[Scene: GSSA Japan Headquarters – Outdoor Training Grounds | Afternoon]
The sun hung high, casting golden warmth over the open training field. The air pulsed with the crackle of energy and effort—every grunt, every strike, every breath syncing with the rhythm of discipline.
Lucan stood with his arms crossed, eyes narrowed slightly as he watched his teammates spar. Takeshi was going at it with Hana, lightning-fast as always. But Lucan's eyes drifted toward Reika, who struggled with her stance, her body too stiff, her strikes predictable.
He stepped forward.
Lucan (calm, firm):
"Reika. You've improved a lot with your spellcasting, but… your close-combat stance is all over the place. You're too exposed."
Reika (wiping sweat):
"I-I know. I've been trying… I just—spellwork is easier to focus on."
Lucan walked closer, his expression unreadable.
Lucan:
"You won't always have time to chant or cast. Especially when demons charge faster than you can blink. You need to be able to handle yourself until backup arrives. That's why…" (he paused, tone softening just a bit) "Let me train you. Personally."
Reika blinked in surprise.
Reika (blushing slightly):
"Y-You will?"
Lucan (already turning, gesturing):
"Come on. Hands up. Let's fix that form first."
They moved to the side as the others continued their drills. Lucan circled her slowly.
Lucan:
"Keep your center of gravity lower. Feet apart, shoulder-width. No, not like that—"
He moved behind her and, without warning, gently placed his hands on hers, adjusting the angle of her wrists. His body brushed lightly against her back as he corrected her balance. Reika's breath caught in her throat.
Lucan (focused):
"There. You feel the shift?"
Reika (inner thoughts):
Why is it suddenly so hot? Why is my heart pounding?
She nodded, voice slightly shaky.
Reika:
"Y-Yeah. I think I get it."
Lucan raised an eyebrow, catching the flush on her face.
Lucan (curious):
"You're burning up. Are you okay?"
Reika (quickly looking away):
"It's nothing! I just—I'm fine. Maybe the sun. Let's go again."
She stepped back quickly, trying to compose herself. Lucan gave her a strange look but said nothing, resetting their positions.
[Later – After training ends]
Everyone began gathering their things. Hana clapped her hands.
Hana (cheerfully):
"Okay! Enough sweat and bruises for one day. I have a brilliant idea."
Takeshi (groaning):
"If it involves anything other than food, count me out."
Hana:
"Nope! We're all going out tonight. Food. Arcade. Vibes. No training, no demons—just us."
Lucan (quietly):
"That's… random."
Hana (grinning):
"Exactly. We need it. Come on, you're not gonna ghost us, right?"
Lucan (reluctantly):
"…Fine."
Reika smiled faintly, still flustered from earlier. Lucan caught her gaze but quickly looked away. Takeshi, however, caught everything.
[Scene: As Lucan and Takeshi walk back toward the dorms]
Takeshi (teasing):
"You know, you're not as slick as you think."
Lucan (side-eyeing him):
"What are you talking about?"
Takeshi:
"Reika. She couldn't stop blushing when you touched her during training. And you—you were unusually soft today. Normally you're all fire and bark."
Lucan glanced away.
Lucan:
"She needs to learn to protect herself. That's all."
Takeshi (smirking):
"Sure. And I spar with you every morning because I like getting you electrocuted"
Lucan (flatly):
"You do."
Takeshi (laughing):
"Touché. But hey—just saying. She likes you. Maybe more than you think."
Lucan stayed quiet. His gaze drifted toward the sky, thoughtful.
[Scene: Lucan's Room | Evening]
The room was dim, shadows stretched across the floor as golden hour approached. Lucan lay sprawled on his bed, a hand lazily swiping across his phone screen.
Lucan (muttering):
"What am I doing on TikTok again…?"
He scrolled past a video of a dog trying to talk. A light chuckle escaped him before his eyes softened—he paused at a random photo of the squad taken weeks ago. They were all laughing. Reika stood beside him in the frame, smiling brightly.
His fingers hovered.
He exhaled.
Then he sat up, slowly getting dressed.
Lucan (quietly):
"Don't overthink. Just… go."
Scene: Evening – A warmly lit Japanese restaurant. The squad is seated at a round table, casual and relaxed. Plates of ramen, skewers, and drinks are scattered around. The mood is light, the air filled with soft music and distant chatter.
Narrator (Storytone):
They'd laughed more in the past hour than they had in the past week. Something about being out of uniform, away from the tension of missions and drills, made the air easier to breathe. For a moment, they weren't soldiers. Just teenagers trying to feel normal.
Hana (smiling as she takes a sip of tea):
"You know what's crazy? We've been training together for how long now and still barely know where anyone's from. Like, actual hometowns."
