Rein woke slowly, as if rising through thick water.
His ribs throbbed, his breathing sharp with every inhale. A faint antiseptic smell told him exactly where he was.
Hospital… great.
He shifted slightly and hissed as a dull ache stabbed through his side.
The doctors must've already operated on him. He remembered the flash of pain, the stretcher, voices shouting—
And Zen.
Rein immediately turned his head.
Zen lay in the next bed, still unconscious, wrapped in clean bandages, his chest rising steadily. The jagged wound that should've killed him was now a faint, pale line glowing with recovery magic.
Rein exhaled shakily, relief punching a hole in his chest.
A soft knock came before the door slid open.
Principal Wilson stepped inside, coat over one shoulder, looking tired but carrying that warm, confident smile that never quite faded.
"You're awake," Wilson said, his tone quiet. "Good. I was starting to think you'd sleep another day."
Rein tried sitting up — regretted it instantly — and ended up glaring at him instead.
"What… happened?"
Wilson pulled a chair beside the bed.
"First, relax. You and Zen made it through surgery." He paused. "My wife did the initial healing on both of you. She closed the worst damage, but even for a Penta Vein user… chaotic wounds are messy."
Rein froze.
Wilson's eyes flicked toward Zen's bed — then back to him.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "I didn't say who used chaotic energy. The staff assumes it came from the attacker."
Rein let out a quiet breath; he didn't realise he'd been holding.
Chaotic energy was corrosive and deadly.
And Rein is the only one who could use it without being torn apart.
Only four people knew:
Principal Wilson.
Zen.
Stella.
Valkyrie.
Anyone else finding out? That would be the end of him.
Wilson leaned forward.
"You saved Zen's life," he said. "But you can't let anyone here know what you did. If the government finds out you can control chaos without suffering corruption…" He shook his head. "They won't ask questions. They'll take you."
Rein's jaw tightened. "I didn't have a choice."
"I know," Wilson said. "And I'm not scolding you. Just making sure you understand the stakes."
He sighed then, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"It worked — your chaotic seal held long enough for my wife to stabilise him. But removing the residue…" Wilson grimaced. "Even with restraints, Zen nearly snapped the bed in half. Chaotic energy doesn't treat human tissue kindly."
Rein swallowed. "Is he… okay?"
"He'll wake up soon," Wilson assured him. "His vitals are good. Better than expected."
Silence settled over them for a moment.
Then Wilson glanced at the clock. "By the way, I dropped Stella and Valkyrie home before coming here."
Rein blinked. "Valkyrie was there?"
Wilson suppressed a laugh.
Rein felt his ears heat.
Wilson raised a brow. "They care. Both of them."
Rein looked away. "It's nothing."
"Mm." Wilson smiled knowingly. "If you say so."
He stood up, stretching his back.
"Listen, Rein."
His voice softened again, but carried weight now.
"What you did tonight… proves something. Chaos didn't break you. That alone is extraordinary — and dangerous. So until we know why your body can handle it, you need to keep your head down."
Rein nodded slowly.
Wilson placed a hand on his shoulder — firm, steady, reassuring.
"Rest. When Zen wakes up, I'll bring the sisters by. They'll want to yell at you for scaring them."
Rein managed a faint smile.
Wilson opened the door, pausing for just a second.
"And Rein… I'm proud of you. Don't make me regret keeping your secret."
The door clicked shut behind him.
Rein stared at the ceiling, the steady beep of the heart monitor the only sound in the room.
His chest hurt.
His ribs ached.
But Zen was alive.
And the truth he carried — the chaotic power no one should survive — pulsed quietly inside him.
A blessing.
A curse.
A secret that could break the world.
A full day passed before the room finally felt alive again.
Rein sat up, ribs stiff but healing. Zen… well, Zen was awake, but "awake" was generous.
The guy was slumped against his pillow, eyes half-open, grinning like three different painkillers had hit him at once.
The door slid open.
Stella stepped inside first, calm and composed as usual. Valkyrie followed, hands behind her back, giving the boys a warm, gently teasing smile.
"Hey, you two," Stella said. "How are you feeling?"
Zen raised a finger dramatically.
"I–I feeeeel… Amaaaazing. I'll—I'll… I'll kill that bastaaaard… just yooou watch…"
Rein lifted both hands in surrender, looking directly at Valkyrie as Zen continued mumbling to the ceiling.
"Yeah, uh… he's been like that ever since he woke up," Rein said with a tired half-smile.
Valkyrie blinked twice, confused and fascinated at the same time.
"…Is he drunk?"
"Medicated," Rein corrected. "Strong stuff. He currently believes gravity is optional."
Zen giggled in the background. "I am a cloud…"
Stella sighed and gestured between them. "Anyway. Valkyrie, this is Rein. Rein, my sister — Valkyrie."
Rein straightened instinctively, suddenly aware he was meeting Stella's sister.
He gave a small bow of his head.
"It's really nice to finally meet you. Stella… uh, talks about you a lot."
Valkyrie's brows lifted with interest. "Oh? Only good things, I hope."
Valkyrie laughed softly, shaking her head.
"Nice to meet you too, Rein," she said, giving him a gentle, reassuring smile — the kind that told him she already knew far more about him than he expected.
Zen, mid-sentence about vengeance, suddenly froze.
His head swivelled toward Valkyrie in slow motion.
His eyes went wide.
His soul left his body.
"OHHHHHHH. MMMMMYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOODNESSSSS…" Zen gasped.
"STEELAAAAA… W-W-WHO… WHO IS THAT TOTAL GODDESSSSSSS BEHIND YOUUUU??"
Valkyrie jumped slightly, cheeks going pink as she pointed to herself.
"M-Me?"
Stella sighed like she'd trained her whole life for this moment.
"He's always like this," she muttered.
"This is my sister, Zen."
Zen clutched his heart like he'd been struck by destiny itself.
"IIIIIIII'MMM… IIIIIN… LOOOOOOUUUUVVVVVEEEEE—!!"
BANG.
Stella bonked his head with the back of her hand.
"She's seven years older than you."
Zen didn't even flinch.
"AGGGEEEE… IS… JUUUUST… A NUMBERRRRR…"
Rein groaned. "Stella, chill. He just woke up from surgery. His brain's still rebooting."
Valkyrie covered her mouth, shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Oh, he's… adorable."
Stella crossed her arms. "You can keep him if you want."
"NoooOOOooo," Zen wailed dramatically. "Please… don't give me awaaayyyy… goddess…"
Rein sighed the sigh of a man carrying two children instead of one friend and a crush-worthy warrior.
"Please," he muttered, "someone sedate him again."
Valkyrie tapped the side of the pizza box as she stepped closer.
"Are you two hungry? We brought some pizza."
Zen shot upright as someone plugged him into a wall socket.
"YYYYYEEEEEEESSSSS, GODDDDEEEESSS… PLLLLEEEEAAASSSEEEE… FEEEEED MEEEEEEE SSSSSOOOOOME PIZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAA—!!"
Rein pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh my god… Yes, we'll eat. If you two don't mind."
"Not a problem at all," Valkyrie said warmly. "Eat as much as you want."
She glanced at Zen, who was still chanting "pizzzzzzaaaa" like a cursed ritual.
"I can sit with him, if that's not an issue."
Stella blinked. "Are you sure you can handle his nonsense?"
"It shouldn't be that bad," Valkyrie said confidently.
Rein's inner voice:
Oh boy. She's gonna regret that in five minutes.
Valkyrie continued, "Stella, why don't you sit with Rein? If you're okay with that."
Stella froze.
Red. Instant red.
"Y-Yeah. I don't mind."
Valkyrie looked at Rein next. "And you?"
Rein looked everywhere except at Stella.
"…I also don't mind."
He was blushing too.
That was when Zen—holy and heavily medicated—decided to speak up again.
"SSSSSSTOOOOOOP… FFFFFLLLIIIIRRRRTTTTIIIIINNNGGG… AAAAALLLLREEEEAAADDDDYYYY—!!!"
Both Rein and Stella snapped toward him.
"WE'RE NOT!" they shouted in perfect synchronisation.
Both of them turned even redder.
Valkyrie bit her lip to hold back a laugh, a tiny chuckle escaping.
"Ah… young love."
"No, it's not—!"
"WE'RE JUST—!"
"It's not like—!"
Rein and Stella panicked simultaneously, their voices overlapping into a cacophony of complete nonsense.
Zen simply leaned back, victorious, and whispered dramatically:
"Cuuuuute…"
Valkyrie lifted the curtain with a gentle swoosh.
"I'll give you two a little privacy," she said with a smile that was way too knowing.
"Thank you, Miss Valkyrie," Rein replied politely.
She laughed softly. "No need for the 'Miss.' Just call me Valkyrie."
"O-Okay… as you wish." Rein nodded.
She closed the curtain behind her, leaving Rein and Stella alone in the quiet space.
