As Aunt Zhi waved a final goodbye, clutching the carefully packed lunch Naea had insisted upon, a warm silence settled over the dining area. Naea turned back to the room, finding Akira already in her element. She had settled the group—Yumi, Macau, Takshi, and Yamato—into their seats with the effortless authority of a leader, yet there was a softness in her eyes that none of them had seen before.
"Finally!" Yumi chirped, her eyes darting between Akira and Naea. "I thought you two were going to keep us waiting at the door forever. But seeing this spread... I think I can forgive you."
Macau leaned back, his sharp eyes taking in the luxury of the Taipei sanctuary. "You've done well for yourself, Akira. This place... it feels like a real fortress. Or a real home. I can't decide which."
Akira pulled out a chair for Naea, waiting for her to sit before taking her own place at the head of the table. "It's both, Macau. But today, it's just a home."
The lunch began with a chorus of "Itadakimasu." As they passed around the platters of grilled fish, tamagoyaki, and fresh sashimi, the conversation flowed like wine. Takshi and Yamato remained quiet but observant, their respect for Akira evident in every gesture, while Yumi kept the mood light with stories from their journey.
However, the light catching the platinum bands on Akira and Naea's fingers didn't go unnoticed.The table went silent. Macau smirked, Yamato looked up with interest, and Takshi gave a rare, approving nod. All eyes were on the two women who had survived shadows and blood, only to find peace in each other's arms.
"So, guys," Yumi began, leaning her chin on her hand, "have you planned a trip yet?"
Akira glanced at Naea before shaking her head. "Not yet. I haven't really asked Naea about her preferences."
Macau grinned, nudging Akira playfully. "Well, Boss, what are you waiting for? Ask her right now, in front of us!"
All eyes turned toward Naea. Akira looked at her wife, her expression softening. "Naea... if there's anywhere you want to go, just say the word. Where would you like to visit?"
Naea paused for a moment, thinking, before her eyes lit up. "Two places. An Amusement Park and an Adventure Island."
Yumi nearly choked on her drink. "Naea! You could have said Paris or Europe! Why an amusement park?"
Yamato laughed, patting Yumi's shoulder. "Yumi, it's her choice. If you want to go to Paris so badly, I'll take you on our next trip."
Naea smiled warmly at them. "Actually, guys... I feel like an amusement park is where we can truly let go and act like kids again. And an Adventure Island? That's where we can experience something thrilling together."
"Count me in!" Takshi exclaimed, followed quickly by Yamato's agreement.
Yumi rolled her eyes, though she was smiling. "Wait, is this a for a newly married couple or a group outing for friends?"
Macau laughed along with her. "Exactly, Yumi! But how do you explain that to these men?"
Naea's laughter joined theirs. "It's okay, really. We should all go together—as a found family."
Akira nodded, her decision final. "If that's what Naea wants, then it's settled. So, Miss Naea, which one are we doing first?"
Naea looked directly at Akira, a playful glint in her eyes. "The Amusement Park."
"Got it," Akira replied.
After finishing their lunch and taking a quick tour of the beautiful sanctuary, the group piled into Akira's spacious eight-seater car. Akira took the driver's seat with Naea in the passenger side beside her. In the back, Yamato and Takshi claimed the window seats, while Yumi and Macau settled comfortably in the middle.
The engine roared to life as they headed toward Taipei's largest amusement park, the car filled with the sounds of laughter and the promise of a day where they could finally forget the world outside.
As the car pulled into the massive parking lot of Taipei's Dreamworld, the towering silhouette of the Ferris wheel loomed against the afternoon sky. The air was thick with the scent of buttered popcorn and the distant, muffled screams of thrill-seekers on the roller coasters.
Akira turned off the engine, but for a moment, she didn't move. She watched Naea through the rearview mirror—the way her eyes were wide with genuine, unshielded excitement. It made the risk of the "One Month" deal with Kojito feel worth it.
"We're here," Akira said softly, catching Naea's gaze.
