The dim morning sunlight filtered through the pine branches, casting soft golden rays across the rooftop deck. It touched Rein and Stella's faces like a gentle caress, warming their skin after the cool mountain night.
Stella stirred first, blinking slowly as the world came into focus. The stars had faded, replaced by a pale blue sky and the endless, soothing roar of the waterfall below. She turned her head, and there he was.
Rein slept peacefully beside her, white hair tousled from the breeze, face completely relaxed for the first time in so long. No tension in his brow. No shadows haunted his features. Just calm. Just the boy she loved, looking younger and lighter than she'd ever seen him.
Her heart swelled with quiet joy.
Carefully, so carefully, she sat up and shifted closer. She slipped one arm under his head, guiding it gently to rest against her chest. He didn't wake, still deep in the sweetest sleep, but his body instinctively moved with her, nestling in as if this was the safest place in the world.
A small, soft smile curved his lips, the kind that reached his eyes even while closed.
Stella's breath caught. She knew exactly why he smiled.
Because through the thin fabric of her hoodie, he could feel it, her heartbeat. Steady. Strong. Full of love for him.
For the first time in a long while, Rein wasn't listening to the roar of Chaos in his veins or the echoes of loss in his mind.
He was listening to her.
And in that quiet, gentle rhythm, he found home.
Stella brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, her own smile blooming as she held him close. She pressed a feather-light kiss to the top of his head.
The sun rose higher.
The waterfall sang its endless lullaby.
And on the rooftop of Reiketsu Estate, under the tender morning light, two hearts beat in perfect harmony.
Just for a little while longer, the world was soft.
And they were safe in each other's arms.
Maki and Esil were already awake, the quiet of the early morning pulling them from their rooms. The estate halls were still dim, and everyone else was deep in sleep after the long night in Neonhara.
"Fresh air," Esil whispered with a yawn, stretching as they climbed the narrow staircase to the rooftop. "I need it after all that melon soda."
Maki followed silently, light orange hair loose for once, blue eyes half-lidded but alert.
Esil pushed the rooftop door open slowly, expecting only the cool breeze and the view.
Instead, she froze.
There, on the wide deck bathed in soft morning light, were Rein and Stella.
Rein slept peacefully, head resting against Stella's chest, white hair spilling across her hoodie. Her arms cradled him gently, silver hair mingling with his, both wrapped in shared blankets like a cocoon.
Stella was awake, eyes soft as she watched him sleep, one hand lightly stroking his hair.
Esil's mouth opened. "W-wha—"
Maki's hand shot out instantly, covering Esil's mouth with quiet precision. Her blue eyes widened slightly, surprise, then something warmer.
Stella looked up at the sound, cheeks flushing deep pink the moment she saw them. She lifted a finger to her lips in a quick, pleading "shh," blush spreading to her ears.
Maki nodded once, understanding perfectly. She whispered, barely audible, "Don't worry about us."
She gently pulled Esil back by the sleeve, guiding her through the door and closing it with the softest click.
On the stairs, Esil finally exhaled, eyes sparkling with delight. "AWWW, they were so CUTE!"
Maki leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but a rare, genuine smile softened her face. "They really were."
Esil clutched her chest dramatically. "Did you see how he was sleeping on her? Like a little kid. And she was just… holding him."
Maki's smile lingered. "Let them have it."
Esil nodded, still grinning. "Yeah. They deserve it."
They descended the stairs quietly, leaving the rooftop to the two who needed its peace the most.
Under the gentle morning light, Rein and Stella remained undisturbed, safe, together, and wrapped in a moment no one would interrupt.
The sun climbed higher, spilling golden light across the estate as the morning unfolded lazily. One by one, the others drifted downstairs, hair messy, eyes still heavy with sleep, but smiles easy from the night before.
Zen stumbled into the dining hall first, yawning dramatically. "Food. Need food. Karaoke killed me."
Kaiser followed, already looking more awake, orange eyes scanning the table. "You sang one song off-key and passed out on the train."
"Details," Zen muttered, flopping onto a cushion.
Valkyrie and Maki appeared next, Valkyrie tying her silver-pink hair back, Maki quietly setting out cups. Esil bounced in last, still buzzing from her rooftop discovery, though she kept it to herself with a knowing grin.
Breakfast was simple but warm: steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, fresh mountain greens, and hot tea. They ate slowly, conversation light and meandering: reliving karaoke highlights, Zen reenacting his rockstar poses, Esil rating everyone's performances.
Principal Wilson presided at the head of the table, smiling warmly as he watched them fill their bowls. "Eat up, everyone. You've earned a slow morning."
Azrael sat beside him in silence, gray eyes calm as he observed the group.
A few minutes later, the door slid open again.
Rein and Stella stepped in, hand in hand. Rein's white hair was slightly tousled, gloves back on to hide the scars, but his violet eyes were brighter than they'd been in days. Stella's silver hair caught the light, her smile soft and a little shy as she felt everyone's gazes turn.
Zen grinned widely. "There they are! The stars of the show finally grace us with their presence."
Wilson chuckled. "Good morning, you two. Slept well?"
