Silence.
It was a sacred domain of pure white. Even the light streaming into the room felt meticulously ordered. At the center of it all, a single girl knelt.
"..."
She was deep in prayer, motionless. Even her breathing seemed to dissolve into the surrounding space.
"..."
She could see it.
Suddenly, her eyes slowly fluttered open. The space should have been empty, yet her gaze was fixed intently on something.
"..."
It was a dark, murky distortion—an unsightly thing. It was still small, but it was undeniably beginning to take shape.
"...It’s coming," she murmured softly. Her voice was quiet, yet it carried the weight of absolute conviction.
"..."
That thing was a violator of the natural flow. A destroyer of order. And—
"...A calamity."
The word fell from her lips and settled into the silence.
"..."
The girl closed her eyes once more.
"...There is still time," she said, as if trying to convince herself. She showed no signs of fear, merely a detached understanding of the situation.
"..."
Someone was involved. She couldn't see a clear image of them yet, but she knew there was a "center" to this brewing storm.
"..."
For a split second, something flashed across her mind. Something more—
"..."
At that moment, her vision was severed.
"She gasped," her breathing turning shallow and ragged. "...What was that just now?"
It was something she had almost grasped. It was the one thing she had held onto, the thought she had put into words and carried in her heart for so long. The only certainty.
"..."
She stood up slowly.
"...How utterly obstructive, at every turn."
She began to walk, her footsteps echoing through the white void. Her back looked small, yet the burden she carried was far too heavy for any girl to bear.
◇◆◇
"...Phew."
I tumbled onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling.
"...I'm exhausted."
I wondered how many times I’d said that today.
"—How fragile you are."
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" I snapped back. This thing just wouldn't stop talking to me, no matter where I was or what I was doing.
"—Weak in both mind and body."
"Aren't you laying it on a bit thick?"
"—It is a simple fact."
"Guh..."
It pissed me off that I couldn't even find the words to deny it. I had to settle for a groan of defeat—which, in a way, felt like its own kind of accomplishment.
"..."
I stared blankly at the ceiling for a while. Something felt off. I’d been sensing it for a few minutes now.
"...Hey," I murmured.
"—What?"
"...No, it’s just..." I searched for the right way to put it. "...Don't you think the air feels a bit heavy?"
"—..."
There was a pregnant pause.
"—It is your imagination."
"You think so?"
"—You are merely projecting your own feelings."
"..."
Maybe she was right. But even so, I felt a strange restlessness deep in my chest. I couldn't explain why.
"...I’ve got a bad feeling about this," I whispered.
"—..."
The ring didn't answer.
"...Hey."
"—..."
Total silence.
"...That’s rare. Did you actually fall asleep?"
Usually, she always had some sharp-tongued retort ready. I felt a flicker of unease at her sudden quietness.
"...Whatever, I’m going to sleep."
I forcibly cut off my train of thought and closed my eyes. It was a quiet night, but deep within the darkness, I felt something creaking.
"—So, it has come again."
"..."
It was a tiny voice that no one else could hear. I didn't know who it belonged to.
◇◇◇
"...Nn."
I woke up and stared blearily at the ceiling.
"...Is it morning already?"
I tried to sit up, but I immediately felt something wrong. I was heavy. Or rather...
"...Is it warm and soft?"
I looked to my side.
"..."
"............Huh?"
My brain stalled. Lying right next to me—practically glued to my side—was Yuka, sleeping soundly.
"..."
Wait, what the hell was this? I couldn't wrap my head around the situation. What was the deal here? She had definitely left the room normally last night, hadn't she?
I did a quick double-check. She was close. Close enough that I could feel her breath on me. She looked incredibly cute and beautiful—honestly, she was like a national treasure. Why was someone like her lying next to a giant salamander like me?
"..."
Wait, what was going to happen when she woke up? What was I even supposed to do?
"—Ho."
The ring spoke up at the worst possible moment.
"Don't you dare tease me."
"—What an amusing development."
"And you broke your promise immediately!"
