Morning sunlight drifted into Souta's room, gentle and warm, but he didn't feel it. He hadn't even changed out of the clothes from last night. He had fallen into bed around dawn, exhaustion crashing down on him only after he knew Luna was safe at home with her parents.
When he finally opened his eyes, the clock on the wall read 12:43 p.m.
Half the day was gone.
Normally he would've panicked about school, but today? He didn't care. None of them cared. A quick glance at the group chat confirmed it:
Haruto: "Skipping school today."
Beru: "Same. I'm dead."
Tadao: "Need sleep."
Ren: "Couldn't get up even if I tried."
Aira: "My legs feel like noodles."
Souta: "…I'll go to Luna's house in the afternoon."
There was a small pause before the others replied.
Haruto: "We're all coming with you."
Souta exhaled, some quiet warmth settling in his chest.
Just past 3 p.m., the group met outside Sakura High, everyone still showing signs of how badly the long night had worn them down. Dark circles under their eyes. Slow movements. A weird mix of relief and exhaustion.
Aira stretched weakly. "I think I slept ten hours and it still wasn't enough…"
Ren rubbed the back of his neck. "You fainted for thirty minutes in the car yesterday, so technically it's eleven."
"Ren!"
He chuckled softly.
Beru tied her hair into a low ponytail. "Shall we? I bet Luna's awake now."
Haruto nodded. "And her parents… must be feeling so relieved."
Souta didn't speak much. He just walked ahead, quiet but steady. His chest tightened every time he remembered her tied to that chair. Pale. Small. Still.
He shook the thought away.
Today was different. Today she was safe.
The moment they reached the Ayame mansion, Ren and Aira froze on the sidewalk.
"W–What is this place…?" Aira whispered.
Ren stared wide-eyed. "A… museum? A palace?"
"No," Beru said, almost amused. "Luna's home."
"T-That isn't a home!" Aira squeaked. "That's… that's a castle!!"
Huge iron gates, acres of trimmed gardens, fountains, and a mansion so large it could easily host a small city.
"Told you," Haruto said casually.
Ren swallowed hard. "So Luna's actually… a real-life princess."
"Pretty much," Souta muttered.
Aira's jaw dropped.
The gates opened automatically when the security recognized them, and a long pathway led to the mansion's entrance. The door opened before they reached it.
Mr. Ayame and Mrs. Ayame stood there, both looking exhausted but undeniably relieved.
Mr. Ayame came forward first. "You children… Thank you. Truly… thank you for bringing my daughter back."
His voice cracked slightly. Haruto bowed respectfully, followed by the others.
"We were only doing what friends should do," Haruto said quietly.
Mrs. Ayame dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "Luna told us everything… You didn't hesitate, not even for a second." She looked at Souta. "And you… You found her first."
Souta looked down, embarrassed. "I just… I couldn't leave her."
Mrs. Ayame placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'm grateful, Souta-kun. More than you know."
The butler appeared beside them. "Young Lady Luna is awake and waiting for you all in the sunroom."
Beru brightened instantly. "Let's go see her!"
The sunroom was enormous—glass walls, a garden-like interior, sunlight streaming across marble flooring. Antique vases, pillars, rare paintings—everything Ren and Aira laid eyes on seemed unreal.
Aira leaned close to Ren, whispering, "We shouldn't touch anything. We might break something worth more than our lives."
Ren nodded slightly too fast. "Absolutely."
Then—
"Souta…?"
Everyone turned.
Luna stood near the couch, dressed in soft pastel loungewear, her hair loosely tied, a faint bandage on her wrist. She looked tired—but warm, relieved, peaceful.
Beru rushed forward first. "Luna!" She hugged her gently. "You scared all of us!"
Luna smiled weakly. "I'm okay now… thanks to all of you."
Haruto ruffled her hair softly. "You gave us quite the adventure, Luna-chan."
Tadao nodded. "Glad you're safe."
Aira bowed politely. "We're sorry for intruding. This is—your home is—beautiful!"
Luna giggled. "Thank you. And please make yourselves comfortable."
