The park was alive with the gentle rustle of cherry blossom trees, their petals drifting lazily in the afternoon breeze like pale pink snow. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled golden patterns across the winding stone path.
Lira clung to Draven's arm with unapologetic affection, swinging it lightly as they walked. Her sundress fluttered around her knees, a soft pastel yellow that made her look like a ray of sunshine against his all-black attire.
"Isn't this nice?" she said, tilting her head up to look at him, her eyes sparkling. "No monsters, no blood, no screaming civilians… just normal people doing normal things. You should try it more often, Mr. Shadow Slayer."
Draven glanced down at her, his expression as unreadable as ever, though the tension in his shoulders had eased a fraction.
"…Normal is temporary," he murmured, voice low and even.
Lira pouted cutely, puffing her cheeks. "Hey, don't ruin the mood with your brooding philosophy! Today you're not allowed to think about swords or portals or… whatever that 7th Form of yours is plotting." She glanced at the sheathed sword at his hip and stuck her tongue out at it playfully. "You hear that, sword? He's mine for the next few hours. No monster hunting allowed!"
The 7th Form gave the faintest pulse against Draven's side — almost like a quiet chuckle of dark amusement in the back of his mind. *Insolent girl… but tolerable.*
Draven's lips twitched. He reached over with his free hand and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Lira's ear. The simple gesture made her cheeks flush instantly.
"W-what was that for?" she stammered, suddenly shy despite her usual boldness. "You're being unusually sweet today. Did the monsters knock something loose in that cool head of yours?"
"You talk too much," he said flatly, but there was no bite in his tone. In fact, his voice had softened by a microscopic degree. "And your hair was in your face."
Lira giggled and leaned her head against his shoulder as they continued walking. "Fine, fine. I'll take the rare Draven affection. It's like finding a four-leaf clover — almost never happens."
They stopped at a small vendor cart selling ice cream. Lira ordered with excitement.
"Strawberry for me, and dark chocolate for him — because it matches his whole… everything," she teased, winking at the vendor.
As they sat on a wooden bench overlooking a quiet pond, Lira licked her ice cream happily and watched a pair of ducks glide across the water.
"You know," she said softly after a moment, her tone turning more serious, "I worry about you sometimes. Yesterday you just… vanished the moment you heard about those monsters on the news. You didn't even finish your drink." She turned to him, eyes full of concern. "Draven… you don't have to carry everything alone. There are other sword users out there. Maybe you could ask for help once in a while?"
Draven stared at the pond, his dark eyes reflecting the rippling water. He took a slow bite of his chocolate ice cream before replying quietly,
"I work better alone. It's safer that way."
Lira sighed but didn't push further. Instead, she scooched closer and rested her head on his shoulder again. "Fine. But promise me you'll come back every time. No disappearing into the monster realm without saying goodbye, okay? I mean it, Draven. I'll be really mad if you don't."
Draven was silent for a long moment. Then, almost reluctantly, he nodded.
"…Promise."
Lira's face lit up with a bright smile. "Good! Then next time we should try that new cat café I told you about. You'd look adorable surrounded by fluffy kittens. Imagine the great Shadow Slayer petting tiny cats~"
Draven let out a soft sigh, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. "You're pushing it."
"But you like it when I push," she replied cheekily, bumping her shoulder against his. "Admit it. My sunshine energy is slowly melting your dark aura."
"…Annoying," he muttered, but the word carried an unmistakable hint of fondness.
The moment felt fragile and warm — like something precious he didn't deserve but couldn't bring himself to reject.
Suddenly, the 7th Form pulsed again. Sharper this time. A clear warning.
Draven's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. Across the pond, the shadows beneath a cluster of trees seemed… wrong. Too deep. Too still. A faint ripple of dark energy flickered for half a second — gone before most eyes could catch it.
Lira didn't notice. She was still happily chatting. "Oh! And after the cat café, we can watch that new romantic movie. The one with the sword guy who falls in love with the normal girl. Kinda like us, right? Except you're way cooler and actually carry a real sword."
Draven forced his expression to remain calm for her sake, though his grip on the ice cream cone tightened just a fraction.
"…We'll see," he replied, voice steady.
But inside, a colder thought surfaced: *Not now. Not while she's here.*
Deep in the monster realm, something ancient stirred in response — a low, guttural chuckle echoing from the silent cave.
The 99 color stages were still far from complete… but the scent of fresh blood had already begun to awaken older, hungrier things.
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**To be continued**