Eirin stood backstage, surrounded by the organized chaos of other contestants, a small, unassuming figure in a sea of beautiful, confident people. She wondered what had happened on Naya's mission with Shade that made her look so happy, so radiant, so completely and utterly transformed.
The Naya she first saw was cold, elegant, and distant. The Naya in front of her was something else entirely. She was filled with confidence that Eirin had never seen before.
"Did something good happen? Why are you so happy?" Trixtan, a small, curious glint in his eyes, spat out the exact words that lingered inside Eirin's mind, causing Eirin to look at Naya, waiting for her to answer.
