"Even now, I still don't like using my last name. Honestly, I wish I could just go by Aina Joly instead... Hehe."
Aina scratched the back of her neck with a shy smile.
"So yeah… that's the story. Hehe… sorry if I talked too much."
She let out a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
Just as she was about to continue, Siana's eyes welled with tears, and without a word, she wrapped her arms around Aina in a tight, trembling hug.
Aina blinked in surprise, but then smiled softly and returned the hug.
"I'm okay, Siana… really, hehe."
She whispered gently.
Watching them, I couldn't help but feel stunned. That story changed everything.
The way I saw her. The way I thought of Skyler. Aina, once just a quiet, strange girl, now felt like someone who carried a world of pain behind her calm smile.
Miyaki stood silently nearby, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
She didn't say anything, but the way her jaw clenched told me enough she felt it too.
Pity for Aina. Doubt about Skyler. And… something else.
Anger with a suspicion creeping into Miyaki's heart—
That maybe, just maybe, something about Skyler didn't quite add up.
That he… might've been forced.
Suddenly, Miyaki looked at Aina as she hugged Siana tightly.
At that moment, she caught a glimpse of Aina's expression and the gentle smile she wore through the pain.
"Hmph, so that's why she looked familiar…"
Miyaki muttered under her breath.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
I turned to her, confused by her sudden comment.
"Nothing…"
Miyaki said quietly.
But in her eyes, I could tell she'd realized something.
It was as if she finally understood why Skyler had taken Aina with him from a long ago, that Miyaki had taught someone with a face just like hers.
Someone she could never forget.
"Aina, correct?"
"Y-Yes!"
She replied with a little nervousness.
"Are you feeling better now? Any pain from your injuries?"
"Eh… I think so? Wait, my body feels fine now! I didn't even notice it until just now."
Miyaki smiled, satisfied with the answer, then turned sharply toward the guards stationed at the door.
"Hey, soldier. Report to the office that I'll be taking over from here. I'll keep watch on these three. Understood?"
"W-Wait! Miss Miyaki, we were ordered not to—"
"I said… Un-Der-Stood?"
Miyaki repeated, her smile widening into something far more intimidating.
"U-U-UNDERSTOOD!"
The soldier stammered, standing stiff as he shivered under her pressure.
"Alright, you three."
Miyaki said, turning back to us with a casual wave.
"It's getting dark. I'm taking you somewhere more fun."
The three of us exchanged glances after witnessing the scene, and none of us dared to question her. Well, except for Aina, who looked way too excited and was impressed by how cool Miyaki was.
And so, without saying a word, we followed her.
As night slowly fell, we walked through the quiet streets of town. Hardly anyone was outside. The homes we passed were blackened ruins, charred wood, and collapsed rooftops. I figured most people were choosing to stay indoors, still shaken by yesterday's disaster.
Eventually, we reached a narrow, shadowy alley no one would think to enter.
"Miss Miyaki, are you sure this is the place?"
Siana asked, her voice trembling as she clung to my arm and looked around nervously.
"We're almost there."
Miyaki replied calmly, not slowing down.
After turning one more corner, a dim sign caught our eyes, illuminated by an old torch.
"Wooden... Bar?"
I read aloud, confused.
"Phew… wait, seriously? A bar?"
Siana let out a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders finally dropping. But even then, she couldn't help but look around, still uneasy.
"Miss Miyaki, you do know we're underage, right? We can't drink."
"It's not just a bar for drinks."
Miyaki grinned.
"They serve food here, too. Come on, we've got no time to waste. It's been a decade since I last came here."
Without another word, we stepped inside. The moment the door creaked open, we were greeted with a warm, cozy light and a few surprised voices.
Behind the counter, a bartender with a thick mustache was wiping down a glass. He looked up and raised a brow as recognition dawned on his face.
"Hey! No way, is that you, Miyaki!? It's been a decade since we saw your face around here!"
"Oh, Dan! Long time no see. How've things been around here?"
Miyaki called out cheerfully, waving at him.
The man let out a sigh and corrected her flatly.
"The name's Danny—Danny Woodeson, if you mind."
"What? Come on, Dan is way easier to say—and it suits you better."
Miyaki replied with a teasing grin as she strolled up to the counter with confidence.
Danny rolled his eyes but didn't argue further. Then his gaze shifted past her.
"Oh? Looks like you've brought some… young customers?"
Danny raised an eyebrow as he looked at us, clearly puzzled.
"Hehe, you still have a food menu, right? I'm thinking of setting up a table for dinner tonight."
Miyaki chuckled as she asked Danny for a table, and the three of us blinked in surprise.
