The night was still as our group gathered around Celestina in the training yard, the only light coming from a few lanterns and the moon overhead. On the table in front of us, several guns were neatly laid out, waiting to be used.
Celestina stood in front of us, a serious look on her face. "Tonight, we'll be learning how to shoot. It's important that each of you knows how to defend yourselves." She paused, her eyes briefly landing on me. "Even if it's not your strongest skill, you need to understand the basics."
Satoru picked up a gun with a steady hand, though it was clear he hadn't used one before. He adjusted his grip and looked at Celestina.
"I've never used one of these, but I'll try" he said, his voice calm.
Inaya, on the other hand, grabbed hers with confidence, already holding it steady as if she had done this many times before.
"I'm sure I'll catch on quickly," she said with a small smile.
Celestina nodded. "Good. The first step is getting comfortable with the weapon. It's important to know how to hold it properly."
She turned to show them how to grip the gun. "Like this," she said, demonstrating, "firm but not too tight. You want to maintain control without straining."
I watched closely, trying to pay attention, but when Celestina handed me the gun, my hands shook.
"Alright, Shin. Relax. It's just a gun, not a beast," Celestina said, her tone kind but firm.
I nodded, though my grip was still awkward. I aimed at the target in the distance and pulled the trigger. The shot went wide, hitting the dirt well outside the target. I winced. "Not even close," I muttered.
"Don't worry about it," Celestina said, giving me a small pat on the back. "It's your first time. Try again, but remember to breathe."
Meanwhile, Hana stood a little further back, looking unsure. She held the gun but didn't seem quite sure what to do with it.
"I'm not really sure about this," Hana said quietly, frowning. "I mean, I understand how it works, but holding it... it's different."
Celestina walked over and adjusted Hana's stance. "Relax. It's just about feeling the weight and getting used to the recoil. Don't overthink it."
Hana took another shot, but it still missed. "It's harder than it looks," she muttered.
Brother Cheng Hao and Riku, however, had no trouble at all. Both of them picked up their guns with practiced ease. Cheng Hao fired a shot that hit the bullseye without even pausing. Riku, not to be outdone, fired his shot with perfect precision, grinning as he did so.
"Just like breathing," Riku said casually, "You'll get it in no time."
Celestina glanced at them and nodded. "Not everyone's a natural," she said with a smirk, "but that doesn't mean you can't improve."
Riku tossed a quick glance at me, as I was still struggling to aim.
"You're making it harder by trying to force it," Riku said, walking over. He stood behind me and adjusted my stance. "Relax your arms, focus on the target, and stop thinking so much."
I tried again, this time my shot was a little closer to the target, though still off-center. "Better," Celestina commented. "You're getting there."
Satoru, while calm and focused, was having trouble getting a good shot. His hands weren't as steady as Inaya's or Riku's, but his aim wasn't terrible. "It's just going to take practice, right?" he asked Celestina.
"Exactly," Celestina replied. "You'll all improve, but it's about repetition and muscle memory."
Inaya, standing a little away from the group, took a few more shots, all of them hitting the target. She gave a small smile of satisfaction.
"This is easy," she said, her voice confident.
I looked at her, feeling a bit discouraged but trying to stay positive. I had improved a little, and maybe with more time, I could get better too.
Celestina gave a final nod of approval. "Alright, that's enough for tonight. You've all made some progress. We'll work on it again Tomorrow."
The group started to gather their things, some looking frustrated, others satisfied with their progress. I, though still far from a good shot, felt a little better.I wasn't the best, but at least didn't give up.
After we had cleared the table and wrapped up for the night I found myself wandering toward the balcony—the one hidden behind the old velvet drapes at the end of the west corridor. Our secret spot.
Something tugged at me. A quiet instinct, soft but certain, told me she might be there.
The night air was thick with the promise of rain, that familiar hush before a storm. I've always liked it—those moments when the wind grows bold, sweeping through the trees as if the world itself is holding its breath.
And just as I had felt, she was there.
Inaya stood with her hands resting lightly on the stone railing, her gaze fixed on the sky. The moonlight fell gently over her, brushing against the soft brown waves of her hair. Her almond-shaped eyes, deep and quiet like a forgotten forest, reflected the clouds drifting above us. There was something about the way she simply existed in that space—still, serene, like she belonged to the night itself.
I didn't say a word. I just stepped beside her, letting the silence speak between us.
"You were great out there" I spoke up.
She grined. "Why are you here? You have already done too much. Aren't you tired? It's late already. "
"What! You know? "
"Right Celestina told me. "
"You also know about Sergio? "
"Mmhh.. I do. "
"And you pretended like you didn't. "
She looked at me before replying "Well.. I didn't pretend. I was just minding my own business. So what's about it? How is your training going on with Sergio? Will he train you tomorrow as well?"
"That's what he said"
"You seem to be close with him now. "
"Aren't you too close with Celestina? "
"Haha... That's true but what I have heard from Celestina is different. "
"What is it? "
"I heard Sergio is an introvert he really doesn't talk with anyone. But it seems like Sergio liked you after all. "
"I don't know.. What I know is ... I think it's a good thing. "
"Yes it is. Since we are both close with those two. Let's take a chance. Shall we? " She smirked while looking at the moon.
The night air clung softly to the stone balcony, heavy with mist and unspoken thoughts. For a while, we stood side by side, neither of us breaking the silence, letting the wind carry the weight of the moment. Below us, the mansion lights flickered dimly like forgotten stars.
Inaya shifted slightly, her gaze still on the horizon. "You know," she began, her voice calm, steady, "We still have
a chance to get out of this dimension"
I turned to her, surprised—not just by her words, but by the gentle certainty in them.
"You notice things," she continued. "You read people well. That's not something everyone can do. It's a strength."
I blinked, unsure of what to say. Compliments weren't something I was used to—especially not from someone like her.
Inaya finally turned to look at me, brown eyes gleaming under the silver wash of moonlight. "I think we can work together."
"Work together?" I echoed.
"A partnership. An alliance," she said, her tone now purposeful. "You may not be a fighter, not yet. But you think ahead. You observe. And sometimes, that's more useful than a sword."
My lips parted, then closed again. I was trying to hide the faint flush of warmth rising to my face.
"You'll cover me where I lack," she said. "And I'll do the same for you. We balance each other."
I looked at her for a moment, studying the seriousness in her gaze. She wasn't saying this out of pity. She meant it.
I extended my hand slowly, awkwardly. "An alliance, then."
She took it without hesitation, her grip firm. "We'll look out for each other."