The door creaked open just as Youri slipped away into the corridor's shadows, leaving only silence and the faint echo of his boots behind.
Roland rushed in, panic written across his face. "Sister, are you okay!?"
Leonora was on the floor, her palms flat against the cold steel floor. Her shoulders shook violently as she sobbed, her tears dripping like shattered glass. She looked like a child again, crumbling under the weight of her memories.
"He was alive…" she choked out between sobs. "I can't believe it. All this time he was out there, suffering, and I… I just gave up on him!"
Roland dropped to his knees, his hands gripping her arms. "What are you saying, sister!?"
"If it wasn't for him…" she swallowed hard, her voice breaking. "I wouldn't even be alive…"
Roland wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest as she cried harder, her body trembling with the soundless scream of guilt. "Let's get you to bed, sister. You're still hurt from last time. You need rest."
"No!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the sterile walls. "Call Thirty-six! I need him!"
Roland blinked, confused. "Who is Thirty-six?"
"He's my friend…" Leonora's eyes darted, unfocused, like she was seeing ghosts. "Please, brother, call him. I need to see him. He's hurt too. He suffered so much because of me, and I… I didn't lift a finger to help."
Her strength ebbed away. The last thing she saw before darkness swallowed her was Roland's confused, worried face as she slumped unconscious into his arms.
Back at Fansilia
The ship glided into the docking bay of the space station, its hull glowing under the neon strips of the hangar. Steam hissed from the vents as the landing clamps locked in.
Roland stormed down the ramp, his voice thunderous. "Hey, Youri! What did you do to my sister!?"
Youri stood near the edge of the dock, back turned, staring out into the endless black of space. "Nothing," he said coolly.
Roland's fists clenched. "You know she hasn't woken up in three days!"
Youri exhaled through his nose, his smirk barely visible. "Look, Roboy, your sister was badly hurt. She needed rest long before this incident. Take it with a grain of salt when I say this—nothing can kill her."
Roland took a step forward. "Aren't you going to drive?"
Youri glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "I think my debt to your sister was paid long ago."
As he walked away, the neon lights glinted across his scarred cheek. Roland and Anna exchanged confused looks, the sound of Youri's boots fading into the station's hum.
Back at Leonora's House
The room smelled faintly of antiseptic and burning candles. Leonora lay motionless in her bed, her arms bandaged, her skin pale and fragile.
"Doctor, how is she?" Roland's voice was heavy with worry.
The older man straightened his glasses. "She was badly hurt. She has cuts in every place imaginable, but she will be alright. I think with some rest and procedures, all her cuts and scars will heal."
Roland let out a shaky breath. "Thank you so much, Doctor."
The man smiled faintly. "No need to thank me. Anyone else in that place would have died long before making it here. Thank God your sister is very tough."
"Sorry for calling on such short notice," Roland muttered. "But still, thank you for taking the time to check up on her."
The doctor adjusted his coat. "Don't worry. It is my duty."
Two days later, Leonora's eyelids fluttered. She sat up suddenly, gasping. "I'm home!"
"Roland! Where are you? Anna!?"
They burst into the room.
"Sister, you finally woke up!" Roland said, relief washing over his face.
"My lady, thank God," Anna whispered.
"Get off me, you two. Where is he?" Leonora's voice cracked.
"Youri…" Roland's eyes dropped. "He left when we came back. I haven't heard or seen him since then."
"Oh…" Leonora's shoulders slumped, her mind drowning in the memories of the institute.
"I'm sorry, guys," she said quietly. "I got you into this mess because of my past…"
Anna stepped forward. "Stop, my lady. I'm sorry to cut you off, but you don't need to apologize to me. I'm your maid, and it is my duty to see to all your needs—good or bad, dangerous or safe."
"Don't worry about me either," Roland added with a small laugh. "Somehow I came out of all that without a single scratch."
Leonora's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, both of you. I'm so blessed to have you in my life." She pulled them into a warm embrace, her tears falling onto their shoulders.
Marta's Pub
The air inside was heavy with smoke and cheap whiskey. Neon signs flickered, casting red light across cracked wooden tables.
"What's with the gloomy face, eh?" Marta called from behind the bar.
"Leave me alone, Marta," Youri muttered, his head buried in his arms.
"Did you lose all your money in poker again!?"
"I was so close to winning this time. I could see the mountain of zells in front of me. I just needed a three—goddamn…" he groaned, frustration curling his hands into fists.
"I keep telling you: leave the table when it's enough. But you don't listen."
Youri looked up at her, eyes shadowed. "You know, sometimes I think you sound like someone I used to know."
"What!? Don't compare me with those idiots you hang around!"
"Yeah… you're right."
The doors swung open. Marta's face shifted. "I'd advise you behave, Youri. You might not like who's coming this way."
Youri groaned. "Whoever it is, just tell them I'm passed out."
"I don't promise anything…" Marta said.
A tall woman stepped inside, her uniform catching the dim light.
"Look who decided to come by! How are you, my lady?" Marta said cheerfully.
"Cut the crap. Just give me a drink." Leonora spat.
"Sheesh. Feeling generous today, I'll let it slide." Marta muttered.
"Thanks." Leonora replied.
"So, dear general, how was your day?" Marta asked.
"Plain," she said, taking a sip. "I've been looking for someone all day long. I came by in hopes of maybe finding him here."
"Oh? Who's this mystery man? I may be able to help." Marta added.
"Just a local drunk," she murmured, her eyes flicking to the shadow slumped at the bar.
"Aha. I'm sorry, unfortunately I haven't seen him today," Marta replied with mock innocence.
"It's a shame. I was hoping to reward him for something he did for me. But I guess I'll leave since he's not here."
"Well, I hope you find him." Said Marta
"Thank you, Marta. So do I."
She left the glass on the counter and walked out, her boots clicking against the floor.
On the Streets
Youri walked alone under the city's neon haze. The night air was cold, and his breath came out in pale streams. "I should have kept my things to myself," he muttered. "Anyway, it's over now—water under the bridge. Time to go make some money."
Suddenly, a black car swerved in front of him, blocking his path. The door opened, and a dark silhouette stepped out, heels clicking against the wet pavement.
"You know, you can't keep avoiding me all the time," she said softly.
"I have nothing more to say to you," he replied without looking up.
"That may be true," she said, stepping closer. "But I have many things to say to you." Her voice trembled. "Ever since I came back from that day, I couldn't stop thinking about you."
He finally looked up. Her eyes burned, glistening under the streetlights.
"So I'll say this, Thirty-six—no… Youri Kronos." She paused, her breath catching. "I love you."