Astra stood quietly beside Raze near the academy grounds, the evening sun painting the sky in warm shades of gold and violet.
She hesitated—something rare for her.
"…Raze," she said at last.
He turned to her.
"It was a match," she continued, fingers tightening slightly at her sides, "but I still hurt you. and I pushed you that far."
Raze blinked, then smiled faintly.
"Don't worry about it," he said calmly. "That fight mattered to both of us. I don't regret it."
Astra searched his face, as if making sure he meant it.
"…Okay," she said softly.
Then her expression shifted—lighter, almost playful.
"Then allow me to do something."
Raze raised an eyebrow.
"…Something?"
"I want to show you," she said, "how I see the world."
Before he could ask what she meant—
Astra stepped forward, wrapped one arm around his back and the other beneath his knees—
—and lifted him cleanly off the ground.
Raze's eyes widened.
"…Astra?"
She smiled.
"Relax."
And then—
FWOOSH.
They rose into the air.
◆ ◆ ◆
The city of Nexara unfolded beneath them like a living constellation.
Skyscrapers gleamed as the sun dipped lower, windows reflecting streaks of amber light. Air rushed past gently, cool and clean, carrying the distant hum of traffic far below.
Astra slowed her ascent, careful of his injuries, before landing lightly atop a tall building.
Raze exhaled slowly.
"…So this is what it looks like," he murmured.
Astra nodded, stepping beside him.
"Up here, everything feels… smaller," she said. "The noise fades. The fear too."
They stood at the edge of the rooftop, watching the city breathe.
People moved like tiny sparks below.
Lights flickered on one by one.
The world kept going.
"I come here when things get overwhelming," Astra admitted. "When expectations start piling up."
Raze glanced at her.
"…It's peaceful."
She smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you think so."
They moved between rooftops, Astra carrying him again—gentle, careful—showing him different vantage points: quiet terraces, silent spires, places only she ever stood.
For a while, they didn't talk.
They didn't need to.
◆ ◆ ◆
Back at Lionel Academy…
Luna Arcwell stood outside Raze's classroom, arms crossed.
"Where is he?"
Roger scratched the back of his head.
"Uh… funny story."
Luna's eye twitched.
"…Roger."
"Well," he said carefully, "Today afternoon Astra called Raze and"
Luna leaned in.
"—and?"
"And she said she wanted to talk to Raze privately."
Luna froze.
"…Privately."
Roger nodded.
"And then they left together."
Silence.
Then—
"Oh no," Luna said softly.
Roger blinked.
"Oh no… what?"
"Oh no no no no no."
She turned on her heel.
"My brother is being stolen."
Before Roger could respond—
WHOOSH.
Luna vanished in a burst of speed, leaving behind a startled group of students and one very confused Roger.
"…I should not have said anything," he muttered.
◆ ◆ ◆
Back atop the skyscraper, the sky had turned deep orange, fading into twilight.
Raze leaned slightly against the railing.
"Thanks," he said quietly. "For this."
Astra looked at him, surprised.
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do," he replied. "It's easy to forget the world can be… like this."
She nodded.
For a moment, neither noticed the faint sonic boom approaching from a distance—
Until—
"A S T R A."
The voice echoed across the rooftops.
Astra stiffened.
Raze blinked.
"…Is that—?"
Luna ran up to the next building over, eyes blazing.
"PUT. HIM. DOWN."
Astra stared.
"…Luna?"
Raze sighed.
"…She followed us, didn't she."
"I think she searched the entire city with superspeed to find me"
Luna crossed her arms.
"I leave him alone for ONE evening."
Astra raised both hands defensively.
"This is not what it looks like."
"IT NEVER IS."
Raze rubbed his temples.
The peaceful evening… had officially ended.
But strangely—
He was smiling.