Part 1
The Aeris House was wrapped in an unusual silence.
The morning breeze gently moved the trees in the inner garden, where Rina was sitting on a stone, hugging her legs with her tail curled around her ankles. She watched the leaves move as if she were waiting for something — or someone — to appear.
"Rina miss Haruto…" she murmured to herself, lowering her gaze.
Inside the house, Simmone was in the reading room, flipping through a book about elven history with the same calm expression as always. Only this time, her cup of tea had gone cold without her noticing.
"Three days without news… how irresponsible," she said softly, even though what she truly couldn't ignore was the sting of worry in her chest.
In the main hall, Thalindra polished her hammer with slow, almost lazy movements. Not because she lacked energy, but because her mind was somewhere else.
"That thickhead… he doesn't even know how to take criticism. It's not my fault his katana belonged in a museum," she huffed, but her frown wasn't anger. It was held-back concern.
On the second floor, Yuna was in the common room, sitting by the window with a book open. She was planning the details of Melodia's birthday, but her pen wouldn't move across the paper.
"Haruto…" she whispered, looking toward the street, as if just wishing for it would make him appear right there.
That was when a small sphere of light flickered in the air and Kizuna appeared floating in the middle of the hallway.
"Knock knock~! The most wonderful partner of all is here, kizu~," she sang cheerfully.
All of them stood up, surprised.
"Kizuna? Is that you?" Yuna asked from upstairs.
"Of course! What other amazing and brilliant fairy do you know… And I'm not alone," the little fairy said, flying toward the entrance.
And then, the sound of the door opening was heard.
Firm, calm… and familiar footsteps.
Haruto Kibou had returned.
"Welcome home, Haruto!" Rina jumped on him from behind, knocking him down just as he crossed the entrance of the Aeris House.
"Rina miss you so much! Tail too!" she shouted, while her long tail moved from side to side in pure joy.
"I'm back, Rina…" he replied with a big smile, still on the floor.
"So you finally decided to come back, huh?" Thalindra growled, arms crossed, with a stern expression.
Haruto stood up, walked toward her and, without warning, bowed until his forehead touched the floor.
"I'm very sorry if I offended you… I didn't know what I was saying. And I'm grateful that you were honest with me."
The dwarf froze. She had dealt with all kinds of difficult clients, but she had never seen Haruto this… humble.
"Bah, it doesn't matter anymore…" she muttered, scratching her head, uncomfortable. "I'm not mad. But I'm glad you understand that I don't work on that kind of swords… those are forged in Yurei."
Haruto slowly stood up and looked at her with a calm expression.
"Even so, what I did wasn't right. I apologize again."
Before he could say more, Simmone ran toward him with tears in her eyes and hugged him tightly.
"Brother! Don't leave me again… I don't want to be alone again…"
He gently stroked her head, not letting her go.
"I'm sorry, Simmone. I promise your brother won't leave you alone again."
That was when footsteps were heard coming down the stairs.
Yuna descended with her usual calm, but this time, her face was more serious than the others.
"Haruto Kibou… what do you want?"
"I see… so that's how it is. Well, after all, I was the one who said I didn't want to stay in this group anymore."
Silence weighed on them for a few seconds. Then Haruto took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt down with solemn respect.
"Kazeharu Yuna, daughter of the Aeris, leader of the group The Leaf… I want to apologize for my disrespectful behavior. And I present myself for any disciplinary action you consider appropriate."
Yuna watched him from the stairs, one eyebrow raised, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"No one expelled you from the group," she finally replied in a calm voice. "You left on your own."
"But…" Simmone tried to say, stepping forward.
Thalindra gently stopped her, shaking her head. This was something Haruto had to face on his own.
"I know. And I regret it… this group is my family. I behaved in the worst way toward all of you. I beg you to let me return."
"And why should I?" Yuna said, slowly stepping down one stair, never taking her eyes off him. "How do I know you won't betray us again… like someone did to my mother?"
Haruto lowered his head even more. He didn't try to justify himself.
"I can't promise anything," he whispered.
"You know very well that this is a group. No one stands above another," she continued. "Thalindra said it once: "I can't give my life for someone who isn't willing to give theirs for me."
Silence returned. Colder than before.
"I know… I'm sorry," Haruto repeated, his voice breaking. "If you ever need me, I hope you'll accept me again."
He slowly stood up, turning halfway toward the door, but before he could take another step, Yuna's voice stopped him.
"Who said you could leave? I'm not finished yet."
Haruto turned around, confused. That was when Yuna stepped down the last stairs and hugged him from behind, tightly.
"Let this be the last time you do something like that," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm your mentor. If you do something wrong, I carry that weight too."
"So, as long as you understand what you did, you're forgiven."
A tear threatened to appear at the edge of her lashes, but Yuna held it back. Haruto said nothing. He just closed his eyes and held that embrace in silence, feeling that, at last, he was home again.