Holding On to the Light

The air hung heavy, nearly suffused with silence, as Akihiro’s feet touched the solid ground of the Academy. In his arms lay Aihana, pale as moonlight, eyes closed, breathing shallow. Her long hair swayed gently across his cloak with the soft stir of the air.

Every breath she took cut deeper into him, as if someone were engraving fragile words into his heart.

“Quickly, bring her to me!”

Seraphina, the healer among the angels, approached, her aura glowing softly like gentle moonlight. Her eyes were serious, yet filled with warmth.

Akihiro handed Aihana to Seraphina, though his hands hesitated for a brief moment, as if letting go might mean losing her. Seraphina’s gaze was steady as she quickly examined Aihana, her expression calm but serious.

“She’s fighting with darkness,” Seraphina said softly, turning to Akihiro. “Her heart is weary… but it still burns. We need to help her get out of it—somehow bring her back to the light.”

Akihiro bowed his head, his vision blurring. Yet when he saw Aihana’s lips twitch slightly, as if calling his name in a dream, a resolve settled in him—a determination to do whatever it took to never lose her again.

Silence filled the room.

Within herself, Aihana struggled between light and darkness. Akihiro took her hand in his, closing his eyes, lending strength through his presence.

She wandered through endless darkness. The sky above was starless, the ground beneath her dissolving into nothingness. Her heart felt heavy, as if every beat dragged her deeper into the void. Whispers reached her—Ravukaru’s voice, insidious and consuming.

Akihiro felt her skin had growing cold, her pulse weakening. Pain tore through his chest as if each shallow breath she drew took a piece of him with it. A quiet determination settled in him, a vow that he would do whatever it took to never lose her again.

“Aihana,” he whispered, leaning closer. “I feel you. I feel your fight. I know it’s hard… but you’re not alone. I’m always here. Let my voice guide you.”

Inside Aihana’s inner world, the light in her hand spread brighter. Darkness tried to seize her thoughts, whispering lies of false peace, but her heartbeat began to drown out all else.

“No…” she breathed. Memories anchored her—the smiles of her parents, the warmth of her friends, the spark in her eyes when creating. And then the strongest spark of all—Akihiro’s voice, his warmth, his steadfast belief in her.

The darkness shattered like glass. Light poured from her like flame.

Akihiro inhaled sharply as energy from her hand flowed into him. The palm that held hers filled with warmth.

“Aihana…” he whispered again, louder this time.

Her eyelids trembled.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, as if an unseen force had yanked her from a deep slumber. She propped herself on her elbows, breathing fast and shallow, her gaze dazed, uncertain where she was.

“Where… am I? What… happened?” Her lips quivered, eyes searching, tripping over shadows of memory and the lingering glow of light within her.

Akihiro was instantly at her side, gently steadying her shoulders. His voice was low and calm.

“Aihana… you’re safe,” he whispered.

His green eyes met hers, full of warmth and determination. Slowly, her uneven breathing began to settle.

“But… the darkness… Ravukaru… I—” she whispered, trembling.

“I know,” he said softly. “I saw you fight. And you won. You tore the darkness apart.”

Her gaze blurred again, a tightness gripping her chest—the sensation of having been on the brink of losing herself. But his words reached deeper than any shadow.

Akihiro placed a hand against her cheek, thumb brushing lightly over the trace of a tear. “Now rest. I’ll be right here.”

Her body relaxed. Her breathing calmed. Her eyes fluttered once more before closing—this time not in darkness, but in the safety of his presence.

As Aihana slipped back into sleep, Akihiro remained by her side. Her hand rested in his.

A day passed… then another. Aihana slept, her body exhausted, her heart and soul tested to the limit. Only deep, peaceful rest could restore her strength.

Akihiro did not move. Time held no sway.

From time to time, the girls entered, quiet and worried. They sat by the bed, adjusting blankets, tucking tiny flowers into her hair as if guarding her with them. Rei placed her plush bear on the nightstand.

The healer came regularly, checking her energy, only glancing briefly at Akihiro. No words were needed—everyone could see his resolve was unshakable.

