It was a golden afternoon in Musutafu — one of those rare days where the air felt soft, the sky endless, and the city momentarily peaceful.
Perched high above, Hawks glided on crimson wings, his sharp eyes scanning below. He wasn't on an official patrol. This time, he was chasing something far less tangible.
That song again.
It had drifted through the wind like a promise — warm, soothing, impossible to ignore. For weeks, he had tried to trace it, but each time he got close, it vanished like mist. Still, his instincts told him it came from somewhere near the old church on the hill.
And this time, he finally found her.
---
Through the half-open church door, the sound of gentle humming floated out — accompanied by the rhythmic sweep of a broom.
Inside, sunlight filtered through the stained glass, painting the floor in colors of gold and rose. Standing amidst that light was Kagome Inoue.
She was sweeping the floor, unaware of her audience, her soft song echoing faintly against the stone walls. The melody made even the dust in the air shimmer.
Hawks leaned casually against the doorway, a grin tugging at his lips.
"Well, if angels are real, I think I just found one doing janitor duty."
Kagome blinked, startled. Her teal eyes met his golden ones. "Oh—hello," she said politely, lowering her broom. "You must be… a hero, right? Hawks, was it?"
"The one and only," he said, giving a playful salute. "Didn't expect to find anyone here, especially someone with a voice like that."
Kagome smiled softly, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "It's just a habit. The church feels lonely if it's quiet."
"Lonely, huh?" Hawks tilted his head. "Then you've been keeping the whole city company, sweetheart."
She blinked at him in mild confusion, clearly missing his flirtatious tone.
"Oh, that's very kind of you," she said sincerely. "But I think the city already has plenty of heroes to keep it safe."
Hawks chuckled — a low, amused sound. "Man, you're a tough crowd. Usually, people either scream or faint when I show up."
"I don't see why they would," she said honestly. "You're just a person, aren't you? One who flies a little higher than most."
For the first time, Hawks paused. Her words weren't playful — just kind and matter-of-fact. There was no awe, no flattery, no fear. Just… gentle truth.
He smiled faintly. "You know, not many people talk to me like that."
Kagome tilted her head, puzzled. "Then maybe they should. Heroes need kindness too, don't they? You spend so much time protecting others, you might forget to rest your wings."
That simple line struck deeper than she realized.
For a moment, Hawks didn't know what to say.
---
When he finally left the church, flying high into the blue sky once more, he carried something different with him — not evidence, not strategy, but a strange, quiet peace.
He couldn't quite explain it, but the world below somehow felt a little brighter.
And somewhere inside the church, Kagome resumed her gentle song, unaware that her voice had once again reached someone who needed it most.