The treatment room was quiet except for the soft glow of Yuna's green healing light and the faint, rhythmic hum of the waterfall outside. Kaiser sat on the edge of a low cot, shirt off, ribs still mottled with deep purple bruises from Kaito's knee strike. Zen lay flat on his back, one arm flung over his eyes, groaning dramatically every few seconds. Rein leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a fresh bruise blooming across his chest where Kaito's final punch had landed.
Yuna knelt between them, small hands moving with steady focus. Green light flowed from her palms in gentle waves, knitting torn muscle and easing the deep ache. Sweat beaded on her forehead, but her warm brown eyes stayed bright, determined.
Rein watched her for a moment, then signed slowly, a soft smile tugging at his lips:
Thank you, Yuna. Your healing abilities are growing fast.
Yuna's cheeks flushed pink. She signed back shyly: You're welcome. Trying my best.
Zen peeked out from under his arm and attempted to sign, fingers clumsy but earnest: Thank… you… Yuna.
Yuna let out a silent chuckle, shoulders shaking.
Zen sat up a little, confused. "Did I say it wrong?"
"Yeah," Rein said, laughing quietly. "Close, but you just told her she's a very cute potato."
Yuna covered her mouth, eyes crinkling with amusement.
Kaiser, still wincing as Yuna worked on his ribs, managed a small grin and signed carefully: Thanks. Means a lot.
Yuna nodded, her smile widening. She signed back: Happy to help.
Rein reached over and gently patted the top of her head, ruffling her pale pink hair.
Come on, let's see what's next for us, he signed to everyone.
Zen sat up fully, wincing but grinning. He signed with exaggerated enthusiasm: Yuh!
They helped each other up, Kaiser moving stiffly, Zen dramatically clutching his side, Rein steadying them both. Yuna stayed close, hands still glowing faintly in case anyone needed a last touch.
They made their way down the hallway to the center hall.
The rest of the group was already there, changed back into yukatas, scattered on cushions around the low table. Stella looked up first, relief softening her face when she saw Rein walking in. Esil waved lazily, Maki gave a small nod, Valkyrie offered a quiet thumbs-up.
Azrael sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, pale gray eyes scanning them as they entered.
"You three," he said, voice calm but firm, "go get changed into your yukatas. That's enough training for today."
Kaiser bowed slightly. "Oh, okay. Thank you, Master."
"Thank you," Rein echoed, dipping his head.
Zen, still rubbing his side, grinned. "Thanks, old man."
Azrael's eyebrow lifted. "What?"
Zen froze. "U-uhhh… Master."
The room went dead silent for half a second.
Then Esil burst out laughing, nearly falling off her cushion. Stella covered her mouth, shoulders shaking. Even Maki cracked a rare smile.
Azrael exhaled slowly through his nose. "Change. Now."
Zen saluted dramatically. "Yes, Master!"
The three hurried off down the hallway, Zen already whispering to Kaiser and Rein: "I'm so dead tomorrow."
Back in the hall, Wilson sipped his tea, chuckling softly.
Azrael shook his head, but the faintest hint of amusement touched his eyes.
Training was over for the day.
But the real lessons, the ones that hurt the most, were only just beginning.
The golden sun hung low and calm, bathing the estate in a warm, peaceful glow before night crept in. The waterfall's roar had softened to a soothing murmur, and for once, the air felt light—no lingering tension from the day's sparring, no shadows twitching unnaturally. Everyone had scattered to rest or change, and now they drifted back toward the center hall as the sky deepened to orange and violet.
Maki stepped out from the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Dinner's ready."
Zen's head snapped up from where he'd been sprawled on a cushion. "Food. Yes."
He scrambled to his feet so fast he almost tripped, already moving toward the hall like a man on a mission. The others followed more slowly—Kaiser stretching his still-sore ribs, Esil yawning dramatically, Stella and Rein walking side by side, Yuna trailing with a small, content smile.
Zen deliberately slowed his pace until he was walking beside Valkyrie. He leaned in, voice dropping to an exaggerated whisper.
"Goddess… could you feed me? I'm so tired."