A beat of silence.
"…Soooo," Rein murmured.
"…Soooo," Stella echoed, matching his awkwardness perfectly.
Rein scratched his cheek, looking away.
"Um, Stella… I know this is kind of weird, but… could you help me eat? I can't move much because of my ribs."
Stella blinked, then softened immediately.
"Oh—yeah. Yeah, that's not a problem."
She pulled her chair closer and reached for a slice.
Her blue eyes flicked to him, a tiny hint of red on her cheeks.
"Just… tell me if it hurts, okay?"
Rein smiled back, flustered but grateful.
"Thanks. I… appreciate it."
Stella tried to act casual, but her hands were just a little too careful, a little too gentle.
From the other side of the curtain, Zen's muffled voice drifted through:
"SSSSTTTTTOOOPPPP BEEEEEIIIINNNGGGG CUTE IN THEREEEE!"
Both of them froze.
Both of them blushed.
And both of them pretended they absolutely did NOT hear that.
Stella picked up a slice of pizza from the box, holding it with both hands like it was some delicate artefact. She leaned in a little and lifted it toward Rein's mouth.
"Here… slow and steady," she said softly.
Rein took a careful bite, trying not to wince as his ribs protested. "Thanks," he murmured, looking everywhere except directly at her.
"Mm-hm. Anytime," Stella replied.
Then—without thinking—she brought the same slice to her lips and took a small bite from the edge Rein had just eaten from.
Rein froze. Full system shutdown.
Colour rushed up his neck and onto his cheeks. He turned his head away so fast his ribs threatened to mutiny.
Stella blinked. "W-wait—what? What's wrong?" she asked, leaning slightly forward.
"It's just…" Rein swallowed, eyes glued to the wall. "You… uh… took a bite from my slice."
For a second, Stella went redder than the tomato sauce. She slapped both hands over her face, groaning into her palms.
"I–I wasn't thinking, okay?" she mumbled, voice muffled and flustered.
Rein heard her whisper something beneath her breath, just barely.
"...I love you…"
He frowned. "Huh? What did you say?"
Stella shot upright, still rosy, shaking her head too fast. "Nothing! Nothing at all! Just—eat your pizza!"
Rein raised an eyebrow, suspicious but too embarrassed (and injured) to push further, but still tried.
Rein lifted his hand with effort — every movement tugging painfully at his ribs — but he didn't care. He reached out and let his fingers rest on Stella's head, brushing lightly against her hair. She stiffened, her breath catching, as if even that tiny gesture cracked something open inside her.
"Stella…" he whispered. "You can tell me anything. Whatever it is — I'm here. And I won't say a word to anyone."
She blinked rapidly, fighting tears even before she spoke. Her hands fidgeted against her lap, gripping the sheets, unclenching, gripping again. It looked like she was struggling against a dam inside her chest.
"I I-I don't know how to say this," she whispered.
"You can," Rein said gently. "Take your time."
But she didn't take her time.
It just came out.
"I love you, Rein."
The world stopped.
Rein's mind emptied. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, loud enough that it drowned out the soft beeping of the hospital monitors. For a moment, he wasn't sure he heard her correctly — not because he doubted her, but because it didn't feel real. Not here. Not now. Not after everything they just survived.
"…What?" The word escaped him in a breath, not disbelief — just shock.
Stella lifted her head. Her eyes glistened, shimmering with tears she'd been holding back for far too long. She reached up, took his hand gently, and guided it from her head down to her cheek, pressing his palm against her skin as if she needed the contact to stay grounded.
Her voice trembled.
"When I saw you fall… Rein, I—I thought you were gone."
Her tears fell harder now, sliding over his fingers.
"I felt something in me break. I couldn't move, I couldn't even breathe. I was useless. I was terrified."
She squeezed his hand, her grip desperate, emotional.
"I kept thinking… if you died—" her voice cracked, "—I don't know what would've happened to me. I don't think I could've handled it."
Another tear dropped onto his wrist.
"I love you. I've loved you for longer than I wanted to admit, and when you collapsed, all that fear just… poured out. I can't lose you. I don't want to."
Rein felt his own eyes burn. Not from pain — this was different, heavier, warmer. Something he'd never experienced, never even thought he deserved.
A single tear escaped him, trailing down his cheek.
He didn't even try to hide it.
He wasn't sure what to say — not yet — but he knew one thing with absolute certainty:
He didn't want her to let go of his hand.
Ever…
Rein didn't even realise the tears were falling until Stella's fingers brushed one from his cheek. His breath hitched, barely audible, and then everything inside him just… gave way.
"I love you too, Stella," he whispered, voice thin and shaking. "I really do."
Stella froze for a second, her eyes widening — a mixture of shock, relief, and something even softer. But Rein kept going, words spilling out as if a dam had cracked.
"I just… didn't know how to say it," he confessed. "I was scared. I thought if I said anything, you'd think I was weird or broken or— or not good enough."
"Rein…" Stella whispered, her voice already trembling.
He shook his head weakly, tears dripping off his chin. "Who would want to give love to someone like me? I don't have a mother. I don't have a father. I grew up with nothing. No family, no place I belonged. It was just Zen and me against the world."
He gave a sad, shaky laugh.
"And honestly, I told myself that was enough. That I didn't need anything else. That I didn't deserve anything else."
Stella covered her mouth, her eyes glistening. "Rein, don't say that…"
"But it's true," he whispered. "When you smiled at me, when you held my hand, when you worried about me… every time it happened, I thought, 'Why me? Why would someone like her care about someone like me?"
His voice cracked hard.
"I never thought someone could actually love me."
He looked away, ashamed, wiping his face even though the tears kept coming.
Stella couldn't stay still anymore.
She cupped his face with both hands, gently forcing him to look at her. "Rein… listen to me."
Her voice wavered.
But her grip didn't.
"You think you don't deserve love?" she said, her words breaking, "Rein, you're one of the kindest, strongest people I've met. You risk your life for others without thinking. You protect Zen like he's your world. You even saved him with power that could have killed you—"
"I didn't care what happened to me," Rein whispered.
"I know," she replied, tears rolling down her cheeks. "And that's exactly why I fell for you."
Rein's eyes widened.
Stella's lips trembled as she continued. "I love you because you care. I love you because you're gentle even when you're hurting. I love you because you always try to smile even when you're breaking inside."
A small sob escaped her.
"And I love you because… because you're Rein."
He stared at her — stunned, overwhelmed, undone.
"I was terrified," she admitted, voice cracking. "When you collapsed, when they rushed you into surgery…I thought— I thought—"
She choked, covering her face, "I thought I was going to lose you. I thought I'd never get the chance to tell you I—I—"
Rein placed a shaky hand on her cheek, wiping her tears with his thumb.
"You didn't lose me," he whispered. "I'm right here."
Stella leaned forward and hugged him — carefully, but desperately — burying her face in his shoulder.
Her voice was muffled but full of emotion.
"I don't want to ever lose you…"
"I won't leave," Rein whispered. "Not you."
She held him tighter, her tears soaking into his hospital gown.
"I love you," she said again, softer this time, like a promise.
Rein closed his eyes, finally letting himself feel everything he'd been denying for so long — her warmth, her worry, her love.
"I love you too, Stella," he breathed. "More than I ever knew I could."
Rein and Stella stayed wrapped together, breathing softly, their tears slowing. It was quiet… peaceful… just the two of them in their little world—
sniff… sniff sniff… SNNNNNIIIIFFF
Both froze.
A very dramatic gasp burst from the other side of the same room.
Zen, sitting upright in his bed with Valkyrie right beside him, clutched his chest as someone stabbed him with emotions instead of a knife.
"M—MY HEART…!!" he cried.
Valkyrie jerked back, eyes wide.
"Zen?! What— what happened?!"
Zen pointed at Rein and Stella like he was exposing a scandal.
"THEY'RE HAVING AN EMOTIONAL MOMENT WITHOUT MEEEE," he sobbed.
Valkyrie blinked.
"…Seriously?"
Zen turned and grabbed her arm with a shaking hand.
"VALKYRIE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND… THEY SAID 'I LOVE YOU'… I HEARD IT… I HEARD THE ROMANCE WITH MY OWN EARS…"
Rein buried his face in embarrassment.
Stella went redder than a tomato.
Zen sniffled again, eyes overflowing.
"I'VE… NEVER… BEEN SO PROUD IN MY ENTIRE LIFEEEE."
Valkyrie tried to gently pat his shoulder, but Zen immediately melted sideways onto her like a limp octopus.
She froze.
"Uhhh— he's… heavy—"
Zen looked up at her with glassy, dramatic eyes.
"Vaaaaalkyrie… hug me… I need comfort… my boi is in looooove…"
Rein groaned.
"Zen, shut up."
Zen lifted a finger like a prophet.
"NO. I WILL SPEAK. FOR THIS IS MY DESTINY."
