In a quiet room, the smell of books prevailed, and silver moonlight peeked through the delicate curtains. A girl with silver eyes gazed up from her book. Her long eyelashes, her black and silver hair, everything from her cute pastel silk hair band, tied in a bow, not to mention the hairpin, in the shape of a crescent moon.
Neither could convey just… How utterly cold her heart had been for the past several years. Luna did not consider herself a kind person—rather, she was shrewd. It bordered on uncaring, some would say.
Her oh so delicate hands, stained in blood; humans, beastsmen, elves—magibeast. Her Moon Fracture did not discriminate. Beneath her feet were naught but corpses. The soil she stepped on always felt muddied, oh, the blood she has spilled.
"…"
—Why am I thinking about this now? Luna questioned.
Tilting her head slightly, resting it on one of the back pillows, her pretty hair cascaded down her shoulder, then, small moonshone strands after the other, trailed off.
When she gazed toward the window, a solemn expression looked back. And looking at the girl in the reflection, did she look happy?
"Hah… Look at me, I'm so pretty."
The girl in the mirror wore a customized version of the Ilifelen military uniform, her shoulders exposed, but she was modestly covered; her skirt was almost as long as the dress-like cloak, subtly revealing her thigh-high covered thighs.
"Am I like a doll… or am I one?"
Whatever could stir her heart? The ache of Lady Saint's disapproval? Or perhaps, it didn't need to be moved. Maybe soothed; she'd never thought about being able to relax before, just rest. That was until she met him.
"Al…" she murmured quietly. "Cut of the same cloth. A kindred spirit of sorts…" At the thought, something stirred in Luna's heart, a small glint of a flame. "Romance… It's cruel."
Despite seeing the person she idolizes and her best friend happy, she gladly cheered for them, yet was bitter all the same. She wasn't in love with Alum, as far as she was aware; she had no right to complain or compete with that being the case. She couldn't help but think—it's unfair. But she always knew life was.
..
By the moonlit shores, a girl with white hair calmly watched as the waves crashed onto the beach. She hugged her knees, resting her chin on them—the dazzle of the moonlit waves reflected in her ruby eyes; small tears trickled down her cheek.
Alone, Miu basked in the moonlight, perhaps, hoping for someone to approach her. Where was she supposed to go? She was stranded in another world. Her crush was now with another girl. And now, she didn't want to seem too close to her childhood friend, fearing it would stir jealousy in the girl he liked.
Her friends, albeit reliable, were as brittle as the crunchy, cold winter snow. They all might seem fine on the outside, but just like Miu herself, they were torn but tried their best to adapt.
Maybe quitting doesn't seem so bad—rather, it was the easier outcome. But what would happen then? It didn't change the fact that they were in another world, a horrid, nightmarish one, yet pretty it was.
Maybe… just maybe, she came to the beach, hoping to meet Alester once more. At the time, she was startled, but thinking about it, he could tear reality itself—would he listen to her wish of returning home?
"Oh, I didn't think I'd meet you here," a voice suddenly called out to her.
But as she turned around, it wasn't Alester. It was a princess who was akin the the night sky and the moon herself.
"Luna… chi?" Miu's eyes widened.
"Mm." Luna crossed her arms. "It's quite a cute nickname, is that what you call me inside your head?" she inquired.
"Oh—u-um… sorry, that was rude, wasn't it, Princess Luna?"
"I don't care. You can call me that if you wish. But do be mindful when others are around."
"Really? Yatta!" Miu smiled, adorable and bright, almost illuminating the dark.
"…" Luna couldn't help but relax, softly smiling she herself. "So? What are you doing out here late at night? I know there is no curfew on days off, but you're a girl."
"Hmmph…" Miu sulked. "You're a girl too, Luna-chi, so right back at ya!" she grinned playfully as she fired back.
"Pft… right," Luna chuckled lightly. "I suppose I'm taking a stroll," she replied.
"Really? Well… I guess I wanted to be alone for a moment," Miu said.
"Very well, I shall leave—"
"W-wait! On second thought, could you stay with me?"
"…" Luna blinked slowly. "I don't mind," she answered.
"Phew… really? Yay!"
"You needn't force yourself to be cheerful," Luna stated blankly as she coldly looked into Miu's eyes.
