Location: Yuno City Park
The sun had already begun climbing higher above Yuno City, bathing the park in warm morning light. Children ran across the grass while their laughter mixed with the songs of birds hidden among the trees, and parents rested peacefully on nearby benches while watching them play. Everything around the park carried the simple joy of an ordinary morning.
Yet beneath one of the large trees, Yuuta stood completely disconnected from that peaceful scene.
His search had led him through several places across the city, but there had been no sign of Erza anywhere. With each place he checked, the hope he had carried from the apartment became smaller, while the guilt inside him only grew heavier.
Yuuta slowly lowered his gaze toward his hand.
The Eternal Flower Ring rested against his ring finger.
