To psych myself out for Cold Steel 4 coming soon, I felt the need to write an idea I had in mind for a while now. Will basically spoil most of the Cold Steel arc and will reference the Crossbell and Liberl arcs on occasion. I'm also gonna keep these AN's as short as possible from now on.


Everything was dark.

People crowded around where he stood. No one paid attention to him. They were all clamoring over an event happening nearby. He didn't care. He wanted to go home and take a nap. Meditate even. What did his master always used to say?

"To truly master your sword, you must understand the nature of all things."

The only thing he wanted to understand right now was the feeling of his warm bed.

In an instant, his vision became clearer. It looked to be past dusk. White flashes of light from the various lanterns and streetlamps illuminated the night sky. He felt he was… forgetting something. Something important.

Water. He could hear the sounds of the ocean. The waves continued to call to him. Were they beckoning him over? A dark thought at first, but thankfully, his memory came back to him. He was at the harbor.

With the light of the moon guiding his way, he ran past the crowds of impatient partygoers and disgruntled families. Exiting the small park, he raced towards the railing that oversaw the docks. He found exactly what he was looking for: a bright light shining across the water from the edge of the pier.

But rather than the lighthouse as one might expect, the light took the form of a young girl. One who he had made a promise to.

As if she became privy to his thoughts, the girl turned her attention in his direction. Her curious gaze quickly morphed into a radiant smile. She waved her hand and called out to him.

"Reeeeeeeeean! Over heeeeeeere!"

He responded to her voice and bolted to her side. In an ironic twist, the light she emanated obscured her features. All he could make out was her body and her lips still curled into her dazzling expression.

"Sorry I'm late!" Rean said in between breaths. "I got held up."

She shook her head. "It's okay, Rean. I knew you would come."

The girl offered her hand and he accepted in kind. The two gazed over the railing, not looking at any sight in particular but marveling all the same.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah…" Rean has seen similar sights before. But this time felt different. Nothing could get him to explain why.

"But it's time for you to go soon, right?" she asked, slightly downtrodden.

He nodded. "We're leaving tomorrow. But… we can still keep in touch, right? You should visit some time."

"Hmm, I guess so. It does sound nice."

They shared a joyous laugh, already looking forward to their next meeting.

"Hey," he spoke up. "Can you do me a favor?"

She shot him a cheeky grin. "Depends on the request."

"That song you said you really like. Could you sing it for me?"

"Now? Putting me on the spot is a little embarrassing…"

"I thought it'd be perfect."

The girl pouted, but relented. "Fine. But on one condition."

He shrugged. Can't be that bad, right? "Okay, sure. What do you want me to do?"

The girl leaned forward towards him. Her lips were all he could focus on.

"You have to-" "Wake up!"

Rean looked at her quizzically. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?"

"I said, you have to…"

"Wake up!"

Rean fell off his bed at the sudden jolt. The pain of landing on the hard wooden floor spread through his body. With the pain subsiding somewhat, he turned his attention to his surroundings.

Desk by the window? Check. Eastern scroll on the wall? Check. Tachi on the pedestal? Check, check, check.

He had awoken in his room.

However, he noticed there was something different present. Someone more specifically.

"It seems you finally decided to awaken, brother."

His dear little sister Elise had decided to push him off the bed with no remorse.

"Good morning…" he groaned. "What's the occasion?"

She looked at him sternly, but sighed. "Mother and Father wanted to speak with us before breakfast. They said it was urgent."

Elise made her way to the door. "So please get yourself ready, Rean. It seems we're both going to be in it for the long haul."

Rean groaned again when the door closed.

He wanted to lie down for a while longer.


March S.1199 - Ymir, Hot Springs Paradise

Teo and Lucia Schwarzer had both decided they had had enough. Enough of the meetings with stuffy nobles trying to persuade them to raise their social ranking. Enough of stuffy nobles threatening to tear down their humble town of Ymir. Enough of stuffy nobles wanting Elise's hand in marriage to make a better name for themselves.

Stuffy nobles, in general, just sucked.

So color Rean and Elise surprised when they witnessed their father slam on the dinner table as their mother silently nodded at every one of his words.

"We're going on vacation!" The baron proudly proclaimed, his eyes burning with red hot flames.

If he burned any hotter, he'd probably melt all the snow in the area and effectively ruin one of Ymir's greatest tourist attractions. And as someone who very much enjoyed snowboarding, Rean thought it best to humor his father lest he no longer desire to make the top records.

"Where did you have in mind-"

"I'm glad you asked, son!" Out of seemingly nowhere, his father pulled out a standing bulletin board that was filled to the brim with brochures, newspaper clippings, handwritten notes, and documents regarding… their finances?

Rean and Elise gaped at each other. Judging by their mother's expression, they had been planning this extensively.

"After discussing it extensively with your father," she explained. "We have decided we're going to Crossbell's anniversary festival!"

The smile was as sweet as it can be, but the tone was enough to give the two Schwarzer siblings nightmares for the next two months.

"Isn't Crossbell rather far though?" Elise interjected. "I'd imagine you'd rather spend the day at the capital."

"We can go to Heimdallr any time, dear." Lucia explained. "And Crossbell is about as far as Ordis and we go there often enough. Besides, we would only need to worry about customs if we were to go to Crossbell."

The siblings looked at each other again.

"So? What do you two think?"

Rean sighed. He wasn't comfortable with the idea at all. Why would he? The whole reason why the Schwarzers' reputation among the nobility was down in the dirt was because of him. No one knew who he was or his origins. Just some no name kid who pretended to be nobility because a baron decided to take him in. He didn't want to be the reason why his parents suddenly decided to make an expensive holiday trip due to the stress.

Then again, if he had to listen to one more pompous noble ass hit on his nine-year-old sister once more, Rean would probably forgo all of his Eight Leaves training and get his rocks off in a different manner.

He had to use his tachi for something ever since his master put a halt to his training.

He looked at his parents and then back at Elise. He still wasn't fond of the idea, but decided it was best not to question it.

"Fine! Let's go to Crossbell." Rean waved his arms in defeat (even though he didn't put up much resistance in the first place) as his parents gave a light cheer. He was far too tired for this. "You two deserve it after dealing with so much already."

"If Rean thinks it's fine, then I have no objections either." Liar. Rean knew Elise wanted to go to Heimdallr to check out St. Astraia's campus, but had sworn to secrecy until she was truly certain about going there.

...He really regretted making his and Luke's "special" hiding spot so obvious. Curse his master and his magazines.

The baron and lady both shot up from their seats with the brightest grins the siblings had ever seen on their faces.

"Good! Because we're leaving tomorrow!"

"Huh?"


