think I'll pass. I'd rather head back to the hotel first," she said, brushing a bit of hair behind her ear.

"Shopping can wait. I could use a bit of rest."

Saya internally screamed.

"It's not time yet! There's still five minutes before we're done prepping!"

"AH!" Saya suddenly shrieked, clutching her pockets dramatically. "MY WALLET IS GONE!"

Elaina swerved mid-air like a fighter jet on alert. "What?! Your wallet?! How?!"

Saya pointed back toward the market, eyes wide. "I think I dropped it back there! We have to go check!"

Elaina didn't question it-she immediately turned her broom around. "Right. Let's go back."

Saya gave a relieved exhale. "That should buy us some time..."

The streets were choked with people, every path blocked by the chaos of the city.

Moments later, the thunder of wheels echoed in the distance—loud, heavy, and ominous.

All eyes turned. Emerging through the crowd was a black horse-drawn carriage, creeping forward with eerie elegance.

Its body was draped in tattered, blood-stained cloth, fake skulls hung from the sides, and glowing green lanterns flickered with a sinister light.

The horses wore bone—like masks and spiked chest armor.

Standing proud, whip in hand, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "MOVE ASIDE! WHO DARES STAND IN MY WAY?!"

People screamed, scattering to the sides of the road.

Some tremble with fear, children cried, and merchants frantically shut their stalls.

In seconds, what was once a packed street became a clear path forward.

Amnesia peeked out from inside the carriage, horrified. "I'M SO SORRY, EVERYONE!" she yelled.

"We didn't mean to cause any inconvenience! Please forgive us!"

Arthur grinned with satisfaction.

"A little drama never hurts."

Despite the situation, Amnesia couldn't help but feel a little amused. "You're starting to look like Arche."

Arthur chuckled, brushing his hair back with theatrical flair. "This is because I've been with him lately."

The carriage thundered ahead, a terrifying yet fabulous force of nature.

Back at the market, Elaina and Saya "searched" for the missing wallet.

Well—Elaina searched. Saya? She was... "strategically passing time."

With one dramatic flick of her wrist, Saya gently yeeted her own wallet into the shadows behind a fruit stand.

Unfortunately for her, Elaina saw everything.

Elaina's eyes locked onto the wallet lying pathetically on the ground.

"...Saya," she said, her voice cool and laced with sharp edges. "Would you care to explain this?"

Saya spun around like she'd been caught stealing cookies.

"O-Oh, so it's here!" she squeaked, snatching the wallet. "Oopssie! How careless of me, heehee..."

Her laugh died under Elaina's withering glare.

Elaina folded her arms, "Oh, really?" she said, sarcasm practically dripping off her words.

"How convenient that it turns up just like that."

Saya tried to chuckle. It came out as a nervous hiccup.

Elaina let out a deep sigh, turned her back dramatically, and pulled out her broomstick.

"I'm going home," she declared.

With a whoosh, she flew off, leaving a trail of pure judgment in the air.

"Ah! Wait!" Saya yelled, fumbling to get on her broomstick, she zoomed after Elaina.

We arrived in front of the hotel, Amnesia and I hopped off.

"We made it," she sighed, relief washing over her face like she'd just survived a boss fight.

"Thanks, Arthur," she smiled sweetly.

"No problem," Arthur nodded like a proper knight. Then he looked at me. "Arche, we'll meet again."

"Yes yes," I waved him off. "Bye!"

"See you," he grinned back, clearly amused.

Then his tone shifted as he turned to Amnesia, gentler. "Farewell, Amnesia."

Amnesia blinked, caught off guard by the softness in his voice—but she smiled anyway, sincere and warm.

"Goodbye, Arthur."

"Take care," she added, her voice softer, like a comforting hug in words.

Arthur turned red. Actually red. Like, tomato level.

"You too," he muttered, before quickly cracking the reins and driving off like he needed to escape his own feelings.

"Oh la la~" I teased with a wiggly eyebrow.

"Let's go. Quickly," Amnesia replied, speed-walking into the hotel.

I followed behind, laughing to myself.

A few minutes later, two more familiar broomsticks landed outside.

Elaina didn't even glance back. Straight to her room, eyes forward.

She reached her door, inserted the key... then paused.

Click.

It was already unlocked.

Her expression turned serious, brows furrowing. "That's odd..." she murmured.

She pushed the door open slowly, her senses alert.

The room was dimly lit. Silent. Too silent.

Something was off.

Elaina stepped inside cautiously, eyes scanning for anything out of place.

As Elaina stepped into the room, a loud pop echoed—confetti burst into the air, showering her in colorful pieces of surprise.

"Happy birthday, Elaina!" Said me, Amnesia, Avilia, and Mina in cheerful unison.

"Wh-what...?" Elaina stammered, her eyes wide, glancing around to process what was happening.

Saya hugged her from behind, giggling, "Happy birthday, Elaina."

"Huh?" she asked, clearly still piecing everything together.

Elaina turned and saw me and Amnesia standing proudly, both wearing cone hats and those ridiculous fake glasses with the nose and mustache.

