A soft knock echoed through the commander's office.
Kaien, Kevin's older brother, stepped in with a calm bow.
> "Commander. They're all exhausted—physically and emotionally. If you want them to survive the final trial… give them time to breathe."
The commander didn't even blink. "...So Unit 9 needs mandatory peace?"
Kaien nodded. "Even stars don't burn without rest."
The Big Announcement
Later that afternoon, all trainees gathered in the arena.
> "Starting now, Unit 9 is on enforced rest," the commander's voice echoed.
> "No missions. No sparring. No awakenings. Until the Final Seal Trial."
Unit 9 gasped.
Mira whispered, "...We really get to relax?"
Lara smirked. "We need it. Our next awakening wants peace, not power."
Shock the Boys
Lara gathered the three boys under a tree.
"Wait here," she said firmly. "And behave."
Teaha: "Why do I feel like this is a trap?"
Kevin: "Maybe they baked us apology cookies."
Bihoo: "Lara doesn't bake. She incinerates."
Then Mira walked in with a new Nisa.
Hair brushed out like silk.
Moonlight earrings.
A soft violet blouse with a ribbon.
And the faintest pink glow on her cheeks.
She looked… like the moon herself.
The boys froze.
Bihoo's brain: [ERROR: SYSTEM OVERLOAD]
Teaha: "Whoa…"
Kevin blinked, then grinned evilly.
> "Bihoo, are you still breathing?"
Bihoo opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
Kevin whispered, "You wanna marry her or—"
WHAM!!
Nisa decked Kevin in the shoulder with a clean, no-regret punch.
Kevin: "OW?! What was that for?!"
Nisa: "You were about to say something stupid."
Mira and Lara high-fived.
Bihoo was still stuck, eyes wide, cheeks red.
Later, while everyone laughed at Kevin icing his shoulder, Nisa sat beside Bihoo near the steps.
> "...You didn't say anything," she said softly.
Bihoo looked at her—really looked.
> "You've always been beautiful," he said.
"I just didn't know you could… burn like the sun."
Nisa blinked, a little flustered now. "You're so dramatic."
Bihoo smirked. "Only for you."
To be continued…