"Shichen-nii—" Chisato called him that without any hesitation.
Her tone was a little flat—very different from the bright voice he'd grown used to—but hearing her say it in a young, clean voice for the first time still hit him harder than expected.
It was honestly kind of addictive.
A crisp, youthful voice calling him "-nii"… it nearly made him want to go full overprotective and just carry Chisato away on the spot.
Because this was limited edition—he wouldn't get to hear it like this again…
…Wait. With Natsumi's Haniel, couldn't he just turn everyone "smaller" again anytime?
—Okay. Focus. Handle the important stuff first. Then he could experiment later.
"Yeah, that sounds way better," Shichen nodded.
Chisato stared at him, still guarded. "...So who are you, really?"
"I'm just here to save you." Shichen smiled gently. "What happens next might feel a little unreal—don't freak out."
"This is already unreal."
That warm green light, the way her chest pain got soothed like it was nothing—it was basically magic.
Chisato had never believed in magic. At this point, not believing was getting hard.
"Then bear with me for a second," Shichen said, and then—without realizing how it sounded—added, "It'll be quick. Probably won't hurt."
He immediately regretted the phrasing and moved on, starting the real treatment.
Normal healing techniques couldn't cure a heart like hers—especially not when it was already severe. A transplant would take time they didn't have.
But Shichen didn't need a donor heart.
The original was best.
Healing magic couldn't fix a failing heart… but a divine fragment could.
With one arm holding the now-adult Chisato securely, Shichen flipped his other hand palm-up. A golden glow gathered there—inside it, a small, mysterious fragment pulsed with a holy presence.
Chisato just watched, silent.
She had a hundred questions, but instincts told her: don't move. That was all she needed to do.
And strangely… she didn't feel unfamiliar with him.
His presence felt known, like she'd met him long, long ago.
She'd never believed in fate or superstition. But standing in front of this? She couldn't deny it anymore.
It really did feel like magic.
"…I'm not sure if it'll sting," Shichen admitted. "Just hang on, okay?"
Chisato nodded, oddly obedient. "Yeah."
He gently placed the golden fragment against the center of her chest and slowly pressed it in.
He wasn't taking advantage of anything—this was purely practical, and she was in the middle of a crisis.
As the fragment merged, the glow didn't fade. A bright gold core remained visible in her chest—then the light spread, threading through her body until she was wrapped in a full-body golden radiance.
For a moment, she looked like a "little golden statue."
Chisato lifted out of his arms and floated, motionless in the air.
The fragment was working—repairing her body, rebuilding her heart.
Not long after, the light began to recede… and finally vanished.
Chisato drifted down.
Shichen stood and caught her easily, holding her close.
He looked down: her face had color again—healthy, warm, almost glowing.
In just a few seconds, the crisis was gone. Not only "stable"—she felt better than she ever had.
Chisato's eyes fluttered open. She saw Shichen first, and her lips curved into a small, genuine smile.
"Shichen… I think… I'm okay."
She could feel it—how strong her body was.
The whole day felt like a dream, like one of those fairy tales her teammates joked about.
And it happened to her.
Even if it was a dream… she'd be satisfied.
"Told you," Shichen said, smiling. "I came to save you."
Chisato nodded hard. "Yeah!"
"Alright. Want to test it?" Shichen asked. "Try moving. See what it feels like to have your life back."
"I can?"
"Of course you can."
He set her down.
Chisato bounced on her feet twice, then suddenly launched into a sprint.
Fast—free—reckless in the best way.
For the first time in her life, she ran without fear that her body would betray her.
She kept running until she was breathless, legs shaking, lungs burning—until she finally couldn't anymore.
Then she turned and ran straight back, throwing herself into Shichen's arms.
"Shichen… I'm really okay." Her voice cracked with emotion.
Of course she didn't want to die. She was still young. The flood of relief and joy was too big to contain.
"Yeah," Shichen said softly, holding her while she shook. "You're okay. From here on out, you can choose whatever life you want—without being chained by fear."
Chisato cried quietly against his chest. The tears weren't dramatic, but they still dampened his shirt.
After a while, she pulled back, embarrassed. Her cheeks were flushed.
"Shichen… sorry."
"It's nothing," Shichen waved it off.
Then Chisato stared at him for a long moment, like she was trying to confirm something.
"…Were you really just here to save me?"
"Yeah. Just to save you."
"Then why?"
Shichen chuckled. "That's something you should think about yourself. Let it be your first 'big question' in your new life."
"My… new life…" Chisato murmured.
Then she hesitated, and asked carefully, "Do you… want me to do something for you?"
"What could I possibly ask you to do?" Shichen teased. "Rob a bank? Burn down a building?"
Chisato puffed her cheeks slightly. "I mean… you're this strong. You probably don't need help."
"Exactly."
"But… you didn't save me for no reason." Chisato narrowed her eyes. "There has to be a reason."
"What do you think it is?" Shichen turned the question back on her.
"…Because of me?"
"Keep going."
Chisato stared at him, then blurted, half-serious and half-testing him, "You want me to be your girlfriend in the future."
Shichen coughed. "Why would you jump to that?!"
"…It's the only thing I can think of that's 'me' enough to repay you," Chisato said, blinking innocently.
"You're overthinking it," Shichen said, exasperated. "And you don't 'repay' someone like this. You live."
Chisato smiled like she'd won a tiny argument anyway. "So… can I go with you?"
"…Not yet," Shichen said, shaking his head.
Chisato's face fell. "Why?"
"Because you still haven't decided who you want to be," Shichen said gently. "Do you stay and keep doing DA's work? Do you walk away and live like a normal young woman? You need time to find your own answer."
Chisato went quiet.
"We'll have a long time," Shichen added. "A lot of time. We'll be together in the future—just not right this second. Go live. Go explore. Figure out what you actually want."
"How do I find the answer?"
"However you want," Shichen said. "Travel. Meet people. See places. Look at the world with your own eyes. You'll know."
"And you?"
"You'll find me," Shichen said with a small smile. "When you do—that'll be the start of our real 'together.'"
Chisato's eyes lit up, fierce and certain. "I'll find you. I promise."
"I'll be waiting," Shichen said, and ruffled her hair.
Chisato looked at him like she could tell he was about to leave.
"…Are you going?"
"Yeah. Soon."
"…Can you stay a little longer?" she asked, voice small.
Shichen paused. "I can. Want to take a walk?"
"A walk?"
"In the sky."
Chisato blinked. "In the… sky?"
"Yep." Shichen's grin widened. "Come on—Dialga."
~~~
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