Spears of silver moonlight stretched across the polished wood of the Raiden estate's patio, bathing the quiet figure of Raiden Mei in soft, ghostly light. She sat alone, knees folded neatly beneath her, arms resting gently in her lap as her eyes traced the shape of the moon above.
A sigh escaped her lips, her fingers brushing against her chest—right above her heart.
It was beating louder than she'd felt in weeks.
Still fragile. Still uncertain. But undeniably alive.
"All because of them…" she whispered, lifting a small porcelain cup to her lips. The tea had gone cold, but the warmth it reminded her of hadn't. Her thoughts drifted—through bruised mornings and quiet glances—until they rested on three infuriating, wonderful souls who refused to leave her alone.
First, there was that graceful woman, the one who smiled like music and offered answers without judgment. The one who never prodded, never forced—but always knew. Always listened.
Then, the loud one. The girl who sparkled like an exploded firework. Who never took "no" seriously, and always had a new reason to drag Mei into something ridiculous. A mess of sunshine, stubbornness, and… unexpected warmth.
And finally—him.
That frustrating, maddening man.
At first, he seemed the calmest. The most reliable. The backbone of their strange little trio. But the more she watched him, the more she realized… he was also the dumbest. Impulsive. Clueless. Emotionally reckless. She could still feel the weight of his actions echoing in her chest, where he had thrown himself into chaos—forher.
"But he keeps me standing…" she murmured. Not guiding her. Not leading. Just… standingthere, holding her steady. He wasn't the light she chased, nor the hand that reached down into her shadows—he was the ground beneath her feet. Waiting.Silent. Unmoving.
"That's why I—" She stopped herself, shaking her head quickly, her cheeks pinking as a flash of long wine-red hair danced behind her eyes. That woman… she was always near him.
"Do I even deserve to?" she whispered into the night. She didn't know. But the fact that she even wanted to believe she might—it scared her more than anything else.
The wind rustled the leaves in the nearby trees. A soft thud echoed across the walls. Then, the doorbell rang.
She stood, brushing invisible dust from her lap. "Coming…" she called out softly, her voice steadier than it had any right to be.
___________________________________
Five Minutes Earlier.
"So this is the Raiden estate, huh?" Kiana grinned, standing tall atop Victor's shoulders as she peered over the wall. "Honestly? I was expecting more drama."
"Simple's good," Victor muttered, squinting up at her. "Actually kinda suits her."
"Hmm… Hey, Vicky?"
"What."
"You're not peeking up at my underwear, are you?"
"...What kind of question is that?" he deadpanned.
"Well, you do have Miss Eden," Kiana smirked, flailing her arms for emphasis. "But now you're gunning for Mei? You're like some insatiable love best!. I swear, if you make a move on me, your darling little sister—"
"There's so many things wrong with what you just said, I don't even know where to start."
"I'm just saying, you've got Main Protagonist Syndrome," Kiana grinned. "It's okay! I'm used to being third-wheel bait."
Victor groaned, trying to stay balanced. "I swear if you fall—"
"Oh, I'm not worried. You'd catch me. You love me too much."
"I might let you hit the ground just for saying that."
From the side, Elysia hummed wistfully. "I used to get jealous, but after Mobius… I've accepted that my lovely husband is simply too powerful for one woman. So now I just bring snacks."
Victor sighed. "I'm surrounded by enemies."
"Oh! Speaking of!" Elysia winked. "If you're so desperate for panties, Vic, here—take mine."
"I'M NOT OKAY."
With a yelp, he finally shoved Kiana off his shoulders. She tumbled to the other side with a muffled thud.
"Rude!" she cried, legs in a W shape as she sat up, glaring. "That's assault on your baby sister!"
"You're not my sister!"
"You threwme! You don't throw your family!"
"You landed in the bush!"
Victor vaulted the wall in one smooth motion, landing beside her like nothing happened. Kiana puffed her cheeks and marched after him toward the back door.
"Can you open it?" she whispered, crouching beside him.
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Look, the lock's new, okay!? I can't remember everything!"
"Great. Let's break a window."
"You fool! She'll catch us!"
Too late.
The door slid open with a quiet clack, revealing a very unimpressed Mei bathed in soft hallway light.
Her eyes fell on them—Victor crouched like a thief, Kiana mid-squat behind him—and she blinked once.
"...You two. Honestly."
A long sigh followed. Her cheeks flushed faintly, but she turned away and muttered, "Since you're here… you might as well come in."
She stepped inside.
Victor and Kiana exchanged glances. Then—
"Pardon me," Kiana grinned, darting ahead.
"OOOOH, IT'S FANCIER INSIDE!"
"Yuzu?"
"Hey."
"What are you doing here!?"
"Oh. I called Mei. Told her about your genius plan."
"YOU WHAT!?"
For the first time in a month, the Raiden household was alive again.
Lights glowing. Voices rising.
And, just faintly—
—hope returning