"Avilia, bringing these glasses was a genius thing!" I said, striking a pose.

Avilia, also wearing the glasses, raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think you'd actually wear them right away..."

Me and Amnesia stepped forward and presented the cake. "Heheh."

It was simple, but beautiful—carefully decorated, and clearly made with love.

Elaina's eyes softened. "You... you planned all this for me..."

"Of course," Amnesia replied with a bright smile. "Because it's your birthday."

Elaina paused, recalling the moment I ran off earlier, and Mina's sudden exit. It all made sense now.

She let out a small breath of laughter, her lips curving into a soft smile.

She was still in shock, but the warmth in her chest said everything.

She never expected this... yet here she was, in the middle of a surprise birthday party.

Saya stepped into the room wearing a bright birthday cone hat, the tip bobbing slightly as she beamed.

"Come on! Let's start the party!" she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Elaina couldn't help but chuckle softly, a mixture of surprise, gratitude, and warmth filling her chest.

She gently closed the door behind her, as if sealing herself in this quiet moment of happiness.

"All right," she replied, her voice calm but touched with fond amusement. "Let's blow out those candles."

"Make a wish first!" Saya insisted, almost bouncing where she stood.

"Sis! Slow down!" Mina called from the side, half-laughing, half-panicked. "You'll pop one of the balloons!"

Elaina glanced at Saya, who had one foot half on a chair and was already dangerously close to a bouquet of helium balloons. A soft giggle escaped her lips.

Her gaze turned back to the cake, the warm glow of the candles reflecting gently in her eyes.

"A wish... right," she murmured, her fingers lightly brushing a strand of ashen hair from her face.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting her heart speak what words could not.

Then with a soft breath, she blew out the candles. The flames flickered, then vanished, and the room immediately erupted into gentle cheers and claps.

"Alright! Picture time!" I said, lifting the camera and aiming it at her. "Say Arche!"

Mina gave me a side-glance. "Shouldn't it be 'cheese'?"

"Ah—right. Good point," I nodded, then grinned. "Say Witchie!"

"You didn't hear what I said at all, did you?!" Mina huffed.

Elaina laughed again, She held a peace sign next to her cheek and smiled softly for the camera.

"Alright, alright, cut the cake!" Avilia said with a bright smile.

"Ah—wait." Amnesia quickly reached for the knife and handed it to Elaina with a gentle smile. "Here, you should be the one to do it."

With the room still glowing from candlelight and laughter, everyone's attention naturally turned to the centerpiece—the beautifully crafted cake.

Elaina stepped forward and accepted the knife, glancing around at the familiar faces now filled with anticipation.

A quiet warmth spread in her chest.

She looked at the cake, then back at everyone. "Here goes," she whispered softly, almost like she didn't want to break the moment.

She cut into the cake slowly and cleanly, the knife gliding through its soft layers.

The slice revealed a perfectly layered inside, rich and inviting.

A small gasp of appreciation rippled through the room.

"Hmm..." Elaina leaned forward slightly, eyes shining. "This looks amazing."

"This is made by Arche and my sis," Avilia chimed in with a small grin.

Elaina turned her eyes toward us. "Oh?"

"Yes, although we... may have gotten a little distracted during the process," I added sheepishly, scratching the back of my head.

"Hey, Arche!" Amnesia nudged me slightly. "Aren't you going to show it?"

I blinked. "U-Uh... only if you show it too!"

"E-Eh... T-That's embarrassing..." Amnesia muttered, her cheeks reddening just a little.

The room leaned in with curiosity. Saya tilted her head. "Show what?"

Elaina crossed her arms, amused suspicion in her voice. "Arche, what have you done this time?"

I laughed nervously. "N-Nothing evil, I swear!"

Silence.

"Alright! Let's eat cake!" I announced, changing the topic.

The cake had been cut and served, and everyone was happily enjoying their slice.

Elaina took a bite, her eyes lighting up as the sweetness spread across her tongue.

"This is absolutely delicious," she said, her voice tinged with surprise and genuine delight.

"I was only directed by Arche," Amnesia replied modestly, "He told me what ingredients to use and how to make it."

"Aww, you're gonna make me blush," I said, rubbing the back of my head with a sheepish grin—though deep down, I was really just fishing for more praise.

Elaina narrowed her eyes playfully, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Just say it if you want to be praised more, Arche."

I let out a mock gasp. "How dare you see through my heart that easily!"

Elaina glanced around the room, her gaze softening at the sight of the decorations.

"And this room... does that mean Avilia and Mina were the ones decorating it?"

"Yeah, we finished this pretty quickly," Avilia said, arms crossed with a satisfied smile.

"Decorating this place is not a big deal," Mina added, trying to sound nonchalant, though her tone hinted at pride.

The room indeed looked lovely. Streamers hung with care, ribbons curled just right, and small magical lights twinkled above like stars.

"You all did a fantastic job," Elaina said, her voice warm as her eyes took in every corner.

