“We’re back—” Konnie creaked the door open, peeking inside.

Shuzuka, Red, and the kids sat around a low table, hunched over a board game where carved pieces followed a winding path. Akane looked up first, her face lighting up. “You’re back! Oh—did you bring snacks?”

Jade lifted the basket of pastries. “We sure did.”

“Hooray!” Akane snatched two pieces and handed one to Touma. Shuzuka pushed himself to his feet. “I’ll make some tea.”

“Oh, good idea. Let me help you,” Red said, following him into the kitchen.

Before long, they were all seated in a circle around the low table—Konnie, Jade, and the children on the floor. Red returned carrying a tall wooden pitcher that steamed with fragrant tea. She set it down while Shuzuka laid out tankards and cups for everyone.

Touma raised his hand over Akane’s cup, a cool mist curling from his palm. Tiny cubes of ice clinked into her drink.

“Thank you!” Akane giggled, swaying side to side with a grin. She glanced at Jade. “So? Where’d you run off to?”

“Just… making an announcement, that’s all.” Jade rubbed the back of her neck, her eyes darting anywhere but Red’s.

Red narrowed her gaze as she poured. “Is that so?”

Jade’s lips pressed shut, her answer coming out in a tiny squeak. “Y-yep.”

“Spit it out,” Red said flatly, settling beside Shuzuka. “We heard the commotion outside.”

Jade let out a breath, shoulders sagging. “Alright, alright. I’ve decided to… leave the forest for a while. To help Konnie.” Her voice trailed off, bracing for their reaction.

Akane froze with her cup halfway to her lips, eyes wide. Touma glanced up, equally startled. Red gave a slow, thoughtful nod. “I see. And the village?”

“I’ll be back before you know it,” Jade said quickly. “Don’t worry—I won’t be gone long. Just long enough to help her.”

Shuzuka leaned forward on the couch, forearms resting on his knees. “Then I’m coming with you.”

Jade blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thank yo—”

“NOOOO!”

Her words were drowned out as Akane shot across the room. She leapt straight into Shuzuka’s chest, knocking him back against the cushions with a dull thud.

He sputtered, choking on his drink as his hand clutched his stomach. “Ghh—damn it—!”

“Please don’t go!!” Akane cried, her little arms locking around him like iron.

Red lifted her brows, watching the scene with amusement. “Seems she’s taken quite a liking to you.”

Shuzuka wheezed, wincing as he tried to pry her off. “Y-you don’t say—”

Jade chuckled softly, leaning closer. “Don’t worry, Akane. We’ll be back before you know it.”

Akane peeked over her shoulder, eyes shimmering. “…Promise?”

Jade gave a gentle nod, her voice warm. “Promise.”

At that, Akane loosened her grip, sliding off his lap with a sniff. Shuzuka stayed slouched on the couch, coughing into his fist, muttering something inaudible under his breath.

Konnie nibbled at her bread, eyes flicking between them. “Y-you could… stay here, if you want.” Her gaze settled on Shuzuka.

He met her look evenly. “You two have no idea what’s waiting outside this village. It’s best I go with you—at least to White Lily. That’s where I’m headed after this anyway.”

Red tapped a finger against the table, thoughtful. “He has a point. I’ve never once seen Jade leave this forest… not since I’ve lived here. Having a guide would be safer.”

Jade let the thought sit for a moment before nodding. “…You’re right. We’re planning on leaving at sunrise, so I’d better start packing.”

“As you wish.” Shuzuka picked up another piece of bread and bit into it, his gaze wandering elsewhere.

As the sun sank and the village lights dimmed, the three settled in the living room. Shuzuka rested on the wooden couch, while Konnie and Jade lay on the floor, leaves cushioning their backs and heads. Outside, the wind whispered, tugging at the curtains as they swayed gently in the night air.

Konnie lay staring at the ceiling, fingers laced across her chest. After a long breath, she sat up, scanning the room. Shuzuka was sound asleep—but Jade was nowhere in sight. With only the pale moonlight guiding her, she rose and wandered, a quiet ache of loneliness pressing against her chest. The home that had felt so lively earlier now seemed almost hollow.

She pushed the door open slowly and found Jade sitting outside, gazing up at the moon. Her pointed ears drooped, lips pressed tight, eyes glistening. At the sound of the door, Jade quickly sniffed and wiped at a tear before forcing a small smile.

“Oh—hey. You’re… awake.”

Konnie’s expression softened. She lowered herself beside her, tilting her head to the sky. Her voice came low, almost a whisper.

“Thank you… for helping me.”

Jade’s smile wavered. She gave a soft chuckle.

