A single large bed occupied most of the space, its neatly arranged sheets giving off a faint lavender hue under the soft glow of a bedside lamp.
A small wooden wardrobe stood quietly against the far wall, its polished surface reflecting a sliver of light from the half-drawn curtains.
Outside, the distant hum of the city was barely audible, muffled by the insulated walls of the base.
Yet despite its simplicity, the room carried a presence.
A soft, sweet scent lingered in the air—strawberries. It wasn't overpowering, but it clung gently to everything,the sheets and the pillows.
Even the air itself felt warm and intimate, as if the room belonged to someone… delicate.
Hiro sat cross-legged on the floor, his fingers pressing into the unbelievably soft carpet beneath him.
It felt like stepping on clouds—far too luxurious compared to anything he was used to. His back was straight, his posture stiff, as if he were afraid to disturb anything around him.
On the bed, Yurei sat comfortably, watching him. Her crimson eyes were calm—but firm.
"Hiro," she said, lightly tapping the empty space beside her, "I said come over and sit here."
"But I am—"
"Hiro."
She cut him off.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a weight that crushed any attempt at resistance.
There was no anger in it—just authority, absolute and unquestionable.
Hiro froze.
Crap… this is the first time I've ever been inside a girl's room…
His throat went dry.
Slowly, almost mechanically, he pushed himself up from the floor. Each step toward the bed felt heavier than the last, his heartbeat echoing loudly in his ears.
Then he sat beside her.
Too close.
Way too close.
The strawberry scent intensified instantly, flooding his senses.
It wrapped around him like a warm embrace, making his thoughts hazy. He could feel the slight dip of the mattress beneath their combined weight, the subtle warmth radiating from her body.
His shoulders stiffened.
Yurei turned her head slightly, her gaze locking onto his.
"We haven't had time to talk," she said quietly, "since the city battle."
"Y-yeah… you're right," Hiro replied, trying—and failing—to sound calm.
A brief silence settled between them, thick but not uncomfortable.
Hiro exhaled slowly.
"I wanted to ask… what happened to the city after we won?"
Yurei blinked once. "Didn't Daisy tell you?"
Hiro gave a small, bitter smile, scratching the back of his head.
"She told me to ask you… since she wasn't even there."
He could still hear Daisy's voice—sharp, annoyed, almost venomous. Yurei sighed softly, bringing a hand to her temple.
"What am I going to do with that girl…"
She paused before continuing.
"After the battle, the remaining Abyssals were eliminated by Eli. There were no casualties."
Hiro's eyes widened slightly.
"None?"
Yurei nodded.
"Everyone had already evacuated into the bunker… unlike a certain someone."
Her gaze shifted toward him.
Hiro laughed awkwardly.
"Hehe… yeah…"
The memory of him recklessly running into the Abyssal burned at the back of his mind.
Honestly… that was serious bad luck.
Yurei studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable.
"During my time in the Capital," she began, "I tried to research you."
Hiro stiffened.
"But… I couldn't find much."
Her voice softened slightly, but her eyes sharpened.
"It was as if someone had erased your existence. Even the Archives barely had any records."
Inside, her thoughts churned.
That's not normal… even civilians have data trails…
So who exactly are you… Yukishima Hiro?
Hiro forced a nervous chuckle.
"There wasn't really a need for that… you could've just asked me."
His fingers fidgeted slightly.
"Go ahead, then," Yurei said.
Hiro nodded.
"Well… you already know my name Yukishima Hiro. I'm 18. I used to live in Zion City, in the Magiran Region." His voice steadied as he spoke.
"I moved here four years ago with my aunt… after my mother went missing during a Gate Expedition but then my aunt got transferred to the Capital."
Yurei's gaze sharpened.
"So your mother was part of the army?"
"Not exactly," Hiro replied. "She was more of an explorer… and a researcher."
Yurei's thoughts deepened.
Even so… there should be records…
Which means someone erased both of them. Interesting.
"How special are you…?" she muttered under her breath.
Hiro tilted his head slightly.
"Hm?"
"Nothing," she replied smoothly.
Hiro continued.
"I was in my final year of high school before… all this happened."
He glanced at her.
"So yeah… I guess you kinda ruined my normal life plans."
Yurei raised an eyebrow.
"…Do you regret it?"
Hiro shook his head immediately.
"No." His voice was firm.
"I didn't really know what I wanted to do before. But now… after meeting you—and the others…"
His eyes softened.
"I want to protect people. Just like my mom wanted to."
For a brief moment, Yurei said nothing.
Then she exhaled softly.
"…I see."
Her gaze shifted slightly, more thoughtful now.
"The girls probably told you about my blessing."
Hiro instinctively touched the mark on his neck.
"The Lovers Chain."
Yurei nodded.
"Then let me tell you more about it…"
Her voice dropped slightly.
"And why it's considered weak."