Reika (nodding):
"Seriously. We know each other's abilities, strengths, fighting styles… but not much else. I mean—aren't we supposed to be a team?"
Takeshi (grinning):
"Typical Hana. Always finding ways to turn dinner into an interrogation."
Hana (smirking):
"Hey, I'm just trying to build some squad chemistry here. Who wants to go first?"
Reika (raising a hand):
"I'll start. I grew up in a small town north of Kyoto. Lots of quiet hills and old temples. My parents run a little herbal clinic. My mom's the calm one. My dad? Absolute menace. He once kicked a burglar through a door."
Takeshi (laughs):
"That explains your healing skills and your right hook."
Reika (grinning):
"Learned from the best."
Hana (leaning in):
"Okay, my turn. I'm from Osaka. Big family, loud house, chaos 24/7. You couldn't sneeze without three people asking what was wrong. I joined the GSSA to escape the noise… joke's on me."
Everyone chuckles.
Takeshi (smirking):
"Tokyo. Born and raised. My father's in law enforcement. Always wanted me to take a more 'practical' path, but I chose this one instead. Guess I just… wanted to matter in a different way."
Reika (softly):
"You do."
Takeshi (clears his throat, brushing it off):
"Anyway, that's me."
All eyes turn to Lucan.
Hana (teasing):
"Alright, mystery man. Your turn. Where's Lucan Elias from?"
Lucan doesn't respond immediately.
Narrator (Storytone):
He stared down at the table, the laughter around him fading to a low hum in his ears. A thousand memories came rushing back—the sound of steel clashing in the royal palace, his brother's voice, his mother's smile, and the flames… The flames that changed everything.
(Pause. Silence lingers for a few seconds too long.)
Reika (gently):
"…Lucan?"
Lucan blinks, then straightens slightly. His expression hardens—just for a second—and then relaxes.
Lucan (calm, measured):
"Small town… south of London. Countryside. Not much to say about it. Quiet place."
Hana (suspiciously squinting):
"You don't even sound convinced."
Lucan (dry tone):
"Maybe because I don't talk about it much. Nothing exciting, I promise."
Takeshi (shrugs):
"Fair enough."
Reika (watching Lucan carefully, sensing the wall he just put up):
"…Still, thanks for sharing."
Lucan gives her a small nod, his eyes not meeting hers.
Narrator (Storytone):
The subject faded with the arrival of dessert. But Reika could still feel the weight in Lucan's voice—the way his past sat behind his eyes, hidden behind a mask polished by years of solitude.
Hana (clapping her hands):
"Okay! Emotional time over. Let's play a game before I start crying into my mochi."
Takeshi:
"What now?"
Hana:
"'Who's Most Likely To'. Simple and fun. We point at someone for each question."
Reika (laughing):
"This is going to cause chaos."
Hana (grinning):
"Exactly. First one—who's most likely to fall asleep during a mission briefing?"
All (immediately point at Takeshi).
Takeshi (offended):
"What? I was just closing my eyes to visualize the mission!"
Lucan (deadpan):
"You were snoring."
Hana (teasing):
"Okay okay—next one. Who's most likely to flirt their way out of a fight?"
Everyone points at Hana.
Hana:
"Guilty. Works more often than you'd think."
Takeshi:
"Yeah, until you flirt with a demon."
Reika (laughs):
"Then we're all dead."
Moments passed, after several conversations and jokes, things were finally wrapping up. The plates had been cleared. Laughter still hung lightly in the air as the group sat around the table, nursing drinks and soaking in the warmth of their time together.
Hana (leaning back with a content sigh):
"That was so good. I think I might actually explode."
Takeshi (grinning):
"You say that every time you eat more than two plates, Hana."
Hana (poking him with her chopsticks):
"Because it's true every time!"
Takeshi (checking the bill on the table):
"Alright, who's settling this? I can handle it. My treat tonight."
Hana (jumping in):
"Wait, wait! I was going to pay—don't steal my moment!"
Lucan (finally speaking up, firm but calm):
"I've got it."
Both Hana and Takeshi turned to look at him.
Takeshi:
"Huh? You sure?"
Lucan (already reaching for his wallet):
"Yeah. You guys go ahead. I'll take care of it."
Hana (tilting her head with a small smile):
"You're being oddly generous tonight, fire boy."
Lucan (shrugging):
"Just go."
They all gave him a few seconds of mock-suspicious side-eyes before laughing it off and moving toward the exit.
Takeshi (grinning as he passed by):
"Thanks, rich boy."
Lucan (dryly):
"Don't make me change my mind."
