Kate dashed back, vanishing once more-but this time, she left behind more than a blur.
Her emotions.
Unfiltered, uncontrolled, radiating.
Maxi could see them-soft rosy ripples fluttering through the air, circling him like echoes of a heartbeat. Even if he hadn't been able to track her before, now... now he didn't even have a choice.
His eyes were forced to follow her.
There was a deep, primal need within him-a resonance from his passive blessing that latched onto her rhythm. The way she moved, the way she fought-it wasn't just quick or clever. It was honest.
Another effect of my passive blessing, he thought. But... I'll admit, it's helpful.
She moved with astounding speed, ripples gliding across the ground like delicate lace. Maxi blocked as she rushed him, their weapons clashing with increasing tempo. He grinned each time-each strike bringing them deeper into a trance.
It wasn't a duel anymore.
It was a dance.
Their hearts beat in time with the rhythm of their weapons, emotions bleeding into movement, movement bleeding into time. They lost themselves in it completely.
And then-
Kate moved to shift styles, panting, readying for more.
But a sudden gust of wind slammed into them both, tossing them through the air like feathers. They landed hard, rolling in the dirt.
Standing calmly, a breeze dancing through her silken hair, was Geminid.
She folded her fan and smiled. "Oh dear. I thought the fight was over. My deepest apologies."
Maxi laughed softly as he scratched his head. "No worries. Honestly... that was a great way to wrap it up."
Kate, panting and wide-eyed, nearly dropped her katana. "Y-Yeah... I think that's enough."
Maxi smiled at her. "Glad to hear it."
Geminid smirked. "Then shall we continue to the real spectacle-your castle, dear Maxi?"
Maxi sighed but nodded. "Let's get this over with."
They walked through the castle's garden paths, moonlight spilling over the cobbled stones. As the castle's outer walls came into view, Maxi let out a breath of pure relief. He felt like twin mountains had been lifted off his shoulders.
He stretched, relaxing as they neared the entrance. Then, suddenly, he stopped.
"Wait," he said, turning around with a glimmer in his eye.
Geminid raised a brow. "Oh? Something important?"
"I saw Mr. Moon and Aunt Qill dancing earlier," Maxi said, rubbing the back of his head. "And I thought... maybe we could do the same? Just before we go inside."
Geminid blinked, then blushed slightly. "How romantic."
Kate turned red. "W-With both of us?"
Maxi smirked. "Of course. Wouldn't want to make Geminid jealous now, would we?"
Geminid giggled and waved her fan. "Sly one. I like it. Come now, Kate. Let's dance with our little Prince Charming."
She nudged Kate forward.
Maxi reached out, gently taking Kate's hand. Without hesitation, she instinctively intertwined her fingers with his. It felt so familiar now, so natural.
Maxi blinked, surprised. Then he smiled again.
"Let's dance under the stars."
The moonlight bathed the outdoor training arena in a soft silver glow. Kate hesitated, whispering, "I'm... not that good at dancing."
From behind them, Geminid called, "She's just being shy! She's actually quite graceful."
Maxi chuckled. "It's okay. Just go with the flow."
Kate nodded softly, and as the music of the wind played around them, they danced.
She moved elegantly, and Maxi matched her-barely. Thanks to observing Moon earlier, he mimicked the rhythm, adapting quickly. For once, he felt like he belonged to the moment.
Then Geminid approached.
She took both their hands and, with unbelievable finesse, spun them around her, weaving them into a three-way dance. Her grace pulled them in like gravity, and before they knew it, the three of them were dancing as though they had rehearsed for this their entire lives.
Maxi's heart fluttered.
The last time I danced like this... it was at prom. With someone... someone special.
It wasn't Anna. No-it was someone even earlier. Someone who changed me.
What was her name? Her name... her name was-
Suddenly, darkness.
Maxi's vision shattered like glass. He stood alone in a black void.
Then-his own voice echoed:
"No. You can't remember her. It will ruin everything."
Maxi blinked, shaken. When he returned to the present moment, the dance had ended.
He, Kate, and Geminid stood in a circle, hands still intertwined in the air, breathing softly.
"Wow," Maxi said, slightly dazed. "That was... so amazing I forgot what happened."
Geminid smiled. "Thank you."
Kate tilted her head, blushing. "W-Was that a compliment?"
Maxi shrugged. "I have no idea myself."
Geminid chuckled. "Well, I'll take it as one. Now-let's go to the main event. Maxi's 'small' castle."
Though Maxi had called it small and plain, to Kate and Geminid it was a treasure trove. Every room held something curious, something personal.
Kate explored with shy reverence, always asking before touching anything.
Geminid was the opposite-touching everything, teasing Maxi relentlessly about "hidden secrets" whenever he tried to object.
Eventually, they ended up in the lounge room-a space Maxi had never used before.
Two couches sat opposite each other with a small table in between. Maxi dropped onto the couch with a sigh of relief.
Moments later, Kate and Geminid entered.
"We're done exploring," Geminid declared.
"Thank the stars," Maxi muttered.
"Oh, and by the way..." Geminid smirked. "Kate wants you to read us a story."
"What?" Maxi blinked.
Kate flinched. "I-I just thought... since you love books so much, it wouldn't be too much trouble."
Maxi looked away, blushing.
(Cuteness that pure... it's almost on par with my daughter's.)
He sighed. "Fine. Give me the book."
Kate's face lit up. Geminid giggled.
The book was titled Ties Easily Forgotten. It contained five stories about different women who had rejected or forgotten someone precious to them-only for those "ties" to resurface later in beautiful, unexpected ways.
Maxi glanced at Kate. She gave him the most innocent kitten eyes he'd ever seen.
He sighed again. "Alright then. Come on."
Kate beamed quietly.
"Let's get comfy," Geminid said. She slipped beside Maxi, wrapping herself around his arm as she peered down at the book. Kate hesitated, then gently rested her head on Maxi's shoulder.
"What... are you two doing?" Maxi muttered.
"We're getting comfortable," Geminid replied. "Now hush, and start reading."
Maxi gritted his teeth and groaned inwardly.
(This is so unfair... and these unstable child emotions aren't helping.)
(I don't want to mentally classify myself as a pedophile.)
He cried internally...
Then opened the book.
And read.
As the soft sound of his voice filled the room, time slowed.
Eventually, both girls fell asleep.
Kate's head slipped from his shoulder to his lap.
Geminid clung tighter to his arm.
Maxi, smiling faintly, set the book on the table.
And soon, sleep claimed him too.