Valkyrie snorted so hard she had to cover her mouth.
Zen switched targets instantly, pointing at Stella.
"AND YOUUUUU— YOU LITTLE CINNAMON ROLL— YOU BROKE HIS EMO CURSE!"
Stella sputtered.
"C-cinnamon— what—?!"
Valkyrie gently pushed Zen upright again.
"Alright, emotional buffalo, sit straight."
Zen obeyed… then immediately spotted Valkyrie's face at close distance and gasped like a man discovering a goddess.
"OHHHHH MYYYYY GOOOOODDDDD—"
He grabbed her hands dramatically.
"YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFULLLLLL AGAIN— I CAN'T HANDLE ITTTTT—"
Valkyrie's face went pink for exactly half a second before she forced a soldier-like expression.
"…This is ridiculous."
Zen wasn't done.
"VALKYRIEEEE—" he sniffled, "I FEEL SAFE WITH YOU."
Valkyrie choked on air.
Stella burst into laughter.
Rein wiped his face with a hand.
Then Zen pointed at Rein again, tears back on full blast.
"MY BOY REIN… HE'S—HE'S GROWING UP— HE'S A BIG MAN NOW— HE HAS A GIRLFRIEEEENDDD—"
Rein threw a pillow.
Zen dodged by falling straight into Valkyrie's lap.
THUD.
Valkyrie looked down at the idiot sprawled across her knees.
"…He's alive, right?"
Zen gave a thumbs-up.
"YOUR LAP IS SO SOFFFFTTTTT."
"GET OFF," Valkyrie said immediately, dragging him upright.
Stella was laughing so hard she had to hold onto Rein's bed.
Valkyrie finally looked at Stella — and her whole expression softened.
"You really do love him."
Stella blinked, shy and pink.
"…Yeah. I do."
Valkyrie nodded, proud.
"I've never seen you look at anyone like this. I'm happy for you."
She turned to Rein.
"You take care of her. That's all I ask."
Rein met her gaze seriously.
"I promise."
From Valkyrie's lap, Zen suddenly jerked up like an undead zombie.
"YOU TWO BETTER GET MARRIED—" he declared, pointing at them both, "I WANNA BE THE FLOWER GIRL."
Stella almost died.
Rein stared in horror.
Valkyrie slowly turned toward Zen.
"…Did you just say flower girl?"
Zen saluted.
"YES. I WILL THROW THE PETALS WITH PRIDE."
Valkyrie facepalmed.
The door swung open, and the doctor stepped in, holding a clipboard thick with papers.
"Alright," he began, adjusting his glasses, "Mr Kirisawa — you'll be discharged in about an hour. Your vitals are stable, and the healing magic took well."
Zen immediately sat up, eyes sparkling.
"YES! FINALLYYYY!"
The doctor turned a page.
"As for Mr Seethoshi…" His tone softened. "You'll need to stay a bit longer. Your rib hasn't fully closed yet. If we discharge you now, there's a risk of your lung… well, shifting into places it shouldn't."
Rein winced. "Yeah, okay, you didn't have to phrase it like that."
Zen patted his shoulder dramatically. "RIP, my brother."
Rein rolled his eyes. "Lucky you, Zen."
"LUCKY?!" Zen threw his hands up, nearly ripping out his IV. "I get to go home! I get to see my little sister!! AGHHHH— I MISSED HER—!!"
Stella and Valkyrie exchanged amused looks.
Rein tilted his head. "Speaking of—did your parents even visit you?"
Zen froze mid-celebration, scratching his cheek.
"Uh… honestly? I have no idea. I was drugged, unconscious, floating through five dimensions…" He shrugged. "Even if they did come, it was probably when we were in surgery or knocked out."
Rein raised a brow. "So you don't know if they even saw you."
"Nope," Zen said cheerfully. "But hey, I'll ask when I go home. Priorities!" He pumped a fist. "SISTER FIRST."
Stella sighed. "At least he's consistent."
Valkyrie smiled warmly. "It's sweet, actually."
Zen nodded proudly. "Damn right."
The doctor left, and the door clicked shut behind him.
Zen leaned back with a victorious sigh. "Man… home. My bed. My sister. Actual food. I'm gonna cry."
"You are crying," Rein pointed out.
Zen wiped his face instantly. "NO I'M NOT— it's the meds evaporating through my eyeballs."
Valkyrie stepped closer, arms crossed, an amused glint in her eyes.
"You're very dramatic, you know that?"
Zen gasped. "Dramatic?! Me?! I am but a humble survivor!"
Valkyrie shook her head, smiling. "I'm starting to understand why Stella complained about you being overly hyper."
Zen placed a hand over his heart, offended. "You wound me, goddess."
Stella flicked his forehead. "She's not a goddess, you're just delusional."
Zen slumped. "Ow…"
Rein chuckled — or tried to.
The moment his ribs tightened, he sucked in a sharp breath, face scrunching.
His hand flew to his side.
Stella noticed immediately.
Her teasing expression vanished as she moved closer. "Rein—are you okay? Don't force yourself."
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Rein waved her off, pretending it didn't hurt. "Just… forgot my rib is currently playing Jenga with my organs."
Stella sighed, but her eyes were soft. "You don't have to act tough."
Valkyrie chimed in gently, "Yeah. You took a bad hit. Let your body rest."
Rein nodded, though it was obviously forced.
Then, for just a moment, his gaze drifted toward Zen.
Zen was still rambling proudly about how he would eat an entire pot of curry when he got home.
He looked genuinely happy — glowing even.
And Rein… felt a sting of something warm and sad all at once.
Zen gets to go home.
He gets to see his sister.
He gets to leave the hospital.
Rein doesn't.
Not yet.
Stella caught the shift in his expression.
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper only he could hear.
"Hey," she murmured, "your turn will come. Don't look like you're being left behind."
Rein blinked. "Was it… that obvious?"
"To me? Yes," she said, offering a faint smile. "You're not alone here. We'll stay. Both of us."
Valkyrie nodded earnestly. "We're not going anywhere."
Rein swallowed, nodding once. "Thanks… really."
Meanwhile, Zen looked between them, completely oblivious.
"HEY!" he burst out proudly. "When I get home, I'll tell my sister I fought a CHAOS DEMON with my bare hands!"
Rein groaned. "Oh god. Please don't."
Stella put a hand over her face. "We're going to need to correct that story before it spreads."
Valkyrie laughed softly. "Let him have his moment. He did survive, after all."
Zen flexed, despite having zero muscle definition. "Damn right!"
Rein smiled — genuinely this time.
Yeah. His turn would come.
And until then… he wasn't alone.
Zen zipped up the small hospital bag and stretched like a man being freed from prison.
"YES. Clothes that aren't soaked in my own blood. God bless my parents," he declared, admiring the fresh shirt like it were a divine artefact.
Rein raised a brow. "They came?"
"Apparently." Zen held up another folded set. "They even brought clothes for you. And—" He tossed a small envelope onto Rein's bed. "This note was on top."
Rein opened it quietly.
Please come visit when you're discharged. We're all worried about you. And please, please stay a night.
— Mr and Mrs Kirisawa
His chest tightened — and not from his ribs.
"Your parents… didn't have to do that."
Zen grinned. "Hey, you practically saved my life. They adore you even more now." He paused. "I'll thank them on your behalf."
Rein nodded. "Thanks."
Zen slung the bag over his shoulder and turned to the girls.
"Alright, time for dramatic goodbyes. Rein — recover stronger than ever. Stella — don't kill him with your lectures. And Valkyrie—"
She looked up.
Zen put a hand over his heart.
"Stay radiant, total goddess."
Valkyrie's ears turned pink instantly.
"B-Bye Zen…"
"Say hi to your sister," Stella said.
Zen pointed at them proudly. "I WILL. ALL OF YOU STAY OUT OF TROUBLE."
"Bye, Zen," Rein added with a small smile.
And just like that — with one last heroic pose — Zen marched out of the room.
Silence settled almost immediately.
Stella exhaled. "Wow. It's… weird without him."
Rein chuckled softly. "Yeah. Having his nonsense around wasn't that bad after all."
Stella tilted her head slightly. "So… what are you going to do now?"
Rein hesitated.
Then he turned his eyes away, cheeks just a little warm.
"Stella… do you think you could… stay the night with me? If it's not… too much to ask."
Her reaction was immediate — and gentle.
She walked to his bedside, leaned down, and cupped his face with both hands.
Her voice dipped into a whisper only meant for him.
"Absolutely," she said, smiling in that warm, grounding way she always had.
Rein swallowed, the tension in his shoulders fading.
He looked over at Valkyrie.
"Are you okay with that?"
Valkyrie nodded with an easy smile.
"Of course. You two need the time."
Rein relaxed fully for the first time that day.
Stella stayed right beside him.
Valkyrie took a seat near the window.
The room felt quieter, calmer — but somehow fuller than before.
