Finally after everything was cool off and they acknowledged her that she can now stand on her own, off the infirmary.

Now.

The long hallway was quiet… only the soft echo of their sandals brushing against the polished floor filled the air. The night breeze slipped through the open arches, brushing Dila's silver hair and making it glimmer faintly beneath the moonlight.

Fran stayed close beside her, one arm gently supporting Dila's shoulder as they walked. Dila still looked pale, her body fragile from the ordeal, but her expression was calm — tired, yet peaceful.

Outside, the stars glittered faintly. The smell of dew was carried by the wind, cool and soft against their skin.

Then, in the middle of that silence, a familiar voice fluttered into Dila's mind — warm, playful, and bright as ever.

☆ Master… I've been wondering… ☆ Nari's tone danced with her usual cheer. ☆ I sense from your past memories that your goal… was to recover me, and after that… escape from your father's clutch with Fran. Is that true? ☆

Dila's steps slowed. She tilted her head slightly, her blue eyes distant, watching the faint reflection of moonlight on the stone floor. Her lips parted with a quiet sigh.

"Yeah…" she whispered softly under her breath.

For a moment, Fran glanced at her but said nothing — she just understand Dila maybe from tiredness.

Nari's voice giggled lightly in her thoughts, ☆ Hehe, I knew it. Always the stubborn one, aren't you, master? ☆

Dila smiled faintly, though it faded as quickly as it came. Her fingers brushed along the side of her staff — the Archane's surface faintly warm, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.

But now… she murmured inwardly, her tone trembling just a little.

☆ But why? ☆ Nari asked softly, her voice curious but gentle, the playful tone fading into concern.

The wind outside whispered through the hall. Dila's eyes lowered, her lashes casting shadows across her cheeks.

But now… I don't even know if I still want to run.

Her words drifted through her mind like broken feathers — quiet, aching, and true.

The moonlight poured softly through the tall windows, tracing pale silver lines along the floor as they walked. The air outside carried the faint hum of crickets, a quiet reminder that life still moved gently beyond the academy walls.

Fran stayed close, holding onto Dila's arm, her warmth steady like an anchor. But within Dila's mind, the voice stirreda gain — gentle, echoing with affection.

☆ Are you sure, master? ☆ Nari's voice brushed through Dila's thoughts, tender but curious. ☆ The way I hear the tune of your heart… it says something different. Is there something bothering you, master? ☆

Dila's gaze dropped to the floor, her steps slowing slightly. The faint clack of her staff echoed once before she sighed. No... it's just... her voice in her mind trembled softly, even if I say that, it just doesn't sit right in me.

She paused, leaning a bit heavier on Fran's arm, her expression shadowed by moonlight.

(No matter what, it's because I never truly acknowledged him... as a father. All these days, it's so... new to me. So foreign. And besides...) her voice softened further. (I'm not Dila. I'm different. Really... different. Or do you forget?)

For a long moment, silence filled her thoughts — only the faint hum of the night surrounding her. Then, Nari's voice returned, calm, like a whisper in a dream.

☆ I understand, master. Someday... you'll learn to love living in this world. After all, your journey still written and — whatever it was — it's still not over. ☆

Dila stopped walking for a moment. The wind brushed her hair gently across her face as her lips curved into a small, fragile smile.

Yeah... maybe someday it would be over, she thought softly, her eyes glimmering faintly under the moon.

And as they continued down the hallway, the sound of their footsteps slowly faded — leaving only the moonlight, the night breeze, and the quiet warmth of hope beginning to stir in her chest.

Then suddenly Fran's voice softly broke through Dila's thoughts.

"Hey…"

Dila blinked, snapping out of her daze, realizing she was still leaning against Fran.

Fran pouted, her tail flicking slightly. "Are you ignoring me, sister?"

Dila smiled faintly, a quiet chuckle slipping past her lips. "Sorry, Fran… I was just caught up in my imagination. I was thinking about how nice it would be if one day we could live free from battles or problems."

Fran tilted her head with a small grin, her eyes glimmering playfully. "Hehe… I was hoping for that too."

The two of them stayed close like that for a moment. Peaceful. Soft. Like the storm in their lives had finally gone quiet.

As they kept walking down the quiet corridor, the sound of their footsteps softly echoed against the marble floor. Finally, they reached their dorm. The familiar double doors stood before them, just like always.