Narrator (story tone):
One by one, they filtered out into the night. Lucan sat back down at the table, letting the soft clatter of the restaurant fade around him. He stared blankly at the wood grain of the table, as if trying to make sense of a thought too large to voice.
Until—
Reika (softly):
"You know, for someone so antisocial, you surprise me sometimes."
Lucan turned sharply. There she was—standing by the table, hands behind her back, a soft but curious smile on her lips.
Lucan (frowning lightly):
"You didn't leave?"
Reika (sitting down opposite him again):
"No. I didn't feel like it."
Lucan:
"You're supposed to follow the group."
Reika:
"I'm not great at doing what I'm supposed to."
He studied her for a second, unsure how to respond. She leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table, her voice quieter now.
Reika:
"I don't think you like silence, Lucan. I think you've just gotten used to it."
Lucan looked away.
Lucan (murmuring):
"…It's easier to be quiet. You don't have to explain anything."
Reika (smiling faintly):
"Yeah, but… you miss out on a lot too."
Narrator:
They sat in the hush of the nearly-empty restaurant, a slow rhythm building between them—unspoken, but growing stronger with each word. Finally, Lucan stood.
Lucan (low voice):
"Come on. I'll walk you out."
Scene: Outside – Night air cool and still.
Lucan raised a hand and flagged down a cab. The yellow lights rolled to a slow stop.
Lucan (opening the door):
"Here."
Reika (smiling but not moving):
"…Can I walk with you instead?"
Lucan blinked. That wasn't the response he expected.
Lucan:
"You sure?"
Reika:
"Unless you're scared I'll bite."
Lucan (raising a brow):
"No. But my dog might."
She laughed, and he started walking. She followed with a quiet, steady pace beside him.
Scene: Lucan's Neighborhood – Moments later.
They arrived at a modest but striking house—clean architecture, soft lighting, a mix of calm and loneliness in its air. Lucan unlocked the door and held it open.
Before Reika could comment—
A massive blur of fur darted out.
A beast of a dog, easily the size of a direwolf, bounded forward, ears perked and tail swaying like a war banner. Reika froze, eyes wide in shock.
Reika (startled):
"HOLY—Lucan, that's a dog?! That's a beast!"
Lucan (smirking slightly):
"His name's Elucan."
Reika (still stunned):
"He's huge… like—what are you feeding him? Villagers?"
Lucan (chuckling):
"He's not usually like this with strangers. He's… kind of antisocial."
Elucan had stopped right in front of Reika, tongue out, eyes bright, tail wagging like crazy. Then, without warning, the massive creature nuzzled her leg gently, then leaned into her side affectionately.
Lucan stared.
Lucan (quietly):
"…What the hell?"
Reika (laughing, kneeling to pet him):
"Aww… he's just misunderstood. Like someone else I know."
Narrator:
The surprise in Lucan's eyes lingered longer than it should have. For a moment, he forgot how to speak, watching Elucan—the dog who never liked anyone—clearly adoring Reika.
They stepped inside. She glanced around the space. Neat. Simple. It was a peaceful place, not what she expected for someone like him.
Reika (gently):
"You live well."
Lucan (rubbing the back of his neck):
"It's quiet. That's all I need."
They didn't talk much after that—just stood together in the entryway, Elucan resting at her feet like a guardian.
Scene: Outside – Late night.
Lucan stood by the roadside, having flagged down a cab once more. Reika climbed in slowly.
Reika (from the window, softly):
"…Thanks for tonight. For… letting me see a bit more of you."
Lucan (meeting her gaze):
"You're welcome."
The door closed. The cab pulled away, humming softly down the street.
Lucan stood there, hands in his pockets, his eyes following the car as it rolled out of view.
Just before it turned the corner, Reika looked back through the rear window.
Their eyes met one last time.
A pause.
Then she smiled.
Lucan felt his chest tighten—but not in a bad way. He let out a small, barely-there laugh and shook his head.
Lucan (softly, to himself):
"…What the hell's happening to me?"
As the cab disappeared down the street, he turned, hands still in his pockets, and walked back toward the house.
Just before stepping in, he glanced back at the road once more.
And smiled.
Then he closed the door.
The cab rolled to a stop in front of her apartment building, headlights briefly illuminating the quiet street. Reika stepped out, the night air cool against her skin. She leaned into the window and smiled at the driver.
"Thank you, and drive safe," she said kindly.
The driver tipped his cap with a small grin. "You too, miss. Have a good night."
As the cab pulled away, Reika stood for a moment, watching the red taillights fade into the distance. The street was quiet now—no more laughter, no more clinking glasses, no more teasing from Leo or banter between Takeshi and Hana. Just silence.