"…" Miu froze. "It's pretty obvious, isn't it? Haha…" she mockingly laughed.
"Perhaps."
Moments passed. The two girls gazed at the seemingly endless ocean. Somewhat harsh, cold winds passed them, and a sting of a cold cut scratched their cheeks.
"Hey… Luna-chi," Miu voiced unconsciously, hugging her knees tighter. "Do you ever think about the future?"
Luna's eyes shifted away from the ocean. "Why?" she inquired calmly.
Quietly, Miu's gaze cast downward, watching the waves hit the shore. "I dunno," she replied. "Maybe… maybe because I don't know?" she awkwardly giggled.
"…"
Without a care for her dress, Luna sat on her knees, feeling the sand through her white thigh highs.
"Future, is it?" Luna sighed. "I haven't considered it," she added. "As a Princess next in line for the throne, I've studied and mastered the arts. What I personally want. It hasn't crossed my mind. Even so, I'm not fit to be a ruler," she confessed.
"…"
"I'm surprised you don't hate me. Am I not cruel?" Luna inquisitively gazed at Miu.
"I don't. And I don't think so. I mean, I'm not sure. However, I think that sometimes you have to be who you must be in certain situations. I don't resent you for it."
"I see." Luna looked into the distance, and something tugged her lips.
"Compared to me, I don't even know what my future looks like—it was the same back in my world. I got into a good school, but I never knew what the next step was. Yet, everyone around me seemed to have a goal in mind. Hah… there I am, lost yet pretends to know."
"I see." Unable to give a better reply, Luna only acknowledged her words.
"Luna-chi. I don't belong, do I? I'm scared, it perhaps sounds a little silly coming from someone my age, but… I'm scared. I can't imagine the future—it's all blank. If I keep walking aimlessly, then what?"
Seeing that Miu's face tense up as she clenched her teeth, Luna couldn't help but reach out a hand, unsure why she'd placed a palm on her head. At that moment, Miu began to tear up.
"…!?" Luna's eyes widened; she wasn't good at dealing with these situations.
"Hic—sniff…" Miu whimpered as she sobbed softly.
With a tinge of envy, Luna thought—I see… with eyes like mine, not a single tear shall be shed.
"Luna-chi… can I hug you…?" Miu hesitantly asked.
"I'm not a plushy," Luna remarked.
With a stupid-looking smile, Miu giggled. "Njy-hi-hi~ I knooow~" she said.
Luna frowned, her slightly pouty expression gave in as she spread her arms. "Fine, here," she said, looking sideways.
"Yey!" Miu cheered and pulled the petite princess into her bosom and fell back-first onto the sand.
"…"
Luna heaved a sigh in exasperation, but soon turned to the side, lying on the sand next to the usually cheerful girl with too much feminine charm. The muscles in her face eased, and she caught herself smiling.
"It's kinda refreshing, isn't it? Just… not caring for anything for just a moment?"
Luna could feel her soft voice hum in her chest as she spoke.
"I suppose…" she replied, her chest tightening. It was cozy and warm.
Comfort, is it? Mm, I suppose I feel oddly comfortable around this girl. I wonder if I could ask her to be my best friend… It's somehow embarrassing to think about. Isn't it? Still, I don't know why, but I don't want to see her hurt. Is that how it feels to cherish someone? I don't know. Perhaps.
…
..
While out on a walk, the cold winds rattled the cloaks of two men walking side by side. Alum, the ever-quiet wanderer, glanced over where moonlit waves crashed onto the shores. He noticed the two girls and instantly recognized both. Luna was lying next to Miu on the sand, gazing up at the stars, unbothered by the sand.
Luna, who used Miu's arm as a pillow, reached her hand toward the stars. A light giggle of chippers was heard now and then, as they seemed to be enjoying their chat.
Of course, Rigeld didn't miss any of it either—not even the softened expression on Alum's face. The boy rarely smiled and always had a deadpan expression—except for instances like these. Seeing his friends lively.
"That girl… Miu was it?" Rigeld voiced, his tone amused. "Luna seems quite fond of her. I didn't know."
"Mm. I'm glad she is," Alum replied, his golden eyes extra bright from the moonlight. "I'm glad for Miu, too."
"Oh?" Rigeld raised a brow. "Mind elaborating on that thought?" he smirked teasingly as he crossed his arms.
