Starlit Bonds

After changing out of her training clothes, still humming with residual energy from her session, Aihana returned to the living room. The familiar laughter of the girls greeted her, their eyes sparkling with secret excitement.

“We need you to come with us—now,” Mizuki said, tone deceptively urgent, eyes glinting mischievously.

Aihana raised an eyebrow. “Now? Where…?”

“No time to explain,” Sora interrupted with a sly smile. Almost conspiratorially, she held a folded, beautiful dress under Aihana’s nose. “You’ll need this for… training.”

Aihana blinked. “Dress for training? But—I already had one with Rei.”

“Go, change,” Sora insisted, still grinning.

The girls barely contained their giggles, exchanging sly glances. Aihana went to her room to change, the faint hum of residual energy from Rei’s session still lingering in her veins.

Meanwhile, the girls moved into the small hall to prepare the space: tables laden with gifts, ribbons strewn about, and a cake glowing warmly in the center.

“Remember,” Mizuki whispered, “angels are impossible around sweets. They’ll eat everything if we’re not careful.”

Akihiro appeared beside the table, smiling faintly. “Don’t worry,” he said in a low, amused voice. “I will ensure that no angel touches a single sweet until the celebration begins.”

Rei hovered nearby, his expression slightly conflicted. “Some of them… will try anyway,” he muttered, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.

“Some of them?” Mizuki teased, raising an eyebrow at him.

Akihiro only gave a refined nod, stepping back gracefully, avoiding the sweets entirely.

Daichi, on the other hand, was far less subtle. He reached toward the table, eyes glinting in anticipation, only to freeze when Akihiro’s gaze landed on him. With a sheepish shrug, Daichi stepped back.

The girls giggled, rearranging ribbons and gifts while keeping a careful eye on their celestial helpers. The hall gradually filled with laughter and the scent of the cake, a perfect, sweet chaos forming around the preparations for Aihana’s surprise.

Sora appeared at the doorway, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

“Aihana, ready for… training?” she asked, voice light.

Aihana nodded, still unaware of what was waiting. Sora took her hand and led her down the hall.

As they approached the hall, Sora pushed open the doors.

“Surprise!”

Aihana froze. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene: her parents, Miyu, Akihiro, all the girls in their elegant dresses, and even the angels in human form gathered around tables laden with gifts, ribbons strewn about, and a glowing cake at the center.

“I… I…” Aihana whispered, completely astonished. “You… you knew?”

“Yes!” the girls chorused, their laughter filling the room. “Happy birthday!”

Aihana’s cheeks flushed as she took in the joyful chaos. Gifts were handed to her, ribbons placed in her hands, and the cake glowed warmly. For a moment, she felt completely seen, loved, and celebrated—a feeling she hadn’t expected.

Akihiro stepped forward, calm and graceful, extending a small, neatly wrapped box. “For you,” he said softly.

Aihana held it carefully, fingers trembling. She didn’t open it yet, savoring the moment.

Once her parents and Miyu had left, the room seemed to transform under Akihiro’s quiet command. As he raised his hands, the lights dimmed, and the ceiling melted into a tapestry of stars, thousands of tiny pulses flickering like a night sky alive with energy.

A soft, dreamlike glow settled over the room, casting magical shadows on the walls. The faint scent of incense—or perhaps a trace of Aihana’s own residual energy—mingled with the sweetness of the cake, blending reality with something just beyond it.

The girls seized Akihiro’s hands and tugged him toward Aihana, their laughter sparkling like tiny bells. “Dance!” they cried, voices filled with playful excitement.

Aihana froze for a heartbeat—then Akihiro’s hand enclosed hers. His other rested firmly, gently on her waist. The glow of the twinkling stars above wrapped them in a soft celestial embrace, the world contracting until it seemed there was only them.

Meanwhile, a few angels still hovered near the sweets and cake. Daichi’s eyes sparkled mischievously as he inched closer, fingers twitching. Rei gave a subtle sigh, a small grin forming despite himself, clearly trying to maintain decorum. The humor of the angels’ struggle added a subtle, lighthearted note without distracting from the intimate moment unfolding between Aihana and Akihiro.

“Happy birthday, Aihana,” he murmured, voice low and intimate, the timbre vibrating with unspoken emotion.

Aihana’s cheeks burned crimson. “Th-thank you…” she stammered, barely meeting his gaze, words caught in the rush of her heartbeat.

He guided her through a graceful turn, eyes intent but soft. “I hope today brings you everything you deserve… and more.”

Every syllable, every subtle touch, sent warmth cascading through her. He’s so close… so present… I’ve never felt like this before… but I don’t want it to end.

