Cleaning every corner, rubbing off dust, sweeping the endless floor it felt like her bones and muscles were being put through a grinder. Every movement ached, every sweep of the broom sent another jolt of exhaustion through her body.
Drenched in sweat, Astra paused for a breath only to hear a mocking laugh.
She turned her head and, sure enough, there sat Arisu. Lounging comfortably on a bench, she casually munched on something, watching Astra's suffering with clear amusement.
"You've officially become the Great Martial Hall's personal cleaner." Arisu grinned, popping another treat into her mouth. "All thanks to your legendary habit of dozing off, this place has never been shinier."
Astra groaned, dragging the broom behind her before dramatically throwing it aside. "Laugh all you want, Arisu! One day, I'll get my revenge on that old sprout! I'll make him clean an entire palace! And as for you " she pointed accusingly "for not sharing my love, Pimomo!"
(Pimomo :A soft, pink, fluffy milk-pistachio treat that melts in your mouth like a creamy cloud.)
Arisu only smirked and took another bite, savoring it slowly just to torment Astra further.
Then, suddenly, she crawled closer, lowering her voice.
"Let's think about making the old sprout clean your imaginary palace later." She nudged Astra's shoulder. "First, tell me have you thought about how you're going to deal with it when you go back?"
The question hit like a thunderclap.Astra's already pale face turned even paler. Her entire body froze, then, as if struck by lightning, she shot up, clutching her head in horror.
"Oh no. No no not again!"
Panic settling in, she grabbed a handful of Pimomo, stuffing them into her mouth like they were the only thing keeping her alive. Arisu watched, shaking her head. "Ah… you're doomed."
Astra nodded furiously, still chewing on Pimomo like her life depended on it.
"I tried writing fake letters to prevent this disaster! But if this comes out…" Her voice trailed off as dread sank in. "I'm sure they won't let me train with them anymore. Instead, they'll probably make me sit with a brush, practicing calligraphy all day instead of swordplay!"
She groaned, burying her face in her hands.Arisu studied her for a moment, her expression shifting from amusement to curiosity.
"…You know," she mused, "even though we've only known each other for three months, I've noticed just how obsessed you are with swords." She leaned in slightly, narrowing her eyes.
"Don't tell me…" Arisu's voice lowered in suspicion.
"You're planning to join—"
"Me? Join the Manari sect?" Astra scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "With my tiny, pathetic spiritual energy?"
She leaned back against the desk, letting out a dramatic sigh. "It'd be a miracle if I could absorb even a single drop of manas…let alone cultivate it."
Arisu raised an eyebrow,
Astra crossed her arms. "I just want to practice with them in sword dance, you know?" Her eyes lit up for a moment, and she gave a small grin.
"And let's be honest I'd take sharp blades over those hairy calligraphy brushes any day."
The moonlit road stretched ahead, alive with the glow of lanterns and the hum of laughter, bargaining, and music. The city pulsed with energy a festival without a name, where merchants displayed their finest goods, and people roamed the streets, enjoying the vibrant night.
Amidst this lively chaos, two girls shuffled along, their movements sluggish, their exhaustion palpable. They leaned against each other, barely keeping themselves upright, looking less like humans and more like the walking dead.
One of them, Arisu Kaneko, was practically dragging the other forward, her face twisted in both determination and frustration.
"Just a few more steps, Astra… Come on, don't give up!" she groaned, pulling her along. "Ugh this girl! You're tired, but what about me? I'm the one who's been dragging you all this way!"
Astra, barely conscious, let out a pained groan.
"**That old sprout!**just wait till I get my hands on him …I'll—"
"Here, here, young ladies!" A shopkeeper's voice cut through Astra's grumbling. "Come take a look! Handmade crafts with the finest craftsmanship! A perfect gift for the festival!"
But neither girl so much as spared him a glance. They continued trudging forward, dragging their feet like they each carried a boulder on their backs.
Arisu's gaze wandered, taking in the grand decorations lining the streets of Reikoku. **Golden banners, silk streamers, intricate floral arrangements**all in preparation for one thing.
"The Crown Prince's birthday ceremony is approaching," she mused, excitement creeping into her voice. "The main city of Shenghara looks even more festive than usual… I wonder how it'll be on the day itself."
She nudged Astra lightly. "There are rumors that, for the first time, his highness will personally attend his 20th birthday celebration. If that's true, you should consider yourself lucky this is a rare opportunity!"
But instead of responding, Astra stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly turned her head, her eyes burning with pure fury. Then, without a word, she bolted forward, speed-walking into the crowded streets like she was suddenly full of energy.
