Once a year, Star Academy hosted the Starfall Festival, where cadets, professors, and guilds came together under a sky lit with falling stars.
For once, nobody was allowed to train, duel, or set anything on fire (officially).
Yujin adjusted his jacket nervously. "I can't believe I'm wearing this."
Sylvia, dressed in a sleek black-and-silver dress, smiled mischievously. "You look fine. Besides, I upgraded your jacket with heat resistance. Just in case."
"Just in case… what?"
She winked. "You'll see."
Meanwhile, Kain arrived in a dark suit that made half the academy swoon, Mira hanging off his arm in a crimson dress that sparkled when she twirled.
"Wow, Yujin," Mira teased, "didn't know you cleaned up so well."
Yujin rolled his eyes. "Says the woman making Kain carry her festival prizes."
Kain, stoic as always, stood with a stuffed dragon, two glowing wands, and a giant caramel apple in his arms. "…Help."
---
Part 1: The Competition
The festival kicked off with a challenge:
Couples' Obstacle Race.
"Why are we doing this?" Kain deadpanned as he stared at the twisting maze, water balloons, and floating platforms.
"Because it's tradition!" Mira grinned, dragging him to the starting line.
Sylvia smirked at Yujin. "Ready to win?"
Yujin cracked his knuckles. "Always."
The whistle blew.
Mira tricked Kain into carrying her across the mud pit.
Yujin slipped on a soap-covered bridge, flailing wildly as Sylvia calmly surfed past on a gadget.
Kain nearly cut the rope obstacle in half with his sword.
Sylvia hacked the timer system, giving them a 0.3 second advantage — which she claimed was "perfectly fair."
In the end, the two couples crossed the finish line… at the exact same moment.
They stared at each other.
"Call it a draw?" Yujin offered.
"Rematch next year," Kain said flatly.
---
Part 2: The Lanterns
As night fell, everyone gathered to release sky lanterns — one wish per pair.
Mira scribbled something on hers and winked at Kain. "I'm not telling."
Kain shook his head, then quietly added his own wish: "Protect Mira, no matter what."
Yujin held their lantern steady as Sylvia carefully wrote:
"A future where Yujin doesn't die saving the world again."
Yujin blinked. "…That's… oddly specific."
Sylvia smiled softly. "Just covering my bases."
They let the lanterns drift up, joining hundreds of others until the sky glittered like a second constellation.
---
Part 3: The Fireworks
The night ended with fireworks — which, at Star Academy, meant a magical pyrotechnics show.
Naturally, something went wrong.
A stray firework zipped toward the crowd.
"EVERYBODY DOWN!" Yujin yelled, tackling Sylvia into a snowcone stand.
Kain calmly drew his sword, sliced the firework midair, and went back to holding Mira's hand like nothing happened.
Mira, brushing bits of popcorn off her dress, snickered. "This is why I love you."
Sylvia, covered in syrup, muttered, "And this is why I installed the heat-resistant lining."
---
Epilogue: Quiet Moments
After the chaos, the four of them sat on a grassy hill away from the crowds.
Yujin leaned back, feeling Sylvia's head on his shoulder. Kain sat with Mira curled up against him, her fingers idly playing with his hair.
The sky above shimmered with the last trails of falling stars.
"I wish this night lasted longer," Sylvia murmured.
Yujin smiled faintly. "Me too."
For once, there were no missions, no enemies, no looming threats. Just laughter, soft conversations, and the comfort of being together.