"I feel like I could die at any moment…"
That was the only thought running through my head as I lay flat on the ground, gasping for air. My body refused to move, every muscle aching. I couldn't even find the words to speak. Even with all the strength I had now, I still couldn't keep up with Miyaki's speed.
She stood above me, arms crossed, as her eyes were sharp yet curious.
"Why do you want to become stronger?"
She asked, her tone a little softer than before.
I slowly sat up, wiping the sweat from my brow.
"Well… It's not just protecting Siana."
I said, staring down at my hands.
"I want to uncover the truth. I want to find out what lies behind this world and to learn what this world is all really about."
At that, something in Miyaki's expression changed. Her eyes widened just slightly, like the words had triggered a memory.
"Hmph… You do sound just like him, again..."
She muttered.
"Even your face right now... It's the same."
"You mean… Hashino?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yeah. He was the same. Always chasing after answers, trying to uncover the secrets of the world. He even went so far as to defeat his partner."
Her words hit me like a cold wind. That kind of story… it sounded familiar, like something I'd heard before.
"Sensei… who exactly is Hashino?"
For a moment, she didn't answer. Then, a faint smile formed on her lips. A gentle one, filled with both pride and sorrow.
"Some people don't believe in the legend… the story of the War Between the Legendary Heroes..."
She said.
"But here as Luminian, in Lightwoods. We remember it well."
Then, her voice grew more serious. The air around us felt heavier, like the world itself was listening.
"Kuroyato Hashino… He was known as the Rage Knight, our former hero."
At that moment, the truth hit me. The one who once bore the Rage Knight title was no other than Miyaki's old friend.
"Ugh…!"
A sudden, sharp pain shot through my head right after hearing Miyaki's words.
"Hey! Are you okay!?"
Miyaki rushed over, concern written all over her face.
"What's going on with you lately? Is this happening again? Should we go see a doctor?"
"I-I'm fine… I think…"
I held my head, trying to steady myself.
"I don't know why, but… it felt like I was remembering something. Like a memory trying to come back to me."
"Wait, remembering? Are you saying... you've lost your memory?"
Miyaki's eyes widened in shock, her voice filled with disbelief.
I began explaining everything about how I ended up here in Lightwoods with Siana, waking up near that mysterious tree, and the strange little girl named Beruciel.
I even brought up the flashback I had just seen when I got that sudden headache, where Miyaki and Hashino looked like… a couple? Something about it didn't sit right with me, like it didn't quite match the way they act now.
"Um… Miyaki-sensei, are you and Hashino... close? Like, really close?"
Curious, I decided to ask.
The moment I said it, her eyes widened in surprise. Then, out of nowhere, she let out a laugh.
"Kid… are you sure you're okay?"
She said with a bittersweet smile.
"Hmph, well, we're not in that kind of relationship, but…"
She replied, then paused, her expression softening.
"I first met him when I was seventeen. That's when it all started. He mistook me for someone he once knew, but I didn't have any memories of him at all."
Miyaki's voice turned nostalgic as she began to share more about how she met him back when she was a special knight tasked with protecting the royal family of Lightwoods. Slowly, the layers of her past began to unfold.
When Hashino came around to check on how things were going in Lightwoods, since he was pretty close with the royal family, even with that legendary title, The Rage Knight, she started to understand more about him.
"Heh… and guess what? We ended up getting even closer than before."
Miyaki said with a soft smile.
"And funny enough, when I turned 18, over time… I started to fall for that man. Heh, never really got the chance to tell him, though."
"I see…"
I looked at her and felt a pang of sympathy for what she'd lost.
"Heh, even after he passed… in all these 25 years, I've never had strong feelings for anyone else the way I did for that man, Kuro."
Miyaki said with a bittersweet smile.
"…Mind if I ask… how old are you now?"
"43. What? Got a problem with that?"
She shot me a glare, but with a smile that was somehow both playful and menacing. I froze, trying to explain I didn't mean anything by it.
"Haha, I'm just messing."
She laughed, giving me a strong pat on the back that nearly knocked the wind out of me.
Miyaki raised both arms and gave her body a good stretch.
"Phew, that loosened me up. The wind feels pretty nice today."
She let out a relaxed sigh, then strolled over to the small table and began pouring herself a cup of tea, the gentle clinking of the cup breaking the peaceful scenery.
"Hey, kiddo, want some?"
Caught off guard by her casual offer, I stood up, walked over, and sat beside her. She poured me a cup too, and I quietly thanked her.
The wind gently brushed past us as we enjoyed the calm, quiet moment surrounded by the peaceful scenery.
But then, something began to nag at the back of my mind. The battle between her and Skyler, the one I missed after I was taken.
As if reading my thoughts, Miyaki let out a confident chuckle.
"Oh, that fight? After that massive clash between us, I completely knocked him out with one solid, final strike."
She took a quiet sip of her tea after saying that, and everything clicked in my head. That must've been why I felt that huge tremor after Dorven teleported me to the church.
"But still…"
She slowly set her teacup down, her expression suddenly shifting to something more serious.
"I just can't get it out of my head… that he's with that maniac."
Seeing the look on her face, I could tell she was truly in disbelief. The fact that Skyler, someone she once trusted, worked with Dorven to create the chaos from yesterday... it was something she didn't want to believe.