Arisu blinked, dumbfounded. "Huh?"
From a distance, Astra's voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm
"Oh yeah. Lucky. The Prince's birthday! What a blessing!"
In the blink of an eye, she vanished into the festival crowd, leaving Arisu standing there, completely stunned.
After walking endlessly through the bustling streets, Astra's legs finally stopped in front of a familiar inn. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, then resumed walking this time, slower, more composed.
The moment she stepped inside, the world grew quiet.
The garden path stretched before her, bathed in soft moonlight. The stillness should have been peaceful, but to Astra, it felt almost unnerving. The night wind whispered through the trees, carrying a chill that crept over her skin.
She walked toward the pond, her steps light against the wooden bridge. Stopping at the center, she bent down slightly, gazing into the water's surface.
The moon's reflection shimmered back at her, surrounded by delicate lotus flowers floating gracefully matching the beauty of the night, the glow of the moon, and the faint, quiet reflection of herself.
Her lips curled into a small, distant smile.
This is me. A dim reflection.
Closing her eyes, she let the cold breeze sweep through her. It played with her long black hair, making it dance in waves. The sleeves of her robes fluttered, moving in rhythm with the wind a sensation of chilling.
Then, as she slowly opened her eyes, she noticed something.
Another reflection.
This one was brighter. Glowing. More refined, more elegant. Prettier.
Astra's lips quirked upward.
She turned to the owner of the reflection, her voice soft yet teasing.
"Shion… Prettier than me, but still—" she tilted her head, eyes gleaming mischievously.
"Less compared to my moon."
The man chuckled, a quiet, knowing sound. Tapping his wooden flute lightly against his palm, he began to circle her, his movements slow and deliberate. The golden keychain tied to its end swayed with each step, catching the moon's glow.
"I don't reflect like the moon," he murmured, his voice carrying a playful edge. "I'd rather shine like the stars."
He came to a halt, his back now turned to her. For a moment, the silence stretched between them, only the whisper of the night breeze filling the space.Then, with a smirk in his voice, he added,
"Besides, what does it matter? I'm still prettier than you."
He teased, earning a small chuckle from her.
As he turned back around, he caught sight of her smiling a quiet, amused curve of her lips. He narrowed his eyes slightly and added,
"That wasn't a compliment for you."
Astra let out a soft sigh, shaking her head and her eyes fell on his flute. She extended her hands towards him.
He hesitated at first, his grip tightening around his flute it for a brief moment. But then, with a slight sigh of his own, he finally relented, placing the flute in her waiting hands.
Astra's fingers traced the wood, her thumb absentmindedly playing with the golden keychain attached to its end. The tiny trinket jingled softly, catching the moon's glow.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she studied it.
"Wasn't this lost?" she asked, her voice quiet yet curious.
He nodded, his tone nonchalant.
"The thief was closer to me than they thought." A knowing smirk played at his lips. "So getting it back wasn't hard." Astra tilted her head, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she subtly signaled him to come closer.
Shion hesitated at first, eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion. But curiosity won over, and he leaned in.
Just as he did, Astra stepped closer, her breath warm against his ear as she gently tugged back his hair, her voice dropping into a whisper—
"You got the wrong thief, Shion."
The words were soft, almost playful, Shion's brows furrowed,
Then, as if brushing off the moment, he quickly cleared his throat and leaned back, his hand casually dusting his shoulder sweeping away unseen dust with an air of forced nonchalance.
Astra turned around, leaning her back against the wooden railing. The night air was cool against her skin, but her mind burned with thoughts the weight of the day pressing down on her.
As she recalled the endless cleaning, the teasing, the exhaustion, her face twitched in irritation, and a dull ache spread through her sore muscles.
But then, another thought surfaced.
She hesitated.
Her gaze flickered toward Shion, who stood across from her, leaning against the railing in the opposite direction. He looked at ease, completely unbothered by the world around him.
Astra parted her lips, wanting to ask something, but she couldn't. The words got stuck.
Frustrated, she closed her eyes, battling the hesitation that weighed down her tongue.
And then….a sound.
A soft, gentle melody drifted through the night, wrapping around her like a comforting breeze. It was light, yet deep. Familiar, yet every note felt like something new.
Her mind eased. Her body relaxed.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, turning her gaze toward Shion.
He stood there, his fingers moving effortlessly over his flute, playing a melody so beautiful it almost felt like magic.
"Shion ...When is he coming back?"