"Just hope the hotel owner doesn't scold us," I joked, glancing at the overly festive setup.

"I think as long as we clean it up properly, we should be fine," Saya replied confidently.

Then Elaina turned her eyes toward Saya. "And... Saya. Did you invite me out on purpose to buy time?"

Saya blinked, then nodded with a sheepish grin. "Yes. And when I said my wallet was lost, that was to stall even more."

"Ah, is that so?" Elaina said, her tone softening. "Sorry for being angry with you earlier."

"It's nothing!" Saya waved her hands quickly, smiling. "It was worth it."

"By the way... how long are you going to wear those ridiculous glasses?" Mina asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

She pointed toward Amnesia, who had already taken hers off and set them aside. "Even Amnesia's removed hers."

"No need, Arche. It suits you," Elaina chimed in with a sly smile, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

I grinned, unfazed. "I'm already comfortable using this."

"Of course you are," she said, rolling her eyes, though the smile never left her face.

We continued chatting as we savored the cake, laughter bubbling up here and there.

Then Saya clapped her hands once, eyes sparkling. "Next up! Gift giving and opening session!"

"Ooh..." Elaina looked around, her expression filled with curiosity. "You all got me something...?"

"Yes!" Saya said cheerfully. Then after a small pause, added with a smirk, "Except Arche."

"Eh? Isn't this cake enough?" I asked, finally taking off those silly glasses and placing them on the table like a relic of pride.

"A cake is a dessert, not a gift, Bakarche," Elaina said with a grin.

"Ugh..." I let out a dramatic sigh and slumped slightly. "Tough crowd."

Saya stepped forward first, holding out a neatly wrapped box. "Here. You can open it now."

Elaina accepted it gently, her fingers brushing against the ribbon.

When Elaina finished unwrapping Saya's gift, she found a plain white box inside. Curious, she opened it—and blinked.

"A... T-shirt?" she murmured, lifting the neatly folded garment.

On the front, printed boldly in cheerful lettering, were the words:

"Elaina and Saya forever!!"

Two exclamation marks.

"Hm... two exclamation marks," I mumbled aloud, tilting my head. "Why?"

"Why are you even curious about that part?" Avilia asked, giving me a deadpan look.

Elaina stared at the shirt, a little stunned. She clearly didn't expect that.

But seeing Saya's excited expression, she couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, Saya," she said softly, though it was unclear whether she'd ever wear it in public.

"I have one too!" Saya suddenly exclaimed, pulling out a matching shirt from behind her. "I made two! So we can couple up!"

Elaina chuckled, the corners of her lips curling. "Of course you do. You really went all out with the matching theme."

Mina groaned lightly under her breath, grumbling something incoherent. I leaned over and gave her a playful pat on the back.

"Too bad, Mina..."

"Do I need to make a shirt that says 'Arche and Mina forever'? I'll give it three exclamation marks," I teased.

"Shut up," Mina snapped, her glare sharp enough to pierce steel.

Next was Mina's turn. She handed Elaina a gift—flat, rectangular, and clearly given a bit reluctantly.

Elaina accepted it with a knowing smile.

"Thank you, Mina. I appreciate it," she said sincerely.

Inside was a photo frame. On the inner edge, carved delicately, were the words:

"Happy Birthday"

"It's lovely," Elaina murmured, touched. "You did a good job, Mina."

"Hmph.. It's good if you like it," Mina muttered, turning her face away slightly.

Before anyone could say more, I snatched the frame with a flourish.

"Hey—!" Elaina gasped.

I slid in the photo I'd taken earlier—Elaina, holding the cake, her expression bright with surprise and joy.

"There it is!" I said proudly, handing it back to her.

Elaina stared at it, blinking.

"A thief's hands are really fast, aren't they...?" she muttered, but she was smiling again.

And in the frame, now resting in her hands, was a memory—frozen in time, full of laughter and warmth.

Next came Amnesia and Avilia, stepping forward together with a shared gift in hand.

Elaina accepted it with a gentle smile. "Thank you, both of you."

She carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a best-selling novel and a beautifully designed bottle of perfume nestled beside it.

Her eyes widened, and a delighted gasp slipped out before she could stop it.

She ran her fingers over the book's smooth cover, recognizing the title immediately.

Then, she picked up the perfume bottle and brought it close, taking in the soft, elegant fragrance with a light sniff.

"These are wonderful," Elaina said, her voice full of warmth. "Thanks again, Avilia and Amnesia."

"You're welcome," they both replied in unison, a small sense of pride shared between them.

"Oh? Can I try the perfume?" I asked, leaning in a little too eagerly.

Elaina gave me a teasing look. "Not after the present you gave me, Bakarche."

"Aw man..." I slumped back in defeat.

Ignoring my pitiful muttering, Elaina sprayed a little of the perfume on her wrist.

The fragrance gently drifted through the air, soft and subtle.

"Mmm," she hummed, a peaceful smile forming on her lips. "It's lovely."

"Hey, by the way," Amnesia asked, tilting her head slightly, "when's your birthday, Arche?"