“It’s what I do best.”

Her eyes lifted to the silver-blue stars that lit the night sky.

For a moment they sat in silence, the night pressing gently around them. Then Konnie whispered, “Are you… scared?” Her thoughts drifted to Jade’s fate.

Jade’s breath caught. She looked down, inhaling deep, her voice trembling.

“A little… but I won’t let that stop me.”

Her fingers curled into the dirt, shoulders tensing as if grounding herself.

“Why?” Konnie asked quietly.

Jade turned to her with soft, searching eyes.

“I need to know… if he’s still out there.”

“Who?”

Jade’s hand rose to her necklace, lingering on it as though it carried all her weight. Her voice came barely above a whisper.

“My father.”

Her eyes flicked to Konnie.

“Shuzuka told me… he was still alive.”

After a moment of silence, Konnie leaned against Jade. Her voice came soft, hesitant.

“…What was he like? Your father… if it’s okay to ask.”

Jade’s lips curved into a faint smile. “He was human—like you. Always buried in books, studying magic. Mostly Fate. Once he learned what would happen to my mother and me… he tried everything to stop it. But…” her eyes drifted toward the window, to the roses swaying outside, one already withering among the blooms. “…all it did was push her closer to her fate. And when the time finally came…” Her breath caught. “…he had no choice but to protect me.”

A single tear slid down her cheek.

Konnie’s lips trembled as her own eyes welled. “I-I’m sorry…”

Jade blinked, surprised, before offering a weak smile. “Don’t be. Thanks to you… I realize now how great he really was.”

Konnie gave a half smile, her gaze wandering over the shops. “You know… I’m gonna miss it here. Especially…” Her eyes traced the road before settling on the baker’s shop. She pointed. “…that one.”

Jade chuckled softly. “Pfft… of course you’d miss that.”

Both of them stifled their laughter, careful not to disturb the quiet night. After a pause, Konnie’s voice came low, almost drowsy.

“…You don’t mind if I stay with you for a while?”

“Stay as long as you like.”

The two lifted their eyes to the night sky once more. Konnie’s lids grew heavier with each blink, until at last, she drifted off to sleep beside Jade.

Shuzuka watched through the window for a moment, Konnie’s small frame slumped in sleep beside Jade. Stepping outside, he quietly lifted her into his arms and carried her back in, laying her gently on the couch. When he turned, Jade was at the doorway, leaning against the frame with tired eyes. Her voice came out as a whisper.

“…Thanks.”

He gave a subtle nod in reply before lowering himself onto the leaf pile, settling in without another word.

The three of them slept soundly through the night, until dawn crept in. A sliver of sunlight stretched across the floorboards, inching toward Konnie’s eyes. She winced, pressing them shut before sitting upright with a groan.

“…Is it morning already?”

But no answer came. Not even the whisper of the wind outside. The silence pressed down, heavy and unnatural.. Rising to her feet, she wandered to the sink, splashed her face with cold water, and lifted her gaze to the window.

The village was gone. Beyond the glass, nothing but a white void stretching endlessly.

Her breath caught. She turned—and the room vanished. Darkness swallowed her whole. A single spotlight flared ahead, and beneath it…

Jade’s body lay sprawled on the floor. Her skin pale, eyes glazed, a gaping hole torn through her chest.

Konnie staggered back, a strangled cry in her throat. Then the voices began—faint whispers circling her, growing louder and louder until they crashed over her like a wave, screaming, accusing, deafening.

“Her lungs seized. She jolted upright with a scream, sweat clinging to her skin. Across the room, Jade snapped awake, roots erupting instinctively from the floor with her own startled cry.

Shuzuka cracked one eye open, groaning as he rubbed his face.

“Etee dvóye…”(These two.)

Konnie sat upright, chest heaving as she scanned the room. Her wide eyes locked on Jade.

Jade blinked, then softened. “You okay there?” A small chuckle slipped out as she tilted her head.

Konnie pressed a hand to her temple, voice shaky. “Y-yeah… just had an awful dream.”

“You mean a nightmare,” Shuzuka muttered, his voice low and rough as wood creaking. He pushed himself upright and shuffled toward the kitchen.

Red’s footsteps creaked down the stairs, followed by a long stretch and yawn. “You’re lucky the kids are heavy sleepers…” Her gaze slid to Konnie and Jade curled on the floor, her brow arching.

Jade’s ears drooped as she gave a sheepish chuckle. “Konnie had a nightmare.”

“Must’ve been a bad one.” Red shook her head, stepping carefully between them as she headed toward the kitchen.

Jade glanced at Konnie. “Do you remember what it was about?”