Neon Shadows

Evening settled over the Academy, the sun dipping behind the forested edge of Tama Hills until the sky bled orange, rose, and violet. A quiet hum stirred through the campus. Another week, another streak of birthdays. Aihana’s was already past, but four more were coming… and Rei, predictably, had opinions.

“We need a break before someone combusts from stress,” he declared, hands shoved in his pockets. “So. Field trip. Yomiuri Land. Neon lights, loud music, overpriced snacks… a cultural reset.”

Akihiro stared at him like he’d suggested group meditation inside a demon nest. Rei didn’t flinch. “Relaxation is also training.”

Daichi shrugged. Kaito nodded once. Ayame didn’t look thrilled, but she didn’t protest either. The girls lit up instantly.

“Yomiuri Land?” Mizuki gasped. “They have that huge Ferris wheel! And the night lights!”

Akihiro hesitated, arms crossed. A theme park? In the middle of all this? He opened his mouth to protest, but then the other girls began gathering around him, their eyes wide, sparkling, lips barely containing their insistence:

“Pleasssseeeeeeee… for our birthdays?”

Kaori’s head tilted slightly, Hikari clasped her hands in front of her chest, Mizuki bounced on the balls of her feet, and Aihana, standing just behind the group, gave him the faintest nod and a tiny, conspiratorial smile. She played along, matching their imploring looks, her eyes soft and tired but full of trust.

Akihiro blinked, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of their expectant gazes. The small aura of magic that always seemed to radiate from them now pressed gently against him, subtle but insistent. For a moment, the world narrowed to the circle of girls around him, all silently pleading…

Finally, he exhaled and gave the smallest nod.

“Fine,” he said quietly.

The Park of a Thousand Lights

Yomiuri Land glowed like a floating neon kingdom across the hills. Lanterns, holographic displays, beams of color… every ride was a beacon in the dark. Music thumped through the air, mingling with laughter and the sweet scent of cotton candy.

The air was thick with subtle currents of magic. Neon lights shimmered unusually bright near the Guardians.

The girls scattered instantly. Angels followed at a slower pace, keeping watch without making it obvious.

Aihana drifted toward a shooting booth, studying the prizes with quiet awe. Plush toys with wings, neon dragons, shimmering fox spirits. Mizuki shoved a toy gun into her hands.

“Hit at least one target,” Mizuki said sternly. “Or Akihiro’s paying for everyone’s snacks.”

Aihana’s eyes widened. “Why me? And why Akihiro?”

“Motivation,” Mizuki replied with a grin.

Aihana raised the gun reluctantly. Her aim wavered, breaths uneven. Most shots went wide. The girls cheered anyway, encouraging her.

Akihiro observed from nearby, his presence steady like a shield. She noticed.

He stepped closer, adjusting her grip lightly without touching her skin.

“Hands relaxed,” he murmured. “Don’t fight the recoil. Breathe with it.”

Aihana inhaled slowly, feeling his nearness settle her nerves. She fired again—and hit the target. A faint shimmer of magical dust floated above the prize, as if the shot had slightly awakened the booth itself. The owner grinned.

“Nice!”

Then it was Akihiro’s turn. Aihana glanced sideways at him. He stood with his head slightly tilted, eyes fixed on the targets, both hands wrapped around his gun. His control was effortless. Calm. Every shot landed with flawless precision, targets dropping one by one. The world blurred for Aihana, shrinking to him and the unshakeable stillness he carried.

Rei chuckled under his breath. “He’s annoyingly good.”

The booth owner waved at Akihiro. “You can pick any prize you want.”

Akihiro turned to Aihana. “You can choose one for yourself. You hit a target, after all.”

Aihana blushed, picking a tiny winged plush bear. Akihiro’s smile was subtle, but genuine.

“It suits you,” he said softly.

Ayame vs. Sora – The Ball Toss Challenge

Meanwhile, Ayame approached a booth where neon balls flew toward suspended targets. She set her stance, energy coiling in her body. But before she could throw, a playful gust of wind brushed past her, teasing her hair and shifting the trajectory of her first toss.

Sora hovered nearby, a grin on her lips, subtle threads of swirling wind circling her fingers like silk. “Need a little… help?” she teased.

Ayame’s eyes narrowed, jaw tightening. She glared at the swirling air, recognizing Sora’s mischief. But then a spark of excitement lit her, a challenge forming in her chest. “You think that will throw me off?” she muttered. Her inner energy flared, creating a faint golden aura around the ball, guiding it toward the target with supernatural precision.

Sora laughed softly, the wind shimmering with faint light. “Not bad. But can you handle two at once?” She conjured twin gusts, sending Ayame’s next ball dancing unpredictably. Ayame’s hands glowed faintly with protective magic, and the balls flew true, clanging targets with a satisfying ring.

Aihana watched from the shooting booth, her heart skipping a beat at the display of magical prowess mixed with amusement park fun.

Toward the Ferris Wheel

Rei clapped his hands. “Pairing time. Guardian with angel.”

He paired Akihiro and Aihana without shame. Ayame simmered in the background like a quiet volcano, eyes flicking toward Akihiro and Aihana.

The Ferris wheel towered into the sky, its lights spiraling upward like a beacon. Aihana froze at the base of the cabin. Her hands trembled slightly.

Akihiro noticed immediately. “I’ll be with you. You’re safe.”

She stepped carefully into the cabin, perching near the edge with her winged plush bear pressed to her chest. Akihiro mirrored her stance, his aura radiating calm, anchoring her.

“Look at me. Breathe. Stay with me.”

Her breaths steadied. The world narrowed to the steadiness in his eyes.

Then the wheel stopped abruptly. Aihana jolted to her feet, stepping onto the cabin’s central ledge, her body trembling as she hugged her plush bear tightly to her chest. The cabin rocked beneath them, and Akihiro was instantly at her side, his presence a solid anchor.

“Aihana,” he said softly. “I’m here.” He wrapped his arms around her, steadying her as her shaking slowly eased. She stayed pressed against him, still quivering slightly, as the wheel began to move again, the city lights washing the cabin in gold and blue.

The Night Breaks

Then—the air shifted.

A dense shadow rolled across Yomiuri Land like living ink.

Akihiro felt it first. Cold. Deadly. Ravukaru’s signature.

Rei's voice snapped through the communicator. “Demons. Southeast sector. Move.”

Screams erupted below as black mist spiraled through the crowd, twisting around rides and neon beams.

Cabins rocked as angels forced doors open. Angels leapt onto the wheel structure, using metal beams like stepping stones. Energy trails left faint streaks in the air, painting glowing arcs as they moved.

Aihana froze.

“Aihana!” Akihiro reached toward her from the outer beam. “Take my hand.”

She hesitated only for a moment. Then she reached.

He caught her, pulling her out onto the metal frame with deliberate, unshakable care.

Her foot slipped. She gasped.

His arm wrapped around her waist instantly. “I’ve got you.”

Below them, demons surged like living smoke.

Above them, the Ferris wheel lights flickered.

Around them, the night twisted with Ravukaru’s whispered hunger.

Aihana pressed herself against Akihiro, terrified.

He held her, gaze burning with the promise that nothing would touch her. Not while he breathed. Not while he stood between her and the darkness.

And in the distance, deeper than the shadows of Yomiuri Land, Ravukaru felt her fear… and smiled.