CTS TIME RE250.09.01 – 8:05 AM
Location: Central City of Universe 09A – ISA HQ, S-Class Hero Cafeteria
The cafeteria was quiet in its own way—not silence, but a hushed reverence. Even among the chatter of S-Class heroes, the air felt heavy with power and prestige. Walls shimmered with holographic displays of past missions, trophies of victories, and the ISA insignia, a constant reminder of the weight carried by every seat in this room.
At one of the corner tables, however, the mood was anything but serious. A mountain of plates stacked high, most of them topped with cakes, pastries, and small desserts, spread across the polished surface. Sitting before this sugary kingdom was Luna, her violet eyes sparkling like stars, cheeks slightly puffed as she chewed through another bite of vanilla sponge.
She swung her legs lightly under the chair, humming softly, before her thoughts drifted.
"An S-Class mission again… they keep assigning me to the most dangerous places. If they trust me this much, maybe I really should be promoted to SS soon…"
Her fork lingered in the air, her lips curling into a tiny pout.
"But… why pair me with a junior A-Rank? Duo missions usually balance power, but… this doesn't feel balanced at all. A rookie? And they didn't even tell me if it's a boy or a girl… Strange. But—why does it feel like… I already know this person? My heart's acting weird just thinking about it…"
Her daydream was broken by the soft crunch of boots approaching.
Across the cafeteria, whispers rose among the tables.
"Is that… an A-Rank? In here?"
"Look at his emblem… Hyperion Defenders. What's he doing in the S-Class cafeteria?"
"Must be a mistake. Or… a special assignment."
The figure moved with quiet confidence. His uniform was clean, sharp, and designed for mobility—Hyperion Defender standard issue, yet subtly upgraded. The chest bore the glowing twin emblems of the HD and ISA, marking him as an A-Rank temporarily seconded to the higher division. His boots clicked against the floor, his advanced glasses gleaming faintly. On his wrist, a tactical watch pulsed with encrypted ISA feeds.
Valerian Stormbane.
His expression was calm, almost unreadable. Thoughts flickered behind his eyes like equations solved in real-time.
"Shinobi Verse data gathering—completed faster than Seinna Frostveil, the so-called rising star. I've already proven myself. This mission is the next step. If I succeed, I'll earn my promotion to S-Class. No mistakes. No distractions. I owe that much to Flame Stormbringer's family. I promised them I'd bring him back. ISA will provide the intel… through my partner. Whoever they are."
His gaze swept the room, dismissing the curious stares of the other heroes. Then he found his table.
What he saw almost made him stop.
A young woman stood abruptly, almost knocking over a plate of strawberry cake. Her fork clattered. She pressed her hands to her sides, her cheeks suddenly flushing pink.
Luna.
She dipped her head quickly, voice soft but rushed.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize you'd already arrived—I wasn't… um… I wasn't just eating, I mean, I was… well, okay, I was eating, but it's just… the cakes here are always so soft and sweet, and, um…"
Her words tangled, and she squeezed her hands together in front of her waist. She glanced up shyly, her purple eyes shimmering nervously.
"…I-I'm your partner."
Valerian said nothing at first. He examined her carefully.
"Careless…" he thought. "Shorter than expected. Around 5'6. Smiling without discipline. Crystal-white teeth, hair shifting from purple to black at the ends… ISA uniform, but she wears it like it's casual clothes. Her eyes though—they shine… and she's looking at me like she knows me. But I don't recognize her."
He gave the briefest of nods, his voice even.
"Valerian Stormbane. A-Rank, Hyperion Defenders."
Luna blinked, as if the words struck her like a surprise gift. Her lips curved into a soft smile, her cheeks warming further.
"…Valerian…" she whispered, almost to herself. Her heartbeat quickened. "After a year… it's really him."
She wanted to say more, but his calm composure made her hesitate.
Valerian gestured slightly to the table.
"May I sit?"
"O-Oh! Yes, please!" Luna fumbled, quickly pushing aside several plates to clear space, accidentally smearing cream on her sleeve. She gasped, tried to wipe it discreetly, then sat down across from him.
For a moment, silence stretched.
Valerian broke it first.
"Mission briefing will be transmitted shortly. Until then, we should establish operational expectations. This is a hostile extraction. A boy, Flame Stormbringer, age twelve, abducted. Destination: Mecha Empire, Universe 03A. High probability of cybernetic resistance and mechanized traps."
He spoke like a soldier reading a manual.
Luna, however, leaned forward, resting her chin gently on her hands, studying him with soft eyes.
"You're really serious, aren't you? Just like before…"
Valerian's brows faintly furrowed.
"…Before?"
Her cheeks deepened red. She looked down quickly, fidgeting with her fork.
"N-Nothing! Forget I said that."
Valerian exhaled quietly, dismissing it.
"I don't tolerate carelessness. Missions are not games. Follow my lead when necessary."
Luna's lips pressed into a tiny pout before she smiled again, almost childlike.
"You haven't changed at all. Still strict. Still quiet."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You speak as if you've known me for years. But I don't recall meeting you."
Luna giggled softly, her laughter gentle like chimes.
