Chapter 78: Shattered Promises, Blooming Resolve
The light filtered softly through the rustling branches above, creating dappled patterns across the path where Riku stood, his hands clenched into trembling fists. The early morning mist hadn't fully lifted from the forest that skirted the edges of Kazehana Academy. The air was heavy with dew, but also with something intangible—the weight of truths left unspoken.
Riku's mind was still haunted by the night before.
"You knew, didn't you? About my brother... about the Bloom fragment... about me," he had said to Airi, his voice barely containing the ache.
Airi's silence then had spoken volumes.
Now, he stood alone, staring out at the path that had once felt so familiar. So safe. The forest used to be a place where he and Ren would sneak off to, pretending to be warriors on a grand quest. That same path now felt like a corridor of memories—every leaf a whisper, every breeze a question.
Flashback: Three Years Ago
"Riku! Keep up!" Ren had laughed, his brown hair glinting in the sunlight as he dashed ahead.
"Hey, I'm the younger one! You're supposed to protect me, not run away!" Riku yelled, panting as he tried to catch up.
They had found a clearing once, far deeper than they should've gone. In the center stood a strange, radiant flower—silver-petaled and glowing faintly.
"You think it's one of those... Bloom things?" Ren had asked.
Riku had nodded. "Promise me we'll protect it together."
Ren had smiled and held out his pinky. "Pinky promise. Always."
Back to Present
That promise now felt like shards in Riku's heart.
Footsteps approached behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"You left early," Airi said softly.
"Couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I."
Silence stretched between them, tense and brittle.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? About the day Ren vanished? About what you saw?" Riku finally asked, still not facing her.
Airi's voice cracked. "Because I was afraid. Afraid you'd hate me. That you'd blame me for not stopping him... or for lying."
Riku finally turned to look at her. Her eyes were rimmed red. Guilt clung to her like a second skin.
"You're wrong," he said. "I don't hate you. I just don't know if I can trust you anymore."
Airi looked down, tears slipping silently down her cheek.
Elsewhere - A Secret Chamber Beneath the Academy
Professor Kael examined the broken pendant under the flickering light of old crystal lamps. The room smelled of dust and time.
"This pendant... it's reacting," he murmured.
The shard from Ren's original Bloom pendant was pulsing faintly, as if calling out to something—or someone.
"They're drawing closer to the truth," he said. "And soon, the Bloom King shall rise."
Meanwhile - The Rooftop of Kazehana Academy
Hinata, leaning on the railing, looked up at the sky, his mind racing. Riku was hurting, and so was Airi. But he was starting to piece something together too.
The dreams... the whispers in his sleep... the echo of another name: The Petal Heir.
"If I really am... then what am I meant to do?" he asked himself aloud.
A voice answered from behind him.
"You're meant to stand beside him. Or against him. It depends on your choices."
He turned. Himari stood there, wind tugging at her white cloak.
"You've been watching all along," he said.
She nodded. "Because Riku's not the only one chosen by the Bloom."
Back in the Forest
Riku finally stepped away from Airi, his voice cold but steady.
"I need time. And I need the truth. All of it."
Airi nodded. "Then I'll help you find it. Even if it means facing what I've tried to forget."
Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the pain between them softened.
But the world wouldn't wait.
A blast echoed across the forest. Birds scattered. Trees shuddered.
Riku and Airi ran.
At the academy gates, a figure cloaked in black hovered, a sinister Bloom crystal embedded in their chest. Eyes glowing violet.
"Bring me the Bloom King," the figure growled. "Or watch your world wilt."