As I sank into my thoughts, I tried piecing things together, even searching for any clue that might explain Skyler's sudden betrayal. But no matter how hard I thought, I couldn't find anything solid. It was like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
There has to be someone… someone who knows more.
Then, like a spark, one name crossed my mind. That Someone who might be the key to understanding all of this.
"Sensei… I think I know someone who might be able to help us."
Miyaki raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of interest as she nodded. Without hesitation, she followed me through the corridors until we arrived at a quiet hallway, where two soldiers stood guard in front of a door.
"This has to be it…"
I thought to myself. Siana mentioned this room earlier this morning, as this is where they're keeping her.
"Oh~ so this is the person you were talking about? I see... interesting."
Miyaki smirked slightly as she stepped forward, signaling the two guards at the door. The moment they recognized her, their eyes widened in surprise. After all, it wasn't every day that Miyaki, the Red-Haired Samurai herself, gave a direct order.
"M-Miss Miyaki, we were just about to report... the princess is already inside the room."
One of the soldiers quickly added, bowing slightly.
Both Miyaki and I exchanged a look of surprise.
The princess...? Siana's in there?
As the door creaked open, we stepped into the quiet room, and what we saw made me stop in my tracks.
There, sitting up in bed with fresh bandages wrapped gently around her chest, was none other than Aina. She was smiling softly as she spoke with Siana, who sat beside her holding a fruit.
"Aina has already woken up!?"
In my mind, filled with disbelief.
Both Siana and Aina looked toward the door, surprised to see us there. Their expressions lit up as we entered.
"Ah! Hi, Aki!"
Aina waved at me cheerfully, her usual bright smile lighting up the room.
"Siana, what are you doing here?"
Miyaki let out a small chuckle and asked warmly.
Siana tilted her head playfully and began to explain.
"After I left the field earlier, I was just walking down the corridor when I bumped into one of the butlers. He told me Aina had already woken up!"
Her expression softened a little, remembering how she felt at that moment.
"I got so excited and a little worried, so I ran straight over here."
She glanced at the guards near the door with a sheepish grin.
"They told me I only had ten minutes to stay, but... well, I guess those rules kinda flew out the window now that Miss Miyaki's here."
Siana let out a light laugh as she looked back at Aina with gentle eyes.
After Aina let out a small giggle at Siana's teasing, her gaze shifted to Miyaki, and her eyes instantly sparkled with awe.
"Whoa~! Who's this cool lady!?"
She exclaimed, practically glowing with curiosity.
Siana smiled and pointed toward Miyaki.
"Oh, this is Miss Miyaki Hanae."
The moment the name was spoken, Aina's jaw dropped.
"Wait—YOU'RE Miyaki!? The Red-Haired Samurai, Miyaki Hanae!?"
Her voice jumped excitedly as she tried to sit up, only to wince and clutch her side.
"I heard a lot about you from Sky—Ouch!"
Siana quickly reached out, gently pushing her back down with a worried look.
"Hey, hey! Don't push yourself, Aina. You're still healing."
Miyaki, watching the whole scene, couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Hehe, I like this kid."
She said with a warm grin, her tone full of fondness.
"Hehe… sorry, I couldn't help it."
Aina said with a sheepish grin, settling back onto the bed.
"You're Sky's teacher, after all! I've heard so many cool things about the two of you!"
She looked up at Miyaki with stars in her eyes, clearly thrilled to finally meet the woman whose name echoed across the world.
Miyaki crossed her arms with a gentle smirk.
"What's your name, kid?"
"I'm Aina! It's nice to meet you, Miss Miyaki!"
She beamed with pure excitement, and as Miyaki saw Aina's bright smile, a nostalgic feeling stirred in her heart, reminding her of a student she once taught long ago.
"Hmph… another familiar face."
Miyaki muttered to herself with a bittersweet smile.
"Oh! By the way, where's Skyler? Have you guys seen him around? I can't wait to tell him I met Miss Miyaki for the first time, hehe!"
Aina chuckled with a playful grin, but as she looked at our expressions, neither smiling nor looking down, her smile slowly faded.
As Aina was confused about why neither of us was smiling, I hesitated a little and took a deep breath to tell her of all that had happened yesterday.
"Huh...? H-hey, it's not funny to joke about something like that, you know? Hehe..."
Aina tried to laugh it off with an awkward smile, but behind that smile, I could see the hurt and confusion.
As she looked at us, silent, our expressions heavy, her smile slowly faded. Her eyes widened in shock, disbelief sinking in.
"Aina..."
Siana softly called her name, trying to reach her.
"No... I don't believe it."
Aina whispered, her voice trembling.
"He can't be one of them."
Lowering her gaze, she clutched the bedsheet tightly and muttered with a broken heart, whispering to herself:
"I trust him more than myself..."
The room fell silent for a moment after Aina's words.
Miyaki was the first to break it, her voice calm but firm.
"I don't believe Skyler would ever willingly side with people like them either."
She stepped closer, her expression soft.
"That's why we're here. We're hoping you can help us understand... if you're willing to talk."
Miyaki gently asked if Aina could share what happened with Skyler, where he went after he disappeared, what kind of bond they shared, and why he joined Dorven.
The same questions echoed in my mind. I needed to know the truth.
Aina stayed quiet for a moment, staring down at her hands before slowly taking a deep breath. She turned her gaze to the window, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then I'll tell you... Everything I know… from my memories."