The air in the principal's office hung still.
Principal Alice had quietly stepped aside, pretending to busy herself with documents — though her amused smile betrayed that she was very much enjoying the sight before her.
Chroma stood frozen, his mind still reeling. After all the years, all the battles, all the blood — she was here.
Asfi larethia. The girl from his memories. His childhood promise.
Her silver hair caught the light of the stained-glass window, shimmering softly, and the small silver hairclip — his gift — was still there, just as it had been that day.
Asfi (smiling sweetly): "From now on, we'll be together once again, my darling~"
Her voice carried a playful lilt, but the way she said my darling sent an electric shock down his spine.
Chroma (blinking, flustered): "D-Darling? W-wait—what—"
Asfi (tilting her head): "Hmm? Don't tell me…"
Her tone dropped slightly, eyes narrowing, voice suddenly sharp enough to pierce armor.
Asfi: "You already have another woman, do you?"
Her crimson eyes gleamed dangerously — a faint aura of mana rising like heat from her body.
Chroma (panicking): "No! Never! I-I never thought of that!"
Her expression softened instantly, smile returning like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Asfi: "Good."
She clasped her hands together and added with a mischievous grin,
Asfi: "Then, let's decide when our wedding will be~"
Chroma: "W-wedding?! Asfi, wait—this isn't—"
Asfi: "Hmm?" She leaned closer, face inches from his. "You did promise me, didn't you?"
Chroma froze. His mind replayed that moment years ago — her laughing under the tree, the glint of the hairclip, the innocent voice asking "Will you marry me?"
He sighed, his composure breaking. "You never change…"
Asfi (softly giggling): "You say that, but look at you."
Her eyes trailed over him, amusement flickering in her tone.
Asfi: "You've changed a lot, you know? You're taller, more composed… and handsome. You've become a real man now, huh, darling?"
A faint blush colored Chroma's face as he rubbed his neck awkwardly.
Chroma: "…Maybe."
She smiled at him, warmth replacing the teasing in her eyes.
Asfi: "You've carried so much pain for so long, haven't you?"
Her voice softened, barely a whisper. "You can rest now, Chroma. You're not alone anymore."
Chroma met her gaze — the same eyes he thought he'd never see again.
And for the first time in years… he allowed himself to smile.
---
Alice Valefor (clearing her throat with a smirk):
"Well, well. It seems our head professor and my apprentice have quite the history. Perhaps I should step out and give you two a classroom instead of my office?"
Asfi (without missing a beat): "That won't be necessary, Principal. We're already planning something far more permanent~."
Chroma: "…Please don't say that in front of my superior."
Alice just laughed — a rare, melodic sound that filled the room with warmth.
Alice: "Ah, youth. Even the legends can't escape it."
Asfi linked her arm through Chroma's before he could react.
Asfi: "Come on, darling. We have years to catch up on."
And as she pulled him out of the office — Chroma realized something impossible yet undeniable.
The fire that had once destroyed everything he loved…
had, somehow, brought back the one person he thought he'd lost forever.