Zen was gone.
But Rein wasn't alone.
Not tonight.
Night pressed softly against the windows as the rain began to fall, filling the room with a steady, calming rhythm. Rein lay back in his hospital bed, blanket pulled up to his waist, ribs bandaged tightly. The dim lights cast gentle shadows along the walls, and the cool air made him tuck the blanket a little closer.
Valkyrie slipped on her coat, preparing to leave.
"Alright," she said quietly, stepping closer to his bed, "I'm heading home now."
Rein tilted his head toward her, trying not to move too much.
"Take care of yourself, okay?"
Valkyrie gave a small smile before turning to her sister.
"And Stella—" she said, her voice low but warm, "take care of him. He deserves love, probably more than he realises."
Stella flushed, glancing away as Valkyrie stepped out into the hallway.
The sisters stood just outside the room. Stella leaned against the doorframe while Valkyrie gently brushed her hair aside and kissed her forehead.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Love you, little sis."
Stella hugged her briefly. "Love you too. Get home safe."
Valkyrie stepped back inside the doorway one last time.
"Bye, Rein. Recover well."
Rein gave a slow nod from his pillow.
"Bye, Miss Valkyrie."
She sighed with a tiny half-laugh. "I keep telling you—no need for the 'Miss.'"
Rein's smile deepened, even through the pain.
"It feels right to say."
Valkyrie shook her head fondly and finally walked down the corridor. Her footsteps faded beneath the soft patter of rain.
The room grew quiet.
Just the hum of the monitor.
The rain is tapping at the window.
And the soft rustle of Stella sitting down beside his bed.
Rein shifted slightly, grimacing at the ache.
Now it was only the two of them, alone in the dim room while the storm whispered outside.
Rein lay still, staring at the ceiling for a moment before turning his head slightly toward Stella.
"Stella… why choose me? Out of so many others?" His voice was quiet, almost afraid of the answer.
Stella blinked, surprised he even asked.
"I already told you, didn't I?" she said gently. "I love you for who you are."
Rein's breath shook. "—I don't feel like I deserve this. Sometimes it feels like I'm forcing you into something."
"You're not," she said instantly, scooting closer. "Not even a little. I swear, I'll always be with you. No matter what."
She pulled out her phone and untangled her earphones, her fingers trembling just a bit — not from nerves, but from how much she cared. She slid onto the hospital bed beside him with careful movements so she wouldn't hurt his ribs. Then she rested her head on his shoulder, letting out a soft breath. If being close to him finally calmed something in her.
She put one earbud into her ear and gently placed the other in Rein's.
A soft melody filled the space.
"Coffee" by beabadoobee.
Stella sang along under her breath — her voice barely above a whisper, but sweet enough to make Rein's chest tighten.
"Don't stay awake for too long,"
"Don't go to bed…"
Stella's head nuzzled deeper into his shoulder. Her fingers found his hand under the blanket, tracing idle circles across his skin — slow, warm, comforting.
"I'll make a cup of coffee for your head…"
"I'll get you up and going out of bed…"
Rein felt his heart slowly, helplessly melting. Stella wasn't doing anything dramatic — she was just there, humming and singing softly, her voice brushing against him like a warm breeze.
"And I promise that one day I'll feel fine…"
"And I promise that one day I'll feel alright…"
Stella kept singing in that gentle voice, swaying their joined hands slightly. Every note sounded like something she wanted him to hear — not just lyrics, but promises.
When the line came:
"You make me feel nice… the green in your eyes makes me feel warm inside…"
Stella hesitated, her voice catching for a second.
Then she squeezed his hand and sang that part a bit louder, like she wanted him to know she meant it.
Rein didn't say a word.
He couldn't.
All he did was hold her hand back, just a little tighter.
Rein's breath hitched as he tried—unsuccessfully—to blink the tears away. His voice came out small, warm, and almost trembling.
"Thank you… Thank you for everything."
Stella's expression softened instantly. She reached up and wiped the tears trailing down his cheeks with the gentlest touch, then leaned in and pressed a slow, reassuring kiss to his forehead.
"Don't thank me," she whispered.
"That's what best friends are for."
That line hit him harder than she expected. Because it was the same thing he'd told her before the concert—the moment she needed him most. The echo of his own words coming back to him, from someone he cared about that deeply, made the tears spill faster. He wasn't crying from pain anymore… it was relief. Connection. Being seen.
And for once, he didn't try to hide it.
Before Stella could say anything else, Rein reached out and pulled her into a tight hug—too tight for someone with an injured rib, but in that moment, he didn't care. The pain flared sharply in his side, but he held her anyway, burying his face against her shoulder as if letting go would undo everything she'd just said.
"Rein—your rib—" Stella whispered, startled but already wrapping her arms around him.
"I don't care," he murmured into her shoulder, voice shaking. "Just… stay like this. Please."
Stella felt him trembling, not from pain, but from everything he'd been holding in for days. She eased her hold, careful not to press on his side, but she didn't pull away. One hand found the back of his head, fingers threading gently through his hair.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said softly. "Not tonight. Not tomorrow. You're safe."
Rein exhaled shakily, clinging just a little tighter—ignoring every warning shot of pain his body fired—because for the first time in a long time, he finally felt like he wasn't alone.
Eventually, Stella loosened her embrace just enough to look at him.
"You're literally shaking," she whispered. "Lie back before you pass out on me."
Rein let out a breathy laugh, wiping the corner of his eye with the back of his hand.
"Yeah… maybe that hug was a terrible idea."
"It was," she agreed softly, guiding him back against the pillows. "But I get why you did it."
Rein settled in, breathing slowly as the pain eased. The room felt calmer now — dim lights, quiet rain tapping on the window, the faint warmth of the blanket Stella pulled over him. She sat at the edge of the bed, and even though she wasn't touching him, her presence felt close… grounding.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Rein just watched her — the way the soft hospital light caught the strands of her hair, the gentle curve of her smile, the worry hiding behind it.
"What?" Stella asked, noticing his stare.
"You're too good to be real," he said before he could stop himself.
She blinked, cheeks tinting pink.
"You're still drugged, aren't you?"
"No," Rein laughed quietly. "This is the most sober I've been all day."
Stella looked away, flustered, brushing loose hair behind her ear.
"Well… if you say sweet things out of nowhere like that, I won't know what to do."
"You don't have to do anything," he said gently. "Just… stay."
Her eyes softened. She shifted closer, placing her hand over his — careful, light, but warm in a way that made his heart stutter.
"Rein," she murmured, "I'm right here."
He swallowed, thumb brushing her palm.
"Can I…" he hesitated, eyes dropping to her lips for half a second before he forced himself to look away. "Is it okay if—"
She leaned in first.
Just a small kiss, soft and steady, nothing rushed — the kind of kiss that didn't ask for more, didn't take too much, just said I'm here in the simplest way possible. Rein's eyes fluttered shut, and for a moment, everything — the rain, the hospital room, the pain — faded.
When they parted, Stella rested her forehead gently against his.
"See?" she whispered with a tiny smile. "Told you I'm not going anywhere."
Rein exhaled, smiling back — calmer, lighter, and finally… safe.
"Don't you want to listen to more songs?" Rein asked quietly, brushing a stray tear off his cheek with the back of his hand.
Stella tilted her head. "You want to?"
"Yeah," he admitted. "I… really do."
A tiny smile tugged at her lips. "In the same way as before? Shoulder-to-shoulder, earphones… and you trying very hard not to cry?"
Rein flushed. "H-Huh? I wasn't— okay, maybe a little. But… yeah. I'd love that."
She chuckled softly, the sound warm enough to melt him on the spot.
"Alright then… my little pure bear."
Rein groaned. "Stella, please—"
"Nope. It's staying," she said with a smug grin. "Now come here."
She helped him shift just enough so she could sit closer. The bed dipped slightly under her weight as she nestled beside him, their shoulders brushing. She placed one earbud in his ear, one in hers, and queued another song.
As the melody started, Rein let his head fall gently onto her shoulder. Stella didn't hesitate — she leaned her head lightly against his, fingers intertwining with his like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The rain outside kept tapping against the window — a soft rhythm that blended perfectly with the music, with her voice humming quietly along, with the warmth of her hand wrapped around his.
Rein's eyelids grew heavy. Not from exhaustion, but from peace — a feeling he wasn't used to. A feeling that scared him at first… but now felt unmistakably like home.
Stella gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Comfy?" she whispered.
He squeezed back.
"Yeah," he murmured, a small smile forming as he inhaled her scent, warm and sweet. "This… this feels perfect."
And for the first time in a long time, he meant every word.
Stella quietly scrolled through her playlist, the soft patter of rain tapping against the window like a quiet metronome.
Her thumb paused.
"Found it," she whispered.
She untangled the earphones, climbed carefully onto the hospital bed, and nestled beside Rein. His ribs made him shift a little, but he didn't complain — not when her warmth slid so naturally into the space beside him.