S.1199 - Crossbell City, Crossbell

Crossbell was huge.

While the overall size was smaller than Heimdallr, the architecture looked so much more advanced. Tall, modern buildings littered the entire city. Thanks to the Landscape Act, construction of any tall buildings was strictly forbidden in Heimdallr. Crossbell really knew how to make a guy feel small. The big bell in the middle was a testament to that.

From Central Square alone, there was a large department store, a really nice restaurant, and even an orbal factory. If he looked a little further, he could see a multi-story building for the local newspaper. It reminded Rean a little of Vainqueur Street, but the rounded structure of the area made it feel more inviting to be in. Also no need to watch for orbal cars all the time. As convenient as they are, they annoyed him as a pedestrian.

However, thanks to the anniversary festival, large crowds infested the streets. Luckily it wasn't too uncomfortable to move about, but it would be quite a while before they could experience any of the stands.

"I believe East Street is… that way!" Teo Schwarzer directed everyone's attention to the right of the plaza. As the name suggested, the road invited tourists in with an eastern style archway similar to the one back in Ymir. The architecture was reminiscent of the style as well, reminding Rean of home aside from the obvious lack of any snow.

Their father apparently booked a stay at the Long Lao Tavern and Inn. Despite Crossbell's size, the only places to stay were there or a ridiculously expensive hotel in the Entertainment District. Rean may have only been twelve, but he had an idea what goes on down there.

It would be a cold day in Gehenna before he would let Elise go there.

Thankfully, the inn was more than accommodating. The interior consisted of dining tables with the kitchen fully visible from the counter. A terrifying older man was handling all the cooking while a receptionist took care of all the incoming guests and customers. The aroma of eastern style dishes wafted in Rean's nostrils and begged him to devour them. Maybe he should consider getting some fried rice for dinner? Some gyoza sounded good too.

Or maybe he should save his appetite for some festival food. Even the people of Crossbell only get to enjoy them once a year after all.


Room reached. Luggage unpacked. Tachi unequipped.

Rean sighed.

Yes, he realized that maybe bringing a weapon into a crowded city may not have been the best of ideas. Especially since it was festival season and security would be even tighter. Elise even scolded him for being paranoid when they left Ymir. Good thing he had the foresight to wrap it in a cloth casing to hide it from any prying eyes.

But ever since that day three years ago, he always felt the need to stay in control. If he needed to hold a weapon by his side to feel that jurisdiction over whatever that power was, he'd do it in a heartbeat.

Ever since he started his Eight Leaves training, he had noticed his sister suddenly taking up fencing. A part of him—a very cynical one at that—was almost convinced she learned to protect herself from him if the time ever came. The last thing he wanted was his whole family being terrified of him. Elise was more than enough.

But this was a festival: a time to cut loose and enjoy themselves. He shouldn't think about the next opportunity when he'd need to pull out his sword to protect himself. Though he'd best steer clear of that downtown area. He sensed a malicious presence down there.

Perhaps he was being too judgmental towards the inhabitants down there, but Rean and his family came here to relax and have fun. It was best to not get too involved since they were only there as tourists.

He let out another sigh.

Maybe this festival could be the perfect pick-me-up he needed.


The festival was a lot less stressful than Rean anticipated. Despite the large population, the majority of Crossbell's streets weren't especially crowded. Based on the murmurs of several tourists, he surmised that some of them went to Armorica Village to get a taste of the countryside or the Ancient Battlefield for sightseeing. Apparently some of them wanted to check out the local mining town and St. Ursula Medical College too? Certainly not his cup of tea, but who was he to judge?

Their parents elected to explore the Entertainment District (Rean wanted no answer to that one), while he and Elise chose to check out the closer areas. East Street had a variety of vendors selling his favorite snacks that his master had introduced him to: pork buns, manjuu, takoyaki. The selection made his stomach roar louder than the monsters in Ymir Valley.

However, he decided to stick to a light snack so he could try out the other stands later. Melon bread should do. No need to whet his appetite too quickly.

The stands aside, the bracer guild was quite a sight to behold considering how rare bracers have become these past few years. Ever since the rise of Chancellor Osborne a few years ago, the professional everyday heroes have dwindled in number. The novelty itself made Rean a little tempted to walk in and ask for an escort during the festival, but decided against it.

Perhaps he should consider taking up the supporting gauntlet himself as a possible career path? Maybe he'd struggle to take off considering the current state of Erebonia, but it was always an option.

Central Square looked about the same as it did when they first entered the city proper. Crowded with nothing terribly interesting to a twelve-year-old boy and his nine-year-old sister. Though now they could see a man handing out balloons and… was that a burger stand?

"So where do you want to go now, Elise?" Rean examined the map. Residential Street was safe to avoid if the name was anything to go by and the Entertainment District was already a no go, so their choices were…

"Hmm," Elise's eyes glided through the map. "How about we go through the Administrative District and then circle to the Harbor District? West Street only has a bakery to check out, so we can go there later."

"The Administrative District?" His eyes narrowed at his sister. "You're not thinking of going to the library during a festival, are you?"

Elise glared at him. "And what's so wrong with that? It would be a good way to relax away from the people! Besides, there's a big fountain there and I wanted to take a picture of it." She held out her new orbal camera.

Rean relented and followed her to a congested yet spacious area. If it weren't for the large police department building and mansion-like city hall, the district would have reminded Rean of Mater Park back in Heimdallr. Next to the large water fountain, Rean could make out two orbal food trucks with one selling juice and the other ice cream.

A few pictures later, Elise snagged a delicious frozen treat from the vendor. Vanilla with sprinkles, of course. Far be it from him to try out the more festive flavors, but it was her call. In the end, it was just a frozen glob of sugar. Sweet, delectable sugar. Damn, now he wanted one.

Rean claimed an empty bench near the fountain. Unlike with Heimdallr, there weren't any tram systems in place to get around the area. The buses were probably the closest alternative, but those only drove outside the city. It was hard to complain since Crossbell was a spectacle in itself, but the amount of walking they had to do was killer on their feet.

Maybe he was slacking in his training? Technically, he no longer studied under his master's tutelage. Well, to be more precise, his master needed to cut his formal training short for his travels. The amount of scrolls and books he left behind for Rean to go over himself was nigh uncountable. Or maybe he just needed to build his stamina with better methods.

Maple used to suggest that he should meditate under a frozen waterfall or something to that effect like they do in those books, but this was Maple after all…

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Someone catch them!"

Rean immediately examined his surroundings. A girl's voice? It sounded familiar, but he figured that wasn't important at the moment. He looked up. A pair of balloons? One blue and the other red. They were floating in the air like leaves in the wind. Okay, that was everything he needed to know.