"Hm?" I paused, tapping my chin as if I had to think about it. "Two more weeks."

"So close?!" everyone reacted in unison, clearly surprised-everyone except Elaina, who looked entirely unbothered.

"That means you and Elaina have birthdays in the same month, right?" Avilia said thoughtfully.

"Not just the month," I replied with a smug grin. "Our birthday falls on the same day."

Elaina blinked, narrowing her eyes. "You never told me that part," she said with a mix of disbelief and mild irritation.

Saya, ever the fact-checker, quickly pulled up the calendar.

"Wait... he's not lying. You two really do share the same birthday."

"That's surprising..." Avilia murmured.

"I told you before, didn't I? We're soulmates!" I said, throwing both hands dramatically in the air.

Elaina rolled her eyes with perfect deadpan. "Yeah, yeah, I've heard that line so much, I'm practically allergic to it now."

Just then, I caught a glimpse of lights blinking in the distance outside the window—Morse code. A signal.

I stood up from my seat. "Okay, I'm heading out."

Elaina looked up at me, puzzled. "Why so soon?"

"Like I said, I'm a busy man." I gave a casual salute and headed toward the door.

Elaina sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "Yeah, yeah. See you later, Mr. Important."

I paused at the doorway and looked back with a grin. "Farewell, Amnesia, Avilia, Saya, Mina!"

"Thank you for helping me with the cake, Arche," Amnesia said warmly. "See you later."

"See you later, Arche," Avilia added with a small wave.

"Why are you acting like we won't meet again?" Mina asked, arms crossed. "I bet we'll run into you again tomorrow."

"Well, he's just dramatic," Saya commented, shrugging with a knowing smile.

I chuckled, turning to Elaina with a teasing glint in my eye. "Don't miss me too much."

Elaina rolled her eyes again, already anticipating the comment.

"I won't. Trust me," she said, but her voice betrayed the small amusement she tried to hide.

With that, I turned and walked away. The moment I stepped outside, my smirk faded. I let out a sigh, my steps a little heavier.

"Ugh... was I always that teasing and annoying?" I muttered to myself.

A self-deprecating chuckle escaped me.

"No wonder I used to get on people's nerves so much..."

I shoved my hands into my pockets and headed back toward my base.

When I stepped into the room, everyone was already gathered.

"Ah, Arche. You're back," Zack greeted.

I didn't respond to the warmth in his voice. My gaze settled on Lycaon. "Lycaon. I need to speak with you. Later."

He tensed. "Ugh... Understood."

"Done playing around?" Chronia asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"It was fun," I replied, my voice flat, Arthur then stepped forward, his tone brisk.

"Arche. We need to move out tonight."

"We don't have time to waste," he added, eyes sharp.

I nodded once. "Cathy. Do we have enough healing potions?"

"I've prepared enough for the entire team," she said.

"Good. Chronia, estimate the distance to their base."

Her annoyed face faded. "Two weeks. Maybe less if we push through without breaks."

"Acceptable." I turned to Arthur. "And the mercenaries?"

"They've agreed. Hundreds, well-trained."

"Perfect. Murphy, Theresia, I'll be relying on your curses and senses once we move. Don't hold back."

They both nodded silently.

Then I turned to the two in the corner. "Valeria. Lycaon. I need you both at peak condition."

"Your strength will tip the balance in this war. Rest. Train. Do not falter."

"Yes, boss!" Lycaon responded immediately.

"Now c'mon, I'm thirsty! Give me your blood!" Valeria wiped her lips.

Without hesitation, I undid a few buttons on my shirt and tilted my head. "Make it quick."

As Valeria fed, I approached Zack and Oris. "You two. Watch our backs. No mistakes."

Zack cracked his knuckles. "Won't disappoint."

"Don't underestimate me, kid," Oris added with a gruff nod.

Finally, I turned to the girls again, my expression unreadable. "One last thing. Do you know anywhere that sells fine jewelry?"

They all blinked—startled.

"Huh?" A wave of confusion swept across their faces.

Elsewhere, Elaina and the others had enjoyed the evening to its fullest, their laughter echoing through the halls until nightfall embraced the sky.

Exhausted from the festivities and preparations, they had all fallen asleep in Elaina's room.

Pillows and blankets were scattered across the floor, their peaceful breathing filling the otherwise quiet space.

The only light came from the soft glow of the desk lamp, casting a warm golden hue across the room.

At the desk, Elaina sat alone, pen in hand, carefully writing in her diary.

The gentle scratch of ink on paper was the only sound, each word a reflection of the memories she didn't want to forget.

A sudden knock broke the stillness.

Her hand froze mid-sentence. She looked toward the door, confused. "At this hour...?"

Quietly, so as not to wake the others, Elaina stood and walked to the door. When she opened it, she froze.

"...Arche?"

There I stood, dressed not in casual comfort, but travel-worn clothes. Boots laced, coat buttoned, a blade at my side.

She blinked, her eyes searching my face. Her hair was loose now, her nightgown soft and light in the glow.