"Huh? Really?"
As Siana said.
Miyaki grinned, hands on her hips.
"Don't look so shocked. It's just a treat now and then, doesn't hurt."
Danny called out to the chef, signaling for the kitchen to prepare the food. Meanwhile, the four of us settled around a large wooden table, its surface aged but sturdy. The air was warm, filled with the subtle clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen behind us.
At the bar, Danny was carefully preparing drinks, four cups lined up in a perfect row. Behind him, a small live band played a soothing jazz tune, the mellow sound filling the air. The atmosphere was calm, warm… a welcome contrast to the chaos of the night before.
Around the bar, people were quietly chatting, sipping their drinks, trying to find some peace.
Miyaki glanced over her shoulder and spoke casually.
"Most of the folks here came to clear their heads. It must have been after what happened last night."
After a short wait, he approached our table carrying a tray with three vibrant mocktails and one tall glass of red wine.
"Whoa ~! They look amazing!"
Aina's eyes sparkled as she leaned over to admire the colorful drinks placed before us.
"These three are non-alcoholic."
Danny said with a proud grin.
"So no need to worry, kiddos."
He placed the drinks in front of each of us.
Without hesitation, Miyaki picked up the wine and took a long sip. Then she let out a satisfied sigh.
"Hmph, it's been a decade since I've had this."
Each mocktail had its flair.
Mine was called Crimson Bite, a sharp cherry and lime blend with a bold red hue.
Siana's drink, Winter Whisper, shimmered in soft blue. It was a soothing mix of blueberry and vanilla.
Finally, Aina's glass held a bright orange-gold color, Sunburst Bloom, a cheerful fusion of mango and orange with a cooling hint of mint.
Aina's eyes sparkled as she stared at her mocktail, clearly seeing something like this for the first time. The vibrant colors and fancy garnish captured her full attention.
Without hesitation, she lifted the glass and took a sip. Her eyes widened in surprise at the burst of flavor.
"Mmm!"
She hummed, clearly impressed, her other hand gently touching her cheek with delight.
Seeing her reaction, Siana and I glanced at each other, curiosity getting the best of us. We picked up our drinks and took a sip.
Siana's eyes instantly lit up.
"It's… perfect."
She whispered, clearly in awe of how the drink matched her taste exactly.
As for mine, it was a flavor I'd never tasted before, sharp, refreshing, with just the right balance of sweet and tangy. It was… addictively good.
Across the table, Miyaki chuckled softly at the sight of all three of us reacting the same way.
"Glad you like them."
She said, taking another casual sip of her wine as we continued enjoying our drinks together.
Laughter filled the table as we chatted away, everyone still buzzing about how good the drinks were. The cozy warmth of the bar and the clinking of glasses made everything feel oddly comforting.
Then, just as our conversation reached a peak—
"Alright, here comes the main dish!"
Danny approached with a huge steaming pot, placing it right in the center of the table.
"WOAH! That's a lot of fish!"
Aina exclaimed, eyes sparkling like stars as she leaned forward with excitement.
Danny crossed his arms proudly, grinning.
"This here is our specialty—WarmFishly. The town's warmest and most-loved fish cake soup."
The rich aroma instantly filled the air, making our mouths water.
"Hehe, that's Lightwoods for you, a town full of birds."
Miyaki said with a cheerful smile.
As we all began to dig in, the moment the warm fish soup touched our tongues, a soothing peace washed over us, like the warmth of a gentle sunrise after a stormy night.
In the middle of our meal, Aina suddenly gave a small, bittersweet smile. Miyaki, always observant, caught it right away.
"Something on your mind?"
"H-huh? Oh, no! It's just…"
Aina looked down at her bowl.
"This all feels so unreal. Laughing, eating like this... I never thought I'd get to enjoy something like this again... especially after finding out about Skyler…"
Miyaki smiled softly and let out a quiet sigh.
"Mm… I get it. But for now, let this be our moment. You deserve to smile, too. So come on, don't hold back—eat as much as you want."
Danny overheard Miyaki's comment and let out a sly smirk. Without a word, he casually strolled over to the band and leaned in to whisper something to the lead musician.
Moments later, the tune shifted, soft jazz gave way to a lively, cheerful melody that filled the entire bar like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
The change was instant.
People around the bar lit up, their shoulders relaxing as smiles bloomed on tired faces. One by one, they began to stand, clapping along, swaying to the beat. Laughter echoed. Someone started singing along. Then dancing.
We sat there, wide-eyed and speechless, watching the entire bar transform into a celebration before our very eyes.