"—You could just wake her up."
"If it were that easy, I wouldn't be panicking!"
In a spot like this, I wanted to wake her, but at the same time, I really didn't. Just look at that sleeping face. Plus, I was the one benefiting from this, so there was no way I was moving. (Honesty is the best policy, right?)
I looked back at her. Yuka was sleeping peacefully. Her face wasn't its usual expressionless mask; it looked a little softer, more relaxed.
"...Yeah, no way."
I wasn't waking her up—not until I’d won this battle of wills, whatever that meant. I found myself just watching her.
"—Are you captivated?"
"I am not!" I denied it immediately, though it was clearly an affirmation.
"—I see. Such a virgin response."
"I-I-I’m not a virgin!?"
Forget about that. What should I do? Should I really wake her?
"...Nn."
It felt like it had been a long time since I’d seen her sleep this deeply. We hadn't been sharing a bed recently, after all. I hesitated for a moment.
"...Well," I whispered. "Maybe just a little longer."
"—Pervert."
"Shut up."
Right then, Yuka’s eyebrows twitched. I froze by reflex. Slowly, her eyes blinked open.
"...Lord Luka."
Our eyes met at point-blank range. Total silence followed for several seconds.
"...Good morning."
"O-Oh... Good morning."
She was being normal. Way too normal. No, this definitely wasn't normal! Look at the distance between us! Is this how girls are these days?
Yuka slowly sat up. "Please excuse me," she said, giving a small, polite bow.
"...Wait, hold on." I scrambled to find my voice. "Sorry, but why are you in here?"
"I am your guard."
Right. "But is it necessary to be in the bed?"
"Yes."
Well, okay then.
"...Yesterday," Yuka began, casting her eyes down slightly. "You seemed a little different than usual. I judged that leaving you alone would be inappropriate."
"..."
So, she was acting as a lookout and a companion because she was worried about me.
"...You should have used your own bed."
"I was already using one."
"Not that! I mean you have your own room!"
"..." Yuka tilted her head slightly. "Is there a problem?"
"There are nothing but problems!" I blurted out.
"...Is that so?" Yuka looked away, a rare reaction from her.
"What's wrong?" I asked naturally.
There was a brief pause before she spoke, uncharacteristically hesitant. "...Well, lately... I had not received a reward."
"..."
"...Ah." I remembered. "Oh, right. We did have a system like that."
I had completely forgotten about it.
"I am sorry," she said, bowing her head immediately. "Taking liberties based on my own judgment—"
"No," I said, raising a hand to stop her. "It’s fine."
Yuka looked up. I thought about it for a second.
"...In fact, it’s my fault. I shouldn't just assume you’ll handle everything for me without giving anything back. Things have been so hectic lately that it totally slipped my mind."
"...No," Yuka said, shaking her head quietly. "It was my own decision..."
"Even so," I said with a small smile.
Yuka fell silent. I thought I saw her expression relax just a tiny bit.
"...So?" I crossed my arms. "Is this the reward?"
"Yes."
"...I see." So her reward was sleeping next to me? Was I just a human Yogibo to her? "...But is that really a reward...?"
"It is."
"Wait, but—"
"It is," she insisted, tilting her head. "Is there some issue?"
"Fine, whatever..."
I let out a sigh. Honestly, I preferred these kinds of trivial exchanges. I stood up from the bed and stretched.
"...Anyway, looks like today is going to be another busy one."
"Yes."
I looked out the window at the Academy grounds. It was a peaceful morning. But I knew that "peace" was a lie. This wasn't just everyday life anymore. The Empire, the Kingdom, the Holy Theocracy—everything was starting to pull me into the center.
I looked at Yuka standing behind me. I wanted to cherish the small things. It didn't have to be a grand vow to protect her; it was about simply being by her side.
I closed my eyes for a moment, making a silent promise to myself. When I opened them, my resolve was clear.
I had no intention of ever letting the Empire take Yuka back.
"...Shall we go?"
"Yes," Yuka nodded, as she always did.
We stepped forward together.