"Are you... leaving already?"

I looked at her for a moment, quietly. My tone wasn't teasing. My smile wasn't there.

"Why?" I asked, "you will miss me?"

There was no smirk. No humor. Just a calm, steady voice. I was done playing a role that wasn't mine.

For the first time that night, she saw the version of me I rarely showed—the one not hidden behind jokes or dramatic flair.

The one who was just... me.

She leaned casually against the doorframe, her expression soft, lips curled into a small smile.

"Who said I would miss you?" she said, voice laced with gentle teasing.

I met her gaze with a calm one of my own. "Who knows? Anyway, are you free right now?"

She blinked once, then raised a curious brow. "At this hour?"

Her tone wasn't annoyed—just intrigued. She looked at me like she was trying to read something deeper behind my question.

"Why? You got something interesting planned?" she asked, trying not to sound too curious, but failing slightly.

"There's something I want to talk to you about," I answered, my voice steady. "It won't take long."

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped back. "Alright, come inside—"

I shook my head gently. "No, not here. Can you come with me?"

Elaina paused. The question caught her off guard, but not in a bad way. Her expression turned thoughtful.

"Where are we going?" she asked, not hiding the mild suspicion that laced her voice.

"Hmm... somewhere quiet. Romantic, maybe. Who knows?" I said, already turning to walk down the hallway.

She narrowed her eyes slightly at my back. "Romantic, hm?" she murmured under her breath.

Just then, I stopped and glanced over my shoulder.

"No need to change clothes," I said, calmly. "You already look beautiful just like that."

She blinked—surprised. The words weren't playful or mocking. They were simple. Honest.

A faint blush touched her cheeks, and she tried to mask it with a scoff. "You never stop flirting, do you?"

I chuckled softly, voice low. "I'm not flirting."

I turned away, footsteps light as I walked ahead. "I'm just being myself."

And she followed.

Elaina walked quietly beside me as we exited the hotel. Without a word, I sprinted ahead, then vaulted onto a wall and scaled my way up using parkour until I reached the rooftop.

"Elaina, use your broomstick," I called down.

With a flick of her hand, her broomstick appeared. The sight of it—the quiet familiarity—brought a faint smile to her face.

"You're really taking the long way tonight," she muttered, mounting it with a graceful motion. "This better be worth it."

"Just follow me," I replied without looking back, leaping across the rooftops, the wind brushing past me as I ran.

With a small sigh, she rose into the air and glided behind me, her pace steady, eyes watching my silhouette leap between buildings.

The city at night glowed beneath us. Streets once crowded were now calm, bathed in the golden light of old lamps and distant windows.

Everything looked softer, quieter-almost like a dream.

Eventually, I reached the old bell tower and climbed to the very top, perching myself on the stone edge. I sat there, legs dangling off the side.

"Come sit next to me," I said, patting the empty space beside me.

Elaina descended gently, landing her broomstick with quiet grace.

She stepped over and took a seat beside me, brushing her hair behind her ear as the night wind caught it.

The view was stunning. From up here, the entire city looked like it had been sprinkled with stars.

A hush hung in the air, peaceful and still.

"This bell tower..." I murmured, eyes lost in the horizon, "It reminds me of when we first met."

Elaina chuckled softly, her voice touched with nostalgia. "Yeah... probably the worst decision I made, trying to chase you."

I turned my head slightly toward her, a faint smirk tugging at my lips. "Don't act like such a tsundere. I know you don't actually regret it."

She gave me a look, then gently poked my side. "Oh, shut up."

"Since then... a lot has happened," I said quietly, my eyes tracing the soft glow of the city below.

Elaina didn't respond immediately. The silence between us wasn't awkward—it was comfortable, filled with unspoken memories.

"Do you remember when we met again for the first time?" I asked after a moment.

"You mean the festival?" she replied, her voice turning thoughtful.

"The one that was supposed to be beautiful...but turned into chaos because of that dragon?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. That."

She let out a soft laugh, more breath than sound. "How could I forget? One moment I was enjoying the festival, and the next, a dragon was tearing through the sky."

"I'll never forget that roar."

I smiled faintly. "And then Chronia nearly killed me."

"I still remember how you looked when you were healing me."

"You looked... worried," I said, my voice quieter now. "It's burned into my memory. You held my arm like I'd slip away if you let go."

"If I hadn't helped, you would've died," she said simply, as if reciting a fact—but her eyes softened.

"I know," I chuckled under my breath, "Still... it meant something."

There was a pause. A shared breath of the past. "You used to barely say my name, you know," I added.

She gave a half-snort, half-laugh. "That's because you were constantly annoying me."

"And yet..." I looked at her, "You gave me a nickname now."

Elaina rolled her eyes, but there was no fire behind it. "Stop saying it like it's romantic or something."

"Hey, I didn't say that," I grinned. "But you didn't deny it."

She looked away, hiding the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. "You haven't changed," she muttered.

I laughed quietly, the sound mingling with the breeze. "...Ah... it reminds me of when you danced and sang on stage."

