The sterile scent of antiseptic hung faintly in the air, laced with something softer — the warmth of morning sunlight slipping through half-closed blinds.
The world outside was calm again.
Kuhaku opened his eyes slowly, the unfamiliar white ceiling coming into focus. His body still felt heavy, but no pain followed when he moved his hand.
A week had passed since the chaos of Nagazora. Since blood, ash, and screams.
Now, only silence remained.
He sat up on the bed, brushing his hair aside. The sheets crinkled faintly beneath his fingers — soft, freshly washed. For a second, he almost forgot everything.
Across the room, three familiar figures stirred.
Kiana was sprawled out on the neighboring bed, one leg dangling off the side, her face buried in the blanket.
Mei slept peacefully beside her, her hair shimmering under the faint light.
Bronya sat upright on a chair near the window, already awake, flipping through a report with mechanical focus.
Kuhaku couldn't help but smile a little.
So even geniuses wake up early.
A faint snore erupted from Kiana's bed.
Make that—most geniuses.
"Good morning," Mei greeted softly as she stretched, her voice gentle but bright enough to break the morning haze.
"Morning," Kuhaku replied, running a hand through his hair.
"You sleep well?"
Mei nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. "Better than I have in days."
Bronya closed her folder with a quiet snap. "Kuhaku should remain in bed. Medical staff may disapprove of premature movement."
He chuckled. "I'll take my chances."
⸻
The door hissed open with a mechanical shhhk.
"Finally awake, huh?"
The sharp, confident voice belonged to Dr. Tesla, who stepped in with her usual whirlwind energy — a tablet under one arm, a mug of coffee in the other.
"Didn't think the apocalypse's golden kids would sleep this much."
Behind her, Dr. Einstein followed with calm composure, adjusting her glasses. "Recovery requires rest, Dr. Tesla. You of all people should understand that."
Tesla smirked. "Oh, I understand. I just choose to ignore it."
She took a long sip from her mug before glancing at Kuhaku and the others.
"Alright, sleepyheads. One last scan, and you're cleared to leave this fancy underground hotel."
"Finally," Kiana groaned, rubbing her eyes. "I was starting to forget what the sun looks like."
Bronya sighed. "Kiana should not underestimate Vitamin D deficiency."
Tesla grinned. "Oh, I like this one. Can I keep her?"
"Denied," Bronya replied flatly.
Einstein hid a faint smile behind her clipboard.
⸻
The room dimmed slightly as the scanning field powered up.
Transparent panels surrounded each of them, shimmering faintly as the machine began reading their vital signs.
But instead of technological readings — electronic pulses, neural scans — the monitors displayed something else: faint patterns of mana, invisible to the naked eye but visible as flowing light on the screen.
Einstein leaned forward. Her calm voice lowered.
"These frequencies… they're nearly identical to the awakened readings we've been tracking worldwide. But the refinement rate—this is unprecedented."
Tesla frowned, chewing on her pen. "You mean they've got cleaner mana than everyone else?"
"Not just cleaner," Einstein replied. "Perfectly stable. Their resonance is… harmonic."
Kuhaku blinked. "…Should I be worried about that?"
"Probably not," Tesla said casually. "Unless your head explodes. Then we'll panic."
Mei looked uneasy. "Is that supposed to be reassuring?"
"Nope," Tesla grinned.
Bronya tilted her head slightly. "Harmonic resonance implies uniformity. Could this mean we are connected by origin?"
Einstein paused at that — eyes narrowing as she studied the readings.
"Yes… it's possible. The same force that caused the Nagazora anomaly might have altered your composition. Not corruption — something more refined."
The scientists exchanged a look that felt heavier than the words implied.
⸻
When it was Kuhaku's turn, the scanner's tone shifted.
Soft static filled the air, and for a brief moment, the blue light turned faintly pink — a soft, gentle hue that pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat.
"…What was that?" Tesla muttered, tapping the screen. "That's not part of the scan."
Einstein leaned closer, eyes sharp but calm.
"No… this isn't technological interference. It's organic."
The light faded as quickly as it appeared.
To the scientists, it was just a fleeting anomaly.
But to Kuhaku, the warmth that filled his chest was unmistakable — the same comforting presence that had guided him through darkness.
He quietly looked down, and though no one else could see it, a faint glow pulsed within his system window:
[Blessing: Elysian Grace]
[Status: Stable]
He didn't speak of it.
He simply smiled — faintly, quietly — and let the warmth linger.
⸻
The door opened again.
Bootsteps echoed softly against the sterile floor.
General Daichi Hoshizora stepped in, his tall figure casting a faint shadow across the room. His uniform was crisp, his expression controlled — but his eyes, when they met Kuhaku's, softened immediately.
"Dad…?" Kuhaku blinked, uncertain.
Something about seeing his father like this — the medals, the authority, the way the doctors stood straighter in his presence — felt strange.
"Guess you're not just a police officer after all."
Daichi chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his neck. "You weren't supposed to find out like this."
"So… General, huh?"
"Something like that."
The silence between them wasn't cold — just uncertain.
For the first time, Kuhaku felt distance he hadn't before.
What else did he hide from us? he thought. What else has he been protecting us from?
Tesla cleared her throat. "Well, looks like you two have some catching up to do."
Daichi smiled faintly. "Later, maybe. For now…" He turned to the doctors. "I need your discretion. All data regarding these readings — their mana, the anomalies — stays off record."
Einstein nodded immediately. "Understood. Confidentiality is absolute."
Tesla sighed. "Fine, but if one of them starts glowing again, I'm writing a paper."
"Denied," Daichi replied, deadpan.
For a moment, laughter broke the tension — small, but real.
⸻
That night, Site 07 grew quiet.
Kiana had fallen asleep first, snoring softly, her arm draped over the blanket.
Bronya was still reading, glasses slipping down her nose, while Mei rested beside her — peaceful and warm.
Kuhaku sat near the observation window, gazing at the faint trace of orange light still hanging in the distant horizon.
The world outside looked calm, but the air… it hummed faintly, the same way it did before everything fell apart.
He placed a hand over his chest. The warmth there pulsed gently, steady and alive.
He couldn't see her — not really — but he felt her presence.
A soft radiance brushing against his senses, a whisper of serenity.
"You're still here, aren't you?"
No answer came.
Only a soft hum in the air — like the quiet rhythm of wings unseen, or the warmth of someone's hand on his shoulder.
He smiled faintly and closed his eyes.
For now, peace was enough.
Even if it wouldn't last forever.
⸻
End of Chapter 2 – Part 2