"H-Huh? What's going on—"
Before Siana could even finish her sentence, Aina suddenly grabbed her hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Hey, Siana! This looks super fun! Wanna join them?"
"Wha—? E-Eh!? I don't think I—"
But Aina didn't wait for a proper answer. With a playful grin, she pulled Siana into the crowd, spinning with laughter as the two were swept into the cheerful music and dancing.
I watched them from my seat, unsure whether to laugh or feel secondhand embarrassment. I let out an awkward smile.
That's when Miyaki leaned in toward me with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, kid. Why not join them?"
"Hehe… maybe later. I think I'll just watch for now—"
"Oh? Too bad, because they're right behind you."
"Huh? What do you mea—"
Before I could even finish, two cheerful, slightly tipsy strangers grabbed me from behind with wide grins and infectious laughter, dragging me straight into the chaos of the dance floor.
"W-wait! I didn't agree to this!"
Miyaki simply leaned back in her chair, sipping her wine with a smirk.
The atmosphere was alive with music and laughter.
We all danced together under the soft, golden lights, some with drinks in hand, others with arms thrown around each other's shoulders, singing loudly and swaying to the rhythm in their tipsy joy.
Aina beamed with delight as she copied the movements of the crowd, spinning and stepping in sync with the music, her laughter blending with theirs.
Beside her, Siana's face was bright red, clearly flustered, but she still moved along awkwardly at first, then gradually loosening up as Aina encouraged her with a playful nudge.
As for me? I was being dragged around by a few energetic dancers, practically forced into joining the circle. Every time I tried to step back, someone would spin me again or shove a rhythm into my shoulders.
"Come on, lighten up!"
Someone shouted cheerfully. I sighed in defeat but smiled. Maybe this wasn't so bad.
Meanwhile, Miyaki sat back at the table, a warm smile on her face as she quietly watched us from a distance. Her eyes followed the three of us, especially Aina, whose laughter rang through the room with an energy that lit up the bar.
Then, something unexpected happened.
A slightly drunk man stumbled toward Aina, grinning as he held out a glass of beer.
"Hey, little miss! Try this! It'll lift your spirits even higher!"
Before she could take it, Danny quickly stepped in, placing a hand between them.
"Whoa there, buddy. She's not of age."
But to everyone's surprise, Aina raised a hand gently.
"It's okay, I'm just a little curious what it tastes like. Just a sip."
Danny sighed, rubbing his temple.
"Fine. But one sip. That's it."
We all watched nervously as Aina lifted the glass to her lips. For a second, she paused, then tilted it back slightly to take a small taste.
The moment hung in silence.
Then, she lowered the glass and gave a satisfied little nod.
"Hmm… not bad."
The surrounding crowd burst into playful cheers at her reaction, and Aina turned to us with a mischievous smile.
"Wanna try?"
Siana and I exchanged uneasy glances. Still, curiosity got the better of us.
We each took a cautious sip…
"Blech…!"
Siana's face twisted in disgust.
"Ugh, it's so bitter…"
I coughed.
…and instantly regretted it.
Laughter echoed around us as we recovered from the awful taste, faces twisted in regret. Aina laughed the hardest at our reactions. Her face lit up with pure joy as her eyes sparkled, tiny tears welling up at the corners from laughing so much.
Even Miyaki chuckled from where she sat, raising her glass slightly in our direction with a teasing grin.
After a long stretch of laughter and joy, the atmosphere in the bar shifted slightly. One of the drunken patrons suddenly called out, slurring cheerfully.
"Miyaki! Speech! Give us a speech!"
Others quickly joined in, chanting her name with growing excitement.
"Miyaki! Miyaki! Miyaki!"
With a smirk, Miyaki stood up from her seat, casually picking up her glass of wine.
"You people never change..."
She muttered with a chuckle.
As she stepped forward, the crowd instinctively made way, clearing a path for her to the center of the room. The band quieted, and all eyes turned toward her.
She let out a soft sigh, then lifted her glass high.
"Alright."
She began, her voice calm but firm.
"To the glory of our nation, as Luminians. We stand together, bound by strength. No matter the past, no matter what the future brings… We endure. We rise. We'll push through it all."
A brief silence followed, and with fire in her eyes, she raised her glass even higher.
"To a new beginning!"
Suddenly, everyone joined in, lifting their glasses with mocktails, beers, and wines alike.
"To a new beginning!"
They echoed together, voices full of hope and determination.
In that brief moment, it felt like all of us, as strangers, friends, and wounded hearts, were united not just by the clinking of glasses but by the shared desire to move forward, no matter what lies ahead.