Elaina tensed slightly beside me, and I smiled at her reaction.

"I still remember that moment clearly," I added, my voice soft with genuine fondness.

A blush crept up her cheeks, and she shook her head, attempting to stay composed, but the way her gaze shifted told me I'd hit the mark.

"That was a one time thing," she mumbled, her voice tinged with flustered embarrassment. "Don't get used to it."

Without thinking, I began to sing softly, the melody drifting into the night air.

"Now I know it's true, I'm falling into you~ I'm falling into you, yeah, it's always been you~"

Her eyes widened in disbelief as the lyrics echoed between us.

The blush on her cheeks deepened, painting her in a shade of pink rarely seen.

"H-Hey, knock it off," she protested, trying to sound annoyed—but her voice cracked just enough to betray the effect it had on her.

I couldn't help but laugh again, watching her flustered reaction with amusement.

"Are you more embarrassed about that, or when you danced with me?"

"Don't compare them!" she shot back quickly, her voice rising slightly, equal parts protest and panic.

I let out another chuckle, more sincere this time. "But still... I should thank you."

Her gaze turned toward me, confusion flickering in her eyes.

"You saved me... in that lab," I said quietly. "When I was at my lowest, when I couldn't move... You were there."

Her eyes softened, the color in her cheeks fading into a calmer warmth.

"It was nothing," she murmured, almost as if trying to dismiss it—for herself as much as for me.

I looked up at the stars. "You know," I said after a pause, "I still remember when you first flirted with me. At the fireworks festival."

Her head snapped toward me. "I wasn't flirting"

I grinned. "You said something sweet and out of nowhere. You totally were."

"It was just a little teasing!" she argued, trying to maintain her composure. "You read too much into it"

"Yes, yes, I believe you," I replied, my tone dripping with playful disbelief.

"You absolutely do not," she grumbled under her breath, crossing her arms with a glare that didn't quite reach her eyes.

I turned to her with a faint smile. "Maybe not. But I still liked it."

"Oh yeah, Elaina," I said, reaching into my cloak. "I wanted to show you something."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued. "What is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

She leaned in a little, her silver hair catching the glow of the moonlight, her full attention fixed on me.

I revealed the photo with a grin. "Ta-da."

It was a picture—Elaina at the beach, wearing a bikini, her hair slightly tousled from the sea breeze.

A moment I'd secretly captured, one I couldn't forget.

Elaina froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Y-you...!" she stammered, her face going from pale to crimson in a heartbeat.

"When the hell did you take that?! How long have you had that!" Her voice cracked as she half-rose to her feet, visibly flustered.

"Since that beach trip," I replied with a smirk, raising the photo out of her reach when she lunged forward.

"You looked cute, so I kept it."

"Give it back!" she snapped, her tone fiery, her entire face burning red.

She jumped to snatch it, but I easily dodged. Her frustration grew, and with a swift flick, she pulled out her wand.

With one decisive move, she yanked the photo from my grasp using magic.

The moment it touched her fingers, she tore it apart without hesitation.

"Ah, you cheating," I muttered, watching the pieces flutter down like paper snow.

Elaina stood triumphantly, holding the remnants like a war trophy.

"That's what you get for taking pictures without my permission," she said, her voice laced with smug satisfaction.

I looked at her, the wind gently brushing through her hair. My grin faded into a softer smile.

"Still worth it," I said quietly.

She glanced at me, and for a brief second, something shifted. Her eyes lingered-searching, uncertain.

"...Why did you call me here, anyway?" she asked, her voice softer now.

I paused, letting the silence stretch for a heartbeat.

I turned my gaze toward the quiet city below, the lights flickering like fading stars.

"Because this might be... our last meeting."

The words fell heavy into the night, and for a moment, even the wind seemed to pause.

Elaina froze. Her breath hitched.

"Last... meeting?" she echoed, her voice trembling, barely a whisper.

It cracked slightly, like glass under pressure. "You've heard of the Lunar Ascendance, haven't you?" I continued, my tone firm, unwavering.

"I formed a team with my friends to bring them down."

"For me... it's personal. This is revenge." I didn't look at her. I couldn't.

"You remember, don't you? On that beach... when I declared war on Valth."

"I meant every word."

There was a long silence before I added, "The chances of me coming back alive after this fight are... one percent."

I finally turned my head, meeting her eyes. "And you remember when we had our fortunes told, right?"

She didn't answer, but her expression said everything. Of course she remembered.

"The fortune teller said I would die."

I smiled faintly, bitterly. "I'm not surprised anymore."

Elaina's body tensed beside me, her fists clenched tightly on her lap.

"Arche..." she whispered, anger and fear mixing in her voice. "You promised me... that you wouldn't do anything reckless."

"That you wouldn't throw your life away like this."

"If you die... Grandma Rosa will be heartbroken, you know that? She—"

"She would be," I cut in quietly. I reached out and took her trembling hand into mine.

"But she's gone, Elaina." I said, holding her hand.

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked as if the ground had fallen out from under her.