Fran pushed one open easily with one hand, her tail swaying behind her, while Dila winced a little and leaned against her for balance. Inside, the room looked the same as ever—two separate beds, neat and warm, touched by the faint glow of the lantern lights.

Then, as usual, Fran's lips curved into a teasing smirk. "Don't forget your promise, sister… you said you'd sleep with me tonight."

Dila sighed, though a gentle smile followed right after. "Alright… promise granted."

Fran's eyes lit up instantly. "Yehey!" she cheered softly, her voice bright with childish glee. Carefully, she guided Dila toward her bed, helping her sit down on the soft sheets.

Dila looked up at Fran with a small, tired smile. Somehow, despite the long day and the heaviness in her chest, Fran's warmth made it feel lighter.

Suddenly.

Fran's lips curled into that familiar wide smirk again, her tail flicking playfully behind her. "Now then… it's time for you to change into your pajamas, sister… fu fu fu," she said, her tone dripping with mischief as she held up the soft nightwear with both hands like it was some grand prize.

Dila's eyes instantly widened, her whole body stiffening. "N-no! Stay down, Fran!" she blurted out, crossing her arms tightly over her chest as if defending herself from a great enemy. Her silver hair swayed as she turned away, cheeks slightly flushed. "I said stay away!" she added, voice rising dramatically as she shut her eyes like she couldn't bear to witness the humiliation.

Fran tilted her head, her smirk growing. "Oh, come on, sister… I won't bite you," she teased, her tone both innocent and sly. She took a slow step forward, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"I know that!" Dila snapped back, still refusing to look at her. "But I'm still not used to it… even though we… we bathed together that time!"

Fran gasped softly, pretending to be shocked. "Ehh~? You mean that didn't cure your shyness?" she said, playfully poking Dila's shoulder with her finger.

Dila huffed, her face turning pinker by the second. "T-that's different! Bathing and dressing are not the same thing!"

Fran couldn't help but giggle, crouching a little to meet Dila's flustered eyes. "You're so cute when you panic, sister," she said softly, her tail swaying behind her like she was having too much fun with this.

Dila groaned, half-hiding her face behind her hands. "You're impossible…"

Fran just grinned wider, whispering teasingly, "And yet… you still love me, right?"

Dila let out a quiet defeated sigh, a small smile sneaking through her embarrassment. "Yeah… unfortunately, I do."

Fran laughed brightly, tail flicking in victory as she helped Dila into her pajamas—still grinning like she'd just won the greatest battle of her life..

As Fran was helping Dila into her pajamas, humming cheerfully as if dressing her was the most casual thing in the world. Dila sat on the edge of the bed, still a bit pale from exhaustion, but her cheeks already tinged pink from embarrassment.

"Alright, lift your arm a bit, sister," Fran said sweetly as she pulled the pajama sleeve up Dila's arm. Her tail swished behind her like a metronome of mischief.

Everything was going smoothly… until Dila suddenly jolted. "H-hey, Fran! Don't touch that!" she yelped, eyes wide as she looked down in horror. Her whole face turned bright red, her silver hair trembling slightly as she stiffened.

Fran blinked innocently. "Hmm? Touch what?" she asked, pretending not to know—her smirk already betraying her.

Dila's lips trembled. "W-what do you mean what?! You're touching—" she couldn't even finish, her voice rising an octave. "That's not part of the pajama!"

Fran paused dramatically, then grinned like a devil. "Ohhh, that? I'm touching your skin, of course! What did you think I was touching?" she said with a teasing laugh.

Dila's face went crimson to her ears. "M-my skin?! Don't say it like that! I-I'm sensitive there!" she squeaked, gripping the pajama top to cover herself while glaring weakly.

Fran burst into laughter, nearly falling onto the bed as she held her stomach. "Pfft—HAHAHAHA! Sensitive there?! Sister, your cuteness is beyond this world! HAHAHA!"

Dila buried her face in her palms. "Y-you're really impossible, Fran… absolutely impossible…"

Fran was still laughing so hard her tail puffed up, tears forming in her eyes. "I can't help it! You react like a scared kitten every time I help you!" she said between fits of laughter.

Dila sighed deeply, but her lips twitched with a reluctant smile. "One of these days, Fran… I swear…"

Fran giggled and leaned in close, whispering, "You'll still let me help you anyway, right?"

Dila groaned. "You're hopeless…"

Fran only grinned wider, her laughter echoing softly in the dorm room as Dila hid her burning face behind her hands.

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