Arisu stared at Astra, her thoughts spiraling as she processed the weight of what she had just heard. For a heartbeat, she wondered if she had crossed a line—if she should never have asked.
Catching that hesitation, Astra let out a quiet chuckle.
"Don't make that face," she said lightly. "I'm not offended. Or hurt." Her tone softened. "If anything, I probably should've told you earlier… but, well. I'll tell you now."
Arisu released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding—only for it to catch again as Astra continued.
"The six of us… we don't know where we came from," Astra said. "No parents. No clans. No bloodlines. No relatives. Nothing. We were simply born and then abandoned. We don't belong anywhere, But we belong to each other." Her voice stayed calm, almost detached, which somehow made it worse.
"You asked why I don't go against them, didn't you?" She glanced at Arisu. "There's a reason."
Astra's eyes darkened, memories stirring.
"They rescued me… a child—left in a fire. Abandoned and meant to die there. They found me like that. Burned so badly that anyone who saw me thought I was already dead. Just charred flesh." She gave a small, crooked smile. "Funny thing is… they were children too. Yet they pulled me out. Carried me. Refused to leave me behind."
A chill crawled up Arisu's spine.
"You know what?" Astra said lightly. "I should tell you how we all got our names. It's actually kind of funny. Shion named himself. Seiya and Seirou named each other. Kaen named himself after a childhood friend who died in a disaster. And Ryoma…" She shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know. He never talks about it."
She tapped her cheek lightly.
"As for me—an old woman gave me mine. A grandmother who treated my wounds after they pulled me out. I don't remember her face. Or her name. But everyone said she was terrifyingly skilled. Not only did she save me… she gave me a new body. A new face. Not a single burn mark left behind. As if the fire had never touched me at all. She healed me completely. I think she was something else entirely."
Arisu felt goosebumps rise along her arms as Astra went on, her tone suddenly casual for what she was saying.
"After that, we grew up together," she said softly. "More like friends who refused to let go of one another. Our bond is no weaker than real family."
Her gaze drifted somewhere far away, as if following old roads only she could see.
"We have traveled together—village to village, city to city, state to state. You could say we've seen half the world before coming here." A faint smile touched her lips. "We survived by performing sword dances, living off our skills." She exhaled slowly. "Just a group of wanderers. Never staying in one place for too long. Always moving wherever there were ceremonies, festivals… or a place that would have us."
She sighed. "But They never let me practice or perform with them. Never let me use a sword. I don't know why. Maybe they think I'll get in the way. Maybe they think I can't do it. But I want to stand beside them, not just watch from afar. After all I'm not a child anymore… I'll be twenty soon."
At those words, Arisu, who had been listening intently, suddenly furrowed her brows.
"Soon? You mean your birthday is near? When? You never told me this either! Have you really consider me as your friend."
Astra smirked. "You never asked."
Arisu huffed, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Then when is it?" Astra leaned in slightly, a playful glint in her gaze.
"The same day as the—" She paused, just long enough for Arisu's mind to catch on.
"The Ivory Lotus Bloom Festival," Astra finished. Arisu blinked rapidly, processing her words before gasping.
"The Ivory—! Astra, you share the same birthday as His Highness, the Crown Prince Akira Raizen?!"
——————
The sky was heavy with clouds, and a cool breeze swept through the air. In the midst of this overcast stillness, a single ray of light pierced through the dense clouds, landing upon a lone, withered tree. Unlike the others around it lush with greenery and vibrant blossoms this one stood bare, lifeless, as if time had abandoned it.
Beneath its skeletal branches, a man stood. Dressed in elegant robes, his posture was composed, his face partially concealed by a silk blindfold. Though his eyes were hidden, he faced the dying tree as if studying it, as if seeing something no one else could.
After a moment, he raised his hand and placed his palm against the rough bark. A soft glow pulsed from his fingertips, A faint hum of spiritual energy pulsed from his touch,
His lips curved into the faintest smile as small, as delicate green leaves began to sprout from the brittle branches. But just as quickly as they appeared, the leaves shriveled, turning brown before they could fully unfurl, crumbling into dust upon the wind.
Suddenly…..A distant voice cut through the stillness.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
The call echoed through the area, growing louder as the owner of the voice drew closer.
"Your Highness! Wh—where did you disappear to? And why… why are you not wearing your mask?!"
The voice belonged to a young man, likely in his twenties. He was panting heavily, struggling to catch his breath yet unable to stop the flood of questions. Before he could say more, a gentle hand rested on his arm.
"Zuzu, calm down. There's no need to worry."
"No need—? Your highness do you have any idea how worried everyone was?" Zuzu huffed, his concern evident. "We searched for you all night! You didn't get—"
"I just needed a break," the man interrupted, his tone light. "So I went to the forest."
Zuzu paled. "The forest?! You went into the forest at night? All alone! But… but why?! Do you realize how dangerous it is? It's crawling with demons! And—and I just heard a report that a fox demon escaped the boundary!"
The man let out a soft gasp, feigning surprise.
"A fox demon… escaped? I wonder how terrifying it must be." He sighed dramatically before offering a small, amused smile his head tilting slightly as his hand remained firmly on Zuzu's shoulder.
"Thanks to my dear friend Zuzu, I'm now aware of this and will never dare to go into the forest again."
Zuzu, however, was unfazed. With an exasperated sigh, he took a step back and raised his hand, showing three fingers before closing them one by one.
"Your Highness, first of all, I am not your friend. I am your… the most loyal servant."
"Second, you must stop disappearing without a word. You are to take me with you wherever you go and always remain disguised in front of others."
"And third…" His voice grew more urgent. "The prince disappearance has likely already reached His Majesty… and he has ordered your immediate return to the palace as soon as possible."
The prince sighed, shaking his head. He had heard this many times before. Still, he nodded and started walking. "His Majesty might be furious this time…" he murmured. "We should prepare to leave soon." But after a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back.
Zuzu stood there not following him and he pointed toward the prince.
"Before that, Your Highness…your mask."