Crack. Boom.
The sky exploded in a shower of blue and red light—fireworks still launching, unaware of the battle happening below the trees.
Ryker and the masked man clashed, their movements nearly invisible to ordinary eyes. Ryker dodged a slash and countered with a powerful kick, sending the man flying into a tree—but he flipped mid-air, landing smoothly.
"You've grown stronger," the man muttered, brushing dirt from his coat.
"Who are you?" Ryker demanded, fists raised.
"I'm one of the shadows you left behind," the man replied. "The world forgot us—but we never forgot you."
Clang!
Their weapons met—Ryker now wielding his hidden dagger, its blade shimmering faintly in the light. Sparks flew, mixing with the fireworks overhead.
The man vanished again.
Ryker spun just in time to block a surprise strike from behind. Trees cracked from the shockwaves. Animals scattered. The air itself pulsed with energy.
Back at the festival, Sol sensed the disturbance.
"Ryker's fighting," he said, eyes glowing faintly.
"I'll help," Shin said, already moving.
"No," Sol stopped him. "Let him handle it… for now."
In the clearing, Ryker was bleeding slightly from his shoulder, but his stance remained firm.
The masked man panted. "Still holding back?"
Ryker's eyes burned with focus.
"No," he said quietly. "I'm just waiting for the fireworks to end. So I can finish this… without ruining the show."
Above them, the final round of fireworks lit up the sky—a massive golden bloom that spread across the heavens like a phoenix.
Ryker blurred forward—fast.
Too fast.
The masked man barely reacted before Ryker's punch connected—full force to the chest—shattering his ribs and mask.
The man coughed blood, collapsing to one knee.
"You…" he gasped. "You're not supposed to exist anymore…"
Ryker's voice was ice.
"Tell your master," he said, turning away, "that I'm still here. And I'll destroy every shadow you send."
Then he vanished into the trees as the last firework fell, silent and cold.
The festival night was alive—colorful lanterns swinging in the breeze, the scent of grilled food drifting through the air, and laughter echoing in every direction.
But away from the crowd, Aisa sat alone on a quiet bench beneath a tree, her shoulders trembling slightly. The summer night was warm, but her skin was cold. Her head throbbed, her vision blurred.
She didn't want anyone to worry.
She didn't want to ruin the trip.
Footsteps approached.
She didn't have to turn to know who it was.
Ryker stood in front of her, silent at first. Then—
"You have a fever," he said plainly.
Aisa looked up, forcing a weak smile. "No… I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me," Ryker said, his voice low but firm.
"I just…" Her voice cracked. "I didn't want anyone to miss the fun because of me…"
Ryker was quiet.
Then he sighed.
"…I'm sorry."
"What—?"
Before she could react, Ryker moved.
A sharp chop to the back of her neck—gentle, controlled.
Aisa's eyes widened for a moment before her body slumped forward into his arms.
He caught her carefully.
"…Idiot," Ryker muttered under his breath, lifting her into a bridal carry. "Don't ever put yourself last like that."
He turned and walked away from the lights and music—his steps calm, his grip steady.
No one noticed the silent hero carrying the girl back under the night sky, fireworks still blooming behind them.
A faint breeze danced through the curtains. The room was dim, quiet—lit only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp.
Aisa stirred.
Her body felt light. Warm. A cool towel rested on her forehead. Slowly, her eyes opened.
She was in bed.
A soft blanket covered her, and the sound of distant fireworks still crackled outside.
Her gaze shifted… and there he was.
Ryker.
Sitting beside the bed, arms crossed, back leaned slightly against the wall. His eyes were closed—but his presence was sharp, watchful.
He hadn't left her.
He stayed.
Aisa blinked. "…You really didn't go back to the festival?"
Ryker opened his eyes slowly. "Why would I?"
"I'm… fine now. You should've—"
"Shut up," he interrupted, but not harshly. "You scared me."
Aisa paused.
Ryker's eyes softened just slightly. "You always carry everything alone. Always hide your pain. That's not strength, Aisa."
She looked down, guilty.
Then, quietly, she whispered, "I didn't want to be a burden."
Ryker sighed, leaned forward, and brushed her hair gently behind her ear.
"To me… you never are."
Aisa's eyes widened. Her heartbeat stumbled.
In the silence that followed, the final fireworks bloomed outside—brief, brilliant, fading into stars.
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting golden lines across the wooden floor. Birds chirped outside, and the scent of fresh breakfast drifted faintly through the hallway.
Inside the guest room, Aisa lay asleep, her breathing calm but slightly shallow. A damp towel had slipped slightly from her forehead during the night, and her cheeks still held a faint blush from the fever.
The door creaked open.
Celica stepped in first, quietly, holding a tray with soup and medicine.
"Aisa…?" she whispered, but Aisa didn't respond.
Behind her, Amelia, Minami, and Kaede peeked in.
"She's still sleeping," Amelia said softly, walking in. "She looks… exhausted."
Kaede sighed. "Poor girl. She must've been holding it in for days."
Minami crossed her arms. "Tch. Why didn't she say anything? She's so stubborn…"
Celica walked over and gently adjusted the towel on Aisa's forehead.
"She didn't want to worry us," Celica said. "She's like that."
Kaede nodded. "Let her rest. I'll prepare something warm when she wakes up."
"Where's Ryker?" Amelia asked, glancing around.
Celica smirked slightly. "Went out early. Said he'd get something important for Aisa."
Minami blinked. "What important?"
Celica's smile deepened. "Who knows… maybe something only he knows she'll need."
The group quietly stepped out, leaving the room silent once more.
Aisa shifted in her sleep, a faint smile curling at her lips—perhaps from a dream… or maybe, just maybe, from hearing the voices of the people who cared.
Soft footsteps echoed in the hallway as more voices approached the room.
Shin slowly opened the door. "She still asleep?"
"She is," Celica replied, standing near the bed.
King stepped in behind him, hands in his pockets, his usually sharp expression softening. "She never shows weakness, huh?"
Yumi frowned, placing a small flower bouquet on the side table. "We should've noticed something was off…"
Akira leaned against the wall. "She hid it well. Can't blame ourselves."
Hiroshi came in carrying a small bag of her favorite sweets. "She'll wake up soon. We'll cheer her up."
Arisu and Mio stood near the window, watching Aisa with concern.
"She looks peaceful," Mio whispered.
"Let's not crowd too much," Arisu said gently. "She needs rest."
Saki, quiet as always, left a folded paper crane on the bedside.
Izumi walked in last, followed by Ms. Sakamoto. He glanced at Aisa, then around at everyone else.
"She's lucky to have all of you," Ms. Sakamoto said softly. "But right now, let her rest. Your concern will mean more when she wakes up and sees your faces."
They all nodded.
"I'll stay behind," Celica said. "Just in case she wakes up."
As the group quietly left, one by one, the room grew still again. Celica sat by Aisa's side, brushing a strand of hair from her friend's face.
"You really scared everyone, you know?" she whispered with a soft smile. "Hurry up and wake up, dummy."