Akihiro felt it too—the pull, impossible to resist. Every careful step, every glance, drew him toward something intoxicating and dangerous. I’m supposed to protect her… but I can’t ignore this. Every breath, every heartbeat, it’s like gravity pulling me in.

Aihana whispered, almost to herself, “Akihiro… I…” but the words faltered. Her hand gripped his lightly, seeking reassurance rather than necessity. Why does my heart feel like it’s trying to escape?

He guided her into a slow twirl, their faces close, close enough to see the faint tremor of her lips.

“You’re… beautiful tonight, Aihana,” he murmured.

Her ears burned hotter. Why… why does he always know exactly what to say? She lowered her gaze, cheeks flaming, but the warmth only spread, a fire dancing inside her chest.

As the melody wove around them, he leaned closer. “I want you to know… how important you are. Not just to me, but to everyone around you.”

Her heart ached with pride and fear. He really sees me… even the parts I hide… but I… I want to be more for him.

Meanwhile, Ayame’s eyes narrowed from across the room. She stood near the doorway, arms crossed, lips pressed in a thin line. Jealousy curled around her chest, tinged with longing she refused to admit. She tore her gaze away, pretending to focus on the decorations, but her fists clenched slightly as she watched their synchronized steps.

The other girls watched with wide eyes, whispering softly among themselves. Look at them… they move as if the world is theirs… it’s… perfect. A mixture of awe and gentle envy filled the room, but no one dared interrupt the magic.

As Aihana and Akihiro danced, Rei paired off with Mizuki nearby. Their movements were precise, quieter than the central pair, but still playful. Mizuki giggled as Rei’s hand brushed hers, sparks of minor magic flickering between their fingertips.

“You’re watching them again, aren’t you?” she murmured, teasing.

Rei’s eyes never left Aihana and Akihiro. “It’s more than observation,” he said calmly. “Aihana is a Guardian of Love. Her strength grows with the bond she feels. If what she feels for Akihiro deepens, it amplifies her power.”

Mizuki’s eyes sparkled. “So, her heart… it fuels her abilities?”

“Yes,” Rei confirmed. “Love is her element. Every unguarded moment, every spark of connection—they aren’t distractions. They are fuel. But it’s delicate; doubt can disrupt the flow.”

“And Akihiro?” Mizuki asked softly.

“He’s the catalyst,” Rei said. “He draws it out, though neither fully realizes it yet. That’s why tonight matters—safe spaces, subtle guidance. She grows, and he learns to navigate his own feelings.”

Mizuki’s grin returned, thoughtful. “So the sparks between them… they’re literally magic. Dangerous, but beautiful.”

“Exactly,” Rei said quietly. “If she embraces it, her bond with him will affect the world. But it requires trust, guidance, and patience.”

Mizuki’s eyes softened, watching Aihana twirl, her aura flaring with light. “Even if no one else can see it, I can feel it. She’s… glowing tonight.”

Rei nodded subtly. “And that glow will only grow if we protect it. Her love, her trust—it’s a power the world needs, and she’s choosing to open herself to it.”

The music carried on, the minor magical sparks around Mizuki and Rei weaving with the celestial glow above. Every subtle motion, every glance between Aihana and Akihiro, was a thread in a larger tapestry, and Rei knew that guiding it carefully tonight could shape not only their hearts but the strength of a Guardian whose power could touch the world.

“And I… I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” he replied, silent confession vibrating in his grasp.

The music slowed, the notes drifting through the starry ceiling. Their hands lingered just a fraction longer than necessary. Eyes met eyes, the kind of look that spoke of promises, trust, and something fragile yet unbreakable.

Ayame turned away, biting the inside of her cheek, trying to suppress the tight coil of jealousy.

Between the twinkle of stars above, the soft glow of Aihana’s unleashed energy, and the faint panic of a few angels eyeing the cake from afar, the room felt suspended in a delicate balance between magic, emotion, and the quiet, unspoken bonds forming between everyone present.

Daichi lingered near the table, whispering, “Maybe just one…” but quickly froze under Sora’s stern gaze. Kaito allowed a faint smirk, clearly tempted, while Hikari leaned over, teasing quietly, “You really can’t resist, can you?”

For Aihana, every heartbeat echoed the pull she felt toward Akihiro, every glance of his eyes tethering her to something she could not yet name but would never forget. And Akihiro, despite his careful restraint and awareness of both magic and sweets, felt the gravity of her presence, of her light, and silently vowed to protect, cherish, and hold this moment—and her—above all else.