The fragile peace of the shopping district dissolved the moment we stepped back onto the Academy grounds. The mana lamps cast long, lonely shadows, and the comfortable quiet between us was replaced by the heavy weight of unspoken words. Yumi had fallen asleep in Lucielle's arms, her rainbow lollipop half-finished and sticky, her small face peaceful against my sister's shoulder.
We walked back to my dorm in near silence. It wasn't an angry silence, but one thick with years of misunderstanding, a chasm that a single afternoon couldn't bridge. When we reached my door, I took Yumi gently from Lucielle's arms.
"I'll take her from here," I said, my voice low. "Thanks for… today."
Lucielle nodded, her gaze fixed on Yumi's sleeping face. "She's… she's lovely, Ashen."
"I know."
I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me. "Can I come in? Just for a minute."