She slipped one earbud into her ear, then brushed her fingers along his cheek before placing the other in his.
A soft, delicate piano note drifted into the room.
"lovely" — Billie Eilish & Khalid.
Rein felt his breath stall at the first few notes.
He wasn't sure if it was the song… or Stella… or the way the world outside seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of them in this tiny, rain-lit bubble.
Stella leaned her head on his shoulder, her hair brushing his jawline most gently. Under the blanket, her fingers searched for his — slow, hesitant — and when they finally found his hand, she intertwined their fingers with a tenderness that made something deep in Rein's chest unfold.
Then she started to sing.
Not loud.
Not confident.
Just soft… trembling… achingly honest.
"Thought I found a way…"
"Thought I found a way out…"
Her voice cracked slightly on the way out, and Rein felt warmth rise through him — his face, his chest, even the parts of him he'd been trying to keep guarded.
She swayed their joined hands.
The rain tapped the window in rhythm, like the sky itself was backing her up.
"But you never go away…"
Her voice dipped — fragile, almost breaking — and Rein felt her grip tighten around his fingers, as if she was holding onto the meaning behind the line more than she wanted to show.
Then Khalid's part came in, and Rein… without thinking, without planning, without any hesitation… began to whisper along with her.
"Oh, I hope someday I'll make it out of here…"
Stella's eyes lifted, wide and soft. He kept going:
"Even if it takes all night or a hundred years…"
She threaded their fingers tighter, leaning her head back on his shoulder as if anchoring him.
"Need a place to hide, but I can't find one near…"
Her thumb brushed slow circles across the back of his hand, steadying him through each line.
Rein's voice grew rough, raw:
"Wanna feel alive, outside I can't fight my fear…"
When the words left him, Stella gently lifted her head, eyes shining in the dim room. She leaned in until their foreheads rested together — warm, steady, grounding.
"Rein…" she breathed, like holding the weight of what he'd just confessed. "You don't have to fight anything alone. Not anymore."
Her voice trembled — just once.
"Isn't it lovely, all alone…"
"Heart made of glass, my mind of stone…"
Their voices blended — quiet, imperfect, beautifully in sync.
Stella lifted her head just enough that their temples rested together. She didn't look at him, but he could feel the smile she hid — soft, shy, and impossibly warm.
"Tear me to pieces… skin to bone…"
She hesitated — just like the first time earlier.
She stopped singing for one heartbeat and instead squeezed his hand, firm and grounding, like she was silently telling him I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.
Then she breathed out the last line, barely more than a whisper:
"Hello… welcome home."
Rein closed his eyes.
Home.
With her.
In a dim hospital room, while the rain whispered against the window.
He didn't even realise tears had slipped free until Stella's thumb swept gently across the corner of his eye, wiping them away with the kind of tenderness that made his heart feel too full, too fragile, too alive.
Stella kept brushing his tears away, slow and careful, like each one meant something.
Rein didn't move. He just watched her — really watched her — the way her lashes lowered in concentration, the way her thumb lingered on his cheek longer than necessary, the way her breath softened every time she touched him.
"Rein…" she whispered, her voice barely there.
He swallowed, but the knot in his throat didn't ease.
She was too close.
Too warm.
Too gentle in a way that made his chest ache more than his ribs ever could.
Stella's hand slid from his cheek to his jaw, her palm warm against his skin.
She hesitated.
Not because she didn't want to.
But because she cared enough to worry about hurting him.
"Does it… hurt if I get closer?" she murmured.
Rein shook his head. "No. It— it doesn't."
His voice trembled. Not from pain.
From her.
Stella leaned in slowly, giving him every chance to pull back — but he didn't.
He couldn't.
Their foreheads met first. A soft touch. A small breath shared between them. Rein felt her thumb trace the side of his jaw, slow and comforting.
"Okay," she whispered, almost like she was reassuring herself.
And then she kissed him.
It was gentle at first — warm, careful, barely there.
But the moment their lips touched, Rein felt something inside him melt, loosen, breathe.
Stella tilted her head just a little, deepening the kiss by the softest fraction. Her hand slipped to the back of his neck, fingers threading into his hair in a way that made him exhale shakily.
Rein brought his free hand up to her waist — light, barely a touch — afraid to pull her too close and hurt himself, but needing to hold her anyway.
The kiss stayed slow, steady, tender — like they were both afraid of breaking the moment.
When Stella finally pulled back, their noses brushed.
She stayed close, her breath warm against his lips.
"You okay?" she whispered.
Rein blinked, breath unsteady but soft, and managed a tiny, genuine smile.
"Yeah," he murmured. "More than okay."
Stella smiled too — that small, warm smile she only ever showed him — and rested her forehead against his again, their fingers still intertwined under the blankets as the rain kept gently falling outside.
"How about we just… listen to the rain?" Rein murmured, his voice still breathy from the kiss. "If we keep listening to songs, this is too new… too much for me to handle. I'll just cry again."
He wasn't joking.
He was letting her see him.
And that vulnerability — the kind he never showed anyone — was something he trusted her with.
Stella's expression softened instantly.
"Yeah, sure," she whispered. "Take your time."
So they lay there, shoulder to shoulder, listening to the rain slide down the window.
No music.
No talking.
Just the rhythm of the storm and the warmth of each other.
They felt… inseparable.
Like the world outside the hospital didn't exist.
Stella eventually glanced at her phone — 11:45 p.m., Friday, April 18th, 2025.
Two more days.
Two more nights.
Two more quiet moments like this… just the two of them.
Her fingers tightened around her sleeve as a shy little thought fluttered up:
O-oh… this kind of feels like… a little anniversary date, doesn't it?
Her cheeks warmed instantly.
"You sleepy?" Rein asked, his voice gentle.
"No… not yet," Stella said, turning her face slightly toward him. "Not with you."
Rein let out a tiny laugh, soft and warm.
"Hmm, okay, little cinnamon roll."
Stella squinted at him playfully. "Isn't that what Zen called me?"
"Yeah," Rein said, fully unbothered. "It's cute. And it's staying."
"Hmmm… okay, fine." She sighed dramatically, but smiled right after.
There was a beat of silence.
Then curiosity flickered in Rein's eyes.
"Hey, I never asked… what vein is your sister?" he said.
"She's a Qued Vein," Stella replied. "Why do you ask?"
Rein hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm… explains the aura I felt."
Stella nudged him lightly with her shoulder. "Mmm, don't ruin the mood."
"Oh— sorry," Rein said immediately, a little sheepish.
She didn't let the awkwardness linger.
She leaned closer, brushing her nose against his cheek.
Rein responded instinctively — lifting his hand, guiding her gently — and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Warm.
Slow.
Meaningful.
Stella closed her eyes at the touch, sinking even closer into him as the rain kept whispering against the window.
Stella's breath softened after the forehead kiss, slow and steady against Rein's collarbone. The rain outside stayed constant, a soft hush that filled every corner of the dim room. Rein didn't move — partly because of his ribs, but mostly because he didn't want to disturb her.
She shifted closer, her head sliding from his shoulder to just over his chest, right where his heartbeat was easiest to hear.
"Mm… this is nice…" she mumbled, voice thick with exhaustion and comfort.
Rein felt the warmth spreading across his cheeks.
"Y—you comfortable?" he whispered.
She didn't respond with words this time.
She just nuzzled into him, her hair brushing under his chin, and her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt like she didn't want to let go.
Rein's heartbeat kicked up — loud, embarrassingly loud — and he was sure she could hear it.
A tiny smile tugged at her lips.
"Your heart's racing…" she murmured sleepily. "Cute."
Rein opened his mouth to deny it, to say something cool, something normal — but all that came out was a helpless, quiet:
"…oh."
Stella let out a soft exhale, relaxing completely. Her grip on his shirt loosened just a little, her hand resting open against his chest… right over his heart. Her breaths evened out, slow and gentle.
She was asleep.
Just like that — trusting him enough to drift off in his arms, rain outside, his ribs hurting, but his chest full.
Rein blinked at the ceiling, trying to process everything:
The kiss, her warmth, her calling his heartbeat cute, and her falling asleep on him.
He swallowed.
"…yeah," he whispered to no one in particular. "This is… really nice."
He didn't dare move.
He didn't want to.
Not when she looked this peaceful, not when he could feel her breathing against him.
So he stayed there, holding her carefully, listening to the rain and her soft breaths, feeling — for the first time in a long while — that he wasn't alone.
And just before sleep, tugged at him too, Rein whispered one last thing into her hair:
"Goodnight… Stella."
Morning light slipped through the hospital curtains, soft and pale. Rein blinked awake slowly, his body still heavy with sleep. His arms… were empty.
For a moment, his heart tightened.
Was it all a dream?
Stella's warmth. Her voice. Her hand in his.
It felt too perfect — the kind of moment his mind might've made up just to comfort him.