"First one to the ticket booth doesn't have to carry the snacks!" Yumi shouted, already scrambling out of the middle row and dragging a laughing Macau with her.
Yamato and Takshi stepped out with more composure, though even Takshi had a competitive glint in his eyes.
Akira stepped out and walked around to the passenger side, opening the door for Naea like the true protector she was. Well, Miss Naea, we have officially arrived at your amusement park," Akira announced as she open the door of the car.
As they walked toward the entrance, Macau nudged Takshi. "Hey, I need popcorn." Takshi sighed, but there was a flicker of a smile on his face. "Fine, stay here." He disappeared for a few minutes and returned with enough popcorn for the entire group.
Yumi turned to Naea, her eyes scanning the horizon of steel tracks and neon lights. "Alright, spill! Which ride are we hitting first?"
Naea pointed toward the horizon, where a massive, looping Roller Coaster towered over the park. Yumi and Macau cheered in excitement, and Yamato nodded in agreement. However, Akira felt a strange, cold knot form in her stomach. She stared at the twisting tracks, already mentally preparing an excuse to stay on the ground.
"You're coming too, right?" Macau teased Takshi.
"Roller coaster? No problem," Takshi replied coolly.
Naea suddenly realized the space beside her was empty. She turned around to find Akira standing several paces back, looking uncharacteristically still. Naea walked back and took Akira's hand. "Akira? Why are you standing here? Come on, we're all going on the roller coaster."
Akira cleared her throat, her voice slightly strained. "Naea... is it absolutely necessary to start with this one?"
"The line is short right now," Naea explained gently. She looked up into Akira's eyes, her grip on her hand warm and reassuring. Akira looked at their intertwined fingers and then at Naea's hopeful face. Swallowing her pride—and her fear—she nodded.
Once they were strapped into their seats, the reality of the height set in. Suddenly, Akira leaned closer to Naea and whispered, "Naea... I'm actually terrified of roller coasters."
Naea didn't laugh. Instead, she interlocked her fingers with Akira's, squeezing tightly. "You won't be scared anymore. I'm right here with you. If it gets too much, just close your eyes. And if that doesn't work... just look at me."
The ride jerked forward, beginning its slow, clicking ascent. As the drop arrived, the air was filled with screams. Yumi and Macau were practically crying from terror, while Yamato and Takshi were shouting with pure adrenaline. Naea was laughing, her hair flying in the wind.
Akira, however, had her eyes clamped shut, her grip on Naea's hand so tight her knuckles were white. Sensing this, Naea tightened her hold, leaning in to shout over the wind. "Akira! Open your eyes! Look at everyone, they're all screaming together!"
Akira refused to open them at first, but Naea's voice was like an anchor. "Akira... thank you for facing this just to be with me."
Hearing those words, Akira finally forced her eyes open. She looked around and realized that the screams weren't just from fear—they were from the thrill of feeling alive. Everyone was terrified, yet they were all choosing to enjoy the rush. As the coaster went into its final loop, Akira turned her head toward Naea.
She didn't look at the tracks or the drop. She looked at Naea—the pure excitement on her face and the way she was smiling at the world. In that moment, the fear vanished.
"So, guys, what's the next move?" Macau asked, her breath finally coming back to her.
Yumi raised a hand in immediate protest. "Count me out of anything fast. I'm sticking to the Ferris wheel and nothing else."
Yamato looked up at the towering 360 Hammer Ride nearby. "Why not try that? It looks intense." Takshi's eyes lit up. "Now that looks like fun." Even Naea nodded in agreement. "I'm in."
As the group started heading toward the ride, Yumi's attention was caught by a massive crowd gathered around a Shooting Gallery. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "Hold on, guys... why don't we test our partners' capabilities first?"
"What do you mean?" Macau asked, intrigued.
Yumi pointed toward the gallery, where rows of prizes hung from the ceiling. "There. The Perfect Spot. Yamato, you have to win that giant teddy bear for me. But it's not just a game—it's a bet. Whichever couple wins the grand prize, the other two couples have to cover the entire expense of their next vacation spot!"
