Year X771 —
Location: Rosemary Village
Age: Ren (6) | Erza (6)
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Morning arrived gently, wrapped in birdsong and warm air.
Ren opened his eyes already smiling.
> That's new.
He sat up, stretched, and inhaled deeply—slow, steady, controlled. His breath felt natural now, like it belonged to him instead of something he had to chase.
Outside, steel rang softly.
Ren peeked through the doorway.
Erza was already awake, practicing sword swings in the clearing beside their hut. Each motion was clean. Balanced. Her bare feet dug slightly into the earth as she turned, red hair catching the sunlight like fire.
Ren leaned against the doorframe, watching.
> She looks… cool.
He cleared his throat loudly.
"…You know," he said casually, "most people stretch before swinging a sword."
She didn't stop. "…I did."
"…Most people also sleep in."
She finally paused and glanced at him sideways. "…Most people don't talk this much in the morning."
Ren grinned. "You noticed."
She turned fully toward him now, sword resting against her shoulder.
"…Why are you smiling like that."
"…Like what?"
"…Like you know something."
"I do."
She narrowed her eyes. "…Say it."
Ren stepped closer, hands behind his back, rocking slightly on his heels.
"…You look really strong this morning."
She blinked.
Once.
"…I always look strong."
"Yeah," he nodded seriously. "But today it's… extra."
A faint pink crept up her ears.
"…That's stupid," she said.
"But accurate."
She turned away quickly and resumed practice, swinging a little harder than before.
Ren watched, amused.
> Huh.
That worked.
Training passed quickly.
They practiced Total Concentration Breathing while moving—walking patterns, controlled strikes, light sparring with wooden sticks. Ren noticed something immediately.
Erza was more focused than usual.
More intense.
He blocked one of her strikes and laughed. "…You're trying to hit me harder."
"…You're annoying," she replied flatly.
"That's not a no."
She huffed.
They took a break under the tree near the field. Ren handed her water, careful to keep his breathing steady.
"…You've improved a lot," he said.
She took the flask, drinking. "…You say that every day."
"Because it keeps being true."
She studied him over the rim of the flask.
"…Are you trying to flatter me?"
Ren tilted his head, pretending to think. "…Is it working?"
She choked slightly and coughed.
"…Idiot."
He beamed.
Later, they helped in the village again—small tasks, simple things. Ren carried baskets of vegetables, Erza helped repair a broken cart wheel.
An older woman smiled at them.
"…You two are always together," she said kindly.
Ren opened his mouth. Erza answered first.
"…Yes."
Ren glanced at her, surprised.
She avoided his eyes.
> Oh.
Interesting.
They walked back in silence for a bit.
Then Ren leaned closer, lowering his voice. "…You didn't deny it."
"…Deny what."
"…That we're always together."
She kept walking. "…It's efficient."
"Efficient?"
"…We work better that way."
Ren's chest warmed.
"…I like being your efficiency partner," he said cheerfully.
She groaned. "…Stop naming things."
"I absolutely will not."
In the afternoon, the heat grew heavy again. Ren suggested resting.
Erza didn't argue.
They lay in the shade, watching clouds drift lazily overhead.
"…That one looks like a sword," Erza said.
Ren squinted. "…That one looks like you."
She turned her head sharply. "…What."
"…Sharp. Pointy. Dangerous."
"…That's three things."
"And impressive."
She stared at him.
"…You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"…Saying strange things."
He smiled softly. "You don't hate it."
She didn't answer.
But she didn't move away either.
Ren closed his eyes, focusing on his breath, but his thoughts drifted.
> When did this start feeling… warm?
Not scary. Not confusing.
Just warm.
As evening approached, they cooked together.
Ren chopped vegetables. Erza stirred the pot. Their shoulders brushed occasionally.
Each time, Erza stiffened—just a little.
Ren noticed.
"…You okay?" he asked.
"…Yes."
"…You sure?"
"…Yes."
"…You're turning red."
"…It's the fire."
"…The fire is over there."
She glared at him.
"…Ren."
"…Yes?"
"…If you keep talking—"
"—you'll what?"
She paused.
"…I don't know."
He smiled gently. "…Okay. I'll stop."
He didn't.
"…Your hair smells nice," he added thoughtfully.
She froze.
The spoon clattered into the pot.
"…WHAT."
Ren blinked. "…Is that bad?"
"…Why would you even notice that?!"
He shrugged. "…I stand close to you a lot."
Her face went fully red now.
"…You're impossible."
"…But am I wrong?"
She turned away, crossing her arms. "…No."
Ren's heart did something strange.
> Is this… flirting?
He wasn't entirely sure. He just knew he liked the way she reacted—and the way she stayed.
Dinner was quieter than usual.
Erza avoided looking at him. Ren pretended not to notice.
Afterward, they sat outside again, lantern light glowing softly.
The air was cooler now. Crickets chirped.
Erza hugged her knees, staring at the ground.
"…Ren," she said eventually.
"…Yeah?"
"…Why are you acting like that today."
He thought about it.
> Because I feel safe.
"…Because I like you," he said simply.
She stiffened.
"…As a training partner," he added quickly.
She relaxed—then frowned. "…Only that?"
Ren tilted his head, surprised. "…Do you want it to be only that?"
She went very still.
> Careful.
"…I don't know," she admitted quietly. "…But I don't dislike… this."
Ren smiled—not teasing this time. Just warm.
"…Me neither."
They sat close enough that their shoulders touched.
Neither moved away.
> Bonds don't always form in battles, Ren thought.
Sometimes they grow in words said too honestly.
The stars came out one by one.
Eventually, Erza leaned slightly against him—just for a second.
Ren didn't comment.
He just breathed.
Slow. Steady.
Together.
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End of Chapter 20 🌙❤️