Rean sprung from his seat and readied himself into a running position. In an instant, he dashed towards a nearby lamp, being sure to keep his distance from any onlookers. With a short hop from the concrete of the ground to the metal pole, he kicked the lamp with enough force to propel himself into the air.

Swish, snatch, and flip.

The people around him became a blur. No longer could he focus on their presences. His mind became clear as the events replayed in his head, from the initial dash to the midair twirl and spin onto his feet.

Boom! Perfect landing!

Okay, he admitted that the pose at the end was a bit too much, but he couldn't help it. Demon Prince Rean once again proves his superiority!

Okay, not a memory Rean wanted to remember. That was an embarrassing time for everyone back home.

At least the spectators all clapped for his save! Though he could sense that Elise was mentally admonishing him after returning with her ice cream…

She arched her eyebrow at him with an unamused expression. She was a sweet girl, but she really didn't let him have a moment sometimes.

Wait, was he forgetting something? Oh right, the girl! Before he could search for the origin of the voice, he got tackled into the ground by an immensely strong blur of pink.

"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" she cried out.

"Uh… y-you're welcome?" Rean said awkwardly. At least he tried to with how much the girl was crushing his ribs. "C-Could you let go? It's a little hard to breathe."

"Oh! Sorry!" She loosened her grip and helped him onto his feet.

"Rean, are you alright?" Elise came running over. She sure took her sweet time, considering her ice cream was already half gone…

"Yeah, I'm fine." He dusted off the loose concrete gravel from his pants. "Good thing I made it in time."

The girl bowed, maintaining her grip on the balloons. "Thank you again for that. I wanted to get something for my siblings since they couldn't come out today."

"It's no problem at all," Rean replied with a wave of his hand. "Just glad to be of help."

The girl smiled. Now that he could see straight, Rean took a good look at her. She looked to be about Elise's age. Her casual wear signaled that she was very used to the area, perhaps a local, but the most striking feature of hers was her vibrant pink hair tied into a short ponytail with a white ribbon.

"Oi, kid!" A new voice interjected Rean's thoughts.

The three turned their attention to two older men. One with disheveled red hair, the other with much longer locks, both in matching uniform.

"Hi, officer!" The girl greeted. 'Officer'? Oh crap, did she mean these two are…?! The tension in the air skyrocketed.

Rean scrambled to bow down and avoid looking at the two men in the eye. "I-I'm so sorry officer! I don't know what came over me! I-It won't happen again!"

"Whaaaat? No!" The girl interrupted. "You were so cool! It was like bam! And then you went swoosh! And then the flip at the end? It was like something from Arc en Ciel!" She tried recreating his moves with hand gestures and sound effects. It was flattering, but he'd sooner call it embarrassing.

The red-haired man held up his hands, genuinely surprised that Rean would apologize. "Yeah, slow down kid! You're good, you're good. Just wanted to say those moves of yours were pretty awesome! Where'd you learn that?"

The other man turned to glare at his partner. "Honestly, you're far too lax. He could've gotten hurt."

"Are you kidding me? That jump was sick! So, kid? How'd you pull it off?"

Rean awkwardly scratched his cheek. "Well, I trained with my master for a while so I guess I was able to apply my sword training to my movements." There was no way in Gehenna that he was about to tell two grown men he was inspired by a comic book character. "So, uh, does this mean we're not in trouble?"

The red-haired man laughed. "Weeeeeell, I'm technically supposed to give you a warning at least, so let's just leave it at that. Man, wait till my little brother hears about you!"

The officer walked off, sending out a wave. "You kids enjoy the festival now. Don't do anything too crazy, you hear?"

The other man silently looked at Rean. Despite the now absent man's jovial demeanor, he still felt extremely intimidated by this one's presence. He could feel Elise slightly squirm behind him, but the other girl seemed to be just fine. Excited, even.

The long-haired man sighed. "Like my partner said, don't do anything rash to get yourself hurt. With that in mind, please have a good time at the festival."

And there he went. Rean and Elise exhaled a long held breath of relief. Meanwhile, the girl waved goodbye back to the men without a care in the world. There was something about that man that Rean couldn't quite pinpoint, but he felt that he was able to look into his very being. Spooky, to say the least, but it wasn't like he hadn't already had to deal with that thanks to his master.

The girl snapped her fingers in realization. "I completely forgot! I still have to properly thank you for helping me out earlier!"

"Oh, you don't have to do that." Elise said, waving her hands to decline the offer.

"My parents always said that you should repay your debts." she said, ignoring Elise. "You helped me, so I should help you."

"Actually…" The girl stepped forward and looked at the siblings with her discerning emerald eyes. "You two aren't from around here, are you?"

Rean was taken aback by her incessant starting, but relented and shook his head. "No, we're from the Empire actually. Our family is here on vacation."

"You're Erebonian?" She kept examining them in fascination, like she was a child in a candy shop. Eventually, she stepped away and put her hands on her hips proudly. "How about I show you around the city? I'm Juna Crawford, by the way. Crossbell native! It's nice to meet you!"

Rean wasn't sure how to handle energetic girls like this one. At least with Maple, he had Lisa to keep her settled down. This Juna girl was a different beast all together.

Still, she seemed really nice. It would be rude not to introduce themselves when she offered to escort them.

"Likewise, Juna. I'm Rean Schwarzer, and this is my sister Elise."

His sister curtsied. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Juna."

"Oh, wow, so formal. Dad told me about how people from the Empire were kinda like that."

The siblings glanced at each other for a brief moment before laughing. "I suppose we are. It's a force of habit. Sorry."

"Not at all! I actually kinda liked it!" The siblings confusingly glanced at each other. "Oh, I know! Why don't come over to my home? I'm sure my parents would love to meet you!"

Without hesitation, Juna grabbed Rean's hand and started to drag him away. Quickly. She was… a lot stronger than she appeared. Did she even need his help earlier?

"H-Hey, w-wait!"

"J-Juna! This is too sudden!" Elise tried to stop her, but eventually had to resort to sprinting to even keep up with the two.

Just his luck that he'd run into such a weird girl on just the first day of the festival.

Unbeknownst to the three, the long-haired officer continued watching over the young man among their group.

"Hey, Arios," called his red-haired partner. "Something up?"

"...No, it's nothing. Let's go, Guy."


"You're insane."

"Ah, come on! It'll be fiiiine. I'm sure they'll love you!"

"I don't think it'll be that bad, Rean."

As much as he'd like to believe her, Elise's voice slightly betrayed her words. After being dragged all the way to West Street, they stood in front of a door inside Bellheim Apartments. It was quaint. It was no Phoenix Wings, of course, but the fact that you entered from the top floor did make the architecture far more interesting than Rean had anticipated.

