The morning sunlight barely skimmed the windowsill, failing to brighten the room.
The boy opened his eyes right on time, his body clock honed over years never missing a beat.
He dressed and washed up with practiced efficiency, then stood before the mirror.
The boy in the mirror had changed quite a bit since first arriving at the base. His dark green hair had grown much longer, the ends now brushing his neck—it was time for a trim.
His frame had noticeably stretched taller, his shoulders broader. The lines of firmer muscle were faintly visible beneath his training uniform.
He stared into his own orange eyes in the mirror, seeing the familiar resolve reflected there.
'Keep going, Kosma,' he murmured softly to himself.
Stepping out of his room, Kosma habitually glanced back at his bed.
It had been some time since he'd moved into this single-occupancy dorm. For some reason, he suddenly felt a twinge of nostalgia this morning for the days when he'd shared a room with Elwyn.
It was cramped back then, but there was always someone to talk to.
'Without even noticing, so much time has passed…'
He let out a soft sigh, then shook his head as if to cast off this untimely wave of sentimentality. 'This isn't the time for that. I should go find Dystopia.'
...
At the other end of the corridor, Dystopia was bent over, smiling as she ruffled Vya's little head. "Alright, hurry back now. Don't keep your sister waiting."
"Okay~! Bye bye, big sister Dystopia!"
The little one answered brightly, like a happy little bird, and turned to scamper off.
"Hey!"
Vya, sharp-eyed, spotted Kosma approaching and waved vigorously in his direction like a tiny whirlwind, her voice clear and loud. "Good morning, big brother Kosma!"
Before the words had fully faded, she was already a blur speeding down the hall.
"Uh, morning…"
Kosma instinctively raised a hand to return the greeting, only to find the corridor now empty before him.
He paused for a second, a little helplessly lowering his hand.
'So fast.'
Thump!
A palm landed lightly on his shoulder.
Dystopia had somehow appeared behind him, her smile bright. "Daydreaming? Let's go~"
"Oh. Right."
Kosma responded, falling into step behind her.
It was a scene pretty much like any other day, yet today he seemed to sense a slightly different flavor to it.
He pondered silently. This was probably the ineffable charm of life itself.
As they walked, Dystopia suddenly stopped and turned around.
She tilted her head slightly, a sweet smile blooming on her face, her orange hair catching the morning light.
Yet it brought to mind the saying…
A single glance back, a hundred charms born;
The powdered ladies of six palaces, their beauty shorn.
Her orange hair streams free and bold,
The young girl's heart, a story to be told.
Mm.
...
"Hey, Kosma, wanna come out with me later?"
Her tone held a note of anticipation.
Kosma thought her smile looked lovely right then—the kind of vividness that brightens one's mood.
But he just fell into his habitual moment of silence before asking, "What's up? Is it another task from senior Elysia?" He figured it was probably another errand to run or something to buy.
Dystopia was amused by his straightforward reaction and couldn't help laughing. "Oh, come on! If she had me running around buying things all day, I definitely wouldn't be wearing this expression!"
She explained, "I want to buy some little gifts for everyone on the team. Come with me, and help me pick things out?"
"...Okay."
Kosma nodded, agreeing without hesitation.
"Don't worry, there'll definitely be one for you too!"
Dystopia emphasized, deliberately slowing her pace to walk side-by-side with him.
The two walked down the long corridor, their pace neither fast nor slow.
Kosma did a mental calculation. He and Dystopia had known each other for a few years now.
Not an eternity, but certainly not a short time either. He considered himself to have a pretty good grasp of her personality—cheerful, warm-hearted, occasionally a little impulsive.
As for why she specifically asked him instead of Carol or other female squad members… Kosma had never delved too deep into a girl's thoughts. He simply figured she probably found it more convenient this way.
Not far behind them, around a corner, a semi-transparent figure stood quietly.
The red-haired older sister wore a gentle, pleased smile on her face, her gaze following the young boy and girl walking shoulder to shoulder.
She watched them silently for another moment before drifting away with a satisfied look.
Thinking about how Hua was with Elysia now, and how the worry in her eyes did seem to have faded considerably, Himeko felt much more at ease.
The only thing that slightly irked her was how Elysia liked to tease Hua from time to time…
Meanwhile, elsewhere, it was still night.
The night was deep. The children had just finished their evening prayers, their little faces appearing especially serene in sleep.
Aponia carefully tucked each one in, gazing at their peaceful sleeping expressions, a tender smile born from her heart gracing her lips.
She switched off the light softly and closed the door, her movements gentle as if afraid to disturb the tranquility.
Stepping out, she was unsurprised to see a familiar figure.
Kalpas, still wearing that iconic mask of his, was leaning silently against the corridor wall, almost merging with the shadows.
"Kalpas…"
Aponia's voice was very soft. "Did you have something to say?"
Kalpas didn't respond immediately. The silence behind his mask stretched for several seconds.
Aponia even wondered for a fleeting moment if he couldn't see clearly in the dark with the mask on.
"If there's nothing, you should return and rest early."
She suggested softly.
"I do."
Kalpas finally spoke, his voice low and cold.
"Very well."
Aponia nodded. "This is not the place for conversation. Let's go to the courtyard."
She did not want the children disturbed in any way.
The two of them, one after the other, quietly traversed the corridor and emerged into the small courtyard bathed in moonlight.
The night air carried a chill and the fresh scent of plants.
"That white-haired runt."
Kalpas got straight to the point, his tone carrying obvious impatience, though it seemed relatively restrained compared to his usual attitude.
"Why hasn't she come for so long?"
He was clearly referring to Vya.
Aponia's expression didn't change in the slightest, her voice still calm. "Everyone walks their own path, Kalpas. Vya has her own matters to attend to."
"I'm sick of hearing that from you!"
Kalpas's voice held suppressed irritation, but he seemed to be trying hard to control its volume, not erupting as he usually might.
"If you wish to leave this place…"
Aponia looked calmly at his mask. "Kalpas, I have never restricted your freedom. The door has always been open."
Kalpas turned his head sharply, his gaze seeming to pierce through the mask towards the door that had just closed, behind which the children slept. "And what about them? Why don't you let them out?"
He didn't use the term "runt" this time, as if knowing it would invite Aponia's admonishment.
"The outside is dangerous, Kalpas."
Aponia's gaze also turned to that door. "I do not wish for them to experience any more harm. Physical ailments can perhaps be healed, but there are many things in this world more terrible than illness."
She paused, her voice light yet imbued with a powerful strength. "Here, for now, it is safe."
"And I assure you, should the day ever come that disaster truly descends upon this place… I will protect them. That is my responsibility."
A night breeze rustled through the courtyard, leaves whispering. Aponia said no more, simply standing there quietly, the moonlight casting a silvery sheen over her.
Kalpas fell silent too. The expression beneath his mask was unknowable, but he did not refute her, nor did he press further.
He was thinking… that he, too, had a responsibility to protect this 'home'...
And so, only the silence of the night remained in the courtyard.
…
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