After a long night, a few of the more drunk patrons had already dozed off where they sat. Siana and I were starting to feel the weight of the night take over. Her eyelids drooped first, and she quietly folded her arms and rested her head atop them on the table beside me to take a nap.
As I stayed seated in silence, letting the warmth of the room settle in as I looked around, I just took a moment to breathe and rest.
Meanwhile, Aina was still sipping her mocktail, seated beside Miyaki at the table.
"Miss Miyaki?"
"Hmm? Yes?"
Miyaki replied without looking, her tone casual.
"Thank you so much. I had a lot of fun here."
Aina beamed brightly.
"Hmph… I'm glad you're enjoying it."
Miyaki gave her a small, warm smile.
"But I was wondering, why did you bring us here for dinner?"
Aina tilted her head slightly.
"Why not?"
Miyaki shrugged playfully.
"Hehe, no… I mean, like—what's the real reason?"
Aina pressed, curiosity in her eyes.
Miyaki's gaze met hers with a confident smirk, and she suddenly stood up from her seat.
"Wanna step outside and take a breather with me?"
I watched from a distance, catching their movements from where I sat. Curious, I quietly got up and followed them to hide behind the doorway, just enough to overhear their conversation.
After a short moment of silence under the moonlit sky, Miyaki leaned against the wooden railing outside, her gaze lost in the night.
"Heh, this place is still the same as ever…"
She began quietly.
"10 years ago, I used to come here a lot. Almost every night, before I gave up drinking. Today was the first time I had alcohol in a long time."
"Why?"
Miyaki paused, her voice lowering.
"Something terrible happened. An event that changed everything for me, as well as for Leroy and Skyler."
"Huh? Wait—what do you mean?"
Aina blinked, confused.
Miyaki looked at her with a gentle but unreadable expression.
"Those two were my students. A long time ago."
"HUH!? Really? Sky never told me anything about that! What happened back then?"
Miyaki hesitated. Her eyes drifted away.
"Out of respect for them, I can't be the one to tell you. It's not my story to share."
"Oh… I see. Then I won't push."
Aina's curiosity dimmed into understanding. She looked down and nodded.
"You'll understand when the time comes. Just… be ready to listen when they choose to speak."
Miyaki gave her a small smile.
Aina let out a quiet sigh, her eyes drifting downward. Her shoulders sank slightly as a troubled expression took over her face.
She was even more worried about Skyler.
Miyaki glanced at her, noticing the shift in mood. Without a word, she reached out and gently patted Aina's head.
"Everything will be alright..."
She said softly, her voice warm and reassuring.
Aina blinked, surprised by the sudden gesture. She slowly looked up, only to freeze for a moment.
In the glow of the porch light, Miyaki's expression, her calm gaze… it reminded her of someone.
Aina let out a soft laugh, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
"Hehe, you're just like my mom."
"Oh? Hmph, I used to hear that back in the day."
Miyaki raised a brow with a small smirk.
The wind gently blew past them, carrying the scent of night flowers and quiet memories.
I couldn't help but smile quietly as I listened to the whole exchange between the two of them. It was a peaceful moment, rare and comforting.
And yet, I noticed Miyaki's smirk.
She knew I was eavesdropping the whole time and pretended not to notice.
After a while, she casually strolled over to the counter and spoke with Danny. She paid for all our drinks and the meal without saying much. Once everything was settled, she turned back to us.
"Alright, you two. Go wake up the sleeping princess. We should head back."
Aina and I gently nudged Siana awake. She groaned a little, clearly still tired, but with our help, she slowly stood up, rubbing her eyes.
As we made our way toward the door, Danny stood behind the counter, watching us. His smile was warm, but there was a hint of sadness in it, as though he thought we might never return.
Just as we reached the door, Miyaki turned around, waving over her shoulder with a playful grin.
"Hey, Dan. Next time, I'll bring even more people."
Danny blinked and then chuckled.
That night, we returned to the castle under a quiet night. The air felt cooler, calmer, like the world had exhaled after all the noise of the day.
We escorted Aina back to her room. Miyaki spoke briefly with the guards outside, giving them instructions. After a nod from them, she turned to us.
"They'll allow you both to stay the night here. Just for tonight."
With that, she gave a small wave and disappeared down the hall.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was warm and quiet. Aina changed into her sleepwear while Siana and I made ourselves comfortable. Siana curled up beside Aina on the large bed, while I took the sofa near the corner of the room.
The moment I lay down, the weight of the day finally caught up to me.
It didn't take long before the soft rhythm of their breathing filled the room, and soon after, I drifted off too.
(One day remained before Skyler's Judgment.)