The door clicked open.
"Morning, Rein. I got you some breakfast," Valkyrie announced as she stepped in, balancing a tray like she owned the place.
He pushed himself up carefully.
"Morning, Valkyrie."
She paused mid-step, studying him with that older-sister instinct she couldn't turn off.
"You look like someone kicked your puppy."
Then her eyes narrowed knowingly. "Oh. You think last night was a dream, don't you?"
Rein looked away, cheeks warming. "…Maybe."
Valkyrie snorted softly. "Please. I picked up Stella early this morning and dropped her off at home so she could freshen up. The girl looked like she melted into you during the night."
She set the tray on his lap — pancakes, still warm, smelling faintly of vanilla.
"And," she added, unlocking her phone, "she insisted on getting you pancakes. Said she guessed you liked them."
Rein blinked. "Well… she guessed right."
"Of course she did." Valkyrie grinned, then held her phone out. "Here. I want to show you something."
On the screen was a photo — Rein and Stella curled up together, her head tucked under his chin, his arm draped protectively around her, even in sleep. The rain-blurred window behind them made everything feel soft, almost magical.
Rein's breath caught.
His shoulders loosened.
A small, warm smile tugged at his lips.
"So… it wasn't a dream?" he asked quietly.
"What? No, silly. You two looked like a romance drama poster. I nearly gagged from the sweetness."
Rein felt heat crawl up his neck.
"And by the way," Valkyrie added with a wicked smile, "you smell like her."
Rein nearly choked.
"W–What? I… I do?"
"Yep. Her shampoo is basically clinging to your shirt." She shrugged. "Anyway! Zen might drop by today."
Rein nodded quickly, still flustered.
"Okay. Thanks for letting me know."
"No worries," Valkyrie said, ruffling his hair like a big sister would. "Just doing my job."
She started toward the door, then added without turning back:
"And Rein? She looked really happy last night."
Rein froze.
His chest felt warm again — the same way it did when she sang beside him.
After finishing the pancakes, Rein carefully swung his legs over the side of the bed. His rib still throbbed, but compared to yesterday, it was almost bearable — like someone had finally lowered the volume on his pain.
He made his way to the restroom, each step slow but determined.
The hot water from the shower washed over him, and he leaned one hand against the wall, letting the steam fog the small mirror. His mind drifted back to last night — Stella's voice, her warmth, her fingers locked with his. The whisper of welcome home.
His face flushed red so suddenly that he snapped out of his daze.
"D-Don't blush in the shower, idiot…" he muttered to himself.
He stepped out, dried off, and put on the clothes Zen's parents had sent: black trousers, a clean white hoodie, and a pair of sleek shoes that definitely weren't cheap. The fabric felt high quality, almost too high quality.
He stared at himself in the mirror, eyes stinging.
"How am I ever supposed to pay them back…?" he whispered, tears gathering — but not from sadness. From gratitude. Overwhelming, quiet gratitude.
He pressed a palm to his chest, exhaled shakily, then shuffled back toward his bed, ribs protesting the movement.
"It's pretty boring without a phone…" Rein sighed as he sat down.
His old one was destroyed during the fight with Chaos — a reminder of how close things had gotten.
That thought made him glance at the floor.
His shadow.
Slowly, cautiously, he stood up and looked down.
…Normal.
Pitch black. No movement. No eyes. No distortion.
"Ah—AHH—! It's… It's normal!" he whispered loudly to himself, heart leaping.
A voice came from behind him.
"What's normal?"
Rein nearly jumped out of his skin.
"ZEN?! When—when did you get here? And how long were you standing there?!"
Zen casually leaned against the doorway.
"Oh, about five minutes. Was thinking of how to scare you properly."
"You bastard," Rein said — but he was smiling.
Zen wasn't teasing this time. He wasn't laughing or acting dramatic. He just stood there… smiling softly at Rein. Really smiling. A genuine, relieved, emotional smile.
Rein frowned a little, stepping closer.
"…Hey, bud? You need a hug?"
Zen swallowed, eyes glassy.
"Yeah… I'd like that."
Rein pulled him in gently — mindful of his rib — and Zen wrapped his arms around him like he'd been waiting days for this.
"It's so nice to see you smile again," Zen murmured into his shoulder.
Rein held him a little tighter.
"Yeah," he whispered back. "It's nice to be smiling."
Zen finally loosened his arms, stepping back and clearing his throat as if he hadn't just been emotionally melting into Rein's shoulder.
And immediately switched back to gremlin mode.
"So," Zen said, squinting at him like a detective. "Are you two dating now?"
Rein froze.
Then turned pink.
Then red.
"I–I-I… uhh… I don't know," he muttered, scratching his cheek.
Zen slapped his own forehead dramatically.
"Agh—bro. BRO. Did she leave or did she stay with you last night?"
"She stayed… why?" Rein asked, already scared of the answer.
Zen's eyes lit up. Dangerous.
"OH. OH OH. DID SOMETHING SPICY HAPPEN?"
BANG.
Rein smacked him with a pillow so hard the bed creaked.
"Idiot! Nothing happened!"
But the moment he said it, a flash of last night hit him—Stella's head on his shoulder, their fingers intertwined, her whisper of welcome home…
Rein flushed all over again.
Zen pointed like a man discovering a new species.
"Ahh, ow ow ow—THAT FACE TELLS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY."
"Shut up…" Rein grumbled, ears burning.
"Ohhh, I didn't know you could be this expressive," Zen teased, wiggling his eyebrows. "Someone really fixed you up."
"Can you NOT?" Rein said, voice getting higher as his face grew redder.
Zen gasped. Loudly. Dramatically.
"OH MY—NO WAY. NO WAY. DON'T TELL ME YOU TWO KISSED!"
Rein went tomato-red instantly.
"SHUT UP! NOTHING HAPPENED!" he yelled, voice cracking.
Zen pretended to wipe a tear.
"Aww… my boy has grown SOOO MUCH. I'm so proud!"
"Stop being dramatic," Rein groaned.
Zen leaned in. "You take any pics?"
"WHAT—NO!" Rein sputtered.
"Aww, man," Zen whined. "I wanted to see the cute moment!"
BANG.
Rein bonked him with the pillow again.
"Will you SHUT UP already?!"
Zen fell backwards dramatically onto the chair, clutching his chest.
"Ow… abusive boyfriend energy… Stella's influence is showing!"
"ZEN!"
Zen burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay—fine! But I'm still getting details later."
Rein covered his burning face with both hands.
The door slid open softly.
"Morning, pure bear," Stella said with a gentle smile—only to freeze when a loud choke came from the corner.
"P-p-PURE BEAR?!" Zen repeated, before exploding into laughter so hard he nearly fell over. "BAHAHA—PURE BEAR—REIN YOU DIDN'T TELL ME YOU HAD PET NAMES NOW—"
Stella's entire face turned crimson.
"Z-Zen?! W-when did you get here?" she asked, voice small but somehow still graceful.
Zen was on the floor, wheezing.
"I I-I've been here long enough apparently—PURE BEAR HAHAHA—"
Valkyrie walked in with a sigh just in time for the chaos.
"Sis! You didn't tell me Zen was here!" Stella hissed, whisper-yelling like someone caught sneaking cookies.
"I uhh… I… forgot? (sorry)" Valkyrie whispered back, wincing.
Zen immediately stood up straight like a medieval knight meeting royalty.
"Glad to see you again, Goddess."
BONK.
Rein's pillow hit him with the force of a thrown brick.
"For god's sake, she's seven years older than you!" Rein hissed.
Zen puffed his chest. "I TOLD YOU—AGE IS A MERE NUMBER!"
He spun dramatically toward Valkyrie.
"Valkyrie, you're single, right?"
"Y-yes…?" Valkyrie answered, blinking.
Zen's inner voice screamed across his face:
I GOT A CHANCE.
While Zen tried (and failed) to act cool around Valkyrie, Stella walked over to Rein and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from his forehead.
"Hey… how are you today?" she asked softly.
Rein looked up at her, cheeks warming.
"Better. I can walk again."
He swallowed.
"I… honestly thought last night was a dream."
Stella's expression softened instantly.
"Hm… sorry I left without saying anything."
Before the moment could get any softer—
"OH LOOK AT THOSE TWO—SO. CUTE." Zen shouted, pointing at them like he'd discovered a new species.
Rein chucked the pillow at him again.
"ZEN—GET OUT."
Zen dodged it, barely, before bursting into laughter for the twentieth time that morning.
"Valkyrie, LOOK at them—they're so cute I can't breathe," Zen said, clutching his chest dramatically.
"Oh? Then let me show you something," Valkyrie replied, already pulling out her phone with a suspiciously smug smile.
Rein and Stella froze.
They knew exactly what was coming.
The picture.
THAT picture.
The one where Stella had practically melted onto Rein's chest while they slept.