Knock knock knock

"I'm home!" Juna greeted.

The door swung open. Out came a woman with slightly messy pink hair and wearing an apron over her clothes. Juna's mother, if he had to hazard a guess.

"Oh Juna! Back so soon?"

"Yup! I even brought back some new friends!"

"So you did." She eyed the two newcomers but greeted them with a smile. "I'm sorry Juna dragged you two all the way here. She's always loved meeting new people."

"Oh no, it's no trouble at all." Elise dismissed with Juna audibly pouting.

It was rather... surprising to be yanked like a sack of potatoes through multiple districts, but Rean didn't want any annoyance to be reflected by his tone and decided to comply with Elise's brushing off.

"She's right. In fact, we thought we could use Juna's help. See, we're not from around here and she offered to show us around during the festival."

The woman looked at Juna quizzically to which she excitedly nodded. "Yeah, Mom so listen to this. Rean was super cool. So first I accidently lost Ken and Nana's balloons I got for them so he ran and jumped on a lamppost to grab them for me! He even did a flip in the air like the dancers in the theater!"

"She's… mostly exaggerating." Rean said, turning red at the praise. It was not like she was lying. It was pretty cool.

Juna's mother chuckled. "Ah, forgive my manners. I'm Lina. It's nice to meet you. Would you two like to come in?"

Though hesitant at first, the two Schwarzers complied. The Crawfords seem nice enough and Rean couldn't sense any danger nearby either. As weird as Juna was, it wouldn't hurt for Elise to make new friends her age.

Before they knew it, they had entered their home and engaged in conversation. Rean and Elise introduced themselves while Lina had provided snacks and tea that were a far cry from what they were used to in Ymir. The cookies specifically had an intense sweetness to them unlike anything they've had before. Juna explained how they were made from honey that was produced in Armorica Village.

They learned that Juna's father was part of the sales department in a hotel on the other side of Lake Elm. Mishelam, was it? Would probably be a good idea to recommend the place to their parents after spending a good part of a decade dealing with nosy nobles.

In turn, Rean and Elise talked about themselves. Elise expressed her desire to attend St. Astraia in the imperial capital while Rean had a few prospects but hadn't made a final decision. They talked about their hometown and how much they loved the hot springs there. Rean even took the time to brag about his holding of the junior snowboarding record. Eventually they ended up on the topic of their family.

"Hang on, you're nobles?! Like, the super rich people with servants and maids?!" Juna asked, her jaw slightly agaped.

"Juna, that's rude." Lina scolded, eliciting a whine from the young girl and an awkward laugh from the siblings. "I apologize if Juna did anything to offend you. I hope you will forgive her."

"It's no trouble at all." Elise reassured as Lina exhaled in relief. "And to answer your question; Juna, no, we don't have that much money to our names. Our parents only run a barony, so we're much smaller compared to other Erebonian nobles." Elise sighed. "In fact, our hometown feels more like a small town than anything you'd might be used to."

Rean nodded. "Our parents prefer being self-sufficient anyway. Elise and Mom do most of the cooking while Dad and I hunt and gather other resources for the town. The closest thing we have to maids are the employees who work at the inn. Other than that, we take care of everything ourselves."

"Huh, I always thought nobles would be a lot more… stuffy."

"Juna."

Their composure suddenly dissipating, Rean and Elise fell into a fit of giggles. That was exactly how their parents would describe other nobles.

"There certainly are people like that." Rean tried to coherently form his words through his laughter and failing. "Since we're lower on the social ladder, so to speak, nobles would often discuss several... proposals. Mom and Dad hate having to deal with them all the time, so they'd totally agree with that."

"Huh… Erebonia sounds… complicated." Juna said, deep in thought. She was definitely right in that aspect. Whatever the Schwarzers had to deal with was most likely a drop in the bucket compared to any other affairs the higher ranked nobles had to contend with. It almost made Rean grateful that their barony only encompassed Ymir.

"So!" Lina interjected by clapping her hands together. "If you two wouldn't mind, do you want to stay for lunch? With the festival going on, who knows how long the lines will be? Afterwards, Juna can make good on her promise."

Coming from a native, it didn't take much convincing for the siblings to stay for a while longer. As strange as Juna was at first, Rean had grown to enjoy her company. He would have understood if she was more reluctant to learn about Erebonian culture seeing as how Crossbell was constantly stuck between their skirmishes with Calvard. But her curiosity and willingness to listen had endeared her to him.

Yes, she and Elise would get along swimmingly.

The rest of the day went as planned. Juna excitedly showed Rean and Elise around the rest of the city after lunch, stopping by several venues that were well out of the way of the usual tourist attractions. One in particular stood out where she and the old lady running an antique store in the back alley had a wild conversation going. Rean had been on edge the entire time, steeling himself to run away with Elise in tow the moment he sensed danger. Juna - in all her glory - didn't even flinch at the strange atmosphere.

Seriously, Rean did not understand this girl.

Well… that wasn't completely true. The way her eyes sparkled when they explored the harbor. The way her voice squeaked when describing Central Square. The way she danced around in East Street when eating from the vendors. Rean knew with absolute certainty...

Juna Crawford truly loved Crossbell City.

It was practically cathartic to see someone so enthusiastic about their hometown. It wasn't like Rean disliked Ymir - far from it. In fact, he couldn't have nurtured his love of hot springs if it weren't for his small, wintry town. So why did he feel a disconnect? Why had he never felt like he belonged there?

Luke, Maple, Lisa. They were all just people he met through sheer luck. His family? Just so happened to find him in the middle of nowhere. He wasn't born there. Hell, he might not even be Erebonian for all he knew.

He felt pride in his hometown, but it paled in comparison to what Juna possessed: a strong sense of adoration and belonging.

Whatever the case, her love intrigued Rean.


The next day

As per Lina's recommendation, Rean and Elise suggested that their parents check out Mishelam for the chance to relax. Part of the resort was under construction, but there was still plenty of stuff to enjoy for tourists. The famous massage parlor, a super fancy restaurant, and a trendy boutique. There was also a jeweler over there; but it was members only, to the dismay of one Lucia Schwarzer. Thankfully, Aidios was smiling upon their wallets today.

As for them, Juna had proposed that they all visit the areas outside the city. Apparently, they had already checked out all of the best attractions on their first day. There was supposed to be a concert at the Harbor District today, but Juna informed them that that never ended well thanks to the delinquents from downtown. That did lead to another issue though…

"Aren't they gonna think it's weird for three kids to be using the bus alone?"

"Ah, don't be a stick in the mud!" Juna giggled at Rean's baffled expression. "We'll just tell them that our big brother Rean will be our bodyguard."