"Grandma... she's..." The words barely escaped her lips, broken and fragile.

"If I die, I'll just follow her," I said with a faint smirk, though it didn't reach my eyes. "It's not like anyone would really care."

Elaina's expression hardened. Her voice trembled, but the words were sharp.

"Don't say things like that," she snapped—though her tone cracked halfway through. "That's not true."

She took a breath, steadying herself, trying to hold back the emotion rising in her throat.

"It's not just Grandma Rosa who cared about you. What about Amnesia? Avilia? Saya? Mina?"

Her voice lowered with each name, the list heavy with affection and concern. "They'll be devastated if you die."

She looked down, her bangs shadowing her eyes. Then, as if mustering courage from somewhere deep inside, she finally spoke again.

"I would feel the same way, Arche..."

Her words hung in the air—quiet, sincere, and vulnerable.

I squeezed her hand gently, holding it tighter, grounding myself in the warmth of her touch.

"Why... why are you so desperate to stop me from going?" I asked, my voice softer now, almost unsure.

"This fight... it's not your burden to carry. It's mine. It's none of your business, Elaina."

Elaina raised her head, her eyes shining—not with anger, but with something deeper.

"Well, maybe it's none of my business," she said firmly. "But I'm your friend, Arche."

Her voice didn't waver this time. "And I won't just stand by and watch you destroy yourself."

"What kind of friend lets their friend die?" Elaina asked quietly, her tone no longer laced with anger, but calm.

Without meaning to, I tightened my grip on Elaina's hand.

She noticed. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized she'd said something that hit deeper than she intended.

"Ah... I'm sorry," she said softly, regret coloring her voice.

"It's nothing," I replied, my voice flat. Distant.

Then, after a pause, I looked at her, truly looked. "Sorry, Elaina..."

"But no matter what you say... I won't back down."

"I've already made my choice."

"I'm going to keep fighting them—until the end."

My voice didn't waver. Not even once.

Elaina stared at me, her heart twisting painfully. She could hear it in my tone—the unshakable resolve.

The unrelenting will. And the silent grief behind it all. She bit her lip, frustration and sorrow written across her face.

"Why... why are you so damn stubborn..." she whispered, her voice trembling with helplessness.

I chuckled softly, eyes still fixed on the glittering cityscape below us, but my fingers never let go of hers.

There was a warmth in her touch I didn't want to lose—not now, not ever.

"Will you forget me someday?" I asked, my voice quiet, almost lost in the night breeze.

The question seemed to catch her off guard. She turned to me, her eyes widening slightly, surprised at the vulnerability in my voice.

"Never," she said, firm and unwavering, her grip tightening around mine.

I glanced at her, a small smirk playing on my lips. "Oh? More firm than I expected," I said lightly, though my heart thudded hard against my ribs.

Her answer... it meant more than she probably realized.

I looked down, muttering under my breath, this is it. The moment I've been carrying in my chest for far too long.

If I don't say it now, I never will.

"Elaina" I called her name gently.

She turned to me, her voice soft. "Hm?"

I took a deep breath. My fingers trembled slightly as they laced with hers, and for once, I let go of the jokes, the flirting, the masks.

"I love you."

Her eyes widened instantly, her breath caught mid-inhale.

For a second, everything froze—the world, the stars, even time itself.

"W-what did you just say...?" she whispered, her voice trembling, her cheeks blooming with color.

"I said I love you," I repeated, more firmly this time. "You are my last love, Elaina. After you, there's no one else."

I squeezed her hand gently, hoping she could feel the sincerity radiating from me.

Her hand trembled in mine, and I could feel the way her heartbeat quickened—thudding so loud it felt like it echoed between us.

Elaina looked at me with those blue eyes, wide and searching. Her lips parted slightly, as if to say something, but no words came out.

Even though I had flirted with her countless times—enough that she'd become immune to most of my antics—she was still a woman.

Still someone with a heart that could be shaken.

A confession like that, from someone she had known for so long... it was bound to surprise her.

"You don't have to answer it," I said gently, breaking the silence between us. "I just needed to let it out... for my own heart."

I let out a long breath, like I'd been holding it in for years.

"Ah... it feels good to finally say it." I smiled faintly. "I've liked you for a long time, you know."

Elaina drew in a breath, steadying herself, her fingers still entwined with mine.

"...How long?" she asked softly, almost afraid of the answer.

I didn't hesitate. I didn't need to.

"The first time I felt it... it was when we helped Poppy and Violet together," I said.

"You were so gentle, so bright... something about you just stuck with me."

"And when it hit me—when I really knew—I saw you on that stage... singing, dancing... and smiling like the world didn't matter. That moment... that was it."

Elaina's breath caught in her throat. Her heart gave another quiet stutter in her chest.

"How could you... keep that to yourself for so long?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper, filled with a quiet ache.

I smirked, though there was something tender beneath it. "I'm an expert at hiding things, remember?"

"You're right," she murmured, her hand tightening around mine.