Valkyrie didn't even turn her head, but her silver-pink hair shifted slightly as she muttered under her breath, too quiet for Zen to catch:
"Took you long enough to call me goddess again."
Then, louder, perfectly innocent:
"Hmm? What was that?"
Zen blinked. "What was what?"
"Nothing…" Valkyrie said sweetly.
Her hand shot out, grabbed his ear, and tugged, firm but not cruel.
"And I'm not feeding you."
Zen yelped, stumbling sideways. "Ow, ow mercy, Goddess!"
Rein and Stella, walking a few steps behind, watched the whole thing unfold. Rein let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.
"Hey… don't you think Valkyrie's been a bit more serious ever since we got here? She used to be way more playful."
Stella glanced up at him, electric-blue eyes sparkling with quiet amusement.
"Oh, don't worry. I know exactly why."
"Really?" Rein raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Stella's lips curved into a small, knowing smile.
"I'll tell you later."
Rein opened his mouth to press, but she just bumped her shoulder lightly against his and kept walking.
By the time they reached the center hall, the low table was already set: steaming bowls of rice, grilled mackerel, miso soup with tofu and seaweed, pickled vegetables, and a large platter of tempura—crisp shrimp and vegetables still sizzling faintly. The lanterns overhead cast a soft, warm glow over everything.
Zen practically dove toward his spot. "I'm claiming the biggest shrimp."
Esil slid in beside him. "Touch my shrimp, and you lose a hand."
Kaiser sat across from them, already reaching for the rice. Maki took her usual place near the end, quietly serving Yuna first before taking her own portion. Valkyrie sat with perfect posture, though the tiniest smirk still lingered from Zen's ear-pull. Rein and Stella settled close together, knees brushing under the table.
For a few minutes, there was only the comfortable sound of chopsticks, quiet chewing, and the occasional contented hum.
Yuna signed happily toward the group: Delicious. Thank you, Maki.
Maki gave her a small nod. "You're welcome."
Zen, mouth full, pointed his chopsticks at Kaiser. "Dude, you took the last tempura shrimp."
Kaiser didn't even look up. "You snooze, you lose."
Esil leaned over and whispered loudly to Valkyrie: "They're gonna fight over food again, aren't they?"
Valkyrie signed back without missing a beat: "They always do."
Stella laughed softly, resting her head lightly against Rein's shoulder for a moment. Rein smiled down at her, then glanced around the table, at the tired but content faces, the easy teasing, the way Yuna's healing glow still faintly shimmered on Kaiser's ribs even now.
For the first time in days, the hall felt like home again.
Outside, the golden sun finally slipped behind the mountains, and the first stars began to appear.
Dinner continued simple, warm, and peaceful.
They had earned this moment.
And tomorrow, whatever came next, they would face it together.
The evening light had faded to a soft indigo, lanterns glowing along the walkways as the estate settled into quiet. Rein sat on the engawa steps, legs stretched out, watching the last colors drain from the sky. Kaito approached silently, barefoot in his gray yukata, hands tucked into the wide sleeves.
"Hey, Rein. I have a question," Kaito said, voice low and direct.
Rein glanced up, violet eyes calm. "Yeah?"
Kaito crouched beside him, elbows on his knees, staring at the same horizon. "Ever since I got here… your shadow always twitches."
Rein didn't flinch. He looked down at the dark patch on the wood beside him, still, then a tiny ripple, like breath under water.
"Yeah," Rein said quietly. "I know."
Kaito waited.
Rein exhaled through his nose. "In simple terms… my shadow is a gateway. Chaos uses it to get into this world. When it twitches like that, it usually means he's listening. Or watching. Maybe both."
Kaito nodded once, slowly. "I see."
They sat in silence for a moment, the waterfall humming in the distance.
Across the yard, under a separate lantern, Azrael and Wilson sat at a low table. Steam rose from their green tea cups in lazy curls. Neither spoke, but both watched the two younger men from the corner of their eyes.
Wilson took a slow sip. "He's handling it better than most would."
Azrael's gaze stayed steady. "He has to."
Kaito finally spoke again, quieter. "Does it ever talk back?"