Even when urged to rest, he shook his head. “I won’t leave her,” he whispered, eyes never leaving her face.

Footsteps approached. Rei came to the bedside, face serious, eyes full of concern.

“Akihiro,” he began, gentle but firm, “you need… a moment for yourself. You can’t stay here twenty-four hours a day.”

Akihiro remained silent, gaze fixed on her face, each breath, each pulse. “Rei… I don’t want to leave her.” His voice faltered, thick with pain.

Rei stepped closer, hand on his shoulder. “I hear you. But look around—you’re not alone. You need to be strong for yourself to be strong for her. You can’t be her angel if you don’t guard yourself too.”

Akihiro closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, feeling some tension ease. Rei spoke not just as a friend, but as someone who understood the weight of his heart and the burden he carried.

“You’re right,” Akihiro finally whispered, soft but firm. “I need… to clear my mind for a moment.”

Rei nodded. “Don’t worry. The girls will stay with her, taking shifts so she’s never alone. And if you want, I can handle your duties for now.”

Akihiro slowly nodded, jaw tightening. “Thank you, Rei. You’ve done enough already. I’ll take over.” His voice was soft, but every word carried his resolve, responsibility, as both prince and angel.

Rei said no more, only nodded, acknowledging Akihiro’s determination.

Control Hall

Akihiro stood by the window of the Control Hall, gaze fixed on the moonlit courtyard below. His fists clenched, jaw tight, but his mind was elsewhere—on Aihana, on the words he had spoken to her.

Use the love you feel… the love you feel for me…

Rei stepped quietly beside him, hand resting lightly on Akihiro’s shoulder. He didn’t interrupt at first, letting the weight of the night settle around them.

Akihiro exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing for just a fraction. “I… I told her to use her power, her love,” he murmured, voice rough with emotion. “Not just her own, but the part she feels for me. I hoped… hoped it would give her strength.”

Finally, Rei’s voice cut through the silence, low and steady. “So… now that she knows you know… what will you do?”

Akihiro’s breath caught. He looked away, jaw tight. “I don’t know, Rei… For the first time in my life, I don’t know what comes next.”

Rei tilted his head, studying him. “That’s not something I ever expected to hear from you.”

Akihiro gave a faint, tired nod. “There’s duty,” he said finally. “There’s always duty. I can’t let my heart lead when others’ fates depend on me.”

Rei leaned against the wall in silence, then said softly, “Maybe. But hearts have a way of ignoring ranks and titles. Even for angels.”

Akihiro didn’t answer. He stared out the window at the moonlit courtyard, starlight caught in his eyes like a tether he couldn’t break.

Aihana’s Room

Soft light from the crystals above bathed the room, pulsing like a heartbeat. Aihana’s eyelashes fluttered; a weak breath escaped her lips.

“She’s waking up!” Hikari whispered, voice trembling between excitement and relief.

Hikari nearly dropped the bowl of water she’d been holding. “Finally! You scared us half to death, Aihana!”

Mizuki smiled through misty eyes. “You really don’t do anything halfway, do you?”

Aihana blinked several times, the world sharpening into focus. Faces hovered above her, girls smiling, teary, warm. She wanted to smile—but her mind began piecing together fragments:

The battle.

Ravukaru.

Akihiro’s voice.

Use the love you feel… for me.

Her pulse quickened. The warmth in her chest twisted into something sharp and cold.

He knows.

Sora leaned closer. “Hey, easy there. You’re safe now, okay? I’ll call Akihiro, he—”

“No!” Aihana’s voice burst out faster than intended. She grabbed Sora’s wrist, weak but firm.

The girls froze. Sora blinked, confused. “Uh… okay? You don’t want me to call him?”

Aihana parted her lips, no sound coming out. She shook her head, eyes wide, heart racing.

The girls exchanged glances—silent, puzzled. None understood fully, only that something unspoken hung heavily in the air.

Finally, Hikari spoke softly, “Alright… just rest, Aihana. You’re safe here.”

But Aihana could not relax. Every beat of her heart echoed his words.

He knows.

And nothing would ever be the same again.