It was evening by the time Rin and the others finally reached the creek.
The sound of rushing water echoed softly through the forest as they stepped into the open area.
In the center—
A waterfall poured down from above, crashing into the river below. The stream flowed smoothly through the forest, winding between trees and stones, its surface reflecting the fading light of the sun.
But something felt… different.
Animals.
Everywhere.
Birds rested along branches. Deer stood near the edge of the water. Small creatures moved through the grass without fear.
Rin looked around, clearly surprised.
"…Why are there so many animals here?" she asked. "Are they… attracted to this place or something?"
Amelia blinked, then pointed at herself slightly.
"…It's because of me," she said, her voice a little shy. "I'm… technically like a mother to animals."
A faint blush spread across her face.
Aurelia immediately lit up.
"See?! I told you she's amazing!" she said proudly, placing her hands on her hips.
Sayaka clapped lightly.
"That's actually really cool."
Amelia's blush deepened instantly.
"W-wait—don't make it a big deal…"
She sat down dramatically on a nearby log, trying to hide her face.
Almost instantly—
A few animals approached her.
A small fox brushed against her leg. Birds landed nearby. Even a deer stepped closer, gently nudging her shoulder.
Amelia peeked up slightly.
"…Okay, maybe a little big deal…"
Everyone laughed softly.
—
While Aurelia and Amelia talked nearby—
Sayaka turned to Rin.
"Let's get in."
Rin nodded.
They quickly changed and stepped toward the water.
The moment Rin's foot touched it—
Her body tensed.
"Ah—!"
The cold hit instantly, sending a sharp chill through her entire body.
But Sayaka reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Come on."
Rin hesitated… then held on tightly as they both stepped deeper into the river.
Soon—
They reached closer to the middle.
The current was stronger there.
Water rushed past them, pushing against their legs, their balance slightly unstable.
But Sayaka stayed calm.
And strangely—
She didn't even need to say anything.
Rin's body began to adjust on its own.
Her breathing slowed.
Her muscles relaxed.
The tension faded.
Her nerves… calmed.
It was like her body understood what to do without being told.
She adapted.
Sayaka watched closely.
"…That fast?" she muttered, clearly impressed.
—
Once Rin fully steadied herself—
She looked down at the water.
Then up.
The sun was setting.
Its golden light stretched across the surface of the river, reflecting softly as it shimmered with every movement of the current.
Rin stared at it.
"…Beautiful…"
Something sparked in her mind.
An idea.
Without thinking—
Her arms slowly began to glow.
A soft light at first…
Then—
Gold.
Sayaka noticed immediately.
"…Rin?"
Back on land—
Aurelia and Amelia turned their attention toward her.
"…What is she doing?" Aurelia asked quietly.
Then—
The light spread.
From Rin's arms—
Into the water.
The river shimmered.
Then changed.
Gold.
The water itself turned golden, glowing softly as it flowed.
It didn't stop.
The color spread outward, moving with the current, stretching further and further across the river—
Through the forest.
Beyond what they could see.
And it didn't fade.
It stayed.
Permanent.
Sayaka's eyes widened slightly.
"…You've gotta be kidding me…"
She scooped some water into her hands and tossed it into the air.
Droplets sparkled—
Brighter.
Clearer.
Like liquid light.
"…This is insane…"
The entire area looked like something out of a dream.
Amelia didn't hesitate.
She stepped into the water quickly, laughing as the animals followed her without fear, some stepping in, others watching from the edge.
"This is amazing!" she said, her eyes lighting up.
Aurelia smirked, cracking her knuckles slightly.
"Well—guess I'm not sitting this one out."
She stepped forward, ready to join them.
And under the golden glow of the river—
The forest felt alive in a way it never had before.
While Rin, Aurelia, Amelia, and Sayaka remained in the water, something began to shift around them.
Amelia slowly closed her eyes for a moment… feeling it.
The energy.
The entire forest… felt different.
Stronger.
Healthier.
Alive in a way it hadn't been before.
Her eyes opened slightly, a soft smile forming as she looked at Rin.
"…You feel that?" she said gently.
Rin blinked, still standing in the golden water.
"Feel what?"
Amelia stepped forward, letting the current move around her legs.
"The forest," she said. "It's responding to you."
She looked around as the trees swayed lightly, the leaves almost glowing faintly under the golden reflection.
"You didn't just change the water… you changed everything connected to it."