"H-Hang on, what?!"

Elise joined in the giggling. "Come now, brother. Surely you must safely escort two young ladies as they enjoy the festivities."

"What am I, a bracer now?" Rean groaned. As much as he wanted to protest, he couldn't say no. Elise usually wasn't one for teasing, but seeing her have fun with Juna warmed his heart. "Fine, I'll do it."

"Little Sisters 1, Big Brother 0!" The girls cheered with a high five.

He glared at Juna. "Please don't call yourself that…"

In retrospect, he was glad that he brought along his tachi and even more grateful to have packed Elise's rapier just in case. The last thing he wanted was to send Elise into a fight, but he'd definitely feel better if she had a way to defend herself.

They had decided to limit themselves to only visiting Armorica Village and the Ancient Battlefield today. The only thing to learn about Mainz was how their mining systems worked and it wasn't like a medical college would be terribly interesting to kids their age anyway.

The idea of being around medical equipment was enough to make him nauseous. Pretty sure he didn't have a thing for nurses either. ...As far as he knew, anyway.

The trip, despite him holding on to a comically long carrying case, was delightful. Confirming his earlier suspicions, the bus was pretty much like the trams in Heimdallr with seats against the windows and the handle straps hanging from the ceiling. Thankfully the bus was far more spacious, leaving for much needed legroom.

Meanwhile, Juna desired to quench her curiosity of Erebonia and quickly fired them with questions. What were the cities like? How did they get around? What were the local pastimes? Would a rhinocider theoretically be able to beat Rean in an arm wrestling contest? That last question aside, the siblings answered to the best of their combined ability. Juna responded in kind, being nothing short of attentive and receptive of all the new knowledge she was learning.

Rean liked to consider himself a good judge of character. Though he had his own issues to work through, he could tell if someone was genuine or not. In spite of his earlier fears, he knew Elise didn't specifically take up fencing to put him down whenever he got like… that. She just required a method of self-defense when worse comes to worst.

Where was he going with this again? Oh right. Even though they had only known each other for a day, Rean had come to the conclusion that he had taken a shine to Juna. She was energetic and chaotic, yet thoughtful and open-minded. Such a bubbly outlook might be beneficial to him in the long run. Elise must have felt the same way. The smiles they exchanged in the throes of conversation. The instant bond they formed during their visit to the Crawford residence. They definitely made good friends.

A cynical old bastard would probably tell him that such a mindset was poison to his brain. He wasn't being a 'good judge of character' but rather a trusting doormat that's waiting to be taken advantage of. The world of nobles was a cruel one indeed and it terrified him even more that Elise may inherit the title of Baroness Schwarzer.

Best to push those thoughts aside. That day wouldn't come for a while after all.

Armorica Village's beauty went far beyond that of a mere village. The green pastures, the luscious fountains and rivers, and the beautiful flower fields exemplified why the town was a popular tourist destination. Such a far cry from the bustling city, but just as impressive.

If he could, Rean would lie down on the grass and take a nap for the rest of the day. Deciding against the temptation, he instead chose to purchase some of their famous honey as souvenirs at Juna's suggestion. Mr. Werner and Mr. Gerald did mention that they wanted to mess around with sweets in their recipes while Mrs. Camilla had told him that she wanted to experiment with the general store's inventory. Rean felt a little bad for her husband, but it was probably best to comply with her request.

Apparently Juna knew some of the kids in the village. Perhaps from Sunday School? Crossbell State was not exceptionally huge, so it would not have been surprising if there was only one cathedral within its borders. As they exited the general store, a few of them decided to strike a conversation with her.

"Hey, Juna!" A boy and a girl approached them with a feeling of familiarity. Both of them appeared to be no older than the girl they addressed. Juna waved back to her friends.

"What are you doing here?" One of them asked.

"I'm giving the grand tour to my new friends." She gestured to Rean and Elise with only the latter capable of exchanging pleasantries. The former was holding way too many bags. "They're new around here."

The two gave them curious looks. Rean assumed that Erebonians were a common sight in Crossbell, but perhaps they rarely went out of their way to visit a remote village such as this one. Erebonians may be rich in culture and proud of their history and tradition, but they really weren't the most open-minded people when it came to accepting the customs of foreign lands unless they were annexed. He had heard a card game from Jurai had been slowly becoming more popular since it became a special economic zone but wouldn't have gained traction otherwise. Maybe he should give it a try some time.

With the whole point of his train of thought finally established, Rean understood that his and Elise's appearances must have been totally foreign to the children. Before he knew it, they had shifted their conversation back to Juna.

"They seem pretty nice, but the older one seems kinda scary." The girl whispered that second part. Rean instinctively relaxed his brows. He hadn't realized that he had been wearing a scowl during the exchange. Coming off as unfriendly was the absolute last thing on his list of things to do, especially with people he had just met.

"Far from it! In fact, I think he's really cool!"

Rean stared at Juna, befuddled by what he just heard. Once again, she felt the need to recall his stunt the other day, her eyes sparkling as she regaled the event with minor exaggeration. The way the two other kids' eyes widened with every word made him blush a little.

Elise shot him a sly grin. "Did you hear that, brother?" She whispered. "Juna thinks you're 'really cool'."

"...Can it." He hoped his face wasn't as red as it felt.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to ask." The boy turned back to their pink-haired companion. "Are you going to see the fireworks tonight, Juna?"

"You bet! I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Elise arched her brow. "Fireworks?"

"Mhm! Fireworks are a tradition on the second night of the festival. They always try to top the previous years' display and they haven't failed yet!"

"That sounds lovely," Elise clapped her hands together in joy. "What do you say, Rean?"

He thought for a second. It didn't sound like a bad send off to their last day in Crossbell. With the festival ending tomorrow, it was best that they get as much done before the train leaves. A fireworks show just might do the trick.

"Sure, sounds fun. Mom and Dad did say that they're gonna stay at the resort all day, so we can spend the night however we want."

"Alright, don't you forget it!" Juna cheered.

The merriment was short-lived however, as Juna realized the tour bus was about to leave. She bid farewell to her school friends and ran on ahead. Rean and Elise said their goodbyes as well and trailed behind their energetic friend.


The Ancient Battlefield.

A large region known and named for being a battleground during the countless wars between Erebonia and Calvard. Home to dilapidated ruins, coursing rivers, monsters, and the spirits of millions of dead soldiers. The most valuable sight however, was the Sun Fort— an ancient fortress in the far recesses of the area, said to be used during the wars and created by Crossbellan alchemists during the Middle Ages.

So, suffice to say, everything was picture worthy.