Both of them shouted in perfect, terrified harmony:
"Valkyrie, NOOOOO!"
Valkyrie blinked innocently.
"Oh? Too late."
She turned the screen toward Zen.
Zen's eyes widened. His mouth dropped. Then—
"OH. MY. GOD," he screamed. "MY HEART—MY HEART IS GOING TO EXPLODE FROM THE CUTENESS—HELP—HELP—SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE—"
Stella covered her face with both hands.
Rein wanted to crawl under the bed and never be found again.
Zen dramatically wiped a fake tear.
"You two… You two are officially my favourite couple from now on. I don't care what anyone says."
"We're not—!" Rein tried to protest.
"Oh PLEASE," Valkyrie cut in, smirking. "Stella was literally melting into him like warm butter."
"SIS!" Stella yelped, face going nuclear red.
Zen gasped as he'd just learned the secrets of the universe.
"MELTING—? OH THIS IS GOLD—I'M GOING TO CHERISH THIS FOREVER—"
Rein threw the pillow again.
Zen caught it this time… then hugged it dramatically like it was a symbol of forbidden romance.
"YOU TWO ARE ADORABLE, AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME."
"..."
"Rein, you can walk now, right?" Zen asked, leaning over with that too-wide grin.
"Yeah… slowly, though," Rein replied.
"Perfect. Then let's bust you out of this place and grab some pasta." Zen winked. "Fresh air, carbs, and your girlfriend walking beside you like a loyal princess—it's a win."
Rein shot him a look. "Uhh… I—yeah, okay. Just go ask for permission."
"Sweet. You two ready?" Zen asked, turning to the sisters.
"Guess so," Valkyrie said.
Stella nodded. "Mhm."
"Alright, I'll go charm the nurse." And with that, Zen marched off like he was on a heroic quest.
The door barely closed behind him before Stella crossed the room in three quiet steps. She leaned down and kissed Rein gently on the lips.
Valkyrie nearly dropped her phone. "W-whoa."
Stella lingered for a second longer before pulling back, cheeks dusted red.
"You okay?" Rein asked softly.
"Mmm." She rested her forehead against his. "I just… missed you."
"Really? You only left for two hours," Rein said with a small chuckle.
"Y-yea… I—I, um… had a thought while I was taking a bath," Stella murmured, cheeks warming as she looked away.
Rein blinked, flustered. "Oh."
"I'm still here, you know," Valkyrie cut in, crossing her arms.
"I trust you, sis," Stella said gently.
"Then what about Zen?" Rein asked.
"I trust him too… but he always makes such a big fuss about it," Stella sighed, her lips dipping into the smallest pout. "It's just two people caring about each other. Why does he act like it's a crime?"
Before Rein could answer, Valkyrie stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on Stella's shoulder.
"You two, don't worry," she said calmly. "I'll talk to him."
Stella's expression softened. Rein exhaled, relieved.
"Thanks… really," Stella whispered.
"Mm. Leave the loud one to me," Valkyrie added with a smirk.
"I hear a storm coming…" Rein muttered.
Right on cue, Zen came sprinting down the hallway like a lightning bolt.
"WO-HOO! Got the permission!" he shouted proudly. "Let's get going!"
Rein let out a small breath, a tiny smile tugging at his lips — the kind that said he'd been waiting for this more than he wanted to admit. "Alright… let's go."
Stella gently slipped her arm around his, supporting his slow steps. Rein steadied himself against her warmth.
"Aww, look at you two," Zen teased instantly.
Stella's eyes dropped, cheeks warming.
"Zen, don't make them uncomfortable," Valkyrie said, flicking him with her voice alone.
"Oh—OH right. You two are actually dating now!" Zen straightened himself. "My bad. I'm sorry!"
He bowed — deeply, dramatically.
"Zen—whoa, you don't have to bow like that!" Rein said, half-laughing.
"No. It's a sign of respect," Zen declared nobly.
Valkyrie raised a brow. "Shouldn't you be apologising to someone else, too?"
Zen froze as she hit him with a spell.
He slowly turned to Stella.
"I'm sorry, Stella. I won't do it again."
Stella peeked at him from behind her bangs. "Hmm… please don't make me uncomfortable."
Her voice was soft, but firm.
"I won't! I swear on my life!" Zen said, Hands up.
Valkyrie smirked.
Rein shook his head.
Stella squeezed Rein's arm a little tighter.
The storm had passed — at least until Zen opened his mouth again.
As they made their slow but steady way toward the exit, Zen suddenly snapped his fingers as he'd just remembered the meaning of life.
"Oh, right—Rein, your phone broke, didn't it?" he asked.
"Yeah," Rein sighed. "I only managed to save the SIM card. Miraculously."
He held it up between two fingers like it was holy.
Zen nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "Alright then. First stop: the tech store."
Rein blinked. "Wait—what? No, Zen, you don't have to. I'm serious."
Zen grinned, hands behind his head. "Not my choice, buddy. Parent orders."
He looked way too happy about it.
Rein's eyes softened. "Then… please thank them for me."
"Already did," Zen said with a wink. "They said, and I quote, 'don't let that boy walk around phoneless like it's 1998.'"
Stella giggled.
Valkyrie smirked.
Rein just groaned into his hoodie.
And they kept walking.
They stepped outside, the cool morning breeze brushing against their faces. Rein inhaled sharply; even the air felt different after last night. Stella stayed close, matching her pace to his slow steps, her hand lightly resting on his arm. Every few seconds, she glanced at him as if to check he was really there.
Zen strutted ahead like a tour guide who'd been waiting his whole life for this moment.
"Alright, team!" he said, spinning dramatically. "Destination: Tech Store. ETA: however long it takes Rein to walk like an old grandpa."
Rein flicked a pebble at him. "You try fighting Chaos with cracked ribs."
Zen pointed at him. "I would, but somebody has to stay pretty for the group."
"Pretty delusional," Valkyrie muttered under her breath.
Zen gasped. "SIS?! I thought you were on my side!"
"I was never on your side," Valkyrie replied.
Stella snorted so hard she had to cover her mouth.
Rein smiled—really smiled. Something he hadn't done in a long time.
As they reached the hospital gate, a small group of nurses waved at Rein.
"You're looking better!" one called.
Rein waved back shyly. "Trying my best."
Stella squeezed his arm gently. "You're doing great."
That one line nearly made him trip.
Zen noticed and leaned toward Valkyrie. "They're gonna kill me with sweetness. I swear I'm getting cavities."
Valkyrie elbowed him. "You wish you had a romance arc like that."
Zen held his chest dramatically. "My heart is fragile, sister."
"Your brain is fragile," she corrected.
They crossed the street, sunlight warming their backs.
Rein exhaled, taking in the moment.
A normal walk.
Friends around him.
Stella was by his side.
After everything he'd been through… this felt unreal.
"Hey," Stella whispered. "Later… can we sit somewhere quiet? Just us?"
Rein's cheeks went warm. "Y–yeah. I'd like that."
Zen glanced back, caught THAT look, and nearly screamed. But Valkyrie grabbed his ear before he could.
"Try me," she warned.
Zen walked the rest of the way silently, ears red.
Ahead, the sign of the tech store came into view.
"Alright, Rein," Zen said. "Time to get you a phone that won't explode next time you fight a demon."
Rein groaned.
Stella laughed.
Valkyrie shook her head.
And together, they walked inside.
"Whoa… this place is huge," Rein murmured as they stepped inside. His eyes swept across towering banners, floating holographic ads, demo drones zipping overhead — it felt less like a store and more like stepping into the future.
Zen patted him on the back. "Welcome to the land of gadgets and empty wallets."
Rein snorted. "Your parents are paying."
"Exactly," Zen said proudly. "Which is why you're not buying anything cheap. I swear if you point at a budget phone, I'm dragging you out."
Rein wandered to a familiar model — the same phone he used to have. He picked it up.
"Nope," Zen said instantly, snatching it out of his hands. "Absolutely not. That relic is six years old. SIX. YEARS. OLD. Rein, even the dinosaurs had better hardware."
Rein sighed. "I liked that one…"
Before he could defend himself further, Stella gently tugged his sleeve.
She held up a phone displayed on the next counter — sleek, modern, white with gold trim.
"Um… this one?" she asked, shy but hopeful.
Rein blinked. "You have this model?"
Stella nodded once, trying not to look embarrassed. "Yeah."
"Matching phones then?" Rein said, half-teasing.
Stella turned pink instantly.
"…Y-yeah."
Zen froze, staring at them as he'd just witnessed the birth of a new species.
"Matching phones? AHHH— wait, wait— this feels familiar—"
He stood there squinting dramatically, trying to remember.
Rein waved a hand in front of his face. "Earth to Zen?"
Zen snapped out of it. "Eh, whatever! Brain empty. Let's buy it."
A few minutes later, the cashier handed over the new box.
