A New Beggining

Aiko couldn’t hold back her smile and leaned in to kiss him—a long, gentle kiss, mingling relief, love, and the feeling that they were finally safe, together, and unbreakable.

The wind danced lightly around them, tousling their hair, the starlight surrounding the balcony, and for a moment, it seemed as if the whole world had stopped just for them.

Aiko looked at him with bewildered eyes, her heart racing. “So… we really were… and now… is this a new beginning?”

Akihiko smiled faintly, his fingers gently wiping the tears from her cheeks. “Yes, Aiko. We’re here again, but no matter where or when… what we feel remains. No danger, no past can erase this.”

He slowly leaned closer, the kiss slow, a gentle exploration, as if they could feel every string of each other’s hearts. Aiko kept her eyes open, wanting to capture every detail, every feeling—fear, love, longing—all in a single moment that now belonged to them.

“Even though we’re not formally married,” Akihiko whispered, “the heart knows its own truth.”

Aiko smiled through her tears, slightly trembling but determined: “Then… if the heart knows, we don’t need papers.”

The wind swirled gently around the balcony, the night sky glittering with stars, and in that moment, all that mattered was that they were together.

Akihiko slowly held Aiko by the waist, each touch gentle yet firm, as if he could feel every doubt and fear within her. Their eyes met, and in that gaze was everything—love, relief, yearning. Their breaths synchronized as he guided her step by step toward the bed.

Aiko surrendered to the moment, pressing against him, and as their lips found each other again, she felt all past dangers and losses slowly fade. Her fears and doubts melted into the warmth of his presence. Her hands wrapped around his neck, his hands felt every beat of her wildly racing heart—full, strong, unstoppable.

From the room came the familiar, calm voice of the aura: “Princess, your heartbeat is too fast. I do not recommend this… it is not in accordance with the rules.”

Aiko let out a soft sigh, smiling, and gently looked toward the empty space where the aura usually appeared. “Aura, turn off. I don’t need you for a few moments.”

Akihiko smiled and pressed his forehead lightly against hers, as if sensing her resolve and trust. “Just for us,” he whispered, “no more rules, no more limits.”

Her hand slid across his chest, feeling his heart, blending with his energy. Their deep kiss carried them to a moment where time stood still—only their hearts beat in the same rhythm, the wind lightly playing with the curtains, and the night was theirs alone.

Scenes of Aiko flashed before Akihiko’s eyes; he looked at her… he could never forgive himself if he lost her. “With you, when we’re alone, I am always in heaven…” he thought.

Aiko felt these words deep in her heart. Her eyes filled with tears, yet with warmth and longing. She stepped closer, separated only by their breaths, each heartbeat intertwining. Her fingers wrapped around his shoulders, gently pulling him closer. Her words were almost inaudible: “And I feel the same, Akihiko… always.”

The wind danced gently around them, the curtain shifted, and the moonlight softly bathed them. They felt all fears, dangers, and the past vanish, if only for a moment. Their closeness was complete; time existed only for them.

Akihiko gently tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her softly, yet deeply—a kiss carrying the promise that they would never be separated again. Aiko surrendered completely to the moment, feeling his warmth and safety, and knew in her heart that this was home—not a place, but in the heart of someone who loved you.

Aiko and Akihiko still stood in each other’s embrace, slightly away from the bed, their hands still firmly intertwined. The silence of the room was filled only with their breathing, yet with each passing moment, their energy flowed into the air around them.

At first, the sensation was subtle—like a gentle breeze brushing their faces, reminiscent of calm evenings on Akarihoshi. Then the waves of energy grew. The reddish-golden light of Aiko’s planet and the white-blue aura of Akihiko’s planet merged into a spiral vortex, crawling along the floor, rising up the walls, and spreading above the castle through the window.

The castle and its gardens, long somewhat withered, began to come alive again. Grass lifted, flowers bloomed, even the trees whispered softly, as if taking their first fresh breath in a long time. In the distance, the inhabitants felt warmth and peace, without understanding from where it came—they simply knew that something good and protective was among them.

Above the planet, a halo of light appeared—a red-white-blue aurora gently shining over the castle, as if the planet itself sang and danced to the rhythm of their energy. The emblems on Aiko’s wrist and Akihiko’s neck glowed faintly, reminding everyone present that they were the protectors and the heart of Auralis.

