Shadows on the horizon

The dust settled over the training grounds as the final echoes of the cheering audience faded into a quiet hum of anticipation. The Iron-Wing Games had reached their conclusion, and the cadets stood together in front of the massive display screen. Their breaths hung in the cool air as the results were about to be displayed.

Emi shifted uncomfortably in her spot, trying not to let her emotions show. Though she had fought with all her heart, the lingering effects of her ordeal during the formation battle had caught up with her. Her focus had wavered at a critical moment during her round of sixteen match, costing her the victory. She clenched her fists, willing herself to hold back the pang of disappointment.

The screen buzzed, and the rankings appeared, accompanied by a collective murmur from the cadets.

Reina’s name gleamed brightly at the very top, followed by a detailed list of the top eight cadets who would receive the prestigious Iron-Wing Crest. Gasps and cheers erupted from the crowd as Reina stepped forward, her expression a mixture of pride and confidence.

“I did it,” Reina murmured to herself, then shot a glance toward Kaito, who gave her a subtle nod of approval.

A bit lower on the list, Hikari’s name stood at 4th place. His usual cheerfulness dimmed slightly as he read the rankings, but he let out a relieved sigh and grinned. “I know I made it but…,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “…I still can’t believe it!”

Tatsumi’s name glowed faintly at the bottom of the top eight, securing 8th place by a narrow margin. His face showed no immediate reaction, but as the reality sank in, he straightened, his gaze resolute. "This is just the beginning," he muttered under his breath, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

A bit lower, Katsuhito’s name rested in 10th place. The narcissistic edge in his demeanor softened as he exhaled slowly. “Just two spots away,” he whispered, shaking his head. For a moment, disappointment threatened to creep in, but he quickly plastered on a smirk. “Guess that just means I’ll have to work harder next time.”

The rest of the cadets congratulated one another, some with genuine enthusiasm and others with forced smiles. The top eight, however, stepped forward to accept their medals, the Iron-Wing Crest glinting in the sunlight as they were pinned onto their uniforms.

As Fuyuko handed Reina her crest, she paused, leaning in slightly. “You earned this,” she said softly, a rare note of warmth in her voice.

Reina smiled, her chest swelling with pride as she joined the other awardees, the medal resting heavily against her uniform.

Emi stayed near the back, watching the ceremony in silence. Though she wasn’t part of the top eight, she felt a twinge of pride for her peers, especially Reina, Hikari, and Tatsumi. But deep inside, the sting of her own loss still lingered.

Kaito stood at the sidelines, his gaze sweeping over the cadets. His pride for his students was evident in his small, approving smile, though he couldn't help but notice the distant look in Emi’s eyes.

As the medals were distributed, Fuyuko addressed the group. “The Iron-Wing Games may be over, but this is just the beginning of your journey. Each of you has shown incredible potential, whether or not you stand here with a crest today. Keep pushing forward.”

The cadets saluted in unison, their voices ringing out as one: “Yes, ma’am!”

The event concluded with applause and cheers, but as the cadets began to disperse, Kaito approached Emi. “You did well,” he said quietly.

Emi looked up at him, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “Not well enough.”

Kaito’s gaze softened. “Losing isn’t the end. It’s just another step toward improving. What matters is how you move forward from here.”

Emi hesitated, then nodded, her resolve beginning to return. “I’ll do better next time.”

As the sun set over the academy, the Iron-Wing Games left its mark on the cadets—not just through the victories and defeats, but through the bonds forged and lessons learned. For Reina, Hikari, Tatsumi, and the others, the future felt brighter than ever.

As the crowd scattered, Emi spotted Leona standing off to the side near one of the training grounds, her back turned to the rest of the group.

Taking a deep breath, Emi approached her. "Hey, Leona," she called softly.

Leona glanced over her shoulder, her expression guarded but composed. "Oh, hey, Emi," she replied, her voice carrying a forced lightness. "Weren’t you with the others?"

Emi frowned. "Yeah. I wondered why you weren’t there. Is something bothering you?"

“No, not really,” Leona replied, her voice steady enough to sound convincing at first, but beneath the surface, it carried faint, unmistakable tremors of pain and grief, like cracks in a fragile facade.

Leona gave a half-hearted chuckle and shrugged. "It’s just, I really wanted to prove myself, you know? But I still lost, and now I just... I just feel useless." She tried to wave it off, but her voice wavered ever so slightly.

"Leona," Emi began, taking a step closer.

"I’m fine," Leona interrupted, shaking her head quickly. "It’s not like I expected to win anyway. I mean, look at me. I’ve always been the clumsy one, right? Just a walking joke trying to act serious for once." She let out another strained laugh, but her trembling hands betrayed her.