Rin's eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
Amelia nodded, her smile growing.
"This entire area is more alive now. The water is carrying your energy through the land."
She placed her hand gently against the surface of the river.
"Plants will grow faster… stronger."
She looked toward the trees.
"Food sources will increase. Life here will become easier."
Her voice softened.
"Even lifespans… will improve."
Rin stood there quietly, taking it in.
"…I did all that…?"
Amelia looked back at her.
"You did," she said warmly.
Sayaka, off to the side, gently ran her hand along her tail, letting the golden water flow through it.
"…It feels way better too," she added casually.
Nearby, Aurelia laughed softly as she crouched down, grabbing a wolf's face and squishing it like it was a small cat.
"Look at you," she teased, smiling as the wolf just sat there calmly, clearly enjoying it.
Sayaka glanced at Rin again, a small smile forming.
"…Seriously. That was beautiful."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Good imagination."
Rin rubbed the back of her neck a little, embarrassed.
"…I just thought it looked nice…"
That was enough.
All around them—
The animals responded.
Cats let out soft meows.
Dogs barked happily.
Birds chirped loudly from the trees above.
Even creatures hidden deeper in the forest made their presence known.
It was like the entire ecosystem was… thanking her.
The sounds layered together into something almost overwhelming—
But not chaotic.
Peaceful.
Alive.
Rin looked around slowly, eyes wide, taking in the reaction.
"…Wow…"
Far away from the forest—
Back in the city of Aetheris—
The energy of that moment felt like a distant dream compared to what was happening there.
The loud clatter of dishes, voices calling out orders, and the constant rush of movement filled the air once again as Izan, Daiki, and Kawa continued their work inside the crowded café…
Back inside the café—
The pace never slowed.
Izan stood near the cooking station, hands moving nonstop as he prepared dish after dish. His movements were still precise… but slower now. His shoulders felt heavy, and his arms burned slightly from the constant motion.
He was tired.
Really tired.
But he didn't say anything.
Didn't show it.
He just kept going.
—
Off to the side, Kawa dragged the mop across the floor with zero energy.
Slow.
Unmotivated.
"…Why am I even doing this…" she muttered under her breath.
"Faster!" one of the workers called out.
Kawa clicked her tongue and moved a little quicker—barely.
Then—
The moment no one was looking—
She stopped.
Leaning forward, she rested her head right on top of the mop handle.
"…I'm done…" she whispered dramatically.
A second later—
"Kawa."
She froze.
Slowly lifting her head, she forced a fake smile.
"…Yeah…?"
"Mop."
"…Tch."
She went right back to it.
—
Meanwhile—
Daiki moved back and forth through the crowded café, carrying trays stacked with food.
"Order 12!"
"Right here!"
"Coming through—watch it!"
He kept moving, weaving through people, delivering plates one after another.
But his legs…
Were done.
They shook slightly with every step, almost giving out.
At one point, he paused for half a second—
His tail subtly wrapped around his leg, holding it steady just enough for him to keep walking.
Most people didn't notice.
But a few did.
They smirked a little.
Not in a bad way—
More like… respect.
He was clearly exhausted.
But he kept going anyway.
—
Hours passed.
Finally—
"Alright, that's enough for today!"
The manager's voice cut through the noise.
"Shift's over!"
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
Then—
"…We're done…?" Izan muttered.
"Finally…" Kawa dragged out.
Daiki let out a long breath.
"…Thank god…"
—
Outside—
The sky had already shifted.
The sun was low, painting everything in warm orange and gold.
It was 6 PM.
The three of them stepped out of the café—
And immediately felt it.
Their bodies.
Heavy.
Drained.
"Ugh…" Kawa groaned, dropping slightly.
The manager stepped out behind them, laughing.
"You three did great today," he said, genuinely impressed.
He signed off their paperwork, handing it back.
"Points are all yours."
Daiki took it with a small grin.
"Appreciate it."
—
Then reality hit.
"…We gotta walk back…" Kawa said slowly.
Silence.
She looked at the long path ahead.
Then—
She dropped straight to the ground.
"I'm not moving."
Daiki stared at her.
"…You're joking."
"I'm serious," she whined. "Carry me."
Daiki let out a tired groan, rubbing the back of his neck.
"…We're taking turns carrying her," he said. "I'm beat."
Izan sighed, just as drained.
"…Yeah… whatever…"
Kawa smirked slightly from the ground.
"Good choice."