As the dust of the fallen Rift beasts settled, silence took hold of the battlefield.
Riku stood still, his jacket billowing around Yumi's shoulders, his blade lowered but eyes glowing faintly. The remains of the EX-Rank beasts shimmered, their cores pulsing erratically like flickering dying stars.
Then, he exhaled.Clapped once.
"Absorb."
Suddenly, a golden sigil ignited beneath him, pulsing in rhythm with each shattered core on the ground. One by one, the beast souls lifted into the air—swirling streams of elemental energy spiraling into Riku's chest.
The pressure shifted. The air trembled.
"Soul Assimilation Initialized."
A deep, ethereal voice echoed in Riku's mind.
"Two of Twelve unlocked."
He staggered slightly, gripping his forehead. Visions—memories that weren't his—rushed through his mind: monstrous instincts, divine energy, ancient fury… and something more intelligent than a beast hiding in the fragments.
Toru raised an eyebrow. "Riku? You alright?"
Riku nodded slowly. "…Yeah. Just—processing something."
The Rift zone finally stabilized and began closing, leaving the sky above them calm once more.
Outside the Rift, just before the team parted ways, Yumi walked up beside him, shyly taking off his jacket.
"Here," she said softly, handing it back. "Thanks for letting me borrow it."
Riku reached for the jacket, then paused.Something about the way she looked at him—gentle, eyes steady—clicked in his mind.
Back in school.
Before the missions.Before the fame.Before any Essence had awakened in him.
Yumi had never once mocked him. Never looked down on him. In fact… she was one of the only ones who treated him kindly.
"…Yumi."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks," Riku said quietly. "For everything. For being you."
Her eyes widened, her face blooming red. "O-Oh… you don't have to thank me."
He gave a small smile. "I know. But I still want to."
And with that, he turned and walked away, slipping his jacket back on as the wind blew through the trees.
Yumi stood there, still blushing, watching him disappear down the path—hand gripping the hem of her skirt, heart racing.