Chapter 29: Is this a date?
Flashback: After Waking Up in the Carriage
"Captain Elara… Captain, wake up…"
Elara's eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she stared in disbelief—then joy rushed in.
"You're finally awake!" she said, smiling brightly.
Then she looked down… realizing she was still holding Synoh's hand.
Both froze.
A beat passed.
Blush bloomed on both their faces. She quickly stood up, clearing her throat in a flustered panic.
"A-Attention, everyone! Synoh is awake!" she shouted.
From outside the carriage, the Division 10 knights erupted in celebration.
"Hooray! He's awake!"
"Hooray!"
---
Present – Capital City
Division 10's carriages rolled into the bustling capital gates. Streets lined with soldiers, merchants, and townsfolk welcomed them. Elara stood up from the carriage, calling to her team.
"We'll be here for two days. Restock your supplies. Repair your gear. And rest well—we move again soon."
The knights saluted and scattered with cheer.
Synoh, standing beside her, silently stared.
Captain Elara turned toward him, slightly confused. "...Something wrong?"
Synoh didn't answer. He was caught in the memory—her warmth, her voice in the darkness, the blush on her cheeks.
Noticing his silent gaze, Elara's face slowly turned red again.
"W-What are you staring at?!"
Synoh blinked, realizing he was caught. "N-Nothing…"
Elara turned away quickly, her voice cracking slightly. "D-Don't just stare like that! You'll make things awkward!"
Synoh chuckled softly.
While waiting for their next mission, Division 10 takes the chance to enjoy their two-day break in the capital. Meth, Aloy, and Dred head off to the market, laughing and joking around like there's no tomorrow—trying bizarre snacks, arguing over trinkets, and pulling each other into random shops like children set loose.
Meanwhile, Vice Captain Ursa slips away to the grand capital library, muttering something about "discreet takedown techniques." She roams the shelves with laser focus, flipping through books like "100 Ways to Beat Someone Without Witnesses."
Unexpectedly, Captain Elara and Synoh end up walking the capital streets together. Elara, flustered but composed, wonders silently: How did this even happen?
—Memory Flashback—
Earlier that day, Synoh insisted on going out to buy some essentials. Still weak from his condition, he nearly collapsed after only a few steps. Captain Elara, seeing this, offered to go with him. Fel, whispering in Synoh's mind, teased him, "You're dream walking, dummy. You can't even stand straight yet!"
Despite everything, Synoh smiled and insisted, "Before I get my stuff, let me treat you to something first."
Captain Elara blinked.
Then Synoh asked, "Wanna go eat something fun?"
In that moment, Elara's mind raced: Wait… is this a date!?