Aiko looked at Akihiko and slowly said, “You know, Akihiko… even though everything was so dangerous, I felt I had to find you. No matter what.”

Akihiko smiled, yet with deep seriousness replied, “And I knew I had to protect you, no matter what. Now that we are together, Akarihoshi is safe. And we… and our future.”

Aiko gazed at him softly and smiled, while the wind danced lightly around them: “We’ll make sure it always stays that way…”

Their energy, love, and determination filled the space, which was no longer just a room, but the heart of the entire planet. Akarihoshi breathed with them, awakened, protected, and full of hope—and in that moment, they knew that all the dangers they had survived were worth every second, because they were together.

Akihiko’s gaze softened as he noticed Aiko’s subtle exhaustion—the slight droop of her shoulders, the way her eyelids flickered as if holding back sleep. “You’ve given everything today, princess,” he murmured, his voice low and tender. “Maybe… you should rest for a while.”

Aiko nestled closer into his chest, unwilling to break the gentle warmth of his embrace. Her fingers gripped his uniform lightly, as if anchoring herself to the steady presence of him beside her.

Akihiko tilted his head, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “If you want… I can stay here with you. Sleep beside you.”

Aiko’s cheeks warmed slightly at his words. She didn’t need to think twice; her nod was small but filled with trust. “Yes…” she whispered, barely audible, her voice blending with the quiet rhythm of the room.

He adjusted slightly, making sure she was comfortable, his hand resting lightly on her back as they settled together. Outside, the moonlight spilled through the curtains, casting gentle patterns across the floor, but inside the quiet chamber, there was only the two of them, hearts beating in tandem, wrapped in the fragile, beautiful tranquility of shared presence.

Akihiko’s breath was steady against her hair, his warmth a shield against the day’s weariness. And as Aiko’s eyelids finally grew heavy, she let herself sink into that serene closeness, feeling the quiet promise of safety, care, and unspoken love that only he could give.

Akihiko held her, making her feel safe… and in the middle of the night, he awoke. Slowly, he rose from the bed, kissed sleeping Aiko on the forehead, and whispered, “Sleep well, princess. I’ll see you in the morning.” Then he quietly left the chamber, for in truth, he shouldn’t have been there.

Stepping into the hallway, he turned back and held his gaze with his blue eyes for a moment at the doorway, as if trying to capture this fleeting, precious moment. “Our hearts will be together again tomorrow, but for now… rest, princess.”

With a gentle, almost invisible smile, he disappeared into the shadow of the corridor, while Aiko continued to sleep peacefully, safe in his presence, though unaware of it.

The morning on Akarihoshi was quiet and sunny. Aiko and Akihiko sat together at the long table in the royal dining hall, where breakfast and fresh fruit were already prepared. The scent of freshly baked bread and warm pastries mingled with the fragrance of flowers placed on the table by the queen.

King Kaito sat at the head of the table, with Hanae beside him, and Akihiko’s father and mother smiling as they watched their family. Naoru, Mika, and Ren sat along the sides, with Aiko and Akihiko in between, still feeling a quiet tension—the mix of joy and relief that they had survived all dangers.

“It seems we are finally all together again,” said Kaito, his gaze turning toward Akihiko and Aiko. “Aiko, Akihiko… considering everything that has happened, I think it’s time to reconsider… marriage.”

Akihiko smiled faintly and squeezed Aiko’s hand under the table, silently telling her, you can do this.
Aiko smiled back, her heart skipping a beat, and nodded slightly.

Hanae continued, “Everything that was under Noirelle’s influence is now behind us. It’s time to solemnly reaffirm your bond, and hopefully, we won’t have to do this a third time.”

Naoru and Mika glanced at each other, still quietly, but with smiles showing relief. Ren, still somewhat awkward but happy, observed everything and added with a wink, “Finally… everything is as it should be.”

Akihiko looked Aiko straight in the eyes and asked, “Ready, princess?”

Aiko nodded with a soft laugh, “Ready, prince.”

The king and queen smiled, while Naoru, Mika, and Ren exchanged satisfied glances. Breakfast continued with light conversation, laughter, and planning for the celebration.