Morning sunlight slipped through the window of Airi's room.
Arou slowly opened his eyes, still lying on the foldable mattress on the floor. Airi was already awake, sitting at the edge of her bed while fixing her hair.
"Morning…" Airi said softly.
"Morning," Arou replied as he sat up and folded his blanket.
The atmosphere was a little awkward—but calm.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"GOOOOOD MORNING!!"
Chika appeared with 300% energy.
"So you woke up together, huh? Hmmm~"
Airi immediately threw a pillow at her.
"CHIKA, GET OUT!!"
"Hey, it's already morning, don't be so grumpy," Chika laughed as she ran off.
---
Heading to the Dining Room
They stepped out of the room. Airi's parents were already at the table, with a full breakfast spread:
fried rice, sunny-side-up eggs, stir-fried vegetables, and warm tea.
"Good morning, Arou," Airi's mother greeted him with a warm smile.
"Good morning, ma'am," Arou replied politely.
Airi's father gave a silent nod, but his eyes observed Arou like a strict supervisor evaluating an intern.
Airi sat down, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Chika sat across from Arou, wearing a mischievous grin.
---
During Breakfast
Airi's mother asked gently,
"Did you sleep well, Arou?"
Arou nodded.
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."
Chika immediately chimed in,
"The floor mattress wasn't too hard, right? If it was, you could've just swi—"
Airi kicked her under the table.
"That's enough."
Airi's father set his newspaper down.
"Do you always wake up early, Arou?"
"Yes, sir… it's a habit."
He nodded again.
"Good."
Airi looked at him.
"Dad… this is breakfast, not a job interview."
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I-I'm just asking."
Chika burst out laughing.
---
The Mood Gets Even Livelier
Airi's mother cut an egg for her.
"Do you visit Airi often, Arou?"
Arou shook his head quickly.
"Not often, ma'am… this is my first time."
Her father added,
"If you come again, let us know beforehand."
Airi held her head.
"Daaad…"
Chika poured fuel on the fire.
"Yeah, because yesterday he showed up out of nowhere and ended up sleeping in the same room—"
Airi slammed the table.
"CHIKAAAA!!"
Chika: "Hehehe."
Arou: wants to disappear from existence
Parents: confused but curious
---
After Breakfast
Arou helped carry the dishes to the kitchen.
Airi's mother smiled warmly.
"Thank you. It's rare to see such a polite boy."
Airi turned her face away, but a small smile formed.
Her father lightly patted Arou's shoulder.
"You're welcome to visit again."
Arou nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Chika passed by with a glass.
"You're staying over again next time, right?"
Airi: "CHIKA I SWEAR—!!!"
Chika ran off laughing.
Arou just stood there, unsure whether he should run too.
---
Getting Ready to Leave
Airi stretched her arms.
"I'm going to take a quick shower," she said before anyone could tease her again.
Arou nodded.
"Alright, I'll wait in the living room."
Chika immediately added,
"Finally, you're aware. Your hair was a mess earlier."
Airi threw a spoon at her.
"SHUT UP."
Airi rushed to her room, grabbed some clothes, and took a quick shower.
Arou waited politely in the living room.
A few minutes later, Airi came out with neat hair and fresh clothes, though her face was slightly red from rushing.
"I'm ready," she said shortly.
Arou stood up.
"Shall we go?"
Airi nodded.
"Yeah."
---
At the Door
Airi opened the front door.
"Mom, Dad! I'm heading out with Arou!"
Her mother peeked from the kitchen.
"Where are you going?"
Airi answered too quickly,
"Just… hanging out!"
Arou glanced at her: hanging out?
Chika immediately stood up from the sofa.
"Hanging out?? After that rushed shower?? Hmmm~"
Airi grabbed a pillow.
"CHIKA, DO YOU WANT TO BE BURIED UNDER A BLANKET?!"
Her father calmly sipped his tea.
"Be careful on the road."
"Yes, Dad!"
Arou bowed politely.
"Excuse us."
And they left.
---
On the Way
Arou finally spoke.
"Earlier… you said we're 'hanging out.'"
Airi sighed.
"The plan's still the same. We're visiting Akari."
Arou nodded.
"I figured."
Airi looked ahead.
"I just didn't want to make a big deal at home. If I said we're visiting someone sick, Mom would ask a hundred questions… and Chika would tease me for ten minutes straight."
Arou replied softly,
"Fair enough."
They walked side by side along the quiet morning street.
---
In Front of Akari's House
Akari's house looked peaceful.
Airi stopped.
"I hope she's doing better."
Arou stood beside her.
"Let's check."
Airi nodded and knocked on the door.
Knock… knock…
No response.
She knocked again.
After a few seconds, the door slowly opened.
A woman with slightly messy morning hair appeared—Akari's mother.
"Oh… you're Akari's friends, right?"
Her expression softened into a relieved smile.
"You came to visit her?"
Airi nodded quickly.
"How is she, ma'am? Is she okay?"
"She had a bit of a fever last night, but it's gone down. She's still tired… but she asked about you when she woke up."
Airi and Arou exchanged relieved glances.
