The last thing that left Akari's mouth was something Arien believed but couldn't accept. And then Akari spoke again, her tone light but carrying an undercurrent of something heavier.
Akari: Well, I can't believe that Haku managed to defeat a Stormclaw Monarch. But with your never-giving-up mindset, I knew you would do it. At any cost.
Arien: What do you mean?
Akari pointed at Shiro, who was sitting quietly, observing the exchange.
Akari: Well, this man here will do anything, and I mean anything, in order to gain what he needs. So at that moment, Haku's goal was to kill the Monarch, and he did it.
While Arien and Akari talked, Shiro didn't speak a word. Then—
Akari: Haku.
Shiro looked at her.
Shiro: Hm?
Akari looked at Shiro with the biggest smile on her face, eyes sparkling.
Akari: Tea.
Shiro: Whaat? This is your place. Go make one yourself.
Akari kept the same smiling face, not changing an ounce, but the sparkling energy around her seemed to intensify.
Akari: Please?
Shiro: Ah, fine.
With that, Shiro stood up.
Shiro: You need one too, Arien?
The sudden question surprised Arien.
Arien: Eh? Oh. No, I don't need any.
Shiro: Okay then.
Shiro walked toward the doorway, and just as he passed through it, he threw a comment over his shoulder.
Shiro: I'm only doing this 'cause it's you, okay?
Akari: I know. Shi-chi will never betray me.
And then Shiro left the area, leaving Arien alone with Akari. An uneasy silence settled over the cozy room.
Arien: Ehm—
Akari: Air.
Arien: Eh? What was that?
The sudden, flat change in Akari's tone didn't sit well with Arien. Then Akari leaned in toward her a little, her warm brown eyes locking onto Arien's, but the warmth was gone, replaced by a chilling, analytical sharpness.
Akari: Art Style: Air. 17 years old. A long-range magical fighter but acts as a physical fighter.
Arien: What are yo—
Akari: Has four forms but only uses two. Doesn't have a maximum or an evolved Art Style yet.
Arien: What are you saying?
And in a split second—no, even faster than that—a katana was in front of Arien's neck. And the one holding that katana was none other than Akari. The blade hadn't been there a moment ago; it had simply appeared, its edge a hair's breadth from Arien's skin.
Akari: Is that all you are?
In that single moment, Arien remembered every single insecurity of her past. Her life didn't flash before her eyes; her weaknesses did. Every doubt, every limitation. Everything Akari said was true. One hundred percent true. And in that moment, filled with a paralyzing fear that told her to be honest or die, Arien said—
Arien: Y-yes.
It was the real answer.
And then Shiro peeked in from the door again.
Shiro: Aki, you want low sugar or mid sugar?
Akari: Lots of sugar, please!
Shiro: Got it.
And Shiro didn't seem to care what was happening. Well, of course—when he peeked, all he saw was Akari and Arien sitting and talking calmly in the living room. Because that's what happened in the second he looked; the katana had disappeared, and Akari had switched back to her cheerful persona. After Shiro went back to making the tea, Akari looked at Arien again. And in that moment, Arien felt it again. It wasn't respect, it wasn't anger, it wasn't even fear. It was far beyond fear—a primal understanding of her own insignificance in front of this power.
And then—
Akari: Ha ha ha! Why are you scared that much? Well, I know that's all you are.
Arien: Wh-what?
Then Akari pointed at her own eyes and said,
Akari: These eyes can see everything, you know.
And for some reason, Arien felt safe again. What had happened a moment ago felt more like a bad dream. But—
Akari: You won't speak about what just happened with Haku. You hear me?
In that moment, Arien understood—no, she felt from the bottom of her soul—that it wasn't a request.
Akari: I think you still wonder what my relationship to Haku is, right?
Akari asked that question with her normal, cheerful self. Arien didn't want to understand what had just happened, so she acted like nothing had.
To the question, Arien didn't reply; she just forced a weak smile.
Akari: Well, Haku is my brother, and I'm his sister.
Arien: But he said—
Akari: He doesn't have a family. Right? Well, that's because we aren't blood-related. I met Haku a long time ago, and since then, both of us lived here. He was the only family I had, and that's the same for him, too.
Arien didn't reply to anything, just listened, shell-shocked.
Akari: So, if something happens to Haku... remember, this world will know what pain really is.
And then she closed her eyes and tilted her head, adding,
Akari: So make sure to keep him safe. Because if something happens, you'll be the one to blame.
And just as she finished saying that, Shiro came in with a tea tray in his hands. He placed a cup on the table in front of Akari and sat down.
Shiro: Here's your tea, Aki.
Akari smiled at Shiro and then said something he never expected.
Akari: Don't want it.
Shiro: You have no permission to deny this tea.
Shiro took the cup and pointed it toward Akari.
Shiro: Drink it.
Well, Akari never denied anything Shiro said or did. She took the cup and drank.
Akari: Wow, this is good! Good job, Haku!
And Shiro looked proud of what he'd done.
Shiro: Well, I've been practicing.
And in that moment, Arien thought to herself,
Arien: Is she a person who praises anything Shiro does?
Then, with Shiro sitting down again, and after Akari drank the tea in one sip, she spoke.
Akari: So, what are you two doing now? Oh, I know! How about going to the guild with me?
Shiro was head over heels for what Akari said, but then Arien spoke up.
Arien: Thank you, but we need to go to the academy and explain why we didn't return.
Akari: No need to worry about that. I already sent the academy a letter that you two are with me. So don't worry; not a single professor will dare to ask what you were doing.
Shiro: Yes! Let's go, Arien!
Shiro's face was full of genuine excitement. Arien had never seen him like that. Well, most of the time, Shiro was full of listlessness or was sleeping. So, she agreed to go with them.
Akari handed Arien one of her own dresses to change into and gave Shiro some of his old suits from when he lived there. But Akari left the house wearing the same type of simple dress and without even carrying her katana.
As the three of them walked, Shiro walked a little ahead of Arien and Akari, so Akari spoke, her voice low enough for only Arien to hear.
Akari: Remember I said that Haku and I were siblings, right? Well, that wasn't the case at first. At first, both Haku and I were just know each others, but every time we go out people thought we were brother and sister. I don't know why they think that, but it worked out great, I think.
Saying that, she slowly ran to catch up with Shiro. Arien did the same, and while running toward Shiro, Arien thought to herself,
Arien: First one—both of them are dumb at the exact same level, I think. And second... can't you see how beautiful you two are? That alone is enough.
The three of them walked on, and as they walked, they passed the guild hall.
Arien: Hey, the guild is here.
Akari turned around and said to Arien,
Akari: Who said we are going in there?
Arien pulled Shiro down a little and asked him what was going on.
Arien: Where are we going?
Shiro: You'll see when we get there. Just wait.
Arien never got the answer she wanted, and so they walked until they finally reached the city's central teleportation gate complex. Akari walked straight toward the guards. Just as she approached, both guards took a step back and lowered their heads in a slight, unmistakable bow of respect. Akari gestured for both Shiro and Arien to come forward.
With Arien, Akari, and Shiro having passed through the gate, Arien stepped onto the other side.
Akari spread her arms wide, a gentle breeze stirring her long hair.
Akari: Welcome to The Haven's Edge