The sun rose over the sea, painting the sky in soft orange and gold. The waves shimmered gently, crashing against the beach with their usual calm rhythm.
Inside the villa, the teachers were already gathering for breakfast, their voices light and easy.
"Morning, Miss Mila!" one of them called as Milly entered the dining hall.
She gave a small smile. "Morning…"
Her tone was quiet. Too quiet.
She took a seat by the window, resting her chin on her hand as the sunlight brushed over her silver hair. Her plate remained mostly untouched.
"Miss Mila, you okay?" another teacher asked, tilting her head. "You're usually more talkative."
Milly blinked slowly, forcing a faint smile. "Just… didn't sleep well. That's all."
The others exchanged glances but didn't push further.
Her eyes drifted out the window the sea, the horizon, the faint cry of seagulls. But all she saw was that image burned into her mind.
Basei.
His calm, composed tone. The weight of his armor. That stupidly serious face that somehow made her smile.
And the memory of her own voice yelling in embarrassment…
She squeezed her hand into a fist.
Why now? Why am I remembering this after all this time?
"Miss Mila?"
The same teacher leaned forward again, worried.
Milly straightened a bit, clearing her throat. "Ah, sorry. I was just… thinking about something."
"Must be important," the woman chuckled softly.
Milly nodded faintly. "Yeah. You could say that."
When breakfast ended, she quietly slipped away from the table, walking out onto the beach.
The sound of the waves filled the silence between her thoughts.
She crouched down, letting the salt wind brush against her hair. "Basei… you really were my commander, huh?"
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
"I… wish I could remember more."
The ocean didn't answer, only reflected her gaze half of it human silver, the other half hiding the glow of something ancient and powerful deep inside.