Stella's cheeks pinked slightly, but she nodded. "Very well, thank you."
Rein pulled out cushions for both of them. "Best sleep in a while."
Wilson's eyes twinkled. "The mountain air does wonders. Help yourselves, there's plenty."
They settled in beside each other, shoulders brushing. Stella filled bowls for both, passing Rein his without a word, a small, familiar gesture that made him smile.
The table felt complete now.
Conversation picked up again, lighter, warmer. Jokes about karaoke scores, plans for the lazy day ahead, gentle teasing that never crossed into anything sharp.
Wilson leaned back, sipping his tea. "No rush today. Rest, relax, enjoy the quiet. Tomorrow will come soon enough."
When bowls were nearly empty and second cups of tea poured, Wilson stood, stretching casually.
"I need to step out for a short while," he said, tone light. "A quick errand outside the village. Nothing exciting. You all stay put and enjoy the day."
Azrael glanced at him briefly, a silent understanding passing between them, but said nothing.
Zen waved a chopstick. "Bring back snacks?"
Wilson laughed. "We'll see."
He slipped on his coat and headed out, the door sliding shut behind him.
The group lingered at the table a little longer, content in the lazy morning.
But soon enough, Zen's energy returned full force.
"Boredom alert!" he announced, standing dramatically. "We can't just sit here all day. Backyard games! Who's in?"
Esil jumped up immediately. "Yes! Finally!"
Kaiser sighed but rose with a grin. "Fine. But no real power."
"Deal," Zen said. "Light challenges only. First up: arm-wrestling tournament!"
They migrated to the back yard, dragging cushions and a low table into the grass under the pines.
The air was crisp, the waterfall's mist drifting lazily. Birds called from the branches, and the sun warmed the ground just enough to make lying on blankets tempting.
The tournament started with high spirits. Zen challenged Esil first, boasting loudly about his "unbeatable grip." Esil, with her usual mischief, let him win the first round just to crush him in the second. "Never underestimate a girl who deals with illusions all day," she teased, flexing her arm.
Zen rubbed his wrist in mock pain. "Cheater! You used mind tricks!"
"No power allowed," Maki reminded dryly, already rolling up her sleeves for the next match.
Maki dominated the early rounds, pinning Zen in seconds. "Too easy."
Zen rubbed his arm dramatically. "Unfair! She's a machine!"
Valkyrie took her down next, calm and precise. "Focus on leverage."
Esil lasted longest against Valkyrie, giggling the whole time. "Okay, okay, mercy!"
Kaiser surprised everyone by beating Valkyrie, steady strength winning over speed. He shrugged modestly when the group cheered. "Just endurance."
Then it was Rein's turn.
He hesitated, glancing at his gloved hands. The scars beneath were still tender, a reminder of the night he'd lost control. Stella gave him an encouraging nod from the sidelines, her smile full of quiet belief.
Rein faced Kaiser first and won, to everyone's shock.
Zen's jaw dropped. "No way!"
Kaiser laughed, rubbing his wrist. "He's stronger than he looks."
Rein flushed but smiled, the victory small but real. It felt good, normal, even. A spark of confidence flickered in his violet eyes.
The games continued with silly Astral tricks next, keeping things light. Esil made funny illusions, Zen with a giant head, and Kaiser as a chibi version of himself, toddling around. The group howled with laughter.
Valkyrie blurred around the yard in short bursts, leaving afterimages that danced like ghosts in the sunlight.
Zen tried speed tricks and tripped over his own feet, rolling into the grass with a dramatic groan. "The ground betrayed me!"
Laughter echoed through the pines.
Rein, encouraged by the cheers and Stella's proud gaze, summoned a tiny purple spark, controlled, harmless. It danced above his palm like a firefly, swirling gently before winking out.
The group cheered softly, no teasing, just pride.
Stella's eyes shone brightest. She mouthed "beautiful" across the yard, and Rein's smile grew, a little shy but genuine.
As the sun reached midday, stomachs growled again.
"Snack time!" Esil declared. "Let's raid the kitchen!"
They piled in, turning the space into joyful chaos.
Zen attempted onigiri, rice everywhere, shapes more blob than ball. "It's abstract art!"
Esil added "mystery spices" to everything, claiming it was "fusion cuisine." One bite had Zen tearing up. "Water! Why is it so hot?"
Valkyrie chopped vegetables with knife-precision, turning carrots into perfect flowers that earned impressed whistles.
Kaiser grilled fish skewers carefully, flipping them with steady hands, the aroma filling the kitchen.
Maki took over like a pro, directing with quiet efficiency. "Zen, less rice. Esil, taste before you dump the whole jar."
Rein and Stella shared one cutting board, bumping hands as they sliced fruit, stealing tastes, laughing when rice stuck to their fingers. Stella wiped a smear from Rein's cheek with her thumb, and he caught her hand, holding it for a moment longer than necessary.
Their eyes met, soft, private, full of unspoken thanks.
The results were mismatched but delicious: slightly burnt onigiri, spicy takoyaki bites, perfectly grilled skewers, fresh fruit salad, and Esil's "mystery" dipping sauce that turned out surprisingly good.
