By the Lake of Truth

Akihiro stood before Aihana, calm in figure but not in heart. His eyes betrayed an inner storm—longing, fear, love—all warring inside him. His chest ached, haunted by what had been lost… and what might still be lost.

The girls surged toward Aihana, tears streaming, memories of everything stolen flooding back. Their laughter and sobs collided with the chaos around them.

Finally, Aihana calmed slightly. She turned to Akihiro. Rei stepped forward, gently urging the girls back.

Aihana took a tentative step toward him. Akihiro mirrored her, closing the distance. Meanwhile, Ren stirred, slowly awakening, fragile and human.

Akihiro’s voice was soft but carried weight:
“He’ll wake any moment now… maybe… you should stay by his side.”

Simple words, heavy with unspoken emotion. His heart felt as if it might shatter—longing for her safety, love for her, fear of whether she still loved him. And yet, he gave her choice, honoring her feelings above all else.

Aihana’s eyes glistened, tears slipping down her cheeks. She nodded and hurried to Ren.

Akihiro stayed rooted, feeling her presence resonate within him.

Aihana knelt beside Ren. Though his mind was foggy, his presence was human, vulnerable. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder as he slowly woke, fragile and confused.

Chaos swirled—sirens, panicked voices, rescuers rushing—but Aihana’s gaze never left Ren.

Ren lifted his head, seeking her eyes. Confused, yet grateful he was not alone. Aihana said nothing; her presence spoke volumes. The longing she felt for Akihiro paused. Here, he was the priority.

The rescuers saw only a girl beside a boy awakening, unaware of the currents beneath.

Akihiro departed with angels and guardians, reaching the Academy gardens. Rei approached him.
“Why did you let her go?”

Akihiro’s voice was quiet, calm.
“Even though I love her, she must choose for herself. I cannot interfere—it wouldn’t be right.”

Meanwhile, Aihana waited at the hospital. A doctor reassured her that Ren was fine.
“Can I see him?” she asked, trembling.

Aihana stopped beside Ren’s bed, her movements careful, controlled. “Ren… how are you feeling?” she asked quietly, voice softer than usual in the sterile hospital room.

Ren managed a small, tired smile. “Better. Just… thinking a lot. Especially about us.”

There it was. No escape. She drew a slow breath and lowered herself onto the chair beside him, fingers tightening around the edge for a second.

“Ren…” She steadied her voice. “I know you hoped for more than friendship. But I… can’t give that. My heart already belongs to someone.” The words wavered, but she didn’t take them back. “We can only be friends.”

Ren’s eyes dropped to his hands before he looked back up, sadness softening his whole expression. “I understand,” he said quietly. “Thanks for being honest. Friends, then.”

Aihana’s shoulders eased, a mix of relief and guilt settling inside her. A faint, fragile smile tugged at her lips. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. It held respect, safety, and the new boundary they both understood would stay.

Akihiro stood alone in the Academy training hall, sword in hand. Every swing was precise, yet each stroke carried the weight of his inner battle. Energy rebounded off the walls, granting fleeting control. Each motion exorcised thoughts of Aihana, Ren, and all that had been lost.

Occasionally, he shivered at the memory of her—her face, her voice, the helplessness that gripped him. Yet he continued.

Finally, he lowered his sword. Afternoon light spilled across his face. He closed his eyes.

Outside the hospital, Aihana’s heart raced. Longing burned hotter than ever.

She could wait no longer.
“I have to see him,” she whispered. “I have to tell him… everything.”

Secretly, she summoned her wings and flew toward the Academy. Uncertainty thrummed through her—how would Akihiro react? Would he accept her? Her heart had made the choice.

Every memory of him rushed back: smiles, protection, battles, silent moments when he had shielded her.

The guards addressed her: “Princess Aihana.” She froze—of course, she was Hinako’s daughter.

The girls found her first and nearly tackled her in a hug.

“Finally, you’re here!” Mizuki cried.
Kaori nodded through tears. “It was awful without you. But you’re back… really back.”

Aihana looked at them, eyes wet, feeling profound connection—not just as Guardians, but as sisters. Energy blended, a homecoming she had never felt so fully.

Finally, she asked, “Do you know where Akihiro is?”

The girls hesitated, glancing at one another.

Rei appeared beside them like a sudden breeze and nodded. “He’s by the lake.”

Her heart tightened—longing mixed with reverent fear. Each step toward him was a heartbeat guiding her, careful yet determined.

Akihiro stood by the water, sensing her presence before seeing her. Energy flowed like a signal only he could recognize.

Aihana’s heart thundered, echoing every shared moment and returned memory. She stood behind him, every beat of her heart pulling her closer to his presence.

He turned slowly.

Their eyes met.

Relief softened his gaze, paired with longing and an unspoken reverence she felt like a physical touch.

The world slowed.

She stepped closer. He did the same.

“Aihana…” he breathed.

Then, with quiet respect, he corrected himself:

“Princess Aihana.”

Something inside her tightened. His green eyes held everything: his love, his restraint, his fear of losing her again.

She swallowed hard.
“I’m still me. That ordinary girl without power who fell in love with you before I even knew who you were.”

His breath caught.

He crossed the remaining distance in an instant, pulling her into a desperate embrace. She melted into him. Their energies ignited, expanding outward in radiant waves.

He pressed his forehead to hers.
“I love you… I thought you might have feelings for Ren, so I let you choose. I didn’t want to interfere with your heart.”

Her tears streamed freely.
“I’ll never stop loving you. Ren… he only reminded me of you. My heart was always yours.”

He held her tighter. Then, slowly, he kissed her—soft, lingering, overflowing with everything he had buried.

Light exploded around them. Their aura flared, warm and bright.

When their lips parted, Akihiro cupped her face gently.
“I love you. And I’ll never let you go.”

Aihana placed her hands on his chest, feeling his heart race beneath her palms.
“I love you too. Always.”

Akihiro pulled her close again and kissed her, fiercer this time. Their energy rose like living fire, pushing back the last traces of darkness.

Against her lips, he whispered:
“I love you. And now I know… you love me.”

Aihana’s tears spilled as she whispered back:
“I never stopped. I never will.”

They held each other as their light pulsed outward, a perfect storm of reunion and devotion. In that moment, nothing else existed but them, their bond, and their future—together.