The Heartbeat Of Soraya

Akihiko lowers his gaze back to Aiko, who is resting in his arms. He cannot hide the gentle smile that forms as his fingers softly trace her face.
"Princess, you always go further than you should. But always… always, I will catch you."

Naoru folds his arms, his eyes fixed on Akihiko and Aiko.
"You’re right. If anyone can awaken this planet, it’s her. But she’ll have to be careful not to drain herself completely."

Slowly, Akihiko lifts her in his arms and turns toward the vessel.
"I’ll take her back. She’s done enough for today."

Even in her sleep, Aiko’s hand stirs faintly, her fingers clutching his clothing gently — as if, despite her unconscious state, she knows she is safe with him.

Akihiko whispers, almost to himself:
"Your power has begun to awaken, Soraya."
His voice carries no surprise, only quiet certainty. He had known this moment would come.

Mika smiles faintly.
"This only confirms that she truly is the princess of her kingdom."
Naoru adds:
"And that we’re witnessing the heartbeat of the planet return."

Meanwhile, Akihiko places his palm lightly on her back, as though to soothe her even in her slumber. His gaze leaves no room for doubt — Aiko is his princess, not because of her crest, but because of who she truly is.

Slowly, Aiko’s eyes flutter open. For a moment, her gaze is clouded with confusion before it softens, caught in the warmth of Akihiko’s arms. His embrace is gentle yet firm, as if he fears she might slip away if he lets go.

"Akihiko…?" she whispers, her voice trembling.

He leans down, a soft smile on his lips, though concern still lingers in his blue eyes.
"I’m here, princess. I caught you." His voice is quiet, almost a whisper, but filled with relief.

Aiko glances around and notices the circle of fresh grass and blossoms spreading out beneath her feet, as though the planet itself had briefly come alive again. Her breath catches.
"This… did I do this?"

Akihiko brushes her cheek with his thumb, his touch tender.
"Yes. This was your power, Aiko. A part of you… a part of your kingdom."

Mika and Naoru stand a little further away, silent, not wanting to break the fragile moment. Mika discreetly wipes the corner of her eye, while Naoru gazes at the ground, as if sensing the heartbeat of the planet for the very first time.

Aiko clutches Akihiko’s clothing near his chest, needing reassurance that he is truly there.
"If I really am this… princess… then my planet isn’t dead yet, is it?"

Akihiko leans closer so that only she can hear him. His voice is quiet but resolute:
"No, Aiko. As long as you’re here, as long as your heart beats… this planet lives."

Exhausted from the sudden outpouring of her power, Aiko’s eyes close once more, her breathing calming though her face remains pale. Akihiko lifts her higher, letting her rest her head against his shoulder, before kissing her gently on the forehead.

"That’s enough for today," he says firmly, leaving no room for argument.
"The planet will have to wait. Even it knows you must first restore your own strength."

Mika and Naoru nod. Mika steps closer, her voice warm:
"Aiko, you’ve already done more than any of us could have imagined. Your planet felt your presence… and this is only the beginning."

Naoru looks once more at the flowers still gently glowing around them before murmuring:
"This is proof that you can revive it. But slowly."

Akihiko lifts his gaze toward the ship waiting only steps away. His eyes shine with determination, but when they rest on Aiko again, they soften with warmth.
"We’ll return to Akarihoshi. There she’ll be safe — and there she can learn to master her power."

Through her half-lidded eyes, Aiko whispers:
"Promise me we’ll come back, Akihiko."

He smiles faintly, but his embrace tightens around her.
"I promise, princess. Your home will live again. But first, I must protect you."

Together, they walk toward the vessel, leaving behind a small island of greenery in the endless desert — the first sign that Soraya’s planet had not surrendered to death.

Inside the vessel, Aiko sits quietly by the window, her gaze fixed on the distant planet slowly fading from view. Her eyes shimmer with both sorrow and longing, but in her hands, she holds something that keeps her steady — an old portrait of her parents in a golden frame, young and smiling, brimming with life.

Mika leans closer, her voice soft:
"You look just like your mother, Aiko…"

Aiko startles, then smiles through her tears.
"You really think so?"

Mika nods, her own gaze turning wistful, as if touched by her own hidden grief.
"You have her smile… and that glow in your eyes. It’s the kind of smile only people who love deeply can carry."

Akihiko, seated close beside Aiko, has been quietly watching her all along. At Mika’s words, he lays his hand gently over hers.
"And you have your father’s strength. His resolve. I saw it today, when you stepped onto the soil of your planet."

From his seat behind them, Naoru speaks with reserved seriousness:
"If you can do this already… I can only imagine what else is still to come." His voice carries both respect and gravity.

Aiko looks at each of them in turn, then presses the portrait closer to her heart.
"Then I will try to carry both of them within me. Their love… and their strength."

Silence fills the cabin, but it is not heavy — instead, it feels warm, almost protective. The ship glides quietly through the stars toward Akarihoshi.

For a while, Aiko continues to gaze into the darkness, where her planet is now barely visible. Her fingers tremble slightly, but she clutches the portrait as though she fears losing it. Her eyelids grow heavier with each passing moment.

Akihiko feels her body soften against him. Carefully, he wraps his arm around her and draws her closer, allowing her head to rest against his shoulder.

"Sleep, princess," he whispers, almost inaudible.

Aiko shifts faintly, her fingers brushing across his chest as if seeking support. Moments later, her breathing evens out, and she falls into a peaceful slumber, safe within his embrace.

Mika watches them with a small smile before her gaze meets Naoru’s. He simply nods, silently acknowledging the weight of the moment.

Akihiko’s eyes linger on Aiko’s serene face, then lift to the stars beyond the window. Within himself, he makes a quiet vow — that he will do everything to protect her smile, and that one day, she will no longer see her planet as a desert, but as a home in bloom once more.