The sky was blue.
For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no grey curtain hanging over Arcanis. The ruined parts of the arena were being repaired, but the campus itself had fallen into a strange, peaceful silence.
Kashikari sat by the lake.
In his hand was the sheath of Voidblade… but the sword itself was gone.
Jinwi hadn't spoken all morning.
It didn't feel like calm.It felt like observation.
"Kai!"
Nyari's voice broke the stillness.
She ran toward him, holding a small basket, her face brighter than usual.
"Today's a free day. Come with me."
Kashikari raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
"To the city. We're going shopping."
"…Why?"
"Because you won," she said, smiling. "And sometimes winners don't fight."
For a brief moment, something softened on Kashikari's face.
"…Alright."
The city was alive.
Colors, voices, the smell of food—everything clashed together in a way that felt overwhelming. Kashikari's eyes kept shifting, scanning, as if he was waiting for danger to appear from every corner.
Nyari grabbed an apple from a stand and handed it to him.
"Try it."
"…Is it sweet?"
"I don't know. You tell me."
He took a bite.
Paused.
"…Strange."
Nyari laughed. "Strange?"
"It's sweet. But… too real."
She looked at him for a second, then sighed with a small smile."You really haven't been living, have you?"
Kashikari lowered his gaze.
"Living… is that different from fighting?"
"Yes, Kai," she said softly. "Living is sometimes just stopping.Sometimes it's remembering what something tastes like."
He stared at the apple in his hand.
"Stopping always felt like losing."
"No," Nyari said. "Sometimes stopping is the only way you win."
They stopped at a small jewelry stand.
Nyari leaned in, examining different necklaces, light reflecting off colorful stones. Kashikari stood behind her, silent as always.
"Which one looks good?"
"They all look the same."
"They're not," she said, picking one up. "This one reflects light."
"I don't like light."
"Then wear this."
She held up a grey stone pendant and gently placed it around his neck.
"It doesn't reflect light," she said. "It just… holds it."
Kashikari's eyes flickered for a moment.
"Nyari…"
"Hm?"
"I'm still dangerous."
"I know."
"…Aren't you scared?"
"I am," she admitted. "But not of you."
"Why?"
"Because even your darkness protects you."
He froze.
Inside him, Jinwi finally spoke.
"This girl… she's suppressing me."
Kashikari answered calmly.
"No. She's completing me."
Silence followed.
But this time… it wasn't empty.
For the first time in a long time, Kashikari could feel his own heartbeat.
By sunset, they were walking out of the city.
The sky burned in shades of red and gold.
"Did you have fun?" Nyari asked.
"…I think so."
"I think so?"
"I forgot how to smile."
She nudged him lightly. "Then you just remembered."
He nodded, slowly. "Maybe."
Nyari gently held his arm.
"Sometimes when I look at you, I get scared."
"…Why?"
"Because there's a war in your eyes," she said. "But there's still a child in your heart."
Kashikari exhaled.
"That child is gone."
"No," Nyari smiled. "He's just lost. And I'll find him."
For a moment… even Jinwi's pressure disappeared.
The world felt quiet.
"…Maybe then," Kashikari whispered, "I'll finally live."
That night, as Kashikari slept, Jinwi echoed within him.
But this time… there was no anger.
Only confusion.
"This girl… she's making him human."
"…But humans fade."
"…Still… this is the first time he's at peace."
For the first time ever—
Jinwi hesitated.
"If he becomes human…what do I become?"
And for once…
Jinwi didn't have the answer.