Emi placed a hand on her shoulder. "You’re not a joke, Leona. I know you’re so much more than you give yourself credit for."

Leona’s resolve cracked at those words. Her lips trembled, and tears began to pool in her eyes. "But I wasn’t good enough!" she cried, her voice breaking as the floodgates opened. "I wanted to prove myself so badly, Emi. To show everyone that I’m not just the girl who trips over her own feet or gets overlooked. I thought... I thought if I could at least win one match, it would mean something. That I would mean something."

The tears spilled freely now as Leona covered her face, her shoulders shaking with every sob.

Emi stepped closer, wrapping her arms around her friend in a comforting embrace. "You don’t need a win to prove you’re worth something," she said gently. "Leona, you’ve already shown everyone how strong you are. Just getting this far, facing all those challenges head-on—it says so much about you. And it’s okay to be upset. It just shows how much you care."

Leona clung to her, her sobs gradually subsiding as she leaned into Emi’s support. After a moment, she pulled back slightly, wiping at her eyes with a weak laugh. "I must look so pathetic right now."

Emi shook her head. "You look like someone who gave it their all and cares deeply about what they do. There’s nothing pathetic about that."

Leona managed a small, teary smile. "Thanks, Emi.”

Emi gave her a reassuring nod. “Anytime. I mean it, Leona. You’re amazing, and you’ll keep proving it. Today doesn’t define everything.”

Leona hesitated for a moment, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. Then, as if working up the courage to share something, she looked at Emi with a faint blush dusting her cheeks. “You know… you’re not the first one to tell me that today.”

Emi tilted her head, curious. “Oh? Who was it?”

Leona looked down at the floor, biting her lip, the faint blush deepening. “Katsuhito,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Emi’s eyes widened slightly, a knowing smile creeping onto her face. “Really?”

Leona nodded, her hands fidgeting nervously. “Yeah… he helped me after our match. Said some things that… made me feel better. I didn’t expect it from him, but… he’s not so bad when he’s not being so full of himself.”

Emi grinned, leaning in just a bit. “And? Do you think there’s something more there?”

Leona’s face turned a deeper shade of pink, and she shook her head quickly. “I-I don’t know! It’s not like that… seriously, I mean, it’s not what you think,” she stammered, her voice a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty.

Emi laughed softly, giving her a light nudge. “Well, whatever it is, I think it’s nice. Sometimes people surprise you when you least expect it.”

Leona smiled shyly, her expression softening. “Yeah… I guess they do.”

With that, Emi gave her one last supportive pat on the shoulder before standing. “Alright. Take care, okay?”

Leona nodded, watching Emi leave with a small, thoughtful smile. Her mind lingered on Emi’s words, and for the first time in a long while, the sting of her loss felt just a little less sharp.

Kaito stood at the edge of the training grounds, his gaze fixed on the dwindling group of cadets still celebrating or consoling one another after the games. He took a deep breath, his usual stoic expression softening slightly. Whether they had won or lost, each of his students had given it their all, and that was worth acknowledging.

"Hikari," he called, spotting the ever-optimistic cadet nearby.

Hikari turned, his face lighting up. "Yes, sir?"

"Gather everyone in front of the classroom," Kaito instructed. "I want to speak with all of you."

"Got it!" Hikari replied with a salute before darting off to find the others.

As Kaito began to make his way toward the meeting spot, his steps were halted by a figure emerging from the shadows near the academy's gates. The man was tall and unassuming in appearance, dressed in plain, dark clothing that seemed to blend into the evening light. Yet there was something about his presence that immediately put Kaito on edge.

"Are you Kaito Yamamura?" the man asked, his tone low and deliberate.

Kaito's sharp eyes narrowed. "Who are you, and how do you know my name?"

The man ignored his question, his voice carrying an unsettling calm. "End your investigation."

Kaito's jaw tightened, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. "What investigation? And who are you to demand anything from me? Do you realize you can be sued for harassment? Showing up out of nowhere with this nonsense—"

The man raised a hand, silencing Kaito with a single, cold statement. "If you don’t stop, you’ll end up losing the things dearest to you."

Kaito froze, the weight of the threat sinking in like a lead anchor. His fists clenched at his sides as his anger flared. "What are you talking about?!" he demanded. "What do you mean by that?"

The man shook his head, his tone softening. “A little piece of advice, somethings are better left buried. Sometimes, protecting others means walking away.”

Then the man turned without another word, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Kaito standing alone.

For a moment, Kaito remained rooted to the spot, his thoughts racing. He didn’t know who the man was or what he was referring to, but the cryptic warning echoed in his mind, stirring an unease he couldn’t ignore.