It baffled Rean why such a dangerous location would even be open as a tourist destination. Tensions between Erebonia and Calvard were still at an all-time high. For all they knew, the two countries would throw themselves into another skirmish because some politician ate their lunch funny at a conference or something equally as asinine. Plus, there were all the monsters wandering around.

He didn't notice at first, but there were a few bracers accompanying them during their tour. That did give him some peace of mind at the very least. The bus was also equipped with orbal lights that repelled monsters similar to lamps that are kept on the highway. But even with all these precautions, bringing all these tourists here might as well be offering them up to Death's door.

So why were they there? Frankly, it was due to Juna's insistence.

Rean would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little curious. Being a swordsman meant learning about the lore of its origins and that wasn't limited to his Eight Leaves school. As an Erebonian, he had to study the histories of the Vander and Arseid styles as well even if he didn't have to strictly learn their techniques. You'd think that there were only so many ways you could swing a sharp stick, but Rean soon learned otherwise.

What it really boiled down to was that learning about swordplay also led to learning about the history of warfare. Observing an actual battlefield up close may do him some good on that front. However, he was hesitant to bring Elise along. Despite his worries, she stood firm and reminded him that she could take care of herself. He didn't doubt her but… he supposed he did bring her rapier for a reason.

Rean was in charge of the orbal camera this time. Every so often, he flashed the lens to take an assortment of pictures: charred dirt made from cannon fire, destroyed stone buildings, damaged cliff sides, and last but not least; the Sun Fort.

He must admit, Juna's enthusiasm had been rubbing off on him. You'd think with a girl her age, she'd be more interested in the city life and all it had to offer; or maybe that was his own hidden prejudice showing. But here she was, a nine-year-old girl giving two foreigners a tour of a historical landmark in her country. Perhaps she didn't know everything there is to know about Crossbell, but her pride of her home bled through her words and actions. She loved more than just Crossbell City. Juna Crawford loved everything about Crossbell.

"Rean, look!"

The boy followed the voice up several stone staircases that branched from the entrance of the Sun Fort—which was closed to the general public. The source of the voice, Elise, pointed over the cliff, directing his attention elsewhere. Beyond where they were standing, there was absolutely nothing except an endless void of clouds engulfing the land below. Words could hardly describe its beauty.

Click!

Yup, that one was totally going into the album.

"It's so beautiful…" Elise said in awe.

"Isn't it?" Juna boasted from behind, her arms crossed in triumph.

"Yeah…" Rean agreed. "You really don't see places like this in Erebonia."

Wait a minute. Did he just hear something?

"Well, now that our grand tour has come to end, it's time for the million mira question! What do you two think of Crossbell? Pretty neat, right?"

Elise beamed. "Of course! Crossbell is teeming with culture that I don't even know where to begin. The diverse mix of modernism with a traditional flair is unquestionably unique. I'd have a difficult time deciding what I didn't like about it!"

Juna nodded enthusiastically, the praise broadcasting itself as music to her ears. "And you, Rean?"

"..."

"Uhh, Juna to Rean?" Juna quirked her brow, noticing that the boy was barely paying attention. She waved her hand in front of his face. "Reeeeean? You in there?"

"Get down!"

Rean grabbed Juna's wrist and tackled both her and Elise into the ground just in time to barely dodge an incoming burst of flames. The bushes and trees behind them rustled and several figures jumped out from beneath the shadows of the foliage.

Monsters.

He counted three in total. Quadrupeds sporting a rotting orange color with brown spots over their bodies and curved horns similar to tusks on each side of their heads. The front legs had razor sharp claws and were similarly built as human arms—as if these beasts were grotesquely imitating the human structure. Each had an uncomfortable set of six pale blue eyes that lacked any irises; just unadulteratedly blank and empty. To complete their physique, the monsters had gems embedded into their spines with varying colors: blue, red, green, brown, black, gold, and silver— all representative of each element.

"Sepith Demons…" Juna muttered.

How did it take him this long to notice them? Better yet, why did it take this long? They had already broken away from the tourist group and bracers, meaning that it would take them too long to assist them. Had he noticed them earlier, they could have stuck closer to the bus. Was he really having so much fun that he didn't even realize? Hold on, was there…? Damn, now he could sense that the bracers were engaged in combat too. They were on their own for this one.

Rean hastily unraveled the covering of his carrying case and threw the contents over to Elise: her rapier and her battle orbment. This was the worst case scenario. Not only did he have to protect his sister, he had to make sure Juna would make it out unharmed as well. Two against three was far from favorable odds, but not impossible. He had to trust that Elise could take care of herself long enough for him to plan their escape.

He unsheathed his tachi and mentally prepared himself.

"Rean…"

"Elise, you take on the one on the left and make an opening. The moment you see one, run! I'll distract the other two while you make your escape!"

"But Rean-!"

"No buts! You two are my responsibility right now and it's my job to make sure you get out of this safely!"

Without another word, Rean charged into battle. He swiftly ducked beneath an incoming claw swipe from one of the demons and swung his tachi in a vertical arc. The upwards slash took hold of the demon's arm, cleanly separating it from its body. In one smooth motion, Rean used the momentum of his initial dash to send the demon flying into a tree with a forceful kick. He had successfully broken through their ranks.

Immediately sensing the presence of the other demon, he dropped onto the ground and rolled out of the way of another attack. The sepith demon belched out scorching flames in his direction, barely missing due in part to Rean's quick movements. He got back on his feet and maneuvered through any fire breaths and claw swipes coming his way. Rean parried each of the demon's approaching attacks, matching the movements of its claws with his blade. During the clash, he created a sizable distance and found his opening.

Rean sheathed his sword and instantly released it in a single motion. His graceful footwork found him on the opposite side of the enemy he was facing just moments ago.

"Autumn Leaf Cutter!"

While it had appeared to be a single sword slash, multiple cuts appeared throughout the demon's body. Many were on the surface of its body, but several managed to cut deeper and slice off a few body parts. The monster cried in pain even with the sloppy sword work, but it was enough to end its life. The howls began to fizzle out into gargles until the creature was silenced by its wounds.

Autumn Leaf Cutter, a technique of the fourth form and one of the few moves that Rean was able to utilize during his training with his master. What the Eight Leaves style lacked in raw power in comparison to the Vander and Arseid styles, it excelled in rapid movements and precise strikes. Even at only Beginner rank, Rean fully understood this concept. Putting it in practice was a much different story, however.

Rean turned his attention towards the girls. Just as he had, Elise had successfully fended off the lone sepith demon on her side. Juna trailed behind her, not with a look of fear but one of worry for her new friend. Thankfully, the two managed to make their way back to the stone staircase.

Rean muttered a quick prayer in relief. He ran over towards them.