I gently let go of her hand—it was starting to hurt from how tightly she was squeezing it.

With a small smile, I reached into my cloak. "Before I forget..."

I pulled out a small box, carefully wrapped, and held it out to her.

"Happy birthday," I said softly. "This is my present to you."

Elaina blinked in surprise, her eyes darting between my face and the box in my hands.

"A present...?" she repeated, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of warmth.

She took the box and slowly opened it. As the lid lifted, a soft gasp escaped her lips.

Nestled inside were a pair of delicate, emerald green earrings that shimmered faintly in the night light.

The stones matched the color of my eyes exactly. "Arche..." she whispered, her voice breathy with wonder.

Her fingers delicately lifted one of the earrings, holding it up, and for a moment she simply stared at it, lost in the beauty and the meaning behind it.

"I don't mind if you don't wear them," I said, watching her expression closely. "All I ask is that you take care of them."

I hesitated for a second, then added, "This is going to sound really cringe, but..."

She looked up, waiting.

"If you ever find yourself lost… or in danger—somewhere too dark to face alone—just look at those earrings and remember what I would do."

"You know me well enough by now, don't you?"

"I chose emerald green because… maybe, even when I'm no longer by your side, a part of me can still stay with you. Watching over you. Always."

Elaina's eyes widened slightly, her chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths as the meaning sank in.

It was so like me-sincere in the dumbest, most heartfelt way.

"That's... that's indeed cringe," she mumbled, her voice trembling just a little.

But then she smiled, genuinely, her fingers curling protectively around the box. "But... thank you."

I smiled, my heart warm.

"You're welcome," I said. "Happy birthday, Elaina."

I leaned in slowly, wrapping my arms around her in a gentle embrace. "I will miss you.."

The sudden hug caught her off guard—her body tensed for a moment, surprised—but she didn't pull away.

Instead, she leaned into it slightly, resting her cheek against my chest.

"If that's true, then don't go to that war, idiot," she mumbled, her voice soft and muffled by my coat.

I hesitated before slowly letting go, my hands lingering at her shoulders for a second longer.

I wanted to kiss her—just once. But no... I didn't want her first kiss to be with someone like me.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "For all the mistakes I've made... and for saying all this on your birthday."

She looked up at me, her gaze calm, her hand rising to rest gently on my shoulder.

"Stop apologizing," she said, her tone tender but firm. "It's my birthday. Don't ruin it with guilt."

I gave a small chuckle, but it didn't quite reach my eyes. "I already ruined the mood the moment I said I was going to war."

"You did," she said without hesitation, her lips curling into a soft pout. "You really know how to pick your timing, Arche."

I nodded solemnly. "Thank you."

"For what?" she asked, brow raised.

"For staying... for listening... for being here," I said, my voice quiet.

Elaina rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a small smile.

"Farewell, Elaina," I said with a soft smile. "It was the greatest honor of my life... to meet you—and to love you."

Elaina's lips trembled, but she returned the smile, however faint.

Her voice was fragile, like glass on the verge of shattering.

"Goodbye, Arche," she whispered. "Please, take care of yourself."

I gave her one last, gentle smile—the kind that said everything I couldn't put into words—before the bell behind us rang out, loud and sudden.

The chime thundered through the air, sharp and heavy, making her flinch.

She instinctively covered her ears, squeezing her eyes shut as the sound echoed across the empty square.

When the bell finally quieted, she lowered her hands and slowly opened her eyes.

I was no longer there.

Gone—without a trace.

She frozen for a moment, heart pounding in her chest, the cold air brushing against her skin like a reminder that he had truly left.

She stared at the spot where I had just been, "...That idiot," she murmured softly.

And yet, her fingers instinctively reached for her earrings—those emerald green earrings.

She held them tightly.

"You're unforgettable—how could I not remember you?"

Even if I couldn't answer, the wind carried her words into the distance.

I burst through the doors of our base. Everyone was already there—waiting.

Zack glanced up, his usual grin in place. "You ready?"

I nodded firmly. "Yeah. Let's go."

I turned to head out, the weight of everything I'd said and done still lingering in my chest.

But before I could take another step—

"IT'S SHOWTIME!!" they all shouted in unison.

I jumped, startled, spinning around. "Seriously?"

Laughter echoed around the room. Of course—this was their way of easing the tension.

I narrowed my eyes at Zack and Arthur. "You two planned this, didn't you?"

Theresia smirked. "Well, it is your catchphrase, Boss."

I groaned. "Ugh... you guys are the worst."

"Huh, how childish," Oris muttered behind a smirk.

"You also shouted that," I shot back.

Turning again toward the exit, I took a deep breath and smiled to myself.

"Yes..." I stepped forward, my voice low but firm.

"...It's showtime."

My team followed close behind, silent but steady.

The road ahead was clear.

Our destination: the Lunar Ascendance Organization.

I'd already said my goodbyes—to Elaina, to everyone I cared about.

Now, there was only one thing left to do.

It's time to end this.

You may forget my name, my voice, or my face—but not even time can erase my love for you.