"Thank you for your purchase," the shopkeeper said cheerfully.
Rein bowed slightly, still not used to being treated kindly for free. "Uh— thank you…"
Zen clapped his hands together. "Alright! Let's sit down somewhere so we can set that up."
Valkyrie pointed toward a cosy seating area near the window. "There. And Zen? Please don't try to 'optimise' his phone and delete everything."
Zen gasped. "Have some faith in me!"
"No," all three of them said in unison.
Zen pouted. "Rude. …But fair."
They walked over together — Rein carrying his new phone, Stella staying close, Zen buzzing with chaotic energy, and Valkyrie making sure no one did anything stupid.
It already felt like the start of a new chapter.
They settled around a small table near the window, Rein placing the phone box down like it was something sacred. Zen cracked his knuckles like he was about to perform high-tech surgery.
"Alright, Rein," Zen said, unlocking the setup screen. "Do you want everything back? Old photos, videos, messages… all of it?"
"Yes."
Rein answered so fast and so loud that Zen actually flinched.
"Whoa— okay! Relax, man, I'm not holding your memories hostage," Zen laughed, raising both hands defensively.
Rein rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry. There's… one photo I really want back. That's why I'm sensitive about it."
Zen paused, his joking expression softening. "One photo?"
"Yeah," Rein said quietly.
Zen didn't need more than a second to understand. "Your mom's picture, right?"
Rein nodded. "It was the only copy I had left. I saved it everywhere inside that phone." He swallowed, eyes lowering. "I just… I don't want to lose it."
For a moment, even Valkyrie went silent.
Stella gently rested her hand on his arm, offering quiet comfort.
Zen exhaled through his nose, all the chaos draining from him. "Okay then. We'll get it back. Whatever I need to do—dig, recover, hack the cloud—whatever. We're not losing that picture."
Rein finally let a small, grateful smile slip through. "Thanks, Zen."
Zen grinned back. "Hey, what are best friends for? Now move, both of you. Tech genius at work."
The mood lifted again, but that one quiet promise hung in the air — warm, steady, unshakeable.
After a few minutes of furious tapping, scrolling, muttering, and what looked suspiciously like Zen whispering threats to the loading bar, he finally straightened up.
"A-ha! Got something," he said, eyes narrowing at the screen like he was confirming treasure.
Rein leaned forward anxiously. "Is it…?"
Zen didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he turned the phone slightly away from Rein, adjusting settings with surprising gentleness — like he was handling something fragile. Stella and Valkyrie watched quietly, sensing the shift in the air.
A few more taps.
A swipe.
A soft exhale from Zen.
Then he slid the phone across the table toward Rein.
The wallpaper was already set — a warm photo of Rein's mother, smiling softly as if she'd just looked up from calling his name. The colours were slightly faded, but the emotion in them was still alive.
Rein froze.
His breath caught for a second.
His fingers hovered above the screen before he finally picked it up.
"…You found it," he whispered.
Zen leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, trying — and failing — to hide a proud grin. "Of course I did. Took some digging in an old backup you probably forgot existed… but hey, miracles are my speciality."
Rein's eyes shimmered, just a little. "Thank you… really. I don't know how to—"
"Bro. Stop." Zen flicked Rein's forehead lightly. "You don't owe me anything. I'm just glad we got her back."
Stella smiled softly at Rein, her hand returning to his arm. "She's beautiful," she said.
Valkyrie nodded. "She really is."
Rein held the phone close, thumb brushing the edge of the screen.
For the first time in days, something in him settled — quiet, steady, almost like a piece of home finally returned.
Zen stretched his arms with a dramatic sigh.
"Alright! Emotional moment over. Who's ready for pasta?"
"PASTA TIME!" Zen announced like he was leading a royal parade.
"Bro, lower your voice," Rein muttered, though he couldn't stop the small smile tugging at his lips.
Stella giggled and held onto Rein's arm as they walked out of the tech store. Valkyrie followed behind them, already searching for pasta places on her phone.
They stepped outside — warm sunlight, weekend crowds, the gentle buzz of the city. Rein walked slowly, but Stella matched his pace naturally, never letting go of him. Zen didn't comment this time; he just flashed Valkyrie a proud grin like See? I can behave.
The restaurant was a cosy Italian place tucked between a café and a flower shop. Wooden signs, warm lights, a faint smell of garlic butter drifting out — absolutely Zen's kind of heaven.
"There it is!" Zen pointed as he'd just spotted a rare Pokémon.
"You've been here before?" Rein asked.
"Oh yeah. Like… 27 times," Zen said proudly.
"Bro, that's oddly specific," Valkyrie deadpanned.
They stepped inside.
Soft jazz music.
The comforting clatter of plates.
A waiter greeted them with a warm smile and guided them to a booth near the window.
Rein slid in carefully, wincing a little at his rib. Stella immediately sat beside him, close enough that their shoulders brushed. Zen and Valkyrie took the opposite side — Zen practically bouncing in place.
The menus landed on the table.
"Okay! I recommend the truffle mushroom pasta," Zen said, tapping the menu like a salesman.
"Or the creamy chicken alfredo. Or the spicy arrabbiata. Actually just—anything."
Valkyrie sighed. "He memorised the whole menu."
"I told you — 27 visits," Zen affirmed.
Rein glanced at Stella. "What do you feel like eating?"
She looked up at him with a soft smile. "Whatever you're eating."
Zen immediately slammed his forehead on the table. "C-CAN YOU TWO NOT DO THAT IN FRONT OF ME?!"
"Zen, breathe," Valkyrie said, patting his back. "Couples exist. You'll live."
Rein chuckled. "Relax, bro. We're just ordering food."
But Stella leaned a little closer, whispering just loud enough for him to hear,
"…but I do want to share."
Rein's ears went pink.
When the waiter arrived, Rein ordered truffle mushroom pasta.
Stella ordered the same without even looking at the menu.
Valkyrie chose chicken Alfredo.
Zen… ordered three different dishes.
"Dude," Rein said.
"Dude, what? I'm hungry," Zen defended.
As they waited, Stella rested her head on Rein's shoulder.
Zen opened his mouth to tease — Valkyrie elbowed him instantly.
The warmth of the restaurant, the playful banter, the quiet closeness — everything blended into a moment Rein didn't realise he desperately needed.
And for once, nothing hurt. Not his rib, not his memories, not his fears.
Just pasta.
Friends.
Stella's hand wrapped gently around his.
It felt… right.
The pasta arrived steaming hot, the aroma filling the whole booth. Zen practically sparkled.
"LET'S GOOOO—"
"Zen," Valkyrie warned without looking up.
"…let's go… quietly," he corrected, deflating like a balloon.
They all started eating. Rein took a slow bite — rich truffle, warm sauce — and he let out a tiny sigh.
"Good?" Stella asked, smiling at him.
"Yeah… really good," Rein said. "I didn't know I missed real food this much."
Zen had his mouth full of pasta. "Bro, hospital food is not real food."
Valkyrie rolled her eyes. "Zen, chew before you speak."
Rein laughed softly, something lighter than any of them had heard in days.
Stella watched him for a moment. "It's nice seeing you laugh like that…"
He blinked, a little shy. "It's nice… feeling like I can."
Zen leaned forward, pasta dangling from his fork. "See? SEE? She's fixing you. I told you!"
"Zen, for the love of pasta, let them talk," Valkyrie sighed.
Rein shook his head, smiling. "It's okay… he's not wrong."
Stella blushed lightly. "I'm not fixing you, Rein. You're just… finally safe enough to be yourself."
His eyes softened — really softened — like her words reached somewhere deeper.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I think you're right."
Zen pointed. "OH MY— there it is again! That face! Rein, being honest!"
"Zen, I swear—" Rein began.
Valkyrie cut in smoothly, "Ignore him. His brain melts when he sees affection."
Stella giggled. "He's adorable, though."
"ADOR—??" Zen nearly choked. "Valkyrie, did you hear—she called me adorable!"
Valkyrie didn't even look up from her pasta. "Don't let it get to your head."
Zen clutched his chest. "Too late. It's there forever."
Rein snorted. "You two are chaos."
"Us?" Stella said, raising an eyebrow. "Not you calling me a little cinnamon roll last night?"
Rein instantly turned red. Zen and Valkyrie froze.
"HE SAID WHAT—?!" Zen exploded.
Valkyrie slammed her palm over his mouth. "Shut It."
Stella giggled and leaned her shoulder against Rein. "Relax. I liked it."
Rein covered his face with his hands. "Please… please stop…"
Valkyrie smiled warmly. "You know… You two just fit. Weirdly perfectly."
Rein peeked through his fingers. "Thanks… I think?"
Stella took his hand under the table, squeezing it gently.
"More than perfectly," she whispered.
He squeezed back, eyes soft again.
And for a moment, the whole table fell quiet — just the soft jazz, warm light, and four people who somehow found peace in each other's company.