As everyone settled in, Luna kept glancing at Souta—who remained standing a little farther away, unsure, nervous, and visibly emotional.
Ren whispered to Aira, "They need to talk."
Aira whispered back, "Definitely."
Haruto caught Souta's sleeve and subtly nudged him forward. "Go."
Souta hesitated, then walked toward her.
The others tactfully wandered off toward the decorative shelves and plants, pretending to admire the antiques.
Luna moved closer, stopping right in front of him. Her voice softened.
"Souta…"
He swallowed hard. "You… You look like you slept well."
She smiled faintly. "I did. Knowing my friends were safe… Knowing you were safe."
His breath caught.
"I should be the one saying that…" he muttered.
She stepped a little closer. "Souta… thank you."
He blinked. "For what?"
"For not giving up on me."
"For searching all night."
"For being the one to find me."
"For holding me when I woke up."
"For crying for me."
Her words fell softly… but each one struck Souta like a heartbeat.
"I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered. "I was so scared… And the moment I heard your voice, I knew I was safe."
His eyes stung again. "Luna… don't say things like that… I just— I couldn't lose you."
She looked at him gently. "I know."
Her fingers reached out—hesitant, shy—and touched his hand.
Not holding. Just… touching. Enough for warmth to spread through both of them.
Souta stared at their hands, stunned.
"Luna… are we… okay now?"
She nodded slowly. "Yes. I meant it when I said I forgive you."
Souta's shoulders loosened with an exhale so deep it seemed to drain the last bit of fear in him.
Then Luna looked toward the others and smiled softly. "Would you like a tour of my home? You all deserve to relax today."
Aira brightened instantly. "Yes!!! Please!!"
Ren elbowed her slightly. "Aira. Manners."
She straightened. "I mean—y-yes, if it's not trouble!"
Luna laughed. "It's no trouble at all."
The tour was nothing less than jaw-dropping.
The grand staircase with carved mahogany railing.
Rooms filled with antiques from around the world.
A private indoor garden.
A hallway lined with collectible swords and historical artifacts.
Ren was speechless the entire time.
Aira nearly fainted at the size of the library.
Beru clung to Haruto's arm, whispering, "I feel like we're inside an anime mansion!"
Haruto chuckled. "Honestly, yeah."
Tadao quietly examined everything with genuine curiosity—especially the old Japanese artifacts.
And Souta… he stayed close to Luna.
Not out of fear.
But because he wanted to.
And because she kept glancing at him every few steps, as if making sure he was still there.
In one hallway, while the others admired a golden sculpture, Luna leaned closer to him.
"Souta?"
"Hm?"
She smiled gently. "Thank you… for coming today."
He rubbed his neck shyly. "I should be the one thanking you. You scared me so much I thought my heart would stop."
She giggled softly. "I didn't mean to."
He gazed at her—really gazed—and for a moment, she felt her cheeks warm.
"Don't ever disappear like that again," he whispered.
She looked down, flustered but touched. "I promise."
A small silence settled between them—comfortable, warm.
Souta murmured, almost too quietly, "I'm just glad you're here."
Luna's heartbeat fluttered. "Me too."
The others called for them to join, and they walked together—close enough that their hands brushed every few steps.
Neither pulled away.
Later, they all gathered again in the sunroom, drinking tea Mrs. Ayame had prepared herself.
"Please," she said. "Stay as long as you like. Consider this a day of rest."
Everyone agreed wholeheartedly.
Beru chatted about future club activities. Aira excitedly talked about joining more events. Ren kept asking about the mansion's historical pieces. Tadao offered quiet insights. Haruto observed everyone with a warm smile.
And Luna?
She kept glancing at Souta.
Souta kept glancing at her.
Their eyes met again and again…
Until they both looked away with small, shy smiles.
A quiet understanding passed between them.
Something unspoken.
Something new.
Something soft.
And though neither called it love yet…
Everyone could see it beginning to bloom.
By the time evening sunlight filtered into the room, laughter filled the mansion—warm, gentle, healing.
The storm was gone.
And what remained… was something deeper.
A bond reforged.
Friendship strengthened.
And the first quiet step toward something more.
---
To be continued...