Alum didn't immediately reply. As he walked a few steps along the path lit by luminescent plants, he stopped and looked up.
"Well… I'm not so oblivious to know what others might feel," he stated, then coolly looked Rigeld in the eyes.
The ash-haired old man's silver eyes lit up. "I know that," he shrugged. "And so?" he gestured for Alum to continue.
"Seeing Luna is like looking at myself. Humanity's precious, and I don't want her to lose it."
"Mm-hmm. That's a little strange coming from a boy who used to think he was a weapon. Very well, go on."
"Pff…" Alum chuckled at the taunting remark. "I suppose. But all's not lost. Loved ones helped me realize I wasn't completely hopeless. But… I can't be that person for her."
"Agree to disagree," Rigeld shrugged and walked up to him. "You can be that person for her. But… you don't want to."
"…" Alum averted his eyes.
"Well," Rigeld sighed. "Your reason is solid, I suppose. You can't have a friend, especially someone as exceptional and pretty as Luna, to rely on you emotionally like that. Right? Not only would it make the Saint jealous, but also make Luna less open to others, thinking there's only one person she can rely on."
"…"
"Or… was it purely selfishness?"
"Yes and No. Amethely would get anxious—I'm aware. But I can't be that person for her. It's like you say, she'd be less open to others, maybe more cynical, which isn't inherently bad, but… isn't extreme distrust sad?"
"Hah? Says the guy rapidly learning our systems to weaponize them against us if he has to," Rigeld laughed.
"…" Alum smiled, a small yet oddly loud, uncharacteristic laugh escaped his lips. "I made a promise to myself and them—I'll look at the world, add new colors, and paint something of it. Be it you, be it sorrow."
"…" Rigeld crossed his arms, his eyes widening a little, followed by a mock-annoyed expression. "Well, aren't you a poet?" he remarked teasingly.
"Shut up," Alum said, appearing to sulk a little, or it might've been Rigeld's imagination.
Rigeld grinned and ruffled Alum's hair.
"Hah-hahaha? Is that a blush I see? How cute."
"Tks… damned old man, just take me to The Forge already," Alum said, not making an attempt to remove Rigeld's hand.
"Suuure. You're excited or what?"
"Over what? You dragged me out here. Let's go."
"Hah? The youth is always in a hurry," Rigeld sighed as his shoulders slumped. "Oh, by the way. That Miu girl—you seem to think quite highly of her."
"…"
"What? Did I say something?"
"…No, nothing," Alum answered, his voice more hushed than usual. "I do think highly of her. Yeah."
"Ooh? Then—"
"I don't need to tell you. Let's go."
Alum shook off Rigeld's hand and began heading toward The Forge.
"Aww, c'mon, you can't bait me with one and not mention two or three!" Rigeld protested as he caught up to the boy.
"Hmph," Alum ignored him.
"…"
One last time, Rigeld glanced over at the girls—hm? Was that the one that didn't bear fruit? He wondered.
…
..
As the sun rose, a repeated ring sounded. Alum, who'd just gotten up and dressed, walked to the door—there was a platinum blonde guy with silver-blue eyes.
"I heard you're going on a date tomorrow?" Noel said, grinning mischievously.
"…" Alum tilted his head, puzzled. "I am," he replied.
"Then, let's hang out a little," Noel suggested.
"Sorry, I'm not free today—"
"Really? Sir Rigeld told me to get you," Noel added, looking all smug.
"…" Alum's eye twitched. "Where to?"
"He-he-he," Noel cackled dramatically. "The whole base is having a BBQ!"
"I see. What's the occasion?"
Noel quizzically stared into empty space. "I don't know, but it's the head command's order," he said, smiling brightly.
"…"
—Don't tell me… was it because yesterday? Alum thought, but quickly resigned.
"Sigh… quite the impulsive use of power," he chuckled.
"Oh? Do you know why?" Noel asked, staring suspiciously.
"Maybe," Alum teased, averting her eyes.
"Hmm~ kinda sus, but whatever. Let's gooo!" he said, grabbing Alum's hand and dragging him out.
Thinking about how Noel used to drag him around to experience something new, there was a soft tug on his lips as he recalled those memories.
"Got it," he replied.
A/N
Entering the end of arc 1. Just a chapter left before things get action-packed!