"Are you two okay?"

"Fortunately," Elise said in between heavy pants. "It's because you managed to distract the other two. Thank you, Rean."

Juna nodded in agreement. "Yeah, now that it's over, I have to say that you two were awesome! I mean, I already knew Rean had moves—but wow Elise! You were amazing too!"

"Th-thanks, I suppose?" Elise responded awkwardly. "Though I couldn't have done it without your help. You were right about using water and wind arts to hit their weaknesses."

"No problem! I just sorta grabbed one of the battle scopes from your bag is all, hehe…"

"Regardless, you helped out immensely." Elise bowed.

Juna waved her hands in front of her, trying to hide her embarrassment. The two continued their exchange of compliments, attempting to one up the other. Rean sighed. Everything turned out okay.

He was glad. Not only did they almost get their new friend in danger, he wouldn't have forgiven himself if Elise had gotten hurt due to his poor judgement. Thankfully, Juna was there to provide some support from the back. Ideally, they wouldn't have gotten involved in an encounter like this, but what's done is done.

At least this would be an interesting story to…

"REAN WATCH OUT!"

Huh?

Before he could register what was happening, a large claw slammed into his chest. The force of the impact sent him flying onto the stone wall near the forest. He caught a glimpse for a quick second, but he realized his grave error. The first sepith demon he had engaged with was still alive.

The two girls called for him, but the ringing in his ear made it difficult to make out their words. His eyelids began to feel heavy. In his blurry vision, he could just barely visualize the monster slowly making its way towards the girls. In the corner of his eye, he faintly made out several more figures: even more demons biding their time to pounce on their prey.

No! He wanted to cry out. His body wouldn't respond to his commands. His hand would not unseathe his blade. His legs would not stabilize themselves. He was utterly powerless. Completely useless.

He can't… He won't… Not again…

"Hraaaaaaaagh!"

Calling upon his remaining reserves of strength, Rean yelled. Overwhelming power coursed through his body. His anger and ire grew increasingly palpable. An invisible pressure engulfed his surroundings; even leaving a permanent marking on the ground. An ominous black aura radiated from Rean's person and billowed forth, ready to strike anything that stood in its way.

He changed. The dark energy consumed his entire being, granting unfathomable strength. The power defied his body's previous fatigue, and forced itself up onto its feet. He was different now. Even his physical appearance changed, with his jet-black hair losing its hue to become a stark white and his once gentle lilac eyes morphing into a crimson red like a feral beast's.

He charged forward with blistering speed. The space between him and the monster was no more and he swung his tachi down with ferocity. In one strike, the monster was dead; its body cleanly cut in half. Death was a mercy, however. Rean continued his assault, leaving no decipherable remains of the beast.

With the sepith demon definitively destroyed, Rean turned his anger towards the demons that were lying in wait. After witnessing the carnage, they must have realized that the swordsman had noticed them and decided that fighting was their best chance at survival. He didn't give them time to regret that decision. One by one, they fell to each slash of Rean's tachi.

Elise trembled in fear a fair distance away. "N-no… Not again…" She held out her hand, as if she could reach into Rean's maddened heart and ease his suffering. But no matter what she did, nothing could reach him.

Juna gaped, utterly speechless. What had happened to him? What had happened to the boy she met just yesterday? What in the world… took his place?

"REAN!" Without thinking, Juna called out his name in a raspy and desperate tone. Her fingernails dug into her palms. Her lips trembled. Her legs shook. Fear threatened to overtake her, but she stood her ground.

No matter what, she wanted—needed—to bring him back.

"Come back to us!"

Rean stopped himself mid-swing. The final strike was upon him. Just one more cut and his enemy would be completely annihilated. So why? Why did he hesitate?

A sound ranged in his head. A voice? It was… familiar. It forcefully pulled him back into reality.

Juna.

He lowered his sword. A wave of exhaustion washed through his body as he fell to the ground. The dark energy surrounding him dissipated like evaporating mist. The hue of his hair began to return as did his eyes. He had successfully suppressed his power from pushing him any further.

"Rean!"

Rather than one of relief, Juna called out another warning. Barely conscious, Rean could only somewhat recognize that the last demon was about to take advantage of his debilitated state. His body could not obey any sort of command now.

In an instant, it was over.

The monster was cleaved in two by a speed Rean had never witnessed before. If he could ignore the decapitated mess, he would have even called it beautiful. But he had not lifted a finger in dealing the finishing blow. No, that honor belonged to a man in front of him. A man who also wielded a tachi; the long-haired officer he had met with yesterday.

"I knew it. Your strength," the man paused, looking over the boy with knowing eyes. "It is considerable. You wield the Eight Leaves quite well for someone of your age."

Rean did not respond. He was still trying to steady his breathing and calm his newfound migraine.

"While your actions have been commendable, your carelessness nearly cost you. Anger overtook you as a result and you fought with a clouded mind. Do take heed of that." A smile formed on the man's lips. "Master Yun must have seen a lot of potential in you. I will trust his judgement."

The man sheathed his sword, realizing that the threat was finally neutralized. He offered his hand to Rean, to which he gratefully accepts. Once the man took the time to examine Rean's injuries, he went to take his leave.

"Wait!" Rean called once Elise and Juna ran over to keep him on his feet. Even with their support, he needed to use his tachi to keep himself upright.

The man stopped before the staircase.

"Who are you?"

The man chuckled. "I'm nothing more than an officer for the Crossbell Police Department. Though I surmise that answer won't satisfy you."

"Please." Rean pleaded.

A short glance and a brief silence.

"Arios MacLaine. It was a pleasure meeting you, Rean Schwarzer."

And like that, he was off.


All things considered, they all got out with minimal injuries— Rean taking the brunt of the damage. Thanks to the supplies the bracers had along, they stopped any bleeding and managed to stay conscious during the entire bus ride back to the city.

But dear Aidios must have had a twisted sense of humor because he wished he was knocked out during that ride.

He felt defeated. Angry at himself for failing to protect his sister yet again. Hatred of his weakness, which now even Juna would have to pay the consequences for being near him. It was all his fault. Everything was his fault. The Divine Blade of Wind saving his life drove that point uncomfortably close to home.

He couldn't bring himself to keep up with conversation no matter how hard he tried. He had already traumatized Elise on that winter's day. Stealing Juna's innocence as well was too much for him to handle. She was still practically a stranger to them. Not a complete stranger, but one day wasn't nearly enough time to know someone. Yet here he was, messing her up too. Shame did not begin to describe this feeling.

He couldn't forgive himself if he cost Elise a new friend.

Or at least… that was what he thought would happen.