"That's because… you forgot. But I didn't."
She picked up another slice of cake, cutting it slowly, offering it across the table with a shy smile.
"Would you like some? It's strawberry. Sweet things help before dangerous missions… I always think so."
Valerian stared at the fork for a moment. His instinct was to refuse—unnecessary calories, distraction from focus. But something in her gaze, so warm and oddly familiar, made him pause.
"…Later." He finally said.
Luna's smile widened, her eyes sparkling like dawn. She whispered softly, almost only for herself.
"…You have changed. You don't even realize it."
The silence between them lingered, stretching almost too long. Luna twirled her fork between her fingers, sneaking glances at him as he sat perfectly still, posture sharp, hands folded with military precision. She couldn't take it anymore.
"So…" she began, her voice a little higher than usual. "Since I'm your senior… maybe you should show me some respect, hmm?"
Her tone was playful, but her cheeks burned pink the moment the words left her mouth. She tried to soften it with a nervous giggle, brushing her hair behind her ear.
Valerian's storm-blue eyes lifted, meeting hers with an expression that was flat, unflinching. His reply was calm, deliberate.
"You're short."
Luna blinked. Her fork nearly slipped from her hand.
"S-short? That's… that's your response?!" She laughed awkwardly, covering her mouth with one hand as her cheeks puffed slightly. "I-I mean, maybe I'm not tall, but I'm still your senior!"
Valerian's tone didn't change.
"We're both twenty-one."
Her mouth opened, then closed. She pressed her palms together on the table, fidgeting, unable to meet his gaze directly.
"T-that's… true. But still…" She laughed again, softer this time, like she was trying to make herself believe it. "I am your senior."
Valerian didn't answer. He shifted his eyes toward the far wall, examining the ISA insignia as though her words had evaporated. It was not rudeness, exactly—it was erasure. He simply chose not to acknowledge her presence.
The air grew heavy for her, though he seemed unaffected. Luna's fingers traced circles against the edge of her plate, her shoulders curving inward. Her lips parted once or twice, as if she wanted to speak, but no words came.
Finally, Valerian's voice cut through.
"Are you… really S-Rank?"
The bluntness stung more than she expected. Her heart skipped. She pressed a hand to her chest, eyes wide.
"W-what do you mean? Of course I'm—"
"Prove it." His gaze locked on her, sharp and unwavering.
Luna's cheeks flared crimson. She looked around quickly, realizing several other S-Class heroes were glancing curiously at their table. She laughed nervously, tugging at her collar.
"U-um… well, I don't exactly want to start smashing tables or healing people who aren't injured…"
Her hands fluttered awkwardly, until finally she straightened her uniform proudly, tugging at the hem to emphasize the ISA insignia etched across her chest plate. Then, almost like a child showing a badge, she pulled her ID card from her pocket and held it up, the holographic seal shimmering.
"See? Proof. ISA. S-Rank. Luna Mooncreast."
Valerian's expression didn't shift.
"Paper."
Her lips trembled before curling into a sheepish smile.
"It's not paper—it's official ISA clearance!" She laughed softly, hiding her embarrassment behind another bite of cake. "You're really blunt, you know that?"
For a few moments, neither spoke again. Valerian sat like a statue, only his eyes shifting slightly as if he were calculating a dozen scenarios in his head. Luna, unable to bear the silence, leaned forward with her fork.
"Would you like something? Maybe some cake? It's really good… soft, sweet, perfect for clearing the mind before missions."
Valerian's eyes flicked down at the cake, then back to her face. His response was a single word.
"Irrelevant."
Luna's fork froze halfway to her mouth. Then she let out a nervous laugh, scratching her cheek.
"Hehe… right, of course. Silly me…"
A few minutes later, she tried again. "Or maybe… some tea? It helps with focus, really soothing—"
"Unnecessary."
Her shoulders twitched, her cheeks puffed again before she forced a smile. "You're… really hard to feed, you know that?"
He didn't reply.
Luna sighed softly, fidgeting with her sleeve, before leaning her chin on her palm and gazing at him openly. "Do you always talk like this? Just… two words at a time? Doesn't it get lonely?"
Valerian didn't answer immediately. His jaw shifted slightly, but his expression remained still. Finally, he spoke again, this time heavier.
"This is an S-Class mission. A child is missing. Kidnapped. Dangerous universe. Black markets. Titans. And you…" His eyes sharpened, pinning her like a blade. "Are you serious about this? Or not?"
Luna's smile faltered. For a moment, she wanted to shrink, to disappear under his storm-blue gaze. But then she straightened her back, pressing her hand to her chest. Her voice was softer than before, but steady.
"…Of course I am. I wouldn't be here otherwise."
She gave a tiny smile, though her eyes carried weight. "I'm not just cakes and laughter, Valerian. I know what's at stake."
Her gaze softened again, quiet but firm.
"That boy… Flame Stormbringer. I'll save him. No matter what."
For the first time, Valerian didn't respond with a clipped dismissal. He studied her for several seconds longer than
usual, his silence carrying more weight than his words.
Luna fidgeted, cheeks warm, unable to hold his gaze for long. But her heart beat fast, not from fear—something else.