After the strange events that morning—the breaking plate, flickering lights, footsteps, and the bathroom door shutting on its own—Arou let out a long breath.
"We should check things out, but stay calm. There's no need to panic," he said as he stood up.
Airi clasped her hands together, her face still a little pale, but her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Um… I'll come with you."
"Yeah, of course… just stay close to me," Arou replied, gently patting her shoulder.
Tomo and Haru glanced at each other, nervous but curious.
"Hahaha… you guys are really going to check? I think I'll just stay here," Tomo said, lowering himself onto the sofa.
"Same here. I'll stay put. You two are the investigators," Haru added.
Arou turned on the flashlight from his phone and walked toward the kitchen. The living room light continued flickering faintly.
In the kitchen, the broken plate turned out to have simply fallen from a loose shelf.
"Ah… the shelf is unstable. Nothing strange here," Arou said, reassuring Airi.
They moved toward the bathroom. The door had shut on its own because of a draft from a slightly open window. The earlier footsteps came from a neighbor's cat that had slipped in through the back window.
Airi smiled in relief, letting out a small laugh.
"So… all of that was just something simple?"
"Yeah… sometimes the things that scare us aren't as terrifying as we imagine," Arou replied with a warm smile.
Tomo and Haru relaxed too, laughing lightly.
"Hahaha… so we got scared over a plate and a cat?" Tomo laughed.
"Man… we were way too dramatic," Haru added.
Arou looked at Airi gently.
"See? There's nothing to be afraid of. You did well staying calm, even if you were a little scared."
Airi smiled shyly, her cheeks turning red.
"Yeah… I feel braver when you're here," she whispered.
---
Suddenly, a clear knock echoed from the front door.
Everyone froze.
Arou stared at the door, alert. The previous mysterious knocks still lingered in his mind.
He walked over slowly and opened it.
Sunlight poured in—and there she was.
Lumina.
Her presence alone made the air feel different, carrying a quiet, mysterious weight.
Before anyone could speak, Lumina stepped forward and hugged Airi tightly.
Airi froze, trembling.
"W-wait… weren't you… dead?!" she stammered, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
Tomo and Haru stared from the sofa, completely stunned.
"Uh… who is she?" Tomo asked, glancing at Arou.
"Why did she suddenly show up and… hug Airi like that?" Haru added, confused.
Arou smiled faintly.
"She's Lumina. Airi's friend."
Airi clung to Lumina, tears forming in her eyes.
"Thank goodness… you're really alive…" she whispered.
Lumina returned the hug gently.
"It's okay… I'm not dead. I was just… unconscious back then," she said softly.
Tomo and Haru exchanged looks, still confused.
"Unconscious? What does that even mean?" Tomo asked.
"I seriously don't get this…" Haru muttered.
Arou placed a hand on Airi's shoulder.
"Sometimes things that seem mysterious turn out to be simple. What matters is… Airi feels safe now."
---
After things settled a little, Lumina spoke again, her tone quieter.
"I want you all to know… I went through a serious battle too."
Airi's eyes widened.
"A battle? You mean… against Zata?"
Lumina nodded.
"Yes. Back then… we were all fighting Zata. But when everything started falling apart, I realized something terrifying. I couldn't find you—Arou, Airi, or Akari. I was alone… still alive… with a mage and a man carrying a rifle. Everyone else… was gone."
Arou frowned.
"Nova… Shion… are they still alive? What about Emi and the others?"
Lumina shook her head slowly.
"I'm sorry… they're really gone."
Airi lowered her gaze, her voice trembling.
"So… you survived… but everyone else didn't…"
Arou gently held Lumina's shoulder.
"You've done enough, Lumina. What matters is you're here now. We move forward—for those we can still protect."
Lumina smiled faintly, though her eyes remained wet.
"Yes… I came back not just for myself, but to make sure those who are still alive can keep going."
Airi tightened her grip on Lumina's hand.
"I'm just… glad you're here," she whispered.
---
Lumina then asked softly,
"What about Akari? Why isn't she with you?"
Airi hesitated.
"Her right leg is broken… she can't leave the house. She's using a wheelchair now."
Lumina nodded, her expression softening.
"I see… I want to visit her. I want to make sure she's okay."
Arou spoke up, his tone serious.
"Wait… do you know where Shion and Nova are?"
He continued,
"I want to visit Akari too, but we should meet Shion and Nova first. Nova might be able to heal her leg with magic."
Tomo and Haru's eyes lit up.
"Can we come too?" they asked at the same time.
Lumina smiled gently.
"Alright… you can come."
Airi smiled softly.
"Akari will be happy to see everyone," she said.
---
That morning, they prepared to leave together—Arou, Airi, Lumina, Tomo, and Haru.
"So we're really going to find Shion and Nova?" Tomo asked excitedly.
"Yes. We need to make sure they're okay first," Arou replied.
Haru looked a little unsure.
"Are you sure they'll let us come?"
Lumina nodded.
"You're welcome to join. This matters to all of us."
As they walked, Airi held Lumina's hand tightly.
"I'm glad you're here," she whispered.
Tomo nudged Haru playfully.
"Don't get us lost this time, alright?"
Haru puffed his chest.
"Relax. I won't get lost… this time," he said, though slightly nervous.
---
When they arrived, they saw Nova practicing magic while Shion sat calmly under a tree.
Lumina stepped forward and waved.
"Shion, Nova… do you have a moment? We need to talk about Akari."
Nova turned, surprised but smiling.
"Lumina? What's going on?"
Arou stepped closer.
"We need your help. Akari's leg is injured… maybe your magic can heal it."
Nova looked at them for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright… I'll help however I can. Take me to her."
Tomo and Haru stared in amazement.
"Wait… we're really going to see magic in action?" Tomo said, eyes shining.
"This is insane… I'm so curious!" Haru added.
Airi smiled softly, holding Lumina's hand.
"Thank you… all of you. Akari will be happy."