Chapter— A Question That Changed the Table
"Do you want to join Aurafiest?"
The words were simple, spoken without force, yet they froze the room.
Even the television seemed quieter.
Shuri blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"Aurafiest…?"
Luke nodded slightly. "The nationwide aura event. Training, challenges, mixed-rank exposure."
Everyone turned toward him.
No one expected Luke—quiet, reserved, usually detached from conversations about power—to bring up something like that.
Shuri didn't answer immediately.
She looked down at her hands, fingers lightly clenched, as if holding onto thoughts she wasn't ready to release.
"…Why are you asking me?" she finally said.
Luke met her gaze. His expression was calm, almost gentle.
"Because it's not about showing power," he replied. "It's about understanding it."
The words lingered.
For the first time since morning, something changed in Shuri's face.
Not pride.
Not fear.
But something unfamiliar.
Uncertainty—and curiosity.
"I'll… think about it," Shuri said quietly.
Luke nodded. "Take your time."
The conversation drifted after that, but the air had already shifted. The weight of last night still lingered, but now it mixed with something new—reflection.
---
That day, Shuri silently think for whole day.
She lay staring at the floor, memories replaying endlessly.
Her own voice, boasting about her power.
The admiration she enjoyed in the hometown.
The comfort of being "one of the strongest" where she lived.
And then—
The riverside.
The masked figure.
That overwhelming aura.
Power that didn't shout.
Didn't show off.
Didn't seek praise.
Power that acted because it had to.
Shuri clenched her fists above is leg.
"I was a fool…" she whispered all alone in closed room.
She realized it now.
She hadn't been confident.
She had been proud.
Proud enough to believe the world ended at her own limits.
Proud enough to think strength was something to display, not understand.
The image of Luke's calm face surfaced in her mind.
Because it's not about showing power. It's about understanding it.
She exhaled slowly.
For the first time, she didn't feel humiliated.
She felt… small.
And strangely, relieved.
---
Dinner at the evening was quieter than usual.
The table was full—Luke, his parents, his sister, her husband, and Shuri—but the noise that usually filled family meals was missing.
Shuri suddenly put down her chopsticks.
Everyone looked up.
"Luke," she said.
"Yes?"
She took a breath, then bowed her head slightly.
"I realized something," she said honestly. "I was living in pride. I thought because I was strong in my hometown, I understood the world."
Her voice didn't waver, but it was sincere.
"I couldn't see beyond myself. I couldn't see how small my understanding really was."
Luke listened without interrupting.
Shuri lifted her head.
"I still have many things to learn. So yes… I want to join Aurafiest."
Luke felt a quiet warmth rise in his chest.
"But," Shuri continued, "there's a problem."
The mood shifted again.
"This is my final year of school," she explained. "I can't leave now. After graduation, I plan to apply to a university in your city."
She hesitated, then added, "If that happens, I want to join Aurafiest then."
Silence followed.
Luke's mother was the first to speak.
"If that's your plan," she said gently, "you can stay with us."
Shuri's eyes widened.
"Our flat has an extra room," Luke's father added calmly. "It's been empty for a while."
Luke glanced at his parents, surprised—but not shocked.
They had always understood more than they said.
"We'll also speak with your parents," his mother continued. "If they agree, there's no issue."
Shuri stared at them, disbelief and gratitude flooding her expression.
"You… you really mean that?"
Luke nodded. "I do."
For the first time in days, Shuri smiled—not the confident smile she used to wear, but a softer one.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
The dinner ended with warmth in the air.
Luke felt it too.
Not excitement.
Not relief.
But something steadier.
Hope.
---
The next morning arrived too quickly.
The station was crowded with travelers, voices echoing under the high ceiling. Cold winter air mixed with steam from arriving trains.
Luke stood beside his parents.
Across from them were Shuri, Luke's sister, her husband, and their son.
Suitcases rested by their feet.
Luke's sister hugged him tightly. "Take care of yourself."
"I will," Luke replied.
Shuri stepped forward.
She hesitated, then smiled.
"We'll meet soon," she said.
Luke blinked. "Soon?"
She nodded, eyes bright with determination. "I'll work hard. I won't stay in one place anymore."
Luke studied her face.
The pride was gone.
In its place was resolve.
He smiled faintly.
"I'll be waiting."
The announcement echoed through the station.
Train approaching Platform Three.
The doors opened with a hiss.
Luke and his parents stepped inside.
As the doors began to close, Shuri raised her hand in farewell.
Luke lifted his hand in response.
The train started moving.
The platform slowly drifted away.
Luke watched until they were no longer visible.
Something about Shuri's eyes stayed with him.
Not desperation.
Not fear.
But a hunger to grow.
As the city faded into the distance, Luke leaned back against his seat.
Winter sunlight streamed through the window.
Auru, he called softly.
"Yes?" her voice replied.
"Do you think I did the right thing?"
A gentle pause.
"You didn't guide her with power," Auru said. "You guided her with truth."
Luke closed his eyes.
The train sped forward.
Another thread had been woven into the world.
And Luke—quietly, without realizing it—had already begun changing the future again.
---
End of Chapter.