Rein gave a small, tired smile. "Sometimes. Not words. Just… feelings. Pressure. Like someone breathing on the back of your neck."
Kaito looked at Rein's shadow again. Another faint twitch.
"Interesting," he said.
Rein shrugged. "Terrifying's probably the better word."
Kaito didn't disagree.
From the table, Wilson's voice carried softly across the yard. "Tea's still hot if you boys want some."
Rein glanced over. "Maybe later. Thanks, Principal."
Azrael said nothing, just lifted his cup in a small, silent acknowledgment.
Kaito stood first, brushing his yukata straight. "I'll leave you to it."
Rein nodded. "Night, Zero."
Kaito paused, then gave a short nod. "Night."
He walked away, footsteps almost soundless.
Rein stayed where he was, staring at his shadow until it finally went still.
The night deepened.
But the feeling didn't leave.
The night air was cool now, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp stone from the waterfall. Rein stayed on the engawa steps a little longer after Kaito left, knees drawn up, arms wrapped loosely around them. His shadow lay flat and ordinary again, but he could still feel that faint pressure at the back of his mind, like eyes he couldn't see.
He exhaled slowly and stood.
Inside the center hall, most of the lanterns had been dimmed. Only a few remained lit, casting long, soft shadows across the tatami. The low table had been cleared of dinner dishes, leaving just a teapot and a few cups. Azrael and Wilson were still there, seated opposite each other, speaking in low voices. They looked up as Rein slid the door open.
Azrael tilted his head slightly. "You're still awake."
"Couldn't sleep," Rein admitted, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "Mind if I join you?"
Wilson gestured to an empty cushion. "Of course. Tea's still warm."
Rein sat, folding his legs. The steam from the cup felt good against his face. He took a slow sip—green, bitter, grounding.
Azrael watched him for a moment. "Your shadow."
Rein nodded. "It twitched again tonight. Kaito noticed."
Wilson's expression remained gentle but serious. "Chaos is testing the door. He's patient, but he's also impatient. The more you grow, the more he pushes."
Rein set the cup down. "I know. I can feel it. Like he's… waiting for me to slip."
Azrael leaned forward slightly. "Then don't slip."
Rein met his eyes. "I'm trying."
Silence stretched between them, comfortable but heavy.
Wilson spoke quietly. "The Board's investigation into the Void is ongoing. They've sent scouts deeper than before. If Chaos is growing bolder, we'll know soon."
Rein looked down at his hands. "And if he gets through before we're ready?"
Azrael's voice was steady. "Then we fight. All of us. Together."
Rein exhaled. "Yeah."
He stayed a little longer, listening to the quiet conversation between the two men—talk of rift patterns, training adjustments, Zero's potential role. Eventually, he excused himself, bowing slightly.
"Good night, Master. Principal."
"Good night, Rein," Wilson said warmly.
Azrael simply nodded.
Rein stepped back out onto the engawa. The stars were bright now, scattered like spilled diamonds across the sky. He walked slowly toward his room, but paused outside Stella's door.
He knocked softly.
The door slid open almost immediately. Stella stood there in her night yukata, silver hair loose, eyes soft with concern.
"You okay?" she asked.
Rein gave a small smile. "Yeah. Just… needed to see you."
She stepped aside. "Come in."
He did. She closed the door, then wrapped her arms around him without a word. Rein hugged her back, chin resting on her head, breathing in the faint scent of her hair.
"Shadow twitched again," he murmured.
Stella tightened her hold. "I know. I felt it too."
They stood like that for a long minute.
Then she pulled back just enough to look up at him. "We're stronger than we were yesterday. And we'll be stronger tomorrow."
Rein nodded. "Yeah."
She smiled softly. "Stay tonight?"
"Thought you'd never ask."
They settled onto the futon, Stella curling against his side, head on his chest. Rein stared at the ceiling for a while, listening to her steady breathing.
The shadow on the wall didn't move.
But he knew it was still there.
Waiting.
Tomorrow would bring more training, more bruises, more steps forward.
And somewhere in the dark, Chaos was listening.
But tonight, Rein let himself rest.
Stella's warmth against him was enough.