Threads of Trust

A-Academy – Empty Hallway

Rei found Ayame standing alone in a silent hallway, the faint crackle of the overhead lights casting long shadows across her calm, unreadable face. Despite her composed posture, Rei immediately sensed the tautness beneath the surface—a quiet storm, waiting to erupt.

“We need to talk,” Rei said, his voice steady, carrying an unmistakable firmness that left no room for argument.

Ayame merely nodded, as if she had expected someone to finally notice her behavior.

“Akihiro trusts you,” Rei continued. “You cannot take advantage of that. His trust isn’t something you throw away lightly.”

Ayame remained outwardly calm, but beneath the surface, her muscles tensed. She understood the weight of Rei’s words, the clear boundary drawn between respect and exploitation. There were no mentions of jealousy—only a line, firm and unyielding.

Rei gave a subtle nod and turned, leaving her alone. Ayame’s gaze lingered on the empty hallway, but her thoughts inevitably drifted toward Aihana. Conflicted feelings churned inside her, unspoken, dangerous even to herself.

A-Academy – Training Grounds

Meanwhile, the girls noticed Akihiro’s absence during training.

“Where is he today?” Hikari asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

“I don’t know,” Kaori replied, frowning. Aihana felt a rising tension in her chest, a subtle panic she struggled to suppress.

Rei stepped forward, calm yet authoritative. “Akihiro is in the Control Hall. Everything is fine.”

His words, deliberate and steady, restored Aihana’s sense of security. She could breathe again; the tight knot of worry in her chest loosened just enough.

The days slipped by, Akihiro already fully recovered, and Aihana’s birthday slowly drew closer.

Akihiro appeared silently in the living room. Mizuki, Kaori, Hikari, and Sora looked up, startled.

“I have something important,” he said. “Aihana’s eighteenth birthday is coming. I want you to prepare a surprise celebration in one of the halls. She must not know.”

The girls exchanged excited glances. Sora leaned forward. “We get to plan it? Decorations, cake… everything?”

“Yes,” Akihiro nodded. “One of you handles decorations. Another bakes the cake and sweets. The rest ensures everything is perfect.”

Hikari smirked. “But angels are notorious for sneaking sweets. How do we stop them from eating the desserts before the party?”

Akihiro chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure no angel touches a single sweet before the celebration.”

The girls giggled at the thought.

Akihiro returned his gaze to the girls. “This is a special mission. Keep it secret and make it perfect. Aihana deserves nothing less.”

Kaori squealed softly. “We won’t let her down!”

Mizuki grinned. “I can already see the cake…”

Akihiro smiled. “Good. And remember… the sweets are safe.”

The girls laughed, their excitement filling the room, while Akihiro watched with quiet amusement.

A-Academy – Gardens & Private Training

It was the morning of Aihana’s birthday, though no one at the Academy knew it. She had kept the date to herself, not wanting attention. What she didn’t realize was that Akihiro knew… and so did the others. The girls had the day off, a rare free morning that left the Academy unusually quiet.

Aihana, however, felt slightly withdrawn. She kept a gentle distance from the others, unsure of her emotions and still shaken by Ayame’s lingering shadow over her confidence, and because she had been frightened for Akihiro, who had been injured. The girls noticed her mood but didn’t press. When she excused herself for a walk through the gardens, they exchanged knowing looks.

The moment she was out of sight, they burst into motion.

“This is our chance,” Mizuki whispered.

Kaori nodded. “We need everything ready before she comes back.”

Sora and Hikari were already sorting decorations and checking the sweets. The unexpected free day had turned into the perfect cover for preparing the final details of her surprise birthday celebration.

Meanwhile, unaware of the preparations, Aihana wandered through the garden, letting the quiet steady her breath. Blossoms rustled softly in the breeze, giving her a moment of peace she had been craving.

Rei finally decided to take matters into his own hands. He found her in the early afternoon, sitting beneath the shade of a willow tree, determined to help her strengthen her confidence.

“Aihana,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “I want to run a few exercises with you. Just you and me.”

She turned to him, surprised but relieved. “Okay…” she murmured, following him toward the private training hall, still unaware of everything being set up behind her back.

The hall was quiet, lit by pale evening sunlight filtering through high windows. Shadows shifted as the city beyond hummed faintly—a subtle pulse of urban magic threading through the air. Rei stood patiently, arms crossed, watching her warm up.

“Remember,” he said softly, yet firmly, “confidence comes from within. You don’t need anyone’s approval to be strong. Trust yourself first.”

Aihana nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. “I… I’ll try.”

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. A faint, fiery glow shimmered along her arms—her latent elemental energy responding to her focus. When she opened her eyes, her hands crackled with tiny embers, swirling like miniature stars.

Rei’s gaze sharpened, approving. “Good. Channel it, but control it. Let the energy flow, don’t fight it.”

He guided her through sequences that combined martial precision with magical amplification. Every punch she threw left a brief trail of crimson light; every kick sent a ripple through the air, tiny sparks illuminating the polished floor. Rei corrected her stance with careful touches, his fingers brushing lightly against her shoulders or elbows, aligning her aura with her movements.

“Good… better,” he encouraged, watching her unleash a small, controlled blast of energy. “See? You have the skill. You just need to trust it—and trust yourself. Don’t let doubt hold you back.”

Aihana exhaled, tension slowly leaving her shoulders. Her confidence grew with each movement, each controlled flare of light in her hands. “Thank you, Rei… I… I feel stronger.”

He gave a small, approving nod. “That’s all I wanted. Remember, I’m here when you need guidance—but the strength always comes from you.”

She smiled, a quiet warmth settling in her chest. The training hall seemed charged now, as if her energy had left tiny ripples in the air. This private moment with Rei grounded her, letting her feel capable and alive, just in time for the upcoming surprise.