She walked up the short steps to her apartment, key in hand. The door creaked softly as she pushed it open.
Inside, the warmth of home greeted her. Familiar. Safe.
She dropped her purse on the small table by the door, kicked off her shoes, and sighed deeply.
The night had been… perfect. Or as close to perfect as one could get these days.
Dinner with the squad had started lighthearted—Takeshi teasing Lucan about Reika liking him, Leo making stupid jokes, Hana beaming like she was watching a rom-com play out in real life. She'd laughed so much her stomach still hurt. And Lucan—he'd smiled. Actually smiled. A soft, genuine curve of his lips she hadn't seen before.
It lingered In her mind like a melody.
She made her way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. As steam began to rise, she caught her reflection in the mirror—flushed cheeks, eyes still glowing from the evening.
Was she really this obvious?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Later, wrapped in a towel with her damp hair dripping onto her collarbone, Reika walked into her room. The only light came from her desk lamp, casting soft shadows across the walls. Her uniform hung neatly on the chair, her boots still by the door.
She sat on the edge of her bed and reached for her phone and looked at the picture photo Hana had taken just hours ago. Their squad, crowded around a table. Takeshi was mid-laugh, had a fry sticking out of his mouth like a cigarette, Hana had both thumbs up.
Lucan was at the end of the table.
His smile in the photo was faint—but real.
She held the photo close, staring at him.
"It's him. It's always been him lately."
"The way he moves when we fight. The way he watches over us without saying much. That time he pulled me out of danger without even blinking. And the way he held my hand today—for just a second. I couldn't breathe."
She lay back on the bed, photo still in hand.
"I tried to brush it off. Told myself it was just admiration. He's powerful, mysterious… maybe I was just drawn to that. But that's not it anymore."
"He looked at me tonight. Really looked. Like I wasn't just another teammate."
Her heart thumped in her chest.
She sat up again and placed the photo on her nightstand.
Then she whispered into the quiet:
"Lucan… you've broken down every wall I didn't know I was building."
She hugged her knees, eyes drifting to the dark sky outside her window.
"But I know you're hiding something. And that scares me."
Her voice trembled now.
"I just hope… when the time comes, you won't push me away."
A soft knock of wind rattled the window, like the world giving its quiet reply.
Reika wiped a tear that had escaped down her cheek. She smiled, just a little.
"I'm such an idiot," she murmured with a laugh. "Falling for someone I barely understand."
She stood, turned off the lamp, and crawled into bed.
In the dark, her hand reached for the photo once more. She held it close to her chest.
And before sleep took her, she whispered one last thing.
"Please don't disappear."
[Scene: Lucan's Room – Late Night Reflections]
The room was quiet, dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Lucan closed the door behind him with a quiet sigh, pulling off his jacket and tossing it over the edge of his chair. Elucan, his massive white dog, was already curled up on the bed, tail thumping lazily as his master approached.
Lucan smiled faintly and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing Elucan's head. "You had fun today too, huh?" he muttered.
He leaned back, resting on his palms as his eyes drifted toward the ceiling. The night played back in his mind like a warm movie reel—Reika's laughter, the teasing from Takeshi, the soft glances they shared when no one was looking.
Her smile had been brighter tonight.
The way she looked at him… no, that couldn't mean anything. Could it?
His brows furrowed slightly as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair.
"Ugh," he muttered. "Let me not think too much about this."
He reached for his phone, unlocking it with a quick tap. As he scrolled through Instagram absentmindedly, a familiar face popped up in his feed.
@reika_tsuki.
Lucan blinked. "…Wait, what?"
It was a picture of Reika—dressed casually in a soft hoodie, her blonde hair slightly messy, sitting by a windowsill with a cup of tea in her hands. Natural light bathed her face. Peaceful. Pretty.
Lucan stared at it a little longer than he meant to, then turned the screen toward Elucan.
"You see this, boy?" he whispered. "This the girl you've been barking at every time she walks in."
Elucan gave a low, sleepy grunt, his eyes half-lidded, tail wagging gently.
Lucan chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah… she's something."
He spent the next few minutes watching reels—funny dog videos, short clips of sword duels, and the occasional cooking montage. A chuckle here, a sigh there. Anything to keep his mind off her.
Eventually, he stood up, stretching. His footsteps padded softly into the bathroom. He used the toilet, washed his hands, and splashed cold water on his face.
As he raised his head to look in the mirror, droplets clinging to his jaw, his reflection stared back.
His brows were slightly knit. His eyes more tired than usual.
He leaned closer to the mirror, voice low and uncertain.
"I hope this ain't what I'm thinking…"
The mirror didn't answer.
Just his own heart beating a little faster than he wanted to admit.