Erika arrived at the airport just on time.
She checked the arrival screen once more to confirm Akira's flight had landed, then made her way toward the arrival gate, her heart beating a little faster than usual.
She didn't have his number anymore, thanks to the no-contact rule that had lasted five whole years, but she was confident she'd recognize him the moment she saw him.
After all, Akira wasn't someone who blended into a crowd.
Even back then, he had this strange presence that made people stop and stare. His white hair, that cute face, and most of all, those big purple eyes that looked like they held a sea of stars. And judging by how absurdly good-looking his parents were, she had no doubt he'd grown up even more handsome than most models.
"Yeah," she thought, scanning the crowd. "He'll stand out on his own. I just need to pay attention to the crowd."
So she stood still, waiting for a sign, maybe a ripple of gasps, heads turning, someone whispering, "Whoa, who's that?"
But the terminal remained painfully normal.
And then.
"Hey," someone called out from beside her.
Erika flinched slightly and turned.
Standing next to her was a tall figure in a black hoodie, sunglasses, and a black mask covering the lower half of his face.
He looked like the textbook definition of suspicious. Like someone trying way too hard not to be recognized, or maybe trying to smuggle something. If she didn't know better, she would've expected airport security to come rushing over.
"…Can I help you?" Erika asked warily.
"Erika, it's me," the masked figure said casually.
"…Me?" she blinked.
"Me, me," he repeated, pointing at himself.
She narrowed her eyes, studying the suspicious figure. But then, his voice. She knew that voice.
"…Akira?" she said, hesitantly.
"Yes, it is I, Akira," he said with a laugh. "It's been a while. How have you been?"
There was a long pause as Erika just stared at him. "This was it? Their reunion after five years?"
"…Why are you dressed like this? You look like a wanted criminal," she muttered in exasperation, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"I have to do this for the sake of world peace," Akira answered smoothly, striking a dramatic pose. "The moment my face is revealed to the world, there will be a commotion like no other. I've become too handsome, after all."
Erika sighed. "So much for a normal, heartfelt reunion," she mumbled under her breath.
Still, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
Even after five years… he was still the same. It was almost like they had never been apart.
Akira tilted his head. "Did you say something?"
"No, it's nothing. I guess you never change." Erika stepped forward and held out her hand, smiling faintly. "Welcome back, Akira."
Akira chuckled and reached for her hand. "I always come back."
But the moment their hands touched.
"HYAAA!!"
Erika let out a high-pitched yelp as a sudden jolt shot through her, and she stumbled backward, falling flat onto the floor.
"…Well," Akira muttered, blinking at his palm, "I guess it did activate."
He could feel it now, Lunar Vow, the sacred gear in place of his heart, awakening after five long years.
Erika sat on the airport floor, her face bright red, chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths as she desperately avoided making eye contact with Akira.
"...Are you okay?" Akira asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I'm fine… so don't worry about it," Erika mumbled, still blushing and staring at anything but him.
Akira observed her with his mystic eyes of Reason and quickly realized her bloodlust hadn't fully triggered. it's just a faint reaction, a small stimulus. Last time they met, even looking at him was enough to set it off. But now… it felt more stable. Not only that, but her mana had grown, far more than before. And more importantly… it was under control.
"I guess I wasn't the only one who got stronger," Akira thought, studying her. He knew how much she hated studying magic. He never imagined she'd willingly train while he was gone… but maybe that was exactly why she did, because he wasn't there to protect her.
Noticing she was still a little shaken, Akira extended his hand to her.
"Here."
Erika instinctively reached out… but her hand froze midway. She hesitated. Her expression shifted, no longer just flustered but worried, scared of losing control and hurting him again.
Akira understood instantly. Technically, this was his fault. He shouldn't have tested the effects of Lunar Vow right away without warning her. And now… she was scared of herself.
He sighed. If there was anything that could calm her, it was familiarity. People felt safe with what was familiar.
Without a word, Akira stood, pulled down his hoodie, removed his mask, and slid off his sunglasses with a little dramatic flair.
"Erika", Akira called out her name, reaching his hand to her again.
Erika looked up and froze.
Erika looked up and was stunned, snow white hair, purple eyes that looked like they contained the sea of stars, and a bit androgynous face, soft enough that with longer hair and a dress, he could easily pass for a beautiful girl. He'd grown, sure, his features sharper, more refined, but there was no mistaking it. He'd taken more after his mother than his father.
Erika is a little lost in nostalgia. he looks the same as before, a bit cuter than she thought he would look like, but he looks the same as she remembered, and seeing his face made her relax a bit.
"Here," Akira said again, smiling gently. "Don't worry. Everything's fine. I promise."
She stared at him for a long second… then reached out. Because no matter what… Akira was still the person she trusted the most.
Akira helped her to her feet. Just as their hands touched, Erika felt something different. Her bloodlust that was on the verge of triggering suddenly clammed down completely, as if it was never there in the first place.
Relieved, Erika let out a small breath. "What did you do to stop it? Is it some new magic?"
"I'll explain it later. First, we need to move before they start taking pictures or something," Akira said with a smile, looking around him.
"What do you mean?" she blinked.
Erika followed his gaze and froze. Passersby, travellers, and even staff members were silently watching them. Someone even had their phone half-raised.
She let out a tiny squeak. "We need to go, now!"
"Agreed." Akira swung his backpack over his shoulder, thankfully, it was the only luggage he had, and grabbed her wrist.
Together, they bolted through the terminal, leaving behind a stunned crowd and barely escaping the fate of what would surely become a viral moment on social media.
Somewhere in the distance, a guard muttered into his radio, "The suspicious guy in the hoodie… turns out to be just a good-looking guy hiding his face, this is not an emergency, I repeat this is not an emergency".
Not even Akira knew just how much chaos he'd narrowly escaped.