— Capital Road
As the celebration winded down and the academy gates closed, Sho Ardenthal and Liyana Lufinze walked side by side along the cobblestone road leading toward the capital.
The sky was tinted orange and purple — the last remnants of sunset fading into night. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, casting a warm glow along the streets.
Sho adjusted the sword on his shoulder, looking ahead calmly.
Liyana's steps were light, her hair catching the golden light as it swayed behind her.
> Liyana: "You're quiet. That's new."
Sho: "Just tired, maybe."
Liyana (teasing): "Or embarrassed from showing off in front of the princess?"
Sho (smirking): "Maybe both."
A small breeze passed between them. The silence was peaceful — different from the battlefield. Then, Sho stopped walking.
> Sho: "Hey, Liyana."
Liyana: "Hm?"
Sho: "I said I'd fulfill it now."
She tilted her head slightly, confused.
> Liyana: "Fulfill what?"
Sho (looking at her, smiling faintly): "The responsibility you told me to take."
Liyana froze.
Her mind flashed back to that moment in the forest — when she teasingly told him to "take responsibility" for his words during the battle.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
> Liyana (flustered): "Y-you actually remembered that?"
Sho: "Of course I did."
Liyana (turning away, embarrassed): "That was a joke!"
Sho: "Too late to back out."
She puffed her cheeks, glaring at him — but the corner of her lips curved upward.
> Liyana: "Fine, then! Let's go on a date."
Sho (chuckling softly): "You're serious?"
Liyana (smiling): "don't make me repeat it"
They continued walking, the capital around them glowing with the soft light of dusk. The laughter of passing townsfolk faded as they reached the stone bridge overlooking the river.
The water shimmered with reflections of the sunset — golden ripples dancing beneath their feet.
> Liyana (softly): "It's beautiful…"
Sho (quietly, watching her): "Yeah. It really is."
For a while, neither said anything.
Only the wind spoke — gentle, carrying the faint scent of flowers from the gardens nearby.
> Liyana : let's buy skewers at the same shop where you chased me for just a skewer, and making yourself a clown, (teasingly said it)
> Sho : sure... And please don't say that out load
> liyana : No promises~
For once, there were no battles, no systems, no rivals — just the quiet rhythm of two hearts walking side by side.