Shinji and Akane stayed in each other's arms a little longer than necessary.
Neither seemed eager to be the first to let go.
Akane's small fingers were fisted tightly in the back of his shirt, as if anchoring him to the world by fabric alone.
Shinji held her carefully —almost cautiously—like someone afraid that if he loosened his grip even slightly, she might dissolve back into the fog that had stolen his memories.
The night was quiet.
Soft.
For a moment, it felt like the entire city had stepped back to give them space.
They didn't hear the footsteps approaching.
"My little ones…"
The voice was gentle, weathered, trembling —but unwavering in its warmth.
Akane looked up first.
Her eyes widened, then sparkled.
"Granny!!"
She spun out of Shinji's arms and ran toward the voice without hesitation.
A frail woman stood a few steps away beneath the streetlight, leaning lightly on her cane. Her white hair framed a face lined with years of hardship—and softened by years of love. There was nothing fragile about the way she stood.
"That's Grandma!" Akane declared loudly over her shoulder, as if Shinji might need the reminder.
And then she collided into her grandmother's embrace.
The elderly woman laughed softly, steadying herself before wrapping her arms around the girl.
"Oh my… you've grown heavier," she teased gently.
"Granny!" Akane protested between sniffles and laughter. "Onii-chan remembered me!"
Shinji slowly rose from his crouched position.
He wiped his cheeks quickly, pretending the tears were just a trick of the wind. But as he stood upright, something stirred again —stronger this time.
A memory. Clear and bright
A school gate was washed in the late afternoon sunlight.
Two children waiting with oversized backpacks.
Akane swinging her legs impatiently.
And across the street —
"Shinji! Akane!"
Grandma waving enthusiastically, her smile just as radiant then as it was now.
He remembered running toward her.
Remembered the smell of simmering soup when they opened the door.
Remembered laughter echoed around a small dinner table.
For the first time since waking up in that alley —
His past didn't feel empty.
It felt lived in.
"My dear," Grandma called gently, her eyes warm. "Aren't you going to hug Granny too?"
Shinji blinked, caught.
He stepped forward slowly, throat tightening.
"Granny, I'm sor—"
He never finished.
She closed the distance herself and wrapped her arms around him.
Firmly and strong.
"It's fine, my dear," she murmured against his shoulder. "You're here. That's enough. Let's go home."
No interrogation or fear.
Just acceptance.
Shinji's hands trembled for half a second before he hugged her back fully.
Home.
The word didn't feel foreign anymore.
It felt deserved.
Few minutes later,
A taxi pulled up by the curb not long after.
Akane claimed her spot immediately, glued to Shinji's side, still gripping his arm like it was a legal contract. Granny sat on his other side, occasionally glancing at him as though reassuring herself he was truly there.
As the taxi began to move, city lights slid across the windows in long golden streaks.
Shinji watched them blur past.
Akane leaned her head against his shoulder.
He didn't flinch.
Instead, he gently rested his cheek against the top of her head.
For now—
That was enough.
*****
Across the street, under another pool of light
Four figures stood watching.
Momo remained quiet, arms folded loosely.
Miwa sniffed audibly.
Mai pretended not to notice.
And their Sensei, Utahime Iori stood with her hands tucked
They had seen everything.
The tears.
The hug.
The taxi pulling away.
For once, no one rushed to fill the silence.
The night felt… tender.
Miwa sniffed again.
A single tear escaped before she could stop it.
"I'm not crying," she muttered quickly. "It's just… dust."
Iori broke the silence at last.
"Well then… my three ugly ducklings," she said lightly, though there was an unmistakable softness beneath the teasing. "Shall we head back? You still owe me a mission report."
Miwa groaned dramatically, nearly collapsing on the spot.
"I'm emotionally exhausted. I need ramen. And sleep. In that order."
"You'd fall asleep in the ramen," Mai replied dryly.
"I would not."
"You absolutely would."
Momo allowed herself a small smile.
Iori turned slightly, beginning to walk ahead of them.
"Alright then reports can wait," she added casually. "When we return back to school, you all should go refresh yourselves first."
Miwa perked up instantly. "Really?!"
Mai smirked. "Guess I'll survive another day."
Momo nodded politely. "Thank you, Sensei."
They fell into step behind her..
Behind them, the city resumed its ordinary rhythm.