The Bond Ignites

Aihana looked at Akihiro for a moment, her chest rising and falling as she took in the reality of him, of them. Unable to contain herself, she pressed into his embrace, holding on tightly. Around them, the garden hummed softly, as if recognizing the bond they shared.

“Akihiro… is this… really real?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “It feels… too perfect to be true.”

He gently kissed the top of her head, brushing a strand of hair away. A faint shimmer rippled through the air, like starlight caught in motion. “This—us—it’s real. Every word, every feeling.”

Aihana pulled back slightly to look into his eyes. Tears glistened, catching the faint radiance flowing from their beings. Without another word, she leaned forward and kissed him—a kiss that spoke everything she could not say. Their energy pulsed softly around them, as if the night itself was breathing with them.

Akihiro responded, holding her close, matching her every movement and emotion. For a moment, the world ceased to exist. There was only warmth, energy, and love radiating between them.

A brilliant glow streamed outward, reaching across the garden to the grand hall where the celebration continued. Guests and angels paused in awe as the soft light washed over the ornate room, tinting every surface with an ethereal hue.

Rei, observing from the side, smiled knowingly. He sensed what was happening—the extraordinary bond just awakened.

Mizuki and the other girls gasped at the sudden, intense light, their eyes widening.

“Everyone… stay calm,” Rei said, voice steady, though his smile betrayed his understanding. The light pulsed like a heartbeat, connecting the two figures in the garden with every corner of the hall. The world seemed to pause.

The kiss ended, but Aihana remained in Akihiro’s embrace, her head resting against his chest. She lifted her gaze, eyes shimmering with tears. “And… the angelic princess? Does she know? And the king and queen?”

Akihiro held her tighter, calm and protective. “Don’t worry. This… is ours. No one else matters.”

Aihana closed her eyes briefly, letting his words soothe her racing heart. A faint glow flickered along her skin, her aura sighing in relief.

He brushed his thumb gently over her hand, smiling softly. “Come,” he said. “Let’s walk a little before we return.”

Aihana looked up, her heartbeat uneven, thoughts tangled between disbelief and serenity. Moonlight glimmered on the paths, reflecting off his faint golden aura.

He extended his hand. She hesitated, afraid the spell might break, but placed her trembling hand in his. A subtle pulse of warmth ran through their joined fingers.

They walked slowly, the garden seeming to lean closer. Neither wanted to return—the silence felt sacred.

The garden hummed quietly around them, leaves whispering with the night wind.

Akihiro’s voice was low, thoughtful. “I’ve been in this world for so long… yet you made me feel alive. Before you, I lived only for my mission. Then Queen Hinako gave the order—to find the Guardians.”

He slowed, steps deliberate. “I didn’t realize it would change like this… that it would lead here, to you.”

Aihana stopped, hand resting lightly in his. The night breeze played with her hair. “It was hard,” she whispered. “Leaving my normal life… but knowing you’d be there—watching over me—made it easier.”

Her eyes glistened. “I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Akihiro… you mean more than anything.”

Akihiro stepped closer, voice low and warm. “It seems,” he said, eyes locked on hers, “this is our destiny.”

Distance melted with each word. “No matter how far we’ve come, it led here—to you.”

He lowered to one knee, deliberate and reverent. Moonlight glimmered in his hair as he pulled a small box from his pocket.

The ring inside glimmered softly—simple, radiant, like condensed starlight.

“Aihana… I’ve faced storms, battles, fate itself—but nothing made my heart tremble like you. This—” he glanced at the ring, then at her “—isn’t just a promise. It’s my truth. My life, from this moment, is yours.”

Aihana’s breath caught. The garden seemed to hold its breath. She gazed at the ring, but it was the feeling behind it that overwhelmed her.

Hands trembling, heart pounding, she whispered, “I can’t believe… this is happening.”

She met his eyes—those calm, green eyes that had followed her through every battle, every shadow, every doubt. “When I met you, I didn’t know who I was. You showed me belief… love.”

She stepped closer, a tear slipping down her cheek, a soft smile forming. “Yes, Akihiro… always—in every life—yes.”

Her hand shook as she touched the ring; warmth spread through her. Her heart raced, feeling awe, relief, love. Everything—the battles, pain, doubt—had led to this perfect moment.

“I… never thought I could feel this complete. With you… everything makes sense.”

Her chest tightened; she laughed softly, a mixture of disbelief and joy.

“This… is real, isn’t it? You’re here… and this… us… it’s happening,” she said, breaking into a gentle sob.

Her heart screamed with gratitude. All this time, I searched for something I didn’t know I could have… and it was you all along.

Aihana collapsed into his embrace, the world shrinking to the two of them. Every heartbeat a promise: whatever comes next, they faced it together.

She murmured reverently, “Akihiro… I love you. Always… I always will.”

Akihiro chuckled softly, tension dissolving. “You know,” he teased, “this isn’t official yet. I should ask your parents first.”

Aihana tilted her head, eyes shimmering. “I know… but they don’t know our real lives yet. It’s enough for me. My mom would be over the moon.”

Akihiro laughed, rich and genuine. “Yeah… I remembered her reaction when I met her. I thought she’d adopt me on the spot.”

Aihana giggled. The stars above seemed to smile at them.

Akihiro glanced toward the glowing hall windows, then met her gaze. “Shall we go back? We’re both being missed.”

Aihana nodded, fingers sliding into his. “Yes… let’s go.”

Hand in hand, hearts intertwined, they walked back toward the light, carrying the quiet promise of everything awaiting them, the night itself a witness to their love.