Macau grinned. "Now that sounds like fun. I'm in!"
Before Naea could even process the stakes, Yamato was already rolling up his sleeves. "Well, guys, prepare your wallets because you're all paying for mine and Yumi's next trip!" He marched toward the shooting point with a confident stride, and the rest of the group followed, the air crackling with competition.
Yamato stepped up first, gripping the plastic rifle with a look of intense concentration. He had five chances, but the rigged carnival sights were against him. One after another, his shots went wide. He stepped back, sighing in frustration. Next was Takshi. He managed to nick two targets, but it wasn't enough to claim the grand prize.
Then, it was Akira's turn.
She didn't rush. She looked at Naea, her voice soft but steady. "Do you want that teddy bear, Naea?"
Naea gave a small, hopeful nod.
Akira picked up the gun with only her right hand—a casual, one-handed grip that looked almost dismissive. She didn't even seem to aim for long. Crack. The first shot hit the center of the target with surgical precision. The crowd that had gathered gasped; they hadn't seen a "perfect point" shot all day.
Without a second of hesitation, Akira fired the remaining four shots. Crack. Crack. Crack. Crack. Every single one was a bullseye.
The silence that followed was broken by Yamato and Takshi's stunned whispers. "Whoa... the perfection... it's insane."
But it wasn't just her aim catching attention. A group of girls nearby began whispering loudly, mesmerized by Akira's sharp looks and her effortless wolf-cut hair. "Omg, look at her... is she single?" one whispered. Two of them, encouraged by their friends, approached the group.
"Miss, you look so pretty," one girl said to Yumi, trying to break the ice.
"Thank you, pretty buds!" Yumi chirped, enjoying the attention.
"So... the one with the wolf-cut hair... is she your friend?" the other girl asked, blushing. Before Yumi could stir up more trouble, Macau smirked and pointed toward Naea. "You should ask her."
As the girls started to approach Naea to ask about Akira's status, Akira suddenly stepped in. "Side, please," she said firmly, her voice cold as ice as she walked past the boys.
She walked straight to Naea, ignoring the admirers entirely. Handing over the massive, fluffy teddy bear, she murmured, "Here you go, Miss. Your teddy."
Naea's face lit up with a radiant smile as she hugged the prize.
"Akira, look to your side," Yumi teased, suppressing a laugh. "These girls came all this way to meet you."
Akira turned her head slightly. The girls showered her with compliments, their eyes hopeful. "Are you... are you single?" one finally gathered the courage to ask.
Akira didn't hesitate. She didn't even look away from Naea for more than a second. "No," she said, her tone final. "I'm definitely not single."
One of the girls opened her mouth to say something more, perhaps hoping it was just a "complicated" relationship status. But before she could utter a single word, Akira raised her hand. The sunlight caught the platinum band on her finger, gleaming with a cold, definitive brilliance.
"I am married," Akira stated. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried the weight of an unbreakable vow.
Without waiting for their reaction, she turned her gaze back to Naea. Her expression softened instantly, the icy "Agent CY " melting away just for her. She reached out, taking Naea's hand in a firm, loving grip, and began to lead her away from the stunned crowd.
The girls stood there, dejected for a split second, before their eyes drifted toward the side where Takshi and Yamato were standing. They whispered to each other, "Well... those two are actually quite handsome as well..."
Yumi and Macau, who had been watching the drama with smirks, suddenly straightened up. Their playful moods shifted into "protective mode" in a heartbeat.
"Don't even think about it," Yumi snapped, her eyes narrowing playfully but with a clear warning.
"Yeah, keep moving, ladies," Macau added, mirroring Yumi's stance.
In a synchronized move of possessive pride, they both grabbed their partners' hands. Yamato and Takshi could only share a confused, amused glance as they were practically dragged away by their respective partners.
The three couples walked away together, leaving a trail of broken hearts and a mountain of envy behind them. For the first time in a long time, the shadows of the Agency and the stress of the medical world felt like a distant memory. Here, in the middle of a noisy amusement park, they were just people in love, guarding their own pieces of heaven.