As soon as they reached the city, Juna dragged them both to the Harbor District. The sky had turned pitch black in contrast to the illuminating lights scattered throughout the streets. Children with sparklers came out of East Street while Rean could practically hear the cheers and skylights turning up from the Entertainment District. Crossbell was certainly a lively place at night.

"Ooh, the noodle stand has a short line!" Juna joyfully said. "You gotta try their ramen. It's the best!"

Her energetic attitude was infectious. It almost made him forget about what just happened and despite those earlier events, Rean couldn't disobey the needs of his stomach. That and his master told him about how ramen was quite the dish from the East. Every time he'd describe it, his mouth would water. Couldn't hurt to try.

After a delicious dinner (he'd definitely have another bowl before departing back home), they all gathered in the dock. The fireworks event was about to start.

Juna held out her hand. "Let's go! I know the perfect spot!"

Rean hesitated. He wanted to go. To go have fun and forget his troubles. Indulge himself for a while longer in a comforting presence. But he knew, after today, he had to step away.

"You two go on ahead. I'll stay behind." Rean said with a sad smile.

He accepted it. Until he was no longer a burden, he'd have to keep everyone at arm's length. Friends and family alike. It was a fate he had no choice but to-

"Oh no, you don't."

She latched onto his hand with no hesitation and almost threw him off balance. "You're coming too, mister!"

Rean blinked at her. She wasn't being serious, was she? One look in her eyes confirmed his fears: Juna was deadly serious.

"Actually," Juna turned to address Elise and handed her some mira, "do you mind getting some takoyaki for us? It'll be my treat!"

"You're still hungry, Juna?" Baffled, Elise arched her brow at the pink-haired girl. "Why—"

Without releasing her grip on Rean's arm, Juna leaned in to whisper into her ear. Elise's skeptical look dissipated and turned into understanding. The girls giggled while leaving Rean in the dark. Only Aidios knows, he supposed.

Elise stepped back, gave a short curtsy, and moved with a spring in her step to the nearest takoyaki stand. Now with only the two of them remaining (Rean had not forgotten that Juna was still holding onto his arm), anxiety consumed him. But there was something he needed to address first.

"You know, I don't exactly approve of you sending out my sister in the middle of the night."

"Don't worry. This was kinda her idea in the first place."

"Her idea—? When did you…?"

"The ride back. You weren't listening to us, so we wanted to do something."

Before he could press her for more information, she spoke up in a soft voice.

"Come on, let's go."

With a gentle tug at his sleeve, Juna quietly led him towards the lighthouse in the distance. He recognized that lighthouse. He remembered it from his dream before this entire trip started.

The girl was uncharacteristically silent. Perhaps what happened in the Ancient Battlefield has finally gotten to her. Maybe she wanted to air her grievances about him alone. It would make sense to send Elise away just in case.

They ended at the base of the lighthouse, overlooking the large lake. Even without the embellishment of the fireworks, the dark waters appeared comforting under the beautiful moonlight. Alongside the cool breeze, it was the perfect location to relax and have a conversation. But Rean was far too nervous to appreciate it. He decided to take it into his own hands and apologize.

"Look, I know whatever I'm about to say won't even begin to make up for what I did—"

"Then don't."

"...Huh?"

"Don't say it," she repeated. "Because you don't have anything to feel sorry for."

"But I-!"

"But nothing." She looked at him sternly. The girl was younger than him, but at that moment, she turned into a mother about to lecture her own child. "I know I don't get what happened to you, but whatever it was, it wasn't your fault. No matter which way you look at it, you saved us."

"How can you say that? If anything had gone wrong, it would've been a lot worse. Years ago I…"

He took notice of the trembling of his hands. His entire body shook in remembrance of that day three years ago. He couldn't bear to face the girl in front of him.

"Why?!" Rean nearly screamed, just barely able to look her in the eye through tear-stained lilac. "Why aren't you afraid of me?!"

He felt her soft hands stroke his cheeks. In a slow, fluid motion, she wiped away the tears with her thumb.

"Because there's nothing to be afraid of." She said with the most comforting, most angelic smile he ever laid eyes on. "No matter what happens, you're always gonna be Rean Schwarzer. No one else."

Rean was rendered speechless, but his lips soon betrayed his thoughts. He smiled. He was right after all. Juna's very presence proved to be a comfort like no other. She believed in him. No amount of praise could ever come close to this feeling.

The fireworks boomed in the air. Amidst their conversation, neither of them realized that the festival staff had already set up the display. The only indication they received were the lights that warmed their faces with each burst in the sky. However, Rean and Juna couldn't bring themselves to care. The only thing mattered now was the person in front of them.

"You know, there's a song I really like that my mom used to sing to me whenever I'm having a bad day."

A "bad day" she called it. A bit of a light description, but her simplicity amused him.

He vaguely remembered that the girl in his dreams also had a song she really liked. "Then may I… hear you sing it, Juna?" he asked softly. It was not lost on him that that was the first instance he ever said her name out loud. It felt natural to his lips.

Her face began to glow a bright red. "Fine, but just this once."

Juna let go of him and leaned over the railing of the pier. The light of the moon glistened over her silky pink hair. The sparkle of the fireworks glowed against her skin. In spite of the embarrassment, she looked happy. Juna Crawford really was something.

She took in a deep breath and sang to a tune playing within the confines of her mind. Rean could only presume what the tune of the song sounded like, but Juna's passionate voice engrossed him to an extent that he didn't care. He loved every word.

It has been a century

(No one to be found)

Recollect my memories

(Answers to their sounds)

Remind me of the waves

(Can you hear me?)

While I just fade away

(Can you reach me?)

Stunned by your dark gaze

(Stars align)

Counting down the days

It's time

Remind me of the waves

Simply put…

"That was beautiful," Rean applauded. As a member of nobility, he was always exposed to music and even learned how to play the lute. But there was something invariably different about one who expresses themselves straight from the heart.

"Good! 'Cause that's all you're getting!" Juna responded, lightly punching his arm and shielding her red cheeks from his view. Ha, that was cute. He laughed.

Rean walked over to stand by her side, turning to face the fireworks. Bright blues, reds, yellows, and whites tore through the sky in a strangely soothing cacophony. A comfortable silence stood between them.

"Hey Rean?"

"Yeah?"

"We should… watch the fireworks again sometime."

He paused. "That sounds nice."

"Hey Juna?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

She giggled. "No problem."

He refused to let go of the first genuine smile he had in quite some time. He couldn't wait for next year's festival.


Lyrics originate from Remind Me by Victor McKnight and Annapantsu

For the whole two of you looking for more Rean/Juna goodness, I recommend Logicblade's The Hearts of Class VII series on AO3. It's what basically got me on the ship in the first place.