"Come in. She's in her room—but please keep it quiet."
"Yes, ma'am," Arou said politely.
---
Inside the House
The house was quiet.
Only the ticking of a wall clock could be heard.
"I'm glad you came," Akari's mother said warmly. "She'll be happy."
"May we go in?" Airi asked.
"Of course. She's awake."
---
Outside Akari's Room
Airi walked carefully down the hallway, each step gentle.
"If she's not ready, we can wait," Arou whispered.
Airi shook her head.
"I just want to see her… and make sure she's really okay."
Arou smiled faintly.
"Alright. Together."
They stopped in front of the door.
Airi raised her hand…
Knock… knock…
---
Inside Akari's Room
Akari sat in a wheelchair near the window, bathed in soft morning light.
Her hands rested on her lap, but her face carried a quiet sadness she couldn't fully hide.
When Airi and Arou entered, she slowly lifted her head.
"A-Airi… Arou…" her voice trembled slightly.
Airi immediately knelt beside her.
"We came to see you. How are you feeling today?"
Akari looked down at her bandaged legs.
"I'm… okay. But… it feels like I really can't go anywhere anymore."
Arou stood nearby, his presence calm.
"You're not alone, Akari. We're here."
She looked up again. Her eyes softened.
"Thank you… for coming."
Airi gently held her hand.
"We'll stay with you until you get better. Don't worry about anything else for now."
Akari closed her eyes briefly, then nodded.
For the first time that morning, she smiled—small, but real.
---
After Visiting Akari
After a long conversation, Arou and Airi stepped out of her room.
They closed the door quietly.
As they walked down the hallway, Airi suddenly stopped.
"…Arou."
He turned.
"Hmm?"
"I think… I need to buy a new sword."
Arou understood immediately.
Her old sword—
the one that had always been with her—
had been destroyed during Zata's overwhelming pressure.
"Then let's find you a new one," Arou said gently.
Airi blushed slightly.
"I-if you don't mind."
"Let's go after this."
She smiled faintly.
---
On the Way to the Shop
They walked through the quiet streets.
"The shop isn't far," Airi said, gripping the money her father gave her.
"I'll just get a cheap one."
Arou put his hands in his pockets.
"If you find one you like, take it. Don't hold back."
Airi pouted.
"This isn't about holding back—it's about saving!"
Arou chuckled.
"I'll help you choose."
---
The Atmosphere Changes
As they passed a small intersection surrounded by trees—
the wind stopped.
The birds fell silent.
Arou halted.
"Airi… stop."
"…Arou… this is…"
In an instant—
someone appeared in the middle of the road.
Zata.
Calm. Composed. Smiling without warmth.
---
The Return of the Swords
Soft white light gathered beside him.
Three swords appeared—
not forged from metal, but from memory.
One—Airi's old sword.
Perfectly restored.
Two—Arou's red and blue blades.
They gently dropped to the ground.
Airi froze.
"My sword… it's really back…"
Arou picked up his blades.
"They feel new… but familiar."
Zata folded his arms.
"They broke because of my pressure. So I returned them."
Airi narrowed her eyes.
"What do you want?"
A faint smile.
"I want to see if you're worthy of them."
---
The Fight
The ground trembled.
"Airi," Arou said, stepping forward. "Same plan."
"Got it!"
Arou attacked first—power and speed in perfect balance.
Zata blocked both swords with one hand.
"Interesting."
Airi struck from the side—
but Zata shifted slightly.
Her attack was deflected effortlessly.
"You've improved, Airi."
"If you're just here to praise us—leave!" she snapped.
Arou attacked again.
Zata moved like slow motion—but faster than perception.
---
The Pressure
Zata lowered his hand.
Instantly—
the air grew heavy.
Airi staggered.
"I can't… move…"
"Hold on!" Arou said.
Zata stepped forward.
One step—
the ground cracked.
He appeared in front of Arou.
Impact.
Arou slid back meters.
Then Zata appeared behind Airi.
She turned—
he stopped her blade with two fingers.
"Your rhythm is still predictable."
She was pushed back—
Arou caught her.
"Enough!" Arou shouted. "Are you trying to kill us?!"
Zata smiled faintly.
"If I wanted that—you'd already be gone."
---
The End
The pressure vanished.
The wind returned.
Birds sang again.
"The test is over," Zata said.
"You've improved."
Airi panted.
"You're serious…?"
"The swords are not gifts. They're responsibility."
He looked at them.
"You'll need them soon."
Then—
he vanished.
---
Aftermath
Airi sat down, catching her breath.
"I thought we were dead…"
Arou planted his swords in the ground.
"If he wanted that, we wouldn't be here."
Airi held her restored sword.
"…But I'm glad it's back."
Arou smiled.
"And now I have two swords… not sure if that's good or terrifying."
Airi stood slowly.
"At least we're alive."
Arou patted her head.
"Alright. Let's continue to the shop."
Airi frowned.
"After that fight? Seriously?"
Arou chuckled.
"Your call."
They walked on—
more cautious, stronger—
and now carrying blades returned by a force they still couldn't predict.