They carried everything back to the yard, a picnic spread on blankets under the pines.
Sprawled out in the grass, they ate slowly, talking about nothing and everything.
Zen recounted his "legendary" karaoke performance for the third time, complete with air guitar and dramatic poses.
Esil rated the snacks out of ten, giving her own sauce an enthusiastic eleven "for creativity."
Valkyrie admitted she liked the quiet days more than she expected, surprising the group with her rare openness.
Kaiser shared a rare story from his old training days, a funny failure that had everyone laughing until their sides hurt.
Maki listened mostly, but when Esil teased her about smiling more today, she replied with a soft "maybe," earning cheers.
Rein ate quietly at first, but the easy atmosphere pulled him in. He joined the laughter, told a small story about trying to cook with his mom once, rice everywhere, just like Zen today.
Stella leaned against him, content, occasionally feeding him a piece of fruit when he wasn't looking.
The sun warmed their skin, the breeze carried the waterfall's song, and time stretched like taffy.
Hours slipped by in simple joy, eating, talking, napping in the shade, occasional lazy games.
Zen challenged everyone to a "who can balance a skewer on their nose longest" contest, losing spectacularly when he sneezed.
Esil started a daisy chain, weaving flowers into everyone's hair, even Maki's, who pretended to protest but let it stay.
Valkyrie taught a simple breathing exercise "for recovery," and surprisingly, the group followed, lying on their backs in the grass, syncing breaths with the waterfall's rhythm.
Rein closed his eyes during it, feeling the sun on his face, Stella's hand in his. For the first time, the Chaos inside felt distant, quiet.
Kaiser dozed off under a tree, snoring softly until Esil drew a tiny mustache on him with berry juice.
The group shared more stories as the afternoon wore on — childhood memories, embarrassing moments, dreams they'd almost forgotten.
Esil confessed she once wanted to be a magician, demonstrating a terrible card trick that had everyone in stitches.
Valkyrie revealed she collected old postcards from places she'd never visited, pulling one from her pocket to show — a faded image of a distant beach.
Kaiser admitted he secretly liked baking, promising to make cookies next rest day.
Maki surprised them all by sharing a short poem she'd written years ago about mountains and silence — her voice steady, the words beautiful and simple.
Rein listened, then quietly told another story about Nora — how she used to make star-shaped cookies and tell him the constellations were made of sugar.
Stella squeezed his hand, eyes soft.
The day drifted on, lazy and golden.
They played more games — tag with no power (Zen cheated anyway), a storytelling chain where each added a ridiculous line, and a quiet round of "what if" questions.
"What if we never had to train again?" Zen asked.
"Peace," Valkyrie said.
"Boredom," Maki countered.
"Time to live," Rein murmured.
Stella smiled. "Time for us."
They napped again in the shade, bodies sprawled comfortably, the sound of the waterfall lulling them.
When they woke, the light had shifted to late afternoon gold.
Esil suggested a "cloud watching" session, pointing out shapes in the sky — a dragon, a sword, a heart.
Zen saw food in every cloud.
Kaiser saw training dummies.
Valkyrie saw birds.
Maki saw nothing, but she lay there anyway, eyes closed, enjoying the rest.
Rein saw stars, even in daylight.
Stella saw him.
As the sun began its slow descent, painting the sky in oranges and pinks, they packed up slowly, carrying empty bowls inside.
Wilson still hadn't returned, but no one minded.
The day had been perfect — filled with laughter that chased away shadows, games that built trust, food shared like family, stories that wove them tighter.
Under the pines, in the quiet estate, sunlight had fallen gently on scars, old and new, reminding them all that healing didn't always need words.
Sometimes, it just needed time.
And each other.
As the evening light faded, they gathered on the engawa one last time, watching the first stars appear.
Zen leaned back, content. "Best rest day ever."
Esil nodded. "No arguments."
Stella rested her head on Rein's shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her, smiling softly.
No one spoke for a while.
The waterfall sang.
The stars began to appear.
And in the quiet, they all felt it — the peace they'd earned, the bonds that had grown stronger.
Tomorrow would bring challenges again.
But today had been theirs.
Sunlight on scars.
Healing, one laugh at a time.
The group stayed on the engawa until the sky was fully dark, stars twinkling like old friends.
They talked about small things — favorite foods, worst memories of training, dreams for after all this was over.
Zen dreamed of traveling the world, eating everything.
Esil wanted to open a prank shop.
Valkyrie wanted silence, but with people she trusted.
Maki wanted strength, but the kind that protected, not destroyed.
Kaiser wanted to be someone his family could be proud of.
Stella wanted peace, with Rein beside her.
Rein listened, then said quietly, "I just want to be someone who doesn't hurt the people I love."
The group went quiet.
Then Stella kissed his cheek. "You already are."
Zen raised an imaginary glass. "To not hurt the people we love."
They clinked invisible cups.
Laughter again, soft and real.
The night deepened.
They eventually drifted inside, sleepy and full.
The estate quieted.
And under the same stars that had watched over rooftop confessions and lazy days, they slept — rested, ready, together.
Sunlight on scars had done its work.
The healing continued.
One day at a time.