Shadows And Light

Akihiro had brought Aihana to a quiet park—a small, hidden clearing with a solitary bench tucked beneath a cluster of tall, whispering trees. Somewhere beyond sight, he had called a few angels to watch over the area—silent guardians woven perfectly into the urban backdrop, unseen by anyone who didn’t know where to look.

Aihana lay stretched out on the bench, her head resting gently in Akihiro’s lap. His eyes never left her, as sharp and alert as a drawn blade even in stillness.

She was the fifth Guardian.

The realization had settled somewhere deep in him—a truth he had sensed, resisted, and finally accepted. The weight of it pressed into his chest, but not heavily. There was pride there too, subtle and quiet. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.

He reached down and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. The gesture was soft, steady—protective without overstepping, tender without needing to be named.

Aihana stirred. Her eyelids fluttered as consciousness slowly pulled her back. Her breath came in small, uneven waves, her body struggling to process the memory of the morning—of shadows, of cold pressure, of Ravukaru’s dark presence… of the blinding light she had unleashed.

“Akihiro…?” Her voice cracked. It was soft, fragile, suspended between waking and the remnants of terror.

He didn’t answer at first. He simply watched her with that quiet patience of his, letting the steadiness of his presence settle around her like a shield.

Aihana shifted weakly, confusion clouding her features. Ravukaru’s grip, the suffocating darkness—it hung in her mind like smoke, real yet dreamlike.

“Did… did that really happen?” she whispered. It wasn’t about the fight alone. It was about everything—the strange pulse of power in her chest, the danger that had almost swallowed her, and Akihiro… who had stood before her like something not quite human.

Akihiro held her gaze, silent but reassuring. He revealed nothing of who he was, only allowed her to feel safe.

She curled slightly, knees pulled closer, her heartbeat still unsteady. The world around her—the rustling leaves, distant car horns, sunlight flickering through branches—felt softened, muted, as if reality itself was giving her space to breathe.

A moment later, she asked again, voice trembling:
“Was… that really just…?”

Akihiro lowered his gaze to her, expression steady, firm.
“Aihana… listen. Demons exist. Angels exist. What you saw… it was real.”

No dramatics. No hesitation. Just truth, quiet and solid.

Her breath hitched. She froze, eyes widening—fear and awe mixing in one fragile moment.
But she believed him. Somehow, she always had.

She relaxed just a little, still resting on his lap.
“But… what about…?” she tried again.

“Answers will come,” he said gently. “Right now, you need to breathe. Recover. Fresh air will help.”

She nodded faintly.

He gave a quiet, subtle smile—barely there, but enough to soften the space between them.

When she was steady enough to stand, Akihiro walked her home. Later, alone in her room, the thoughts returned, swirling too fast to untangle. She slowly stepped out onto her balcony, hoping the fresh air might clear the fog.

And then—
A presence.

Warm. Powerful. Familiar.

Her heart skipped.
“Akihiro… I know you’re there. I can feel you.”

In the tree outside her balcony, invisible, he paused.
She senses energies… but how can she know this one is mine?

Aihana stepped forward, breath trembling. Slowly—almost reluctantly—he revealed himself, landing before her with a soft whisper of wind.

Her voice broke into a whisper:
“So… it’s all real? Everything I’ve felt?”

Akihiro walked closer, wings shimmering faintly at his back, presence calm yet commanding.
“I know you have questions. Are you ready to talk?”

She hesitated—fear tightening her shoulders—but she nodded. Ready or not, she needed answers.

A quiet tension lingered, intangible but unmistakable. Still, she felt safe. For the first time that day, clarity touched the edges of her thoughts. She wasn’t alone.

Akihiro settled on the floor of her room, leaning lightly against the bedframe.
“Sit,” he murmured.

She obeyed, hugging her knees.

He glanced toward the door.
“If anyone enters, I’ll disappear instantly. You don’t need to be afraid.”

She gave him a small nod.

“So… you really are an angel?” she whispered.

“Yes.”

Her eyes widened.
“And Ravukaru… he’s a demon?”

“Yes.”

Silence stretched, fragile.

Then—
“Why… why did he want me?”

Akihiro leaned in slightly, meeting her gaze with unbreakable calm.
“You have power. You are a Guardian—one of five. Without you, the balance breaks. Ravukaru wants to take advantage of that.”

Her breath caught.
“Five Guardians… and I’m one of them?”

He nodded.
“I saw it today. You forced Ravukaru back. If you hadn’t… the fight may not have ended the way it did.”

Her hands trembled. The truth was overwhelming.

“But… I can’t do this alone.”

“You won’t,” Akihiro said softly. “You’ll meet the others soon.”

She swallowed hard.
“Akihiro…?”

“Yes?”

She hesitated.
“That night… when Miyu and I were walking home from the cinema… two men tried to attack us.”

He didn’t move. 

“They just… vanished. And afterward… I felt the same energy I felt today. The exact same.”

Her voice cracked:
“It was you, wasn’t it?”

He finally inhaled, eyes softening.
“Aihana…”

Just her name. Heavy with meaning.

“You were in danger,” he whispered. “And I was there.”

No denial. No excuse.

Her heart stuttered.
“So it’s real…”

Akihiro nodded, his voice low.
"That night, one of you released energy without meaning to. That’s why Rei, Ayame, and I joined your school. I needed to find out who it was.”

He looked directly at her.
“And now I know. It was you.”

Her world shifted.

“So… you’re my guardian angel?”

“No,” Akihiro said quietly. “I’m the one who protects you. For as long as needed.”

Something inside her cracked open. Softened.

Then—
“You will attend the A‑Academy.”

The statement hung between them.

“I can’t,” she whispered. “My parents… my life…”

“You’ll be in danger here,” he said simply. “Your parents too.”

Tears stung her eyes.

“At the Academy, you’ll learn control. And demons like Ravukaru won’t be able to reach you.”

“If I leave… what do I have left?” she whispered.

“Everything,” Akihiro said softly. “Because if you stay… you risk losing it all.”

Silence stretched. Heavy. Necessary.

He softened, his voice warm, steady:
“I know it’ll be hard.”

She met his gaze.

He smiled—a small, real smile he had never shown anyone else.
“I believe you’ll rise to it.”

Her heart fluttered.

Akihiro rose. Light shimmered beneath his skin. Wings unfurled—quiet, breathtaking.

“Rest now,” he said gently. “You’ll need your strength.”

“And you?” she whispered.

His smile deepened, faint but devastating.
“Don’t worry about me.”

With a whisper of wings, he lifted off the balcony and slipped onto a nearby branch.

But she felt him.
Warm. Strong. Watching.

And as she crawled into bed, her heart finally steadying, one thought followed her into sleep—

Akihiro.